JP5972691B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, image processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a program.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic device emits an ultrasonic pulse generated from an ultrasonic transducer built in an ultrasonic probe into a subject and receives a reflected wave from the subject tissue or blood flow by the ultrasonic transducer. It is a device that generates and displays image data and the like.

  As a method of image diagnosis using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, there is a method of distinguishing blood flow information obtained from reflected waves from information on a subject tissue and displaying a blood flow image based on the blood flow information in color.

  Also, as one of the techniques for smoothing the edges of blood flow images displayed in color, the position of the contour is defined with a power value as a threshold, and blood flow information below the threshold depends on the distance from the contour There is a technique of smoothing the edge of a blood flow image by adding a correction with a smoothing factor.

JP 2005-31578 A

  However, when the above technique is used, if the threshold value is reduced, the area to be smoothed is reduced, so that the original resolution is easily maintained, but the smoothing effect of the edge portion becomes relatively weak, and the edge is sufficient. May not be smooth. On the other hand, when the threshold value is increased, the area to be smoothed increases, so that the smoothing effect of the edge portion becomes relatively strong, but the resolution and weak signal of the portion other than the edge portion may be lost.

  An object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a program capable of displaying a smooth blood flow image of a margin without losing resolution or weak signals in portions other than the margin.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe, a scanning unit, a blood flow data generation unit, a smoothing unit, a threshold setting unit, a blood flow image generation unit, and a display unit.

  The scanning means scans the inside of the subject with ultrasonic waves through the ultrasonic probe.

  The blood flow data generation unit generates first blood flow data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the scan.

  The smoothing means calculates a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data.

  The threshold value setting means sets a threshold value for the power data subjected to the smoothing process among the plurality of second blood flow data.

  The blood flow image generation means performs blood flow processing by combining at least two blood flow data of the first blood flow data and the plurality of second blood flow data in a region where the power data is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Generate stream image data.

  The display means displays the blood flow image.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the edge smooth processor in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the conventional display screen which superimposed the blood flow image of the 1st blood flow data received by step ST10 on the B mode image. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display screen which superimposed the blood-flow image produced | generated by step ST70 on the B mode image. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the production | generation process of the blood-flow image in the same embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the power data before and behind smoothing in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the contour line of the power data before and behind smoothing in the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the edge smooth processor in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the production | generation process of the blood-flow image in the same embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the edge smooth processor applied to the ultrasound diagnosing device which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement in the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device which concerns on 7th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and a program according to each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Each of the following ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses and image processing apparatuses can be implemented with either a hardware configuration or a combination configuration of hardware resources and software. As the software of the combined configuration, a program that is installed in a computer from a network or a storage medium in advance and causes the computer to realize each function in the apparatus main body or the image processing apparatus of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the edge smooth processor. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 100, a transmission system 200, a reception system 300, a B-mode processing system 400, a CFM (color flow mapping) processing system 500, a scan converter 600, and a display system 700. Of the names of the components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, “system” may be read as “part”, “unit”, “module”, “device”, “means”, or the like.

  The ultrasonic probe 100 is a device (probe) responsible for transmission / reception of an ultrasonic signal irradiated and reflected with a subject, and is formed of an electric / mechanical reversible conversion element. The ultrasonic probe 100 is configured as a phased array type device having a plurality of elements arranged in an array at the tip, for example. As a result, the ultrasonic probe 100 converts the pulse drive voltage supplied from the transmission system 200 into an ultrasonic pulse signal, transmits the pulse drive voltage in a desired direction within the scan region of the subject, and reflects the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject. The echo signal is converted into an echo signal having a voltage amount corresponding to the echo signal. The echo signal of the voltage amount is sent from the ultrasonic probe 100 to the receiving system 300.

  The transmission system 200 transmits a pulse drive signal to each element of the ultrasonic probe 100 at a timing when a predetermined transmission delay time is given for each transmission channel based on a control signal from a control unit (not shown), An ultrasonic signal is transmitted from each element of the probe 100 into the subject. As described above, the transmission system 200 constitutes a scanning unit that scans the inside of the subject with ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic probe 100.

  The receiving system 300 receives an ultrasonic echo signal including a component reflected by an acoustic impedance mismatching surface in the subject and scattered by a scatterer in the tissue in response to the transmission of the ultrasonic signal. The signal is received as an echo signal having a voltage amount corresponding to each of 100 elements. The reception system 300 performs reception delay / addition processing on the received echo signal to create an echo reception signal, and outputs the echo reception signal to the B-mode processing system 400 and the CFM processing system 500.

  The B-mode processing system 400 performs envelope detection on the echo reception signal received from the reception system 300, and outputs the obtained detection signal to the scan converter 600 as data indicating the form of the tissue in the subject. The reception system 300 and the B-mode processing system 400 constitute a B-mode image generation unit that generates B-mode image data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe.

  The CFM processing system 500 includes a quadrature detector (not shown), an MTI filter 510, an autocorrelator 520, a blood flow information calculator 530, and an edge smooth processor 540.

  A quadrature detector (not shown) performs quadrature detection processing on the echo reception signal received from the reception system 300 and sends the obtained I data and Q data to the MTI filter 510.

  The MTI filter 510 performs MTI (moving target indication) processing on the I data and Q data received from the quadrature detector, and sends the I data and Q data related to the moving target to the autocorrelator 520.

  Autocorrelator 520 performs autocorrelation processing on the I data and Q data received from MTI filter 510, and sends the autocorrelation result to blood flow information calculator 530.

  Based on the autocorrelation result received from the autocorrelator 520, the blood flow information calculator 530 generates first blood flow data corresponding to the velocity, dispersion, and power of the blood flow in the subject. Data is sent to the edge smooth processor 540. The first blood flow data represents a blood flow image representing a two-dimensional distribution of values according to speed, dispersion, and power regarding a predetermined cross section. Specifically, the first blood flow data is obtained by color-coding values corresponding to the local velocity, dispersion, and power of blood flow related to a predetermined section, and mapping the corresponding values to the corresponding positions, thereby It represents a blood flow image whose direction is displayed in color.

  The receiving system 300, the MTI filter 510, the autocorrelator 520, and the blood flow information calculator 530 obtain the first blood flow data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe 100 according to the scanning by the transmission unit (scanning unit) 120. The blood flow data generation means to generate is comprised.

  The edge smoothing processor 540 has a smoothing function, a threshold setting function, and a blood flow image generation function. The smoothing function is a function of calculating a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data. The threshold value setting function is a function for setting a threshold value for the power data to which the smoothing process is added among the plurality of second blood flow data. In the blood flow image generation function, in a region where the power data is equal to or greater than a threshold, the blood flow image is generated by processing to synthesize at least two blood flow data out of the first blood flow data and the plurality of second blood flow data. This function generates data.

  Specifically, the edge smoothing processor 540 includes a smoothing processor 541, a composite image generator 542, a threshold setting device 543, a contour calculator 544, and a blanking processor 545, as shown in FIG. Yes.

  The smoothing processor 541 applies different smoothing processes to the blood flow data corresponding to the blood flow velocity, dispersion, and power. The smoothing process may be, for example, a process using a median filter, a low-pass filter, or a combination of both.

  The composite image generator 542 synthesizes at least two blood flow data out of the blood flow data received from the blood flow information calculator 530 and a plurality of blood flow data subjected to smoothing processing by the smoothing processor 541. To generate a composite image. In each of the following embodiments, two blood flows, blood flow data (velocity) received from the blood flow information calculator 530 and blood flow data (velocity) smoothed by the smoothing processor 541, are used. A case where a process of combining data (speed) is performed will be described as an example. However, the target of the synthesis process is not limited to blood flow data representing velocity, but may be blood flow data representing dispersion, blood flow data representing power, or blood flow data combining speed and variance. In other words, the blood flow image may be an image representing the blood flow velocity, dispersion, power, or a combination thereof of the subject. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the “process to be combined” is “a process for replacing at least one blood flow data among a plurality of second blood flow data with the first blood flow data” will be described as an example. . As the “replacement process”, for example, “overwrite process” may be used.

  The threshold value setting unit 543 sets a threshold value for power data to which the smoothing processing unit 541 has applied the smoothing process in the blood flow data.

  The contour line calculator 544 calculates a contour line corresponding to the threshold set by the threshold setter for the power data subjected to the smoothing process by the smoothing processor 541. This contour line is a closed curve in which the power data subjected to the smoothing process indicates a threshold value, and is a smooth curve compared to the edges of the speed data and the distributed data subjected to the smoothing process. The area inside the contour line is an area where the power data is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the area outside the contour line is an area where the power data is less than the threshold value.

  The blanking processor 545 performs blanking (erasing) processing on a region outside the contour line calculated by the contour line calculator 544 with respect to the composite image generated by the composite image generator 542.

  The scan converter 600 converts the B-mode image data received from the B-mode processing system 400 and the blood flow data received from the CFM processing system into a scanning line signal sequence suitable for display (scan conversion) to obtain a display image. A video signal of a display screen for displaying an ultrasonic diagnostic image (B-mode image, blood flow image, etc.) is created.

  Display unit 190 superimposes and displays the B-mode image and the blood flow image based on the video signal received from scan converter 60. Further, the display unit 190 displays a marker for indicating an anatomical position on the image and a color bar indicating the size of a physical quantity color-coded based on the video signal. Note that the display unit 190 does not necessarily need to display a B-mode ultrasound image, as long as it can display a blood flow image.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, the transmission system 200 scans the inside of the subject with ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic probe 100.

  The receiving system 300 and the B-mode processing system 400 generate B-mode image data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe 100 corresponding to the scanning.

  On the other hand, the receiving system 300, the MTI filter 510, the autocorrelator 520, and the blood flow information calculator 530 are based on the output of the ultrasonic probe 100 corresponding to the scanning by the transmission unit (scanning unit) 120, and blood in the subject. Original blood flow data (first blood flow data) corresponding to the flow velocity, dispersion, and power is generated, and the original blood flow data is sent to the edge smooth processor 540.

  In the edge smooth processor 540, when the original blood flow data (speed, dispersion, power) is received from the blood flow information calculator 530 (ST10), the smoothing processor 541 The second blood flow data of the velocity data smoothed and the power data smoothed as a whole are generated (ST20, ST30). Next, the composite image generator 542 generates a composite image in which the original speed data is overwritten on the speed data smoothed as a whole (ST40).

  Next, the threshold value setter 543 sets a threshold value for the power data smoothed as a whole (ST50), and the contour line calculator 544 calculates a contour line corresponding to the threshold value (ST60).

  Next, the blanking processor 545 generates a blood flow image obtained by performing blanking processing on the outside of the contour line (that is, a region where the power value is less than the threshold) with respect to the composite image (ST70).

  Next, the blanking processor 545 sends the blood flow image data generated in step ST70 to the scan converter 600.

  The scan converter 600 converts the B-mode image data received from the B-mode processing system 400 and the blood flow image data received from the CFM processing system into a scanning line signal sequence suitable for display, and converts the video signal of the display screen to create.

  Based on the video signal received from scan converter 600, display unit 190 displays a display screen in which the blood flow image is superimposed on the B-mode image.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional display screen in which the blood flow image of the first blood flow data received in step ST10 is superimposed on the B-mode image, and FIG. 5 shows the blood flow image generated in step ST70. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display screen of this embodiment superimposed on the B mode image.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the blood flow image of the present embodiment has a smooth edge compared to the conventional blood flow image.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the blood flow image having a smooth edge is obtained by replacing the original blood flow data (original image) with the original blood flow data (original image). It is obtained by overwriting a strongly smoothed image and blanking with a threshold value (contour line) of the smoothed power data.

  Here, the speed data obtained by smoothing the entire data becomes data having a spatial extent wider than the original speed data by smoothing, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Therefore, the composite image obtained by overwriting the original velocity data on the velocity data smoothed as a whole is an image in which the periphery of the original velocity data is surrounded by the smoothed velocity data as shown in FIG. It becomes.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the power data obtained by smoothing the whole has a spatial spread similar to the speed data obtained by smoothing the whole. Therefore, since the contour line obtained by setting the threshold value to zero or more is located inside the edge of the composite image of the smoothed velocity data, the edge of the blanked composite image is the contour line of the power data. Will be drawn in. Since the contour lines are smoothed by smoothing as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the edges of the displayed composite image are also shown in FIG. 6D. Smoothness (Note that FIG. 8 (b) is a diagram showing the contour lines of the power data smoothed after gain correction, but there is no change in the main point of the explanation that the contour lines become smooth by smoothing). .

  If the original speed data is blanked on the contours of the smoothed power data, if the threshold is set low so that low-power data can be displayed, there will be a region where the original speed data does not exist inside the contour lines. Therefore, the edge is not always smooth.

  On the other hand, if blanking processing is performed on the synthesized image in which the original velocity data is overwritten on the velocity data that has been smoothed as a whole, smoothed velocity data is displayed in the area where the original velocity data does not exist. Therefore, the edge of the composite image can always be matched with a smooth contour line. In addition, since the original velocity data exists except for the portion that is spatially expanded by the smoothing, the spatial resolution of the original velocity data can be maintained in most regions.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first blood flow data is generated based on the output of the ultrasound probe, and different smoothing processes are applied to the first blood flow data to obtain a plurality of second blood. The flow data is calculated, a threshold value is set for the power data to which the smoothing process is applied among the plurality of second blood flow data. A structure that generates blood flow image data by combining at least two pieces of blood flow data of the second blood flow data, so that a smooth edge can be obtained without losing resolution or weak signals other than the edges. An edge blood flow image can be displayed.

  Spatial resolution of the original speed data by overwriting the original speed data over the smoothed speed data and then blanking with smooth contour lines obtained by smoothing the power value and then thresholding. The blood flow (velocity) data with a smooth edge can be generated without substantially degrading.

  Supplementally, when blanking the original speed data in the contour line of the smoothed power data, if a threshold is set to display a weak power value, an area where the original speed data does not exist in the contour line is generated. The edges of the area are not always smooth. In contrast, when blanking processing is performed on a composite image in which the original velocity data is overwritten on the velocity data that has been smoothed as a whole, the original velocity data or smoothing is performed within the contour lines even if the threshold is set small. Since velocity data can be present, the edge of blood flow (velocity) data can be smoothed without losing the spatial resolution of the original velocity data in the contour line.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a smooth edge processing device applied to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same parts as in FIG. However, here, the different parts are mainly described. In the following embodiments, the same description is omitted.

  The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which the “synthesizing process” in the edge smooth processor 540 is “smoothed the second blood flow data to which the smoothing process is added as a whole”. It is a form of “replacement with second blood flow data to which smoothing processing different from the processing is added”. Here, “the second blood flow data obtained by adding another smoothing process” is “the blood flow data obtained by adding a smoothing process weaker than the smoothing process to the entire first blood flow data”. Alternatively, “blood flow data obtained by applying a smoothing process to a region near the edge of the first blood flow data” may be used. In the present embodiment, “second blood flow data subjected to another smoothing process” is referred to as “blood flow data obtained by performing smoothing processing on a region near the edge of the first blood flow data”.

  Accordingly, the edge smooth processor 540 further includes an edge calculator 546 as compared with the configuration shown in FIG.

  The edge calculator 546 has a function of calculating the edge of the blood flow data.

  Other components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The broken line encloses steps that are significantly different from those in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and this is the same in other embodiments.

  Now, as described above, it is assumed that the edge smooth processor 540 receives the original blood flow data (speed, dispersion, power) as the first blood flow data from the blood flow information calculator 530 (ST10).

  Next, the margin calculator 546 calculates the margin (edge) of the original velocity data from the original blood flow data (velocity, variance, power) (ST11). Also, the edge calculator 546 calculates a region near the edge by giving a predetermined width to the calculated edge.

  Next, the smoothing processor 541 generates second blood from the original blood flow data, velocity data smoothed only in the vicinity of the edge, velocity data smoothed as a whole, and power data smoothed as a whole. Stream data is generated (ST12, ST20, ST30).

  Next, the composite image generator 542 generates a composite image in which the speed data smoothed as a whole is overwritten with the speed data smoothed in the vicinity of the edge (ST40 ').

  Next, the threshold value setter 543 sets a threshold value for the power data smoothed as a whole (ST50), and the contour line calculator 544 calculates a contour line corresponding to the threshold value (ST60).

  Next, the blanking processor 545 generates a blood flow image obtained by performing blanking processing on the outside of the contour line (that is, a region where the power value is less than the threshold) with respect to the composite image (ST70).

  As in the first embodiment, the synthesized image obtained by overwriting the original velocity data on the velocity data smoothed as a whole changes rapidly at the boundary between the smoothed velocity data and the original velocity data. It may be a continuous image. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the vicinity of the edge of the original velocity data is preliminarily smoothed and then combined, thereby discontinuous boundaries. The part is relaxed and a smoother image can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, as described above, the blanking processor 545 sends the blood flow image data generated in step ST70 to the scan converter 600.

  The scan converter 600 creates a video signal for a display screen from B-mode image data and blood flow image data.

  Based on this video signal, the display unit 190 displays a display screen in which the blood flow image is superimposed on the B-mode image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the process of synthesizing two blood flow data is added to the second blood flow data obtained by adding the smoothing process as a whole, and the smoothing process different from the smoothing process is added. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the boundary portion between the two combined blood flow data can be made a smoother image by the configuration that is replaced with the second blood flow data.

  Note that the present embodiment may be modified as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, “second blood flow data subjected to another smoothing process” is converted to “blood flow data obtained by performing smoothing processing on a region near the edge of the first blood flow data”. Instead of “the blood flow data obtained by adding another smoothing process to the first blood flow data in the region where the power data of the first blood flow data is less than the threshold value”. It may be deformed. According to this modification, the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained without providing the edge calculator 546.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the aforementioned drawings.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In the edge smooth processor 540, “the process of replacing the second blood flow data subjected to the smoothing process with the first blood flow data” is the first. The blood flow image is generated by adding a smoothing process different from the smoothing process to the third blood flow data obtained and executed as the “synthesizing process” in the embodiment. Here, “another smoothing process” may be “a process of smoothing the entire replaced first blood flow data out of the third blood flow data to be weaker than the smoothing process”. It is good also as a process which smooth | blunts the area | region near the edge of the replaced 1st blood flow data among blood flow data. In the present embodiment, “another smoothing process” is set as “a process for smoothing a region near the edge of the replaced first blood flow data in the third blood flow data”.

  Accordingly, the edge smooth processor 540 further includes an edge calculator 546 as shown in FIG.

  The edge calculator 546 has a function of calculating the edge of the blood flow data.

  Other components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Now, as described above, it is assumed that the edge smooth processor 540 receives the original blood flow data (speed, dispersion, power) as the first blood flow data from the blood flow information calculator 530 (ST10).

  Next, the margin calculator 546 calculates the margin of the original velocity data from the original blood flow data (velocity, variance, power) (ST11).

  Next, the smoothing processor 541 generates, from the original blood flow data, second blood flow data of velocity data smoothed as a whole and power data smoothed as a whole (ST20, ST30). Next, the synthesized image generator 542 generates a synthesized image (third blood flow data) in which the original velocity data is overwritten on the velocity data smoothed as a whole (ST40).

  Next, the smoothing processor 541 generates an image obtained by smoothing the vicinity of the edge of the original velocity data with respect to the synthesized image (ST41).

  Next, the threshold value setter 543 sets a threshold value for the power data smoothed as a whole (ST50), and the contour line calculator 544 calculates a contour line corresponding to the threshold value (ST60).

  Next, the blanking processor 545 generates a blood flow image obtained by performing blanking processing on the outside of the contour line (that is, a region where the power value is less than the threshold) with respect to the composite image (ST70).

  In this way, discontinuity can also be alleviated by synthesizing the original velocity data with the velocity data smoothed as a whole, and then smoothing the vicinity of the edge of the original velocity data.

  Hereinafter, as described above, the blanking processor 545 sends the blood flow image data generated in step ST70 to the scan converter 600.

  Based on the video signal created by scan converter 600, display unit 190 displays a display screen in which a blood flow image is superimposed on a B-mode image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the process of synthesizing the two blood flow data is executed after the second blood flow data obtained by adding the smoothing process as a whole is replaced with the first blood flow data. In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the configuration in which the region near the edge of the first blood flow data is smoothed can make the boundary portion between the two combined blood flow data a smoother image.

  Note that the present embodiment may be modified as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, “another smoothing process” is replaced with “a process of smoothing a region near the edge of the replaced first blood flow data in the third blood flow data”. You may deform | transform so that it may be set as the process which smoothes the said 3rd blood flow data in the area | region where the power data of 1 blood flow data become less than a threshold value. According to this modification, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained without providing the edge calculator 546.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral smooth processor applied to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  The fourth embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in which the edge smooth processor 540 generates first blood flow data generated by the blood flow information calculator 530 as compared to the configuration shown in FIG. Further, a gain corrector 547 is provided for applying gain correction.

  Accordingly, the smoothing processor 541 calculates a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data subjected to gain correction by the gain corrector 547.

  Further, the threshold value setting unit 543 sets an initial value of the threshold value to the power data subjected to gain correction and smoothing processing among the plurality of second blood flow data calculated by the smoothing processing unit 541, and the initial value Is corrected in the depth direction, the azimuth direction, or both of these directions to set the threshold value.

  Here, the threshold value setter 543 divides the first blood flow data generated by the blood flow information calculator 530 into a plurality of regions, and corrects the initial value according to the average value of the power data in each region. Thus, the threshold value may be set for each area.

  Other components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Now, as described above, it is assumed that the edge smooth processor 540 receives the original blood flow data (speed, dispersion, power) as the first blood flow data from the blood flow information calculator 530 (ST10).

  Next, the gain corrector 547 adds gain correction to the power data among the original blood flow data (speed, dispersion, power) (ST15).

  The smoothing processor 541 is the second blood flow data of the velocity data obtained by smoothing the whole from the original blood flow data (velocity, dispersion, power) and the power data obtained by smoothing the whole after applying gain correction. Are generated respectively (ST20, ST30). Next, the composite image generator 542 generates a composite image in which the original speed data is overwritten on the speed data smoothed as a whole (ST40).

  Next, the threshold setter 543 sets a threshold for the power data obtained by smoothing the whole (ST50). For example, the threshold value setter 543 sets an initial value of the threshold value in the power data subjected to gain correction and smoothing processing, and corrects the initial value in the depth direction, the azimuth direction, or both directions, thereby the threshold value. Set. At this time, the threshold setter 543 divides the original blood flow data generated by the blood flow information calculator 530 into a plurality of regions, and corrects the initial value according to the average value of the power data in each region. Thus, a threshold value may be set for each area.

  In any case, the contour line calculator 544 calculates a contour line corresponding to the threshold set in step ST40 (ST60).

  Next, the blanking processor 545 generates a blood flow image obtained by performing blanking processing on the outside of the contour line (that is, a region where the power value is less than the threshold) with respect to the composite image (ST70).

  Because the power of blood flow data decreases according to the depth and azimuth direction due to the influence of biological attenuation, etc., if the blanking process is performed with contour lines obtained at the same threshold, the blood flow whose sensitivity has been reduced due to the influence of attenuation, etc. May be cut. If the threshold value is lowered to alleviate this, unnecessary signals may be displayed in a portion with a margin of sensitivity, and overpainting may occur.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to display weak blood flow while cutting unnecessary signals by performing contour correction after gain correction in advance so as to correct sensitivity reduction. Note that the threshold value itself may be corrected two-dimensionally instead of the gain correction of the power data. In that case, it is also effective to divide into a plurality of regions and correct the threshold according to the average power in the region.

  Hereinafter, as described above, the blanking processor 545 sends the blood flow image data generated in step ST70 to the scan converter 600.

  Based on the video signal created by scan converter 600, display unit 190 displays a display screen in which a blood flow image is superimposed on a B-mode image.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the gain correction is applied to the first blood flow data and then the smoothing process is performed. In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, unnecessary signals are cut off. Also, weak blood flow can be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the gain corrector 547 applies a gain correction to the first blood flow data generated by the blood flow information calculator 530 in the depth direction, the azimuth direction, or both of them, and performs a smoothing process. The device 541 may be modified so as to calculate a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data subjected to the gain correction. The gain correction of this modification may be performed using the frequency and angle-dependent attenuation value in the output of the ultrasonic probe 100, and the automatic gain in the data of the B mode image based on the output of the ultrasonic probe 100. You may make it carry out using a correction value. According to these modified examples, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can be obtained by correcting the gain correction value without correcting the threshold value.

  Moreover, this embodiment and its modification are not restricted to the modification of 1st Embodiment, It is good also as a modification of 2nd Embodiment or 3rd Embodiment. That is, the gain corrector 547 of the present embodiment and the step ST15 in which the gain corrector 547 applies gain correction to the power data of the original blood flow data are applied to either the second or third embodiment. Also good. According to these modified examples, it is possible to obtain the applied operational effects of the second or third embodiment and the operational effects of the fourth embodiment at the same time.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

  The fifth embodiment is a modification of each of the first to fourth embodiments. The edge smoothing device 540 described above is disposed in the subsequent stage of the scan converter 600, and the scan converter 600 and the edge smoothing device are provided. An image synthesizer 650 is further provided after the 540.

  That is, the first blood flow data processed by the edge smooth processor 540 is image data stored in the scan converter 600.

  The image synthesizer 650 synthesizes the blood flow image data sent by the edge smoothing processor 540 and the B-mode image data sent by the scan converter 600 and sends the synthesized image data to the display system 700. Have

  Even if it is the above structures, the same effect as each 1st-4th embodiment is acquired by processing the 1st blood flow data which is image data like 1st-4th each embodiment. be able to.

  The first blood flow data processed by the edge smooth processor 540 is not limited to image data, and may be RAW data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe. Even if the first blood flow data is image data or RAW data, the edge smoothing processor 540 can smooth the edge of the blood flow image as described above.

<Sixth Embodiment>
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

  The sixth embodiment is a modification of each of the first to fourth embodiments, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described above communicates with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body U and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body U via a network. The configuration is divided into possible image processing apparatuses G.

  Here, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body U scans the inside of the subject with ultrasound via the ultrasound probe 100, generates first blood flow data based on the output of the ultrasound probe 100 according to the scan, The first blood flow data has a function of communicating with the image processing apparatus G. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body U has a function of generating B-mode image data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe 100 corresponding to the scanning and communicating the data to the image processing apparatus G. However, the function of generating and communicating data of the B-mode image is not related to the process of smoothing the edge of the blood flow image, and may be omitted.

  Specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U includes the ultrasonic probe 100, the transmission system 200, the reception system 300, and the B-mode processing system 400 described above, and the CFM in which the edge smoothing processor 540 is omitted from the configuration described above. And processing system 500 ′.

  The image processing apparatus G performs a smoothing function for calculating a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data communicated from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U, and a plurality of first blood flow data. Among the two blood flow data, a threshold value setting function for setting a threshold value for the power data to which smoothing processing is applied, and in a region where the power data is equal to or greater than the threshold value, Of these, a blood flow image generation function for generating blood flow image data and a display function for displaying the blood flow image are provided by a process of combining at least two blood flow data.

  Specifically, the image processing apparatus G includes an edge smoothing processor 540 related to a smoothing function, a threshold setting function, and a blood flow image generation function, and a scan converter 600 and a display system 700 related to the display function.

  Such an image processing apparatus G is used in, for example, a workstation, and can be implemented with either a hardware configuration or a combination configuration of hardware resources and software. As the software of the combined configuration, a program that is installed in advance from a network or a storage medium into a computer and causes the computer to realize each function in the image processing apparatus G is used. The same applies to other embodiments.

  According to the configuration as described above, the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained also in the image processing apparatus G connected from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U via the network.

  In the present embodiment, the case where only the edge smooth processor 540 of the CFM processing system 500 is arranged in the image processing device G has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the blood flow information calculator 530 is further configured to perform image processing. It may be arranged in the apparatus G, the autocorrelator 520 may be arranged in the image processing apparatus G, and the MTI filter 510 may be arranged in the image processing apparatus G, or the CFM processing system 500 itself. May be arranged in the image processing apparatus G. Even if the present embodiment is modified to these arrangements, the same effects as those of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

<Seventh Embodiment>
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the seventh embodiment.

  The seventh embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described above can communicate with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body U and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body U via a network. The configuration is divided into the device G.

  Here, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus body U scans the inside of the subject with ultrasound via the ultrasound probe 100, generates first blood flow data based on the output of the ultrasound probe 100 according to the scan, The first blood flow data has a function of communicating with the image processing apparatus G via the scan converter 600. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U also generates B-mode image data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe 100 corresponding to the scan, and communicates the data to the image processing apparatus G via the scan converter 600. Have However, the function of generating and communicating data of the B-mode image is not related to the process of smoothing the edge of the blood flow image, and may be omitted.

  Specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U includes the ultrasonic probe 100, the transmission system 200, the reception system 300, the B-mode processing system 400, and the scan converter 600 described above, and the edge smooth processor 540 based on the configuration described above. The CFM processing system 500 ′ is omitted.

  The image processing apparatus G performs smoothing processing for calculating a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data communicated from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U via the scan converter 600. Function, a threshold setting function for setting a threshold for power data that has been subjected to smoothing processing among the plurality of second blood flow data, and the first blood flow data and a plurality of It has a blood flow image generation function for generating blood flow image data and a display function for displaying the blood flow image by processing to synthesize at least two blood flow data of the second blood flow data.

  Specifically, the image processing apparatus G includes an edge smoothing processor 540 related to a smoothing function, a threshold setting function, and a blood flow image generation function, and an image synthesizer 650 and a display system 700 related to the display function. . Note that when the B-mode image data is omitted, the image synthesizer 650 can also be omitted.

  According to the configuration as described above, the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment can be obtained also in the image processing apparatus G connected from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body U via the network.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, the first blood flow data is generated based on the output of the ultrasonic probe, and different smoothing processes are applied to the first blood flow data to obtain a plurality of second blood flows. Blood flow data is calculated, a threshold value is set for the power data to which the smoothing process is applied among the plurality of second blood flow data, and the first blood flow data and the plurality of the blood flow data Among the second blood flow data, a configuration for generating blood flow image data by processing to synthesize at least two blood flow data, so that the resolution and weak signals other than the margins are not impaired, and smooth. A blood flow image of the margin can be displayed.

  In each embodiment and its modification, I data and Q data output from the autocorrelator 520 may be used when the velocity data is smoothed.

  In addition, although some embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof in the same manner as included in the scope and gist of the invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Ultrasonic probe, 200 ... Transmission system, 300 ... Reception system, 400 ... B mode processing system, 500, 500 '... CFM processing system, 510 ... MTI filter, 520 ... Autocorrelator, 530 ... Blood flow information calculator 540: Edge smooth processor, 600: Scan converter, 650: Image synthesizer, 700: Display system, U: Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, G: Image processing apparatus.

Claims (19)

An ultrasonic probe;
Scanning means for scanning the inside of the subject with ultrasonic waves through the ultrasonic probe;
Blood flow data generating means for generating first blood flow data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe according to the scan;
Smoothing means for calculating a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data;
A threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value for power data obtained by performing the smoothing process among the plurality of second blood flow data;
Blood that generates blood flow image data by processing to synthesize at least two blood flow data out of the first blood flow data and the plurality of second blood flow data in a region where the power data is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Flow image generation means; display means for displaying the blood flow image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the combining process is a process of replacing at least one blood flow data among the plurality of second blood flow data with the first blood flow data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The process of combining is
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that the second blood flow data obtained by adding the smoothing process as a whole is replaced with second blood flow data obtained by applying a smoothing process different from the smoothing process. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The blood flow image generation means includes
A process of replacing the second blood flow data subjected to the smoothing process with the first blood flow data is executed as the process of combining, and the obtained third blood flow data is smoothed separately from the smoothing process. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates the blood flow image by performing processing. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.
The second blood flow data to which the another smoothing process is applied is blood flow data obtained by applying a smoothing process to a region near the edge of the first blood flow data. Diagnostic device. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3.
The second blood flow data to which the other smoothing process is added is the second blood flow data to which the first smoothing process is added to the first blood flow data in a region where the power data is less than a threshold value. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that it is blood flow data obtained in this way. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
The another smoothing process is a process of smoothing a region in the vicinity of a margin of the replaced first blood flow data in the third blood flow data. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the another smoothing process is a process of smoothing the third blood flow data in a region where the power data of the first blood flow data is less than a threshold value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Gain correction means for applying gain correction to the generated first blood flow data;
Further comprising
The smoothing means calculates a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data subjected to the gain correction,
The threshold value setting means sets an initial value of a threshold value to power data obtained by performing the gain correction and the smoothing process among the plurality of second blood flow data, and the initial value is set to a depth direction, an azimuth direction, or An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the threshold value is set by correcting in both directions. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9,
The threshold setting means divides the first blood flow data into a plurality of regions and corrects the initial value according to an average value of power data in each region, thereby setting the threshold for each region. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by setting. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Gain correction means for applying gain correction to the generated first blood flow data in the depth direction, the azimuth direction, or both of these directions;
Further comprising
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the smoothing means calculates a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data subjected to the gain correction. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gain correction is performed using a frequency and angle dependent attenuation value in the output of the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the gain correction is performed using an automatic gain correction value in B-mode image data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the blood flow image is an image representing blood flow velocity, dispersion, power, or a combination thereof. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the smoothing process is a process using a median filter, a low-pass filter, or a combination of both. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the first blood flow data is RAW data or image data based on an output of the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
B-mode image generation means for generating B-mode image data based on the output of the ultrasonic probe;
Further comprising
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the display means displays the blood flow image and the B-mode image so as to overlap each other. An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body that scans the inside of a subject with an ultrasonic wave via an ultrasonic probe and generates first blood flow data based on an output of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the scanning Because
Smoothing means for calculating a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data communicated from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body;
A threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value for power data obtained by performing the smoothing process among the plurality of second blood flow data;
Blood that generates blood flow image data by processing to synthesize at least two blood flow data out of the first blood flow data and the plurality of second blood flow data in a region where the power data is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Flow image generation means; display means for displaying the blood flow image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body that scans the inside of a subject with an ultrasonic wave via an ultrasonic probe and generates first blood flow data based on an output of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the scanning A program used for
The image processing apparatus;
Smoothing means for calculating a plurality of second blood flow data by applying different smoothing processes to the first blood flow data communicated from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body;
A threshold value setting means for setting a threshold value for the power data obtained by performing the smoothing process among the plurality of second blood flow data;
Blood that generates blood flow image data by processing to synthesize at least two blood flow data out of the first blood flow data and the plurality of second blood flow data in a region where the power data is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Flow image generation means,
Display means for displaying the blood flow image;
Program to function as.

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