JPH05261095A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the observation of an assigned part by changing the gradation characteristic of a part of a display screen from another part accord ing to an operator's operation. CONSTITUTION:Input data is stored in a first memory means 9 when the operator assigns a concern region at the time of receiving an echo signal. Only the digital data of the assigned region is transmitted from a region assigning means 7 to a discriminating means 10. A dynamic range is changed over in a dynamic range changeover circuit 4C by the dynamic range changeover control signal determined in this means and is sent to an output side data processing means 5. The image signal outputted from a DSC 5A is stored into a second memory means 11 in an output side data processing means 5. Only the output data signal of the gamma correction curve controlled by the gamma-correction curve assigning signal from the region assigning means 7 is delivered to the discriminating means 12. The gamma correction is executed in a gamma correction changeover circuit 5D by the gamma correction changeover control signal obtd. in this means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having means for determining a dynamic range of a part of a display image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, while watching the B-mode image 31 displayed on the screen 30 of the display means, the dynamic range (referred to as the display range of the ultrasonic image, the same applies below) is manually selected according to the amount of information, The image had gradation. γ
Also in correction, similarly select the curve by manual operation,
The image was displayed.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the dynamic range and the γ correction curve are manually switched depending on how the ultrasonic image looks, so that the ultrasonic wave is echoed with respect to the echo signal. There is a problem in that it is not possible to accurately display an image using the pre-gradation expression that the diagnostic device has. For example, if the echo signal obtained from the initial tumor has a small amplitude difference between the tumor part and the adjacent tissue and has a predetermined gradation resolution or less, the conventional device displays an image with the same gradation. There was a problem that the tumor part could not be found.

Further, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is impossible to change the image display range and / or the display function for the ultrasonic image of only a specific specified portion. For example, B of the dynamic range 50 shown in FIG. 3A
Even if an attempt is made to narrow the dynamic range of the portion 37 of the mode image 31 to the dynamic range 40 to enhance the gradation of that portion, the dynamic range of the portion 37 shown in FIG. 3B cannot be narrowed. As a result that the dynamic range is narrowed as shown in FIG. 3B and the whole is narrowed like the image 31 ′ of FIG. 3B, the dynamic range of the part 39 which is not the region to be narrowed is similarly narrowed and the floor of the part 39 ′ is reduced. There is a problem that the tonality also increases, and the glaring feeling becomes stronger, and the part 37 ′ for enhancing the gradation becomes difficult to see.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and displays an image by decomposing an ultrasonic echo signal even if the amplitude difference of the ultrasonic echo signal is small and is below a predetermined gradation resolution. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of changing the image display range and / or the display function such as the dynamic range only for a specific designated portion of the ultrasonic image.

[0006]

A first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention comprises an ultrasonic probe, an input side data processing section and an output side data processing section for processing an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, and an output. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an output from the side data processing unit is characterized by having a display range changing unit for changing a display range of the ultrasonic image based on an echo signal. And

The first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention is
An ultrasonic probe, an input side data processing section and an output side data processing section for processing an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic wave having a display means for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an output from the output side data processing section. In the diagnostic device,
It is characterized by further comprising display function changing means for changing the display function of the ultrasonic image based on the echo signal.

Further, in an embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is
An ultrasonic probe, an input side data processing section and an output side data processing section for processing an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasonic wave having a display means for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an output from the output side data processing section. In the diagnostic device,
Display range changing means for inputting an echo signal within a specified display range of an ultrasonic image from the input side data processing section and outputting a display range change control signal to the input side data processing section based on the processing result of the signal. A display function changing means for inputting a signal relating to the display function of the ultrasonic image from the output side data processing means and outputting a display function change control signal to the output side data processing section based on the processing result of the signal. It is characterized by

In the above embodiment, the display range changing means obtains the average value and the standard deviation value from the first storage means and the data stored in the first storage means, and controls corresponding to these values. It is desirable that the input side data processing means is controlled by a control signal output from the first determining means, and the display function changing means and the second storing means. , Second determination means for obtaining an average value and a standard deviation value from the data stored in the second storage means and outputting a control signal corresponding to these values, and output from the second determination means. It is desirable to control the output side data processing means by the control signal.

Further, in the above preferred embodiment, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the input side data processing means has a display range switching means, and the display range switching means uses the control signal from the first judging means to display an image display range. The output side data processing means may have a correction means and a correction switching means, and the correction switching means may be controlled by the control signal from the second judging means to determine the correction function curve.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, by providing the area designating means for designating the area in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit, the area designating means and the output side data processing means and the first data processing means. By controlling the storage means and / or the second storage means, the display range and / or the display function of the ultrasonic image in the designated area and outside the designated area can be individually changed.

Further, as a modification of the above-mentioned embodiment, by providing the area designating means for designating the area in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit, the area designating means can serve as the output side data processing means. First storage means and / or
Alternatively, the second storage means may be controlled to change the display range and / or the display function of the ultrasonic image in the designated area and outside the designated area based on the input echo signal.

A dynamic range switching circuit may be used as the display range switching means, a γ curve may be used as the correction function curve, a γ correction circuit may be used as the correction means, and a γ correction switching means circuit may be used as the correction switching means.

[0014]

According to the present invention having the above structure, the echo signal from the input side data processing unit is converted into a digital value, and the value designated as the value of the image display range by the area designating unit is input by the first determining unit. However, since the average value and the standard deviation value are obtained, it can be decomposed even by ultrasonic echoes in a specific display range. Further, since the average value and the standard deviation value of the digital data are obtained, it is possible to decompose even an ultrasonic echo having an amplitude width less than the gradation resolution of the conventional apparatus. Then, the display area switching means of the input side data processing section sends an image signal corresponding to the change in gradation to the output side data processing means in accordance with the display area switching signal sent from the control circuit of the first judging means. , Is displayed on the display unit via the output side data processing means. Further, regarding the curve of the image data input from the output side data processing unit, the value in the range designated by the region designating unit is input by the second determining unit, the average value and the standard deviation value are obtained, and the display function change control signal Is generated, a correction curve is determined, and the image data signal is corrected. Therefore, even if the amplitude difference between the ultrasonic echo signals is small, the ultrasonic echo signals can be decomposed to display an image, and the dynamic range is automatically set only for a specific designated portion of the ultrasonic image. The image display range and / or display function can be changed.

[0015]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic probe 3 that transmits ultrasonic waves into a living body, receives ultrasonic wave echoes, and converts the ultrasonic waves into electric signals (hereinafter referred to as echo signals), an input-side data processing unit, An output side data processing section 5, a CRT 6 as a display means, and a trackball as a pointing device are connected to each other, and an area designating means 7 for designating an area on an ultrasonic image displayed on the CRT 6 and an input side data processing means. 4 detection circuit 4B
A / D conversion circuit 8 for converting an output signal from the digital signal into a digital signal, a storage unit 9 including a digital memory for capturing and storing the output signal of the A / D conversion circuit 8, a first determination unit 10, and a digital memory The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is shown to have a second storage means 11 for fetching and storing the output signal from the DSC 5A which is composed of the output data processing means 5 and a second judgment means 12.

Then, the input side data processing section 4 sends the excitation signal for exciting the ultrasonic probe 3 and matches the reception echo signal wavefront with the transmission / reception circuit 4A which receives the echo signal from the ultrasonic probe 3. The output side data processing unit 5 has a detection circuit 4B for synthesizing and detecting, and a dynamic range switching circuit 4C as a display range changing means of an ultrasonic image, and the output side data processing unit 5 converts the received echo signal into a DSC 5A. And a γ correction circuit 5B in which a plurality of γ curves are stored in advance, a D / A conversion circuit 5C,
and a γ correction switching circuit 5D for switching the γ correction curve, and the first determination means 10 calculates an average value and a standard deviation value of the digital data of the first storage means 9, and an average value calculation circuit 10A, The standard deviation value calculation circuit 10B and the control circuit 1 for sending a dynamic range switching control signal to the dynamic range switching circuit 4C based on these calculation results.
0C, the second determination means 12 is the second storage means 1
An average value calculation circuit 12A and a standard deviation value calculation circuit 12B for calculating an average value and a standard deviation value of 1 digital data;
It has a control circuit 12C that sends out a γ correction switching control signal to the γ correction switching circuit 5B based on these calculation results. Furthermore, the D / A converter 5C of the output data processing means 5,
The first storage means 9 and the second storage means 11 are controlled by the output signal sent from the area designating means 7. Although a trackball is used as the pointing device connected to the area designating means 7 in the present embodiment, the pointing device is not limited to the trackball, and may be a mouse which can be used as a pointing device capable of designating an area on the screen. If

Further, the area designating means 7, the A / D conversion circuit 8, the first storage means 9, and the first judging means 10 can be a configuration example of the display range changing means of the present invention, and the area designating means The means 7, the second storage means 11, and the second determination means 10 can be an example of the configuration of the display function changing means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described by taking the area designation for the B mode image on the screen of the CRT 7 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as an example (FIG. 2 shows the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of a dynamic range change of a part of a base image, and FIG. 3 is an example of a conventional dynamic range change).

When the echo signal is received, the B mode image 21 is displayed on the CRT 7. Then, the operator designates a region of interest (hereinafter, referred to as ROI) 27 with a trackball (not shown) (FIG. 2A).

At this time, the signal detected by the detection circuit 4B of the input side data processing means 4 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 8 and stored in the first storage means 9. The first storage means 9 is controlled by the area designating signal from the area designating means 7, and determines only the digital data in the part of the area 27 designated as the ROI, the average value calculating circuit 10A and the standard deviation value calculating circuit 10B of the determining means 10. Send to.

The average value calculation circuit 10A calculates the average value of the input digital data and outputs the calculation result to the control circuit 10.
Send to C. Further, the standard deviation value calculation circuit 10B calculates the standard deviation value of the input digital data and sends the calculation result to the control circuit 10C. The control circuit 10C sends a dynamic range switching control signal determined by the average value (M) and the standard deviation value (SD) to the dynamic range switching circuit 4 of the input side data processing means 4.

As the dynamic range switching decision logic in the control circuit 10C, for example, when the value determined by M-3 * SD is MIN and the value determined by M + 3 * SD is MAX,
Formula; DR = 20 * LOG (MAX-MIN) / LOG2
The dynamic range can be determined by. Here, LOG is logarithm, MIN ≧ 0, MAX ≧ 2 ** N−
1 (2 ** N represents 2 to the Nth power, where N is the number of bits of the A / D converter 8).

The dynamic range switching circuit 4C sends an image signal corresponding to the change in gradation to the DSC 5A of the output side data processing means 5 in accordance with the dynamic range switching control signal sent from the control circuit 10C of the discrimination means 10. Then, the image signal processed by the DSC 5A is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 5C through a γ correction circuit 5B which operates as described later, and is displayed on the CRT 6.

Therefore, when the ROI 27 shown in FIG. 2 is designated by the region designating means, the RO in the image 21 is displayed on the CRT 6.
Since the dynamic range of the portion I27 is different from that of the other portion 29, the gradation is displayed differently from the other portions, and the ROI 27 can be easily observed in the image 21.

The γ correction will be described below. The image signal output from the DSC 5A of the output side data processing means 5 is stored in the second storage means 10. The second storage means 10 determines only the output data signal (digital data) of the γ correction curve controlled by the γ correction curve designation signal from the area designation means 7, and the average value calculation circuit 12A of the determination means 12.
And the standard deviation value calculation circuit 12B.

The average value calculation circuit 12A calculates the average value of the input digital data and outputs the calculation result to the control circuit 12
Send to C. Further, the standard deviation value calculation circuit 12B calculates the standard deviation value of the input digital data and sends the calculation result to the control circuit 12C. The control circuit 12C sends a γ correction switching control signal determined by the average value (M) and the standard deviation value (SD) to the γ correction switching circuit 5D of the output side data processing means 5.

The γ correction switching circuit 5D follows the γ correction switching signal from the control circuit 12C of the second discriminating means 12,
A γ curve switching signal is generated for the γ correction circuit 5B in which a plurality of γ curves are stored in advance. γ correction circuit 5B
Selects the .gamma.-curve by the .gamma.-curve switching signal from the .gamma.-correction switching circuit 5D. The image data signal from the DSC 5A is corrected and output, and the CRT is passed through the D / A conversion circuit 5C.
6 is displayed as an image.

As the γ correction switching control signal determination logic in the control circuit 12C, for example, a value determined by M-3 * SD is MI.
When the value determined by N, M + 3 * SD is MAX, MIN correction is determined so that the minimum output value of the γ curve currently used is MIN and the maximum output value of the γ curve is MAX. And generate a control signal. Where MIN ≧ 0,
MAX ≧ 2 ** N-1 (2 ** N represents 2 to the Nth power, N
Is the number of bits of the A / D converter 8).

In the present embodiment, the means for changing the display range of the image is based on the switching of the dynamic range, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to the change of the display range of the image by other methods. Further, in the present embodiment, the display function is the γ correction function, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other correction functions may be used. In this case, the correction means and the correction switching means are not limited to the γ correction circuit and the γ correction switching circuit. Circuit or means. Further, in the present embodiment, the γ correction circuit stores a plurality of γ correction curves,
The necessary curve information may be given to the γ correction switching circuit or the correction circuit from the second judging means. Furthermore,
In this embodiment, the first and second judging means 10, 1
2 is composed of average value calculation circuits 10A and 12A, standard deviation value calculation circuits 10B and 12B, and control circuits 10C and 12C, the average value calculation circuits 10A and 12A and the standard deviation value calculation circuit 10B, 12B and an average value calculating means,
It is stored in the ROM as the standard deviation value calculating means,
The CPUs 0C and 12C can be configured to control the operations of the display changing unit and the display function changing unit.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made.

[0031]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, since the gradation of the echo signal of the designated portion can be decomposed, the ultrasonic echo signal is decomposed even if the amplitude difference of the ultrasonic echo signal is small, and an image is displayed. Can be displayed. Further, the image display range and / or the display function such as the dynamic range can be automatically changed only for a specific designated portion of the ultrasonic image.

Therefore, for example, an echo signal obtained from an initial tumor or the like is transmitted between the tumor portion and the adjacent tissue,
Even if the amplitude difference is small and the resolution is less than a predetermined gradation resolution, an image can be displayed with a different gradation unlike in the case of the conventional device, so that the tumor portion can be easily found. Further, for example, since it is possible to narrow the dynamic range of a part of the image and enhance the gradation of that part for observation, the dynamic range of the entire image is not narrowed unlike the case of the conventional apparatus, Since the dynamic range of only the designated portion can be narrowed, the gradation of only the designated portion can be changed, and the observation of the designated portion becomes easy.

As described above, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can contribute to early detection of lesions.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of changing a dynamic range of a part of an image according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of changing a dynamic range according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic device 3 Ultrasonic probe 4 Input side data processing unit 4C Dynamic range switching circuit (means) 5 Output side data processing unit 5B γ correction circuit (means) 5D γ correction switching circuit (means) 6 Display means 7 Area designation Means 9 First storage means 10 Judgment means 10A, 12A Average value calculation circuit 10B, 12B Standard deviation value calculation circuit 10C, 12C Control circuit 11 Second storage means 12 Second judgment means

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe, an input side data processing section and an output side data processing section for processing an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, and a display for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an output from the output side data processing section. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having means, further comprising display range changing means for changing a display range of an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal. 2. An ultrasonic probe, an input side data processing section and an output side data processing section for processing an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, and a display for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an output from the output side data processing section. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having means, further comprising display function changing means for changing a display function of an ultrasonic image based on the echo signal. 3. An ultrasonic probe, an input side data processing section and an output side data processing section for processing an echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, and a display for displaying an ultrasonic image based on an output from the output side data processing section. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having means, an echo signal within a designated display range of an ultrasonic image is input from the input side data processing unit, and a display range change control signal is input based on a processing result of the signal. A display range changing means for outputting to a data processing section and a signal relating to a display function of an ultrasonic image are inputted from the output side data processing means, and a display function changing control signal is outputted based on a processing result of the signal. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising: a display function changing unit that outputs to a processing unit. 4. The display range changing means obtains an average value and a standard deviation value from the first storage means and the data stored in the first storage means, and outputs a control signal corresponding to these values. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: first determining means, wherein the input side data processing means is controlled by a control signal output from the first determining means. 5. The display function changing means obtains an average value and a standard deviation value from the second storage means and the data stored in the second storage means, and outputs a control signal corresponding to these values. The second determination means, and the output side data processing means is controlled by a control signal output from the second determination means. Sound wave diagnostic device. 6. The input side data processing means has a display range switching means, the display range switching means switches the display range of an image in response to a control signal from the first judging means, and the output side data processing means 6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a correction unit and a correction switching unit, wherein the correction switching unit is controlled by a control signal from the second determination unit to determine a correction function curve. apparatus. 7. An area designating unit for designating an area in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit, wherein the area designating unit outputs the output side data processing unit and the first storage unit and / or the first storage unit. 7. The second storage means is controlled to individually change the display range and / or the display function of the ultrasonic image within the designated area and outside the designated area.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to item 1. 8. An area designating unit for designating an area within the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit, the area designating unit including the output-side data processing unit and the first storage unit and / or the first storage unit. The super storage according to claim 6, wherein the second storage means is controlled to change the display range and / or the display function of the ultrasonic image in the designated area and outside the designated area based on the input echo signal. Sound wave diagnostic device. 9. The display range switching means is a dynamic range switching circuit, the correction function curve is a γ curve, the correction means is a γ correction circuit, and the correction switching means is a γ correction switching means circuit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: