JP6331373B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present application relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus displays a subject internal tissue as a tomographic image (hereinafter referred to as “B (Brightness) mode image”) based on reflected ultrasound obtained by transmitting ultrasound toward the inside of the subject. To do.

  The ultrasonic wave transmitted toward the inside of the subject is attenuated as it travels inside the subject. For this reason, the reflected ultrasound obtained from the relatively deep position in the depth direction, which is the transmission direction of the ultrasound, is higher than the reflected ultrasound obtained from the relatively shallow position. The amplitude intensity of the sound wave becomes weak. As a result, the obtained B-mode image is displayed with a high luminance at a relatively shallow position, and is displayed with a low luminance at a relatively deep position, resulting in poor visibility.

  For this reason, a user such as a doctor adjusts the luminance according to the depth of the obtained B-mode image and acquires a homogeneous image (hereinafter abbreviated as “TGC”. Sensitive Time Control (STC). ) An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a function has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-131396 A

  In the conventional technology described above, a user-friendly technology has been desired when the user performs TGC. The non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present application provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with improved usability when a user performs TGC.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an aspect of the present application is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to be connectable to an ultrasonic probe, and transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via the ultrasonic probe. A transmission unit configured to generate, a reception unit configured to generate a reception signal based on reflected ultrasound received by the ultrasound probe, and a B-mode image based on the reception signal A B-mode image generating unit configured as described above, a display processing unit configured to generate image data including the B-mode image, a display unit configured to display the image data, and the display A touch panel on the display area of the image data of the unit, and an operation unit configured to perform various settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by performing a touch operation by a user on the display area; Comprising said display Management unit, the ultrasound image display area for displaying the B-mode image of the image data is divided into a plurality of regions, the drag operation on the area by the user is performed, the drag operation is performed In addition, the brightness of the B-mode image in the area is first touched by the drag operation from the brightness set before the first touch by the drag operation, regardless of the position touched by the drag operation first. The amount is adjusted by an amount corresponding to the straight line distance from the position to the final position where the drag is finished .

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present application, the user can realize TGC with a simple operation.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present application, when the user performs TGC, usability can be improved.

1 is an example of an external view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present application. It is an example of the functional block diagram of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 1 of this application. It is an example of the hardware block diagram of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 1 of this application. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation | movement flowchart of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 1 of this application. It is a figure which shows an example of the B mode image displayed on the display part of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 1 of this application. It is an auxiliary | assistant figure explaining an example of the TGC function of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 1 of this application. It is an auxiliary | assistant figure explaining an example of the TGC function of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 2 of this application. It is an auxiliary | assistant figure explaining an example of the TGC function of the ultrasound diagnosing device by Embodiment 3 of this application. It is an auxiliary figure explaining the modification of an example of the TGC function of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment by Embodiments 1-3 of this application. It is an auxiliary figure explaining the modification of an example of the TGC function of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment by Embodiments 1-3 of this application.

  The outline of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present application is as follows.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an aspect of the present application is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to be connectable to an ultrasonic probe, and transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via the ultrasonic probe. A transmission unit configured to generate, a reception unit configured to generate a reception signal based on reflected ultrasound received by the ultrasound probe, and a B-mode image based on the reception signal A B-mode image generating unit configured as described above, a display processing unit configured to generate image data including the B-mode image, a display unit configured to display the image data, and the display A touch panel on the display area of the image data of the unit, and an operation unit configured to perform various settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by performing a touch operation by a user on the display area; Comprising said display The management unit divides an ultrasonic image display area for displaying the B-mode image in the image data into a plurality of areas, and when a predetermined touch operation is performed on the area by the user, the predetermined touch is performed. The brightness of the B-mode image in the region where the operation is performed is adjusted based on a predetermined rule for the predetermined touch operation.

  Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an example of an external view of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a state in which an ultrasound probe 101 is connected to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 via a cable.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 is a so-called touch panel type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 displays various diagnostic information such as a B-mode image on the display unit 102 and also displays soft keys and the like for performing various settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. A touch panel is provided in the image data display area of the display unit 102, and the user performs various settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 by touching a soft key or the like displayed on the display unit 102. be able to.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state where the ultrasonic probe 101 is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a controller 1, a display unit 102, and an operation unit 103. The controller 1 includes a transmission unit 2, a reception unit 3, a B-mode image generation unit 4, a display processing unit 5, and a control unit 6.

  FIG. 3 shows the main hardware configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. From the viewpoint of hardware, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes, for example, a pulsar 52, an AD converter 53, an amplifier 54, a transmission beam former 55, a reception beam former 56, an image processor 57, a B-mode image processor 58, and a memory. 59 and an arithmetic processor 60.

  The ultrasonic probe 101 includes a plurality of piezoelectric conversion elements 51 that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and a plurality of pulsars 52, AD converters 53, and amplifiers 54 are prepared corresponding to the number of piezoelectric conversion elements 51. In the memory 59, a program that defines a procedure for realizing the function of each component shown in FIG. 1, and each component is operated according to a predetermined procedure, whereby the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100, the ultrasound probe, and the like. 101, a program that controls the display unit 102 and the operation unit 103 and defines the procedure for generating and displaying the following B-mode image is stored. These programs are sequentially read from the memory 59 and executed by the arithmetic processor 60.

  Each component shown in FIG. 2 is configured using the hardware shown in FIG.

  The transmission unit 2 includes a pulsar 52 and a transmission beam former 55. The receiving unit 3 includes an amplifier 53, an AD converter 54, and a reception beam former 56. The B mode image generation unit 4 includes an image processor 57 and a B mode image processor 58. The display processing unit 5 includes an image processor 57 and a B-mode image processor 58.

  The hardware configuration described above is merely an example, and various modifications can be made. For example, the function of the B-mode image generation unit 4 may be realized by software. Further, the functions of the transmission beam former 55 and the reception beam former 56 may be realized by software. A personal computer including the arithmetic processor 60, the memory 59, and the image processor 57 may be used in place of these hardware.

  Further, with respect to each functional block of the controller 1, a part or all of the functions of each functional block can be realized as an LSI which is typically an integrated circuit. These may be individually made into one chip, or may be made into one chip so as to include a part or all of them. Here, although LSI is used, it may be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration.

Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. FPGA (Field that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing)
A programmable gate array or a reconfigurable processor capable of reconfiguring the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

  Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology.

  As described above, the ultrasonic probe 101 has a plurality of piezoelectric transducers 51 arranged in a one-dimensional direction, and each of the piezoelectric transducers 51 converts a transmission electric signal from the transmitter 2 described later into an ultrasonic wave. And an ultrasonic beam is generated. Therefore, the user can irradiate the inside of the subject with the ultrasonic beam by arranging the ultrasonic probe 101 on the surface of the subject which is the object to be measured. The ultrasonic probe 101 receives reflected ultrasonic waves from the inside of the subject, converts the reflected ultrasonic waves into received electric signals by a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements 51, and supplies the received electric signals to the receiving unit 3 described later. .

  In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 101 is described as an example of the ultrasonic probe 101 in which a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements 51 are arranged in a one-dimensional direction. However, the ultrasonic probe 101 is not limited thereto. is not. For example, an ultrasonic probe 101 in which a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements 51 are arranged two-dimensionally, an ultrasonic probe 101 in which a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements 51 arranged in a one-dimensional direction swing, or the like may be used. Is possible. Further, the ultrasonic probe 101 is based on the control of the control unit 7, and the transmission unit 2 selects the piezoelectric transducer 51 used by the ultrasonic probe 101, and the timing and voltage for applying a voltage to the piezoelectric transducer 51. By individually changing the value of, the irradiation position and irradiation direction of the ultrasonic beam to be transmitted can be controlled.

  Further, the ultrasound probe 101 may include some functions of the transmission unit 2 and the reception unit 3 described later. For example, the ultrasound probe 101 transmits within the ultrasound probe 101 based on a control signal (hereinafter referred to as “transmission signal”) for generating a transmission electrical signal output from the transmission unit 2. An electrical signal is generated, the transmission signal is converted into an ultrasonic wave by the piezoelectric transducer 51, and the received reflected ultrasonic wave is converted into a reception electric signal. The ultrasonic probe 101 will be described later based on the reception electric signal. A configuration for generating a reception signal is given.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic probe 101 is generally configured to be electrically connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 via a cable, but is not limited thereto, and for example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 The configuration may be such that ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by wireless communication. However, in the case of such a configuration, it goes without saying that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the ultrasonic probe 101 are provided with a communication unit capable of wireless communication.

  The display unit 102 is a so-called monitor, and displays image data such as B-mode images and soft keys such as operation buttons for performing various settings based on an output from the display processing unit 5 described later.

  The operation unit 103 is configured integrally with the display unit 102, and a touch panel is provided on the image data display area of the display unit 102. When a touch operation such as a soft key displayed on the display unit 102 is performed by the user, the operation unit 103 recognizes the position of the touch operation and the type of the operation via the touch panel, and inputs them to the operator. A command based on this is output to the controller 1 (specifically, the control unit 6).

  Note that the touch operation here refers to an operation in which the operator presses the touch panel on the display unit 102 (including an operation in which the operator simply touches) or a drag operation, and this touch operation is directly performed by the user. In addition to the case where the display unit 102 is touched with a finger or the like, the case where a medium such as a pen is used is also included.

  Moreover, although the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in Embodiment 1 has shown the structure which implement | achieves all the operations in the operation part 103 with the soft key displayed on the display part 102, this application is limited to this. It is not a thing. That is, it is needless to say that some of the keys of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may be realized by hard keys such as a keyboard.

  The transmission unit 2 performs a transmission process in which at least the transmission unit 2 generates a transmission signal and causes the ultrasonic probe 101 to transmit an ultrasonic beam. As an example, the transmission unit 2 performs a transmission process for generating a transmission signal for transmitting an ultrasonic beam from the ultrasonic probe 101 having the piezoelectric transducer element 51, and the ultrasonic probe 101 is based on the transmission signal. The piezoelectric transducer 51 of the ultrasonic probe 101 is driven by supplying a high-voltage transmission electrical signal generated at a predetermined timing. Thereby, the ultrasonic probe 101 can irradiate the subject which is a measurement object with the ultrasonic beam by converting the transmission electric signal into the ultrasonic wave.

  The receiving unit 3 performs a reception process for generating a reception signal based on at least the reflected ultrasound. For example, the receiving unit 3 receives reflected ultrasound by the ultrasound probe 101 and amplifies the received electrical signal to perform A / D conversion on the received electrical signal converted based on the reflected ultrasound. Generate a received signal. Then, by performing transmission processing by the transmission unit 2 and reception processing by the reception unit 3, a plurality of reception signals corresponding to one image frame are acquired, and by repeating this continuously, the reception unit 3 A plurality of received signals corresponding to the image frames are acquired.

  The B-mode image generation unit 4 has the same configuration as that of a general ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and mainly analyzes the amplitude of a received signal to generate a B-mode image. The B-mode image is image data to be displayed on the display unit 102, and is converted into a luminance signal mainly according to the signal strength of the received signal. The luminance signal is coordinated to correspond to the orthogonal coordinate system. This is an image signal that has been converted. The B mode image generated by the B mode image generation unit 4 is supplied to the display processing unit 5.

  The display processing unit 5 constructs image data to be displayed on the display unit 102 and performs processing for displaying the image data on the display unit 102. Specifically, the display processing unit 5 assigns the generated B-mode image to the ultrasonic image display region of the image data display region on the display unit 102, and assigns a soft key or the like to the other regions. These image data are output to the display unit 102.

  In addition, the display processing unit 5 divides the ultrasonic image display region into a plurality of regions of the image data display region on the display unit 102. Specifically, the display processing unit 5 divides the image into a plurality of areas along the depth direction of the B-mode image displayed in the ultrasonic image display area. When the user performs a touch operation based on a predetermined rule in the divided area in the ultrasonic image display area of the display unit 102, the display processing unit 5 transmits information related to the touch operation from the operation unit 103. Received via the control unit 6. Then, the display processing unit 5 performs TGC processing on the divided area where the touch operation is performed according to the position and type of the touch operation.

  The control unit 6 controls each block in the controller 1 based on the input from the operation unit 103.

  An example of a specific operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be described using the operation flowchart of FIG.

  Step 1 (S001) is a step of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.

The user brings the ultrasonic probe 101 into contact with the subject. The transmission unit 2 and the reception unit 3 transmit and receive ultrasonic waves inside the subject via the ultrasonic probe 101. By repeatedly performing this, the reception unit 3 generates a plurality of reception signals for each image frame. To do.

  Step 2 (S002) is a step of generating a B-mode image.

  The B-mode image generation unit 4 sequentially acquires a reception signal for each image frame from the reception unit 3 and generates a luminance signal corresponding to the signal strength of the reception signal. Then, the B-mode image generation unit 4 generates a B-mode image by performing coordinate conversion on the generated luminance signal so as to correspond to the orthogonal coordinate system.

  Step 3 (S003) is a step of displaying image data including the B-mode image on the display unit 102.

  The display processing unit 5 receives the B mode image generated from the B mode image generation unit 4. The display processing unit 5 has an image format to be displayed in the image data display area of the display unit 102 in advance. Among the display areas, a B-mode image is displayed in the ultrasonic image display area, and various soft keys are used in other areas. To construct image data. Then, the display processing unit 5 outputs the constructed image data to the display unit 102. As a result, the constructed image data is displayed on the display unit 102.

  Step 4 (S004) is a step of dividing the ultrasonic image display area by the display processing unit 5.

  The display processing unit 5 divides the display region along which the ultrasonic waves are along the depth direction of the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 102 into a plurality of regions. In the first embodiment, the display processing unit 5 will be described using an example in which the ultrasonic image display area is divided into eight areas.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a fan-shaped B-mode image 82 is displayed in the ultrasonic image display area of the display unit 102. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the display processing unit 5 performs a process of displaying a B-mode image so as to become a deeper position as it proceeds in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The display processing unit 5 divides the ultrasonic image display region 81 into eight regions along the depth direction of the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 102 as indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  On the other hand, the display processing unit 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the luminance corresponding to each divided area of the ultrasonic image display area divided into eight areas on the left side of the ultrasonic image display area 81 in FIG. An adjustment bar 83 is displayed.

  Step 5 (S005) is a step in which the operator performs a touch operation on the display unit 102 and the display processing unit 5 performs a TGC process according to the touch operation.

  The user touches a desired divided area in the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 102 for brightness adjustment. Here, it is assumed that the user adjusts the luminance of the divided areas in the hatched area shown in FIG. The display processing unit 5 receives the information on the divided area touched by the user, the touched position, and the touch operation from the operation unit 103, and adjusts the luminance of the touched divided area.

  The brightness adjustment performed by the display processing unit 5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

The user touches a desired position in the hatched area shown in FIG. 6 and drags from the touched state in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 6 (direction perpendicular to the depth direction in the B-mode image 82). In this case, the display processing unit 5 adjusts the luminance of the hatched area shown in FIG. 6 according to the linear distance and the drag direction from the position touched first to the final position where the drag is finished.

  First, the display processing unit 5 sets a gain value at the currently set brightness in the hatched area shown in FIG. 6 as the first touched position, and drags the position from the position to the right in FIG. The setting to increase the gain value in luminance from the current setting. On the other hand, when the display processing unit 5 is dragged from the first touched position to the left in FIG. 6, the display processing unit 5 performs a setting to lower the gain value in luminance from the current setting.

  In addition, the display processing unit 5 performs a setting to increase (decrease) the gain value in luminance according to the relative distance of the linear distance from the position where the hatched area in FIG. 6 is first touched to the final position where the drag is finished. For example, if the display processing unit 5 can set the gain value in the range of 0 to 100, the gain value is increased (decreased) by 10 from the current setting when the linear distance is 5 cm.

  As a result, the brightness of the B-mode image in the desired divided area is displayed on the display unit 102 with the user's desired gain value in accordance with the touch operation of the desired divided area of the ultrasonic image display area 81 by the user. The Rukoto.

  Further, the display processing unit 5 performs display processing for moving the knob portion of the luminance adjustment bar corresponding to the divided area in response to the touch operation (including during dragging) of the divided area.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment is a modification of the touch operation of the ultrasonic image display area 81 by the user shown in the first embodiment and the TGC process of the display processing unit 5 according to the touch operation.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the example of the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2 and the example of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. Also, the operation flowchart of FIG. 4 shown in the first embodiment is the same except for the content of step 5 (S005), and thus the description of step 1 (S001) to step (S004) is omitted. Here, only step 5 (S005) will be described.

  Step 5 (S005) illustrated in FIG. 4 is a step in which the operator performs a touch operation on the display unit 102 and the display processing unit 5 performs a TGC process according to the touch operation, as in the first embodiment.

  The user touches a desired divided area in the B-mode image displayed on the display unit 102 for brightness adjustment. Here, it is assumed that the user adjusts the luminance of the divided area indicated by the hatched area as shown in FIG. The display processing unit 5 receives the information on the divided area touched by the user, the touched position, and the touch operation from the operation unit 103, and adjusts the luminance of the touched divided area.

  The brightness adjustment performed by the display processing unit 5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  The user touches a desired position in the shaded area shown in FIG. 7 and drags from the touched state in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 7 (direction perpendicular to the depth direction in the B-mode image 82). In this case, the display processing unit 5 adjusts the luminance of the hatched area shown in FIG. 7 according to the touched position.

The display processing unit 5 sets the gain value of the luminance at the left end portion of the ultrasonic image display area 81 as 0 and the right end portion as 100, and sets the hatched area to a gain value corresponding to the first position touched by the user. . For example, in the example of FIG. 7, the first position where the user first touched the hatched area (the position of the schematic diagram of the broken line of the finger in FIG. 7) is the position where the gain value in luminance is 30. The processing unit 5 adjusts the gain value in luminance of the B-mode image related to the touched divided area to 30.

  Next, when the user drags the inside of the shaded area in the right direction of FIG. 7 from the touched state, the display processing unit 5 sequentially changes the gain value corresponding to the drag position. Then, based on the position corresponding to the final position of the drag, the display processing unit 5 changes the gain value to the position corresponding to the final position of the drag. In the example of FIG. 7, since the final drag position (the position of the schematic diagram of the solid line of the finger in FIG. 7) is the position where the gain value is 60, the display processing unit 5 performs the B mode related to the touched divided area. By adjusting the gain value of the image to 60, the luminance of the divided area is adjusted. As a result, the brightness of the B-mode image of the divided area touch-operated is displayed on the display unit 102 as a B-mode image having a user's desired value.

  In addition, the display processing unit 5 performs a process of performing display for moving the knob portion of the brightness adjustment bar corresponding to the divided area corresponding to the position of the divided area touch and the drag position (including during dragging). Do.

(Embodiment 3)
The third embodiment is a modification of the touch operation of the ultrasonic image display area 81 by the user shown in the second embodiment and the TGC process of the display processing unit 5 according to the touch operation.

  In the third embodiment, regarding the ultrasonic image display area 81 divided by the display processing unit 5 as shown in FIG. 8, the control of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when a plurality of areas are dragged by one touch operation. Give an explanation.

  The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 3 is the same as the example of the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2 and the example of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. Also, the operation flowchart of FIG. 4 shown in the first embodiment is the same except for the content of step 5 (S005), and thus the description of step 1 (S001) to step (S004) is omitted. Here, only step 5 (S005) will be described.

  Step 5 (S005) illustrated in FIG. 4 is a step in which the operator performs a touch operation on the display unit 102 and the display processing unit 5 performs a TGC process according to the touch operation, as in the first and second embodiments. .

  The user performs a touch operation on a desired divided region for which the luminance adjustment is to be performed among the B-mode images displayed on the display unit 102. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the user drags a plurality of areas indicated by diagonal lines in the ultrasonic image display area 81 of FIG. 8 by one touch operation. The display processing unit 5 adjusts the luminances of a plurality of areas indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 8 based on this touch operation by the user. The display processing unit 5 receives the information on the divided area touched by the user, the touched position, and the touch operation from the operation unit 103, and adjusts the luminance of the touched divided area. In addition, about the area | region divided into eight among the ultrasonic image display areas 81 here, the 1st area, the 2nd area, the 3rd area, the 4th area, These are referred to as a region 5, a sixth region, a seventh region, and an eighth region.

  The brightness adjustment performed by the display processing unit 5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

First, the user touches the first area shown in FIG. 8 (position of the schematic diagram of the broken line of the finger in FIG. 8). Since the position where the user first touches the first area is a position where the gain value in luminance corresponds to 15, the display processing unit 5 sets the gain value in luminance of the B-mode image in the first area to 15. Set to.

  Next, the user drags from the position where the first area is first touched to the first to seventh areas in the state as shown by the arrows shown in the ultrasonic image display area 81 of FIG. Do. The final drag position in the example of FIG. 8 is the position of the schematic diagram of the solid line of the finger shown in the seventh area.

  In this case, the display processing unit 5 adjusts the luminance setting of the first area to a gain value corresponding to the passing position of the second area from the first area in this drag. In the example of FIG. 8, the display processing unit 5 sets the gain value in the luminance adjustment of the first region to 25.

  Next, the display processing unit 5 sets the brightness of the second area to a gain value corresponding to the passing position from the second area to the third area in the drag, similarly to the setting of the brightness of the first area. Set. In the example of FIG. 8, the display processing unit sets the gain value in the luminance of the second area to 40.

  Similarly, regarding the setting of the luminance of the third to sixth regions, the display processing unit 5 similarly sets the luminance gain values of the third to sixth regions to 55, 60, respectively, as shown in FIG. 10 and 35 are set.

  Since the user has ended the drag operation in the seventh area, the display processing unit 5 sets the brightness in the seventh area to the final position of the drag (the schematic diagram of the solid line of the finger shown in FIG. 8). The gain value (75 in the example of FIG. 8) corresponding to (position) is adjusted.

  The display processing unit 5 moves the knob portion of the brightness adjustment bar corresponding to the divided area in response to the touch operation (including during dragging) of the divided area as in the first and second embodiments. Process.

  By adopting such a configuration, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present application can realize the setting of the brightness of the B-mode image in a plurality of divided regions with a single touch operation, so that it is performed with a simple operation for the user. Can do.

  In the above configuration, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present application performs a touch operation when a divided region of the ultrasonic image display region 81 is touched in accordance with a predetermined rule set in advance in the display processing unit 5. The B mode corresponding to the touch and drag operation (ie, touch operation) shown in the ultrasonic image display area 81 shown in the first to third embodiments. Needless to say, the adjustment of the luminance of the image is merely an example.

  In the first to third embodiments, the region in which the touch operation for performing the TGC process is described as the entire ultrasonic image display region 81, but the present invention is not limited to this. A part of the image display area 81 may be a touch operable area.

  For example, since not only the B-mode image but also other diagnostic information may be displayed in the ultrasonic image display area 81, the touch operation for the TGC process in the ultrasonic image display area 81 in the example shown in FIG. The region that can be formed may be within a rectangular region (shaded region in FIG. 9) that can surround the entire B-mode image. In this case, the user can link the area where the touch operation can be performed with the B-mode image to some extent.

  Further, when the B-mode image has a fan shape, a rectangular area that surrounds the B-mode image corresponding to each divided area, among the divided areas of the ultrasonic image display area 81, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 10. (Shaded area in FIG. 10). In this case, since the user can link the area where the touch operation can be performed with the B-mode image, the usability is further improved.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present application, the user can realize TGC with a simple operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Controller 2 Transmission part 3 Reception part 4 B mode image generation part 5 Display processing part 6 Control part 51 Piezoelectric conversion element 52 Pulsar 53 AD converter
54 amplifier 55 transmission beam former 56 reception beam former 57 image processor 58 B-mode image processor 59 memory 60 arithmetic processor 81 ultrasonic image display area 82 B-mode image 83 brightness adjustment bar 100 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 101 ultrasonic wave Probe 102 Display unit 103 Operation unit

Claims (3)

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to be connectable with an ultrasonic probe,
A transmission unit configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to a subject via the ultrasonic probe;
A receiver configured to generate a received signal based on the reflected ultrasound received by the ultrasound probe;
A B-mode image generator configured to generate a B-mode image based on the received signal;
A display processing unit configured to generate image data including the B-mode image;
A display unit configured to display the image data;
An operation unit provided with a touch panel on the display area of the image data of the display unit, and configured to perform various settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a user's touch operation on the display area; With
The display processing unit divides an ultrasonic image display area for displaying the B-mode image in the image data into a plurality of areas, and when the user performs a drag operation on the area, the drag operation is performed. The brightness of the B-mode image of the region that has been performed is changed from the brightness that was set before the first touch by the drag operation to the first by the drag operation, regardless of the position that was first touched by the drag operation. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that adjusts by an amount corresponding to the linear distance from the position touched to the final position where dragging has ended.   When the user touches and drags the first area of the plurality of areas from the state, the display processing unit drags the first touched position as the currently set luminance gain value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the brightness of the B-mode image corresponding to the first region is adjusted based on a direction and a relative distance from the first touched position to the final drag position. The display processing unit along said depth direction of the B-mode image displayed on the ultrasound image display area, dividing the ultrasonic image display area into a plurality of regions, to claim 1 or claim 2 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described.