JP5859868B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs multifractal analysis on an echo signal and a control program thereof.

  In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasonic image created based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a human body, various diagnoses are performed by observing the ultrasonic image. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a fatty liver is diagnosed based on an ultrasound image.

JP 2010-233859 A (page 3, paragraph [0004])

  However, in the diagnosis based on the ultrasonic image as described above, it may be difficult to perform a reliable diagnosis. Conventionally, diagnosis is performed by an application specialized in diagnosis of a specific tissue property, and a plurality of tissue shapes such as fatty liver and cirrhosis cannot be diagnosed by one application. Therefore, it may be difficult to make a diagnosis of a specific tissue property unless a number of applications are used.

  As described above, there is a need for a support tool (tool) for making a more reliable diagnosis as to which of the plurality of tissue properties is applicable.

  One aspect of the invention made to solve the above-described problem is that an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to a living tissue and acquires an echo signal, and a weblet function is used for the echo signal. A multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis including the weblet transform, which performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions multiple times, and based on the results of this multifractal analysis An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines a tissue property of the living tissue; and a display unit that displays a determination result of the determination unit.

  Another aspect of the invention is an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a living tissue and obtains an echo signal, and a multifractal that includes a weblet transform using a weblet function for the echo signal. A multifractal analysis unit that performs analysis, and includes a multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions multiple times, and a display unit that displays a result of the multifractal analysis performed multiple times. Is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of multifractal analyzes using different weblet functions are performed, and the tissue properties of the living tissue are determined based on the plurality of multifractal analysis results, and the determination result is displayed. Therefore, a more reliable determination result can be displayed as to which of the plurality of tissue properties corresponds to which one.

  According to the invention of the above other aspect, a plurality of multifractal analyzes using different weblet functions are performed, and the result of the multifractal analysis is displayed. It is possible to display an analysis result that can make a more reliable diagnosis as to whether or not the tissue property is applicable.

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 control part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the region of interest used as the object which performs multifractal analysis was set to the ultrasonic image. It is a figure which shows an example of the specificity spectrum obtained by the multifractal analysis. It is a figure which shows the display part with which the message to the effect of the suspicion of fatty liver was displayed. It is a figure which shows the display part with which the message to the effect of the suspicion of cirrhosis was displayed. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the color image was displayed in the region of interest. In the 1st modification of 1st embodiment, it is a figure which shows the display part by which the probability which is a specific organization property was displayed in multiple numbers. It is a figure explaining the coupling | bonding of the echo signal of multiple sound rays in the 2nd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the coupling | bonding of an echo signal in detail. It is a figure explaining the coupling | bonding of the echo signal of multiple sound rays in the 3rd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the signal used as the object of multifractal analysis in the 3rd modification of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining averaging of the echo signal in the 4th modification of a first embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the signal used as the object of multifractal analysis. In the 5th modification of 1st embodiment, it is a figure which shows the display part by which the cursor which designates the object which performs multifractal analysis was displayed on the ultrasonic image. It is a figure for demonstrating the area | region used as the object of the multifractal analysis in the 6th modification of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the color image was displayed on the division area in an ultrasonic image. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part in 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the specific parameter in the several multifractal analysis result was displayed in 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of 3rd embodiment. In 3rd embodiment, when it determines with fatty liver, it is a figure which shows the display part by which the determination result and the multifractal analysis result were displayed. In 3rd embodiment, it is a figure which shows the display part by which the determination result and the multifractal analysis result were displayed when it determined with cirrhosis.

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. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display control unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, and a control unit 8.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves to a target from a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown). The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves by scanning ultrasonic waves in order of sound rays. The ultrasonic probe 2 receives an ultrasonic echo signal. The ultrasonic probe 2 is an example of an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe in the present invention.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 supplies an electrical signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition to the ultrasonic probe 2 based on a control signal from the control unit 8. The transmitter / receiver 3 performs signal processing such as A / D conversion and phasing addition processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2.

  The echo data processing unit 4 performs processing for creating an ultrasound image on the data of the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3. For example, the echo data processing unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing, and Doppler processing such as orthogonal detection processing and filter processing.

  Incidentally, Doppler processing includes color Doppler processing for creating color Doppler images, power Doppler processing for creating power Doppler images, pulse Doppler processing for creating images using the pulse Doppler method, and images using the continuous wave Doppler method. Includes continuous wave Doppler processing to create.

  The display control unit 5 scans and converts the data obtained by the echo data processing unit 4 using a scan converter to create ultrasonic image data. Further, the display control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data. The ultrasonic image is a B-mode image or an image based on data obtained by Doppler processing.

  Further, the display control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display a determination result of the determination unit 83 to be described later in addition to the ultrasonic image (display control function). The display control function is an example of an embodiment of the display control function in the present invention.

  The display unit 6 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). The display unit 6 is an example of an embodiment of a display unit in the present invention.

  The operation unit 7 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information.

  The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown). The control unit 8 reads a control program stored in a storage unit (not shown), and executes functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  A detailed configuration of the control unit 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 includes a region of interest setting unit 81, a multi-fractal analysis analysis unit 82, and a determination unit 83. The functions of these units are also executed by the control program stored in the storage unit. The description of these functions will be described later. The multifractal analysis unit 82 is an example of an embodiment of a multifractal analysis unit in the present invention, and executes an example of an embodiment of a multifractal analysis function in the present invention. Furthermore, the determination unit 83 is an example of an embodiment of a determination unit in the present invention, and executes an example of an embodiment of a determination function in the present invention.

  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, as shown in FIG. 4, an ultrasonic image UG is displayed on the display unit 6 to set a region of interest R. Specifically, ultrasonic waves are transmitted / received to / from the subject by the ultrasonic probe 2. The obtained echo signal is processed by the transmission / reception unit 3 and the echo data processing unit 4. Based on the output signal from the echo data processing unit 4, the display control unit 5 creates ultrasonic image data. Then, the display control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasonic image UG based on the ultrasonic image data.

  The region of interest R set in the ultrasonic image UG is a region to be subjected to multifractal analysis described later. For example, when the operator operates the pointing device of the operation unit 7 to specify a region in which multifractal analysis is performed in the ultrasonic image UG, the region of interest setting unit 81 specifies the specified region of interest R. A region is set as the region of interest R.

  Next, in step S2, the multifractal analysis unit 82 performs preprocessing on an echo signal to be subjected to multifractal analysis described later. The preprocessing is processing including, for example, smoothing processing or filtering processing on the echo signal.

  The echo signal to be subjected to multifractal analysis may be the output signal of the transmission / reception unit 3 or the output signal of the echo data processing unit 4. The output signal of the echo data processing unit 4 may be a signal obtained by B-mode processing, or an I signal or Q signal after orthogonal detection processing. Further, multifractal analysis may be performed on a signal obtained by combining these I signal and Q signal.

  The echo signal to be subjected to multifractal analysis is an echo signal for all or part of sound rays in the region of interest R. The multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis on the echo signal of each sound ray.

  Next, in step S3, the multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis on the preprocessed echo signal. In this example, the multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis using a WTMM (Wavelet Transform Modulus Maxima) method. The multifractal analysis using the WTMM method performs processing including Weblet conversion, extraction of Modulus maxima line, processing by a distribution function, and Legendre conversion.

  As a result of the multifractal analysis, a specificity spectrum Sp is obtained as shown in FIG. In this specificity spectrum Sp, the horizontal axis h is the specificity index (Lippsitz-Herder index), and the vertical axis D is the fractal dimension (fractal dimension). Dmax is the maximum value in the specificity spectrum Sp, that is, the maximum value (maximum fractal dimension) of the fractal dimension D, and hmax is the value of the specificity index h in Dmax in the specificity spectrum Sp. Further, FWHM (full width at half maximum) is a width (half-value width) of the specificity index h of the specificity spectrum Sp in Dhalf which is a half of Dmax.

  Incidentally, the specificity index h is an index indicating the degree of complexity of the waveform of the echo signal to be analyzed, and FWHM is a value related to the amount of different signal patterns included in the echo signal. For example, the more similar signal patterns are included in the echo signal, the smaller the value of FWHM.

  The multifractal analysis unit 82 calculates the maximum fractal dimension Dmax and the half width FWHM. The multifractal analysis unit 82 may further calculate the specificity index hmax.

  The multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis a plurality of times. In this multi-fractal analysis, the weblet function used in the weblet transformation is a different function.

  In this example, the weblet function is a function that obtains an analysis result suitable for determination of tissue properties by the determination unit 83 described later. For example, when performing ultrasound transmission / reception for the liver, the determination unit 83 determines whether the liver is cirrhosis or fatty liver, as described later, and is suitable for the determination of fatty liver as a weblet function. A function f1 for obtaining an analysis result and a function f2 for obtaining an analysis result suitable for determination of cirrhosis are used.

  More specifically, a signal pattern included in an echo signal obtained from a fatty liver or a liver in cirrhosis is different from a signal pattern included in an echo signal obtained from a normal liver. Therefore, in the case of fatty liver or cirrhosis, a characteristic value such as a specific parameter having a large value among parameters such as the half-value width FWHM and the maximum fractal dimension Dmax in the specificity spectrum Sp becomes a characteristic value. . Further, the signal pattern included in the echo signal obtained from the liver in the fatty liver state is different from the signal pattern included in the echo signal obtained from the liver in the cirrhotic state. Therefore, the parameter that becomes a characteristic value is different between the case of fatty liver and the case of cirrhosis.

  The function f1 is a function in which a specific parameter P1 that is a characteristic value in the case of fatty liver is a more significant value among the parameters in the specificity spectrum Sp. The function f2 is a function in which a specific parameter P2 that is a characteristic value in the case of cirrhosis among the parameters in the specificity spectrum Sp shows a more remarkable value. Therefore, when the function f1 and the function f2 are used, the parameters P1 and P2 become more prominent values in the case of fatty liver and cirrhosis, and the determination of fatty liver or cirrhosis is further performed. It can be done reliably.

  In step S3, the multifractal analysis result X1 obtained using the function f1 in the weblet transformation and the multifractal analysis result X2 obtained using the function f2 in the weblet transformation are obtained.

  Next, in step S4, based on the multifractal analysis result X1 obtained in step S3, the determination unit 83 determines whether or not it is fatty liver. The determination unit 83 determines whether the cirrhosis is based on the multifractal analysis result X2.

  Specifically, the determination unit 83 is fatty liver when the parameter P1 in the specificity spectrum Sp has a characteristic value (for example, larger than a threshold value) in the multifractal analysis result X1. Is determined. The determination unit 83 determines that the cirrhosis is cirrhosis when the parameter P2 in the specificity spectrum Sp is a characteristic value (for example, larger than a threshold value) in the multifractal analysis result X2.

  In addition, in the case of fatty liver and cirrhosis, which parameter shows a characteristic value in the specificity spectrum Sp is assumed to be experimentally obtained in advance, for example. It is assumed that the criterion for determining whether it is fatty liver or cirrhosis is stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) or the like.

  Next, in step S5, when the display control unit 5 determines that the liver is fatty liver, as shown in FIG. 6, the message M1 indicating that there is a fatty liver is displayed together with the ultrasonic image UG. This is displayed on part 6. When it is determined that the cirrhosis is present, the display control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display a message M2 indicating that cirrhosis is suspected together with the ultrasonic image UG as illustrated in FIG.

  The determination result displayed in step S5 may be a determination result based on a multifractal analysis result of a single sound ray echo signal in the region of interest R.

  Further, multi-fractal analysis may be performed on the echo signals of a plurality of sound rays in the region of interest R by performing the processes of steps S2 to S4, respectively, and determination may be performed based on each multi-fractal analysis result. In this case, the determination unit 83 performs a comprehensive determination of the tissue properties by combining a plurality of determination results for a plurality of sound rays, and the comprehensive determination result is displayed in step S5.

  When performing a comprehensive determination, for example, when the determination result that a specific tissue property (for example, fatty liver, cirrhosis) is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of sound rays, the comprehensive determination is made that the specific tissue property Also good. In addition, when a determination result indicating that the tissue properties are different from each other is obtained, a comprehensive determination may be made that the tissue properties have a larger number of sound rays.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the display control unit 5 may display a color image CG having a color corresponding to the determination result by the determination unit 83 in the region of interest R. In this case, it is preferable to display the color image CG in a state where the background ultrasonic image UG is seen through.

  When fractal analysis is performed on the echo signals of a plurality of sound rays, the multifractal analysis unit 82 may calculate an average value of each parameter in the specificity spectrum Sp for each sound ray. In this case, the determination unit 83 may perform determination based on the average value of each parameter.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example, it is possible to determine a plurality of tissue properties by performing multifractal analysis using the function f1 and multifractal analysis using the function f2. In addition, since the multifractal analysis using the function f1 and the multifractal analysis using the function f2 are performed, the parameters P1 and P2 that are characteristic values in the case of fatty liver or cirrhosis are more prominent. Value. Therefore, since the determination unit 83 can more reliably determine fatty liver and cirrhosis, a more reliable determination result can be displayed.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. In this example, the determination unit 83 calculates the probability of a specific tissue property for a plurality of tissue properties. Specifically, when the parameter P1 has a characteristic value in the multifractal analysis result X1, and the parameter P2 has a characteristic value in the multifractal analysis result X2, the determination unit 83 calculates the probability of fatty liver and the probability of cirrhosis.

  The probability of fatty liver and the probability of cirrhosis may be determined in advance according to the values of parameters P1 and P2. In this case, the probability of fatty liver and the probability of cirrhosis are determined according to which of the parameters P1 and P2 that are characteristic values is more prominent, depending on the degree of saliency. It may be done. When the parameter P1 is a more remarkable value than the parameter P2, the probability of fatty liver is higher than the probability of cirrhosis. On the other hand, when the parameter P2 has a more remarkable value than the parameter P1, the probability of cirrhosis is higher than the probability of fatty liver.

  The determination unit 83 calculates the probability of fatty liver and the probability of cirrhosis with reference to a predetermined probability. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the display control unit 5 displays the calculated probability on the display unit 6 (probability display P in FIG. 9).

  When calculating the probability of a specific tissue property for a plurality of tissue properties, the determination unit 83 may determine that the probability is a tissue property other than the probability calculation target. Other than the calculation target of the probability, among the parameters in the multifractal analysis result, the multifractal analysis result using a weblet function that shows a more remarkable value that is a characteristic value when it has a specific tissue property It is a tissue property other than the tissue property determined based on. For example, when the probability of fatty liver and the probability of cirrhosis calculated based on the multifractal analysis results X1 and X2 are predetermined probabilities, the determination unit 83 determines tissue characteristics other than fatty liver and cirrhosis (for example, the aforementioned It may be determined that there is a possibility that the fatty liver is different from the fatty liver identified based on the multifractal analysis result X1, and the determination result may be displayed.

  Next, a second modification will be described. In this example, the multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis on a signal obtained by combining echo signals in a plurality of sound rays.

  The combination of echo signals in a plurality of sound rays will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the multifractal analysis unit 82 combines a plurality of sound ray echo signals sa, sb, and sc in the region of interest R in the sound ray direction to combine one echo signal s (the signal is Simplified and shown as a straight line). The multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions for the combined echo signal s a plurality of times.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the end portions of the echo signals sa, sb, sc on the shallow side (side closer to the ultrasonic probe 2) are an, bn, cn, and the deep side (distant from the ultrasonic probe 2). Side) is af, bf, cf. The multifractal analysis unit 82 combines end portions on the side where the depths of adjacent echoes are close to each other. That is, the multifractal analysis unit 82 combines the end af of the echo signal sa and the end bf of the echo signal sb, and the end bn of the echo signal sb and the end cn of the echo signal sc. Join. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case.

  Here, as the length of the region of interest R in the sound ray direction (depth direction) becomes shorter, the number of echo signal data decreases, and there is a possibility that an appropriate multifractal analysis result cannot be obtained. However, according to this example, since multifractal analysis is performed on an echo signal obtained by combining echo signals of a plurality of sound rays, even if the length of the region of interest R in the sound ray direction is short, Appropriate multifractal analysis results can be obtained. Therefore, for example, when the region of interest R is set avoiding blood vessels, an appropriate specificity spectrum Sp can be obtained even if the length of the region of interest R in the sound ray direction is shortened.

  Next, a third modification will be described based on FIGS. In FIG. 12, sl-a, sl-b, and sl-c indicate sound rays in the region of interest R (not shown in FIG. 12). The echo signal data at the sound ray sl-a is a1, a2, a3,..., The echo signal data at the sound ray sl-b is b1, b2, b3,. Let the echo signal data be c1, c2, c3,.

  The multifractal analysis unit 82 creates a signal composed of a data string obtained by combining echo signal data arranged in the order of the sound ray direction in each sound ray so as to be arranged in the order of the ultrasonic scanning direction over a plurality of sound rays. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the multifractal analysis unit 82 is a signal composed of a data string arranged in the order of data a1, b1, c1, c2, b2, a2, a3, b3, c3,. Create s. The multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions for the signal s a plurality of times.

  Next, a fourth modification will be described. The multifractal analysis unit 82 may create a signal s ′ obtained by averaging echo signals for a plurality of sound rays. This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown in FIG. 14, the echo signal data in the sound ray sl-a is a1, a2, a3,..., An, and the echo signal data in the sound ray sl-b is b1, b2, b3,. , Bn, and echo signal data on the sound ray sl-c are c1, c2, c3,. As shown in FIG. 15, the multifractal analysis unit 82 is data of echo signals in each sound ray, and data (a1, b1, c1), (a2, b2, c2), (a3) at each depth position. , B3, c3), (an, bn, cn) in the sound ray direction, a signal s ′ comprising a data string of data x1, x2, x3,. Specifically, x1 = (a1 + b1 + c1) / 3, x2 = (a2 + b2 + c2) / 3, x3 = (a3 + b3 + c3) / 3,..., Xn = (an + bn + cn) / 3.

  The multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions for the signal s ′ a plurality of times.

  Next, a fifth modification will be described. Instead of the region of interest R, a target for multifractal analysis may be specified using cursors C1 and C2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions a plurality of times on the echo signal between the cursors C1 and C2.

  Next, a sixth modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 17, the multifractal analysis unit 82 performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions a plurality of times for the divided regions r1, r2, and r3 obtained by dividing the region of interest R in the sound ray direction. In this case, in each of the divided regions r1 to r3, the multifractal analysis may be performed on the echo signal of one sound ray as described above, or the multifractal analysis may be performed on the echo signal of a plurality of sound rays.

  In the sixth modification, the determination unit 83 performs determination for each of the divided regions r1 to r3, and the determination result is displayed for each. The determination result may be character information such as the messages M1 and M2. As the determination result, as shown in FIG. 18, color images CG1, CG2, and CG3 having colors according to the determination result may be displayed in each of the divided regions r1 to r3.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same matter as 1st embodiment.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 8 includes the region-of-interest setting unit 81 and the multifractal analysis unit 82, but does not include the determination unit 83.

  The operation of this example will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. Steps S1 to S3 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. When multifractal analysis is performed in step S3, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the display control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display a multifractal analysis result. In this example, as shown in FIG. 21, as the result display N, the parameter P1 in the multifractal analysis result X1 and the parameter P2 in the multifractal analysis result X2 are displayed on the display unit 6.

  However, although not particularly shown, the display control unit 5 may display not only the parameters P1 and P2 but also other parameters in the multifractal analysis results X1 and X2.

  According to the present example, the result of the multifractal analysis using the function f1 and the result of the multifractal analysis using the function f2 are displayed. When the liver is cirrhosis or fatty liver, the parameters P1 and P2 are Since a more remarkable value is shown, an analysis result that can make a diagnosis more reliably can be displayed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the same matter as 1st and 2 embodiment.

  In this example, the control unit 8 includes the region-of-interest setting unit 81, the multifractal analysis unit 82, and the determination unit 83, as in the first embodiment.

  The operation of this example will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. Steps S1 to S4 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. When the determination by the determination unit 83 is performed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the display control unit 5 causes the display unit 6 to display the determination result of the determination unit 83 and also displays the multifractal analysis result.

  For example, when the determination unit 83 determines that the liver is fatty liver, the display control unit 5 displays the message M1 on the display unit 6 as shown in FIG. The parameter P1 in the multifractal analysis result X1 is displayed on the display unit 6. On the other hand, when the determination unit 83 determines that the cirrhosis is present, the display control unit 5 displays the message M2 on the display unit 6 as shown in FIG. The parameter P2 in the fractal analysis result X2 is displayed on the display unit 6.

  However, the parameter P2 may be displayed together with the message M1 and the parameter P1 even when it is determined that the liver is fatty. Further, even if it is determined that the cirrhosis is cirrhosis, the parameter P1 may be displayed together with the message M2 and the parameter P2 (each not shown).

  Further, even if it is not determined that the liver is fatty liver or cirrhosis, the display control unit 5 may display the parameters P1 and P2.

  Further, although not particularly illustrated, not only the parameters P1 and P2, but also other parameters in the multifractal analysis results X1 and X2 may be displayed.

  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 the first modification of the first embodiment, the determination unit 83 calculates the probability of a specific tissue property for a plurality of tissue properties, but calculates the probability of a specific single tissue property. May be.

  Also in the second and third embodiments, the multifractal analysis described in the second to sixth modifications of the first embodiment may be performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 6 Display part
82 Multifractal analysis unit 83 Judgment unit

Claims (12)

An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a living tissue and obtains an echo signal;
A multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis including weblet transform using a weblet function on the echo signal, and a multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions a plurality of times;
Based on the results of the multi-fractal analysis of the plurality of times, a determination unit that determines the tissue properties of the biological tissue;
A display unit for displaying a determination result of the determination unit;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit performs the determination based on characteristics specified in advance for each tissue property in the result of the plurality of multifractal analyses.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit specifies one or a plurality of tissue properties.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit calculates a probability of a specific tissue property.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit calculates a probability of a specific tissue property for a plurality of tissue properties.   The determination unit is based on the multifractal analysis result using the weblet function in which the parameter that becomes a characteristic value in the case of a specific tissue property among the parameters in the multifractal analysis result shows a more remarkable value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the specific tissue property is present.   The determination unit is based on the multifractal analysis result using the weblet function in which the parameter that becomes a characteristic value in the case of a specific tissue property among the parameters in the multifractal analysis result shows a more remarkable value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein it is determined that the tissue property is other than the specific tissue property. An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a living tissue and obtains an echo signal;
A multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis including weblet transform using a weblet function on the echo signal, and a multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis using different weblet functions a plurality of times;
A display unit for displaying the results of the multifractal analysis of the plurality of times;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: Based on the results of the multi-fractal analysis of the plurality of times, a determination unit that determines the tissue properties of the living tissue,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a determination result of the determination unit is displayed on the display unit together with a result of the multifractal analysis of the plurality of times.   The said weblet function is a function in which the parameter which becomes a characteristic value when it is a specific tissue property among the parameters in a multifractal analysis result shows a more remarkable value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item. On the computer,
A multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis including weblet transform using weblet functions on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from a living tissue, and multifractal analysis using different weblet functions Multifractal analysis function that performs multiple times,
Based on the results of the multi-fractal analysis of the plurality of times, a determination function for determining the tissue properties of the living tissue,
A display control function for displaying a determination result of the determination function ;
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that On the computer,
A multifractal analysis unit that performs multifractal analysis including weblet transform using weblet functions on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from a living tissue, and multifractal analysis using different weblet functions Multifractal analysis function that performs multiple times,
A display control function for displaying the result of the multi-fractal analysis multiple times;
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that