JPS59189835A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining more precise tomographic images of objects with complex shapes such as the heart.

Prior Art and Problems The use of so-called ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, which are used for diagnosis by taking tomographic images of the human body using ultrasonic waves, is increasing because they are free from radiation damage compared to tomographic imaging using X-rays. It has been proposed to use two ultrasound probes to simultaneously obtain two different tomographic images and to display two tomographic images of the same plane in a composite manner. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heart, and the problem is that the tomographic plane S1, which clearly captures the movement of the left ventricle, and the tomographic plane S2, centered on the mitral valve, are not necessarily on the same plane. The tomographic plane S, 1.82 was captured by different ultrasound probes (not shown) and displayed at different positions on the display screen.In order to accurately understand the movement of the heart for diagnostic purposes, , If the most necessary information is separate information, there will be no list and sufficient diagnosis will not be possible.
Consideration was given to compositing two screens. The present invention is as follows: ■ The left part after the tomographic plane S1 that captures the movement of the left ventricle intersects with another tomographic plane S2 at the intersection line OL has less important information than the right side; Regarding the tomographic plane S2 centered on the cap valve, the left part of the intersection line CiL with the other tomographic plane S1 is important. ■This is based on the analysis result that it is rare for fault planes 81 and 82 to be completely on the same plane.

(3) Purpose of the Invention The purpose of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and to provide an ultrasound system that can obtain more precise tomographic images than conventional ones by displaying two tomographic planes in a two-page spread based on the analysis results. The objective is to provide diagnostic equipment.

(4) Structure of the invention To achieve the above-mentioned purpose? The configuration of the present invention uses two ultrasound probes to obtain image information obtained by mutually scanning different tomographic planes, and the mutual position and tomography of the ultrasound probes that obtained each image information. Consisting of means for detecting an intersection angle formed by planes, means for determining an intersection line between the two different tomographic planes based on the output of the detection means, and means for displaying the image information in a double-page format with the intersection line as an axis. It is to be done.

(5) Embodiment of the invention FIG. 2 is a basic diagram of an embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 2A, 81.82 indicates a tomographic image with the same positional relationship as in Fig. 1, Pl indicates the position of one force ultrasound probe, P2 indicates the other position, and the fan-shaped portions represent each The ultrasonic scanning range of the probe is shown in 1, T, b. In the present invention, when each image is displayed, it is displayed in the form of a double-page spread on the same plane. Figure 2B
81.82 indicates the state, and 81.82 is placed on both sides of the intersection line CL.In Figure 2A, 51.8
The angle formed by S2 is shown in FIG. 2B as the angle (18o"-α) formed by the line segment indicated as AG.
Each displays the parts necessary for diagnosing the heart, and the images are displayed as they are, so they are accurate.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the ultrasonic probe and its scanning plane for obtaining the image shown in FIG. 2B. In FIG. 3A, PR-A and PR-B represent ultrasonic probes, both of which incorporate a signal encoder circuit and a mechanical scanning device. PR
-A has a built-in potentiometer in the part PM so that it can be rotated by the rotation lever RL around the rotation axis AX as shown by the arrow. FAM indicates an arm for fixing the mutual positions of two probes, and the angle formed by each probe is θ. Also, when the rotary lever RL is at the reference position -
Initial settings are made so that the images of probes A and B (portions indicated by broken sector lines s1 and s2) are on the same plane (X and Y planes in Figure 3 B and C). is 90'', that is, the scanning range is 90°.Next, as shown in FIG. Suppose that an ultrasonic wave is emitted in a direction separated by an angle βa from the end and an echo is received.At that time, assume that the other probe PR-H is at an angle βb.PR-A, PR-B K The section of information to be displayed is the hatched part in Figure 4A.It is displayed as shown in Figure 4B, and
Let the coordinates of the origin of the image by A K be (0, ya). P
For RA, a 45° right half of the scanning range is not displayed, and similarly for PR-B Ic, approximately the left half is not displayed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram when displaying the probe output of FIG. 3A as an image. T/R is ultrasonic transmitter/receiver circuit, MA
-A, MA-B are memory address calculation circuits, A/D,
D/A is each analog/digital converter, FM-A
, FM-B, FM-C are frame memories, LA is a line address calculation circuit, L12 is a line information generator,
=O indicates a cross line OL information generator. now probe P
The emission angle IIa is known from the encoder output from R-A, and the memory address calculation circuit MA-A converts the ultrasonic reception signal into y == tan (90'-(βa-45 Ix+) on the frame memory FM-A.
Calculate the address to write on yt. On the other hand, the memory address arithmetic circuit MA-B knows βb about the contactor PR-B, and converts the ultrasonic reception signal on the frame memory IJFM-B into y - yb == ian (θ + βb - 155 (x
-xb). Xb.

yb is a value that can be calculated since θ is known once ya is determined. Here, βa and βb are the angles read clockwise (
゛<. The readout circuits RD-A and RD-B read out the ultrasonic reception signals from the frame memory and display them in a two-page spread.

Since the coordinates of the crossing line are X=0, the readout circuit RD-A
outputs a signal only when reading a signal at an address where X≦D, while readout circuit RD-B outputs a signal only when reading a signal at an address where X≧007.

The read addresses of the two read circuits are synchronized by a synchronization signal not described, and after D/A conversion, they are displayed in gold, resulting in a double-page display.

Next, the display of the line segment AH shown in FIG. 2BK will be described. FM-C in FIG. 5 indicates a 1-bit frame memory, and a line segment to be displayed is generated in this frame memory. As shown in FIG. 5 FM-C, displaying a line segment pointing downward by an angle α and a horizontal line segment is possible as shown in FIG. 2B.
6 will be explained because it is easier to display than the display of FIG. In FIG. 6, since the coordinates of point 0 and point L1 can be specified in advance, they are assumed to be (0, yo) (xl, yo). Find the formula % formula % of the straight line of OL2 connecting point L2 and point 0. Since the X coordinate of point L2 is X2 = xl coaa, the y coordinate of L2 is y2 = = tay1θe xl cog (! + T.

Calculate from the formula. L2,0. The coordinates of Ll are sent to the line information generator LGK, and the line segment L2-0 of length "1", Ll
-0 is generated. The line address calculation circuit has %2 sets of registers (new and old) to set the coordinate calculation results.
Yes, and before generating a new line segment, the line information generator generates an erase line segment (a line segment with a value of 00) based on the old coordinates and erases the old data. This frame memory FM-Ci K also stores additional character information (for example, diagnosis date and time, patient number, name, doctor's name, etc.) in a dot pattern, and when used for display, it is useful when taking photographs.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention in correspondence with FIG. 3A. The same reference numerals as in FIG. 3A indicate similar parts. In FIG. 7A, JPMl and JPM2 indicate joint potentiometers, which are provided in a fixed arm that connects the probe, increasing the degree of freedom in operability. For example, when the probe and joint potentiometer are connected at equal distances as shown in Fig. 7BK,
As shown, since potentiometer PM and arm FAM are orthogonal, θ, θ1. A relational expression is created between θ2. That is, 180@=-(θ1+02)=90@-〇θ=θ1+
θ2-9(1") Therefore, the memory address calculation circuit MA in FIG.
The frame memo IJFM overwrite address calculation formula is y - yb = tan (θ1 + θ2 + βb - 215
(x-xb). When using it during a smile, operate it by changing the arm length, θ1, θ2, etc. The display operation is the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the configuration of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8A, the RVP is a rotation mechanism with a potentiometer and is provided at the center of the arm. p of probe PR-A
Unlike FIG. 3, p does not have a rotation mechanism. For simplicity, FIG. 8A shows a case where the rotation mechanism RVP is provided at the midpoint of the 7-m, and the ultrasonic intersection of the probe and the rotation mechanism RV
In this case, the line aS connecting P and P becomes the intersection line of the tomographic images. Initially, the images of both probes are on the same plane, and change as shown in FIG. 8B by the rotation of the rotation mechanism RVP. The coordinates of the base point of the probe PR-A are (Xi, V&)K, and the coordinates of the probe PR-B are the same as in FIG. 4. The memory address calculation circuit MA-A learns the scanning angle β1 from the encoder output from the probe PR-A, and converts the ultrasonic reception signal into the frame memory FM-A as y −ya = −tan (−〇βa+45°0'
) Calculate the address to write on (x - xa). On the other hand, the memory address calculation circuit MA-B knows the scanning angle C from the encoder output from the probe PR-B, and converts the ultrasonic reception signal into frame memo IJFM-B's y-yb=tan.
(θ+βb-135 (x-xb) addresses to be written are calculated. The operation of the readout circuit for double-page display is the same as in the case of FIG. 5 since the crossing line is set to X=O.

In addition to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention, only the probe PR-B is provided with a rotation mechanism, both probes are provided with a rotation mechanism, and potentiometers are provided in multiple joints as the arm of the second embodiment. etc. can be applied. Further, as a probe, electronic scanning, mechanical scanning, electronic linear scanning, etc. can be used. In electronic linear scanning, the excitation source is not swung left and right, so the arithmetic circuit is simplified.

(6) Effects of the Invention In this way, according to the present invention, images of different tomographic planes are obtained and displayed in a double-page spread even for objects with complex shapes, so the situation of the tomographic planes can be observed more precisely. This improves its usefulness as an ultrasonic diagnostic device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram for obtaining a perspective view of the heart and a cross-sectional image of the skin, Fig. 2 is a basic diagram of the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a basic diagram of the configuration of the first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 4 is Third
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the device for displaying the image in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the line segment display in FIG. 2. FIGS. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 20th 3rd Example. Ultrasonic probe for PR-A, PR-B 81.82-...Cross-sectional image OL, C; S-°・Cross line F M...Fixed 7-M RL-Rotating lever P
M...Potentiometer MA-A, MA-B...Memory address calculation circuit FM
-A, FM-B, F (lj...Frame memory JPM1, JPM2...Joint potentiometer RVP...Rotating mechanism with potentiometer Patent applicant
Fujitsu Limited Agent Eisuke Suzuki, Patent Attorney L A Figure 2 and X Li-j...A Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] Means for obtaining image information by scanning different tomographic planes using 12 ultrasonic probes. means for detecting the intersection angle between the mutual positions of the ultrasound probes that obtained each image information and the tomographic plane; means for determining the intersecting line of the two different tomographic planes from the output of the detecting means; and the intersecting line. an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising means for displaying the image information in a two-page spread format with the image information as an axis. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the intersecting angle formed by two tomographic planes in addition to the image information. (v) The means for detecting the intersecting angle formed by two fault planes is a potentiometer installed in the mechanism that rotates the probe, and each contact is attached to an arm that can determine the reference fault plane and detect the mutual positions. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.