JPH04354290A - Image diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve diagnostic efficiency by storing diagnostic image data in another storage device separate from a storage device and outputting the diagnostic image data in a video printer. CONSTITUTION:To a video printer 10, the diagnostic image data are inputted via a storage device 11 to which the diagnostic image data stored in a frame memory 5 is transferred and store in. That is, the storage device 11 is provided separately from the frame memory from which the diagnostic image data are outputted to a display device 7, the diagnostic image data are stored in the storage device 11, and the diagnostic image data stored in the storage device 11 are outputted to the video printer 10. Accordingly, even during the driving of the video printer 10, next diagnostic can be continued. Thus, even when the image data shall be recorded in the video printer 10, the diagnostic can be immediately executed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an image diagnostic apparatus.
In particular, the present invention relates to an image diagnostic apparatus that can record diagnostic image data on a video printer.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus displays its diagnostic images on a display device such as a CRT, and
Some are designed to be recorded on video printers.

For example, in the case of color image data (CFM image), this video printer requires several tens of seconds per frame.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with such an ultrasonic diagnostic device, while the video printer is recording, although the diagnosis itself can be performed, it is difficult to record the results of the diagnosis. If a user wishes to record a certain diagnostic image on a video printer, it is necessary to wait until the video printer finishes recording the diagnosis.

[0005] For this reason, for example, when performing each diagnosis in sequence that requires recording on a video printer, the next diagnosis cannot be performed unless the video printer recording for each diagnosis is completed. .

[0006] Therefore, there remains the problem that no consideration has been given to improving diagnostic efficiency.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to eliminate the need to record image data on a video printer in the next diagnosis. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image diagnostic apparatus that can immediately carry out the diagnosis even in cases where the diagnosis cannot be made, thereby improving the efficiency of the diagnosis.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve such an object, the present invention basically stores diagnostic image data in a storage means, and stores the diagnostic image data stored in this storage means. In an image diagnostic apparatus that outputs the diagnostic image data stored in the storage means to a display device, the diagnostic image data stored in the storage means is stored in a storage device separate from the storage device, and the diagnostic image data stored in this storage device is displayed as a video. It is characterized in that it is configured to be output to a printer.

[0009]

[Operation] The image diagnostic apparatus configured as described above is provided with a storage device separate from the storage means (frame memory) for causing the display device to output diagnostic image data, and the diagnostic image data is stored in this storage device. The diagnostic image data stored in this storage device is output to a video printer.

[0010] In this way, especially by providing a storage device for outputting diagnostic image data to the video printer, it becomes possible to continue the next diagnosis even while the video printer is being driven.

[0011] That is, even if the next diagnosis is performed, the resulting diagnostic image data is stored in the frame memory (storage means), and after the diagnosis is completed, the diagnostic image data stored in the frame memory is By transferring the data to the storage device, it can be recorded on a video printer.

[0012] From this, even if it is necessary to record the image data on a video printer in the next diagnosis, the diagnosis can be carried out immediately, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency. become.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and particularly shows a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In the figure, there is an ultrasonic probe 1 that is used in contact with a subject (not shown). This ultrasonic probe 1 is driven by an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit 2.

A reflected echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 1 when the ultrasonic probe 1 is driven is received by the ultrasonic transmitting/receiving circuit 2 .

[0016] Here, the reflected echo signal is, for example, an ultrasonic signal for obtaining a tomographic image of the subject.

The output consisting of an analog signal from the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver circuit 2 is input to an A/D converter 3, and the A/D
The converter 3 converts the signal into a digital signal.

The output from the A/D converter 3 is stored in the frame memory 5 via the buffer memory 4 as diagnostic image data.

The frame memory 4 has pixels corresponding to a display device 7 to be described later, and information is written in correspondence with the display of the display device 7.

[0020]The output from the frame memory 4 is
The signal is input to a D/A converter 6 and converted into a digital signal by the D/A converter 6.

The output from the A/D converter 6, which is converted into a digital signal, is input to a display device 7 made of, for example, a CRT, and a diagnostic image is displayed on the display device 7.

It should be noted that the buffer memory 4 and frame memory 5 are capable of performing various types of image processing.
This is done through processing control.

Note that the A/D converter 3, buffer memory 4, frame memory 4, D/A converter 6, and CPU 9 constitute a so-called digital scan converter (DSC). . Although this digital scan converter is not shown,
It also converts ultrasonic scanning into TV signal scanning.

In this embodiment, a video printer 10 is particularly provided.
0, diagnostic image data is inputted via a storage device 11 that transfers and stores the diagnostic image data stored in the frame memory 5.

This storage device 11 is controlled by command signals from the keyboard 8 via the CPU 9.

That is, in addition to the operation keys for controlling the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the keyboard 8 includes, in particular, (1)
Key for transferring and storing diagnostic image data from the frame memory 5 to the storage device 11 (2) Key for labeling the stored information (for each frame) when transferring and storing it in the storage device 11 (3) Key for labeling the stored information (for each frame) Based on this, the corresponding diagnostic image data is displayed on the display device 7.
(4) A key for outputting the corresponding diagnostic image data to the video printer 10 based on the labeling.

Here, by operating the key corresponding to (1) above, a signal to that effect is input from the CPU 9 to the controller 11A in the storage device 11, and the diagnostic image data stored in the frame memory 5 is inputted. is stored in the storage device 11.

At this time, this diagnostic image data can also be labeled. By operating the keys corresponding to (2) above, the controller 1
A signal to that effect is input to 1A to accomplish this.

In this case, the storage device 11 includes a plurality of memories corresponding to the frame memory 11B, as shown in FIG. For example, frame memory 1 corresponding to 1, 2, 3, ..., N
The diagnostic image data is stored in each 1B.

Then, by operating the key corresponding to (4) above, the frame memory 11B corresponding to the specified labeling is selected from the plurality of frame memories 11B in the storage device 11, and the selected frame memory The diagnostic image data in 11B is output to the video printer 10.

[0031] In this example, the above (3)
The information can also be displayed on the display device 7 by operating a key corresponding to .

As explained above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured in this manner has a storage device 11 separate from the frame memory 5 for outputting diagnostic image data to the display device 7.
The diagnostic image data is stored in the storage device 11, and the diagnostic image data stored in the storage device 11 is output to the video printer 10.

In this way, especially by providing the storage device 11 for outputting diagnostic image data to the video printer 10, it is possible to continue the next diagnosis even while the video printer 10 is being driven. become.

That is, even if the next diagnosis is performed, the resulting diagnostic image data is stored in the frame memory 5, and after the diagnosis is completed, the diagnostic image data obtained by the next diagnosis is stored in the frame memory 5.
By transferring the diagnostic image data stored in the storage device 11 to the storage device 11, the diagnostic image data can be recorded on the video printer 10.

Therefore, even if the image data must be recorded on the video printer 10 in the next diagnosis, the diagnosis can be carried out immediately, thereby improving the efficiency of diagnosis. It becomes like this.

[0036] Such effects will be explained in comparison with the conventional case.

FIG. 3(a) shows the conventional case. After the diagnosis (creating a diagnostic image) is completed, the diagnostic image data is printed on a video printer, and the next diagnosis is performed, and the above steps are repeated. Therefore, the diagnosis cannot be performed while the diagnostic image data is being output to the video printer.

FIG. 3(b) shows the case of this embodiment. Immediately after the diagnosis is completed, the next diagnosis can be carried out. When printing the diagnostic image data from the previous diagnosis onto the video printer, it becomes possible to print the diagnostic image data from the previous diagnosis in parallel with the next diagnosis.

In the embodiment described above, the storage device 11 is provided with a plurality of frame memories so that a plurality of diagnostic image data can be stored, but the present invention is not limited to this.
There may be only one frame memory.

In the above-described embodiment, the storage device for storing the diagnostic image data to be output to the video printer is newly provided, but an existing storage device used for other purposes may also be used. good. In short, the storage device is separate from the storage means for causing the display device to output diagnostic images, and any storage device that can store the diagnostic image data stored in the storage means is sufficient. Not even.

[0041] In the above embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it can be applied to magnetic resonance imaging devices and X-ray diagnostic devices.

[0042]

[Effect of the invention] As is clear from the above explanation,
According to the image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, even if image data must be recorded on a video printer in the next diagnosis, the diagnosis can be carried out immediately, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency. You will be able to do this.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a storage device included in the image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effects of the image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

5...Frame memory, 7...Display device, 10...Video printer, 11A...Storage device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: Storing diagnostic image data in a storage means,
In an image diagnostic apparatus that outputs the diagnostic image data stored in the storage means to a display device, the diagnostic image data stored in the storage means is stored in a storage device separate from the storage means; An image diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the diagnostic image data stored in a storage device is configured to output to a video printer.