JP7447637B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic device, method of controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and control program for the ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound diagnostic device, a method of controlling the ultrasound diagnostic device, and a control program for the ultrasound diagnostic device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses are known that generate tomographic images inside a subject by transmitting ultrasound waves into the subject and receiving and analyzing the ultrasound echoes. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional ultrasound images in real time by scanning ultrasound waves focused in a specific direction in an azimuth direction. By continuously generating ultrasound images in time using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, it is possible to observe a living body part of a subject as a moving image (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-216976

By the way, the inventors of the present application have developed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses biological parts such as joints and muscles that move with the movement of the subject (hereinafter referred to as "moving body parts"). We are considering applying this method to the observation of For example, by observing the movement of joints when a subject moves (e.g., raising a leg) with an ultrasound diagnostic device, the state of damage to the joints (e.g., contraction of muscles, tendons, or skin) can be measured. This makes it possible to understand in detail the joint range of motion (restrictions associated with joint movement).

When applying an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to observation of a moving body part, even when the subject moves, the side surface of the subject of the ultrasound probe (represents the side of the housing of the ultrasound probe facing the subject). (the same applies hereafter) must be fixed so as not to shift from the moving body part to be inspected. Therefore, when applying an ultrasound diagnostic device to the observation of a moving body part, the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject using a fixing device (for example, a band), and the ultrasound probe is moved to the subject in that state. Then, the ultrasound image of the moving body part at that time will be observed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a setting state for observing a moving body part (here, a knee joint) with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In FIG. 1, the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the side of the knee of the subject P1 with a fixing device (here, a band) B1 while the ultrasound probe 200 is pressed against the side of the knee of the subject P1. This shows how to do this.

At this time, the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed such that the ultrasound transmitting and receiving surface, which is the side surface of the subject, faces the subject P1. Then, in this state, by transmitting and receiving ultrasound from the ultrasound probe 200, a tomographic image (see FIG. 7 described later) of a joint portion (eg, meniscus) within the subject P1 is captured. In addition, in the setting state of FIG. 1, the ultrasound probe 200 and the subject P1 are arranged so that there is no air layer between the side surface of the subject P1 of the ultrasound probe 200 and the observation region of the subject P1 having a curved external shape. An elastic member (for example, an acoustic coupler) C1 is disposed between the two.

However, such fixing work of the ultrasonic probe may be complicated and difficult unless it is a skilled examiner, such as requiring fine adjustments. In particular, there are many cases where the fixture B1 presses the moving body part to be inspected via the ultrasound probe 200 and restricts the movement of the moving body part, so it is not appropriate to perform an ultrasound examination of the moving body part. In some cases, this has not been implemented. Further, when the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed with the fixture B1, the position of the moving body part to be examined may be shifted.

Using the setting shown in FIG. 1 as an example, when the subject P1 raises his leg, the joint moves upward, so the ultrasound probe 200 is firmly positioned below the knee joint. It is preferable that the knee joint be fixed, and that it be loosely fixed above the knee joint.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enable an examiner to assist in fixing an ultrasonic probe. The purpose is to provide a control program for

The main disclosure that solves the above-mentioned problems is:
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is applied to an ultrasonic examination in which an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed against a subject using a fixture,
a pressure distribution detection unit that detects pressure acting on the subject at each position on a side surface of the subject of the ultrasonic probe after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
Based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, a biological part within the subject moves in accordance with the movement of the subject. a living body position detection unit that detects the position of the moving living body part;
Based on the detection results of the pressure distribution detection unit and the living body position detection unit, the ultrasound probe is applied to the examiner so that the pressure acting on the moving body part by the ultrasound probe does not exceed a threshold value. a guide section that provides guidance for optimizing the fixed state of the probe;
It is an ultrasonic diagnostic device equipped with.

Also, in other situations,
A method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to an ultrasonic examination in which an ultrasonic probe is pressed and fixed against a subject using a fixture, the method comprising:
a first step of detecting pressure acting on the subject at each position of the ultrasound probe on a side surface of the subject after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
Based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, a biological part within the subject moves in accordance with the movement of the subject. a second step of detecting the position of the moving body part;
Based on the detection results of the first step and the second step, the examiner is instructed to operate the ultrasonic probe so that the pressure exerted on the moving body part by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a threshold value. A third step of providing guidance for optimizing the fixation state;
A method of controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

Also, in other situations,
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applied to an ultrasonic examination performed with an ultrasonic probe pressed and fixed against a subject using a fixture,
a first step of detecting pressure acting on the subject at each position of the ultrasound probe on a side surface of the subject after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
Based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, a biological part within the subject moves in accordance with the movement of the subject. a second step of detecting the position of the moving body part;
Based on the detection results of the first step and the second step, the examiner is instructed to operate the ultrasonic probe so that the pressure exerted on the moving body part by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a threshold value. A third step of providing guidance for optimizing the fixation state;
This is a control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

According to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to support an examiner in fixing an ultrasound probe.

Diagram showing an example of a setting state for observing a moving body part with an ultrasonic diagnostic device Diagram showing an example of the external appearance of an ultrasound diagnostic device Diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device Diagram showing an example of the appearance of an ultrasound probe Diagram showing an example of the setting state of an ultrasound probe during ultrasound examination Diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device Diagram illustrating an example of processing by the advance information setting section Diagram illustrating an example of processing by the biological position detection unit Diagram showing an example of pressure distribution detected by the pressure distribution detection unit A diagram showing an example of the guidance mode by the guide section Figures illustrating various aspects when the guide section expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of positional deviation in the first guide function and the second guide function. Figures illustrating various aspects when the guide section expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of positional deviation in the first guide function and the second guide function. Figures illustrating various aspects when the guide section expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of positional deviation in the first guide function and the second guide function. Figures illustrating various aspects when the guide section expresses the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of positional deviation in the first guide function and the second guide function. Flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device Diagram showing a modification of the pressure detection method using the pressure distribution detection unit Diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method using the pressure distribution detection unit Diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method using the pressure distribution detection unit Diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method using the pressure distribution detection unit Diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method using the pressure distribution detection unit Diagram showing a modification of the guidance method by the guide section Diagram showing another modification of the guidance method by the guide section Diagram showing another modification of the guidance method by the guide section Diagram showing another modification of the guidance method by the guide section Diagram showing another modification of the guidance method by the guide section

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant explanation will be omitted.

[Configuration of ultrasound diagnostic equipment]
The configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the ultrasound probe 200. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setting state of the ultrasound probe 200 during an ultrasound examination.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus A includes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 and an ultrasonic probe 200. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 100 and the ultrasound probe 200 are connected via a cable.

The ultrasound probe 200 transmits an ultrasound beam (here, approximately 1 to 30 MHz) into the subject P1 (for example, a human body), and also transmits ultrasound beams that are reflected within the subject P1 from the transmitted ultrasound beam. It functions as an acoustic sensor that receives ultrasonic echoes and converts them into electrical signals.

The ultrasonic probe 200 includes, for example, a row of transducers (for example, a row of piezoelectric transducers) 200aa arranged in an array, and switches the driving state of each transducer in the row of transducers on and off individually or in blocks. It is configured to include a channel switching unit (for example, a multiplexer) for control. Each transducer of the ultrasound probe 200 converts a voltage pulse generated by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 100 (transmission unit 1) into an ultrasound beam, transmits it into the object P1, and reflects it inside the object P1. The ultrasonic echo is received, converted into an electric signal (hereinafter referred to as a "received signal"), and output to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 100 (receiving unit 2). Then, the transducers to be driven by the ultrasound probe 200 are sequentially switched along the scanning direction, thereby performing ultrasound scanning within the subject.

The ultrasonic probe 200 is configured such that it can detect the pressure (hereinafter also referred to as "pressing pressure of the ultrasonic probe 200") that acts on the subject P1 at each position on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200. It has a plurality of pressure sensors 201. In FIG. 4, ten pressure sensors 201 are arranged on both sides of the transducer row 200aa on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 along the arrangement direction (hereinafter also referred to as the lateral direction) of the transducers of the transducer row 200aa. The figure shows an aspect in which it is provided.

The sensor signals of each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 are individually transmitted to the control device 10, and stored separately in the control device 10 as indicating the pressing pressure of the ultrasound probe 200 at each position on the subject side surface 200a. be done. As a result, the control device 10 detects the pressure distribution of the pressing pressure of the ultrasonic probe 200. In this embodiment, ten pressure sensors 201 are used in the horizontal and vertical directions of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 (representing the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the transducers of the transducer row 200aa. The same applies hereinafter). ) is configured to detect the pressure distribution of the pressing pressure at each position within the two-dimensional plane.

The pressure sensor 201 may be of any type as long as it can detect the pressing pressure of the ultrasound probe 200 at each position on the side surface 200a of the subject. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 201 is a MEMS type pressure sensor that detects the pressure that a diaphragm receives from the outside as the amount of displacement of the diaphragm (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-255017, an earlier application of the present applicant). ) is used.

During ultrasonic testing, the ultrasound probe 200 is arranged such that the side surface 200a of the object to be examined faces the object P1, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, and the side surface 200a of the object to be examined is pressed against the object P1. In this state, it is fixed at the position of the moving body part of the subject P1 using the fixture B1. 1 and 5, a band is shown as an example of the fixing device B1 for fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1, but the fixing device B1 can also be a tape, a supporter, or an elastic stocking. etc. may also be used.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus main body 100 includes a transmitting section 1, a receiving section 2, a tomographic image generating section 3, a display processing section 4, a monitor 5, an operation input section 6, and a control device 10.

The transmitter 1 is a transmitter that transmits a voltage pulse, which is a drive signal, to the ultrasound probe 200. The transmitter 1 includes, for example, a high-frequency pulse oscillator, a pulse setting section, and the like. The transmitting unit 1 adjusts the voltage pulse generated by the high-frequency pulse oscillator to the voltage amplitude, pulse width, and sending timing set by the pulse setting unit, and sends the voltage pulse to each channel of the ultrasound probe 200.

The receiving unit 2 is a receiver that receives and processes a received signal related to an ultrasound echo generated by the ultrasound probe 200. The receiving section 2 includes a preamplifier, an AD converter, and a receiving beamformer. The receiving section 2 uses a preamplifier to amplify a received signal related to a weak ultrasonic echo for each channel, and uses an AD converter to convert the received signal into a digital signal. Then, the reception unit 2 uses a reception beamformer to phase and add the reception signals of each channel, thereby combining the reception signals of the plurality of channels into one, and converting it into acoustic line data.

The tomographic image generating section 3 acquires the received signal from the receiving section 2 and generates a tomographic image of the inside of the subject P1. For example, when the ultrasound probe 200 transmits a pulsed ultrasound beam in the depth direction, the tomographic image generation unit 3 sequentially stores the signal intensities of ultrasound echoes detected thereafter in a line memory. accumulate. Then, as the ultrasound beam from the ultrasound probe 200 scans the inside of the subject P1, the tomographic image generation unit 3 sequentially stores the signal intensity of the ultrasound echo at each scanning position in each separate line memory. Then, two-dimensional data is generated in units of frames. Then, the tomographic image generation unit 3 generates a tomographic image by converting the signal intensity of the ultrasound echo detected at each position inside the subject P1 into a brightness value.

The tomographic image generation unit 3 includes, for example, an envelope detection circuit, a dynamic filter, and a logarithmic compression circuit. The envelope detection circuit performs envelope detection on the received signal to detect signal strength. The logarithmic compression circuit performs logarithmic compression on the signal strength of the received signal detected by the envelope detection circuit. The dynamic filter is a bandpass filter whose frequency characteristics change depending on the depth, and removes noise components included in the received signal.

The display processing unit 4 acquires the tomographic image output from the tomographic image generation unit 3 and generates a display image to be displayed on the monitor 5. Note that the display processing section 4 may perform predetermined image processing such as coordinate transformation processing and data interpolation processing on the tomographic image output from the tomographic image generation section 3.

Further, when the display processing unit 4 receives a command to display a guide image for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasound probe 200 from the control device 10 (guide unit 14), the display processing unit 4 superimposes the guide image on the tomographic image. A display image is generated by adding it to a region different from the tomographic image (see FIG. 10, which will be described later).

The monitor 5 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays the display image generated by the display processing section 4.

The operation input unit 6 is a user interface for the user to perform input operations, and includes, for example, push button switches, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The operation input unit 6 converts an input operation performed by a user into an operation signal, and inputs the signal to the control device 10.

The control device 10 exchanges signals with the ultrasound probe 200, the transmitting section 1, the receiving section 2, the tomographic image generating section 3, the display processing section 4, the monitor 5, and the operation input section 6, and centrally controls these. do. Note that the control device 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Each function of the control device 10 is realized by the CPU referring to control programs and various data stored in the ROM and RAM. However, it goes without saying that some or all of the functions of the control device 10 are not limited to processing by software, but can also be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit or a combination thereof.

[Control device configuration]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 10.

The control device 10 includes a prior information setting section 11 , a biological position detection section 12 , a pressure distribution detection section 13 , and a guide section 14 .

<About the advance information setting section 11>
The preliminary information setting unit 11 performs an examination on a tomographic image of the subject P1 (hereinafter referred to as a "pre-fixation image") taken before the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. Set information related to the target moving body part. The operation of the advance information setting unit 11 is typically performed before the examiner fixes the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. More specifically, the operation of the prior information setting unit 11 is performed after a pre-fixation image at the target fixation position of the subject P1 is captured while the ultrasound probe 200 is pressed against the target fixation position of the subject P1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing by the prior information setting unit 11. Note that FIG. 7 shows an example of a tomographic image taken in the setting state of FIG. 1, in which the left direction in FIG. This corresponds to the downward direction of the leg of the specimen P1. P1a in FIG. 7 represents the moving body part (here, the joint part) of the subject P1, P1b represents the movable range of the moving body part of the subject P1, and P1c represents the immobile body part of the subject P1 (here, the joint part). It means a biological part that does not move even when P1 moves (the same applies hereinafter).

The prior information setting unit 11 sets information related to the moving body part to be examined (P1a in FIG. 7), for example, based on a user's input operation. At this time, the prior information setting unit 11 receives, for example, an operation from the user to select the area of the moving body part shown in the pre-fixation image, and the user selects the area of the moving body part while visually checking the pre-fixation image. When the selection operation is performed, information related to the moving body part to be examined is set in the memory of the control device 10.

The information related to the moving body part to be inspected that is set in the preliminary information setting unit 11 includes, for example, image information of the moving body part to be inspected, and position information (e.g., coordinates and range) of the moving body part to be inspected. may be included. Note that the image information of the moving body part to be examined can be obtained, for example, by the body position detecting unit 12 described later, after the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1, the image information of the moving body part to be examined is determined by It is used to detect the position where a moving body part exists. Further, the positional information of the moving body part to be examined is determined by the position of the moving body part from the initial position after the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1 at the guide section 14, which will be described later. It may be used to calculate the amount of displacement and the direction of positional displacement.

In addition, when setting information related to a moving body part to be inspected, the prior information setting unit 11 performs pattern recognition processing (for example, template matching, trained CNN, etc.) on the image before fixation, and performs pattern recognition processing on the image before fixation. A method of detecting the position of a moving body part appearing in the previous image may be used.

Here, it is preferable that the prior information setting unit 11 further sets information on the movable range of the moving body part (P1b in FIG. 7) as the information on the moving body part to be examined. As described above, when performing an ultrasonic examination, it is necessary to prevent the movement of the moving body parts from being restricted. It is preferable to prevent not only the position of the moving body part but also the movable range of the moving body part from being compressed by the pressure applied from the ultrasound probe 200. In this regard, by setting the movable range of the moving body part as information on the moving body part to be inspected, the ultrasound probe 200 can be moved by the fixture B1 in the body position detection unit 12, which will be described later. After being fixed to the specimen P1, it becomes possible to detect not only the position of the moving body part but also the movable range of the moving body part.

The process of setting the movable range of the moving body part by the prior information setting unit 11 may be based on an input operation by the user, but preferably, the prior information setting unit 11 performs the process of setting the movable range of the moving body part. The range of motion of the moving body part is detected from the video of the pre-fixation image taken when the joint was actually moved, and the detected range of motion is used as setting information. When detecting the movable range of a moving body part from the video of the pre-fixation image, the prior information setting unit 11 uses, for example, an inter-frame difference method to detect a movable area in the video of the pre-fixation image. It can be detected as a range.

Further, it is preferable that the prior information setting unit 11 further sets information about the immobile living body part (P1c in FIG. 7) in the pre-fixation image, in addition to the information about the moving living body part to be examined. Although the immobile body part is not the object of inspection, even when an external force is applied, the amount of movement within the subject P1 is smaller than that of the movable body part, so the position of the immobile body part is fixed by the ultrasound probe 200. This becomes effective reference information for calculating how much the ultrasound probe 200 is deviated from the target fixation position when fixed to the subject P1 with the tool B1. From this point of view, it is preferable that the prior information setting unit 11 sets, for example, the position information and image information of the immobile body part specified by the user as the information of the immobile body part in the pre-fixation image. Incidentally, examples of the immobile body parts include the outer surface part and the skeletal part of the subject P1.

<About the biological position detection unit 12>
The biological position detection unit 12 detects the post-fixation image from a tomographic image of the subject P1 (hereinafter referred to as "post-fixation image") taken after the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. The position of the moving body part to be inspected in the image is detected. The operation of the living body position detection unit 12 is performed after the examiner fixes the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1 with the fixture B1 and a tomographic image is taken in this state.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing of the living body position detection unit 12. Note that the upper diagram in FIG. 8 represents the imaging region (region R1) of the image before fixation, and the lower diagram in FIG. 8 represents the imaging region (region R1) of the image after fixation.

For example, the living body position detection unit 12 performs pattern recognition processing on the post-fixation image to detect the position of the moving living body part to be examined that appears in the post-fixation image. At this time, the living body position detection unit 12 detects the moving living body part from the post-fixation image by template matching, for example, using the image of the moving living body part to be examined set by the advance information setting unit 11. Then, the living body position detection unit 12 stores the position of the moving living body part detected within the post-fixation image in the memory of the control device 10.

The positional information of the moving body part to be examined that appears in the post-fixation image is used, for example, by the guide section 14, which will be described later, to recognize the pressure acting on the moving body part to be examined.

Here, it is preferable that the living body position detection section 12 further detects the movable range of the moving living body part to be examined. At this time, the living body position detection unit 12 refers to the information on the movable range of the moving body part to be examined, which is set in the advance information setting unit 11, and fixes the moving body part to be examined based on the position of the moving body part to be examined. The range of movement of the moving body part to be inspected in the rear image is detected.

Moreover, it is preferable that the living body position detection unit 12 further detects the position of the immobile living body part that appears in the post-fixation image. At this time, the living body position detection unit 12 detects the immobile living body part from the post-fixation image by template matching, for example, using the image of the immobile living body part set by the prior information setting unit 11. Then, the living body position detection unit 12 stores the position of the immobile living body part detected within the post-fixation image in the memory of the control device 10. As described above, this provides reference information for calculating whether the ultrasound probe 200 is deviated from the target fixation position when the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. Obtainable.

<About the pressure distribution detection section 13>
The pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects the pressure acting on the subject P1 at each position on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 after the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. To detect. The operation of the pressure distribution detection unit 13 is performed after the examiner fixes the ultrasonic probe 200 to the subject P1 with the fixture B1.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the pressure distribution detected by the pressure distribution detection section 13. FIG. 9 shows an example of the pressure ps that is applied to the object P1 at each position on the object side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200, and the permissible limit pt of the pressure that is applied to the moving body part to be examined. ing. It should be noted that the pressure ps that each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 acts on the subject P1 and the allowable limit (hereinafter referred to as "threshold value") of the pressure that acts on the moving body part to be examined ) pt is executed by the guide unit 14, which will be described later. Note that the threshold value pt may be a specified value or may be settable by the user.

For example, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 acquires a sensor signal from each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) provided in the ultrasound probe 200, and based on the sensor signal, the ultrasound probe Each position of the object side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 (more specifically, each position of the object side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 in the scanning direction) detects the pressure acting on the object P1.

The position of each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 is associated with the position of the tomographic image detected by the biological position detection unit 12 (that is, the position in the arrangement direction of the transducer array 200aa). Then, after the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1, the detection results of the pressure distribution detection unit 13 are determined from the moving body of the subject P1 from each position on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200. This serves as a criterion for determining whether the pressure acting on the part exceeds a threshold value. In FIG. 9, each position of the object side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 detected by the plurality of pressure sensors 201 corresponds to the movable range of the moving body part within the object P1 among the pressures acting on the object P1. Only the applied pressure is shown. Note that pressure acting outside the movable range of the moving body part within the subject P1 may also be displayed in the display image.

In FIG. 9, the distribution of the pressure exerted on the subject P1 by the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 is detected only in the one-dimensional direction corresponding to the arrangement direction of the transducer array 200aa, and the threshold value pt and This is the configuration to be compared. However, more preferably, the ultrasonic probe The distribution of pressure exerted on the subject P1 by the side surface 200a of the subject P1 is detected and compared with a threshold value pt. This makes it possible to provide guidance as to whether or not the ultrasound probe 200 is properly fixed to the subject P1 also in the vertical direction of the ultrasound probe 200 using a guide image to be described later.

<About the guide section 14>
After the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1, the guide unit 14 transmits ultrasound waves to the examiner based on the detection results of the living body position detection unit 12 and the pressure distribution detection unit 13. Guidance for optimizing the fixing state of the probe 200 is provided.

The guide section 14 is, for example, a first guide that guides the ultrasonic probe 200 in a fixed state so that the pressure exerted by the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasonic probe 200 on the moving body part does not exceed a threshold value. and a second guide function that notifies that the fixation position of the ultrasound probe 200 is displaced from the target fixation position due to the ultrasound probe 200 being fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1. and has.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the guidance mode by the guide section 14. FIG. 10 shows a mode in which guidance for optimizing the fixation state of the ultrasound probe 200 is performed using a guide image R2 displayed on the screen Rall generated on the monitor 5. Note that the guide image R2 shown in FIG. 10 shows that when the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1, the positional shift shown in FIG. 8 occurs in the ultrasound probe 200, and the moving body It is assumed that the pressure distribution shown in FIG. 9 occurs in the section.

The guide unit 14 according to the present embodiment performs such guidance by sending a guide image display command to the display processing unit 4. At this time, the display processing section 4 generates a display image as shown in FIG. 10 by adding a guide image according to the guide image display command acquired from the guide section 14 to the display image. Note that the image data related to the guide image is stored in advance in a memory included in the display processing section 4, for example.

When realizing the first guide function, the guide unit 14 may, for example, compare the positions of each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 of the ultrasound probe 200 stored in the memory of the control device 10 in advance with each position in the tomographic image. Using sensor position data indicating the positional relationship, each position of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 specifies the pressing pressure that acts on the moving body part of the inspection target detected by the living body position detection unit 12. . Then, the guide unit 14 determines whether the pressing pressure exerted by the object side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 on each position of the moving body part exceeds a threshold value (see FIG. 9). The guide unit 14 particularly performs guidance when the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be examined at any position on the side surface 200a of the subject of the ultrasound probe 200 does not exceed a threshold value. First, if the pressing pressure of the ultrasonic probe 200 acting on the moving body part to be inspected at any position on the side surface 200a of the subject exceeds a threshold value, the ultrasonic probe Guidance is provided to prompt the user to change the fixed state of 200.

Note that if the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be examined at any position on the side surface 200a of the object of the ultrasound probe 200 exceeds a threshold value, the guide section 14 will , it is preferable to provide information in a way that allows identification of the extent to which the threshold value is exceeded.

Moreover, at this time, the guide unit 14 applies pressing pressure from each position of the side surface 200a of the object of the ultrasound probe 200 in the movable range of the moving object to be examined, in addition to the position of the moving object to be examined. It is preferable to provide guidance to the examiner so that the value is below a threshold value. In addition, although FIG. 9 shows an aspect in which the threshold value for the comparison target is set uniformly over the position of the moving body part to be inspected and the movable range of the moving body part, the threshold value for the comparison target The threshold value may be changed for each part. For example, within the movable range of a moving body part, a threshold value set at a position where no moving body part currently exists may be set larger than a threshold value set at a position where a moving body part currently exists.

In the first guide function, the guide unit 14 performs guidance such that the pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected is below a threshold value, as shown in arrow image R2a1 and comment image R2a2 in FIG. 10, for example. This suggests how the ultrasonic probe 200 should be tilted or how the fixture B1 that fixes the ultrasonic probe 200 should be loosened. Note that the guide image in FIG. 10 shows, for example, a state in which the pressing pressure acting on the moving body part to be inspected exceeds a threshold on the lower side of the moving body part to be inspected (on the right side in the tomographic image). In order to resolve this problem, it has been suggested that the fixation of the proximal end of the ultrasound probe 200 should be loosened.

In addition, in the guide image of FIG. 10, the fixing mode of the ultrasound probe 200 is guided only in the one-dimensional direction corresponding to the arrangement direction of the transducer array 200aa (that is, the lateral direction of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200). However, the guide section 14 changes the inclination of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 along the vertical direction depending on the pressure distribution in the longitudinal direction of the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200. You may also make suggestions such as:

When realizing the second guide function, the guide unit 14 refers to the position of the immobile body part set in the advance information setting unit 11 and the position of the immobile body part detected by the body position detection unit 12, for example. Then, the direction and amount of positional deviation of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position due to the ultrasonic probe 200 being fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1 are calculated. Then, the guide unit 14 provides guidance to encourage movement of the ultrasound probe 200 based on, for example, the direction and amount of positional shift of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position.

In the second guide function, the guidance performed by the guide unit 14 is, for example, as shown in arrow image R2b1 and comment image R2b2 in FIG. 10, in which direction and by what distance should the ultrasound probe 200 be moved? This indicates whether the ultrasound probe 200 returns to the target fixed position. In the guide image of FIG. 10, for example, when the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1, the ultrasound probe 200 moves upward from the target fixation position (to the left on the tomographic image). Because of the deviation, it is suggested that the ultrasound probe 200 be moved toward the proximal end in order to return the state to the target fixed position.

FIGS. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing various aspects in which the guide section 14 represents the magnitude of pressure and the magnitude of positional deviation in the first guide function and the second guide function. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the guide unit 14 expresses the magnitude of pressure and the amount of positional deviation by the color of the arrow, the length of the arrow, the thickness of the arrow, or the number of arrows. It's okay.

[Operation flow of control device]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 10. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is, for example, a process that is repeatedly executed by the control device 10 at predetermined intervals (for example, at 100 ms intervals) according to a computer program.

In step S1, the control device 10 determines whether there is a command from the user to execute a preparation mode (here, it means a preparation mode for performing an ultrasonic examination of a moving body part). Here, if there is an instruction to execute the preparation mode (S1: YES), the control device 10 advances the process to step S2, and if there is no instruction to execute the preparation mode (S1: NO), the control device 10 specifically executes the process. The process of the flowchart in FIG. 12 ends.

In step S2, the control device 10 causes the ultrasound probe 200 to transmit and receive ultrasound, and generates a tomographic image of the subject P1. Note that, at this time, the control device 10 may execute the process of generating a tomographic image of the subject P1 based on the user's operation.

Note that the control device 10 may measure the initial value of the pressure sensor 201 and calibrate the sensor value of the pressure sensor 201 before the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1. This is because the sensor value of the pressure sensor 201 may not indicate zero even before fixation due to various factors.

In step S3, the control device 10 determines, in the tomographic image generated in step S2, a region of a moving body part to be examined (including a movable range) and an area of a non-moving body part not to be examined, based on the user's selection operation. area in its own memory (for example, RAM).

In step S4, the control device 10 waits for an input operation from the user indicating that tightening of the fixture B1 has been completed (that is, that the ultrasound probe 200 has been fixed to the subject P1 with the fixture B1) (S4 : NO), if there is an input operation indicating that the fastening of the fixture B1 is completed (S4: YES), the process advances to step S5.

In step S5, the control device 10 causes the ultrasound probe 200 to transmit and receive ultrasound to generate a tomographic image of the subject P1. Note that, at this time, the control device 10 may execute the process of generating a tomographic image of the subject P1 based on the user's operation.

In step S6, the control device 10 detects the moving body part (including the movable range) and the immobile body part set in step S3 in the tomographic image generated in step S5, and determines their positions in the tomographic image. is stored in its own memory (eg, RAM).

In step S7, the control device 10 determines the position of the immobile body part before fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1 set in step S3 and the position of the immobile body part before fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1 detected in step S6. Based on the position of the immobile body part after being fixed, the direction and amount of positional deviation of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position are calculated.

In step S8, the control device 10 determines the pressure exerted on the subject P1 at each position on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200, based on the sensor signals from each of the plurality of pressure sensors 201 of the ultrasound probe 200. (that is, the pressure distribution acting on the subject P1) is detected.

In step S9, the control device 10 provides guidance to the examiner to optimize the fixing state of the ultrasound probe 200 based on the processing results of steps S6 to S8. At this time, the control device 10 determines that, for example, the pressing pressure exerted by the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 detected in step S8 on the position of the moving body part (and movable range) of the subject P1 exceeds a threshold value. Guidance will be given on how to fix the ultrasonic probe 200 (change the inclination of the ultrasonic probe 200, change the fixing method of the fixture B1) to prevent the ultrasonic probe 200 from exceeding the limit. Also, at this time, the control device 10 controls the ultrasonic probe 200 on the screen displayed on the tomographic image generation unit 3, for example, based on the direction and amount of positional deviation of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the target fixed position. Guidance is provided to encourage movement to return to the target fixed position.

In step S10, the control device 10 determines whether the ultrasonic probe 200 is properly fixed. Then, if the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is not appropriate (S10: NO), the control device 10 returns to step S4 again and executes the processes of steps S4 to S9 to ensure that the fixed state of the ultrasonic probe 200 is appropriate. If so (S10: YES), the process of the flowchart in FIG. 12 ends. Note that the criterion for determining whether the fixed state of the ultrasound probe 200 is appropriate is, for example, that the pressing pressure acting on each position of the moving body part (and movable range) of the subject P1 is below a threshold value. and whether the amount of positional deviation of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

[effect]
As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus A according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide guidance to the examiner to optimize the fixation state of the ultrasound probe 200. That is, this can prevent the moving body part to be examined (and its movable range) from being restrained by the ultrasound probe 200. In addition, as a result, when performing an ultrasonic inspection of a moving body part to be inspected, the fixed position of the ultrasonic probe 200 deviates from the target fixed position, and the state of movement of the moving body part to be inspected is changed as a whole. It is possible to prevent things from becoming incomprehensible.

(Modification 1-1)
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

The modification shown in FIG. 13 uses a plurality of pressure sensors 201 provided on the surface 200b of the ultrasound probe 200 opposite to the object side surface 200a, so that each position on the object side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 is adjusted. A method of detecting pressure acting on a moving body part of a subject P1 is shown. In this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects the pressure acting between the ultrasound probe 200 and the fixture B1, and indirectly detects the side surface of the subject of the ultrasound probe 200 from the detected pressure. Each position of 200a detects the pressure acting on the subject P1.

(Modification 1-2)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection section 13.

The modification shown in FIG. 14 uses a plurality of pressure sensors 201 provided on the contact surface B1a of the fixture B1 with the ultrasonic probe 200, so that each position on the side surface 200a of the subject of the ultrasonic probe 200 is adjusted to the subject P1. This shows a method for detecting the pressure acting on. In this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects the pressure acting between the ultrasonic probe 200 and the fixture B1, and indirectly detects the side surface of the subject of the ultrasonic probe 200 from the detected pressure. Each position of 200a detects the pressure acting on the subject P1.

(Modification 1-3)
15 and 16 are diagrams showing other modifications of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

The modification shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 uses a change in the thickness of an elastic member (for example, an acoustic coupler) C1 provided between the ultrasound probe 200 and the subject P1 to 200a shows a method of detecting the pressure acting on the subject P1 at each position.

The thickness of the elastic member C1 changes depending on the pressure exerted on the subject P1 by the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200, and the thickness varies depending on the area of the elastic member C1 reflected in the tomographic image (Fig. 16). Therefore, in this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 calculates the thickness of each position in the scanning direction of the elastic member C1 that appears in the tomographic image, and uses the ultrasound probe 200 based on the thickness of each position of the elastic member C1. The pressure acting on the subject P1 at each position on the subject side surface 200a (where pressure = strain in the thickness direction of the elastic member C1 x elastic modulus of the elastic member C1) is detected.

(Modification 1-4)
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another modification of the pressure detection method by the pressure distribution detection unit 13.

In the modification shown in FIG. 17, each position on the side surface 200a of the subject of the ultrasound probe 200 is determined by using changes in the hardness of the living body part in the subject P1 before and after fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1. A method of detecting pressure acting on the subject P1 is shown.

When the ultrasound probe 200 is pressed, the body part within the subject P1 generally changes in hardness according to the pressure. In this modification, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 is configured to detect various parts of the subject P1 in the elasticity imaging mode (also referred to as elastography imaging mode) in a state before the ultrasound probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1. After the ultrasonic probe 200 is fixed to the subject P1, the hardness of the tissue P1d present at each position within the subject P1 is detected again in the elasticity imaging mode. Then, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects changes in the hardness of tissues present at each position within the subject P1 based on the elasticity images before and after fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1, and thereby , the pressure exerted on the subject P1 at each position on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 is detected.

At this time, the pressure distribution detection unit 13 detects the ultrasonic probe 200 in place of changes in the hardness of tissues existing at each position within the subject P1 before and after fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1. Each position of the side surface 200a of the subject P1 of the ultrasound probe 200 acts on the subject P1 by using the change in the thickness of the tissue existing at each position within the subject P1 before and after fixing the ultrasound probe 200 to the subject P1. Alternatively, the pressure may be detected.

The pressure distribution detection unit 13 uses the above-described modification example instead of or in addition to the pressure detection method according to the above embodiment (method using the pressure sensor 201 provided on the subject side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200). One or more pressure sensing techniques may be used.

In addition, in Modification 1-3 and Modification 1-4, the pressure sensor 201 is not provided in the ultrasound probe 200, and the pressure exerted on the specimen P1 at each position on the specimen side surface 200a of the ultrasound probe 200 is measured. It is useful in that it is possible to detect.

(Modification 2-1)
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a modification of the guiding method by the guiding section 14.

The modification shown in FIG. 18 shows a guidance mode in which a guidance image for optimizing the fixation state of the ultrasound probe 200 is displayed on the monitor 5 so as to be superimposed on the tomographic image. According to this modification, there is no need for an area for displaying the guide image in the display image displayed on the monitor 5, so that it is possible to display the tomographic image in an enlarged manner.

(Modification 2-2)
19A to 19C are diagrams showing other modified examples of the guiding method by the guiding section 14. FIG.

The modified examples shown in FIGS. 19A to 19C show a mode in which LED lamps 202 and 203 provided on the ultrasound probe 200 provide guidance for optimizing the fixation state of the ultrasound probe 200. Note that FIG. 19B is a diagram showing an example of how to express the pressure state acting on a moving body part using the LED lamp 202 in the configuration of the ultrasonic probe 200 shown in FIG. 19A, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of expressing a positional deviation state of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position using the LED lamp 203 in the configuration of the ultrasound probe 200 shown in FIG.

In this modification, the LED lamp 202 is a lamp that lights up according to the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1, and is provided on the side of the ultrasound probe 200 in the longitudinal direction (transducer row) of the ultrasound probe 200. A plurality of (in this case, five) are provided along the array direction (in the arrangement direction of ). The lighting of the plurality of LED lamps 202 is controlled individually. Further, in this modification, the LED lamp 203 is a lamp that lights up according to the positional deviation direction and positional deviation amount of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position, and the A plurality (five in this case) are provided along the longitudinal direction (the arrangement direction of the transducer rows).

In this modification, when it is detected that there is a position where the pressure acting on the moving body part is greater than a threshold value, the guide unit 14 controls one of the plurality of LED lamps 202 to act on the moving body part. The LED lamps 202 at positions where the pressure is greater than the threshold are turned on (see FIG. 19B). Also, at this time, the guide unit 14 expresses how much larger the pressure acting on the moving body part is than the threshold value, for example, by the amount of light emitted from the LED lamp 202 that is turned on. This allows the examiner to understand from the lighting position of the LED lamp 202 how to change the fixed state of the ultrasound probe 200 in order to keep the pressure acting on the moving body part below the threshold value. becomes possible.

Further, when a positional deviation of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position is detected, the guide unit 14 selects, for example, one of the plurality of LED lamps 203 that is located in a direction corresponding to the positional deviation direction. 203 (see FIG. 19C). Further, at this time, the guide unit 14 expresses the amount of positional deviation by, for example, the amount of light emitted from the LED lamp 203 to be lit. This allows the examiner to understand how to change the fixation state of the ultrasound probe 200 in order to bring the ultrasound probe 200 closer to the target fixation position from the lighting position of the LED lamp 203. It becomes possible.

(Modification 2-3)
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another modification of the guiding method by the guiding section 14.

The modification shown in FIG. 20 shows a mode in which an LED lamp 204 and a changeover switch 205 provided on the ultrasound probe 200 provide guidance for optimizing the fixed state of the ultrasound probe 200. In this modification, the LED lamp 204 is provided to express the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1 and to express the positional deviation state of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position. A plurality of lamps (in this case, five lamps) are provided on the side surface of the ultrasound probe 200 along the longitudinal direction of the ultrasound probe 200 (the direction in which the transducer rows are arranged). The lighting of the plurality of LED lamps 204 is controlled individually. In addition, in this transformation, the switching switch 205 is a pressure status that acts on the dynamic body of the subject P1, or the indicator of the ultrasonic probe 200 is displaced from the target fixed position of the ultrasonic probe 200. This is a switch operated by the user to change the state.

In this modification, the method of expressing the pressure state acting on the moving body part and the method of expressing the positional deviation state of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position are the same as in FIGS. 19B and 19C, respectively. In this modification, when the mode selected by the changeover switch 205 is a mode that expresses the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1, the guide unit 14 displays a plurality of LED lamps 204. expresses the pressure state acting on the moving body part of the subject P1. In addition, in this modification, when the mode selected by the changeover switch 205 is a mode that expresses the positional deviation state of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position, the guide unit 14 The LED lamp 204 represents the positional deviation state of the ultrasound probe 200 from the target fixed position.

Note that the switching control of the guidance content expressed by the LED lamps 204 may be performed automatically on a time-sharing basis instead of the user's operation. In that case, it is preferable to provide an identification lamp to make it possible to identify the guidance content currently expressed by the LED lamp 204.

In the modified examples shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the amount of light emitted from the LED lamps 202, 203, and 204 is used to express the amount of pressure acting on the moving body part or the amount of positional deviation. For example, it may be expressed by the number of lit LED lamps.

The guide unit 14 uses the above-described modification instead of or in addition to the guide method according to the above embodiment (the method of providing guidance to the examiner to optimize the fixation state using a guide image displayed on the monitor 5). One or more of the example guidance techniques may be used.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above.

According to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to support an examiner in fixing an ultrasound probe.

A Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 1 Transmitting section 2 Receiving section 3 Tomographic image generating section 4 Display processing section 5 Monitor 6 Operation input section 10 Control device 11 Prior information setting section 12 Living body position detecting section 13 Pressure distribution detecting section 14 Guide part 200 Ultrasonic probe 200a Object side surface 200aa Transducer row 201 Pressure sensor P1 Object B1 Fixture C1 Elastic member

Claims (12)

Using a fixture, the ultrasound probe is pressed and fixed against the subject , and the subject is made to perform a predetermined joint movement, and the joint part that moves in accordance with the predetermined joint movement of the subject is movable. An ultrasonic diagnostic device applied to an ultrasonic test for inspecting a condition ,
a pressure distribution detection unit that detects the pressure exerted on the subject at each position on a side surface of the subject of the ultrasonic probe after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
a living body position detection unit that detects the position of the joint based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
Based on the detection results of the pressure distribution detecting section and the living body position detecting section, the ultrasonic probe is applied to the examiner so that the pressure exerted on the joint by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a threshold value. a guide section that provides guidance for optimizing the fixing state of the
An ultrasonic diagnostic device equipped with: The guide unit is configured to detect the position of the second living body part within the subject, which is set on the tomographic image of the subject, before the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject by the fixture, and the position of the second biological part within the subject, Based on the position of the second biological part detected on the tomographic image of the subject after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture. calculating the amount and direction of positional deviation of the ultrasound probe due to being fixed to the subject, and performing the guidance including information regarding the amount and direction of positional deviation;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The second biological part is an outer surface part or a skeletal part ,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2. The biological position detection unit detects a range of movement of the joint in the tomographic image based on the tomographic image taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture ,
The guiding unit performs the guiding so that the pressure exerted on the subject by the ultrasound probe does not exceed the threshold at each position in the movable range of the joint .
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The biological position detection unit includes the tomographic image taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, and the tomographic image taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture. Detecting the position of the joint after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, based on the image of the joint set on the previously taken tomographic image. do,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The pressure distribution detection unit is a pressure sensor disposed on a surface of the ultrasound probe facing the subject, a pressure sensor disposed on a surface of the ultrasound probe facing the fixture, or Based on sensor signals acquired from at least one of the pressure sensors disposed on the surface of the fixture facing the ultrasonic probe, each position of the side surface of the object of the ultrasonic probe is adjusted to the object. detect the pressure acting on the
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The pressure distribution detection unit includes the tomographic image taken before the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, and the tomographic image taken before the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture. based on the tomographic image taken after the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, Calculate the thickness displacement amount at each position of the elastic member,
Detecting the pressure acting on the subject at each position of the side surface of the subject of the ultrasound probe from the amount of thickness displacement at each position of the elastic member;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The pressure distribution detection unit includes an elasticity image taken before the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture, and an elasticity image taken before the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture. Based on the elasticity image photographed later, the amount of change in hardness or thickness displacement of the tissue at each position within the subject due to the ultrasound probe being fixed to the subject with the fixing device. Calculate the amount,
Detecting the pressure exerted on the subject at each position on the side surface of the subject of the ultrasound probe from the amount of change in hardness or the amount of thickness displacement of the tissue at each position within the subject;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The guide unit provides the guide using an image displayed on a screen of a monitor of a main body of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The guide section performs the guide in a lighting mode of a lighting device provided on the ultrasound probe.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Using a fixture, the ultrasound probe is pressed and fixed against the subject , and the subject is made to perform a predetermined joint movement, and the joint part that moves in accordance with the predetermined joint movement of the subject is movable. A method of controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic device applied to an ultrasonic test for inspecting a condition , the method comprising:
a first step of detecting pressure acting on the subject at each position of the ultrasound probe on a side surface of the subject after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
a second step of detecting the position of the joint based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture ;
Based on the detection results of the first step and the second step, the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the examiner so that the pressure exerted on the joint by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a threshold value. A third step of providing guidance to optimize the condition;
A method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising: Using a fixture, the ultrasound probe is pressed and fixed against the subject , and the subject is made to perform a predetermined joint movement, and the joint part that moves in accordance with the predetermined joint movement of the subject is movable. A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic device applied to an ultrasonic test for inspecting a condition ,
a first step of detecting pressure acting on the subject at each position of the ultrasound probe on a side surface of the subject after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture;
a second step of detecting the position of the joint based on a tomographic image of the subject taken after the ultrasound probe is fixed to the subject with the fixture ;
Based on the detection results of the first step and the second step, the ultrasonic probe is fixed to the examiner so that the pressure exerted on the joint by the ultrasonic probe does not exceed a threshold value. A third step of providing guidance to optimize the condition;
A control program for an ultrasonic diagnostic device.

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