JP6433219B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information management apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus that manages measurement results of elastic characteristics.

  2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that measure the elastic modulus of living tissue are widely used. The elastic modulus is defined as a value obtained by dividing the stress applied to an elastically deformed object by the distortion of the object, and represents the difficulty of deformation of the object. In general, a tissue having a disease such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, or cirrhosis has an elastic modulus different from that of other tissues. Therefore, it is often possible to find a disease by measuring the elastic modulus.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that measures an amount indicating hardness such as elastic modulus and viscosity of a living body. In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a living body tissue is irradiated with ultrasonic waves for generating shear waves to generate shear waves (shear waves). And the displacement which arose in the biological tissue by transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave for a displacement detection is measured, and the hardness of a biological tissue is measured.

  When measuring elastic characteristics, a plurality of regions of interest are often set in the same tissue. For example, a plurality of measurements are performed for each region of interest, and an elastic characteristic is obtained for each region of interest by statistical processing for each region of interest.

  When a plurality of measurement results are obtained for one patient as a subject, if each measurement result is stored irregularly, the process for displaying each measurement result becomes complicated. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a medical image display device that stores predetermined incidental information in association with a captured medical image. In this medical image display device, personal information such as patient ID number, patient name, date of birth, and sex, date of examination (imaging), patient condition and examination method by doctor, etc. in association with the taken medical image The incidental information is input, and the incidental information is stored in the image database together with the medical image data. When the medical image is displayed on the display device, the accompanying information is displayed at the same time.

International Publication No. 2012-0777579 JP 2006-314702 A

  In general, the measurement of elastic characteristics is performed on a tomographic image obtained by acquiring a tomographic image of an organ such as the liver, kidney, and heart. When a plurality of regions of interest are set irregularly in a tomography where the elastic property is measured, it may be difficult to diagnose an organ using the measurement results in each region of interest.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately group a plurality of regions of interest and measurement results when measuring the elasticity of a subject.

The present invention includes a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject to be subjected to elasticity measurement, a tomogram generation unit that generates tomographic image data of the subject by ultrasonic waves transmitted / received by the transmission / reception unit, A template image that is divided into a plurality of template regions by a boundary determined based on a measurement target site that is a tissue of a subject, and that partitions a tomographic image based on the tomographic image data into the plurality of template regions a storage unit that stores, and the measurement result acquisition unit with the region of interest that defines the area to obtain the measurement result of the elastic properties to obtain the measurement results in the measurement target sections, the said measurement result is obtained the position of the region of interest, in association with a template region that corresponds to the position of the region of interest among the plurality of template regions, glue the measurement results Comprising a grouping unit for dividing, wherein the storage unit, the storing a plurality of said template image set in several different faults and one-to-one relationship in stbm, the grouping unit, the measuring a plurality of template area set for the target site, so as to correspond to the plurality of template area indicated by each of the plurality of template images, grouping the measurement results of the plurality of different faults It is characterized by.

In the present invention, the measurement results of the elastic characteristics are grouped in correspondence with a plurality of template regions set for the subject. In many cases, a measurement target region such as a liver is individually diagnosed for each of a plurality of regions defined in the measurement target region. In the present invention, each template region is defined based on a measurement target part. Thereby, the grouping suitable for the measurement target part is performed, and the diagnosis using the measurement result becomes easy.

Desirably, e Bei display processing unit for displaying the information based on the measurement results by the grouped groups, wherein the display processing unit displays in association with information based on the region of interest and the measurement result .

  According to the present invention, grouping suitable for a measurement target part is performed, and information based on a measurement result is displayed for each grouped group. This facilitates diagnosis for each template region.

  Desirably, an ordering unit that orders a plurality of the measurement results grouped in correspondence with each template region within each group, and the display processing unit adds each measurement result to each measurement result based on the ordering. Display information based on.

  According to the present invention, it becomes easy to display measurement results based on a predetermined ordering such as medically meaningful ordering.

Desirably, before and Kidan layer image, before the image display processing unit for displaying overlapping the Kite PLATES image, when the tomographic image and the template image is displayed, the region of interest in the subject a ROI setting unit for setting, and the elastic properties in the region of interest given vibration, and a measuring unit for measuring the ultrasonic wave transmitted and received by the transceiver unit, the measurement result acquisition unit, the interest the position of the region of interest set by the region setting unit, get information associating the elastic characteristics measured by the measuring unit as the measurement result.

According to the present invention, the tomographic image and the template image are displayed in an overlapping manner, and the operation of setting the region of interest is supported. For example, the tomographic image is determined according to the propagation range of ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the transmission / reception unit. A tomography for measuring elastic characteristics may be set by adjusting the propagation range of the ultrasonic wave so that the tomographic image is in a state suitable for the template image or approximate to the state. For example, when the transmission / reception unit transmits / receives an ultrasonic wave via a probe, a tomography for measuring elastic characteristics is set by adjusting the position and orientation of the probe to adjust the propagation range of the ultrasonic wave.

Desirably selection, one of the multiple templates area, a selection unit for selecting in response to a user operation, the image display processing unit has a front Kidan layer image, by the selecting unit displays superimposed and the template image representing the template area that is.

According to the present invention, depending on the measurement target sections, and selecting a plurality of template area or we appropriate template area, it is possible to perform measurements of suitable elastic characteristics for stbm.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of regions of interest and each measurement result can be appropriately grouped.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an ultrasonic diagnosing device. It is a figure which shows notionally the state of the ultrasonic wave in a subject. It is a timing chart which shows pressurization period P, 1st period T1, and 2nd period T2. It is a figure which shows the template image displayed on a display part in the case of a display measurement operation | movement. It is a figure which shows the template image displayed on a display part in the case of a display measurement operation | movement. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure about each result information. It is a figure which shows notionally the data structure by which result information corresponding to each ROI number was grouped by each template area | region. It is a figure which shows a template area | region and a data structure notionally. It is a figure which shows the image which shows a measurement result for every template area | region. It is a figure which shows the image containing a pop-up image. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on a display part based on an ordering data structure. It is a figure which shows the image which shows the measurement evaluation value 1 rank smaller than the measurement evaluation value currently displayed on the image of FIG.

(1) Configuration and Basic Operation of Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus irradiates the subject 14 with ultrasonic waves for generating shear waves from the probe 10 to excite shear waves in the living tissue of the subject 14. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves for generating shear waves to the subject 14 and then transmits / receives ultrasonic waves for measuring elasticity at the probe 10. Based on the received ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generates shear waves. Obtain propagation velocity and measure elastic properties. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus operates in the B mode before and after the measurement of the elastic characteristics, and serves as an index for determining the position and posture of the probe 10 or an index for setting a region of interest for measuring the elastic characteristics. A tomographic image of the subject 14 is displayed to support measurement of elastic properties.

  The configuration and operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe 10, a transmission / reception unit 16, a beam control unit 18, a tomographic image generation unit 20, a region of interest setting unit 22, a measurement unit 24, a storage unit 26, an information management unit 28, an operation unit 34, and a main control unit. 36 and a display unit 32. The information management unit 28 includes a data processing unit 30 and a display processing unit 31.

  At least one of the main control unit 36, the transmission / reception unit 16, the beam control unit 18, the tomographic image generation unit 20, the region of interest setting unit 22, the measurement unit 24, and the information management unit 28 is configured by, for example, a processor. In this case, the processor configures each component by reading a program that configures the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The operation unit 34 includes a user interface such as a trackball and a mouse. The main control unit 36 controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the operation in the operation unit 34. For example, the main control unit 36 performs control such as start or stop of processing executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, switching of a measurement state, switching of an image displayed on the display unit 32, and the like.

  The transmission / reception unit 16 operates in a state corresponding to each of the acoustic pressurization mode, the elasticity measurement mode, and the B mode according to the control by the beam control unit 18, and causes the probe 10 to transmit or receive ultrasonic waves. FIG. 2 conceptually shows the state of ultrasonic waves in the subject 14 in each mode. In the acoustic pressure mode and the elasticity measurement mode, the elastic characteristics of the subject 14 are measured. In the acoustic pressure mode, a pressure beam 38 for generating a shear wave is directed into the subject 14. In FIG. 2, a focus portion for concentrating ultrasonic energy among arrows indicating the pressurized beam 38 is indicated by a solid line, and other portions are indicated by a broken line. The ultrasonic waves transmitted from the probe 10 in the direction of the pressurized beam 38 excite the shear wave 40 in the living tissue in the subject 14. The shear wave 40 propagates through the region of interest 42 set in the subject 14 and vibrates the living tissue in the region of interest 42.

  In the elastic measurement mode, the first elastic measurement beam 44 and the second elastic measurement beam 45 that are separated by a length d are alternately directed to the region of interest 42 in terms of time. That is, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves in the direction of the first elasticity measurement beam 44 and transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves in the direction of the second elasticity measurement beam 45 are alternately performed in time. In the probe 10, the ultrasonic wave reflected by the region of interest 42 is received from each elastic measurement beam direction. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the propagation speed of the shear wave in the living tissue is measured based on the ultrasonic wave received from the direction of each elastic measurement beam, and the elastic characteristic in the region of interest 42 is determined based on the propagation speed of the shear wave. Desired.

  In the B mode, the B-mode measurement beam 46 is scanned on the tomographic scanning plane 47 where a tomographic image is acquired. The B-mode measurement beam 46 swings in the azimuth direction indicated by the arrow 50 in the figure with the reference point 48 of the probe 10 as the center, and scans the tomographic scanning plane 47. In the probe 10, ultrasonic waves for generating tomographic image data are transmitted and received in each direction of the B-mode measurement beam 46. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, tomographic image data is generated based on the ultrasonic waves received by the probe 10.

  The operations of the acoustic pressure mode, the elasticity measurement mode, and the B mode are performed in a time-sharing manner. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus first operates in the B mode, generates tomographic image data, and displays the tomographic image. When measuring the elastic characteristics, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus stops the operation in the B mode and irradiates the subject 14 with ultrasonic waves for generating a shear wave by the operation in the acoustic pressure mode. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus operates in the elastic measurement mode in a time zone in which a shear wave is excited in the living tissue after the operation in the acoustic pressurization mode. After the time for cooling the probe 10 has elapsed since the operation in the elasticity measurement mode has ended, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus resumes the operation in the B mode.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described. The region-of-interest setting unit 22 sets a region of interest in the subject 14 based on a user operation, as will be described later. The region-of-interest setting unit 22 outputs region information indicating the position and the occupation range of the region of interest to the beam control unit 18 and the information management unit 28. This area information is represented by a coordinate range of two-dimensional plane coordinates, for example. When the shape and size of the region of interest are fixed, the region information may be a coordinate value indicating the position of the region of interest.

  The probe 10 includes a plurality of vibration elements 12. The plurality of vibration elements 12 are arranged along a surface that makes contact with the subject 14. The transmission / reception unit 16 outputs a transmission signal to each vibration element 12 so that an ultrasonic beam corresponding to each mode is formed by the probe 10 under the control of the beam control unit 18. For example, by adjusting the intensity or output timing of the transmission signal output to each vibration element 12, an ultrasonic beam having a direction and a focal position corresponding to each mode is formed.

  The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the probe 10 is reflected within the subject 14. In the elastic measurement mode and B mode for receiving ultrasonic waves, the following processing is executed. That is, each vibration element 12 receives the ultrasonic wave reflected in the subject 14, converts the received ultrasonic wave into a reception signal that is an electrical signal, and outputs the received signal to the transmission / reception unit 16. The transmission / reception unit 16 acquires the reception signal output from each vibration element 12 according to control by the beam control unit 18 and performs processing such as amplification and quadrature detection.

  In addition, the transmission / reception unit 16 performs phasing addition of a plurality of reception signals obtained by the plurality of vibration elements 12. By the phasing addition, a composite reception signal based on the ultrasonic wave received from the direction of the ultrasonic beam (elastic measurement beam or B-mode measurement beam) is obtained. When the ultrasonic beam is scanned, each combined reception signal corresponding to each ultrasonic beam direction is obtained. Below, the process performed with respect to a synthetic | combination received signal is demonstrated about each of B mode and elasticity measurement mode.

  The signal processing in the B mode will be described. The transmission / reception unit 16 outputs each combined reception signal corresponding to each direction of the B-mode measurement beam to the tomographic image generation unit 20. The tomographic image generation unit 20 generates tomographic image data representing a tomographic image of the subject 14 based on each combined reception signal. The tomogram generator 20 outputs tomogram data to the information manager 28. The tomogram generation unit 20 sequentially generates tomogram data with the passage of time, and sequentially outputs the tomogram data generated with the passage of time to the information management unit 28. The display processing unit 31 included in the information management unit 28 displays the tomographic image on the display unit 32 as a B-mode moving image at a predetermined frame rate.

  Next, signal processing in the elasticity measurement mode will be described. After the shear wave is excited by the transmission of the ultrasonic wave in the direction of the pressurized beam, the transmitting / receiving unit 16 corresponds to each of the first elastic measurement beam and the second elastic measurement beam that are alternately directed to the region of interest in terms of time. The combined reception signal is output to the measurement unit 24. The measurement unit 24 obtains an elastic measurement value of the living tissue in the region of interest based on each combined reception signal. The elastic measurement value may be other measurement values representing the elasticity, hardness, etc. of the living tissue in addition to the propagation speed and elastic modulus of the shear wave.

  FIG. 3 shows a B mode period B that operates in the B mode, a pressurization period P in which ultrasonic waves for generating shear waves are transmitted, a first period T1 in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in the direction of the first elastic measurement beam, In addition, a timing chart of the second period T2 in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in the direction of the second elasticity measurement beam is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, after the B mode period B and the pressurization period P have elapsed, the first period T1 and the second period T2 are alternately repeated a plurality of times. Then, a plurality of scan periods are repeated with a process corresponding to the repetition of the pressurization period P and the series of the first period T1 and the second period T2 as one scan period.

  For example, the measurement unit 24 of FIG. 1 obtains the shear wave propagation velocity in the region of interest as follows in one scan period. The measurement unit 24 obtains a first vibration state value representing the vibration state of the biological tissue with respect to the time axis based on the combined reception signal obtained in each of the plurality of first periods T1. Similarly, the measurement unit 24 obtains the second vibration state value with respect to the time axis based on the combined reception signal obtained in each of the plurality of second periods T2. These vibration state values are, for example, time differential values of the vibration phase of the living tissue. Based on the distance d between the first elastic measurement beam and the second elastic measurement beam, the first vibration state value, and the second vibration state value, the measurement unit 24 measures elastic measurement values such as shear wave propagation velocity and elastic modulus. Ask for. The measurement unit 24 sets the processing corresponding to the pressurization period P and the series of repetitions of the first period T1 and the second period T2 as one scan, repeats a plurality of scans, and obtains one elasticity measurement value in each scan. May be.

  The measurement unit 24 in the present embodiment obtains a plurality of elasticity measurement values for one region of interest by performing a plurality of scans on the region of interest. For one region of interest, for example, an average value of a plurality of elasticity measurement values is obtained as a final elasticity measurement value. Further, the measurement unit 24 may obtain a statistical value such as a standard deviation, a variance, and a median (median) of a plurality of elasticity measurement values as a measurement evaluation value. In addition to these statistical values, the measurement evaluation value may be a value defined by a calculation using a plurality of elastic measurement values as representing the elastic characteristics in the region of interest. The measurement unit 24 outputs the elasticity measurement value and the measurement evaluation value to the information management unit 28.

(2) Display measurement operation The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus operates in the B mode before and after operating in the acoustic pressure mode and the elasticity measurement mode, and determines the position and orientation of the probe 10 and sets the region of interest. A B-mode moving image is displayed on the display unit 32 as an index. Hereinafter, such display measurement operation will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an image displayed on the display unit 32 during the display measurement operation. A B-mode moving image 52 is displayed on the display unit 32, and a template image 54 is displayed so as to overlap the B-mode moving image 52.

  The template image 54 represents a plurality of template regions 56 (template region group) that divides the B-mode moving image 52. In FIG. 4, each template region 56 is shown as a region surrounded by a broken boundary line 57. Each template region 56 is predetermined according to the tissue to be diagnosed. In many cases, a tissue such as a liver is individually diagnosed for each of a plurality of regions defined in the tissue. Therefore, in the present embodiment, each region for diagnosing a specific tissue is defined as a template region 56, and a template image indicating each template region 56 is stored in the storage unit 26. Different template images are defined for a plurality of different slices for one tissue, and a plurality of template image data representing a plurality of different template images are stored in the storage unit 26. In the display measurement operation, one of a plurality of template image data is selected in accordance with a user operation. That is, one selected from a plurality of template image data is read from the storage unit 26, and a template image 54 based on the template image data is displayed on the display unit 32 so as to be superimposed on the B-mode moving image 52.

  Each template image data stored in the storage unit 26 is assigned a template image number. Further, a template area number is assigned to each of the plurality of template areas 56 indicated by one template image data. For example, when a positive integer “T” is added as a template image number to a certain template image data, “T-1”, “T-2” are set in each of a plurality of template areas indicated by the template image data. ”,“ T-3 ”,...,“ TM ”(M is a positive integer), and a number with a child number added to the template image number is added. As shown in FIG. 5, the template image number T may be displayed together on the display unit 32. Each template area 56 may be displayed with a template area number. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a character “T = 3” indicating that the template image number is 3 is displayed. In each template area 56, “3-1” to “3-4” are displayed as template area numbers.

  The user adjusts the position or orientation of the probe so that the B-mode moving image 52 is adapted to each template region 56 shown in the template image 54, or approximate to the state.

  In addition, the display unit 32 displays an ROI setting frame 58 so as to overlap the B-mode moving image 52. The ROI setting frame 58 is a figure that serves as an index of a range in which the user sets a region of interest on the B-mode moving image 52, and moves on the B-mode moving image 52 according to the user's operation. Note that ROI is obtained by omitting Region Of Interest.

  The processing executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus during the display measurement operation will be described with reference back to FIG. The display measurement operation includes setting of a region of interest, elasticity measurement for the region of interest, and management (storage, display, etc.) of measurement results.

  The operation unit 34 operates as a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of template image data stored in the storage unit 26 according to a user operation. First, the user selects template image data corresponding to a measurement target region, that is, a diagnosis target tissue, by an operation on the operation unit 34. The display processing unit 31 reads template image data selected in accordance with a user operation from the storage unit 26. Then, the B-mode moving image is displayed on the display unit 32, and the template image is displayed on the display unit 32 so as to be superimposed on the B-mode moving image. The display processing unit 31 further displays the ROI setting frame so as to overlap the B-mode moving image. In this state, the user refers to the B-mode moving image and the template image to adjust the position or posture of the probe 10.

  The operation of setting the region of interest by moving the ROI setting frame and performing elasticity measurement will be described. In this operation, the region information of the ROI setting frame is output from the region-of-interest setting unit 22 to the information management unit 28, and the display processing unit 31 displays the ROI setting frame on the B-mode moving image based on the region information. Done in This area information is represented by a coordinate range of two-dimensional plane coordinates, for example. When the shape and size of the ROI setting frame are fixed, the area information may be a coordinate value indicating the position of the ROI setting frame. When an operation for moving the ROI setting frame is performed on the operation unit 34, the area information changes according to the operation, and the ROI setting frame moves on the B-mode moving image.

  When the position and occupation range of the ROI setting frame are determined by the operation of the operation unit 34, the region-of-interest setting unit 22 uses the region information of the ROI setting frame as region information of the region of interest, and the beam control unit 18 and the information management unit 28. Output to. As a result, the region in the subject 14 corresponding to the ROI setting frame is set as the region of interest.

  After the region of interest is set, when an operation for starting elasticity measurement is performed by the user, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus stops the operation in the B mode. The display processing unit 31 selects one of the tomographic images displayed in chronological order before stopping the operation in the B mode, for example, one tomographic image corresponding to the last displayed tomographic image. The data is tomographic image data at the time of measurement. While the operation in the B mode is stopped, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displays a measurement tomographic image based on the measurement tomographic image data on the display unit 32 instead of the B mode moving image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus operates in the acoustic pressure mode and the elasticity measurement mode after stopping the operation in the B mode, and performs elasticity measurement on the region of interest. As described above, the measurement unit 24 outputs the elasticity measurement value and the measurement evaluation value for the region of interest to the information management unit 28. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus restarts the operation in the B mode after the time for cooling the probe 10 has elapsed after the operation in the acoustic pressure mode and the elasticity measurement mode has been completed.

  In the above description, the embodiment in which the shear wave is generated in the subject 14 by the acoustic pressure mode has been taken up. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may be configured to generate a shear wave on the subject 14 with a vibrator that generates mechanical vibration. In this case, the probe 10 is provided with a vibrator for mechanically vibrating the subject 14. In the vibration mode instead of the acoustic pressurization mode, the vibrator vibrates and generates a shear wave on the subject 14.

(3) Information Management Process A process in which the information management unit 28 manages information obtained by the display measurement operation will be described. The information management unit 28 acquires region information of the region of interest from the region of interest setting unit 22. Further, the elasticity measurement value and the measurement evaluation value obtained for the region of interest are acquired from the measurement unit 24.

  The display processing unit 31 stores measurement-time tomographic image data indicating the tomographic image displayed before the elasticity measurement in the storage unit 26. That is, the display processing unit 31 selects one of the tomographic images displayed in chronological order before stopping the operation in the B mode, for example, one corresponding to the last displayed tomographic image. The tomographic image data is stored in the storage unit 26 as the measurement tomographic image data. A tomographic image number is assigned as an identification number to the tomographic image data at the time of measurement.

  The data processing unit 30 corresponds to the ROI number for identifying the region of interest with the region information, the elasticity measurement value, the measurement evaluation value, the tomographic image number, and the template image number of the template image displayed together with the measurement tomographic image. The attached result information is stored in the storage unit 26 as information indicating the measurement result.

  FIG. 6 conceptually shows a data structure for each result information stored in the storage unit 26. In this data structure, region information, elasticity measurement values, measurement evaluation values, tomographic image numbers, and template image numbers are associated with each of N regions of interest identified by ROI numbers “1” to “N”. It has been. In this example, the elasticity measurement for each region of interest is performed based on the display of the template image with the template image number “3”. The tomographic image at the time of measurement displayed when the elasticity measurement was performed on the region of interest identified by the ROI numbers “1”, “2”, “3”,. Are represented by tomographic image data at the time of measurement identified by tomographic image numbers “23”, “24”, “25”,.

  The data processing unit 30 groups the result information corresponding to each ROI number into each template area. That is, the data processing unit 30 determines to which of the plurality of template regions the region of interest identified by each ROI number belongs, and assigns the template region number assigned to the template region to which each region of interest belongs to each ROI. Associate with a number. Specifically, the data processing unit 30 refers to the region information corresponding to each ROI number and the template image data specified by the template image number corresponding to each ROI number, and the interest specified by each ROI number. It is determined to which of the template regions T-1 to TM the region belongs. Then, the template region number of the template region to which the region of interest corresponding to each ROI number belongs is associated with each ROI number.

  FIG. 7 shows a data structure in which result information corresponding to each ROI number is grouped into each template area. For the ROI numbers “1”, “2”, “3”,... “N”, the template area numbers are “3-4”, “3-2”, “3-6”, respectively. ..., “3-2” are associated with each other. That is, the region of interest identified by the ROI numbers “1”, “2”, “3”,... “N” is the template region numbers “3-4”, “3-2”, “ 3-6 ”,... Are grouped into template areas specified by“ 3-2 ”.

  As described above, the data processing unit 30 included in the information management unit 28 obtains the measurement result and the measurement result acquisition unit that acquires the measurement result of the elastic characteristic by the ultrasonic wave for the region of interest set for the subject 14. It operates as a grouping unit that groups the measurement results based on the position of the region of interest. The grouping unit groups the measurement results in association with the template regions that constitute the template region group set for the subject 14. As described above, the boundary line as a boundary that divides the template region group into the template regions is determined based on the measurement target site in the subject 14.

  The data processing unit 30 may constitute data in which result information corresponding to each ROI number is stored together in the storage unit 26 for each template area number. FIG. 8 shows such a template area / data structure. In this data structure, the ROI number and the result information are collected for each template area number. The template area number “3-1” is associated with the result information about the ROI numbers “4” and “8”, and the template area number “3-2” is associated with the ROI number “2”. Each result information of “15” and “18” is associated. The template region number “3-3” is associated with the result information of the ROI number “1”, and the template region number “3-M” is associated with the ROI numbers “3”, “7”, “ Each result information of “17” and “5” is associated.

  The display processing unit 31 refers to the template region / data structure based on the user's operation, and displays the elasticity measurement value, the measurement evaluation value, and the like on the display unit 32 for each template region. FIG. 9 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 32. In the upper display frame, the measurement evaluation value for the template region 3-1 is shown. In the display frame, the ROI number and the measurement evaluation value are displayed in association with each other. That is, it is indicated that the measurement evaluation value of the region of interest with the ROI number “4” is “1.86”, and the measurement evaluation value of the region of interest with the ROI number “8” is “1.12”. A thumbnail 60 corresponding to each ROI number is displayed in the display frame. In the thumbnail 60 on the left side, “4” is indicated as a code indicating that the thumbnail corresponds to the region of interest whose ROI number is “4”. In the thumbnail 60 on the right side, “8” is indicated as a code indicating that the thumbnail corresponds to the region of interest whose ROI number is “8”.

  In the lower display frame, evaluation values for the template region 3-2 are shown. In the display frame, the ROI number and the measurement evaluation value are displayed in association with each other. That is, the measurement evaluation value of the region of interest with the ROI number “2” is “1.00”, the measurement evaluation value of the region of interest with the ROI number “15” is “1.08”, and the ROI number “18” It is shown that the measurement evaluation value of the region of interest is “1.34”. A thumbnail 60 corresponding to each ROI number is displayed in the display frame. In the thumbnail 60 on the left side, “2” is indicated as a code indicating that the thumbnail corresponds to the region of interest whose ROI number is “2”. In the center thumbnail 60, “15” is shown as a code indicating that the thumbnail corresponds to the region of interest whose ROI number is “15”. In the thumbnail 60 on the right side, “18” is indicated as a code indicating that the thumbnail corresponds to the region of interest whose ROI number is “18”. Each thumbnail 60 displays a graphic showing the outline of the tomographic image and an ROI setting frame 58 representing the approximate position of the region of interest. In addition, although the example which displays a measurement evaluation value was taken up here, the value displayed may be other result information, such as an elastic measurement value.

  The display processing unit 31 displays the result information corresponding to the thumbnail on the display unit 32 by performing an operation of selecting the thumbnail, such as clicking on the thumbnail while the cursor 61 is superimposed on the thumbnail. For example, the measurement value, measurement evaluation value, measurement tomographic image, ROI setting frame, etc. of the region of interest corresponding to the selected thumbnail may be displayed in a window or pop-up image displayed separately from the display frame. Good.

  FIG. 10 shows a pop-up image 62 displayed when a thumbnail corresponding to the region of interest with the ROI number “8” is selected. In the pop-up image 62, a measurement value, a measurement evaluation value, a tomographic image 64 at the time of measurement, and an ROI setting frame 58 are shown in the ROI number “8”.

  Thus, in the template area / data structure, result information corresponding to each ROI number is collected for each template area. This facilitates the process of displaying the measurement result for each template area. By displaying the measurement result for each template region, the user can easily diagnose the subject.

  The data processing unit 30 may order the template area / data structure in one group grouped into template areas to form an ordered data structure as a new data structure. For example, the data processing unit 30 may rearrange the respective pieces of result information in the order of large or small elasticity measurement values. Moreover, you may rearrange each result information in order with a big measurement evaluation value or a small order. Furthermore, the result information may be rearranged in the order of short distance from the reference region of interest with reference to the region of interest corresponding to a certain ROI number. That is, the data processing unit 30 may rearrange the respective pieces of result information in order from the shortest distance from the reference region of interest, with the result information corresponding to the reference region of interest at the top.

  FIG. 11 shows an image displayed on the display unit 32 by the display processing unit 31 based on the ordered data structure. In this image, the ROI number and the measurement evaluation value corresponding to the ROI number are shown. Further, a tomographic image 64 at the time of measurement is shown on the ROI number and the measurement evaluation value. On the tomographic image 64 at the time of measurement, an ROI setting frame 58 at the time of elasticity measurement is shown. A page feed button 66 is shown on the right side of the measurement evaluation value.

  The display processing unit 31 displays an image corresponding to the measurement evaluation value that is one rank higher than the currently displayed measurement evaluation value on the display unit 32 when the page feed button 66 indicating the upward direction is clicked. In addition, when the page feed button 66 indicating the downward direction is clicked or the like, the display processing unit 31 displays an image corresponding to the measurement evaluation value that is one rank lower than the currently displayed measurement evaluation value on the display unit 32. To do. FIG. 12 shows an image displayed when the page feed button 66 indicating the downward direction is clicked. That is, FIG. 12 shows an image showing a measurement evaluation value that is one rank lower than the measurement evaluation value displayed in the image of FIG.

  In this manner, the data processing unit 30 operates as an ordering unit that orders a plurality of measurement results grouped in correspondence with each template region within each group, and the measurement results having an ordered data structure are stored in the storage unit 26. To remember. The display processing unit 31 displays information based on the measurement results on the display unit 32 based on the ordering. According to the ordered data structure, it becomes easy to display the measurement results in a medically meaningful order, and the user can easily diagnose the subject.

  Here, an example in which information related to a measurement evaluation value that is one rank lower or a measurement evaluation value that is one rank higher is displayed based on the operation of the page feed button 66 has been described. The value to be displayed may be an elastic measurement value in addition to the measurement evaluation value. Further, every time the page turning button 66 is operated, a process of displaying the measurement results may be executed in the order of the distance from the reference region of interest.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Probe, 12 Vibration element, 14 Subject, 16 Transmission / reception part, 18 Beam control part, 20 Tomographic image generation part, 22 Region of interest setting part, 24 Measurement part, 26 Storage part, 28 Information management part, 30 Data processing part, 31 Display processing unit, 32 Display unit, 34 Operation unit, 36 Main control unit, 38 Pressurized beam, 40 Shear wave, 42 Region of interest, 44 First elastic measurement beam, 45 Second elastic measurement beam, 46 B-mode measurement beam , 47 Tomographic scan plane, 48 reference point, 50 arrow indicating azimuth direction, 52 B-mode moving image, 54 template image, 56 template area, 57 border line, 58 ROI setting frame, 60 thumbnail, 61 cursor, 62 pop-up image , 64 Measurement tomographic image, 66 page feed button.

Claims (5)

A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a subject to be measured for elasticity;
A tomographic image generating unit that generates tomographic image data of the subject by ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving unit;
A template image that is divided into a plurality of template regions by a boundary determined based on a measurement target site that is a tissue of the subject, and that partitions a tomographic image based on the tomographic image data into the plurality of template regions A storage unit for storing images;
And the measurement result acquisition unit with the region of interest that defines the area to obtain the measurement result of the elastic properties to obtain the measurement results in the measurement target region,
The position of the measurement results the region of interest obtained, said among the plurality of template region is associated with a template region that corresponds to the position of the region of interest, and a grouping unit for grouping the measurement results, the Prepared,
The storage unit stores a plurality of the template images set in a one-to-one relationship with a plurality of different slices in the measurement target region,
The grouping unit is a plurality of template regions set for the measurement target region, and each of the plurality of different tomograms is associated with the plurality of template regions indicated by each of the plurality of template images . ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by grouping the measurement results. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
E Bei display processing unit for displaying the information based on the measurement results by the grouped groups,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus , wherein the display processing unit displays the region of interest and information based on the measurement result in association with each other . The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2,
A plurality of the measurement results grouped in correspondence with each template region, the ordering unit for ordering in each group,
The display processing unit
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays information based on each measurement result based on the ordering. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Before Kidan layer image, and the image display processing unit that displays before overlapping and Kite Plates image,
When the tomographic image and the template image is displayed, a region of interest setting unit which sets a region of interest in the subject,
The elastic properties of the vibration region of interest given, and a measuring unit for measuring the ultrasonic wave transmitted and received by the transceiver unit,
The measurement result acquisition unit
The interest and the position of the region of interest set by the region setting unit, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim information associating the measured elastic properties be obtained as the measurement result by the measurement unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
Any of the template area of the multiple, a selection unit for selecting in accordance with a user operation,
The image display processing unit
Before and Kidan layer image, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and displaying superimposed and the template image representing the template area selected by the selection unit.

Images