JP7196135B2 - Device, its control program and system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating a time-intensity curve of a contrast agent injected into a subject, its control program and system.

A contrast image is an image that shows the signal intensity of ultrasound waves reflected by a contrast agent. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a time-intensity curve may be created within a region of interest (ROI) set in a contrast image (see Patent Document 1, for example). This time intensity curve indicates the time change of signal intensity in the region of interest, and is also called TIC (Time Intensity Curve).

Differential diagnosis of tumors can be made by the characteristics of the time-intensity curve. For example, the user sets a region of interest in each of the target and reference parts in the contrast-enhanced image for differential diagnosis. In one example, the target is a mass and the reference is normal liver parenchyma surrounding the mass. Analyzing the ratio of signal intensities in each of the two regions of interest can aid in differential diagnosis of tumors. Also, there are many parameters other than the ratio of signal intensities in each of the two regions of interest described above that can be evaluated in the time-intensity curve. For example, the maximum slope, minimum slope, area under the curve, etc. of the time-intensity curve are also parameters that can be evaluated in the time-intensity curve.

Some of the parameters that can be evaluated with time-intensity curves require measurements of 20-30 seconds or longer, making it difficult for subjects to hold their breath for long periods of time. In such a case, the user instructs the subject to "take a small breath." Then, the user evaluates the general shape of the time-intensity curve while allowing the ultrasound scan cross section to shift slightly due to respiration.

WO2018/87198

Shifting of the ultrasound scan plane due to respiration can cause part of the signal of the mass in the region of interest to be replaced by the signal of the liver parenchyma, causing a change in signal intensity in the region of interest. Also, if the target periodically falls under the influence of acoustic shadows caused by, for example, poor contact between the ultrasound probe and the body surface, or by barriers such as the lungs, the signal within the region of interest will be periodically detected. A change in strength occurs. These appear as uneven fluctuations in the time-intensity curve, causing a deviation from the ideal time-intensity curve that should be originally obtained. The greater the divergence, the greater the error in the evaluation parameter of the time-intensity curve.

In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a processor, the processor measuring the time variation of the signal intensity for a region of interest in a plurality of frames of contrast-enhanced images showing the signal intensity of the ultrasound reflected by the contrast agent injected into the subject. Create a first time-intensity curve shown, create a first envelope on the maximum value side in this first time-intensity curve, and a second envelope on the minimum value side in the first time-intensity curve . Then, the processor identifies the signal intensity of the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames and satisfies conditions defined as a suitable image, and Locating the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at the time corresponding to the selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope. Further, the processor generates a second time-varying curve showing time-varying of said signal strength, passing said percentage position at a time corresponding to said selected frame and at a time corresponding to said selected frame. A second time-intensity curve passing through the position specified from the position of the ratio is created between the first envelope and the second envelope for other times.

In another aspect, a system includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a server connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via a network. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject injected with a contrast agent, an ultrasonic probe that receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves, and the signal strength of the ultrasonic waves reflected by the contrast agent. and a first processor that creates a contrast-enhanced image based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave and outputs data of the contrast-enhanced image to the server via the network. The server also includes a second processor. The second processor creates a first time-intensity curve indicating the temporal change in the signal intensity for the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced images of a plurality of frames, and a second envelope on the minimum value side of the first time-intensity curve. Then, specifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in the contrast image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames and satisfying a condition defined as an appropriate image, Locating the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at times corresponding to frames as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope. Further, a second processor provides a second time-varying curve showing the time-varying of the signal strength, passing through the percentage position at a time corresponding to the selected frame and at the selected frame. A second time-intensity curve is created between the first envelope and the second envelope, passing through the positions identified from the ratio positions, for times other than the corresponding times.

According to the device and system in the above aspect, the first envelope on the maximum value side in the first time-intensity curve and the second envelope on the minimum value side in the first time-intensity curve A more accurate time-intensity curve can be obtained by creating the second time-intensity curve using the position of the ratio.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a time-intensity curve creation process according to an embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contrast-enhanced image in which a region of interest is set, and a diagram showing a contrast-enhanced image in which the mass is brighter than the liver parenchyma. Fig. 2 shows a first time-intensity curve; FIG. 11 shows a contrast-enhanced image in which the liver parenchyma is brighter than the mass; It is a figure explaining the shift|offset|difference of a scanning plane. FIG. 10 is a contrast-enhanced image after the scan plane is shifted, in which the mass is brighter than the liver parenchyma. FIG. 11 shows a contrast-enhanced image with acoustic shadowing; FIG. 10 is a contrast-enhanced image after the scan plane is shifted, in which the liver parenchyma has a higher brightness than the tumor; FIG. 11 shows a first envelope and a second envelope for a first time-intensity curve; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the signal strength of three selected frames in the first time-intensity curve; FIG. 10 illustrates identifying the location of signal strength on a first time-intensity curve at a time corresponding to a selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first and second envelopes; . Fig. 2 shows a second time-intensity curve; FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a system according to a second embodiment; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process by 2nd Embodiment, and is a flowchart which shows an example of the process before the time-intensity curve is produced.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission beamformer 3 and a transmitter 4. The ultrasonic probe 2 performs an ultrasonic scan on the subject and receives ultrasonic echoes. More specifically, the ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of transducer elements 2a that emit pulsed ultrasonic waves to a subject (not shown). A plurality of transducer elements 2a are driven by a transmit beamformer 3 and a transmitter 4 to radiate pulsed ultrasonic waves.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 further includes a receiver 5 and a receive beamformer 6 . The pulsed ultrasonic waves radiated from the transducer 2a generate echoes that are reflected within the subject and return to the transducer 2a. The echo is converted into an electric signal by the transducer 2 a to become an echo signal, which is input to the receiver 5 . The echo signal is amplified by a required gain in the receiver 5 and then input to the reception beamformer 6, where reception beamforming is performed. The receive beamformer 6 outputs ultrasound data after receive beamforming.

The receive beamformer 6 may be a hardware beamformer or a software beamformer. If the receive beamformer 6 is a software beamformer, the receive beamformer 6 may be a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or perform logic operations. can comprise one or more processors, including any one or more of the other types of processors that can The processor that configures the receive beamformer 6 may be configured by a processor different from the processor 7 described later, or may be configured by the processor 7 .

The ultrasound probe 2 may include electrical circuitry for performing all or part of the transmit beamforming and/or receive beamforming. For example, all or part of the transmit beamformer 3 , transmitter 4 , receiver 5 and receive beamformer 6 may be provided within the ultrasound probe 2 .

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 also includes a processor 7 for controlling the transmit beamformer 3 , transmitter 4 , receiver 5 and receive beamformer 6 . Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a display 8, a memory 9 and a user interface 10. FIG.

Processor 7 is in electronic communication with ultrasound probe 2 . The processor 7 can control the ultrasound probe 2 to acquire ultrasound data. The processor 7 controls which transducer elements 2 a are active and the shape of the ultrasound beam transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2 . The processor 7 is also in electronic communication with a display 8 so that the processor 7 can process the ultrasound data into ultrasound images for display on the display 8 . The term "electronic communication" can be defined to include both wired and wireless communication. Processor 7 may include a central processing unit (CPU) according to one embodiment. According to other embodiments, processor 7 is a digital signal processor, field programmable gate array (FPGA), graphics processing unit (GPU), or other type of processor capable of performing processing functions. It can contain electronic components. According to other embodiments, processor 7 may include multiple electronic components capable of performing processing functions. For example, processor 7 may include two or more electronic components selected from a list of electronic components including a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, and a graphics processing unit.

Processor 7 may also include a complex demodulator (not shown) that demodulates the RF data. In another embodiment, demodulation can be performed early in the processing chain.

Processor 7 is configured to perform one or more processing operations on the data according to a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalities. As the echo signals are received, the data can be processed in real time during the scanning session. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "real-time" is defined to include procedures that occur without any intentional delay.

The data can also be temporarily stored in a buffer (not shown) during the ultrasound scan and processed in live or off-line operation rather than in real time. In this disclosure, the term "data" may be used in this disclosure to refer to one or more data sets acquired using an ultrasound diagnostic system.

Ultrasound data is processed by processor 7 in other or different mode-related modules (e.g., B-mode, color Doppler, M-mode, color M-mode, spectral Doppler, contrast mode, elastography, TVI, strain, strain rate, etc.). It can be processed to produce ultrasound image data. For example, one or more modules may generate ultrasound images such as B-mode, color Doppler, M-mode, color M-mode, spectral Doppler, contrast mode, elastography, TVI, strain, strain rate, and combinations thereof. can be generated. In this specification, the contrast-enhanced image displayed in the contrast-enhanced mode will be described later.

The image beams and/or image frames may be saved and may record timing information indicating when the data was acquired in memory. The modules may include, for example, a scan conversion module that performs scan conversion operations to convert image frames from coordinate beam space to display space coordinates. A video processor module may be provided that reads image frames from memory and displays the image frames in real time while the subject is being treated. The video processor module can store image frames in an image memory and the ultrasound image is read from the image memory and displayed on the display 8 .

Ultrasonic data before scan conversion calculation is referred to as raw data. Also, the data after the scan conversion operation is referred to as image data.

When processor 7 includes multiple processors, the above-described processing tasks performed by processor 7 may be performed by multiple processors. For example, a first processor can be used to demodulate and decimate the RF signal, and a second processor can be used to further process the data before displaying the image.

Also, for example, when the receive beamformer 6 is a software beamformer, its processing function may be executed by a single processor or by a plurality of processors.

The display 8 is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like.

Memory 9 is any known data storage medium, including non-transitory storage media and transient storage media. A non-transitory storage medium is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). Non-transitory storage media may include portable storage media such as CDs (Compact Disks) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks). A program executed by the processor 7 is stored in a non-transitory storage medium.

A temporary storage medium is a volatile storage medium such as RAM (Random Access Memory).

The user interface 10 can accept operator input. For example, the user interface 10 receives instructions and input of information from the user. The user interface 10 includes a keyboard, hard keys, trackball, rotary control, softkeys, and the like. User interface 10 may include a touch screen that displays soft keys and the like.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. First, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 acquires a contrast image of a subject injected with a contrast agent. Specifically, the processor 7 controls the ultrasonic probe 2 to start transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject injected with the contrast agent. The ultrasound probe 2 receives echoes including ultrasound waves reflected by the contrast agent. Processor 7 performs known processing on the echo signals to produce a contrast image showing the signal strength of the ultrasound waves reflected by the contrast agent. A contrast image is, for example, an image of the liver of a subject. Processor 7 stores the data of the contrast image in memory 9 . In addition to contrast-enhanced image data, B-mode image data may be acquired and stored in memory 9 .

The contrast-enhanced image data stored in the memory 9 is data of a plurality of frames and has a required length of time. This length of time is the length of time for which it is difficult for the subject to hold their breath, and in one example is 60 seconds or more, and has a length of 2 to 5 minutes. However, the length of time is only an example, and is not limited to the illustrated example. Contrast image data is acquired while the subject is breathing.

Next, creation of a time-intensity curve for a contrast image acquired in this manner will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In one example, the contrast-enhanced image from which the time-intensity curve is generated is an image that is not a real-time image. First, in step S1, the processor 7 reads the contrast image data stored in the memory 9 and displays it on the display 8. FIG. The processor 7 may display the contrast-enhanced image CI when the user interface 10 receives a user input to display the contrast-enhanced image CI. In one example, the contrast image CI displayed on the display 8 is a still image, and is an image of one frame selected from a plurality of frames stored in the memory 9 and read out. In one example, the user selects and displays a contrast-enhanced image CI suitable for setting a region of interest R, which will be described later. The processor 7 may display a B-mode image (not shown) on the display 8 in addition to the contrast image CI.

Next, in step S2, a region of interest R is set in the contrast-enhanced image CI displayed on the display 8, as shown in FIG. The user interface 10 receives user input for setting a region of interest R in the contrast image CI displayed on the display 8 . When the user interface 10 receives an input, the processor 7 sets a region of interest R in the contrast image CI.

A region of interest R is placed on the target in the contrast-enhanced image CI. In one example, the target is the mass M. Herein, the region of interest R is as large as the circular mass M. Also, in this specification, the mass M is assumed to be a tumor.

Next, at step S3, the processor 7 creates for the region of interest R a first time-intensity curve (TIC) T1 shown in FIG. A first time-intensity curve T1 is the average time-varying signal intensity (brightness) within the region of interest R. FIG. In FIG. 4, the first axis (here, the horizontal axis) indicates time, and the second axis (here, the vertical axis) indicates signal intensity (the same applies to figures other than FIG. 4 described below). The first time-intensity curve TI1 has unevenness. Factors for the formation of the unevenness will be described below.

The contrast agent injected into the subject flows into the surrounding liver parenchyma P after flowing into the tumor. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the signal intensity inside the region of interest R first becomes greater than the signal intensity of the liver parenchyma P surrounding it. After that, the signal intensity inside the region of interest R becomes smaller than the signal intensity in the liver parenchyma P, as shown in FIG.

As described above, contrast-enhanced images are acquired while the subject is breathing. Therefore, the scanning plane of the ultrasonic waves shifts with breathing. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the first scan plane SP1 before displacement due to respiration and the second scan plane SP2 after displacement. A region of interest R is set while the contrast-enhanced image CI of the first scan plane SP1 is displayed and the entire tumor M is dyed with the contrast agent. FIG. 3 thus shows the contrast-enhanced image CI of the first scan plane SP1. FIG. 6 is a plan view perpendicular to the first and second scan planes SP1 and SP2. Here, it is assumed that the mass M is a sphere, and the first scan plane SP1 passes through the center of the mass M that is a sphere.

When the ultrasound scan plane moves from the first scan plane SP1 to the second scan plane SP2, the width D2 of the tumor M on the second scan plane SP2 is the width D1 of the tumor M on the first scan plane SP1. be smaller than FIG. 7 shows a contrast-enhanced image CI of the second scan plane SP2, showing a state in which the mass M is brighter (signal intensity is greater) than the surrounding liver parenchyma P. FIG. The mass M in the contrast-enhanced image CI in the second scan plane SP2 is smaller than that in the first scan plane SP1. On the other hand, the region of interest R1 set when the contrast-enhanced image CI on the first scan plane SP1 is displayed maintains its size even if the scan plane moves. Therefore, the tumor M is smaller than the region of interest R in the contrast-enhanced image CI of the second scan plane SP2. This means that the region of interest R includes the liver parenchyma P, so the average intensity of the region of interest R is smaller than that in the first scan plane SP1. When the average intensity of the region of interest R decreases as the scan plane shifts, a depression is formed in the first time-intensity curve T1.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, when the region of interest R in the contrast-enhanced image CI includes the acoustic shadow S, the average intensity of the region of interest R also decreases. Acoustic shadows can be caused by, for example, poor contact between the ultrasound probe 2 and the body surface or barriers such as lungs. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the tumor M is brighter than the liver parenchyma P. In FIG.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a contrast-enhanced image CI of the first scan plane SP1 in which the liver parenchyma P is brighter than the tumor M. As shown in FIG. The tumor M and the region of interest R have the same size, and the region of interest R does not include the liver parenchyma P. When the scan plane shifts from this state, the state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. FIG. 9 shows the contrast-enhanced image CI of the second scan plane SP2. In the contrast-enhanced image CI of the second scan plane SP2, the tumor M is smaller, and the region of interest R includes the liver parenchyma P, which is brighter than the tumor M, so the average intensity of the region of interest R is the first larger than that in the scan plane SP1. As described above, when the average intensity of the region of interest R increases as the scan plane shifts, a convex portion is formed in the first time-intensity curve T1.

After the first time-intensity curve T1 is created in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4. In this step S4, the processor 7 selects at least one frame of contrast-enhanced image data from among the plurality of frames of contrast-enhanced image data read from the memory 9 in step S1. The contrast-enhanced image data of the frame selected here is the contrast-enhanced image data that satisfies the conditions defined as an appropriate image.

For example, the condition for determining a suitable image is that the cross section does not move, the region of interest R and the tumor M have the same size, and the region of interest R does not contain the acoustic shadow S in the contrast-enhanced image CI. be. Whether or not the region of interest R and the tumor M are the same in size and whether or not the region of interest R contains an acoustic shadow can be determined, for example, by using the contrast-enhanced image CI or the frame corresponding to the contrast-enhanced image CI. It may be determined by the user in the mode image. A region of interest R may also be displayed on the B-mode image to aid in determination.

Processor 7 performs the above-described frame selection, in one example, when user interface 10 receives input from a user to select a frame. For example, the user interface 10 accepts an input to select a frame of an appropriate contrast-enhanced image CI that the user has determined satisfies a condition defined as an appropriate image from among multiple frames of the contrast-enhanced image CI displayed on the display 8 . accept.

Next, at step S5, the processor 7 creates a first envelope E1 and a second envelope E2 for the first time-intensity curve T1, as shown in FIG. The first envelope E1 is the envelope closer to the maximum value among the maximum and minimum values in the first time-intensity curve T1, in other words, the envelope on the maximum value side of the first time-intensity curve T1. The second envelope E2 is the envelope closer to the minimum value of the maximum and minimum values in the first time-intensity curve T1, in other words, the envelope on the minimum value side of the first time-intensity curve T1.

At step S6, the processor 7 identifies the signal intensity SI of the region of interest R in the contrast-enhanced image CI of the frame selected at step S4. This signal intensity SI is the average of the signal intensity (brightness) within the region of interest R. As this signal intensity SI, FIG. 11 shows signal intensities SI1, SI2, and SI3 at three points Pt1, Pt2, and Pt3 on the first time-intensity curve T1. Points Pt1-Pt3 correspond to the frames selected in step S4.

In step S6, the processor 7 further converts the position in the vertical axis direction of the signal intensity on the first time-intensity curve T1 at the time corresponding to the frame selected in step S4 to the first envelope E1 and the second It is specified by a ratio α to the distance D between the envelopes E2. For example, processor 7 calculates the positions of signal strengths SI1-SI3 at times t1, t2, t3 shown in FIG. , α3. A more detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 shows a point Pt3 (time t3, signal strength SI3) on the first time-intensity curve T1. Here, the identification of the ratio α3 will be described as an example. At time t3, the distance D in the vertical axis direction between the first envelope E1 and the second envelope E2 is the distance between the point Pmax on the first envelope E1 and the point Pmin on the second envelope E2. interval. The processor 7 identifies the ratio α3 from the point Pmin with respect to the distance D as the position of the signal strength SI3 at time t3.

Specification of the ratio α3 will be described in more detail. The relationship between the signal strength SI3, the signal strength SImax at the point Pmax, and the signal strength SImin at the point Pmin can be expressed as in (Equation 1) below using α3.
SI3=SImax×α3+SImin(1−α3) (Formula 1)
However, 0≦α3≦1.

The processor 7 calculates α3 from (Equation 1) using the values of the signal strengths SI3, SImax, and SImin. The processor 7 similarly calculates the ratios α1 and α2.

Next, at step S7, the processor 7 creates a second time-intensity curve T2 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 13 based on the ratios α1 to α3. A second time-intensity curve T2 passes between the first envelope E1 and the second envelope E2. More specifically, the second time-intensity curve T2 passes through positions of proportions α1-α3 (signal intensities SI1-SI3) at times t1-t3 corresponding to the selected frame. In addition, the second time-intensity curve T2 passes through the specified positions from the positions of the ratios α1 to α3 between the first envelope E1 and the second envelope E2 for times other than the times t1 to t3. . Specifically, the processor 7 performs interpolation and extrapolation using the ratios α1 to α3 between the first envelope E1 and the second envelope E2 for times other than the times t1 to t3, Identify the position through which the second time-intensity curve T2 passes.

Next, at step S8, the processor 7 displays on the display 8 the first time-intensity curve T1 and the second time-intensity curve T2. The processor 7 may calculate known evaluation parameters for evaluating the general shape of the second time-intensity curve T2. For the second time-intensity curve T2, the ratio α to the distance D between the first envelope E1 and the second envelope E2 is calculated from the signal intensity in the contrast image CI that satisfies the conditions defined as an appropriate image. , and is a more accurate time-intensity curve because it is created using this ratio α. Therefore, by using the second time-intensity curve T2, an evaluation parameter with less error can be obtained. This allows a more accurate differential diagnosis of tumors.

The processor 7 may store in the memory 9 a data group consisting of data of the contrast-enhanced image CI of frames corresponding to the intersections of the second time-intensity curve T1 and the first time-intensity curve T1. The processor 7 may read this data group from the memory 9 and create a third time-intensity curve (not shown) of the region of interest of the contrast-enhanced image CI based on the data group.

Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described. First, the first modified example will be described. In a first variant, in step S6, the processor 7 may calculate only one rate α in time corresponding to one frame selected in step S4. In the first modification, only one frame may be selected in step S4.

The processor 7 creates a second time-intensity curve T2 in step S7 so as to pass through this one calculated rate α. In addition, the processor 7 identifies the position of the same ratio as the ratio α between the first envelope E1 and the second envelope E2 for the time other than the time corresponding to the calculated one ratio α, A second time-intensity curve T2 is constructed through the position.

Next, a second modified example will be described. In step S4, the processor 7 may use image recognition instead of using input at the user interface 10 to select a frame of the contrast-enhanced image that satisfies defined conditions as a suitable image. For example, the processor 7 selects, by image recognition, a frame in which the B-mode image satisfies the conditions defined as an appropriate image, that is, the region of interest R and the size of the tumor M are the same, and the region of interest R does not contain an acoustic shadow. do. A machine learning technique may be used for image recognition. The selection of a B-mode image frame means selecting a contrast-enhanced image frame corresponding to the selected B-mode image frame. means that

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. A system 100 shown in FIG. 14 includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and a server 101 . The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and server 101 are connected via a network 102 .

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and detailed description of each component is omitted. However, in the second embodiment, the processor 7 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described as the first processor 7 . Although only the first processor 7 is illustrated in FIG. 14 as a component of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment also includes other components shown in FIG. have.

The server 101 may be a workstation, for example, or may be installed in a management center that manages a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses including the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 . The server 101 has known server components and includes a second processor 103 , a second display 104 , a second memory 105 and a second user interface 106 .

Next, the operation of the system 100 of this example will be described. In system 100 , first time-intensity curve T 1 and second time-intensity curve T 2 are created at server 101 .

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing processing before the first time-intensity curve T1 and the second time-intensity curve T2 are created. First, in step S101, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 acquires a contrast image CI. That is, the ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject, and the first processor 7 creates the contrast-enhanced image CI based on the echo signals. Also in this example, a B-mode image may be created.

In step S<b>102 , the first processor 7 transmits data of the contrast image CI to the server 101 . Data of the contrast image CI is transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the server 101 via the network 102 . Data of the contrast image CI input from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the server 101 is stored in the second memory 105 . For example, the data of the contrast image CI transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the server 101 is image data. The data of the B-mode image may be transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the server 101 and stored in the second memory 105 .

After the data of the contrast image CI are transmitted to the server 101, a first time-intensity curve T1 and a second time-intensity curve T2 are created. The first time-intensity curve T1 and the second time-intensity curve T2 are processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, as in the first embodiment. However, the subject of processing is different from that of the first embodiment, and the processing performed by the processor 7 in the first embodiment is performed by the second processor 103 . That is, first, in step S1, the second processor 103 reads the data of the contrast image from the second memory 105 and displays it on the second display 104, and then the processing from step S2 onwards is performed. After this step S2, the second processor 103 performs the processing that was performed by the processor 7 in the first embodiment. Further, the second user interface 106 receives the input that was received by the user interface 10 in the first embodiment. At step S8, the first time-intensity curve T1 and the second time-intensity curve T2 are displayed on the second display 104. FIG.

When the contrast-enhanced image CI data transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to the server 101 is raw data, the second processor 103 creates image data of the contrast-enhanced image CI from the raw data. Processing is done.

Also in the second embodiment, the second processor 103 converts the data group consisting of the data of the contrast image CI of the frame corresponding to the intersection of the second time-intensity curve T1 and the first time-intensity curve T1 to the second may be stored in the memory 105 of the Also, the second processor 103 may read the data group from the second memory 105 to create a third time-intensity curve, as in the first embodiment.

Also in the second embodiment, processing similar to the first and second modifications of the first embodiment may be performed.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications may be made and equivalents substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the flowchart of FIG. 2 described in the first and second embodiments is an example, and the order of each step is not limited to that illustrated in FIG.

The first and second embodiments describe an example of creating a second time-intensity curve T2 by correcting the first time-intensity curve T1 created for the region of interest R set as a target in the contrast image CI. doing. Although not shown in particular, in the contrast-enhanced image, a region of interest may be set in the liver parenchyma in addition to the target, and a time-intensity curve may be created.

In addition, the above embodiment
the processor
For a region of interest in a plurality of frames of contrast-enhanced images showing the signal intensity of ultrasound reflected by a contrast agent injected into a subject, creating a first time-intensity curve showing the change in the signal intensity over time;
Create a first envelope on the maximum value side in the first time-intensity curve and a second envelope on the minimum value side in the first time-intensity curve,
Identifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in a contrast image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames, wherein the contrast image satisfies conditions defined as a suitable image;
identifying the position of the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at the time corresponding to the selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope;
A second time-varying curve showing a time-varying change in the signal strength, passing through the percentage position at a time corresponding to the selected frame, and at a time other than the time corresponding to the selected frame. For, between the first envelope and the second envelope, creating a second time-intensity curve passing through the position specified from the position of the ratio.

Furthermore, the above embodiment
A control method for a system having an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a server connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via a network,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is
an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject injected with a contrast agent and receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves;
a first processor that creates a contrast image showing the signal intensity of the ultrasound reflected by the contrast agent based on the echo signal of the ultrasound and outputs the data of the contrast image to the server via the network; , and
The server comprises a second processor,
The method is a method of controlling the second processor,
Creating a first time-intensity curve showing the time change of the signal intensity for the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced image of a plurality of frames;
Create a first envelope on the maximum value side in the first time-intensity curve and a second envelope on the minimum value side in the first time-intensity curve,
Identifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in a contrast image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames, wherein the contrast image satisfies conditions defined as a suitable image;
identifying the position of the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at the time corresponding to the selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope;
A second time-varying curve showing a time-varying change in the signal strength, passing through the percentage position at a time corresponding to the selected frame and at a time other than the time corresponding to the selected frame. For, between the first envelope and the second envelope, creating a second time-intensity curve passing through the position specified from the position of the ratio.

1 Ultrasound Diagnostic Apparatus 2 Ultrasound Probe 7 Processor, First Processor 8 Display 9 Memory 10 User Interface 100 System 101 Server 102 Network 103 Second Processor 104 Second Display 105 Second Memory 106 Second User Interface

Claims (13)

An apparatus comprising a processor, the processor comprising:
creating a first time-intensity curve showing the change in signal intensity over time for a region of interest in a multi-frame contrast-enhanced image showing the signal intensity of ultrasound reflected by a contrast agent injected into a subject;
Creating a first envelope on the maximum side of the first time-intensity curve and a second envelope on the minimum side of the first time-intensity curve;
identifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in a contrast-enhanced image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames, wherein a user interface receives user input to select the at least one frame; identifying the signal strength of the region of interest, upon receipt of which selection of the at least one frame from among the plurality of frames is made ;
identifying the position of the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at the time corresponding to the selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope;
A second time-varying curve showing a time-varying change in the signal strength, passing through the percentage position at a time corresponding to the selected frame, and at a time other than the time corresponding to the selected frame. creating a second time-intensity curve passing through the position specified from the position of the ratio between the first envelope and the second envelope for
a device configured to perform The processor identifies a position of the same ratio as the ratio between the first envelope and the second envelope for time other than the time corresponding to the selected frame; 2. The apparatus of claim 1, generating said second time-intensity curve through . The processor
Identifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in each of a plurality of contrast-enhanced images of a plurality of frames selected from the plurality of frames;
identifying the percentage for time corresponding to each of the selected plurality of frames;
For times other than the times corresponding to the plurality of selected frames, between the first envelope and the second envelope, pass through the positions specified by interpolation and extrapolation using the ratio. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second time-intensity curve is generated. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the processor identifies the signal intensity of the region of interest in a contrast-enhanced image of a frame selected in the user interface. the user interface receives an input for selecting, from among the plurality of frames, a frame of a contrast-enhanced image determined by the user to meet conditions defined as an appropriate image;
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the conditions are that the region of interest and the target are the same size and that the region of interest does not contain acoustic shadows in the contrast-enhanced image. . The processor stores in a memory a data group of contrast-enhanced images of frames corresponding to intersections of the second time-intensity curve and the first time-intensity curve, reads the data group from the memory, and reads the data group. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, for generating a third time-intensity curve of the region of interest of the contrast-enhanced image based on . The apparatus is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, further comprising an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject injected with a contrast agent and receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves,
The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the processor produces the contrast-enhanced image based on echoes of the ultrasound waves. The apparatus is connected via a network to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject injected with a contrast medium and receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves,
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said contrast-enhanced image is an image created based on echoes of said ultrasonic waves received by said ultrasonic probe. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said contrast-enhanced image data is created by said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus based on echoes of said ultrasonic waves received by said ultrasonic probe, and is input to said apparatus via said network. . A control program for a device comprising a processor, the processor comprising:
creating a first time-intensity curve showing the change in signal intensity over time for a region of interest in a multi-frame contrast-enhanced image showing the signal intensity of ultrasound reflected by a contrast agent injected into a subject;
Creating a first envelope on the maximum side of the first time-intensity curve and a second envelope on the minimum side of the first time-intensity curve;
identifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in a contrast-enhanced image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames, wherein a user interface receives user input to select the at least one frame; identifying the signal strength of the region of interest, upon receipt of which selection of the at least one frame from among the plurality of frames is made ;
identifying the position of the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at the time corresponding to the selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope;
A second time-varying curve showing a time-varying change in the signal strength, passing through the percentage position at a time corresponding to the selected frame, and at a time other than the time corresponding to the selected frame. creating a second time-intensity curve through a location identified from the percentage location, between the first envelope and the second envelope, for control program. the user interface receives an input for selecting, from among the plurality of frames, a frame of a contrast-enhanced image determined by the user to meet conditions defined as an appropriate image;
11. The control program according to claim 10, wherein the conditions are that the region of interest and the target have the same size and that the region of interest does not contain an acoustic shadow in the contrast-enhanced image. A system having an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a server connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via a network,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is
an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject injected with a contrast agent and receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves;
a first processor that creates a contrast image showing the signal intensity of the ultrasound reflected by the contrast agent based on the echo signal of the ultrasound and outputs the data of the contrast image to the server via the network; , and
The server comprises a second processor, the second processor comprising:
creating a first time-intensity curve showing the time change of the signal intensity for the region of interest in the multiple frames of the contrast-enhanced image;
Creating a first envelope on the maximum side of the first time-intensity curve and a second envelope on the minimum side of the first time-intensity curve;
identifying the signal intensity of the region of interest in a contrast-enhanced image of at least one frame selected from the plurality of frames, wherein a user interface receives user input to select the at least one frame; identifying the signal strength of the region of interest which, when received, results in selection of the at least one frame from the plurality of frames ;
identifying the position of the signal strength on the first time-intensity curve at the time corresponding to the selected frame as a percentage of the distance between the first envelope and the second envelope;
A second time-varying curve showing a time-varying change in the signal strength, passing through the percentage position at a time corresponding to the selected frame and at a time other than the time corresponding to the selected frame. , between the first envelope and the second envelope, through locations identified from the percentage locations, a second time -intensity curve. the user interface receives an input for selecting, from among the plurality of frames, a frame of a contrast-enhanced image determined by the user to meet conditions defined as an appropriate image;
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the conditions are that the region of interest and the target have the same size and that the region of interest does not contain acoustic shadows in the contrast-enhanced image.

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