JPH0221262B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention detects the maximum and minimum values of an ultrasound echo signal, and based on these detected values, converts an ultrasound image of an arbitrary specified region from zero gradation to maximum gradation. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device that automatically changes and displays information up to the key.

[Technical background of the invention]

In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, a dynamic range is manually selected according to the amount of information while viewing a B-mode ultrasonic image 30 displayed on a screen 31 of a display means. However, attempts have been made to impart gradation to ultrasound images.

That is, when the ultrasonic echo signal shown in Fig. 2a is input to the transmitting/receiving circuit of an ultrasonic diagnostic device, an arbitrary dynamic range is manually selected for this echo signal, and the dynamic range is changed as shown in Fig. 2b. In order to display images in full gradation within the minimum and maximum ranges, images were displayed in full gradation based on the appearance of the B-mode image.

Further, after converting an ultrasonic echo signal into a digital signal, gamma correction to correct the signal level and windowing operation to select the output range were performed manually.

[Problems with background technology]

In the conventional equipment described above, the dynamic range was manually switched depending on the appearance of the ultrasound image, regardless of the maximum or minimum value of the echo signal. There was a problem in that it was not possible to reliably display images using the gradation function.

For example, if an echo signal obtained from an initial tumor has a small amplitude difference between the tumor and neighboring tissues and is below a predetermined gradation resolution, the above-mentioned conventional device would not be able to match both at the same gradation. There was a problem that the image was displayed and the tumor part could not be detected.

Moreover, it has been impossible for conventional devices to detect the dynamic range of the echo signal of an ultrasonic image of only a specific designated region and to display only that designated region in full gradation.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by detecting the dynamic range of the echo signal of any designated region and displaying the designated region in full gradation, the present invention aims at early detection of lesions and is effective in diagnosis. The object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device that can improve

[Summary of the invention]

The outline of the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows: an ultrasonic probe; an input-side data processing means for processing echo signals obtained from the probe as necessary;
First and second storage means for storing the output of the input side data processing means, and the maximum and minimum values of data in a predetermined range are determined from the data stored in the second storage means and correspond to the amplitude thereof. a determining means for outputting a control signal; an output-side data processing means for processing the output of the first storage means; a display means for displaying an ultrasound image based on the output of the output-side data processing means; and the second storage. cursor area specifying means for specifying a predetermined range of the means, and the operation of the input-side data processing means or the output-side data processing means is controlled by a control signal from the discriminating means.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves into a living body and receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves and converts them into echo signals that are electrical signals. 2 is an input side data processing means, which includes a transmitting/receiving circuit 3 that sends an excitation signal for exciting the ultrasound probe 1 and receives an echo signal, a detection and dynamic range switching circuit 4, and an analog-to-digital conversion circuit (hereinafter referred to as (referred to as an "A/D conversion circuit") 5.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a first storage means, which includes a line memory 6, a frame memory 7, and an output memory 8.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an output side data processing means, which includes at least a digital-to-analog conversion circuit (hereinafter referred to as A/D conversion circuit) 10a.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a display means for displaying an ultrasound image based on the output signal from the output side data processing means 10, and can be configured by, for example, a television monitor or an XY monitor.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a second storage means consisting of a digital memory, which is adapted to capture and store the output signal of the A/D conversion circuit 5. Reference numeral 13 denotes a determining means, which includes a maximum value detection circuit 14 and a minimum value detection circuit 15 that detect the maximum value and minimum value of the digital data in the second storage means 12, and determines the amplitude of the maximum value and minimum value based on the detection results thereof. The control logic circuit 16 sends a control signal corresponding to the A/D conversion circuit 5 to the A/D conversion circuit 5.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a cursor area specifying means for specifying the cursor position on the display means 11, and the output side data processing means 10 and the second storage means 12 are controlled by the cursor area specifying signal sent from the cursor area specifying means 17. .

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with the above configuration will be described in the fourth section.
This will be explained with reference to an explanatory diagram of cursor designation for the ultrasonic B-mode image on the display means 11 shown in the figure and the echo signal waveform diagrams shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

It is assumed that when an echo signal is received, an ultrasonic B-mode image shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the screen 31 of the display means 11, and a specific designated region is set with the cursor K.

At this time, the fifth wave detected by the input side data processing means 2 and the dynamic range switching circuit 4
The echo signals shown in FIGS. a and b are converted into digital data by the A/D conversion circuit 5 and stored in the first storage means 9.

Digital data, which is the output signal of the A/D conversion circuit 5, is simultaneously captured and stored in the second storage means 12. The second storage means 12 is controlled by a cursor designation signal from the cursor area designation means 17, and sends only the digital data within a specific designated area to the maximum value detection circuit 14 and the minimum value detection circuit 15 of the discrimination means 13.

The maximum value detection circuit 14 detects the maximum value of the input digital data and sends the detection result to the control logic circuit 16.

The minimum value detection circuit 15 detects the minimum value of the input digital data and sends the detection result to the control logic circuit 16.

The control logic circuit 16 sends a control signal corresponding to the amplitude between the maximum value and the minimum value to the A/D conversion circuit 5 based on the two detection results.

This control signal determines the bits to be used by the A/D conversion circuit 5, and the dynamic range of the A/D conversion circuit 5 is automatically switched in accordance with the amplitude of the digital data within the area specified by the cursor K.

The output of the A/D conversion circuit 5 passes through a line memory 6, a frame memory 7, and an output memory 8, and is then sent to the output side data processing means 1, which is controlled by a cursor designation signal.
0 and is converted into an analog signal corresponding to the designated area and sent to the display means 11.

By repeating this operation for each echo signal for each ultrasonic repetition period as shown in FIG. tone,
For example, the ultrasound image within the specified region will be displayed in 32 gradations, 64 gradations, etc.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and parts having the same functions as the device shown in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The difference between the device shown in the figure and the first embodiment is as follows.
The detection and dynamic range switching circuit 4 is controlled by the control signal sent from the determining means 13.

In this case, the control signal automatically switches the dynamic range of the detection and dynamic range switching circuit 4 in accordance with the amplitude of the digital data at the specified location, and sends the output to the A/D conversion circuit 5. /D conversion, and then sent to the display means 11 via the first storage means 9 and the output side data processing means 10 as in the first embodiment, and the ultrasound image of the specified region is displayed on the display means 11 for detection and dynamization. The image is displayed at a gradation determined by the dynamic range of the range switching circuit 4.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and the difference between the device shown in the figure and the device shown in FIG. and that the output side data processing means 10 is equipped with a γ correction circuit 18 that stores a plurality of γ correction curves in advance, and a γ correction switching circuit 19 that controls this γ correction circuit 18. .

In this case, the γ correction circuit 18 is controlled by the control signal via the γ correction switching circuit 19 to select the γ correction curve. As a result, the ultrasonic image of the designated region is displayed on the display means 11 in a gradation determined by the characteristics of the γ correction curve.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the difference between the device shown in the figure and the device shown in FIG. This is a corresponding increase, and the output side data processing means 10 is equipped with a windowing circuit 20 and a windowing switching circuit 21 that controls this windowing circuit.

In this case, the control signal causes the windowing circuit 2 to pass through the windowing switching circuit 21.
0 and automatically determines the window shape, that is, the output range, from among the digital data sent from the output memory 8.

As a result, the ultrasonic image of the designated region is displayed on the display means 11 in a gradation determined by the window shape.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, a specific region can be designated by using a cursor or the like to designate the entire B-mode screen, or by manually changing the dynamic range as in conventional devices.

It is also possible to display these two types of ultrasound images on the display means at the same time.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention described in detail above, the maximum value and minimum value of the ultrasonic signal of a specified region are detected by the discrimination means, and the dynamic range of the input side data processing means or the output side data processing means is automatically switched. Since it is designed to display images, it is possible to resolve ultrasonic echo signals having amplitude differences that are less than the gradation resolution in the case of conventional devices.

Therefore, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can automatically perform zooming display regarding the gradation of a designated region while improving resolution, and can contribute to early detection of lesions.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an ultrasonic B-mode image displayed on the display means of an ultrasonic diagnostic device, Fig. 2a
2 is a waveform diagram of an ultrasound echo detection output signal, FIG. 2b is an explanatory diagram showing a state of full gradation display by a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of cursor designation by the device shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 a,
b is an explanatory diagram showing the state of detection of the maximum and minimum values of the echo signal and full gradation display by the apparatus shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Ultrasonic probe, 2... Input side data processing means, 3... Transmission/reception circuit, 4... Detection and dynamic range switching circuit, 5... A/D conversion circuit, 6... Line memory, 7... ...Frame memory, 8...Output memory, 9...First storage means, 10...Output side data processing means, 10a
...D/A conversion circuit, 11...Display means, 12...
...Second storage means, 13...Discrimination means, 14...
Maximum value detection circuit, 15...Minimum value detection circuit, 16
...Control logic circuit, 17...Cursor area specifying means, 18...γ correction circuit, 19...
γ correction switching circuit, 20... windowing circuit, 21... windowing switching circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe, input-side data processing means for processing echo signals obtained from the probe as necessary, and first and second storage means for storing the output of the input-side data processing means. and the maximum value of data in a predetermined range from the data stored in the second storage means,
a determining means for determining the minimum value and outputting a control signal corresponding to the amplitude thereof; an output-side data processing means for processing the output of the first storage means; and displaying an ultrasound image based on the output of the output-side data processing means. and a cursor area specifying means for specifying a predetermined range of the second storage means, and controlling the operation of the input side data processing means or the output side data processing means by the control signal of the discrimination means. Features of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 2. The input side data processing means has an A/D conversion circuit, and controls the bits used by the A/D conversion circuit according to the control signal to determine the amplitude range of the echo signal within the designated area designated by the cursor area designation means. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gradation display corresponding to the gradation is performed. 3. The input side data processing means has a detection and dynamic range switching circuit, and the dynamic range is switched in response to the control signal in accordance with the amplitude range of the echo signal within the specified region. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The output side data processing means has a γ correction circuit that stores a plurality of types of γ correction curves and a γ correction switching circuit, and controls the γ correction switching circuit according to the control signal to generate an echo signal within a designated region. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a γ correction curve corresponding to an amplitude range of is determined. 5. The output-side data processing means includes a windowing circuit that determines the output range of the echo signal and a windowing switching circuit, and controls the windowing switching circuit using the control signal to change the amplitude range of the echo signal of the designated area. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a window shape corresponding to the shape of the window is selected.