JP7437926B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body, and particularly to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body that can control the image quality of an ultrasound image displayed on a connected monitor.

An ultrasound diagnostic device includes an ultrasound diagnostic device main body (sometimes referred to as “device main body” in this specification), an ultrasound probe that is connected to the device main body and transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject, and It is configured to include a monitor connected to the apparatus main body and displaying an ultrasound image formed by the apparatus main body.

2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses in which the image quality of a monitor can be adjusted are conventionally known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can automatically adjust the brightness (luminance) of a monitor depending on the brightness around the monitor. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that can set a local region of interest on an ultrasound image and individually adjust brightness inside and outside the region of interest.

Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0137973A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-139914

Conventionally, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a monitor unique to the main body of the apparatus is generally connected. However, it is conceivable that the main body of the apparatus can be connected to various monitors, and the ultrasound images formed by the main body of the apparatus can be displayed on the various monitors.

The image quality of monitors may vary depending on the type. For example, if the monitor is an LCD panel, there may be differences in the driving electronic circuit for displaying the screen, differences in the LED type (direct type, side type, etc.), differences in the LCD method (IPS method, VA method, etc.), or Differences in image quality occur depending on the type of optical film (glare type, non-glare type, etc.). Furthermore, even monitors of the same type may have different image quality due to differences in the number of years they have been used.

As a result, when the same ultrasound image is displayed on multiple monitors, the image quality of the multiple ultrasound images displayed on each monitor may differ from each other. Since the image quality of an ultrasound image can affect the ease with which a doctor can perform a diagnosis, it is desirable that the ultrasound image be displayed in the best quality possible no matter what kind of monitor is connected to the main body of the apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to adapt the image quality of an ultrasound image displayed on a monitor in accordance with the monitor in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body to which various monitors can be connected.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body according to the present disclosure includes, from a monitor that displays an ultrasound image formed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, monitor identification information that identifies the monitor , and cumulative operating time information that indicates the cumulative operating time of the monitor. and an ultrasonic image formed based on image characteristic parameter information in which image characteristic parameters indicating image characteristics of the ultrasonic image suitable for the monitor are associated with each monitor identification information. and the longer the cumulative operating time indicated by the cumulative operating time information, the greater the brightness of the ultrasound image, thereby creating a corrected ultrasound image having image characteristics adapted to the monitor. and a display control section that causes the monitor to display the corrected ultrasound image.

According to the present invention, in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body to which various monitors can be connected, the image quality of an ultrasound image displayed on the monitor can be adapted depending on the monitor.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the basic structure of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of image quality parameter information. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of image characteristic parameter information. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of a third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of image forming parameter information. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of a fourth embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of signal parameter information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how a device main body and a monitor are connected via a communication line.

<Basic structure of ultrasound diagnostic equipment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the basic structure of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. In this specification, first to fourth embodiments will be described, but the basic structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is common to the first to fourth embodiments.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 12, an ultrasonic probe 14 and a monitor 16 that are detachably connected to the apparatus main body 12.

The ultrasound probe 14 transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from the subject. Specifically, the ultrasound probe 14 includes a transducer array consisting of a plurality of transducer elements arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, and the transducer array changes according to ultrasound transmission data from the device main body 12. By vibrating, it transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject. Further, the ultrasound probe 14 receives reflected waves reflected from the subject using the transducer array. The ultrasonic probe 14 transmits ultrasonic reception data output by the transducer array to the apparatus main body 12 in accordance with the received reflected waves.

The monitor 16 displays the ultrasound image formed by the apparatus main body 12. The monitor 16 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The device main body 12 and the monitor 16 are connected using a standardized connection method. As a result, various (plural types) of monitors 16 that meet connection standards can be connected to the device main body 12. In this embodiment, the device main body 12 and the monitor 16 are connected with an HDMI cable. Therefore, any monitor 16 having an HDMI terminal (or other monitors 16 such as DVI, DP, etc.) can be connected to the main body 12 of the apparatus.

Each part of the device main body 12 will be explained below.

The ultrasonic transmitter/receiver 18 includes a connector to which the ultrasonic probe 14 is connected. The ultrasonic transmission data formed by the beam former 20 is supplied in parallel to the plurality of vibrating elements of the ultrasonic probe 14. Further, the ultrasound transmitting/receiving unit 18 outputs a plurality of ultrasound reception data outputted in parallel from the plurality of vibration elements of the ultrasound probe 14 to the beam former 20 .

The beam former 20 is composed of electronic circuits such as a plurality of A/D converters, a detection circuit, and an amplifier circuit. The beam former 20 forms ultrasound transmission data based on the set ultrasound transmission parameters and supplies the data to the ultrasound transmission/reception unit 18 . In addition, the beam former 20 performs phased addition (delay addition) and amplification of a plurality of ultrasound reception data from the ultrasound transmission/reception unit 18 to form reception beam data. In this specification, the received beam data formed by the beam former 20 will be referred to as ultrasound signal data.

The signal processing unit 22 converts the ultrasound signal data from the beam former 20 into ultrasound signal data for forming a suitable ultrasound image by processing the ultrasound signal data. The signal processing unit 22 processes, for example, filter processing, logarithmic amplification processing, gain adjustment processing, dynamic range adjustment processing, and STC (Sensitivity Time Control) processing (reflected waves from each depth of the object) on the ultrasound signal data. (gain correction according to the image), enhancement processing that emphasizes edges, etc.

The image forming section 24 includes, for example, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter). The image forming section 24 forms an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound signal data from the signal processing section 22. Ultrasound images include, for example, B-mode images that are tomographic images, M-mode images that show the movement of the subject as time changes, Doppler images that show blood flow velocity as time-change waveforms, and direction of movement of the subject. There are tissue Doppler images in which velocity is shown in colors, color flow images in which the flow of blood is shown in colors, and elasticity images in which the elasticity of the subject is shown in colors.

The image memory 26 stores the ultrasound image formed by the image forming section 24. The image memory 26 has a ring buffer structure and stores a plurality of ultrasound images from the latest ultrasound image over a certain period of time in the past.

The image characteristic adjustment unit 28 adjusts the image characteristics of the ultrasound image stored in the image memory 26. In particular, the image characteristics of the ultrasound image are adjusted so that the ultrasound image is displayed at an image quality suitable for the monitor 16 connected to the main body 12 of the apparatus. The processing of the image characteristic adjustment section 28 will be described in detail in the description of the second embodiment.

The display control section 30 performs control to display on the monitor 16 an ultrasound image formed by the image forming section 24 and stored in the image memory 26, or an ultrasound image whose image characteristics have been adjusted by the image characteristics adjustment section 28. . In particular, the display control unit 30 causes the monitor 16 to display an ultrasound image at an image quality suitable for the monitor 16 based on EDID information (described later) as monitor identification information received from the monitor 16 by the transmitting/receiving unit 32 described below. As will be described in detail later, the display control unit 30 may adjust the display settings depending on the monitor 16 (first embodiment), or the signal processing unit 22, the image forming unit 24, or the image characteristic adjustment unit may adjust the display settings according to the monitor 16 (first embodiment). The ultrasonic image formed by the process of 28 and having image characteristics depending on the monitor 16 may be displayed on the monitor 16 (second to fourth embodiments). Note that in this specification, the "image quality" of the ultrasound image displayed on the monitor 16 means the quality of the image on the monitor 16, and depends on both the display settings of the monitor 16 and the image characteristics of the ultrasound image. It changes depending on the situation.

The transmitting/receiving section 32 includes, for example, a connector to which a cable connecting the device main body 12 and the monitor 16 is connected. In particular, the transmitting/receiving section 32 is configured to include a connector compatible with a standardized connection method. For example, it is configured to include an HDMI connector and the like. Further, the transmitting/receiving section 32 may be configured to include a LAN connector. Under the control of the display control section 30, the ultrasonic image is transmitted from the transmitting/receiving section 32 to the monitor 16, and thereby the ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 16. Further, various information is transmitted and received between the device main body 12 and the monitor 16 via the transmitting/receiving section 32 . In particular, the transmitter/receiver 32 receives EDID information for identifying the monitor 16 from the monitor 16 .

The storage unit 34 includes, for example, a hard disk, ROM, or RAM. The storage unit 34 stores programs for controlling each part of the device main body 12. The storage unit 34 also stores various parameters used for image quality control processing of ultrasound images. These parameters will be explained in detail in the description of the first to fourth embodiments.

The control unit 36 includes, for example, a microcomputer. The control section 36 controls each section of the apparatus main body 12 and performs image quality control processing according to a program stored in the storage section 34.

The basic structure of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 is as described above. Note that the signal processing section 22, the image characteristic adjustment section 28, and the display control section 30 can each be realized using hardware such as a processor or an electronic circuit, and may be implemented using memory or the like as necessary. devices may be used.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of the first embodiment. First, the monitor 16 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The transmitting/receiving section 40 includes, for example, a connector to which a cable connecting the device main body 12 and the monitor 16 is connected. The transmitter/receiver 40 includes, for example, an HDMI connector and a LAN connector.

The storage unit 42 includes, for example, an EEPROM. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 42 stores EDID information 44 and cumulative operating time information 45 indicating the cumulative operating time of the monitor 16. The EDID information 44 includes a manufacturer ID that identifies the manufacturer of the monitor 16, a product ID code that identifies the type of the monitor 16, a serial number that uniquely identifies the monitor 16 for each manufacturer, a manufacturing date of the monitor 16, etc. This is information that includes. Among the information included in the EDID information 44, the manufacturer ID, product ID code, serial number, or a combination thereof functions as monitor identification information. In this embodiment, an example will be shown in which a product ID code is used as monitor identification information. The EDID information 44 is written into the storage unit 42 by the manufacturer when the monitor 16 is manufactured.

The display setting information 46 is information indicating display settings of the display unit 48, which will be described later, particularly display settings related to the image quality of the display unit 48. The display setting information 46 is composed of setting items and setting values for the setting items. For example, the brightness value (for example, 0 to 100) is the setting value for the setting item brightness, the contrast value (for example, 0 to 100) is the setting value for the setting item contrast, and These are color temperature values (for example, 5000K, 6500K, 9300K, etc.) that are set values for a certain color temperature. In this way, the display setting information 46 may be a set of a plurality of setting items and a plurality of setting values for the setting items. Further, a plurality of pieces of display setting information 46 may be stored in the storage unit 42. For example, the monitor 16 can display ultrasound images in a plurality of display modes, and a plurality of pieces of display setting information 46 corresponding to each display mode may be stored.

The display section 48 includes, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit 48 displays an ultrasound image (a screen including the ultrasound image) formed by the apparatus main body 12.

The controller 50 includes, for example, a microcontroller. The controller 50 controls each part of the monitor 16. In particular, the controller 50 causes the display unit 48 to display the ultrasound image with the display settings indicated by the display setting information 46 stored in the storage unit 42. If a plurality of pieces of display setting information 46 are stored in the storage unit 42, the controller 50 causes the display unit 48 to display the ultrasound image with the display setting indicated by the selected display setting information 46. Further, as will be described later, in the first embodiment, the controller 50 causes the display unit 48 to display an ultrasound image using display settings instructed by the display control unit 30 of the apparatus main body 12.

In addition, the monitor 16 may include an environment detection sensor that detects the environment around the monitor 16. As the environment detection sensor, for example, there is a brightness sensor that detects the brightness around the monitor 16. Further, the monitor 16 has a sensor (CLK, etc.) that counts the display (operating) time, and the storage unit 42 stores cumulative operating time information 45 indicating the cumulative operating time of the monitor 16 detected by this sensor.

The first embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment, the display control unit 30 instructs the monitor 16 about the image quality based on the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16, so that the controller 50 of the monitor 16 sets display settings according to the image quality. This is an embodiment in which the ultrasonic image is displayed on the display unit 48.

In the first embodiment, image quality parameter information 52 is stored in the storage unit 34 of the apparatus main body 12. The image quality parameter information 52 is information in which each monitor identification information (in this embodiment, the product ID code of the monitor) is associated with an image quality parameter indicating the image quality of an ultrasound image adapted to the monitor indicated by the monitor identification information. .

FIG. 3 shows an example of the image quality parameter information 52. As shown in FIG. 3, the image quality parameter information 52 includes a γ coefficient (for example, a value between 1.8 and 2.4) for each monitor identification information (monitor 1, monitor 2, monitor 3, etc.). brightness (for example, a value between 0 and 100), sharpness (for example, a value between 1 and 5), color temperature (for example, a value between 7000K and 14000K), and color map (for example, a value between 1 and 10). ) are associated with each other (specific numerical values are not shown in FIG. 3). Each image quality parameter included in the image quality parameter information 52 may be the display setting of the monitor 16 itself. The image quality parameter information 52 is stored in advance in the storage unit 34 by the administrator of the apparatus main body 12. As new monitors 16 are manufactured, the image quality parameter information 52 is also preferably updated.

Note that the image quality parameters are not limited to those shown in FIG. For example, if the display section 48 of the monitor 16 uses a backlight such as an LCD, the brightness of the backlight may be included in the image quality parameter. Further, when the display section 48 of the monitor 16 uses a self-luminous body, the brightness of the self-luminous body may be included in the image quality parameter. Naturally, depending on the display method of the display unit 48 (liquid crystal panel, organic EL panel, etc.), the image quality parameters may or may not be utilized.

When the monitor 16 is connected to the device main body 12, the control section 36 of the device main body 12 issues an instruction to the controller 50 of the monitor 16 to transmit the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The controller 50 of the monitor 16 transmits the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The control unit 36 of the device main body 12 passes the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16 to the display control unit 30.

Based on the monitor identification information included in the EDID information 44 received from the control unit 36, the display control unit 30 selects an image quality parameter set associated with the monitor identification information from the image quality parameter information 52 in the storage unit 34. Identify. As described above, the specified image quality parameter set is an image quality parameter set adapted to the monitor 16 connected to the apparatus main body 12.

Further, the display control unit 30 may correct the image quality parameter set specified from the image quality parameter information 52 according to the cumulative operating time information 45 received from the monitor 16. For example, the brightness of the display section 48 of the monitor 16 becomes darker as the cumulative operating time increases, so the brightness value may be increased in accordance with the cumulative operating time.

Further, the device main body 12 receives environmental information indicating the environment (for example, brightness) around the monitor 16 detected by the environment detection sensor of the monitor 16, and the display control unit 30 adjusts the image quality according to the environmental information. The image quality parameter set specified from the parameter information 52 may be corrected. For example, the brightness value may be increased as the surroundings of the monitor 16 are brighter. Alternatively, the display settings of the monitor 16 may be modified based on the cumulative operating time information 45 received from the monitor 16. For example, the brightness of the display setting of the monitor 16 may be increased in accordance with the accumulated operating time information 45 to offset the brightness deterioration.

Then, the display control unit 30 displays the ultrasound image formed by the image forming unit 24 and stored in the image memory 26 as well as image quality information indicating the specified image quality parameter set or the specified and corrected image quality parameter set on the monitor 16. Send to.

The controller 50 of the monitor 16 determines the display settings of the display section 48 based on the image quality information transmitted from the device main body 12. Then, the ultrasonic image transmitted from the apparatus main body 12 is displayed on the display section 48. Thereby, the ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 48 with an image quality suitable for the monitor 16. Specifically, by displaying the ultrasound image on the display unit 48 with the image quality parameter set specified by the display control unit 30 based on the monitor identification information, the display controller 30 displays the ultrasound image with image quality adapted to at least two or more different monitors 16. Ultrasound images can be displayed. differences are absorbed. Furthermore, by correcting the display settings of the monitor 16 based on the cumulative operating time information 45 of the monitor 16, the display control unit 30 can display ultrasound images with image quality adapted to at least two or more different time points on the same monitor 16. can be displayed. In addition, the display control unit 30 corrects the image quality parameter set specified based on the monitor identification information based on the cumulative operating time information 45, so that the image quality adapted to at least two or more different monitors and the same Ultrasonic images can be displayed with image quality adapted to at least two or more different time points on the monitor. As a result, differences in image quality depending on the type of monitor, differences in image quality due to differences in cumulative operating time of the monitor, and differences in image quality due to differences in the environment in which the monitor is used are absorbed, making it possible for doctors and others looking at the monitor to The sound wave image becomes visible.

When a plurality of pieces of display setting information 46 are stored in the storage unit 42 of the monitor 16, the display control unit 30 causes the controller 50 to display the plural pieces of display setting information 46 based on the monitor identification information received from the monitor 16. Appropriate display setting information 46 can also be selected from among the following. In this case, the display control unit 30 first identifies, from the image quality parameter information 52, an image quality parameter set associated with the monitor identification information, based on the monitor identification information received from the monitor 16. Next, the display control unit 30 refers to the plurality of pieces of display setting information 46 stored in the storage unit 42 of the monitor 16, and selects display setting information 46 that matches the specified image quality parameter set from among the plurality of pieces of display setting information 46. Select. Then, the controller 50 causes the display section 48 to display the ultrasound image with the display settings indicated by the selected display setting information 46.

There may be a case where there is no display setting information 46 that matches the image quality parameter set specified by the display control section 30 among the plurality of pieces of display setting information 46 stored in the storage section 42 of the monitor 16. In that case, the display control unit 30 can also write the specified image quality parameter set (display settings) into the storage unit 42 of the monitor 16 as new display setting information 46. The controller 50 causes the display unit 48 to display the ultrasound image using the display setting information 46 newly written to the storage unit 42.

<Second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, based on the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16, the image characteristic adjustment unit 28 corrects the ultrasound image itself according to the monitor 16 to generate a corrected ultrasound image. This is an embodiment in which an ultrasound image is displayed with an image quality suitable for.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the monitor 16 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, image characteristic parameter information 60 is stored in the storage unit 34 of the apparatus main body 12. In the image characteristic parameter information 60, each monitor identification information (in this embodiment, the product ID code of the monitor) is associated with an image characteristic parameter indicating the image characteristics of the ultrasound image adapted to the monitor indicated by the monitor identification information. It is information.

FIG. 5 shows an example of image characteristic parameter information 60. As shown in FIG. 5, the image characteristic parameter information 60 includes a γ coefficient correction value (for example, between 1.8 and 2.4) for each monitor identification information (monitor 1, monitor 2, monitor 3, etc.). value), brightness correction value (e.g., value between 0 and 100), sharpness correction value (e.g., value between 1 and 5), color temperature correction value (e.g., value between 7000K and 14000K), and color map. Each image characteristic parameter is associated with a correction value (for example, a value between 1 and 10) (specific values are not shown in FIG. 5 as well). Note that the image characteristic parameters are not limited to those shown in FIG. The image characteristic parameter information 60 is stored in advance in the storage unit 34 by the administrator of the apparatus main body 12. As new monitors 16 are manufactured, image characteristic parameter information 60 is also preferably updated.

The image characteristic adjustment section 28 will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. The image characteristics adjustment section 28 includes a contrast correction section 62 , a brightness correction section 64 , a sharpness correction section 66 , a color temperature correction section 68 , and a color map correction section 70 .

The contrast correction unit 62 corrects the contrast of the ultrasound image based on the γ coefficient correction value of the image characteristic parameter information 60. The brightness correction unit 64 corrects the brightness (gradation) of the ultrasound image based on the brightness correction value of the image characteristic parameter information 60. The sharpness correction unit 66 corrects the sharpness of the ultrasound image based on the sharpness correction value of the image characteristic parameter information 60. The color temperature correction unit 68 corrects the color temperature of the ultrasound image based on the color temperature correction value of the image characteristic parameter information 60. The color map correction unit 70 corrects the color values of the ultrasound image, that is, the hue, saturation, and brightness, based on the color map correction values of the image characteristic parameter information 60.

When the monitor 16 is connected to the device main body 12, the control section 36 of the device main body 12 issues an instruction to the controller 50 of the monitor 16 to transmit the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The controller 50 of the monitor 16 transmits the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The control unit 36 of the device main body 12 passes the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16 to the image characteristic adjustment unit 28.

Based on the monitor identification information included in the EDID information 44 received from the control unit 36, the image characteristic adjustment unit 28 selects an image characteristic associated with the monitor identification information from among the image characteristic parameter information 60 in the storage unit 34. Identify parameter sets. As described above, the identified image characteristic parameter set is a parameter set that indicates the image characteristics of an ultrasound image adapted to the monitor 16 connected to the apparatus main body 12.

The image characteristic adjustment unit 28 corrects the image characteristics of the ultrasound image based on the identified image characteristic parameter set, and generates a corrected ultrasound image. Specifically, the image characteristics (γ coefficient, brightness, sharpness, color temperature, and color map) of the ultrasound image are adjusted so that each image characteristic value (correction value) is indicated by the specified image characteristic parameter set. Correct the image characteristics of the sound wave image. Note that the image characteristic adjustment unit 28 does not need to correct all the image characteristic parameters, and may correct only some of the image characteristic parameters.

The image characteristics adjustment unit 28 may correct the image characteristics of the ultrasound image in consideration of the cumulative operating time information 45 received from the monitor 16. For example, the correction may be made such that the longer the cumulative operating time of the monitor 16, the greater the brightness of the ultrasound image.

Further, the device main body 12 receives environmental information indicating the environment (for example, brightness) around the monitor 16 detected by the environment detection sensor of the monitor 16, and the image characteristic adjustment unit 28 further takes this environmental information into consideration. The image characteristics of the ultrasound image may be corrected by using the ultrasound image. For example, the brighter the surroundings of the monitor 16, the higher the brightness of the ultrasound image may be corrected.

Then, the display control unit 30 transmits the corrected ultrasound image generated by the correction process of the image characteristic adjustment unit 28 to the monitor 16, and the controller 50 of the monitor 16 causes the display unit 48 to display the corrected ultrasound image. . Thereby, the ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 48 with an image quality suitable for the monitor 16. For example, some relatively inexpensive monitors 16 have a large minimum displayable luminance value (low expressiveness of black). According to the present embodiment, even with such a monitor 16, the visibility of ultrasound images can be improved by performing brightness value offset processing, contrast correction for low brightness areas, and the like.

<Third embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the image forming unit 24 forms an adaptive ultrasound image according to the monitor 16 based on the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16, thereby creating an ultrasound image with image quality suitable for the monitor 16. This is an embodiment for displaying.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of the third embodiment. Also in the third embodiment, the configuration of the monitor 16 is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, image forming parameter information 80 is stored in the storage unit 34 of the apparatus main body 12. The image forming parameter information 80 associates each monitor identification information (in this embodiment, the product ID code of the monitor) with image forming parameters for forming an adaptive ultrasound image adapted to the monitor indicated by the monitor identification information. This is the information.

FIG. 7 shows an example of image forming parameter information 80. As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming parameter information 80 includes gain correction values, gradation correction values, contrast correction values, sharpness correction values for each monitor identification information (monitor 1, monitor 2, monitor 3, etc.). , and color correction values are associated with each other (specific numerical values are not shown in FIG. 7 as well). The image forming parameter information 80 is stored in advance in the storage unit 34 by the administrator of the apparatus main body 12. As new monitors 16 are manufactured, the image forming parameter information 80 is also preferably updated.

The image forming section 24 will be explained with reference to FIG. The image forming section 24 includes a gain correction section 82 , a gradation correction section 84 , a contrast correction section 86 , a sharpness correction section 88 , and a color correction section 90 .

The gain correction unit 82 performs a multiplication operation on the ultrasound signal data based on the gain correction value of the image forming parameter information 80. The gradation correction unit 84 performs histogram enhancement processing based on the gradation correction values of the image forming parameter information 80. The contrast correction unit 86 changes the dynamic range or performs image gamma correction based on the contrast correction value of the image forming parameter information 80. Through these processes, the brightness value of the adaptive ultrasound image is corrected. The sharpness correction unit 88 changes coefficients of an image filter for smoothing, edge emphasis, etc. based on the sharpness correction value of the image forming parameter information 80. This corrects the clarity of the contour of the subject in the applied ultrasound image. The color correction unit 90 corrects the color mapping table regarding hue, saturation, and brightness based on the color correction values of the image forming parameter information 80. This corrects the hue of the applied ultrasound image.

When the monitor 16 is connected to the device main body 12, the control section 36 of the device main body 12 issues an instruction to the controller 50 of the monitor 16 to transmit the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The controller 50 of the monitor 16 transmits the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The control unit 36 of the apparatus main body 12 passes the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16 to the image forming unit 24.

Based on the monitor identification information included in the EDID information 44 received from the control unit 36, the image forming unit 24 selects an image forming parameter associated with the monitor identification information from the image forming parameter information 80 in the storage unit 34. Identify the set. As described above, the identified image forming parameter set is a parameter set for forming an adaptive ultrasound image adapted to the monitor 16 connected to the apparatus main body 12 from ultrasound signal data.

The image forming unit 24 forms an adaptive ultrasound image from the ultrasound signal data from the signal processing unit 22 based on the identified image forming parameter set. Specifically, the ultrasonic wave is Forming an adaptive ultrasound image from the signal data. The adaptive ultrasound image formed by the image forming unit 24 includes a B-mode image, a Doppler image, a color flow image, or an elasticity image. That is, the image forming unit 24 can form various ultrasound images with image quality depending on the monitor 16. Note that the image forming unit 24 does not need to use corrected parameters for all image forming parameters, and may form an adaptive ultrasound image using corrected parameters for only some of the image forming parameters. You can.

The image forming unit 24 may form an adaptive ultrasound image in consideration of the cumulative operating time information 45 received from the monitor 16. For example, the brightness of the adaptive ultrasound image may increase as the cumulative operating time increases.

Further, the device main body 12 receives environmental information indicating the environment (for example, brightness) around the monitor 16 detected by the environment detection sensor of the monitor 16, and the image forming unit 24 further takes this environmental information into consideration. An adaptive ultrasound image may be formed. For example, the brighter the surroundings of the monitor 16, the greater the brightness of the adaptive ultrasound image.

Then, the display control section 30 transmits the adaptive ultrasound image formed by the image forming section 24 to the monitor 16, and the controller 50 of the monitor 16 causes the display section 48 to display the adaptive ultrasound image. Thereby, the ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 48 with an image quality suitable for the monitor 16.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the fourth embodiment, the signal processing unit 22 corrects ultrasound signal data based on the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16 so that an ultrasound image corresponding to the monitor 16 is formed. This is an embodiment for generating signal data.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of the fourth embodiment. Also in the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the monitor 16 is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, signal parameter information 100 is stored in the storage unit 34 of the device main body 12. The signal parameter information 100 specifies, for each monitor identification information (in this embodiment, the product ID code of the monitor), signal characteristics of ultrasound signal data for forming an ultrasound image adapted to the monitor indicated by the monitor identification information. This is information associated with the indicated signal parameters.

FIG. 9 shows an example of signal parameter information 100. As shown in FIG. 9, the signal parameter information 100 includes signal parameters such as a signal strength correction value, a contrast correction value, and a sharpness correction value for each monitor identification information (monitor 1, monitor 2, monitor 3, etc.). (Specific numerical values are not shown in FIG. 9 either). The signal parameter information 100 is stored in advance in the storage unit 34 by the administrator of the device main body 12. As new monitors 16 are manufactured, signal parameter information 100 is also preferably updated.

The signal processing section 22 will be explained with reference to FIG. The signal processing section 22 includes a signal strength correction section 102, a dynamic range setting section 104, and an echo coherence processing section 106.

The signal strength correction unit 102 performs correction of the amplification factor and integration coefficient of ultrasound signal data, or γ correction, based on the signal strength correction value of the signal parameter information 100. Through these corrections, the brightness value of the ultrasound image is corrected. The dynamic range setting unit 104 sets a dynamic range, which is a range of signal intensity of ultrasound signal data used for image formation, based on the contrast correction value of the signal parameter information 100. The echo enhancement processing unit 106 performs edge enhancement processing on the ultrasound signal data based on the sharpness correction value of the signal parameter information 100. The edge enhancement process corrects the clarity of the outline of the subject in the ultrasound image.

Note that the signal processing section 22 may include another processing section that performs correction processing other than the above on the ultrasound signal data.

When the monitor 16 is connected to the device main body 12, the control section 36 of the device main body 12 issues an instruction to the controller 50 of the monitor 16 to transmit the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The controller 50 of the monitor 16 transmits the EDID information 44 to the control section 36 of the device main body 12. The control unit 36 of the device main body 12 passes the EDID information 44 received from the monitor 16 to the signal processing unit 22.

Based on the monitor identification information included in the EDID information 44 received from the control unit 36, the signal processing unit 22 selects a signal parameter set associated with the monitor identification information from the signal parameter information 100 in the storage unit 34. Identify. As described above, the specified signal parameter set is a parameter set for generating corrected ultrasound signal data for forming an ultrasound image adapted to the monitor 16 connected to the apparatus main body 12.

The signal processing unit 22 corrects the ultrasound signal data from the beam former 20 based on the specified signal parameter set to generate corrected ultrasound signal data. Note that the signal processing section 22 does not require all of the signal strength correction section 102, dynamic range setting section 104, and echo enhancement processing section 106 to perform the correction processing, and even if only some of them perform the correction processing. Often, if a processing unit that performs a correction process other than those described above is provided, the other correction process may be executed.

The signal processing unit 22 may generate the corrected ultrasound signal data in consideration of the cumulative operating time information 45 received from the monitor 16. For example, the longer the cumulative operating time, the greater the gain of the corrected ultrasound signal data.

Further, the device body 12 receives environmental information indicating the environment (for example, brightness) around the monitor 16 detected by the environment detection sensor of the monitor 16, and the signal processing unit 22 further takes this environmental information into consideration. Corrected ultrasound signal data may also be generated. For example, the brighter the surroundings of the monitor 16, the greater the gain of the corrected ultrasound signal data.

The image forming unit 24 forms an ultrasound image based on the corrected ultrasound signal data from the signal processing unit 22. Then, the display control unit 30 transmits the ultrasound image formed based on the corrected ultrasound signal data by the image forming unit 24 to the monitor 16, and the controller 50 of the monitor 16 transmits the ultrasound image to the display unit 48. Display. Thereby, the ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 48 with an image quality suitable for the monitor 16.

In the fourth embodiment, the ultrasound signal data is corrected by the signal processing unit 22, but at least a part of the ultrasound signal data correction processing may be performed in the beam former 20.

Although the first to fourth embodiments have been described above, the first to fourth embodiments can be executed individually. The operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may be able to select which embodiment to execute. Further, the first to fourth embodiments can be executed in combination with each other, and the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may be able to select which embodiments are combined and executed.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the device main body 12 and the monitor 16 were connected by an HDMI cable, but the device main body 12 and the monitor 16 may be connected via a communication line. In FIG. 10, the device main body 12 is connected to a monitor 16A installed in room A and a monitor 16B installed in room B via LAN 110, and is further installed in room C via LAN 110 and the Internet 112. A state in which the monitor 16C is connected is shown. The monitors 16A, 16B, and 16C may be of different models, and the environments (for example, brightness) of room A, room B, and room C may be different from each other. Even in such a case, the main body 12 of the apparatus transmits image quality information suitable for each of the monitors 16A, 16B, and 16C, or ultrasound images adapted to each to the monitors 16A, 16B, and 16C. By doing so, it is possible to display ultrasound images with appropriate image quality on each of the monitors 16A, 16B, and 16C.

Further, in the first to fourth embodiments described above, an example is described in which the control of the present invention is performed using two control units, the control unit 36 and the display control unit 30, but the invention is not limited to this. do not have. In a relatively inexpensive ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is also possible to implement the control of the invention with one control unit.

Although the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 10 ultrasound diagnostic device, 12 device main body, 14 ultrasound probe, 16, 16A, 16B, 16C monitor, 18 ultrasound transmitting/receiving section, 20 beam former, 22 signal processing section, 24 image forming section, 26 image memory, 28 image Characteristic adjustment section, 30 Display control section, 32, 40 Transmission/reception section, 34, 42 Storage section, 36 Control section, 44 EDID information, 45 Cumulative operating time information, 46 Display setting information, 48 Display section, 50 Controller, 52 Image quality parameter , 60 image characteristic parameter information, 62, 86 contrast correction section, 64 brightness correction section, 66, 88 sharpness correction section, 68 color temperature correction section, 70 color map correction section, 80 image formation parameter information, 82 gain correction section, 84 gradation correction section, 90 color correction section, 100 signal parameter information, 102 signal strength correction section, 104 dynamic range setting section, 106 echo coherence processing section, 110 LAN, 112 Internet.

Claims (4)

a receiving unit that receives monitor identification information for identifying the monitor and cumulative operating time information indicating the cumulative operating time of the monitor from a monitor that displays an ultrasound image formed by an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus;
changing the image characteristics of the formed ultrasound image based on image characteristic parameter information associated with each monitor identification information, an image characteristic parameter indicating image characteristics of the ultrasound image suitable for the monitor; and an image characteristic adjustment unit that generates a corrected ultrasound image having image characteristics adapted to the monitor by increasing the brightness of the ultrasound image as the cumulative operation time indicated by the cumulative operation time information increases. and,
a display control unit that displays the corrected ultrasound image on the monitor;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body comprising: a receiving unit that receives monitor identification information for identifying the monitor and cumulative operating time information indicating the cumulative operating time of the monitor from a monitor that displays an ultrasound image formed by an ultrasound diagnostic device;
For each monitor identification information, the image forming parameter information associated with the image forming parameters for forming the ultrasound image suitable for the monitor is referred to, and the image forming parameter information is associated with the monitor identification information received by the receiving section. an adaptive ultrasound image having image characteristics adapted to the monitor from ultrasound signal data based on image forming parameters determined by the monitor, wherein the longer the cumulative operating time indicated by the cumulative operating time information, the greater the brightness. an image forming unit that forms an adaptive ultrasound image ;
a display control unit that displays the adaptive ultrasound image on the monitor;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body comprising: a receiving unit that receives monitor identification information for identifying the monitor and cumulative operating time information indicating the cumulative operating time of the monitor from a monitor that displays an ultrasound image formed by an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus;
For each monitor identification information, the receiving unit refers to signal parameter information associated with signal parameters indicating signal characteristics of ultrasound signal data for forming the ultrasound image suitable for the monitor, and Corrected ultrasonic signal data obtained by correcting ultrasonic signal data based on signal parameters associated with the monitor identification information , the longer the cumulative operating time indicated by the cumulative operating time information, the larger the gain. a signal processing unit that generates corrected ultrasound signal data ;
an image forming unit that forms an ultrasound image having an image quality suitable for the monitor from the corrected ultrasound signal data;
a display control unit that causes the monitor to display an ultrasound image formed by the image forming unit;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body comprising: connected to the monitor via a communication line;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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