JPS63309245A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance diagnostic capacity, by reading a plurality of continuous image data while thinning the same and displaying the same on the picture of a display part in a divided state and magnifying the divided image data to display the same. CONSTITUTION:A control order is respectively sent to a thinning reading control part 17, a frame memory automatic feed control part 18, a frame feed control part 19 and a selecting and magnifying reading control part 20 from an operation table 21 and a plurality of the image data stored in each frame memory of a color DSC are thinned to be read under the reading control of the thinning reading control part 17 in order to be displayed on the picture of a display part 10 in a divided state and the divided data are displayed on the picture of the display part 10 in a divided state as a plurality of continuous images contracted to an arbitrary size. At the same time, an arbitrary frame memory is selectively read by the selecting and magnifying reading control part 20 to be sent to the display part and the arbitrary part thereof is displayed on the picture thereof in a magnified state. Therefore, a large number of images can be observed as ones continuous in the flow of time and diagnostic capacity can be enhanced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention utilizes ultrasonic waves to obtain a diagnosis region of a subject in a diagnosis mode having a time axis, such as a Doppler mode image or an M mode image, over a long period of time. Regarding ultrasonic diagnostic equipment that records and displays images, in particular, an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment that can reduce a plurality of consecutive images to an arbitrary size and display them dividedly on one screen, as well as select and enlarge any part of the image. Regarding.

[Conventional technology]

As shown in FIG. 4, this type of conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe 1 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and a Doppler signal that is detected from blood flow information inside the subject based on the scanning of this probe 1. A Doppler detection unit 2 that digitizes the Doppler signal from the Doppler detection unit 2, an A/D converter 3 that digitizes the Doppler signal from the Doppler detection unit 2, and an A/D converter 3 that inputs the digital signal from the A/D converter 3 and colorizes various blood flow specifications. A color calculation unit 4 that calculates the Doppler amount, a reflected echo detection unit 5 that processes the signal of the reflected wave received by the probe 1, and an A/D that digitizes the electrical signal from the reflected echo detection unit 5. The converter 6 mixes the black-and-white tomographic image data from the A/D converter 6 and the blood flow specification data from the color calculation section 4, converts it into a color digital signal, and sequentially converts it into a color digital signal for one continuous raster. a color digital scan converter 7 having a plurality of frame memories each storing image data; a write control section 8 controlling writing of data to the frame memory;
A readout control section 9 that controls reading out of data from the frame memory, and a display section 1 that converts image data read out from the frame memory into a television signal and displays it.
It consisted of 0 and 0. The color digital scan converter (hereinafter referred to as color DSCJ) 7 mixes the black and white tomographic image data from the A/D converter 6 and blood flow specification data from the color calculation section 4, and converts the data into color data. A color encoder circuit 11 that converts into a digital signal, and buffer memories 12 r, 12 g, and 12 b that store one raster worth of color digital signals for the three primary colors output from the color encoder circuit 11.
and a plurality of frame memories 13a to 13n, 14a to 14n, and 15a to 15n for the three primary colors, which read data from these buffer memories 12r to 12b and sequentially store image data for one continuous raster, respectively. . Further, reference numerals 10a and 10b indicate the display section 1.
The display circuit and television monitor that constitute 0, and the code 1
6 is each frame memory 13a to 13n of the color DSC 7.
, 14a to 14n, and 15a to 15n.

Then, under the control of the Doppler detection section 2 and the reflected echo detection section 5, ultrasound is transmitted from the probe 1 toward the diagnostic site of the subject, and the reflected waves are received, resulting in a plurality of images. Frame memories 13a to 3 for the three primary colors of the color DSC 7 under the control of the writing control unit 8.
13n, 14a to 14n, and 15a to 15n, and under the control of the readout control unit 9, the color D
Each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 1 of SC7
Image data for the three primary colors were read out one by one from 4n and 15a to 15n, and images such as Doppler mode images or M mode images were displayed one by one on the screen of the television monitor 10b of the display unit 10.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in such conventional ultrasound diagnostic equipment,
Each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 14n, 15a to 15 in which the readout control unit 9 is a color DSC near
Since the image data for the three primary colors is controlled to be read out one by one from n, each of the frame memories 1
3a-13n.

Even if diagnostic mode images having time axes 14a to 14n and 15a to 15n were recorded for a long time, the images were only displayed one by one in sequence on the screen of the television monitor 10b. . Therefore, it has been impossible to observe or record a large number of images recorded over a long period of time as connected images on the same screen as a continuous flow of time. For this reason, it is difficult to diagnose changes over time in the diagnostic region of the subject, and the diagnostic time becomes long, reducing diagnostic efficiency.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can solve these problems.

[Means for solving problems]

The means of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems detects a Doppler signal from blood flow information inside the subject by scanning a probe, and inputs a signal obtained by digitizing this Doppler signal to obtain various blood flow specifications. In addition to calculating the color Doppler amount, the signal of the reflected wave received by the probe is processed to detect the reflected echo signal. The image data for one continuous raster is sequentially written into multiple frame memories in the color digital scan converter, and the image data is read out from the frame memory and displayed on the display section. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for displaying, a thinning readout control section thins out and reads out a plurality of consecutive image data stored in a frame memory in the color digital scan converter in order to display the data dividedly on a screen of a display section; A control unit that automatically sends a frame memory that updates the image in real time on the screen of the display unit in order to display the image data read out on the screen of the display unit in a divided manner, and A frame-by-frame control section that selects and updates multiple frame memories for frame-by-frame searching and a frame-by-frame control section that selects and updates an arbitrary frame memory for enlarging and displaying an arbitrary section that is divided and displayed on the screen of the display section above. This is carried out by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with a selection enlargement readout control section that performs reading by selecting and reading data, and an operation console that sends control commands to each of the control sections.

[For production]

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured in this manner sends control commands from the operation console to the thinning readout control section, the frame memory automatic feed control section, the frame feed control section, and the selection enlargement readout control section, and performs thinning readout control. The multiple image data stored in each frame memory of the color DSC is thinned out and read out in order to be displayed on the screen of the display section by readout control of the section, and the read data is reduced to an arbitrary size on the screen of the display section. At the same time, the selected enlargement readout control section selects and reads out an arbitrary frame memory in order to enlarge and display an arbitrary portion displayed on the screen of the display section, The data is sent to the display unit and any part is enlarged and displayed on the screen.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. This ultrasonic diagnostic device uses ultrasonic waves to record and display diagnostic modes with a time axis, such as Doppler, mode images, or M-mode images, for a long period of time regarding the diagnostic region of the subject. 1, a Doppler detection unit 2, an A/D converter 3, a color calculation unit 4,
Reflection echo detection section 5, A/D converter 6, and color 〇S
C7, a write control section 8, a read control section 9, and a display section 10.

The probe 1 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by scanning mechanically or electronically, and has a built-in transducer (not shown) that is a source of ultrasonic waves and receives reflected waves. has been done. The Doppler detection unit 2 detects a Doppler signal from blood flow information within the subject obtained by scanning with the probe 1 using the Doppler effect. The A/D converter 3 receives the Doppler signal output from the Doppler detection section 2 and converts it into a digital signal. Color calculation section 4
This inputs the digital signal output from the A/D converter I83 and calculates the color Doppler amount of blood flow parameters such as blood flow velocity, velocity dispersion, and reflection intensity. A speed calculation unit 4a that calculates, a dispersion calculation unit 4b that calculates velocity dispersion, and a reflection calculation unit 4c that calculates reflection intensity.
It has On the other hand, the reflected echo detection section 5 controls the probe 1 to generate ultrasonic waves and amplifies the electric signal of the received reflected waves.Although not shown, the reflected echo detection section 5 includes a pulse generator and a pulse generator. It has reception amplification amounts and their control circuits. The A/D converter 6 receives the reflected echo signal output from the reflected echo detection section 5 and converts it into a digital signal.

The color DSC 7 mixes the blood flow specification data outputted from the color calculation section 4 and the black and white tomographic image data outputted from the A/D converter 6, converts the mixture into a color digital signal, and sequentially and continuously converts the data into a color digital signal. It stores one raster's worth of image data for a long time, and includes a color encoder circuit 11 that mixes the blood flow specification data and black-and-white tomographic image data and converts it into a color digital signal; A buffer memory 12r(
(for red color), 12g (for green color).

12b (for blue) and these buffer memories 12r~
A plurality of frame memories 13a to 13n (for red), 14a to 14a for the three primary colors each reading data from 12b and sequentially storing image data for one continuous raster.
14n (for green color) and 15a to 15n (for blue color). The write control unit 8 controls each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 14n, 1 of the color DSC 7.
It controls writing of data to 5a to 15n.
Frame memories 13a to 13n, 14 are sequentially used to select and write each frame memory, and to write to the next frame memory when one image data is recorded.
a to 14n and 15a to 15n are updated. The readout control unit 9 reads each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14 into which image data has been written as described above.
The display section 10 controls the readout of data from a to 14n and 15a to 15n, and is designed to create X and Y addresses for readout and read control signals for each frame memory. Each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 14n, 1 of DSC7
The display circuit 10a has a D/A converter, a television signal converter, etc., and a television monitor 10b displays images in color. It is configured.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 16 indicates each frame memory 13a=13n, 14a to 14n, 15 of the color DSC 7.
This is a selector that switches between data write control and data read control for a to 15n.

Here, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a one-thinning readout control section 17, a frame memory automatic advance control section 18, and a frame advance control section 19 are used.

A selection enlargement readout control section 20 and an operation console 21 are provided. The thinning readout control unit 17 includes frame memories 13a to 13n, 14a in the color DSCT.
14n and 15a to 15n are thinned out appropriately and read out in order to display them on the screen of the display unit 10 in a divided manner. Depending on the contents of the command, the readout X and Y addresses inputted from the readout control section 9 are appropriately thinned out and sent to the selector 16. Further, the frame memory automatic feed control unit 18 updates the image in real time on the screen of the display unit 10 in order to divide and display the image data to be thinned out and read out on the screen of the display unit 10 under the control of the thinning readout control unit 17. The control command S1 sent from the console 21 includes a signal indicating how many minutes the screen should be turned, and a frame memory update signal S sent from the write control section 8.
2, a frame memory automatic feed control signal S is created and sent to the readout control section 9. Further, the frame feed control unit 19 controls a plurality of frame memories 13a to 13n, 14a in order to search a plurality of continuous image data by frame by frame on a split display screen.
~14n, 15a~15n are selected and updated.The frame feed signal S sent from the operation console 21 is input, and depending on the command contents, it moves one frame forward, three frames forward, or moves one screen entirely to the next screen. The readout control unit 9 generates a frame feed control signal S for block feed, etc.
It is designed to be sent to. Furthermore, the selection enlargement readout control section 20 selects any frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 14 in order to enlarge and display an arbitrary portion of the plurality of images dividedly displayed on the screen of the display section 10.
n, 15a to 15n is selected and read out, and a control command S6 sent from the console 21 is inputted, and a memory selection designation control signal S7 for selecting an arbitrary frame memory is created according to the contents of the command. The readout control section 9
It is designed to be sent to. Then, the operation console 21 is
It sends out control commands S, S4, and S4t to each of the control units 17, 18, 19, and 20, and is comprised of, for example, a keyboard.

Next, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured in this way,
The operation of reducing a plurality of consecutive images to an arbitrary size and displaying them dividedly on the screen of the display unit 10 will be described. First, in FIG. 1, the operator operates the console 21,
Each frame memory 13a to 13n, 1 of the color DSC 7
4a-14n.

A plurality of consecutive images, for example, nine images from the first to the ninth image data are read out from the display unit 15a to 15n.
Control command S1 to display the screen divided into nine parts, for example.
give. Then, this control command S is input to the thinning readout control section 17 and at the same time inputted to the frame memory automatic feed control section 18 to read how many parts the screen of the display section 10 should be divided and how much data should be thinned out before being read. At this time, the frame memory automatic feed control unit 18 performs frame memory automatic feed control based on the signal indicating how many parts the screen should be divided as the contents of the control command S1 and the frame memory update signal S8 from the write control unit 8. Create a signal S. That is, as shown in Figure 2,
Each frame memory 13a to 13n, 1 for the three primary colors
4a to 14n and 15a to 15n each have, for example, 72 frames, and when the screen of the TV monitor 10b of the display unit 10 is divided into nine parts and displayed, the frame memory for the 72 frames is divided into nine frames each. Divided into eight blocks, the first block B0 is displayed first, writing progresses from frame 1 to frame 9, and the last frame 9 is displayed.
When the screen reaches the last frame 18 of the second block B3, the display switches to the next block B8, and when the last frame 18 of the second block B3 is reached, the screen switches to the next third block B. Below, this procedure is repeated for the final eighth block B.

The process continues in the same manner up to the point where the frame memory automatic feed control signal S is generated to return to the first block B and display it again. This frame memory automatic feed control signal S3 is then sent to the read control section 9. Then, the read control unit 9 creates a read control signal S8 indicating which frame memory is to be read out in synchronization with the eight frame memory automatic feed control signals inputted above, and sends each frame memory 13a to 13n in the color DSCV. .

14a to 14n and 15a to 15n.

On the other hand, the thinning readout control unit 17 inputs the control command S□, and depending on the command content, the thinning readout control unit 17 inputs the readout X input from the readout control unit 9.

The Y address is thinned out to 1/3, for example, and sent to the selector 16. Then, the thinned out readout X, Y address signals are sent to the color DSC 7 via the selector 16.
Each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 14n in
, 15a to 15n. In this way, the read control signal S and the thinning readout signal X
, Y address is each of the above frame memories 13a to 13n,
By inputting to 14a to 14n and 15a to 15n, as shown in FIG.
For example, consecutive frames 1 to 9 are selected from each frame memory for the three primary colors, which has 72 frames of 2-pixel size frame memory, and each of the image data recorded in these frames 1 to 9 is divided into 1/2 frames. Then, the image data thinned out to 173 and read out is read out by the display circuit 10 shown in FIG.
a to the television monitor 10b, and as shown in FIG. In image processing, multiple consecutive images are displayed at the same time with one screen divided into nine parts. As a result, for a diagnostic mode image with a time axis, multiple imagers, ~1
．． can be observed as connected images on the same screen as a continuous flow of time.

After that, each of the frame memories 13a to 13n.

14a to 14n and 15a to 15n for a long period of time on the split display screen of the display section 10, first operate the operation console 21 and press the frame advance control section. A frame advance signal S4 is sent to the frame 19. Then, the frame feed control section 19 inputs the frame feed signal S4 and creates a frame feed control signal S such as one frame feed, three frame feed, or block feed according to the contents of the command. In other words, in the case of one-frame forwarding, when the screen of the TV monitor 10b is divided into nine parts and a nine-frame image is displayed as shown in FIG. Move the image processing 2 to 2 frames forward one frame at a time, read frame 10 at the beginning of the second block B3 of the frame memory shown in FIG. A frame-by-frame feed control signal S is created in which the frame feed control signal S is input, and this procedure is repeated thereafter. In addition, in the case of block forwarding, when the screen of the television monitor 10b is divided into nine parts as shown in Fig. 3 and the first block B1 of the frame memory shown in Fig. 2 is displayed as a nine-frame image,
Image work for this first block B work.

Erase the entire screen of ~work, and then the image ■1゜~work1 of the second block B2. (not shown) is displayed in its entirety one screen at a time, and this procedure is repeated thereafter. This frame advance control signal S is input to the readout control section 9, and the readout control section 9 receives the color D by the frame advance control signal S.
Each frame memory 13a~13n, 14a~ in SC7
14n.

read control signal S sent to 15a to 15n;
to advance frame by frame. As a result, images are displayed on the screen of the TV monitor lob of the display unit 10 in accordance with the command contents of the frame-advance control signal S, and images are advanced by one frame, three frames, or blocks, and are recorded for a long time. You can search through multiple images frame by frame.

Next, in order to enlarge and display any part of the plurality of images dividedly displayed on the screen of the television monitor 10b of the display section 10, first, after freezing the image, operate the operation console 21 to read out the selected enlarged image. Control command S to the control unit 20
, is sent. Then, the selected enlarged readout control section 2
0 inputs a control command S, and creates a memory selection designation control signal S for selecting an arbitrary frame memory according to the contents of the command.0 For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the screen of the television monitor 10b is If a nine-frame image is displayed divided into nine frames, and you want to select and enlarge only the first to fourth frames, operate the control command S6 with such content. Inputted from the console 21, the 1 selection enlarged readout control section 20 creates a memory selection designation control signal S7 for selecting and reading out frames 1 to 4 shown in FIG. Then, this memory selection designation control signal S7 is input to the readout control section 9, and this readout control section 9 controls each frame memory 13a to 13n in the color DSCT according to the memory selection designation control signal S7.
A read control signal S for reading frames 1 to 4 of frames 14a to 14n and 15a to 15n is created and sent to each frame memory. At the same time, the operation console 21 sends out a control command S1 for displaying, for example, the first image processing □ to the fourth image processing by dividing the screen of the television monitor 10b into four parts, and the thinning readout control unit 17 Enter. Then, the thinning readout control section 17 thins out the X and Y addresses for reading inputted from the readout control section 9 to 1/2, for example, according to the contents of the control command S1, and sends them to the selector 16. Then, the thinned out X, Y address signals for reading are sent to each frame memory 13a to 13n, 14a to 14n, 15a to 15a in the color DSC 7 via a selector 16.
15n. In this way, the read control signal S1 and the X and Y addresses for thinning reading are set to each of the frame memories 13a to 13n, 14a to 1.
4n and 15a to 15n, the image data from frame 1 to frame 4 shown in FIG.
On the screen, the first to fourth images, which are 1/2 the size, are displayed in a state where the screen is divided into four parts, enlarged more than before. As a result, any part of the plurality of images divided and displayed on the screen of the television monitor 10b of the display unit 10 can be selected, enlarged, and displayed.

Although FIGS. 2 and 3 show the case where the screen of the display unit 10 is divided into nine parts and nine consecutive images I-I are displayed in a reduced size, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may reduce and display 4 images divided into 4 images, or 16 images divided into 10 people.In that case, Color DS
Each frame memory 13a in C7 ~" 3 n s 1
4a-14n.

The amount of thinning of the image data read from 15a to 15n is 1/2 or 1/4, respectively.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the present invention is configured as described above, a plurality of consecutive images are appropriately thinned out from the color DSC 7 which records diagnostic mode images having a time axis, such as Doppler mode images or M mode images, for a long time. The data can be read out, reduced to an arbitrary size, and displayed on one screen of the display unit 10 in a divided manner. Therefore, it is possible to view any number of images recorded over a long period of time as continuous images on the same screen, and to record them using an instant camera, for example. Can be done. This makes it easy to diagnose changes over time in the diagnostic region of the subject, and diagnostic performance can be improved. Furthermore, since a plurality of consecutive images can be observed on one screen, diagnosis time can be shortened and diagnosis efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, since it is possible to select and enlarge any part of the plurality of images divided and displayed on the screen of the display unit 10, the part with the optimal pattern can be selected and enlarged to further improve diagnostic performance. In addition, computer measurement can also be made possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows updating of multiple frame memories in real time under the control of the frame memory automatic feed control section in order to display images on the screen in a divided manner. Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of reducing a plurality of consecutive images to an arbitrary size and displaying them dividedly on the screen of the display unit. FIG. 1... Probe, 2... Doppler detection section, 3.6.
... A/D converter, 4... Color calculation section, 5...
・Reflection echo detection section, 7...Color DSC18・
...Write control section, 9...Read control section,
10...Display section, 13a-13n, 14a-14
n, 15a to 15n...frame memory, 17.
... thinning readout control unit, 18... frame memory automatic feed control unit, 19... frame feed control unit,
20... Selection enlargement readout control unit, 21... Operation console.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A Doppler signal is detected from the blood flow information inside the subject obtained by scanning the probe, and the digitized signal of this Doppler signal is input to calculate the color Doppler amount of various blood flow specifications. The received reflected wave signal is processed to detect a reflected echo signal, and this reflected echo signal is mixed with digitized black and white tomographic image data and the above blood flow specification data, converted into a color digital signal, and sequentially converted into a color digital signal. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that writes one continuous raster worth of image data into a plurality of frame memories in a color digital scan converter, and reads the image data from the frame memory and displays it on a display section, a thinning readout control unit that thins out and reads out a plurality of continuous image data stored in the frame memory of the frame memory in order to display the data in a divided manner on the screen of the display unit; A frame memory automatic advance control unit updates images on the display screen in real time, and multiple frame memories are used to search consecutive multiple image data frame by frame on a split display screen. A frame advance control section for selectively updating, a selection enlargement readout control section for selecting and reading out an arbitrary frame memory in order to enlarge and display an arbitrary part dividedly displayed on the screen of the display section, and each of the above control sections. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by being provided with an operation console that sends control commands to each of the sensors.