JPH07171115A - Image diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of image by the interference noise between image diagnostic modalities in an image diagnostic device formed of a plurality of image diagnostic modalities by setting at least one of input means, display means and recording means having each modality. CONSTITUTION:An image diagnostic device having an endoscopic device anti an ultrasonic diagnostic device integrated together is provided with an endoscopic scope 1 for photographing the body cavity internal image of a testee by a CCD, and a light source 2 and a read signal processing system 3 are connected thereto. It also has an ultrasonic probe 6 for emitting an ultrasonic wave to the testee and receiving the echo signal, and a received signal processing system 9, a transmitting circuit 10 and a luster control part 12 are connected thereto. This device further has an input part 13 for inputting the input information such as freeze and image recording by the combined use of the endoscopic device and the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and this input part has an OBJECT switch for determining on which the inputted information is worked, and an ACTIVATE switch for determining which modality is used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image diagnostic apparatus capable of simultaneously using a plurality of image diagnostic modalities such as an endoscope and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as medical fields have been developed, image diagnostic modalities such as an endoscopic device, an ultrasonic diagnostic device, and an X-ray imaging device are often used for medical examination. Further, in recent years, it has been attempted to perform a safer and more comprehensive diagnosis by simultaneously using a plurality of image diagnostic modalities.

For example, as an example in which an endoscope apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are used together, an ultrasonic probe having an extremely small diameter is inserted into the forceps channel of an endoscope and the endoscope apparatus is used inside the body cavity of the subject. In addition to observing the lesion area present in the body, ultrasonic waves are emitted from the body cavity with an ultrasonic probe to diagnose the depth of the lesion area.

Further, as an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an X-ray imaging apparatus are used in combination, an ultrafine ultrasonic probe is percutaneously inserted into a bile duct of a subject to diagnose a biliary tract disease such as bile duct cancer. Confirms the position of the ultrasonic tomographic plane by X-ray photography,
Improve safety.

In the case of performing diagnosis using a plurality of modalities in combination, conventionally, a plurality of modalities are operated independently.

[0006]

However, since each image diagnostic modality exists independently in the above-mentioned conventional method, patient information such as patient ID, name, age, sex, and disease name is used for each modality to be used. It is very cumbersome to type in. In addition, it is difficult and operability is poor to arrange all the plurality of modalities at positions where the operator can easily operate them. Further, since a monitor for observing the diagnostic image is also present independently, the operator may frequently move his or her line of sight, which compels the operator.

Further, when the image recording apparatus is shared by a plurality of modalities, there is a drawback that the modality to be recorded is often selected incorrectly. Furthermore, when a plurality of modalities are used at the same time, the modalities may interfere with each other to generate noise, which leads to deterioration of image quality.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and its object is to facilitate operation and diagnosis and to prevent image deterioration due to interference noise between modalities. An object of the present invention is to provide an image diagnostic apparatus capable of preventing the above.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present application is an image diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of image diagnostic modalities, wherein the input means, the display means and the recording means of each modality are provided. The feature is that at least one of them is common.

A second invention of the present application is an image diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of independent image diagnostic modalities, wherein each modality has an interface for transmitting and receiving data between modalities. .

Furthermore, the third invention of the present application is an image diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of independent image diagnostic modalities, wherein at least one modality includes means for capturing an image signal from another modality, and the captured image signal. And a means for separating the synchronizing signal of the image signal into a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal.
Means for outputting an image signal with vertical synchronization as external synchronization,
Means for superimposing and displaying the image signal and the image signal taken in from the other modality.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above, since the input means, the display means, and the recording means are common among a plurality of modalities, the patient ID, name, and age are respectively set for each modality. There is no need to enter information such as. Further, since the display means is common, the operator does not need to make a diagnosis by looking at a plurality of screens and does not give unnecessary fatigue to the operator. Furthermore, since the recording means is common,
It is possible to record the result of the composite diagnosis using each modality in an easily understandable state.

In the second invention of the present application, by connecting a plurality of modalities using an interface,
The information input by one modality can be transmitted to the other modality, and the image displayed by one modality can be displayed on the other modality. This facilitates the operation and enables flexible composite diagnosis.

Further, in the third invention of the present application, since the image signals of the other modality are output in synchronism with the output timing of the image signal of one modality and the images of both modalities are superimposed, the interface is impossible. Even in such a case, the display means can be shared.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which an endoscope apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are integrally configured. An endoscope scope 1 shown in the figure is for picking up an image of the inside of a body cavity of a subject by a CCD (not shown) mounted on the distal end, and a light source 2 for emitting illumination light to an image pickup site of the subject. It is connected to the read signal processing system 3.

The light source 2 and the read signal processing system 3 are CCDs.
The read signal processing system 3 operates under the control of the light source controller 4.
The image signal read out in 1 is digitized by the A / D converter 5 and then stored in the image memory 16. Further, the operation of the image memory 16 is controlled by the write / read controller 15.

Since the image data stored in the image memory 16 is output to the adder 22 and the character data stored in the character memory 17 is supplied to the adder 22, the image data and the character data are separated from each other. The addition result is output to the D / A converter 25.

The output of the D / A converter 25 is the recording unit 28,
The data is output to the display unit 29, recorded and displayed, and also output to the recording control unit 27 (described later).

The ultrasonic probe 6 irradiates the subject with ultrasonic waves and receives the echo signals generated thereby, and is connected to the reception signal processing system 9, the transmission circuit 10 and the raster control unit 12. The transmission circuit 10 operates under the control of the transmission / reception control unit 7 to give an output timing of ultrasonic waves, and the raster control unit 12 determines the raster position of ultrasonic waves.

The reception signal processing system 9 operates under the control of the transmission / reception control unit 7, generates an ultrasonic image from the reception signal collected by the ultrasonic probe 6, and outputs it to the A / D converter 11. The output side of the A / D converter 11 is connected to the image memory 19 that operates under the control of the write / read controller 20, and the output of the image memory 19 is supplied to the adder 23.
Further, since the character data stored in the character memory 18 is supplied to the adder 23, the image data and the character data are added, and the addition result is output to the D / A converter 26.

The output of the D / A converter 26 is the recording unit 32,
It is output to the display unit 31, recorded and displayed, and also output to the recording control unit 27.

The input unit 13 is for inputting information such as imaging timing information, patient ID information, and display method on the screen, and the input information is input to the host CPU 21 via the interface 14. .

The host CPU 21 comprehensively controls the endoscope apparatus and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and includes a timing control section 8, write / read control sections 15 and 20, character memories 17 and 18, and recording control. It is connected to the section 27.

The timing control unit 8 is a C on the endoscope apparatus side.
Timing signals are output to the CD / light source control unit 4 and the transmission / reception control unit 7 on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus side, whereby the image information of each is acquired.

The character memories 17 and 18 are the input unit 1
Character data such as the patient ID, name, and age input in 3 is stored.

The write / read control units 15 and 20 are
Image memories 16 and 19 and character memories 17 and 1
The writing and reading to 8 are controlled. In addition, the write / read control units 15 and 20 and the character memory 1
Reference numerals 7 and 18 are connected to a sync signal generator 24 and controlled so that image data and character data are output in accordance with the sync signal output here.

The recording control unit 27 controls the recording of data in the shared recording unit 30 provided commonly for the endoscope apparatus and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
The operator inputs the patient ID from the input unit 13 when starting the diagnosis.
Enter character data such as name, age, and findings. Then, this character data is once taken in by the host CPU 21, and then stored in the character memories 17 and 18. In addition, the input unit 13 is also capable of inputting operations and controls, such as freeze, image recording, PAN / ZOO.
Inputs such as M, VCR recording, and edge enhancement are input for both the endoscope apparatus and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Further, the light quantity and saturation information can be input as the input only for the endoscope apparatus, and the acoustic output and the gain information can be input as the input only for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Then, the endoscope apparatus and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus operate in accordance with the respective operation and control information thus input. That is, in the endoscope apparatus, the output timing signal from the timing control unit 8 is supplied to the CCD / light source control unit 4, and the light source 2 and the read signal processing system 3 are driven at this timing so that the endoscope scope 1 outputs. The image signal is captured. Then, this image signal is digitized by the A / D converter 5, and then temporarily stored in the image memory 16, and the character data is superimposed by the adder 22. After that, it is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 25,
9. Displayed and recorded in the recording unit 28.

On the other hand, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the output timing signal from the timing control unit 8 is supplied to the transmission / reception control unit 7, and the transmission circuit 10 and the reception signal processing system 9 are driven at this timing to drive the ultrasonic probe 6 Ultrasonic signals are transmitted and received by the. The raster position at this time is determined by the raster control unit 12. Then, the received ultrasonic signal is imaged by the received signal processing system 9,
After being digitized by the A / D converter 11, it is once stored in the image memory 19 and the character data is superimposed by the adder 23. After that, it is converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 26 and displayed and recorded on the display unit 31 and the recording unit 32.

Here, a method of operating the input unit 13 will be described in detail. As described above, the input unit 13 freezes,
Since input information such as image recording is input by both the endoscope apparatus and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, these inputs are input to the endoscope apparatus,
It is necessary to decide which of the ultrasonic diagnostic devices should be operated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the input section 13 is provided with the function as shown in FIG. The figure shows a switch for selecting a modality, and the "OBJECT" switch determines to which the input information acts.
That is, when "ES" is selected, it acts on the endoscope apparatus side, and when "US" is selected, it acts on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus side.

"ACTIVATE" is a switch for deciding which modality to use. That is, although the endoscopic device and the ultrasonic diagnostic device are integrated in the image diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, diagnosis is not always performed using both of them, and only one modality is used. There is also. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption, suppress noise, and reduce input operation mistakes by enabling only modalities in which the “ACTIVATE” switch is on and operating in a standby mode. it can. Selection of such modalities is performed by the interface 14 and the host CPU 2 shown in FIG.
It can be easily realized by the function of 1. Also,
The "OBJECT" switch may be composed of a trackball as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, when the trackball is turned to the left, the endoscope device is selected, and when it is turned to the right, the ultrasonic diagnostic device is selected. Also,
The "ACTIVATE" switch is not only input by the operator, but, for example, when some control input is generated for the modality in the standby state, the modality is automatically started up, and the modality being used in the opposite direction. On the other hand, when the control input is not generated for a certain period of time, it is possible to automatically shift to the standby state.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the image diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1. As shown, an operation panel 35 and a trackball 34 are arranged on the front surface of the apparatus. Further, a display unit 29 for the endoscope apparatus and a display unit 31 for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 31 are provided, and the endoscope scope 1 and the ultrasonic probe 6 are provided on the side portions.
Hangers 33 are provided to support the.

FIG. 5 shows a display example of each of the display units 29 and 31. An endoscopic image is displayed on the display unit 29 and an ultrasonic image is displayed on the display unit 31. When "ES" is selected by the "OBJECT" switch shown in FIG. 2, the selection mark 36 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed around the endoscopic image. This allows the operator to easily recognize that the current input information is acting on the endoscope device side.

In FIG. 6, the recording control unit 27 is used to display each display unit 2.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when recording the display images of 9 and 31 in the common recording unit 30. Now, the "OBJECT" switch is "ES" and the "ACTIVATE" switch is "E".
If a recording command is input when the value is "S", only the endoscopic image is recorded. In addition, the "OBJECT" switch is "US", the "ACTIVATE" switch is "ES",
When both "US" are selected and the continuous recording command is input, the display images are recorded in the order of the ultrasonic image and the endoscopic image.

Further, since the image diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment has a configuration in which two modalities (an endoscope apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus) are integrated, it is possible to obtain an image of one modality. The signal may become noise of the image signal of another modality, which may reduce the S / N ratio. For example, when inserting a small-diameter ultrasonic probe into the forceps channel of an electronic endoscopic device and irradiating ultrasonic waves from the distal end of the endoscope to obtain an ultrasonic image, mount it on the distal end of the endoscope. The signal for reading out the charge of the CCD thus generated may interfere with the ultrasonic echo receiving circuit and appear as noise.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the influence of interference noise is avoided by temporally separating the acquisition timing of ultrasonic image information and the acquisition timing of endoscopic image information by the operation of the timing control unit 8. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the timing of acquiring image information in each modality, FIG. 7B is a timing of acquiring ultrasonic image information, FIG. 7C is a timing of acquiring endoscopic image information, and FIG. The same figure (a) has shown the update period T of the endoscopic image. That is, the endoscopic image is updated at time T, and the ultrasonic image is displayed in real time during that period. For example, when diagnosing a digestive tract disease using an ultrasonic thin probe, it plays a large role in monitoring where the ultrasonic diagnosis surface of the endoscopic device is, and does not necessarily require a good real-time image. It depends.

The update cycle T shown in FIG. 7 can be arbitrarily set by the operator, and when this information is input from the input section 13 shown in FIG. 1, the host CPU 21 recognizes this,
Information on the cycle T is given to the timing control 8. As a result, the timing control unit 8 gives a command to the CCD / light source control unit 4 on the endoscope side and the transmission / reception control unit 7 on the ultrasonic wave side.
The control is performed so as to operate as shown in the timing chart of FIG. In this way, since the acquisition timing of the endoscopic image information and the acquisition timing of the ultrasonic image information are temporally separated, it is possible to prevent the S / N ratio from decreasing due to interference noise. Although the example of FIG. 7 shows an example in which the endoscopic image is updated at a constant cycle, for example, the endoscopic image may be updated as necessary. That is, the ultrasonic image may always be displayed in real time, and the endoscope image may be updated by the operator giving a command with a switch or the like as necessary.

As another method of temporally separating the acquisition timing of the endoscopic image information and the acquisition timing of the ultrasonic image information, there is a method of synchronizing the basic clocks for acquiring each image information. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the acquisition timing of each image information. FIG. 8A is an ultrasonic rate pulse, FIG. 8B is an ultrasonic wave emission timing, and FIG. 8C is an ultrasonic echo display timing. Then, FIG. 6D shows CCD horizontal transfer timing. As is clear from FIG. 7C, not all the time of the transmission / reception cycle is used for reception of the ultrasonic echo in the transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave, but in reality, the standoff (distance between the transducer and the living body) is used. ) Is not involved in the acquisition of image information, such as the time when the ultrasonic wave reciprocates and the time when the data is written in the image memory 19 shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8D, if the CCD of the endoscopic device is driven and the endoscopic image information is acquired by utilizing this time, the real-time property of both modalities is not lost and the interference occurs. It is possible to prevent noise due to.

In this way, in this embodiment, the input unit 1
3 is shared for each modality, patient I
It becomes unnecessary to input information such as D and name for each modality. Further, since it is possible to easily switch and recognize which modality the input information from the input unit 13 acts on, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation.

Furthermore, by setting the unused modalities in the standby state, power consumption can be reduced and noise can be suppressed. Further, noise due to interference can be prevented by temporally separating the image information acquisition timing in each modality.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a modification of the above embodiment. This figure shows an example in which the number of display units 39 and the number of recording units 40 each are one, and the same parts as in FIG.

Reference numeral 37 is an adder, which superimposes image data and character data of both modalities and outputs them to the D / A converter 38. The D / A converter 38 converts the input data into an analog signal and displays it. 39, and outputs to the recording unit 40.

FIG. 10 is an external view of the image diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 9, and is different from FIG. 4 in that there is one display unit 39.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example on the display unit 39. For example, when the “US” of the “OBJECT” switch shown in FIG. 2 is turned on, FIG.
As shown in, the ultrasonic image 61 is displayed as a large image on the display unit 39 as a main image, and the endoscopic image 62 is displayed as a sub image on the lower left as a small image. The size of the sub-image is variable, and it is also possible to display the endoscopic image in a slightly larger size as indicated by reference numeral 62a, for example.

When "ES" is turned on, FIG.
The endoscopic image 62 is the main image and the ultrasonic image 61 is
Is displayed on the screen as a sub. Therefore, the operator can easily recognize the modality on which the input information acts. Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, the position of the sub image can be changed appropriately. This can be easily realized by giving a command to the write / read control units 15 and 20 by the host CPU 21 shown in FIG. 9 to control the read timing and the read address.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, an endoscopic device 45 and an ultrasonic diagnostic device 46, which are independent of each other, are connected by a connecting cable 48 via external interfaces 41 and 42. Then, the input unit 13
a, 13b, interfaces 14a, 14b, host CPUs 21a, 21b, synchronization signal generators 24a, 24b
Are independently provided in the endoscope device 45 and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 46.

Therefore, if the modalities 45 and 46 are separated, they can be used independently, and if the external interfaces 41 and 42 are connected and the video signal cable 47 is connected to the recording control unit 27. , A composite diagnosis using both modalities 45 and 46 can be performed. That is, for example, the character information input from the input unit 13a of the endoscope device 45 is stored in the character memory 17 via the interface 14a and is also supplied to the character memory 18 via the external interfaces 41 and 42 to be stored. To be done. Therefore, it is not necessary to duplicate the input operation as in the case of the first embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the endoscope device 45 is used.
A shared recording unit 43 and a shared display unit 44 are provided on the side, and images obtained by both modalities 45 and 46 can be displayed in an overlapping manner and images related to composite diagnosis can be recorded.

FIG. 13 shows the endoscope device 45 shown in FIG.
The external view of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 46 is shown, and both are connected by a connection cable 48 and a video signal cable 47.

As described above, in the embodiment, the endoscope device 45 and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 46, which are respectively configured independently, are connected and used, and the same effect as that of the above-described first embodiment is obtained. be able to. That is, it is not necessary to input the input information redundantly, and there is an effect that interference noise between each modality can be prevented. Furthermore, since each modality has an independent structure, it can be used alone and can flexibly respond to the purpose of use.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a connection method when an interface is not possible between the endoscope device 45 and the ultrasonic diagnostic device 46 which are configured independently of each other.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 46 converts the video signal transmitted from the endoscope apparatus 45 via the connection cable 47 into the horizontal synchronization signal H.
A sync separation circuit 53 for separating the D and vertical sync signals VD is provided.

The video signal transmitted by the connection cable 47 is supplied to the adder 49 via the gate circuit 50, and is added to the output of the D / A converter 26 here.

The sync separation circuit 53 is connected to a VD shift section 51 for shifting a vertical sync signal for an arbitrary time and an HD shift section 52 for shifting a horizontal sync signal for an arbitrary time, and outputs of the respective shift sections 51, 52. The side is connected to the synchronization signal generator 24b. In addition, each shift unit 51,
52 and the synchronization signal generator 24b are connected to a shift amount determining unit 54 that determines the shift amount. Furthermore, the shift amount determination unit 54 is connected to the connection device ID setting unit 55.

The connection device ID setting unit 55 is for collectively setting the output timing of the patient information of each modality to be connected. In this embodiment, the connected modality is the endoscope device 45. The output timing of the patient information of the endoscope device 45 is generated.

Next, the operation will be described. When the video signal is transmitted from the endoscope device 45, the video signal is synchronously separated into HD and VD by the sync separation circuit 53. Then, the synchronizing signal generator 24b operates by being externally synchronized with the HD and VD, and controls the output of the D / A converter 26.

The synchronizing signal generator 24b is connected to the connecting device I.
The timing information set in the D setting section 55 is input, and the display timing signal of the patient information is output to the gate circuit 50 at this timing. Then, the gate circuit gates the video signal from the endoscope device 45 and supplies it to the adder 49 at this timing, and if it is added to the ultrasonic video signal, it is displayed on the display unit 29 of the endoscope device 45. The displayed patient information can be superposed and displayed on the ultrasonic wave display unit 31.

Here, if the patient information on the endoscope side and the patient information on the ultrasound side are simply displayed in a superimposed manner, they may overlap on the image. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to FIG. Normally, the display format of the endoscope device 45 is such that the patient ID is displayed in the upper left area H1 and the patient name is displayed in the upper right area H2, as shown in FIG. The display format of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 46 is such that the patient name and ID comment are displayed in the upper area H3 as shown in FIG.
A timer or the like is displayed in the upper right area H4.

Therefore, if the both are simply displayed in a superimposed manner, there will be a portion that cannot be seen. In such a case, V
The D shift unit 51 and the HD shift unit 52 are replaced by the shift amount determination unit 5.
Controlled by 4, the patient information on the endoscope side can be shifted and displayed by shifting VD and HD by an arbitrary time. For example, as shown in FIG.
It is possible to display all of the information about to H4 in a position that is easy to see.

Thus, in the third embodiment,
A connection is possible between the endoscopic device and the ultrasonic diagnostic device, which cannot be interfaced.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which an endoscope apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are used as an image diagnostic modality has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an X-ray apparatus or the like. Needless to say, it can be applied by using. Further, in each embodiment, two modalities have been described, but three or more modalities are also applicable.

[0062]

As described above, in the image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the input means, the display means, and the recording means of the image diagnostic modality such as the endoscope apparatus and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are common, so that a plurality of modalities are used. It is not necessary to input the input data many times when performing a composite diagnosis using the.
Further, since the display means is common, the operator does not need to see a plurality of screens, which facilitates diagnosis.

Further, if the acquisition timing of the image information of each modality is temporally separated, noise due to mutual interference of modalities can be prevented and the S / N ratio can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a modality selection switch.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a trackball.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the image diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an endoscopic image and an ultrasonic image.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect of an operation when recording an image.

FIG. 7 is a time chart showing acquisition timing of image information in each modality.

FIG. 8 is another example of a time chart showing the acquisition timing of image information in each modality.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an external view of an image diagnostic apparatus according to a modification.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit according to a modified example.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an external view of an image diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a display format of patient information of each modality.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 endoscope scope 2 light source 3 readout signal processing system 4 CCD / light source control unit 5, 11 A / D converter
6 ultrasonic probe 7 transmission / reception control unit 8 timing control unit 9 reception signal processing system 10 transmission circuit 12 raster control unit 13 input unit 14 interface 15, 20 writing / reading control unit 16, 19 image memory 17, 18 character memory 21 host CPU 22,23 Adder 24
Sync signal generator 25, 26 D / A converter 27 Recording control unit 2
8, 32 Recording unit 29, 31 Display unit 30 Shared recording unit 33 Hanger 34 Trackball 35 Operation panel 36
Selection mark 37 Adder 38 D / A converter 39 Display unit 40 Recording unit 41, 42 External interface 43 Shared recording unit 44 Shared display unit 45 Endoscopic device 46 Ultrasound diagnostic device 47 Video signal cable 48 Connection cable
49 Adder 50 Gate circuit 51 VD shift unit 52 H
D shift unit 53 sync separation circuit 54 shift amount determination unit 55 connected device ID setting unit 56 connection cable

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Kinya Takamizawa 1385-1 Shimoishigami, Otawara-shi, Tochigi Stock Company Toshiba Nasu Factory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of image diagnostic modalities, wherein at least one of an input unit, a display unit and a recording unit of each modality is common. 2. An image diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of independent image diagnostic modalities, wherein each modality has an interface for transmitting and receiving data between modalities. 3. An image diagnostic apparatus comprising a plurality of independent image diagnostic modalities, wherein at least one modality includes means for capturing an image signal from another modality, and a synchronization signal for the captured image signal. Means for separating horizontal synchronization and vertical synchronization, means for outputting an image signal with the horizontal and vertical synchronization as external synchronization, and this image signal and the image signal taken from the other modality are displayed in a superimposed manner. An image diagnostic apparatus comprising: 4. The image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling image acquisition timings of the respective modalities so as to be temporally separated.