JP6420676B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a body mark and a probe mark are displayed.

  In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, after a user freezes a real time ultrasonic image, the frozen ultrasonic image is stored or printed. At this time, the ultrasonic image is stored or stored together with the body mark and the probe mark in order to indicate which part of the subject is the ultrasonic image to be stored or printed. The body mark represents a part of the subject such as the neck or abdomen with a schematic figure. The probe mark is a figure indicating the position of the ultrasonic probe at the site of the subject and is displayed on the body mark.

  The flow of examination will be described in more detail. First, the user freezes the B-mode image and then moves the probe mark to a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe in the subject and the body mark. Thereafter, the user saves the image displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, in the conventional examination, the user has to adjust the position of the probe mark on the body mark in accordance with the position of the ultrasonic probe in the subject, which is complicated. As an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that does not require the user to adjust the position of the probe mark on the body mark, for example, there is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 1. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in this patent document, the probe mark on the body mark moves in accordance with the movement of the ultrasonic probe. Therefore, the user needs to adjust the position of the probe mark on the body mark. Absent.

JP 2008-86742 A

  However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in Patent Document 2, an ultrasonic probe is placed in advance at positions corresponding to a plurality of points on the body mark and the subject, and the plurality of points and the body mark on the subject are detected. The corresponding point in must be identified. Therefore, it is cumbersome in that such advance processing is still necessary.

  Therefore, the inventor of the present application intensively examined an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can reduce the burden on the user by eliminating the need for the user to adjust the position of the probe mark on the body mark in the normal inspection flow. Invented.

  One aspect of the invention made to solve the above-described problems is an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject in a three-dimensional space, and the ultrasonic probe in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional space. A position detection unit for detecting a position, an ultrasonic image created based on an ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe, and a figure imitating the subject, showing an examination site in the subject An image display control unit that displays a body mark on the display unit, and further displays a probe mark indicating the position of the ultrasonic probe at the examination site of the subject on the body mark, and the probe mark on the body mark. In accordance with the first instruction to move and the position and body mark of the ultrasonic probe at the examination site of the subject by the first instruction After the probe mark is moved to the corresponding position, the user inputs a second instruction for storing or printing the ultrasonic image, the body mark, and the image displayed on the display unit including the probe mark. An input unit, a position correspondence specifying unit for specifying a position correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe in the three-dimensional space and the position of the probe mark in the body mark, a distance in the three-dimensional space, and the body A distance correspondence specifying unit that specifies a distance correspondence relationship with a distance in the mark, wherein the position correspondence specifying unit is detected by the position detection unit when the second instruction is input. The position of the ultrasonic probe in the space and the body mark constituting the image stored by inputting the second instruction. A positional correspondence relationship with the position of the probe mark is specified, and the input unit receives the second instruction when the ultrasonic probe is the first position in the three-dimensional space, and displays the display. When the first image is stored or printed as the image displayed on the section, and the position of the ultrasonic probe is a second position different from the first position in the three-dimensional space, the second The second image is stored or printed as the image displayed on the display unit when the instruction is input, and the distance correspondence specifying unit is configured such that the distance between the first position and the second position, A distance correspondence relationship between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark from the position of the probe mark in the first image and the distance of the probe mark in the second image The image display control unit, based on the position correspondence relationship, the distance correspondence relationship, and the position of the ultrasonic probe specified by the position detection unit, the position of the probe mark in the body mark, In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the probe mark is displayed so as to be in a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe in the subject.

  According to the invention of the above aspect, the user simply inputs the input of the first instruction and the input of the second instruction, which has been performed in the conventional examination, in the input unit, and the image display control unit The position of the probe mark in the body mark is determined based on the position correspondence relationship, the distance correspondence relationship, and the position of the ultrasonic probe specified by the position detection unit. The probe mark is displayed so as to be a position corresponding to the position. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to adjust the position of the probe mark in the body mark in the normal inspection flow, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display process part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the point in a magnetic sensor, and the vector which passes along this point. It is a flowchart which shows the effect | action of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display part on which the body mark, the probe mark, and the B mode image were displayed. It is a figure explaining the straight line extended in an azimuth direction in the center part of the elevation direction in the ultrasonic transmission / reception surface of an ultrasonic probe. It is a figure which shows the display part of the state after a user moves a probe mark. It is a figure which shows the display part of the state after a user moves a probe mark to the position different from FIG. It is a figure explaining the probe mark which moves according to a motion of an ultrasonic probe. It is a figure which shows a 1st body mark. It is a figure which shows a 2nd body mark.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception beam former 3, an echo data processing unit 4, a display processing unit 5, a display unit 6, an operation unit 7, a control unit 8, and a storage unit 9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has a configuration as a computer.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is configured to have a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown) arranged in an array, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject through the ultrasonic transducers, and the echo signal thereof. Receive.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 is provided with a magnetic sensor 10 composed of, for example, a Hall element. The magnetic sensor 10 detects magnetism generated from, for example, a magnetic generator 11 installed in a three-dimensional space. The magnetism generator 11 is constituted by a magnetism generating coil, for example. A detection signal in the magnetic sensor 10 is input to the display processing unit 5. The detection signal in the magnetic sensor 10 may be input to the display processing unit 5 via a cable (not shown), or may be input to the display processing unit 5 wirelessly. The magnetism generator 11 and the magnetic sensor 10 are provided to detect the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 as described later. The magnetic sensor 10 is an example of an embodiment of a magnetic sensor in the present invention. The magnetic generator 11 is an example of an embodiment of the magnetic generator in the present invention.

  The transmission / reception beam former 3 supplies an electrical signal for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 2 under a predetermined scanning condition to the ultrasonic probe 2 based on a control signal from the control unit 8. The transmission / reception beamformer 3 performs signal processing such as A / D conversion and phasing addition processing on the echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2, and outputs the echo data after the signal processing to the echo data processing unit 4. To do.

  The echo data processing unit 4 performs processing for creating an ultrasound image on the echo data output from the transmission / reception beamformer 3. For example, the echo data processing unit 4 performs B mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing to create B mode data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display processing unit 5 includes a position calculating unit 51, a position correspondence specifying unit 52, a distance correspondence specifying unit 53, an ultrasonic image data creating unit 54, and an image display control unit 55. The position calculation unit 51 calculates the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in a three-dimensional space coordinate system with the magnetism generation unit 11 as the origin, based on the magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor 10. The position calculation unit 51 and the magnetic sensor 10 are an example of an embodiment of a position detection unit in the present invention. A coordinate system in a three-dimensional space having the magnetic generator 11 as the origin is an example of an embodiment of a coordinate system having a predetermined point as the origin in the present invention.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the position calculation unit 51 specifies the position of a predetermined point P in the magnetic sensor 10 (not shown in FIG. 3) and the direction of the vector V passing through the point P. Then, the position calculation unit 51 determines the azimuth direction at the center of the elevation direction on the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface of the ultrasonic probe 2 from the position of the point P and the direction of the vector passing through the point P. The position of the straight line Lp extending in the three-dimensional space is specified as the position of the ultrasonic probe 2.

  The position correspondence specifying unit 52 specifies the position correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space and the position of a probe mark on a body mark to be described later. Details will be described later. The position correspondence specifying unit 52 is an example of an embodiment of the position correspondence specifying unit in the present invention.

  The distance correspondence specifying unit 53 specifies the correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark. Details will be described later. The distance correspondence specifying unit 53 is an example of an embodiment of a distance correspondence specifying unit in the present invention.

  The ultrasonic image data creation unit 54 scans and converts the data input from the echo data processing unit 4 by a scan converter to create ultrasonic image data. For example, the ultrasonic image data creation unit 52 scans B-mode data to create B-mode image data.

  The image display control unit 55 causes the display unit 6 to display an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic image data. The ultrasonic image is a B-mode image based on the B-mode image data, for example.

  The image display control unit 55 causes the display unit 6 to display the body mark. The body mark is a figure imitating the subject and indicates the examination site in the subject. The storage unit 9 stores a plurality of types of body marks. The body mark is stored for a plurality of examination sites. Moreover, even if it is the same test | inspection site | part, several types of body marks may be memorize | stored. The image display control unit 55 reads the body mark designated by the user through the operation unit 7 from the storage unit 9 and causes the display unit 6 to display the body mark.

  Further, the image display control unit 55 displays the probe mark on the body mark displayed on the display unit 6. The probe mark indicates the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the examination site of the subject. The image display control unit 55 is an example of an embodiment of the image display 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.

  The operation unit 7 is a device through which a user inputs instructions and information. For example, although not particularly illustrated, the operation unit 7 includes a keyboard, and further includes a pointing device such as a trackball. The user inputs, for example, a first instruction for moving the probe mark in the body mark by the operation unit 7. In addition, the user inputs a second instruction to record an image displayed on the display unit 6 including the ultrasonic image, the body mark, and the probe mark through the operation unit 7. The operation unit 7 is an example of an embodiment of an input unit in the present invention.

  The control unit 8 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 8 reads the program stored in the storage unit 9 and controls each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 8 reads a program stored in the storage unit 9 and causes the functions of the transmission / reception beamformer 3, the echo data processing unit 4, and the display processing unit 5 to be executed by the read program.

  The control unit 8 may execute all the functions of the transmission / reception beamformer 3, all of the functions of the echo data processing unit 4, and all of the functions of the display processing unit 5 by a program, Only some functions may be executed by a program. When the control unit 8 executes only a part of the functions, the remaining functions may be executed by hardware such as a circuit.

  The functions of the transmission / reception beamformer 3, the echo data processing unit 4, and the display processing unit 5 may be realized by hardware such as a circuit.

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

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 may have all of HDD, RAM, and ROM as the storage unit 9. The storage unit 9 may be a portable storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  The program executed by the control unit 8 is stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as an HDD or a ROM. The program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a CD or a DVD.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, the user inputs on the operation unit 7 to display the body mark BM and the probe mark PM as shown in FIG. Further, the user starts transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves to / from the subject in the three-dimensional space using the ultrasonic probe 2.

  The body mark BM is a two-dimensional figure that imitates the examination site of the subject, and in this example indicates the abdomen of the subject. The probe mark PM includes a long straight line L1 and a short straight line L2. The short straight line L2 is provided perpendicular to the long straight line L1 at one end of the long straight line L1. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the long straight line L <b> 1 corresponds to a straight line Lp extending in the azimuth direction at the central portion in the elevation direction on the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception surface 2 a of the ultrasonic probe 2. However, this straight line Lp is a virtual line. An end of the long straight line L1 where the short straight line L2 is provided corresponds to one end of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the azimuth direction.

  Next, in step S2, the B-mode image BI is displayed on the display unit 6. Next, in step S <b> 3, after the user displays the B-mode image BI for the desired part, the user performs an input to freeze the B-mode image BI in the operation unit 7. After the B-mode image BI is frozen in step S3, in step S4, the user moves the probe mark PM as shown in FIG. The user performs an input for moving the probe mark PM in the operation unit 7 (input of a movement instruction). The user moves the probe mark PM using, for example, a trackball of the operation unit 7. The user moves the probe mark PM so that the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM becomes a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the subject. The movement instruction is an example of an embodiment of inputting a first instruction in the present invention.

  Next, in step S5, the user inputs an input (an input of a storage instruction) that causes the storage unit 9 to store an image including the B-mode image BI, the body mark BM, and the probe mark PM displayed on the display unit 6. 7 is performed. The storage instruction is an example of a second instruction embodiment according to the present invention. Thereby, the B mode image BI, the body mark BM, and the probe mark PM displayed on the display unit 6 are stored in the storage unit 9.

  When a storage instruction is input, the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space and the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM when the storage instruction is input are stored in the storage unit 9. Remembered.

  Next, in step S6, the position correspondence specifying unit 52 determines the position of the ultrasound probe 2 in the three-dimensional space when the storage instruction is input in step S5 and the body stored in the storage unit 9. A position correspondence relationship (coordinate conversion formula) with the position of the probe mark PM in the mark BM is specified. The position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space is the position in the three-dimensional space of the straight line Lp on the transmission / reception surface. The position calculation unit 51 calculates the position of the straight line Lp on the transmission / reception surface in the three-dimensional space.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the user performs an input to cancel the freeze of the B-mode image on the operation unit 7. Thereby, the display of the real-time B-mode image on the display unit 6 is resumed.

  Next, in step S8, the controller 8 determines whether or not the number n of image storage instruction inputs is one. Incidentally, the input of the nth storage instruction means the input of the latest storage instruction. If the input of the image storage instruction in step S4 is the first time (n = 1, “YES” in step S8), the process returns to step S2. In step S2, the user moves the ultrasonic probe 2 to display a B-mode image BI of another cross section in the abdomen. Then, after the user again freezes the B-mode image BI in step S3, in step S4, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM indicates that the ultrasonic probe 2 in the subject The probe mark PM is moved to a position corresponding to the position of. Thereafter, a storage instruction is input in step S5, and in step S6, the positional correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space and the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM is specified. In this step S6, the positional correspondence relationship between the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the position of the probe mark PM in the three-dimensional space when the second (n-th) storage instruction in the previous step S5 is input. Identified. Therefore, in this step S6, the positional correspondence relationship between the positions of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the probe mark PM at a position different from the first time ((n-1) th time) is specified.

  The position of the ultrasound probe 2 when the first ((n-1)) storage instruction is input (input immediately before the previous storage instruction is input) is the first position in the present invention. This is an example of the embodiment. The position of the ultrasound probe 2 when the second (n-th) storage instruction is input (the previous storage instruction is input) is an example of an embodiment of the second position in the present invention. .

  Then, after the freeze is released again in step S7, the determination process in step S8 is performed again. In this determination process, it is determined that the input of the image storage instruction in the immediately preceding step S5 is not the first time ("NO" in step S8), and the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the distance correspondence specifying unit 53 specifies the correspondence (distance correspondence) between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark BM. The correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark BM is the correspondence between the sizes in the three-dimensional space and the body mark BM.

  This will be described in more detail. The distance correspondence specifying unit 53 determines the position of the ultrasound probe 2 when the first ((n-1)) storage instruction is input in step S5 and the second (nth) time in step S5. A distance D1 from the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 when a storage instruction is input is calculated.

  Further, the distance correspondence specifying unit 53 receives the first ((n-1)) storage instruction input in step S5 and the position of the probe mark PM in the stored image, and the second time in step S5 ( The distance d1 from the position of the probe mark PM in the image stored by inputting the (n-th) storage instruction is calculated.

  Incidentally, the (n−1) -th storage instruction input and stored in step S5 is the first image in the present invention. In addition, the image stored by inputting the n-th storage instruction in step S5 is the second image in the present invention.

  The distance D1 and the distance d1 are corresponding distances. Accordingly, the distance correspondence specifying unit 53 specifies the distance correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark BM from the distance D1 and the distance d1.

  Next, in step S10, the image display control unit 55 determines that the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM is the ultrasonic probe 2 in the subject as shown in FIG. The probe mark PM is moved to a position corresponding to the position of. The probe mark PM is displayed at a position where the straight line Lp in the three-dimensional space is projected onto the two-dimensional body mark BM. Specifically, the image display control unit 55 corresponds to the current (real-time) position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space specified based on the information calculated by the position calculation unit 51 and the body mark BM. The position to be performed is specified based on the position correspondence specified in the immediately preceding step S6 and the distance correspondence specified in step S9, and the probe mark PM is moved. The position correspondence specified in the immediately preceding step S6 is a position correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the position of the probe mark PM when the n-th storage instruction is input.

  However, the image display control unit 55 is identified in step S9 with the positional correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the position of the probe mark PM when the (n-1) th storage instruction is input. Based on the distance correspondence relationship, the current position (in real time) of the ultrasonic probe 2 and the corresponding position in the body mark BM may be specified.

  In step S10, when the user moves the ultrasonic probe 2, the probe is automatically set so that the position of the probe mark PM on the body mark BM corresponds to the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 on the subject. Mark PM moves. Therefore, the user need not adjust the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM.

  Next, in step S <b> 11, the user performs an input on the operation unit 7 to freeze the B-mode image BI displayed on the display unit 6. In addition, the user performs an input on the operation unit 7 to store an image including the B mode image BI, the body mark BM, and the probe mark PM displayed on the display unit 6 in the storage unit 9. The storage instruction input in step S11 is an nth storage instruction input.

  In step S <b> 11, after the user freezes the B-mode image, the user may perform input for moving the probe mark PM in the operation unit 7. For example, the user moves the probe mark PM when the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM is deviated from the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the examination region of the subject. In this case, the user moves the probe mark PM so that the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM becomes a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the subject. Thereafter, the user inputs a storage instruction.

  Next, in step S12, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the probe mark PM has been moved by the user. The control unit 8 determines whether or not there is an input for moving the probe mark PM in the operation unit 7. For example, as described above, the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM is not the position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the examination site of the subject. This is a movement for correcting the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM when there is a deviation.

  If it is determined in the operation unit 7 that there is an input for moving the probe mark PM (“YES” in step S12), the process returns to step S6. In this step S6, the positional correspondence relationship between the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 in the three-dimensional space and the position of the probe mark PM after position correction when the n-th storage instruction is input in the previous step S11 is performed. Identified. After the freeze is released in step S7, in the determination process in step S8, it is determined that the input of the image storage instruction in the immediately preceding step S11 is not the first time (n ≠ 1), and the process in step S9 Migrate to

  In step S9, as described above, the distance correspondence specifying unit 53 determines the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 when the (n-1) -th storage instruction is input before the position correction of the probe mark. A distance D1 from the position of the ultrasonic probe 2 when the n-th storage instruction is input after the position correction of the probe mark PM is calculated. Further, the distance correspondence specifying unit 53 stores the position of the probe mark PM in the image stored by inputting the (n-1) th storage instruction and the nth storage instruction. The distance d1 from the position of the probe mark PM in the obtained image is calculated. Then, the distance correspondence specifying unit 53 specifies the distance correspondence after the position correction of the probe mark PM from the distance D1 and the distance d1. In step S10, the image display control unit 55 moves the probe mark PM with the movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 as described above, using the distance correspondence after the position correction of the probe mark PM.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that there is no input for moving the probe mark PM in the operation unit 7 ("NO" in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13. In step S <b> 13, the user performs an input to cancel the freeze of the B-mode image on the operation unit 7. Thereby, the display of the real-time B-mode image on the display unit 6 is resumed.

  Next, in step S14, the control unit 8 determines whether or not to end the process. The control unit 8 determines whether or not there is an input to end the process in the operation unit 7. If it is determined to end the process (“YES” in step S14), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined not to end the process (“NO” in step S14), the process returns to step S10.

  According to the above-described example, the user is prompted to input the probe before the first storage instruction is input and before the second storage instruction is input after the first storage instruction is input. Although it is necessary to move the mark PM, the probe mark PM automatically follows the movement of the ultrasonic probe 2 after the second storage instruction is input. Accordingly, in the conventional examination flow in which the user freezes the B-mode image BI, moves the probe mark PM, and inputs an instruction to store the image displayed on the display unit 6, There is no need to adjust the position of the probe mark. As a result, the burden on the user can be reduced.

  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 ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit 6 and stored by inputting a storage instruction is not limited to the B-mode image, and may be a color Doppler image, an elastic image, or the like.

  Further, even if an instruction to print an image displayed on the display unit 6 including the ultrasonic image, the body mark, and the probe mark is input as a second instruction by the operation unit 7 instead of the storage instruction. Good. Thereby, the image displayed on the display unit 6 is printed.

  When the user changes the body mark BM displayed on the display unit 6 to another type of body mark BM in the operation unit 7, the image display control unit 55 performs the probe on the changed body mark BM. The mark PM may be displayed at a position corresponding to the position of the probe mark PM in the body mark BM before change. This will be described in detail. The body mark BM has coordinate information, and the storage unit 9 stores a coordinate conversion formula between different types of body marks BM. This coordinate conversion expression is an expression for performing coordinate conversion between the coordinate system of a certain body mark and the coordinate system of another body mark.

  For example, the body mark displayed on the display unit 6 is changed from the first body mark BM1 shown in FIG. 10 to the second body mark BM2 shown in FIG. 11 of a different type from the first body mark BM1. The case will be described. Although both the first body mark BM1 and the second body mark BM2 are body marks on the abdomen of the subject, the second body mark BM2 has an angle different from that of the first body mark BM1.

  When the user performs an input to change the first body mark BM1 displayed on the display unit 6 to the second body mark BM2 on the operation unit 7, the image display control unit 55 displays the second body mark BM2. BM2 is displayed on the display unit 6. The image display control unit 55 also determines the position coordinates of the first probe mark PM1 in the first body mark BM1 based on the coordinate conversion formula between the first body mark BM1 and the second body mark BM2. Is converted into the position coordinates of the second probe mark PM2 in the second body mark BM2. Then, the image display control unit 55 displays the second probe mark PM2 at the converted position coordinates in the second body mark BM2 displayed on the display unit 6. Thereby, the second probe mark PM2 in the second body mark BM2 can be displayed at a position corresponding to the position of the first probe mark PM1 in the first body mark BM1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 Ultrasonic probe 6 Display part 7 Operation part 8 Control part 10 Magnetic sensor 11 Magnetic generation part 51 Position calculation part 52 Position corresponding | compatible relation specific | specification part 53 Distance corresponding | compatible relation specific | specification part 55 Image display control part

Claims (10)

An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a subject in a three-dimensional space;
A position detector for detecting the position of the ultrasonic probe in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional space;
An ultrasonic image created based on an ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe, and a body mark that includes a figure imitating the subject and indicates the examination site in the subject are displayed on the display unit. Furthermore, an image display control unit that displays a probe mark indicating the position of the ultrasonic probe on the examination site of the subject on the body mark,
The first instruction for moving the probe mark in the body mark and the position of the probe mark in the body mark become a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe in the subject by the first instruction. As described above, after the probe mark is moved, the user inputs a second instruction for storing or printing the ultrasonic image, the body mark, and the image displayed on the display unit including the probe mark. And
A position correspondence specifying unit that specifies a position correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe in the three-dimensional space and the position of the probe mark in the body mark;
A distance correspondence specifying unit that specifies a distance correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark;
With
In the input unit, when the ultrasonic probe is at the first position in the three-dimensional space, the first image is stored or stored as an image displayed on the display unit when the second instruction is input. When the position of the ultrasonic probe is printed and the second position is different from the first position in the three-dimensional space, the second instruction is input and displayed on the display unit. A second image is stored or printed as an image,
The position correspondence specifying unit is a position correspondence between the first position in the three-dimensional space detected by the position detector and the probe mark in the body mark constituting the first image, or Identifying the positional correspondence between the second position in the three-dimensional space detected by the position detector and the probe mark in the body mark constituting the second image;
The distance correspondence specifying unit is configured to determine the distance between the first position and the second position in the three-dimensional space, the position of the probe mark in the first image, and the position of the probe mark in the second image. From the position distance, specify the distance correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark,
The image display control unit determines whether the position of the probe mark in the body mark is in the subject based on the position correspondence, the distance correspondence, and the position of the ultrasonic probe specified by the position detection unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the probe mark is displayed so as to be in a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe.   The position detection unit is a magnetic sensor provided in the ultrasonic probe, and includes a magnetic sensor that detects magnetism generated in a magnetic generation unit installed in the three-dimensional space. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the coordinate system of the three-dimensional space is a coordinate system having the magnetic generation unit as an origin.   The said probe mark contains the straight line corresponding to the straight line extended in the azimuth direction previously set in the transmission-and-reception surface of the ultrasonic wave in the said ultrasonic probe, The super as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image is stored or printed after the first image is stored or printed.   The first instruction is that before the first image is stored or printed, or before the second image is stored or printed, the position of the probe mark on the body mark is determined on the subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an instruction to move the probe mark to a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe. The position correspondence specifying unit inputs the first instruction after the distance correspondence is specified, corrects the position of the probe mark, and inputs the second instruction after correcting the position of the probe mark. Then, the position of the ultrasonic probe when the second instruction is input is set as the second position, and the second instruction is input and stored or printed after correcting the position of the probe mark. Using the image as the second image, specifying the position correspondence after the probe mark position correction,
The distance correspondence specifying unit uses the second position after position correction of the probe mark, and uses the position of the probe mark after position correction as the position of the probe mark in the second image, Specify the distance correspondence after the probe mark position correction,
The image display control unit displays the probe mark after the position correction of the probe mark using the corresponding position relationship and the distance correspondence relationship after the position correction of the probe mark. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in any one of 1-6.   The distance correspondence specifying unit sets the position of the ultrasonic probe before the position correction of the probe mark as the first position, and sets the position of the probe mark before the position correction to the position of the probe mark in the first image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the distance correspondence after the position correction of the probe mark is specified.   When an input to change the first body mark displayed on the display unit to a second body mark of a type different from the first body mark is performed on the input unit, the image display control unit The second body mark is displayed on the display unit, and the first body mark is converted into the first body mark based on a coordinate conversion formula between the first body mark and the second body mark. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second probe mark is displayed at a position corresponding to the position of the first probe mark in the body mark. An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a subject in a three-dimensional space;
An input unit for the user to input instructions;
A processor;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
The processor is
A position detection function for detecting the position of the ultrasonic probe in the coordinate system of the three-dimensional space;
An ultrasonic image created based on an ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe, and a body mark that includes a figure imitating the subject and indicates the examination site in the subject are displayed on the display unit. Furthermore, an image display control function for displaying on the body mark a probe mark indicating the position of the ultrasonic probe in the examination site of the subject;
A position correspondence specifying function for specifying a position correspondence between the position of the ultrasonic probe in the three-dimensional space and the position of the probe mark in the body mark;
A distance correspondence specifying function for specifying a distance correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark;
Is executed programmatically,
In the input unit, a first instruction for moving the probe mark in the body mark, and the position of the probe mark in the body mark by the first instruction is changed to a position of the ultrasonic probe in the subject. A second instruction for storing or printing the image displayed on the display unit including the ultrasonic image, the body mark, and the probe mark after the probe mark is moved to a corresponding position; When the ultrasonic probe is at the first position in the three-dimensional space, the second instruction is input and displayed on the display unit as the image input by the user and displayed on the display unit. One image is stored or printed, and the position of the ultrasonic probe is the first position in the three-dimensional space. Becomes the second case the position, the second image as the second said image indication is displayed on the display unit is input is stored or printed,
The position correspondence specifying function is a position correspondence between the first position in the three-dimensional space detected by the position detection function and the probe mark in the body mark constituting the first image, or Identifying the positional correspondence between the second position in the three-dimensional space detected by the position detection function and the probe mark in the body mark constituting the second image;
The distance correspondence specifying function includes the distance between the first position and the second position in the three-dimensional space, the position of the probe mark in the first image, and the position of the probe mark in the second image. From the position distance, specify the distance correspondence between the distance in the three-dimensional space and the distance in the body mark,
The image display control function is configured such that the position of the probe mark in the body mark is determined in the subject based on the position correspondence, the distance correspondence, and the position of the ultrasonic probe specified by the position detection unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the probe mark is displayed so as to be in a position corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe.

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