JP5725732B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue and a control program therefor.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that synthesizes and displays a normal B-mode image and an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue. In this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the elasticity image is created as follows. First, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received while deforming a living tissue by repeatedly pressing and relaxing the living tissue with an ultrasonic probe, for example, to acquire an echo. Based on the obtained echo data, a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue is calculated, and the physical quantity is converted into hue information to create a color elasticity image. Incidentally, as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue, for example, a strain of the living tissue is calculated.

Japanese Patent No. 3932482

  By the way, the synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the B-mode image and the elastic image is a two-dimensional image. For this reason, it is difficult to grasp the three-dimensional shape of an observation target such as a tumor. Therefore, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a three-dimensional elastic image that can grasp the three-dimensional shape of an observation target is desired.

  Here, conventionally, there is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a three-dimensional B-mode image by the volume rendering method. However, when a three-dimensional elastic image is displayed by the conventional volume rendering method, the three-dimensional object to be observed is displayed. It is difficult to obtain an elastic image.

An invention according to a first aspect made to solve the above-described problem includes an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in a three-dimensional region of a subject to acquire an echo signal, and a biological tissue based on the echo signal A physical quantity calculation unit for calculating a physical quantity related to elasticity, a cross-sectional image display control unit for displaying an elastic image of three cross sections orthogonal to each other created based on the physical quantity, and the three-dimensional in each elastic image of the three cross sections A region setting unit for setting a predetermined region so as to include an observation target in the region, and a set three-dimensional region specified based on the region set by the region setting unit, the observation target in the three-dimensional region being Create and display a 3D elasticity image in a predetermined elasticity range based on the physical quantity for a 3D area set to include A three-dimensional image display control unit, wherein the cross-sectional image display control unit displays an image capable of distinguishing between the predetermined elastic range portion and an elastic range portion other than the predetermined range. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a cross section.

  According to the invention of the second aspect, in the invention of the first aspect, the cross-sectional image display control unit is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the elastic image is combined with a B-mode image and displayed. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the elastic image is created based on gradation data obtained by gradation of the physical quantity. It is a diagnostic device.

  A fourth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein the predetermined elastic range is set at a gradation value used for gradation.

  According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the three-dimensional elastic image is created by performing image processing on the gradation data in the set three-dimensional region. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the predetermined elastic range is set in the physical quantity.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention based on the sixth aspect, the three-dimensional elasticity image is created by performing image processing on the physical quantity data in the set three-dimensional area. This is a sonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the three-dimensional image display control unit can switch and display three-dimensional elasticity images for a plurality of different elasticity ranges. This is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the cross-sectional image display control unit includes a portion of the predetermined elastic range and an elastic range other than the predetermined range. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that an image that can be distinguished from a portion is displayed for the three cross sections.

A tenth aspect of the invention relates to a physical quantity calculation function for calculating a physical quantity related to elasticity of a living tissue based on an echo signal obtained by performing transmission / reception of an ultrasonic wave with an ultrasonic probe for a three-dimensional region in a subject. A cross-sectional image display control function for displaying elastic images of three cross sections orthogonal to each other created based on the physical quantity, and a predetermined area so as to include an observation target in the three-dimensional area in each elastic image of the three cross sections An area setting function for setting an area and a setting three-dimensional area specified based on the area set by the area setting function, the setting three-dimensional area set to include an observation target in the three-dimensional area 3D image display for creating and displaying a 3D elasticity image in a predetermined range of elasticity based on the physical quantity A cross-sectional image display control function that distinguishes between a portion of the predetermined elasticity range and a portion of the elasticity range other than the predetermined range. A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein a possible image is displayed for the three cross sections.

According to the invention of the above aspect, before the Ki設 constant three-dimensional region, the three-dimensional elastic image of a predetermined range of elastic set in advance is displayed is created, set near the set three-dimensional space observation target By doing so, it is possible to display a three-dimensional elasticity image of the observation target. Further, it is possible to easily distinguish a portion in a predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elasticity image and a portion outside the predetermined elasticity range.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows three cross sections orthogonal to each other. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an effect | action of the ultrasound diagnosing device in embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part on which the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other was displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part of the state by which the area | region was set to the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other. It is a figure for demonstrating a three-dimensional area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating a three-dimensional area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating a three-dimensional area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating the setting of an area | region. It is a figure which shows an example of the display part on which the three-dimensional elasticity image was displayed with the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other. It is a figure for demonstrating the range of predetermined elasticity. In 2nd embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other displayed on the display part. In 2nd embodiment, it is a figure which shows an example of the display part in which the three-dimensional elasticity image was displayed with the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other. In 2nd embodiment, it is a figure which shows the other example of the display part in which the three-dimensional elasticity image was displayed with the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other. In 2nd embodiment, it is a figure which shows the other example of the display part in which the three-dimensional elasticity image was displayed with the ultrasonic image about three cross sections orthogonal to each other.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B-mode data processing unit 4, a physical quantity data processing unit 5, a display control unit 6, a display unit 7, an operation unit 8, a control unit 9, and An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 10 is provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave to a living tissue and receives an echo thereof. The ultrasonic probe 2 is an ultrasonic probe that can acquire volume data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in a three-dimensional region. A so-called mechanical 3D probe that mechanically scans a three-dimensional region, a 3D probe that electronically scans a three-dimensional region, and the like are used. The ultrasonic probe 2 is an example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe in the present invention. While the ultrasonic probe 2 is in contact with the surface of the living tissue, compression and relaxation are repeated, or an acoustic radiation pressure is applied from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue, so that the ultrasonic wave is deformed. Based on the echo data acquired by performing transmission / reception, an elastic image is created as described later.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition based on a control signal from the control unit 9 to perform ultrasonic scanning for each sound ray. The transmission / reception unit 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the echo received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The echo data signal-processed by the transmission / reception unit 3 is output to the B-mode data processing unit 4 and the physical quantity data processing unit 5.

  The B-mode data processing unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to create B-mode data. B-mode data is output from the B-mode data processing unit 4 to the display control unit 6.

  The physical quantity data processing unit 5 creates physical quantity data (physical quantity data) related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue based on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3 (physical quantity calculation function). The physical quantity data processing unit 5 sets a correlation window for echo data different in time on the same sound ray on one scanning plane as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-126079. Then, a correlation calculation is performed to calculate a physical quantity related to the elasticity to create the physical quantity data. Examples of the physical quantity relating to elasticity include strain. The physical quantity data processing unit 5 is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity calculation unit in the present invention, and the physical quantity calculation function is an example of an embodiment of a physical quantity calculation function in the present invention.

  The display control unit 6 is input with B mode data from the B mode data processing unit 4 and physical quantity data from the physical quantity data processing unit 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the display control unit 6 includes a memory 61, a B-mode image data creation unit 62, an elastic image data creation unit 63, a cross-sectional image display control unit 64, a region setting unit 65, and a three-dimensional image display control unit 66. have.

  The memory 61 stores B-mode data and physical quantity data for each scanning plane in the three-dimensional region scanned with ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe 2. Therefore, the B mode data and physical quantity data stored in the memory 61 are volume data. The B-mode data and the physical quantity data are stored in the memory 61 as data for each sound ray.

  The memory 61 is composed of a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Incidentally, the B-mode data and the physical quantity data may be stored in the HDD 10 as well.

  Here, the echo data obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2 and before being converted into B-mode image data and color elasticity image data described later are referred to as raw data. The B mode data and physical quantity data stored in the memory 61 are raw data.

  The B-mode image data creation unit 62 converts the B-mode data into B-mode image data having luminance information corresponding to the echo signal intensity. The elastic image data creation unit 63 converts the physical quantity data into color elastic image data having hue information corresponding to the distortion. Incidentally, the luminance information in the B-mode image data and the hue information in the color elastic image data have predetermined gradations (for example, 256 gradations). The color elasticity image data is an example of an embodiment of gradation data in the present invention.

  The cross-sectional image display control unit 64 performs a cross-sectional image display control function for combining and displaying the elastic image EG with the B-mode image BG. Specifically, the cross-sectional image display control unit 64 synthesizes the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data by addition processing, and displays image data of a two-dimensional ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit 7. Create This image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a two-dimensional ultrasonic image G in which a monochrome B-mode image BG and a color elastic image EG are combined. The elastic image EG is displayed semi-transparently (with the background B-mode image transparent).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic image G is ultrasonic images G1, G2, and G3 of three cross sections, ie, a cross section XY, a cross section YZ, and a cross section ZX, which are orthogonal to each other (see FIG. 5 and the like). That is, the cross-sectional image display control unit 64 generates image data by synthesizing the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data for the cross-sections XY, YZ, and ZX, and displays ultrasonic images G1 to G3. To do. The sectional image display control unit 64 is an example of an embodiment of a sectional image display control unit in the present invention, and the sectional image display control function is an example of an embodiment of a sectional image display control function in the present invention. is there.

  However, the cross-sectional image display control unit 64 may display only the elastic images EG (EG1 to EG3) as the ultrasonic images G (G1 to G3).

The region setting unit 65 sets regions R1, R2, and R3 (see FIG. 6) in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 when displaying a later-described three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D (region setting function). The region setting unit 65 sets the regions R <b> 1 to R <b> 3 based on an input from the operation unit 9. The region setting unit 65 and the operation unit 9 are an example of an embodiment of the region setting unit in the present invention, and the region setting function is an example of an embodiment of the region setting function in the present invention.

The three-dimensional image display control unit 66 creates a three-dimensional elasticity image EG _3D and displays it on the display unit 7 (three-dimensional image display control function). The three-dimensional image display control unit 66 creates a three-dimensional elasticity image EG _3D for the set three-dimensional region R _3D specified based on the regions R1, R2, and R3 set in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. indicate. Details will be described later. The 3D image display control unit 66 is an example of an embodiment of a 3D image display control unit in the present invention, and the 3D image display control function is an implementation of the 3D image display control function in the present invention. It is an example of a form.

  The display unit 7 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The operation unit 8 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information.

  The control unit 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads a control program stored in the HDD 10, reads the physical quantity calculation function, the cross-sectional image display control function, the region setting function, and a three-dimensional image. Functions in each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 including a display control function are executed.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in Step S1, volume data is acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. More specifically, the transmission / reception unit 3 transmits an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue of the subject and acquires an echo signal thereof. At this time, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received while deforming the living tissue. Examples of the method for deforming the living tissue include a method of repeatedly pressing and relaxing the subject with the ultrasonic probe 2 and a method of applying an acoustic radiation pressure to the subject with the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 performs ultrasonic scanning on a three-dimensional region.

  When an echo signal is acquired, the B-mode data processing unit 4 creates the B-mode data, and the physical quantity data processing unit 5 creates the physical quantity data. Further, the B-mode image data creating unit 62 creates B-mode image data based on the B-mode data, and the elastic image data creating unit 63 creates color elastic image data based on the physical quantity data. Then, the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data for the three-dimensional region subjected to ultrasonic scanning are stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10.

  Next, in step S2, based on the B-mode image data and the color elastic image data stored in the memory 61 or the HDD 10, the cross-sectional image display control units 64 are orthogonal to each other as shown in FIG. Ultrasound images G1 to G3 for the cross section XY, the cross section YZ, and the cross section ZX (see FIG. 3) are displayed on the display unit 7. The ultrasonic image G1 is an image of the cross-section XY and is an image obtained by combining the B-mode image BG1 and the elastic image EG1, and the ultrasonic image G2 is an image of the cross-section YZ and is a B-mode. This is an image in which the image BG2 and the elastic image EG2 are combined. Furthermore, the ultrasonic image G3 is an image of the cross section ZX, and is an image obtained by combining the B-mode image BG3 and the elastic image EG3.

  Incidentally, in each of the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 shown in FIG. 5, the elastic images EG1 to EG3 are represented by two-stage gray scale, and the darker region is a portion to be observed such as a tumor (observation target OB). Suppose that

  However, as described above, in FIG. 5, the elastic images EG1 to EG3 are represented by two levels of dark dots, but are actually images represented by, for example, 256 tone hues. .

  Next, in step S3, regions R1 to R3 are set in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 (elastic images EG1 to EG3) as shown in FIG. Specifically, the operator looks at the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 and sets the regions R1 to R3 at desired positions in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. Input instructions. When there is an instruction input on the operation unit 8, the region setting unit 65 sets the regions R1 to R3.

The regions R1 to R3 are set so as to include the observation object OB such as a tumor in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. Then, a set three-dimensional region R _3D (not shown) is specified by setting the regions R1 to R3, and a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D is created for the set three-dimensional region R _3D as described later. .

Here, the specification of the set three-dimensional region R _3D by setting the regions R1 to R3 will be described. When the region R1 for the cross section XY is set, as shown in FIG. 7, a quadrangular prism region RP1 with the region R1 as a cross section and a depth in the z-axis direction is assumed, and a region R2 for the cross section YZ is set. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a quadrangular prism region RP2 is assumed in which the region R2 is a cross section and the x-axis direction is a depth. Furthermore, when the region R3 for the cross section ZX is set, as shown in FIG. 9, a quadrangular prism region RP3 with the region R3 as a cross section and a depth in the y-axis direction is assumed. Then, the area of the square column RP1, RP2, region RP3 overlap becomes the set three-dimensional region _{R 3D.}

Incidentally, it is preferable to set the regions R1 to R3 so as to avoid noise in the elastic image EG (however, noise is not shown in FIG. 6). This will be specifically described. FIG. 10 shows an ultrasonic image G1. In the elastic image EG of the ultrasonic image G1, the observation object OB ′ is a tumor, and the symbol n is the same as that of the tumor although it is a normal tissue in the elastic image EG. The part of the noise displayed as elastic is shown. The region R1 is set so as to avoid the noise n. By setting the regions R1 to R3 in this way, the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D of the observation object OB can be displayed.

Next, in step S4, the three-dimensional image display control unit 66 displays a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D as shown in FIG. The three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D is displayed on the display unit 7 together with the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. Incidentally, in G1 to G3, the regions R1 to R3 may or may not be displayed. FIG. 11 shows a state where the regions R1 to R3 are displayed.

The display of the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D will be specifically described. The three-dimensional image display control unit 66 displays a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D within a predetermined elasticity range set in advance for the set three-dimensional region R _3D specified based on the regions R1 to R3. More specifically, the three-dimensional elasticity image display control unit 66 creates three-dimensional elasticity image data based on color elasticity image data in a predetermined elasticity range set in advance. Then, the three-dimensional image display control unit 66 displays a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D based on the three-dimensional elastic image data on the display unit 7.

  Here, the predetermined range of elasticity will be described in detail. In this example, the color elastic image data is data of 256 gradations from 0 to 255, and the elastic images EG1 to EG3 are composed of hues of 256 gradations. Accordingly, the physical quantity data is converted into color elastic image data by being converted into 256 gradations.

  The predetermined elasticity range is set at the gradation value of 256 gradations. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The number line l shown in FIG. 12 is a number line representing 256 gradations with gradation values 0 to 255. In this number line l, the smaller the tone value (tone value 0 side), the smaller the distortion and the harder the tissue, and the larger the tone value (tone value 255 side), the greater the strain and the living tissue. It should be soft.

  The predetermined elasticity range may be set to a range S1 of gradation value 0 to gradation value N1 in 256 gradations, or may be set to a range S2 of gradation value N2 to gradation value 255. Good (however, tone value N2> tone value N1). The predetermined elasticity range may be set to a range S3 of the gradation value N1 to the gradation value N2. The predetermined elasticity range is set to any one of the ranges S1 to S3 according to the elasticity of the observation object OB.

  The predetermined elasticity range may be set by the operator in the operation unit 8 or may be set as a default. Further, the gradation values N1 and N2 may be arbitrarily input through the operation unit 8.

The three-dimensional image display control unit 66 uses only the color elastic image data of the gradation value in any one of the ranges S1, S2, and S3 set as a predetermined elastic range, and uses the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D. Create and display. Specifically, the color elasticity image data having the gradation value in any one of the ranges S1, S2, and S3 set as a predetermined elasticity range is subjected to image processing such as surface rendering and volume rendering to perform three-dimensional processing. Elastic image data is created, and a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D based on the three-dimensional elastic image data is displayed.

The three-dimensional elasticity image EG _3D created by the surface rendering method is a three-dimensional elasticity image of the surface of a solid (eg, a tumor) that is in a predetermined elasticity range. Further, the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D created by the volume rendering technique is a three-dimensional elastic image in which the inside of a solid (for example, a tumor or the like) that is in a predetermined elasticity range is transparent. As described above, the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D is created by surface rendering or volume rendering. Therefore, a conventional three-dimensional B-mode image created by surface rendering or volume rendering for a solid that is within a predetermined elasticity range. _3D elastic image EG _3D having the same stereoscopic effect can be obtained and can be observed without a sense of incongruity.

However, if a three-dimensional elastic image is created by the same surface rendering or volume rendering method as that used to create a conventional three-dimensional B-mode image, it is difficult to obtain an image of the observation target. Therefore, the set three-dimensional region R _3D is provided, and a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D having a predetermined elastic range is created for the set three-dimensional region R _3D , so that an image of the observation object can be obtained. I have to.

Here, in this example, it is assumed that the observation object OB is a tumor in the elastic range of the range S1, the range S1 is set as the predetermined elastic range, and the observation object OB having elasticity in the range S1 A three-dimensional elasticity image EG _3D is displayed.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example, in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, the regions R1 to R3 are set in the vicinity of the observation target OB, and the set three-dimensional region specified by these regions R1 to R3 By creating and displaying a _3D elastic image EG _3D of the elastic range of the range S1 for R _3D , a _3D elastic image of the observation object OB can be displayed. Since sets the setting three-dimensional region R _3D is adapted to create the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D, it is possible to display the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D which noise has been removed.

Further, since the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 for the three cross sections orthogonal to each other are composite images of the B-mode image and the elastic image, both the B-mode image and the elastic image can be observed. Here, the tumor is displayed at a low luminance in the B-mode image and is displayed as a hard one in the elastic image, but what is the hardened region of the biological tissue in the elastic image relative to the low-luminance region in the B-mode image? There is a diagnostic method for diagnosing a benign or malignant tumor by observing whether it has spread. Therefore, by displaying the ultrasonic images R1 to R3 about three orthogonal cross sections together with the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D , diagnosis by the above-described diagnostic method can be performed from a three-dimensional viewpoint, and more easily and appropriately. Diagnosis can be performed.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. In this modification, the three-dimensional image display control unit 66 may switch and display the three-dimensional elasticity image EG _3D for a plurality of different elasticity ranges. Specifically, the three-dimensional image display control unit 66, a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D elastic range of the range S1, and the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D elastic range of the range S2, the elasticity of the range S3 The range of the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D may be switched and displayed. In this case, the three-dimensional image display control unit 66 may switch the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D based on an instruction input from the operation unit 8.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, items different from the first embodiment will be described.

In this example, the cross-sectional image display control unit 64 includes, in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, a predetermined elastic range part for creating the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D , and a part other than the predetermined elastic range. An image that can be distinguished is displayed.

  Specifically, for example, the case where the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 shown in FIG. 13 are obtained will be described. In the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, the portion P1 having the highest dot density is a portion having the gradation value (that is, the gradation value 0 to N1) in the range S1, and the dot density is the lowest. The portion P2 is a portion having a gradation value in the range S2 (that is, gradation values N2 to 255). Furthermore, a portion P3 in which the dot density is between the portion P1 and the portion P2 is a portion having the gradation value (that is, gradation values N1 to N2) in the range S3. In FIG. 13, the three portions P1 to P3 are simplified and divided, but in reality, the portions P1 to P3 are often complicated and complicated.

  Incidentally, in this example, it is assumed that the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 are composed only of the elastic images EG1 to EG3 and no B-mode image is displayed.

For example, when the predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elasticity image is the range S1, as shown in FIG. 14, in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, a portion whose gradation value is in the range S1 As for P1, the elastic images G1 to G3 are displayed in a hue corresponding to the distortion as usual, and the portions P2 and P3 whose gradation values are outside the range S1 are displayed in one hue that is not used for the elastic image. The In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the portions P2 and P3 are displayed in white. Thereby, it is possible to easily distinguish the portion P1 that is in a predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D a and the other portions P2 and P3.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 14, the regions R1 to R3 are set in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3 so as to include the portion P1, and the three-dimensional region R _3D specified by these regions R1 to R3 is the three-dimensional. Elastic image EG _3D a is created and displayed.

When the predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elasticity image is the range S2, as shown in FIG. 15, in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, gradation values are within the range S2. For a certain portion P2, the elastic images EG1 to EG3 are displayed with a hue corresponding to the distortion as usual, and for the portions P1 and P3 whose gradation values are outside the range S2, one hue that is not used for the elastic image Is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to easily distinguish the portion P2 that is in a predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D b and the other portions P1 and P3.

  In FIG. 15, the hues of the portions P1 and P3 are different from those of the portions P2 and P3 in FIG. However, the hues of the parts P1 and P3 in FIG. 15 may be the same hues as the parts P2 and P3 in FIG.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 15, regions R1 to R3 are set in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, and a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D b is created for the set three-dimensional region R _3D specified by these regions R1 to R3. And displayed.

Further, when the predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elasticity image is the range S3, as shown in FIG. 16, in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, gradation values are within the range S3. For a certain part P3, the elastic images EG1 to EG3 are displayed in a hue according to distortion as usual, and for the parts P1 and P2 whose gradation values are outside the range S1, one hue that is not used for the elastic image Is displayed. Thereby, it is possible to easily distinguish the portion P3 within the predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D c from the other portions P1, P2.

  Note that the portion P1 and the portion P2 in FIG. 16 are displayed in different hues. The part P2 is displayed in a hue such as white.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 16, regions R1 to R3 are set in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3, and a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D c is created for the set three-dimensional region R _3D specified by these regions R1 to R3. And displayed.

  Here, the display on the display unit 7 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 may be switched to each other.

According to this example, in addition to having the same effect as the first embodiment, a part of a predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D is easily distinguished from a part other than the predetermined elasticity range. can do.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by each said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the predetermined elasticity range is set in the gradation value of 256 gradations, but is not limited to this, and may be set in a physical quantity such as the distortion value. Good. In this case, image processing such as surface rendering and volume rendering is performed on the physical quantity data for the physical quantity in the predetermined range set as the predetermined elastic range, and a three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D is created and displayed. To do. In this case, however, it is desirable to electronically scan the three-dimensional region and acquire echo data under the same state as possible of the deformation state of the living tissue.

Further, the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D may be displayed in real time while transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves.

In the second embodiment, the portion other than the predetermined elasticity range for creating the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D is displayed in one hue in the ultrasonic images G1 to G3. The elastic images EG <b> 1 to EG <b> 3 may be displayed only in the predetermined elastic range portion without displaying the portion other than the elastic range.

Further, as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue, a displacement or elastic modulus due to the deformation of the living tissue may be calculated instead of the strain, and the elastic image EG or the three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D may be created based on these.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 5 Physical quantity data processing part (physical quantity calculation part)
64 Cross-sectional image display control unit 65 Region setting unit 66 Three-dimensional image display control unit G1, G2, G3 Ultrasound image BG1, BG2, BG3 B-mode image EG1, EG2, EG3 Elastic image EG _3D Three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D a Tertiary Original elastic image EG _3D b Three-dimensional elastic image EG _3D c Three-dimensional elastic image R1, R2, R3 region

Claims (9)

An ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves for a three-dimensional region in a subject to acquire an echo signal;
A physical quantity calculator that calculates a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue based on the echo signal;
A cross-sectional image display control unit that displays elasticity images for three cross-sections that are orthogonal to each other created based on the physical quantity;
An area setting unit that sets a predetermined area so as to include an observation object in the three-dimensional area in each elastic image of the three cross sections;
A predetermined three-dimensional region specified based on the region set by the region setting unit, the predetermined three-dimensional region set to include an observation target in the three-dimensional region, and a predetermined elasticity set in advance A three-dimensional image display control unit that creates and displays a three-dimensional elastic image in the range of the physical quantity based on the physical quantity,
The cross-sectional image display control unit displays, for the three cross-sections, images capable of distinguishing between the predetermined elastic range portion and the elastic range portion other than the predetermined range. apparatus.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional image display control unit displays the elasticity image combined with a B-mode image.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic image is created based on gradation data obtained by gradation of the physical quantity.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined elasticity range is set in a gradation value used for gradation.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the three-dimensional elasticity image is created by performing image processing on the gradation data in the set three-dimensional region.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined elasticity range is set in the physical quantity.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the three-dimensional elasticity image is created by performing image processing on the physical quantity data in the set three-dimensional region.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional image display control unit is capable of switching and displaying a three-dimensional elasticity image for a plurality of different elasticity ranges. . On the computer,
A physical quantity calculation function for calculating a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves with an ultrasonic probe for a three-dimensional region in the subject;
A cross-sectional image display control function for displaying an elastic image of three cross-sections that are created based on the physical quantity and orthogonal to each other;
An area setting function for setting a predetermined area so as to include an observation target in the three-dimensional area in each elastic image of the three cross sections;
A predetermined 3D area that is specified based on the area set by the area setting function and that is set to include an observation target in the 3D area. A three-dimensional image display control function for creating and displaying a three-dimensional elastic image in the range of the physical quantity based on the physical quantity;
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for executing
The cross-sectional image display control function displays, on the three cross-sections, images capable of distinguishing between the predetermined elastic range portion and the elastic range portion other than the predetermined range. Device control program.

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