JP6263372B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that measures the elasticity of a living tissue by transmitting an ultrasonic push pulse.

  An elastic measurement technique is known in which the elasticity of a living tissue is measured by transmitting an ultrasonic pulse (push pulse) having a high sound pressure from the ultrasound probe to the living tissue (see, for example, Patent Document 1). More specifically, a shear elastic wave generated in a living tissue by a push pulse is detected by a detection ultrasonic pulse, and the elasticity of the living tissue such as a propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave and an elastic value of the living tissue is related. The value is calculated. Then, an elastic image having a color corresponding to the calculated value is displayed.

  By the way, when diagnosing liver fibrosis, there is a research example regarding diagnosis in consideration of not only the value related to the elasticity of living tissue but also the value of viscosity (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

JP2012-100997A

Shigao Chen, William Sanchez, Matthew R .; Callstorm et al., “Assessment of Liver Visuality by Using Shear Wave Induced by Ultrasound Radiation Force”, Radiology, radiology. rsna. org, Volume 266, Number 3, March 2013, p. 964-970

  Therefore, in making a diagnosis or the like, it may be necessary to consider not only the elasticity of the living tissue but also the viscosity. For example, there are cases where it is desired to distinguish cases having different viscosity values even if the values relating to the elasticity of the living tissue are the same.

  One aspect of the invention made to solve the above-described problem is to transmit an ultrasonic push pulse to a living tissue of a subject and to detect a shear elastic wave generated in the living tissue by the push pulse. An ultrasonic probe for transmitting the ultrasonic pulse for detection, a value related to the elasticity of the biological tissue based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic pulse for detection, and a viscosity value of the biological tissue. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a calculating unit that calculates; a display control unit that displays an image having a display form corresponding to a value related to elasticity of the living tissue and a viscosity value of the living tissue. It is.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, since an image corresponding to the value relating to the elasticity of the living tissue and the viscosity value of the living tissue is displayed, for example, in diagnosis, not only the elasticity of the living tissue but also the viscosity Can also be considered.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an echo data processing part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a display control part. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of the ultrasonic diagnosing device of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the region of interest was set to the B mode image. It is a figure which shows the display part by which the color image was displayed on the region of interest on a B mode image. It is a figure which shows the two-dimensional color map which has color information according to the elasticity value of a biological tissue, and the viscosity value of a biological tissue. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the two-dimensional color map in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the area | region of a two-dimensional color map. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the two-dimensional color map of 2nd embodiment was displayed. It is a figure explaining the setting of the threshold value using a threshold bar in a two-dimensional color map. It is a figure which shows the two-dimensional color map in the 1st modification of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the two-dimensional color map in the 2nd modification of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the two-dimensional color map of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the setting of the threshold value using the threshold bar in the two-dimensional color map of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the two-dimensional color map in the modification of 3rd embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
(First embodiment)
First, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception beam former 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display control unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a storage unit 9.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is an example of an embodiment of the ultrasonic probe in the present invention, and transmits ultrasonic waves to a living tissue of a subject. The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an ultrasonic pulse (push pulse) for generating a shear elastic wave in the living tissue. In addition, a detection ultrasonic pulse for detecting a shear elastic wave generated in the living tissue by the push pulse is transmitted by the ultrasonic probe 2 and an echo signal thereof is received.

  Further, the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits an image ultrasonic pulse for creating a B-mode image and receives an echo signal thereof.

  The transmission / reception beamformer 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 on the basis of a control signal from the control unit 8 to transmit the various ultrasonic pulses having predetermined transmission parameters. The transmission / reception beamformer 3 performs signal processing such as phasing addition processing on the ultrasonic echo signal.

  The echo data processing unit 4 includes a B-mode processing unit 41 and a calculation unit 42 as shown in FIG. The B-mode processing unit 41 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception beamformer 3 to create B-mode data.

  The calculation unit 42 calculates the propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave based on the echo data output from the transmission / reception beamformer 3. The propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave is calculated on the basis of echo data obtained by transmitting a detection ultrasonic pulse.

  The calculation unit 42 calculates an elastic value (elastic modulus) and a viscosity value (viscosity coefficient) of the living tissue to which the push pulse is transmitted based on the propagation speed. Details will be described later. The calculation unit 42 is an example of an embodiment of a calculation unit in the present invention. The propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave and the elastic value are examples of values relating to the elasticity of the living tissue in the present invention, and the viscosity value is an embodiment of the viscosity value of the living tissue in the present invention. It is an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the display control unit 5 includes a B-mode image creation unit 51, a color image creation unit 52, and a display image control unit 53. The B-mode image creation unit 51 scan-converts the B-mode data with a scan converter to create B-mode image data.

  The color image creating unit 52 uses the two-dimensional color map having color information corresponding to the elasticity value of the living tissue and the viscosity value of the living tissue, and the elasticity value calculated by the calculating unit 42 and Color data is created based on the viscosity value. The two-dimensional color map is stored in the storage unit 9. A specific example of the two-dimensional color map will be described later. The two-dimensional color map is an example of a map embodiment in the present invention.

  The color image creation unit 52 scans the color data with a scan converter to create color image data.

  The display image control unit 53 adds the B-mode image data and the color image data to create composite image data in which the B-mode image data and the color image data are combined. The display image control unit 53 causes the display unit 6 to display a composite image based on the composite image data. As will be described later, the composite image is composed of a B-mode image and a color image. The display image control unit 53 is an example of an embodiment of a display image control unit in the present invention.

  The display unit 6 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. Although not particularly illustrated, the operation unit 7 includes a keyboard for a user to input instructions and information, a pointing device such as a trackball, and the like.

  The control unit 8 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), although not particularly shown. The control unit 8 reads the control program stored in the storage unit 9 and executes functions including arithmetic processing functions in each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has a configuration as a computer.

  The storage unit 9 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the user transmits / receives ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe 2 to / from the subject, and displays a B-mode image BI based on the echo signal as shown in FIG. Then, the user sets the region of interest R in the B-mode image BI using the operation unit 7. This region of interest R is set to a region where a color image is to be displayed.

  Next, in step S <b> 2, the user performs an input for displaying a color image on the operation unit 7. When there is an input in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, where a push pulse and a detection ultrasonic pulse are transmitted to the living tissue. Specifically, first, the control unit 8 outputs a control signal to the transmit / receive beamformer 3 so that a push pulse is transmitted. Thereby, a push pulse is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue.

  When the push pulse is transmitted, the control unit 8 outputs a control signal to the transmit / receive beamformer 3 so that a detection ultrasonic pulse is transmitted. Thereby, the ultrasonic pulse for detection is transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue.

  In this example, push pulses having different frequencies are transmitted at least twice, and the ultrasonic pulse for detection is transmitted to the region of interest R after each push pulse is transmitted. Specifically, after the first transmission of the push pulse, the detection ultrasonic pulse is transmitted to the region of interest R, and an echo signal of the detection ultrasonic pulse is received. Next, the second push pulse is transmitted. Thereafter, the ultrasonic pulse for detection is transmitted again to the region of interest R, and the echo signal is received. The detection ultrasonic pulse corresponding to the first push pulse and the detection pulse corresponding to the second push pulse detect shear elastic waves having different frequencies.

  Next, in step S4, the calculation unit 42 calculates the propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave based on the echo signal of the detection ultrasonic pulse. The calculation unit 42 calculates the propagation velocity V1 based on the echo signal of the detection ultrasonic pulse corresponding to the first push pulse. The calculation unit 42 calculates the propagation velocity V2 based on the echo signal of the detection ultrasonic pulse corresponding to the second push pulse.

The calculation unit 42 calculates an elastic value and a viscosity value of the living tissue based on the propagation velocities V1 and V2. Here, generally, the relationship of the following (Formula 1) is established between the propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave, the elastic value, and the viscosity value.

Here, in (Expression 1), Cs (ωs) is the propagation velocity of the shear elastic wave, μ ₁ is the elastic value, and μ ₂ is the viscosity value. Further, ρ is the density (known value) of the living tissue, and ωs is the frequency of the shear elastic wave. The frequency of the shear elastic wave is a frequency corresponding to the center transmission frequency of the push pulse.

The calculation unit 42 substitutes the propagation velocity V1 for Cs (ω _S ) of (Expression 1), and substitutes the frequency of the shear elastic wave detected by the first ultrasonic detecting pulse for ω _S. And an equation in which the propagation velocity V2 is substituted for Cs (ω _S ) in (Equation 1) and the frequency of the shear elastic wave detected by the second ultrasonic detecting pulse is substituted for ω _S. By calculating the simultaneous equations, the elastic value μ1 and the viscosity value μ2 are calculated. However, if transmission of a push pulse three times or more and detection of a shear elastic wave by a detection ultrasonic pulse are performed, the propagation velocities V1 and V2 may be calculated by fitting.

  Next, in step S5, as shown in FIG. 6, a color image CI is displayed in the region of interest R in the display unit 6. More specifically, first, the color image creation unit 52 creates color data based on the elastic value μ1 and the viscosity value μ2. The color image creation unit 52 creates color data using a two-dimensional color map CM1 shown in FIG. The two-dimensional color map CM1 has color information corresponding to the elasticity value of the living tissue and the viscosity value of the living tissue. In the two-dimensional color map CM1 in FIG. 7, the color information is shown in gray scale.

  In the two-dimensional color map CM1, for example, the hue may be different in the horizontal axis direction, and the saturation or brightness may be different in the vertical axis direction. In this case, even if the elasticity value is the same, if the viscosity value is different, color data having the same hue and different saturation or brightness is created. Further, even if the viscosity value is the same, if the elasticity value is different, color data having the same saturation or brightness and different hues is created. Thus, by using the two-dimensional color map CM1, color data of different color information is created if the viscosity value is different even if the elasticity value is the same, and if the elasticity value is different even if the viscosity value is the same. Color data with different color information is created.

  The two-dimensional color map CM1 may be different in only one of hue, saturation, and brightness according to the elasticity value and the viscosity value.

  The color image creation unit 52 creates color image data based on the color data. This color image data is combined with the B-mode image data and displayed on the display unit 6 as the color image CI.

  The display image control unit 53 may cause the display unit 6 to display the two-dimensional color map CM1.

  The color image CI is, for example, an image having a hue corresponding to the elasticity value μ1 and a saturation or brightness depending on the viscosity value, and having a color corresponding to the elasticity value μ1 and the viscosity value μ2. In this way, in this example, like the color image CI, an image in which specific display form information is different according to the elasticity value and other display form information is different according to the viscosity value is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to perform a diagnosis in consideration of not only the elasticity of the living tissue but also the viscosity. Therefore, for example, even when the elasticity value is the same, cases with different viscosity values can be distinguished.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, the display control unit 5 includes a threshold bar setting unit 54 in addition to the B-mode image creation unit 51, the color image creation unit 52, and the display image control unit 53. doing.

  In this example, the storage unit 9 stores a two-dimensional color map CM2 different from the two-dimensional color map CM1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the two-dimensional color map CM2 has different color information before and after the threshold value Xth in the elasticity value and before and after the threshold value Yth in the viscosity value. The threshold values Xth and Yth are an example of embodiments of threshold values in the present invention.

  In this example, the color information is different between the area A (area indicated by hatching in FIG. 9) that is less than the threshold value Xth and equal to or greater than the threshold value Yth, and the other area B. As shown in FIG. 10, the region B includes a region B1 that is less than the threshold value Xth and less than the threshold value Yth, a region B2 that is greater than or equal to the threshold value Xth and less than the threshold value Yth, and that is greater than or equal to the threshold value Xth and greater than or equal to the threshold value Yth. Area B3.

  The color information of the area A and the color information of the area B are color information set so as to be easily distinguished by a user. This will be described in more detail. For example, in the region B, as in the two-dimensional color map CM1 of the first embodiment, the hue is different in the horizontal axis direction, and the saturation or brightness is different in the vertical axis direction. On the other hand, the area A has hue information different from that of the area B. For example, when the color information in the area B has blue, green, and yellow hues, the color information in the area A is a red hue.

  Also in the region A, the hue may be different in the horizontal axis direction, and the saturation or brightness may be different in the vertical axis direction. The area A may be single color information.

  The threshold values Xth and Yth may be set in a two-dimensional color map CM2 displayed on the display unit 6 as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, the threshold values Xth and Yth are set by the threshold bars Bx and By displayed on the display unit 6. The threshold bars Bx and By are displayed and set on the display unit 6 by the threshold bar setting unit 54.

  The threshold Xth is set by the threshold bar Bx, and the threshold Yth is set by the threshold bar By. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the threshold bar Bx moves in the horizontal axis direction (horizontal direction) in the display unit 6 (not shown in FIG. 12). On the other hand, the threshold bar By moves in the vertical direction (vertical direction) on the display unit 6. The threshold bar setting unit 54 moves the threshold bars Bx and By according to the input of the pointing device in the operation unit 7. Therefore, the user can move the threshold bars Bx and By to the position where the threshold is to be set in the two-dimensional color map CM2 using the pointing device. In this example, the operation unit 7 is an example of an embodiment of an input unit in the present invention.

  The user sets the threshold values Xth and Yth so that the region A is set in the range of the elastic value and the viscosity value of the target object. Thereby, in the said color image, an attention object can be displayed clearly distinguished from other things.

  Also in this example, with the color image created based on the two-dimensional color map CM2, it is possible to make a diagnosis in consideration of not only the elasticity of the living tissue but also the viscosity as in the first embodiment. Therefore, for example, even if the elasticity value is the same, cases with different viscosity values can be distinguished. In particular, in this example, by creating a color image based on the two-dimensional color map CM2, it is possible to clearly distinguish and display the target object and other objects.

  Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, in the two-dimensional color map CM2, the regions B1, B2, and B3 may have the same color information. In FIG. 13, the regions B1, B2, and B3 are shown in a lattice pattern. However, the color information of the areas B1, B2, and B3 is different from the color information of the area A.

  In the two-dimensional color map CM2 shown in FIG. 13, since the areas B1 and B2 have the same color information, the Xth that is a threshold value in the range where the viscosity value is Yth or more is in the range where the viscosity value is 0 or more and less than Yth. Is not a threshold. Further, since the regions B2 and B3 have the same color information, the Yth which is a threshold value in a range where the elasticity value is 0 or more and less than Xth is not a threshold value in a range where the elasticity value is Xth or more.

  Next, a second modification will be described. As shown in FIG. 14, in the two-dimensional color map CM2, each of the regions B1, B2, and B3 may have different single color information. However, as described above, the color information of the areas B1, B2, and B3 is different from the color information of the area A.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the first and second embodiments will be described.

  Also in this example, the display control unit 5 includes a threshold bar setting unit 54 in addition to the B-mode image creation unit 51, the color image creation unit 52, and the display image control unit 53, as in the second embodiment. (See FIG. 8 above).

  In this example, the storage unit 9 stores a two-dimensional color map CM3 different from the two-dimensional color maps CM1 and CM2 of the first and second embodiments. As shown in FIG. 15, the two-dimensional color map CM3 has a plurality of threshold values for each of the elasticity value and the viscosity value. Specifically, the two-dimensional color map CM3 has threshold values Xth1, Xth2, Xth3, Xth4, and Xth5 as elastic value threshold values, and threshold values Yth1, Yth2, Yth3, Yth4, and Yth5 as viscosity value threshold values. Have. The two-dimensional color map CM3 is divided into 25 regions C by five threshold values Xth1 to Xth5 in elasticity values and five threshold values Yth1 to Yth5 in viscosity values. Different color information is assigned to each region C. Each region C has a single color information. However, the color information is not shown in FIG.

  For example, when the elasticity value and the viscosity value corresponding to the degree of fibrosis of the liver, that is, the stage of fibrosis, are specified, the threshold values Xth1 to Xth5 and the threshold values Yth1 to Yth5 are determined based on the fibrosis of the liver. It is set to a value corresponding to the conversion stage.

  Here, the stage of fibrosis of the liver is divided into five stages of F0 to F4. Therefore, for example, the threshold value Xth1 is such that the elasticity value is F0 when 0 or more and less than Xth1, F1 when Xth1 or more and less than Xth2, F2 when Xth2 or more and less than Xth3, F3 when Xth3 or more and less than Xth4, and F4 when Xth4 or more and less than Xth5. ~ Xth5 is set. The threshold values Yth1 to Yth5 are such that the viscosity value is F0 when 0 or more and less than Yth1, F1 when Yth1 or more and less than Yth2, F2 when Yth2 or more and less than Yth3, F3 when Yth3 or more and less than Yth4, and F4 when Yth4 or more and less than Yth5. Is set.

  Incidentally, the stage of fibrosis of the liver is specified based on each of the elasticity value and the viscosity value, and the stage specified based on the elasticity value is different from the stage specified based on the viscosity value. There is a case.

  The threshold values Xth1 to Xth5 are set by threshold bars Bx1 to Bx5 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the threshold values Yth1 to Yth5 are set by threshold bars By1 to By5. The threshold bars Bx1 to Bx5, By1 to By5 are moved and set by the threshold bar setting unit 54 according to the input of the pointing device in the operation unit 7, similarly to the threshold bars Bx and By of the second embodiment. The

  Also in this example, the color image created based on the two-dimensional color map CM3 is used to perform diagnosis in consideration of not only the elasticity of the living tissue but also the viscosity, as in the first and second embodiments. Therefore, for example, even if the elasticity value is the same, cases with different viscosity values can be distinguished. In addition, it is possible to know the degree of liver fibrosis considering the viscosity value.

  Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described. In the above-described two-dimensional color map CM3, each of the regions C has different color information, but the present invention is not limited to this. A part of the area C may be the same color information. For example, like the two-dimensional color map CM3 ′ shown in FIG. 17, each of the regions C1 to C5 surrounded by the thick line l may have different single color information.

  Specifically, the region C1 is a region having an elasticity value of 0 or more and less than Xth and a viscosity value of 0 or more and less than Yth, and has a single color information. The region C2 is a region having an elasticity value of Xth1 or more and less than Xth2 and a viscosity value of 0 or more and less than Yth2, and has a single color information. The region C3 is a region having an elastic value of Xth2 or more and less than Xth3 and a viscosity value of 0 or more and less than Yth3, and has a single color information. The region C4 is a region having an elastic value of Xth3 or more and less than Xth4 and a viscosity value of 0 or more and less than Yth4, and has a single color information. The region C5 is a region having an elasticity value of Xth4 or more and less than Xth5 and a viscosity value of 0 or more and less than Yth5, and has a single color information.

  As described above, since each of the regions C1 to C5 has a single color information, the threshold values Yth1, Yth2, Yth3, and Yth4 are not threshold values depending on a range of elastic values. Specifically, Yth1, which is a threshold value when the elasticity value is 0 or more and less than Xth1, is not a threshold value when the elasticity value is Xth1 or more and less than Xth2. Further, Yth1 which is a threshold value in a range where the elastic value is 0 or more and less than Xth1, and Yth2 which is a threshold value in a range where Xth1 or more and less than Xth2 is not a threshold value in a range where the elastic value is Xth2 or more and less than Xth3. Further, the Yth1, which is a threshold value in a range where the elasticity value is 0 or more and less than Xth1, the Yth2 which is a threshold value in the range where the Xth1 is less than Xth2, and the Yth3 which is a threshold value in the range where Xth2 or more and less than Xth3 is an elasticity value Is not a threshold in the range of Xth3 or more and less than Xth4. The threshold value is Yth1, which is a threshold value when the elasticity value is in the range of 0 to less than Xth1, the threshold value of Yth2 which is the threshold value in the range of Xth1 to less than Xth2, and the threshold value of Yth3 and Xth3 which is the threshold value in the range of Xth2 to less than Xth3. Yth4 which is a threshold value in a range less than Xth is not a threshold value in a range where the elastic value is Xth4 or more and less than Xth5.

  Of the region C, regions other than the regions C1 to C5 have different color information as in the above embodiment.

  The regions C1 to C5 are regions in which the fibrosis stage at the elasticity value is higher than the fibrosis stage at the viscosity value. Here, if the fibrosis stage at the elasticity value is higher than the fibrosis stage at the viscosity value, when the fibrosis stage at the elasticity value is adopted as the diagnosis result, the region surrounded by the thick line l is , There is little significance to distinguish in stage determination. For example, when the elasticity value and the viscosity value belong to the region C2, that is, when the elasticity value is in the range of Xth1 or more and less than Xth2, and the viscosity value is in the range of 0 or more and Yth1, the elasticity value is Xth1 or more and Xth2 Also, when the viscosity value is in the range of Yth1 or more and Yth2, the fibrosis stage is F1, and there is little significance in distinguishing between the two. Accordingly, each of the regions C1 to C5 has the same color information.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by the said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, the color image creation unit 52 may create color data using a two-dimensional color map having color information corresponding to the propagation velocity and viscosity value of the shear elastic wave. In this case, only the propagation velocity is calculated, and the elasticity value is not necessarily calculated.

  Further, the image having a display form corresponding to the value relating to the elasticity of the living tissue and the value of the viscosity of the living tissue is not limited to the color image. That is, the display form is not limited to the color, and for example, images with different types of points and lines may be displayed according to the value related to the elasticity of the living tissue and the viscosity value of the living tissue. .

  An image having a display form corresponding to the value related to the elasticity of the living tissue and the value of the viscosity of the living tissue is an image corresponding to the ratio, sum, and difference of the value related to the elasticity of the living tissue and the viscosity value of the living tissue. It may be.

  Further, the transparency and brightness in the composite image may be different according to the elasticity value and / or the viscosity value. For example, color image data having a different hue or the like according to the elasticity value may be created, and a weighting coefficient in the addition of the color image data and the B-mode image data may be set according to the viscosity value. As a result, it is possible to display a composite image having a different hue or the like according to the elasticity value and a different transparency according to the viscosity value. Further, the weighting coefficient in the addition of the color image data composed of single color information and the B-mode image data may be set according to the elastic value and the viscosity value. Thereby, it is possible to display a composite image having different transparency according to the elasticity value and the viscosity value.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 6 Display part 7 Operation part (input part)
42 Calculation unit 53 Display image control unit

Claims (5)

An ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic push pulse to a biological tissue of a subject and transmitting an ultrasonic pulse for detection for detecting a shear elastic wave generated in the biological tissue by the push pulse;
A calculation unit that calculates a value related to the elasticity of the living tissue and a viscosity value of the living tissue based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic pulse for detection;
A display image control unit that displays an image having a display form according to the value related to the elasticity of the living tissue and the viscosity value of the living tissue;
Equipped with a,
The display image control unit displays the image based on a two-dimensional map that defines a display form according to a value related to elasticity of the living tissue and a viscosity value of the living tissue,
The threshold value of the one physical property value is set as the threshold value to one of the physical property values of the value related to the elasticity of the biological tissue or the viscosity value of the biological tissue, and the other physical property value is divided into a plurality of ranges. A two-dimensional map is configured, and in the two-dimensional map, in at least one of the plurality of ranges, the threshold value of the one physical property value in the other range is a threshold value. There is no ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.   The display image control unit displays images having different display forms before and after a threshold value set in each of a value relating to elasticity of the living tissue and a viscosity value of the living tissue. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of threshold values are set in at least one of a value relating to elasticity of the living tissue and a value of viscosity of the living tissue. A display unit on which the two-dimensional map is displayed;
In the two-dimensional map displayed on the display unit, an input unit for setting the threshold value;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The threshold value of the other physical property value is set as the threshold value in the other physical property value, and the other physical property value is divided into a plurality of ranges by the threshold value of the other physical property value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in any one of 1-4 .