JP7441050B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic system and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to an ultrasound diagnostic system and an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment uses an ultrasonic probe equipped with a vibrator (piezoelectric vibrator) at its tip to contact the body surface of the subject, transmit ultrasonic waves into the body, and detect reflected waves generated inside the subject using the ultrasound probe. Receive with a vibrator. An ultrasound image is generated based on the received signal thus obtained.

A user such as a doctor observes the inside of a living body and makes a diagnosis based on the ultrasound image. Therefore, the image quality of ultrasound images is an important factor that influences diagnosis. The image quality of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is adjusted, for example, by display parameters such as the gain and dynamic range of the received signal.

However, even if the display parameters of the ultrasound image are the same, the way the ultrasound image is viewed changes depending on the environment around the display device on which the ultrasound image is displayed.

JP2006-20777A

One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and drawings is to reduce changes in the appearance of ultrasound images even when the environment around the device on which the ultrasound images are displayed changes. That's true.

However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. Problems corresponding to each effect of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems.

The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the embodiment includes a first illuminance sensor, a second illuminance sensor, and a correction section. The first illuminance sensor measures the illuminance around the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. The second illuminance sensor measures the illuminance around the display device. The correction unit corrects display parameters of the ultrasound image to be displayed on the display device based on the first illuminance detected by the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminance detected by the second illuminance sensor. do.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasound diagnostic system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the relationship between gain and illuminance of an ultrasound image. FIG. 5(a) is a diagram schematically showing a display example after adjusting the display parameters based on the first illuminance in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and FIG. 5(b) illustrates the pixel value of pixel P1. FIG. 5(c) is a graph schematically showing a display example after adjusting the display parameters based on the second illuminance in the display device, and FIG. 5(d) is a graph showing the pixel value of pixel P1. Graph to explain. FIG. 6 is a table explaining a method for adjusting color and monochrome balance. FIG. 7(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a superimposed image after color/monochrome balance adjustment, and FIG. 7(b) is a graph illustrating signal values after color/monochrome balance adjustment. FIG. 8 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasound diagnostic system and an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasound diagnostic system 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic system 100 includes an ultrasound diagnostic device 200, a display device 300, and an external storage device 500. In the ultrasound diagnostic system 100, for example, an ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 is transmitted to the display device 300 via the external storage device 500 and displayed.

External storage device 500 is, for example, an image storage server. The image storage server stores medical images obtained by a modality such as the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. Further, the image archiving server may be part of a picture archiving and communication system (PACS). In that case, the PACS retrieves the ultrasound image stored in the image storage server in response to a request from the display device 300 and transmits it to the display device 300.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 includes an ultrasound probe 1 , a first illumination sensor 2 , an input interface 3 , a display 4 , and a main unit 10 .

The ultrasound probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasound transducers (piezoelectric transducers) arranged in an array. The transducer converts a transmission wave as an electric signal output from the main device 10 into an ultrasound transmission wave, and applies this ultrasound transmission wave to the subject. Further, the vibrator converts an ultrasound signal (echo signal) reflected from the subject into a received signal as an electrical signal, and transmits the received signal to the main device 10 . The ultrasound probe 1 is connected to the main device 10 by wire or wirelessly so that data can be transmitted and received.

The first illuminance sensor 2 measures the illuminance around the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 . The first illuminance sensor 2 may measure, for example, the peripheral illuminance of the display 4 on which the image acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 is displayed. In the following description, the illuminance measured by the first illuminance sensor 2 will be referred to as "first illuminance." The first illuminance sensor 2 transmits the first illuminance to the main device 10 . Further, the first illuminance sensor 2 may be a general-purpose illuminance sensor, and may transmit the first illuminance to the main body device 10 by wire or wirelessly.

The main device 10 is also connected to an input interface 3 and a display 4. Note that the main device 10 may be a tablet type or a smartphone type in which the display 4 and the input interface 3 are integrated.

The input interface 3 includes common devices such as trackballs, switches, buttons, mice, keyboards, touchpads that perform input operations by touching the operation surface, non-contact input circuits using optical sensors, voice input circuits, etc. It is realized by an input device and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to a user's operation to the processing circuit 14. Further, when the main body device 10 is a tablet type or a smartphone type, the display 4 and the input interface 3 may be integrated to form a touch panel.

The display 4 is constituted by a general display output device such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and displays various information under the control of the processing circuit 14.

The main device 10 includes a transmitting/receiving circuit 11, a signal processing circuit 12, a storage circuit 13, a processing circuit 14, a communication control circuit 15, and an image generation circuit 16. The transmitting/receiving circuit 11, signal processing circuit 12, storage circuit 13, processing circuit 14, communication control circuit 15, and image generation circuit 16 that constitute the main body device 10 are interconnected via a bus 19 as a common signal transmission path.

The transmitting/receiving circuit 11 includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. The transmitting/receiving circuit 11 is controlled by the processing circuit 14 to control the transmitting directivity and receiving directivity in transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the transmitting/receiving circuit 11 is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, the transmitting/receiving circuit 11 may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 1, or the transmitting/receiving circuit 11 may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 1, or the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 and the ultrasonic It may be provided on both the probe 1 and the probe 1.

The transmission circuit includes a pulse generator, a transmission delay circuit, a pulser circuit, and the like, and supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer. The pulse generator repeatedly generates rate pulses to form transmitted ultrasound waves at a predetermined rate frequency. The transmission delay circuit adjusts the delay time for each piezoelectric vibrator, which is necessary to focus the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic vibrator into a beam and determine the transmission directivity, for each rate pulse generated by the pulse generator. give against. Further, the pulser circuit generates a drive pulse based on each delayed rate pulse, and applies the generated drive pulse to each of the ultrasonic transducers.

The receiving circuit includes an amplifier circuit, an A/D converter, an adder, etc., receives the echo signal received by the ultrasonic transducer, performs various processing on the echo signal, and generates echo data (Raw Data). generate. The amplifier circuit amplifies the echo signal for each channel and performs gain correction processing. The A/D converter A/D converts the gain-corrected echo signal and provides digital data with a delay time necessary to determine reception directivity. The adder performs addition processing on the echo signals processed by the A/D converter to generate echo data. The addition process of the adder emphasizes the reflected component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the echo signal.

The signal processing circuit 12 receives echo data from the receiving circuit, performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, etc., and generates B-mode data in which signal strength is expressed by brightness. In addition, the signal processing circuit 12 frequency-analyzes velocity information from the echo data received from the receiving circuit, extracts blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and extracts moving state information such as average velocity, dispersion, and power. Color Doppler data extracted from multiple points is generated.

The storage circuit 13 has a configuration including a processor-readable recording medium such as a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. Part or all of the programs and data in the storage medium of the storage circuit 13 may be downloaded by communication via an electronic network, or may be provided to the storage circuit 13 via a portable storage medium such as an optical disk. . Note that part or all of the information stored in the storage circuit 13 may be distributed and stored in at least one storage medium such as an external storage circuit or a storage circuit not shown, or may be stored in a duplicated manner. .

Processing circuit 14 has a processor. The processor of the processing circuit 14 centrally controls the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage circuit 13 . Further, the processor of the processing circuit 14 receives the first illuminance from the first illuminance sensor, and stores the first illuminance and the ultrasound image in association with each other in the external storage device 500.

The communication control circuit 15 implements various communication protocols depending on the network type. Here, the electronic network refers to the entire information and communication network using telecommunications technology, including hospital backbone LAN, wireless/wired LAN, Internet network, telephone communication line network, optical fiber communication network, cable communication network, and satellite communication network. Including communications networks, etc. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 transmits data generated by the main body device 10, such as ultrasound images and first illuminance, to the external storage device 500 and the display device 300 via an electronic network.

Image generation circuit 16 has a processor. The processor of the image generation circuit 16 generates an ultrasound image based on the B-mode data and color Doppler data generated by the signal processing circuit 12. For example, a B-mode image is generated by performing scan conversion on B-mode data. Further, the processor of the image generation circuit 16 generates a color Doppler image based on the color Doppler data, and generates a superimposed image in which the color Doppler image is superimposed on the B-mode image. In the following description, the B-mode image, color Doppler image, and superimposed image will be collectively referred to as an ultrasound image. Further, the processor of the image generation circuit 16 causes the display 4 to display the ultrasound image and data related to the ultrasound image.

Display device 300 is, for example, a workstation. The workstation is, for example, a computer that executes specialized processing for processing and displaying medical images. A user such as a doctor displays the acquired ultrasound image on a display device 300 such as a workstation, and performs diagnosis or creates a medical chart, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 300 includes a processing circuit 51, a storage circuit 52, an input interface 53, a display 54, and a communication control circuit 55. The processing circuit 51, storage circuit 52, input interface 53, display 54, and communication control circuit 55 that constitute the display device 300 are interconnected via a bus 59 as a common signal transmission path. The display device 300 may be of a tablet type or a smartphone type. The input interface 53, display 54, and communication control circuit 55 of the display device 300 have the same hardware configuration as the input interface 3, display 4, and communication control circuit 15 of the main body device 10, respectively, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The display device 300 also includes a second illuminance sensor 5. The second illuminance sensor 5 measures the illuminance around the display device 300. The second illuminance sensor 5 may measure the illuminance around the display 54 on which the ultrasound image is displayed. In the following description, the illuminance measured by the second illuminance sensor 5 will be referred to as "second illuminance." The second illuminance sensor 5 transmits the second illuminance to the display device 300. Note that the second illuminance sensor 5 has the same hardware configuration as the first illuminance sensor 2, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The processing circuit 51 acquires the second illuminance measured by the second illuminance sensor 5. Note that the processing circuit 51 has the same hardware configuration as the processing circuit 14 of the main device 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The storage circuit 52 stores various data such as application programs executed on the display device 300 and image data acquired by the display device 300. Note that the storage circuit 52 has the same hardware configuration as the storage circuit 13 of the main device 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic system 100 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal processing circuit 12 of the main device 10 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 realizes a B mode processing function 121 and a Doppler mode processing function 122. These functions are realized by the processor of the signal processing circuit 12 executing a program stored in the storage circuit 13.

The B-mode processing function 121 generates B-mode data from the echo data. The generated B-mode data is sent to the image generation circuit 16.

The Doppler mode processing function 122 generates color Doppler data from the echo data. The generated color Doppler data is sent to the image generation circuit 16.

Note that in the process of generating B-mode data and Doppler data, if any one of the display parameters including the gain, dynamic range, contrast, etc. of echo data is adjusted, the B-mode processing function 121 and Doppler mode processing function 122 , display parameters may be attached to the generated B-mode data and color Doppler data.

The image generation circuit 16 of the main device 10 realizes an image generation processing function 161, a superimposition function 162, and a display control function 163. These functions are realized by the processor of the image generation circuit 16 executing a program stored in the storage circuit 13.

The image generation processing function 161 generates a B-mode image from the B-mode data and a color Doppler image from the Doppler data. The image generation processing function 161 also adjusts display parameters such as gain, dynamic range, contrast, and gamma curve of B-mode data and color Doppler data. The image generation processing function 161 sets display parameters suitable for the first illuminance in Doppler data, and generates a B-mode image or a color Doppler image.

The superimposition function 162 generates a superimposed image in which the B-mode image and the color Doppler image are superimposed. The superimposition function 162 adjusts the balance between the B-mode image data signal and the color Doppler image signal when superimposing the B-mode image and the color Doppler image. In the following description, the balance between the B-mode image signal and the color Doppler image signal will be referred to as color monochrome balance.

The display control function 163 controls the display of ultrasound images and data related to ultrasound images. The display control function 163 scan-converts the video signals of the B-mode image generated by the image generation processing function 161 and the superimposed image generated by the superimposition function 162, and displays them on the display 4.

The processing circuit 14 of the main device 10 realizes a display parameter acquisition function 141. The display parameter acquisition function 141 is realized by the processor of the processing circuit 14 executing a program stored in the storage circuit 13.

The display parameter acquisition function 141 acquires the illuminance measured by the first illuminance sensor 2 (first illuminance) from the first illuminance sensor 2, and also acquires a B-mode image, a color Doppler image, a superimposed image, etc. from the image generation circuit 16. Obtain display parameters such as gain, dynamic range, contrast, and gamma curve attached to each image. Then, the display parameter acquisition function 141 associates the display parameters and the first illuminance with each ultrasound image and transmits them to the external storage device 500. The display parameter acquisition function 141 may include the display parameter and the first illuminance in the ultrasound image as supplementary information of the ultrasound image. Furthermore, the display parameter acquisition function 141 acquires the color-monochrome balance from the superimposition function 162, and associates or attaches the color-monochrome balance to the ultrasound image.

On the other hand, as described above, the display device 300 is, for example, a computer such as a workstation. The processing circuit 51 of the display device 300 realizes a display parameter acquisition function 151, a display parameter correction function 152, and a display control function 153. These functions are realized by the processor of the processing circuit 51 executing a program stored in the storage circuit 52.

The display parameter acquisition function 151 acquires an ultrasound image from the external storage device 500 and also retrieves the display parameters and first illuminance associated with or attached to this ultrasound image from the external storage device 500. get. Further, the display parameter acquisition function 151 acquires the second illuminance from the second illuminance sensor 5 included in the display device 300.

The display parameter correction function 152 corrects the display parameters of the ultrasound image displayed on the display device 300 based on the first illuminance and the second illuminance. The display parameter correction function 152 corrects display parameters based on, for example, the difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance. Further, the display parameter correction function 152 may correct the display parameters based on the ratio between the first illuminance and the second illuminance. For example, the display parameter correction function 152 may increase the display parameter by the difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance, or the display parameter may be increased by the ratio between the first illuminance and the second illuminance. May be multiplied. In this way, the display parameter correction function 152 corrects the display parameters of the ultrasound image based on the correlation between the first illuminance and the second illuminance.

Note that the display parameter correction function 152 may not perform any further correction when there is a pixel whose pixel value after correction of the ultrasound image reaches a predetermined threshold value. Furthermore, the display parameter correction function 152 may notify the user that there are pixels whose pixel values after correction of the ultrasound image reach a predetermined threshold value.

Furthermore, the display parameter correction function 152 corrects at least one of the display parameters of the B-mode image: gain, contrast, dynamic range, and gamma curve. Furthermore, when the ultrasound image is a color Doppler image, RGB is corrected in addition to gain, contrast, dynamic range, and gamma curve. Furthermore, when the ultrasound image is a superimposed image, the display parameter correction function 152 corrects the display parameters of each of the B-mode image and the color Doppler image, and Adjust the color/monochrome balance between the mode image and the color Doppler image.

The display control function 153 controls the display of the ultrasound image after display parameter correction and data related to the ultrasound image. The display control function 153 scan-converts the video signal of the ultrasound image and displays it on the display 54.

(2) Operation FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic system 100 according to the first embodiment. The symbols with a number attached to S indicate each step of the flowchart. In the flowchart of FIG. 3, an example will be described in which an ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 at a first illuminance is displayed on the display device 300 placed in an environment with a second illuminance different from the illuminance. do.

In step S101, the transmitting/receiving circuit 11 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 collects ultrasound signals (echo signals).

In step S102, the first illuminance sensor 2 measures the illuminance around the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 and obtains the first illuminance. The first illuminance is transmitted to the display parameter acquisition function 141.

In step S103, the B-mode processing function 121 of the signal processing circuit 12 processes the echo signal to generate B-mode data. The Doppler mode processing function 122 also generates color Doppler data.

In step S104, the image generation processing function 161 of the image generation circuit 16 processes the B-mode data and color Doppler data to generate a B-mode image and a color Doppler image. The image generation processing function 161 sets display parameters according to the first illuminance, for example, in processing B-mode data and color Doppler data. Further, the image generation processing function 161 processes the B-mode data and Doppler data to generate a B-mode image and a color Doppler image, for example, based on display parameters input by the user via the input interface 3.

Furthermore, the superimposition function 162 of the image generation circuit 16 generates a superimposed image in which a color Doppler image is superimposed on a B-mode image. At this time, the superimposition function 162 sets the color monochrome balance in generating the superimposed image.

In step S105, the display parameter acquisition function 151 attaches the first illuminance and display parameters to the ultrasound image and transfers the ultrasound image to the external storage device 500. If the ultrasound image is a superimposed image, the first illuminance, display parameters, and color/monochrome balance are attached to the superimposed image and transferred to the external storage device 500.

Note that display parameters may be set in the signal processing circuit 12 when generating B-mode data or color Doppler data. Further, echo data (Raw Data) may be stored in the external storage device 500. In this case, the display parameter acquisition function 151 may attach display parameters set when generating B-mode data or color Doppler data to the echo data together with the first illuminance.

In step S106, the processing circuit 51 of the display device 300 acquires an ultrasound image from the external storage device 500.

In step S107, the second illuminance sensor 5 of the display device 300 measures the illuminance around the display device 300 and obtains the second illuminance. The second illuminance is transmitted to the display parameter acquisition function 141 of the display device 300.

In step S108, the display parameter acquisition function 151 of the display device 300 acquires the first illuminance and display parameters attached to the ultrasound image acquired from the external storage device 500. Further, the display parameter correction function 152 corrects the display parameters attached to the ultrasound image according to the first illuminance attached to the ultrasound image and the second illuminance that is the illuminance around the display device 300. .

For example, the display parameter correction function 152 corrects the display parameters by the difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance. Specifically, when the difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance is (-α) (first illuminance < second illuminance), α is subtracted from the display parameter attached to the ultrasound image. The value is set as a display parameter of the ultrasound image displayed on the display device 300. On the other hand, if the difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance is (+α) (first illuminance > second illuminance), the value obtained by adding α to the display parameter attached to the ultrasound image is displayed. It is set as a display parameter of an ultrasound image displayed on the apparatus 300. Note that the method of correcting the display parameters by the difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance is one example, and is not limited to this example.

For example, the user may previously set an adjustment coefficient (>0) for adjusting the correction value of the display parameter. Specifically, by multiplying the difference or ratio between the first illuminance and the second illuminance by an adjustment coefficient, the display parameters can be set as desired by the user.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the relationship between gain and illuminance of an ultrasound image. The vertical axis of the graph shown in FIG. 4 is the gain of the ultrasound image, and the horizontal axis is the illuminance.

Changes in the appearance of ultrasound images can be reduced by increasing the gain as the illuminance increases. For example, when an ultrasound image for which display parameters suitable for the environment are set in a low-illuminance environment is observed in a high-illuminance environment, the appearance of the ultrasound image changes. As shown in FIG. 4, the gain G1 of the ultrasound image is a setting suitable for the first illuminance (L1) that is the illuminance around the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. On the other hand, the gain G2 is a setting suitable for the environment of the second illuminance (L2) that is the illuminance around the display device 300. The appearance at gain G1 and the appearance at gain G2 are the same.

However, when an ultrasound image set to a gain G1 suitable for the first illuminance (L1), which is the illuminance around the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200, is displayed as is on the display device 300, the appearance of the ultrasound image is It will change. The reason is that the gain G1 set for the ultrasound image is lower than the gain G2 suitable for the second illuminance (L2) that is the illuminance around the display device 300. Therefore, when observing an ultrasound image at the second illuminance (L2), changing the gain G1 set for the ultrasound image to gain G2 and increasing the brightness of the ultrasound image will change the way the ultrasound image looks. changes can be reduced.

Note that once the limit gain Gmax is exceeded, the gain of the ultrasound image cannot be increased any higher. Therefore, when the gain of any pixel in the ultrasound image reaches the maximum value, the display parameter correction function 152 may not increase the gain any further. Further, in that case, the display parameter correction function 152 may display a warning on the display 54 to the effect that the gain cannot be increased any further (the environmental light is too bright). Alternatively, the user may set a predetermined threshold value, and the display parameter correction function 152 may correct the display parameter so that it does not exceed the set threshold value.

In Figure 4, the relationship with illuminance was explained using gain, which is one of the display parameters, as an example, but other display parameters such as contrast, gamma curve, and dynamic range also depend on the height of illuminance in the same way as gain. The setting value changes.

Returning to FIG. 3, the explanation of the flowchart will be continued.

In step S109, the display device 300 determines whether the displayed ultrasound image is an image on which a color Doppler image is superimposed. For example, the display device 300 may determine that the ultrasound image includes a color Doppler image when a color-monochrome balance is attached to the ultrasound image. Furthermore, if the ultrasound image is accompanied by information indicating that it is a superimposed image or a Doppler image, it may be determined that the ultrasound image includes a color Doppler image. If the image is not a superimposed image, that is, if only the B-mode image is to be displayed, the process branches to NO in step S109 and proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the display control function 153 displays the B-mode image with the corrected display parameters on the display 54.

On the other hand, if the displayed ultrasound image is a superimposed image, the process branches to YES in step S109 and proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, the display parameter correction function 152 adjusts the color-monochrome balance of the superimposed image in which the color Doppler image is superimposed on the B-mode image. The method for adjusting the color/monochrome balance will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, which will be described later.

In step S111, the display control function 153 displays on the display 54 an ultrasound image whose display parameters have been corrected according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance.

The above is the explanation of the flowchart. Note that the order of each step in the flowchart is not limited to the example in FIG. 4. For example, after determining whether the ultrasound image displayed in step S109 is a superimposed image, the process in step S108 may be executed.

Next, adjustment of color and monochrome balance will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the necessity of color and monochrome balance adjustment. FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing a display example after the display parameters are adjusted based on the first illuminance in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. As shown in FIG. 5A, the superimposed image is, for example, an image in which a color Doppler image D1 showing a blood vessel region is superimposed on a B-mode image B1. Pixel P1 is a pixel in a region where B-mode image B1 and color Doppler image D1 are superimposed.

On the other hand, FIG. 5(b) is a graph showing the pixel value of the pixel P1. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the signal value DS1 of the color Doppler image D1 is adjusted to be higher than the signal value BS1 of the B-mode image B1. In this case, in the blood vessel region included in FIG. 5A, the signal of the color Doppler image D1 is displayed more dominantly than the signal of the B-mode image B1. That is, when the color Doppler image D1 is superimposed on the B-mode image B1, the signal of the color Doppler image D1 is displayed before the signal of the B-mode image B1 at the pixel P1.

In this way, in steps S103 and S104 in FIG. 3, the initial setting of the display parameters is set to the first illuminance so that the signal of the color Doppler image D1 becomes dominant over the signal of the B-mode image B1 in the blood vessel region. It is done on the basis of

On the other hand, the display device 300 displays the superimposed image generated by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 under an illuminance environment different from the surroundings of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. At this time, the display parameter correction function 152 of the display device 300 corrects the display parameters of the B-mode image B1 and the color Doppler image D1, respectively, according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance (step S108). For example, when the second illuminance is higher than the first illuminance, the gain of the B-mode image and the gain of the color Doppler image are each corrected to increase.

FIG. 5C is a diagram schematically showing a display example on the display device 300 after the display parameters are adjusted based on the second illuminance (after the process in step S108). FIG. 5(d) is a graph explaining the pixel value of the pixel P1. As shown in FIG. 5(d), as a result of the gain at pixel P1 of B-mode image B1 being corrected by the display parameter correction function 152, the signal value of B-mode image B1 increases from signal value BS1 to signal value BS2. . Similarly, the gain of the signal value DS1 of the color Doppler image D1 is also corrected and increases to the signal value DS2. However, as a result of correcting the display parameters, the signal value BS2 of the B-mode image B1 may become higher than the signal value DS2 of the color Doppler image D1. For example, there is a case where adjustment coefficients for correcting display parameters are different between a B-mode image and a color Doppler image. In that case, the correction values according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance are different between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image. Furthermore, if only the display parameters of the B-mode image are adjusted to match the second illuminance, the color-monochrome balance between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image will change in the superimposed image.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the signal of the B-mode image B1 may be displayed more dominantly than the signal of the color Doppler image D1 at the pixel P1. In this way, in the superimposed image, when the display parameter settings are corrected at the second illuminance, the display mode of the ultrasound image at the first illuminance shown in FIG. 5A changes.

Therefore, by color monochrome balance adjustment, the display balance between the B-mode image signal and the color Doppler image signal (display advantage gender) needs to be adjusted.

FIG. 6 is a table T1 illustrating a method of adjusting color and monochrome balance. The first column of table T1 shows the signal value ratio of the color Doppler image to the B-mode image after display parameter correction, and the second column shows the adjustment value of color monochrome balance. In the second row of table T1, the signal value ratio of the color Doppler image to the B-mode image is W, and the adjustment value of the color monochrome balance is X. In this case, it is shown that the color-monochrome balance is adjusted by multiplying the gain of the color Doppler image by X. Similarly, in the third row of table T1, the signal value ratio of the color Doppler image to the B-mode image is Y, and the adjustment value of the color monochrome balance is Z. In this case, it is shown that the color-monochrome balance is adjusted by multiplying the gain of the color Doppler image by Z. Note that the method for adjusting the color-monochrome balance is not limited to the example shown in the table in FIG. The gain magnification of the color Doppler image may be determined from the signal value ratio of the color Doppler image.

By adjusting the color monochrome balance, the signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image at the first illuminance is made equal to the signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image at the second illuminance. , the gain of the color Doppler image at the second illuminance is corrected. Thereby, correction can be made so that the appearance of the superimposed image is the same between the first illuminance and the second illuminance.

For example, in FIG. 5D, assume that the signal value ratio of the color Doppler image to the B-mode image after display parameter correction is Y. In this case, the color-monochrome balance can be adjusted by multiplying the gain of the color Doppler image by Z based on the table T1. Hereinafter, in FIG. 7, a case where the color monochrome balance is adjusted by multiplying the gain of a color Doppler image by Z will be described as an example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating adjustment of color monochrome balance. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram illustrating the display after adjusting the color-monochrome balance. Further, FIG. 7(b) is a graph illustrating the signal value after color/monochrome balance adjustment.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the signal value DS3 of the pixel P1 of the color Doppler image after the gain is multiplied by Y is higher than the signal value BS2 of the B-mode image. Further, the signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image after the color-monochrome balance adjustment is the same as the signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image shown in FIG. 5(a). As a result, FIG. 7A showing the superimposed image at the second illuminance and FIG. 5B showing the superimposed image at the first illuminance are displayed in the same manner.

In this way, the display parameters of the B-mode image and the color Doppler image are each corrected according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance while maintaining the color-monochrome balance. Thereby, the ultrasound diagnostic system 100 according to the first embodiment can produce ultrasound images that have the same appearance as the ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 even when the first illuminance and the second illuminance are different. Images can be displayed on display device 300.

Although FIG. 7 describes a method for changing the gain of a color Doppler image according to the signal value ratio between a B-mode image and a color Doppler image, the method for adjusting the color-monochrome balance is not limited to the example shown in FIG. . For example, as shown in FIG. 7(b), if the signal value DS3 of pixel P1 of the color Doppler image is higher than the signal value BS2 of the B-mode image, the signal value BS2 of the B-mode image is substituted with the signal value DS3 of the color Doppler image. The color monochrome balance may be adjusted by setting it lower than DS3.

Note that, in FIGS. 5 to 7, the gain among display parameters has been described as an example, but the same applies to other display parameters. Furthermore, in the case of a color Doppler image, there are more display parameters to be corrected by the display parameter correction function 152 than in a B-mode image. For example, a color Doppler image has RGB as display parameters. The display parameter correction function 152 may adjust the color balance of the ultrasound image by correcting RGB according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance.

Furthermore, in FIGS. 5 to 7, the case where a color Doppler image is non-transparently superimposed on a B-mode image has been described as an example, but the same applies to the case where a color Doppler image is transparently superimposed on a B-mode image. . When a color Doppler image is superimposed on a B-mode image, each pixel of the color Doppler image has a transparency value in addition to RGB, and this transparency is used during image synthesis to create transparent and non-transparent images. generate. Transparent and non-transparent image generation methods may be the same as conventional methods, so explanations will be omitted.

According to the ultrasound diagnostic system 100 according to the first embodiment, even if the display device 300 is in an environment with different illuminance than the ultrasound diagnostic device 200 where ultrasound images are generated, the ultrasound images obtained by the ultrasound diagnostic device 200 Ultrasound images that look the same as before can be displayed. Thereby, for example, it is possible to create a medical chart while observing an ultrasound image that looks the same as when performing observation or diagnosis using the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200. Since the appearance of ultrasound images is the same even if the environment of the device on which the ultrasound image is displayed is different, the user may observe what was observed or diagnosed at the time of acquisition using a display device 300 that is different from the ultrasound diagnostic device 200. can be easily recalled even at times.

In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 and the display device 300 each have an illuminance sensor that measures the illuminance of their respective environments, and changes in how the ultrasound image looks depending on the difference in illuminance are automatically reduced. This saves you the trouble of manually setting parameters.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which ultrasound images acquired by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 200 are displayed on the display device 300 in different illuminance environments. The second embodiment relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 400 that is movable in environments with different illuminances.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 2 describing the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 400 has a moving means (not shown) and moves between a plurality of environments with different illuminances. The moving means is, for example, casters or a trolley. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 400 may be a lightweight ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be easily carried by the user.

Further, when the main body device 10 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 is of a tablet type or a smartphone type, the main body device 10 moves together with the display 4 and the input interface 3 in a plurality of environments with different illuminances.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 400 includes an illuminance sensor 6. The illuminance sensor 6 measures the illuminance around the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 in a plurality of environments in which the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 is used. The illuminance sensor 6 may be a general-purpose illuminance sensor, and may transmit the measured illuminance to the main device 10 by wire or wirelessly.

The processing circuit 14 of the main device 10 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 implements a display parameter correction function 142 in addition to the display parameter acquisition function 141 described in the first embodiment. The display parameter correction function 142 is realized by the processor of the processing circuit 14 executing a program stored in the storage circuit 13.

The display parameter correction function 142 corrects the display parameters of the ultrasound image based on the first illuminance and the second illuminance in different environments detected by the illuminance sensor 6. Further, the display parameter correction function 142 may acquire the illuminance that the main device 10 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 has. For example, the illuminance is stored in the storage circuit 13 of the main device 10, and the display parameter correction function 142 may acquire the illuminance in each environment from the storage circuit 13. Note that the method of correcting the ultrasound image in the display parameter correction function 142 is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

The second embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, a change in the illuminance of the environment in which the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 exists is detected, and display parameters set at the previous illuminance are automatically corrected based on the previous illuminance and the current illuminance. . Thereby, when the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 moves between environments with different illuminance, the display parameters of the ultrasound image are automatically corrected.

Note that in the second embodiment, a case has been described in which the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 moves between locations having environments with different illuminance, but the illuminance of the environment in which the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 is installed may change. For example, a subject is examined in an environment with low illumination, and an ultrasound image is acquired. In some cases, the illuminance is changed (for example, made brighter) in the same room, and entries are made in the medical record or explanations are given to the subject based on the acquired ultrasound images. In this way, in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 400 according to the second embodiment, even if the brightness of the room changes between when acquiring and displaying an ultrasound image, the appearance of the ultrasound image does not change and the appearance remains the same. Ultrasound images can be displayed on the screen.

According to at least one embodiment described above, even if the environment around the device on which the ultrasound image is displayed changes, changes in the appearance of the ultrasound image can be reduced.

The display parameter correction function in the above embodiment is an example of a correction unit in the claims.

The word "processor" used in the above description refers to, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), a programmable logic device (e.g. , Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). When the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing a program stored in a storage circuit. On the other hand, if the processor is an ASIC, instead of storing the program in a memory circuit, the functionality is directly incorporated into the processor's circuitry as a logic circuit.

Note that each processor in the embodiments is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may also be configured by combining a plurality of independent circuits to realize its functions. . Furthermore, multiple components may be integrated into one processor to implement its functionality.

Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

2 First illuminance sensor 5 Second illuminance sensor 6 Illuminance sensor 10 Main unit 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic system 141, 151 Display parameter acquisition function 142, 152 Display parameter correction function 200, 400 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 300 Display device

Claims (13)

An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a display device that are connected to each other so as to transmit and receive data directly or via an external storage device ,
a first illuminance sensor that is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and measures illuminance around a display included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus;
a second illuminance sensor that is provided in the display device and measures illuminance around a display included in the display device;
a first illuminance provided in the display device and detected by the first illuminance sensor and acquired directly from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or acquired from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via an external storage device; a correction unit that corrects display parameters of an ultrasound image to be displayed on a display of the display device based on a second illuminance detected by a second illuminance sensor and acquired from the second illuminance sensor;
An ultrasonic diagnostic system with The correction unit corrects the display parameter based on a difference between the first illuminance and the second illuminance.
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1. The correction unit corrects the display parameter based on a ratio between the first illuminance and the second illuminance.
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1. The correction unit corrects at least one display parameter of gain, contrast, dynamic range, and gamma curve of the ultrasound image.
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The ultrasound image includes a B-mode image and a color Doppler image, and the correction unit displays each of the B-mode image and the color Doppler image according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance. Correct the parameters,
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When displaying the B-mode image and the color Doppler image in a superimposed manner, the correction unit adjusts the B-mode image and the color Doppler image according to display parameters of the B-mode image and the color Doppler image, respectively. Adjust the color/monochrome balance of
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 5. The correction unit adjusts the color-monochrome balance by determining a signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image at the first illuminance, and a signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image at the second illuminance. correcting the gain of the color Doppler image at the second illuminance so that the signal value ratio of
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 6. As an adjustment of the color-monochrome balance, the correction unit may adjust the color Doppler image after the correction by adjusting the signal value of the color Doppler image after the correction if the signal value of the color Doppler image before correction is higher than the signal value of the B-mode image before correction. correcting the signal value of the color Doppler image so that it is higher than the signal value of the B-mode image of
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 6. The correction unit does not perform any further correction if there is a pixel whose pixel value after correction of the ultrasound image reaches a predetermined threshold value.
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. If there is a pixel whose pixel value after correction of the ultrasound image reaches a predetermined threshold value, the correction unit notifies the user to that effect.
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising an ultrasonic diagnostic device and a display device that are connected to each other so that data can be transmitted and received directly or via an external storage device ,
a first illuminance sensor that is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and measures illuminance around the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus;
a second illuminance sensor provided in the display device and measuring illuminance around the display device;
a first illuminance provided in the display device and detected by the first illuminance sensor and acquired directly from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or acquired from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus via an external storage device; a correction unit that corrects display parameters of an ultrasound image to be displayed on the display device based on a second illuminance detected by a second illuminance sensor and acquired from the second illuminance sensor;
has
The ultrasound image includes a B-mode image and a color Doppler image, and the correction unit displays each of the B-mode image and the color Doppler image according to the first illuminance and the second illuminance. Correct the parameters,
When displaying the B-mode image and the color Doppler image in a superimposed manner, the correction unit adjusts the B-mode image and the color Doppler image according to respective display parameters of the B-mode image and the color Doppler image. Adjust the color/monochrome balance of
Ultrasound diagnostic system. The correction unit adjusts the color-monochrome balance by determining a signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image at the first illuminance, and a signal value ratio between the B-mode image and the color Doppler image at the second illuminance. correcting the gain of the color Doppler image at the second illuminance so that the signal value ratio of
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 11. As an adjustment of the color-monochrome balance, the correction unit may adjust the color Doppler image after the correction by adjusting the signal value of the color Doppler image after the correction if the signal value of the color Doppler image before correction is higher than the signal value of the B-mode image before correction. correcting the signal value of the color Doppler image so that it is higher than the signal value of the B-mode image of
The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 11.

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