KR101601984B1 - Ultrasonic diagnosis device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of more accurately grasping the elasticity of a living tissue quantitatively.
A display section (7) for displaying an ultrasonic image (G); a display section (7) for displaying the physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculating section A display image creating section for displaying displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 indicating the average values (X1 _AV and X2 _AV ) of the physical quantities in the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 set in the ultrasonic image G; _AV , X2 _AV ), and the display image generation unit generates an evaluation index value (Qn) indicating the evaluation index value (Qn) together with the displacement graphs (Sgr1, Sgr2) And the graph Qgr is displayed.

Description

[0001] ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS DEVICE [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an elastic image showing rigidity or softness of a living tissue.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for synthesizing and displaying an ordinary B-mode image and an elastic image showing rigidity or softness of a living tissue is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like. In this type of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an elastic image is created as follows. First, echo is acquired by performing transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves while repeating compression and relaxation of the living tissue. Then, based on the obtained echo data, the physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue is calculated, and this physical quantity is converted into color information to create a color elastic image. Incidentally, as a physical quantity relating to the elasticity of the living tissue, for example, displacement due to deformation of the living tissue (hereinafter simply referred to as " displacement ") is calculated.

An example of the method of calculating the physical quantity will be described in more detail. First, a correlation window having a width corresponding to the predetermined number of data is set to two echo data on the same sound line (sound ray) And the physical quantity is calculated. For example, in Patent Document 2, a correlation between positive and negative echoes is calculated by calculating a correlation between correlation windows, and the shift of the waveform is regarded as a displacement.

By the way, it is useful for diagnosis not only to display an elastic image but also to quantitatively grasp the elasticity of the attention part in the displayed image. Therefore, in Patent Document 3, the modulus of elasticity of a subject in a predetermined region set on the operation unit is displayed in a graph.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-118152 Patent Document 2: JP-A-2008-126079 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-97537

Here, the calculated physical quantity may not be a value accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue. For example, when the deformation of the living tissue is insufficient, for example, the degree of compression and the degree of relaxation is insufficient, the calculated value of the correlation calculation does not appear as a difference depending on the difference in elasticity of the living tissue. In this case, the calculated physical quantity does not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue.

 On the other hand, when the degree of compression and relaxation is excessive, a lateral deviation may occur in the living tissue. In this case, the acquired echo data includes noise due to lateral shift, and there is a fear that the correlation coefficient in correlation calculation becomes low. In addition, if the degree of compression and relaxation is excessive, the deformation of the living tissue is excessively large, and the correlation window set in the two echo data is not matched, which may lower the correlation coefficient. When the correlation coefficient in the correlation calculation becomes low, a physical quantity accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue can not be obtained.

Further, the signal intensity of the echo becomes insufficient in the region where the ultrasonic wave reflector is small, or in the deep portion of the living tissue where the transmission ultrasonic wave is hard to reach due to attenuation. As described above, the correlation coefficient of correlation calculation for echo having insufficient signal strength is lowered. In addition, when the direction of the pressure of the ultrasonic probe and the direction of its relaxation do not coincide with the direction of the sound wave of the ultrasonic wave, the above-described lateral shift occurs, and the correlation coefficient of the correlation calculation on the echo data acquired in this state also becomes low. Therefore, even in such a case, a physical quantity accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue can not be obtained.

As described above, when a physical quantity accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue can not be obtained, in order to quantitatively grasp the elasticity of the living tissue, when a graph obtained by plotting the physical quantity in a predetermined area for each frame is displayed, , And a value that does not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. As described above, if an unreliable value is included in the displayed graph, the person who performs the diagnosis by looking at the graph can not know which value should be diagnosed based on which value.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of more accurately grasping the elasticity of a living tissue quantitatively.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for setting a correlation window on two temporally different echo data on the same sound line obtained by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to a living tissue, A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image, and a display unit for displaying an image of the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit among the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculating unit, wherein the physical quantity calculating unit calculates a physical quantity related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue, A display control unit for displaying a physical quantity display indicating a set area physical quantity in a set setting area, and an evaluation index calculation unit for calculating an evaluation index for the setting area physical quantity, wherein the display control unit, together with the physical quantity display, To display an evaluation indicator display An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized by.

According to the invention of the second aspect, a correlation window is set to two temporally different echo data on the same sound line obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves relating to a living tissue, and correlation calculation is performed between the correlation windows, A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image; and a display unit for displaying a setting area physical quantity in a setting area set in an ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit among the physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculating unit A display control unit for displaying a physical quantity display and an evaluation index calculation unit for calculating an evaluation index for the set area physical quantity, wherein the display control unit recognizes whether the evaluation index is the setting area physical quantity satisfying a predetermined criterion The physical quantity display is displayed in a form An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the evaluation index calculation unit comprises: an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit for calculating an average of the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculation unit for each frame; And a comparator for comparing the calculated value for each frame by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit with an average value of the physical quantity set in advance, wherein the comparison result by the comparing unit is used as the evaluation index .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the third aspect, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging section performs an average calculation of physical quantities obtained for a correlation window in which a correlation calculation of correlation coefficients equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is performed Is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third or fourth aspect, the comparator calculates, as the comparison result, the ratio of the calculated value by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average part to the average value of the physical quantity set in advance And an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

The invention of the sixth aspect is characterized in that, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the evaluation index calculation section has a correlation coefficient averaging section for calculating an average of correlation coefficients in the correlation calculation between the correlation windows for each frame, And the calculation result by the coefficient averaging unit is used as the evaluation index.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the evaluation index calculator calculates an average of the physical quantities obtained for the correlation window in which the correlation calculation of the correlation coefficient equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value is performed for each frame Calculating means for calculating a ratio of an evaluation index calculating physical quantity average portion and an evaluation index calculating physical quantity average portion to an average value of a predetermined physical quantity in advance; And a multiplier for multiplying the calculated value of the non-calculating unit and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging unit, wherein the calculation result by the multiplier is used as the evaluation index The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the multiplication section performs weighting calculation between the calculated value of the non-calculation section and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging section.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first or second aspect, the evaluation index calculator calculates an average of physical quantities obtained for a correlation window in which a correlation calculation of a correlation coefficient of a predetermined threshold value or more is performed for each frame A calculating unit for calculating a ratio of the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit and the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit to a predetermined value of the average value of the physical quantity and a correlation value calculation unit And a multiplier for multiplying the calculated value of the non-calculating unit by the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging unit, wherein the calculation result by the non- By an operation unit that performs an instruction input for selecting any one of the calculation result by the multiplier and the calculation result by the multiplier, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the calculation result as the evaluation index.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the evaluation index calculation unit has a pressing state calculating unit for calculating a pressing state of the living tissue, and the calculation result of the pressing state calculating unit is used as the evaluation index And an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, the pressure state is a pressure applied to an average value of the physical quantity or a body surface of a living body in a region where an elastic image of a living tissue is generated based on the physical quantity As shown in FIG.

The invention of the twelfth aspect is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the inventions of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the setting area physical quantity is an average of physical quantities for each pixel in the setting area.

The invention of the thirteenth aspect is characterized in that, in any one of the inventions of the first to twelfth aspects, the ultrasonic image is an image obtained by synthesizing an elastic image of a living tissue created based on the physical quantity with a B mode image Which is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The invention of the fourteenth aspect is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects of the present invention, wherein the ultrasonic image is a B-mode image.

According to the present invention, since the physical quantity display indicating the set area physical quantity in the setting area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit is displayed and the display of the evaluation indicator showing the evaluation index with respect to the setting area physical quantity is displayed, The reliability of the display can be grasped. This makes it possible to more accurately grasp the elasticity of the living tissue quantitatively.

According to another aspect of the present invention, since the physical quantity display is displayed in a form that allows the user to recognize whether the evaluation index is the setting area physical quantity satisfying a predetermined criterion, the reliability of the physical quantity display can be grasped. Thereby, the elasticity of the living tissue can be grasped more accurately quantitatively.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of creation of elastic data,
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image control unit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in Fig.
4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the evaluation index calculation unit shown in Fig.
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of display in the real time mode of the display unit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
6 is a diagram for explaining the calculation of the physical quantity at the time of creating the elastic image data,
7 is a graph showing a graph of a function used in the non-calculating part,
8 is a view for explaining an example of the display of the display section in the real time mode and showing that the evaluation indicator display is displayed so as to flow from the left to the right with the lapse of time,
9 is a view for explaining an example of display of the display section in the real time mode and showing that the evaluation indicator display is displayed so as to flow from the left to the right with the lapse of time,
10 is a diagram showing an example of display in the memory playback mode of the display unit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in Fig. 1,
11 is a view for explaining that an evaluation index display and a displacement display are displayed so as to flow from the left to the right with the lapse of time,
12 is a view for explaining an example of the display section in the memory reproduction mode and showing that evaluation index display and displacement display are displayed so as to flow from left to right with the lapse of time,
13 is a view showing another display form of the display section in the memory reproduction mode,
14 is a view showing a display portion in a second modification of the first embodiment,
Fig. 15 is a view showing a display portion according to a third modification of the first embodiment, Fig.
16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the evaluation index calculation unit in the second embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention;
17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the evaluation index calculation unit in the third embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention,
18 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an evaluation index calculation unit in the fifth embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention,
19 is a diagram showing another example of the evaluation index display,
20 is a diagram showing a display section in which another example of the evaluation index display is displayed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Example 1)

First, Embodiment 1 will be described based on Figs. 1 to 13. Fig. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transceiver 3, a B mode data generator 4, an elastic data generator 5, an image controller 6, a display unit 7, A control unit 8, and an operation unit 9. [

The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasound to the living tissue and receives the echo. While the ultrasonic probe 2 is in contact with the surface of the living tissue, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received while repeating compression and relaxation, and an elastic image is created based on the acquired echo data.

The transceiver 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under predetermined scanning conditions to perform ultrasonic scanning for each sound line. The transceiver 3 performs signal processing such as normal addition processing on the echo received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The echo data processed by the transmission / reception unit 3 is output to the B mode data creation unit 4 and the elastic data creation unit 5.

In addition, the transceiver 3 separately performs scanning for B mode image for creating a B mode image and scanning for elastic image for creating an elastic image. As the scanning for the elastic image, two scanning operations are performed on the same sound line in the region of interest (RE), which will be described later, which is a region (elastic image creating region) for creating an elastic image in the subject.

The B-mode data generation unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to generate B-mode data.

The elastic data creating unit 5 creates elastic data composed of physical quantity data related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue based on the echo data output from the transmission / reception unit 3. More specifically, the elasticity data creating unit 5 is a physical quantity relating to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue, and is a physical quantity of elasticity of each part in the living body tissue caused by the compression by the ultrasonic probe 2 and its relaxation (Hereinafter simply referred to as " displacement "). The elastic data creating unit 5 calculates displacements based on two echo data on the same sound line belonging to two frames (i) and (ii) different in time as shown in Fig. More specifically, the elastic data creation unit 5 sets the correlation windows W1 and W2 in the echo data (see FIG. 6) as described later, and performs a correlation operation between these correlation windows W1 and W2 To calculate the displacement. Data of displacement for one pixel is obtained from a pair of the correlation windows (W1, W2). By creating data of this displacement for one frame, the elastic data consisting of the data of displacement of each part in the living tissue is 1 Frame min. The elastic data creating unit 5 is an example of an embodiment of the physical quantity calculating unit in the present invention.

The B mode data output from the B mode data creation unit 4 and the elasticity data output from the elasticity data creation unit 5 are input to the image control unit 6. 3, the image control unit 6 includes a display image creation unit 61, a memory 62, an evaluation index calculation unit 63, and a physical quantity averaging unit 64. [

The display image creation unit 61 converts the B mode data into B mode image data having luminance information corresponding to the signal intensity of the echo and converts the elastic data into color elastic image data having color information according to displacement . The luminance information and the color information are composed of a predetermined gradation (for example, 256 gradations). The display image creating unit 61 composes the B mode image data and the color elastic image data by adding processing to create image data of the ultrasonic image to be displayed on the display unit 7. [ 5 and 10, the image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as an ultrasound image G in which a black-and-white B mode image BG and a color elastic image EG are synthesized. In this example, the elastic image EG is displayed in a translucent manner (in a state in which the B mode image of the background is seen) in the region of interest RE. The display unit 7 is an example of an embodiment of the display unit in the present invention.

The display image creation unit 61 creates an evaluation index display QG as described later and displays the evaluation index display QG on the display unit 7 together with the ultrasound image G. [ In the present embodiment, the evaluation index display (QG) is made up of an evaluation index graph (Qgr) in which the horizontal axis indicates time and the vertical axis indicates an evaluation index value (Qn) described later. The generation of the evaluation index display (QG) will be described later in detail. The evaluation index display (QG) is an example of an embodiment of the evaluation index display in the present invention.

10, the display image creating unit 61 creates a displacement display SG and displays it on the display unit 7 together with the ultrasound image G and the evaluation index display QG . In this example, the displacement indicator SG comprises a displacement graph Sgr with time on the horizontal axis and displacement on the vertical axis. As the displacement indicator SG, a displacement graph Sgr1 for the displacement measurement area RS1 set in the RO and a displacement graph Sgr2 for the displacement measurement area RS2 are displayed. The creation of the displacement graphs Sgr1 and SGr2 will be described later in detail. The display image creating unit 61 is an example of an embodiment of the display control unit in the present invention, and the displacement display SG is an example of an embodiment of the physical quantity display in the present invention. The displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are examples of the setting area in the present invention.

The memory 62 stores the B mode data for each sound line output from the B mode data creation unit 4 and the elastic data for each sound line output from the elasticity data creation unit 5. [ In addition, the memory 62 stores the evaluation index value Qn for each frame. The evaluation index value Qn is stored in association with the elastic data so as to know which frame is the elastic data.

Here, as the echo data acquired by the ultrasonic probe 2, the B-mode image data and the data before being converted into the color elastic image data are referred to as raw data. The B mode data and the elastic data stored in the memory 62 are low data.

The evaluation index calculation unit 63 is an example of the evaluation index calculation unit according to the present invention. In this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the evaluation index calculation physical quantity averaging unit 631 and the non- . The evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 calculates an average of displacements calculated for each pixel for each frame when the elastic data is input. The calculated value of the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging section 631 is referred to as an average value Xr _AV . The evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging section 631 calculates an average value Xr _{AV for} each frame with respect to the region of interest RE. The evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 is an example of an embodiment of the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit in the present invention.

The non-computing unit 632 calculates the ratio Ra of the average value Xr _AV to the ideal value Xi _AV of the average of the displacements and calculates And the evaluation index value Qn is calculated. The evaluation index value Qn indicates how accurately the displacement calculated by the elastic data creating unit 5 represents the elasticity of the living tissue. Therefore, the evaluation index value Qn indicates how accurately the elasticity of the living tissue is represented by the average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) of the displacements calculated for the displacement measurement areas RS1, RS2 as described later . The evaluation index value Qn indicates whether the average value Xr _AV of the region of interest RE and the elasticity image EG of the ultrasound image G accurately represent the elasticity of the living tissue It can also be said to represent. The evaluation index value Qn is an example of an embodiment of the evaluation index for the setting area physical quantity in the present invention. The non-calculating unit 632 is an example of an embodiment of the comparing unit and the non-calculating unit in the present invention. In addition, the ideal value Xi _AV is an example of an embodiment of the preset average value in the present invention.

Here, the ideal value (Xi _AV ) is an intensity capable of obtaining an elastic image that more accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue. The abnormal value (Xi _AV ) is obtained by compressing and relaxing the living tissue by the ultrasonic probe Is an average value of the displacements obtained in an arbitrarily set area. This ideal value Xi _AV is a value obtained by experimentation with a phantom or the like composed of a hard part such as a tumor or a hard part such as a normal tissue. The abnormal value Xi _AV may be set by the operator on the operation unit 9 or may be stored in the device as a default.

The physical quantity averaging unit 64 calculates an average of displacements calculated for each pixel in the displacement measuring areas RS1 and RS2 for each frame by using the displacements obtained by the elastic data creating unit 5. [ The calculated value for the displacement measurement area RS1 is referred to as an average value X1 _AV and the calculated value for the displacement measurement area RS2 is referred to as an average value X1 _AV . The displacement graph Sgr1 is a graph showing a time variation of the average value X1 _AV and the displacement graph Sgr2 is a graph showing a time variation of the average value X2 _AV . The average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV are examples of the setting area physical quantity in the present invention.

The control unit 8 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and reads control programs stored in a storage unit (not shown) to execute the functions of the respective units of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The operation unit 9 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for inputting instructions and information by the operator.

Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present example will be described. In this example, the ultrasound image G and the evaluation index display QG are displayed on the display unit 7 as shown in Fig. 5 in the real time shooting (real time mode). Then, when the ultrasound image G is created after the end of the real time mode based on the B mode data and the elasticity data stored in the memory 62 in the real time mode and is displayed (memory reproduction mode) The displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set on the ultrasonic image G and the displacement indication SG is displayed together with the evaluation index display QG as shown in Fig.

First, the real-time mode will be described. The transceiver 3 transmits ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the living tissue of the subject, and acquires the echo data. At this time, the ultrasound probe 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves while repeatedly pressing and releasing the test object.

Then, the B-mode data creation unit 4 creates B-mode data based on the echo data. Further, the elastic data creating unit 5 creates elastic data based on the echo data as described later. The B mode data and the elasticity data are stored in the memory 62 and converted into B mode image data and color elastic image data by the display image creation unit 61. [ Then, the display image creation section 61 composes the B mode image data and the color elastic image data to create image data, and displays the B mode image BG and the elastic image EG as shown in Fig. 5 And displays the synthesized ultrasonic image G on the display unit 7 as a real-time image.

An evaluation index display (QG) created by the display image creating unit 61 is displayed on the display unit 7 below the ultrasound image G.

The generation of the elastic data in the elastic data creating section 5 and the calculation of the evaluation index value Qn and the creation of the evaluation index display QG in the display image creating section 61 . When creating the elastic data, the elastic data creating unit 5 sets the respective correlation windows of the echo data belonging to the frames (i) and (ii). Specifically, the elastic data creating unit 5 sets the correlation window W1 to the echo data belonging to the frame i as shown in Fig. 6, adds the correlation window W2 to the echo data belonging to the frame ii, . The elastic data creating unit 5 calculates the displacement by performing a correlation operation between the correlation windows W1 and W2.

More specifically, in FIG. 6, the frames (i) and (ii) are made up of echo data acquired on a plurality of sound lines. 6 shows five sound lines L1a, L1b, L1c, L1d and L1e as a part of a plurality of sound lines in the frame i. In the frame ii, the sound lines L1a- L2a, L2b, L2c, L2d, and L2e are shown as sound lines corresponding to the sound lines L1a to L1e. That is, the sound ray L1a and the sound ray L2a, the sound ray L1b and the sound ray L2b, the sound ray L1c and the sound ray L2c, the sound ray L1d and the sound ray L2d, The sound line L1e and the sound line L2e correspond to the same sound line belonging to the other two frames. In Fig. 6, R (i) and R (ii) represent regions corresponding to the region of interest RE.

For example, a correlation window W1c is set as the correlation window W1 in the echo data on the sound line L1c, a correlation window W2c is set in the echo data on the sound line L2c as the correlation window W2, Is set. The elastic data creation unit 5 performs a correlation operation between the correlation windows W1c and W2c to calculate a displacement. The elastic data creating unit 5 is provided on the sound lines L1c and L2c and includes the correlation windows W1c and W2c from the upper end 100 to the lower end 101 of the regions R (i) and R (ii) Are sequentially set, and the displacement is calculated. Further, the elastic data creating unit 5 similarly calculates displacements for other sound lines in the regions R (i) and R (ii). Thus, one frame of elasticity data composed of displacement data can be obtained.

Next, calculation of the evaluation index value Qn and creation of the evaluation index display (QG) will be described. When the elasticity data is input to the image control unit 6 at the time of the creation of the evaluation index display QG, the evaluation index calculation physical quantity averaging unit 631 first calculates the index of appearance index RE (Xr _AV ) of the displacements in R (i) and R (ii). Incidentally, since the displacement may be negative, the average value Xr _AV may be negative. Next, the non-computing unit 632 computes Xr _AV / Xi _AV to calculate the ratio Ra. Further, the ratio calculating unit 632 substitutes the ratio Ra into the following equation (1) to obtain the numerical value (Y).

Here, Y is an example of the evaluation index value Qn and is an example of an embodiment of the comparison result by the comparison unit and the calculated value of the comparison unit in the present invention.

The formula (1) is to set the ratio Ra to a value in the range of 0 to 1. The Y obtained by the formula (1) is the ratio of the average value (Xr _AV ) to the ideal value (Xi _AV ) . When the function represented by the formula (1) is represented by a graph, the graph shown in FIG. 7 is obtained. As shown in Fig. 7, 0? Y? 1.

It is also assumed that 0.1? | Ra |? 10, and when | Ra | exceeds this range, Y is set to zero.

The calculated value Y of the non-computing unit 632 is stored in the memory 62 and is input to the display image creating unit 61. [ Here, the calculated value Y is calculated for each frame. The display image creation unit 61 plots the calculated value Y for each frame as the evaluation index value Qn so that the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the evaluation index graph Qgr indicating the evaluation index value Qn, (QG), which is an evaluation index display, is created. At this time, the display image creating unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value. Thereby, a stable evaluation index graph Qgr having no numerical difference can be obtained.

0? Y? 1, 0? Qn? 1. The closer the evaluation index value Qn is to 1, the better the evaluation index of the average value X1 _AV and X2 _AV . On the other hand, the closer the evaluation index value Qn is to 0, X1 _AV , X2 _AV ). Here, the mean value (X1 _AV, X2 _AV) is that the evaluation index is good, meaning that the living body tissue accurately reflect than the elastic mean value (X1 _AV, X2 _AV) of and, on the other hand, the mean value (X1 _AV, X2 _AV) of (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue.

7, when the average value Xr _AV is equal to the ideal value Xi _AV (that is, when | Ra | is equal to 1 (X _AV )), ), Y, that is, the evaluation index value Qn becomes 1. [ Therefore, if the evaluation index value Qn is a value close to 1 or 1, the degree of compression and relaxation of the living tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is appropriate, and the average value X1 _AV , X2 _AV ).

On the other hand, the evaluation index value Qn approaches 0 as the average value Xr _AV becomes farther from the ideal value Xi _AV (i.e., | Ra | becomes a value farther from 1). Here, the fact that the average value Xr _AV is far from the ideal value Xi _AV means that the degree of compression or relaxation of the biotissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is insufficient or excessive do. Therefore, as the evaluation index value Qn approaches 0, the elasticity image EG accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue can not be obtained as a result of the compression or the degree of relaxation of the biotissue being insufficient or excessive .

Incidentally, in the case of displaying a real-time ultrasonic image G, it is also possible not to display the elastic image (EG) for a frame in which the evaluation index value Qn is low.

The display image creation unit 61 synthesizes the evaluation index display (QG) with the ultrasonic image (G) and displays it on the display unit. Thereby, the evaluation index display (QG) is displayed below the ultrasonic image (G) on the display unit (7).

In the case where the ultrasound image G is displayed as a moving image, the display image creation unit 61 displays the evaluation index (QG) in the currently displayed ultrasound image (G) The evaluation index graph Qgr is created by plotting the value Qn for each frame. Therefore, in the display unit 7, the graph Qgr is displayed so as to flow from the left to the right with the lapse of time, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this case, the left end of the evaluation index graph Qgr indicates the evaluation index value of the frame currently being displayed.

Next, the memory reproduction mode will be described. The display image creating unit 61 reads the B mode data and the elastic data stored in the memory 62. [ Then, the display image creating unit 61 converts the B mode data and the elastic data into B mode image data and color elastic image data, synthesizes them to create image data, and displays the ultrasonic image G ) On the display unit 7 as a moving picture.

The display image creating unit 61 reads out the evaluation index value Qn stored in the memory 62 to create and display the evaluation index display QG.

Further, the display image creating unit 61 creates and displays the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2. More specifically, first, the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set in the RO in which the elastic image EG is displayed. The displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set by designating on the display unit 7 using, for example, a pointing device of the operation unit 9 as an area in which an operator compares the elasticity of the living tissue with each other. When the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set, the ultrasound image G may be freeze.

When the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set, the physical quantity averaging unit 64 calculates the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV . These average values (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) are input to the display image generation unit 61. [ Then, the display image creating unit 61 creates the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 by plotting the average values (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) for each frame and displays them. Thus, by displaying the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, the elasticity in the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 can be grasped quantitatively.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 are displayed so as to flow from left to right. The display image creation unit 61 causes the display unit 7 to display the evaluation index graph Qgr and the sagittal coordinates of the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 together. Represents the evaluation index value Qn and the average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) of the frame in which the evaluation index graph Qgr and the left end in the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 are currently displayed.

However, the evaluation index graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 may be displayed in different display formats. 13, the entire evaluation range graph Qgr and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 of the entire regeneration range of the ultrasound image G to be displayed as a moving image are displayed from the beginning, The frame bar (b) indicating the currently reproduced frame may be moved from the left to the right together with the reproduction.

The outline surrounding the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 may be displayed in different colors and the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 may be displayed in the same color as the colors. For example, when the outline surrounding the displacement measurement area RS1 is displayed in blue and the outline surrounding the displacement measurement area RS2 is displayed in red, the displacement graph Sgr1 is displayed in blue, (Sgr2) is displayed in red.

According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the evaluation index graph Qgr is displayed on the display unit 7 together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 The reliability of a certain frame can be grasped with respect to the calculated displacement. For example, when the evaluation index value Qn in the evaluation index graph Qgr is low, the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV in the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 for the frame accurately represent the elasticity of the living tissue It can be judged that it is not reflected. Conversely, when the evaluation index value Qn in the evaluation index graph Qgr is high, the average values X1 _AV and X2 _AV in the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 for the frame accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue . From the above, it is possible to more accurately grasp the elasticity of the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 quantitatively.

It is also possible to display an evaluation index consisting of an evaluation index graph Qgr indicating a time variation of the evaluation index value Qn calculated based on the ratio Ra of the average value Xr _AV to the ideal value Xi _AV The operator can easily judge whether the degree of compression and relaxation of the biotissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is insufficient or excessive. This makes it possible to evaluate whether or not the image is an elastic image that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue in a broader perspective than in the past.

The operator can also freeze the ultrasound image G at a point in time when the evaluation index value Qn is high by observing the evaluation index graph Qgr and output the ultrasound image G by printing or the like. Thereby, an ultrasonic image that more accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can be outputted by printing or the like. Also, in the real time mode, the operator can adjust the degree of compression and relaxation of the living tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 by observing the evaluation index graph Qgr.

Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described. First, the first modification will be described. In this modification, a physical quantity average unit 631 for calculating the evaluation index is a region of interest (RE), the correlation coefficient C (0≤C≤1) is the correlation window, the correlation is not less than the predetermined threshold value (C _TH) is performed And the average of the displacements is calculated to obtain the average value (Xr _AV '). The ratio calculating unit 632 calculates the ratio Ra using the average value Xr _AV 'and calculates Y by using the formula 1 to obtain the evaluation index value Qn . Therefore, the calculated value Y thus calculated is stored in the memory 62. [ Further, the display image creating section 61 creates the evaluation index display (QG) by using the calculated value (Y).

The average value Xr _AV 'is an average value obtained by excluding the displacement of a portion having a low correlation coefficient, such as a portion where the signal intensity of the echo is insufficient, or a portion where lateral displacement of the living tissue occurs. Therefore, the evaluation index value Qn obtained from the average value Xr _AV 'indicates whether or not the pressure by the ultrasonic probe 2 and its relaxation are performed with appropriate strength. From the above, the operator can more accurately grasp, from the evaluation index display (QG), whether or not the pressing by the ultrasonic probe 2 and the relaxation thereof are performed with appropriate strength. For example, when the evaluation index value Qn is far from 1, it can be understood that the pressing by the ultrasonic probe 2 and the relaxation thereof are not performed with proper strength. On the other hand, if the evaluation index value Qn is a value close to 1 or 1, the operator can grasp that the pressing by the ultrasonic probe 2 is performed with appropriate strength.

For example, in the case where the average value Xr _AV including the displacement obtained by the correlation operation with low correlation coefficient is calculated, even if the degree of compression and relaxation of the biological tissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is appropriate, For example, when the signal intensity of the echo is weak, the average value (Xr _AV ) becomes small, and the evaluation index value Qn deviates from 1. Therefore, by calculating the average value Xr _AV except for the displacement of the portion with low correlation coefficient, the degree of compression and relaxation of the biotissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is appropriate , The evaluation index value Qn always approaches 1. From the above, it is possible to display the evaluation index display (QG) more accurately reflecting whether the degree of compression and the degree of relaxation of the living tissue is appropriate.

Next, the second modification will be described. In the second modification, the display image creating section 61 is a display form capable of recognizing whether the evaluation index value Qn is an average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) satisfying a predetermined criterion, Thereby displaying graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2. Specifically, the evaluation index value (Qn) is the predetermined threshold value (Qn _TH) or more evaluation index value (Qn), only the displacement graph (Sgr1 plots as shown in the display image creating unit 61 is 14, Sgr2). Thereby, since the average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) is not displayed when the evaluation index value Qn is less than the threshold value Qn _{TH in} the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, , RS2 can be further easily quantitatively and accurately grasped.

Next, the third modification will be described. In the third modified example, the elastic data creating unit 5 calculates the displacement to create the elastic data. However, as shown in FIG. 15, the elastic image EG is not displayed on the display unit 7 do. That is, in this example, the ultrasonic image G composed of the B mode image BG is displayed, the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 are set on the B mode image BG, and the displacement graphs Sgr1, Sgr2). In this case, the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging section 631 calculates the average value of the displacements in the area where the B mode image BG is created, for example.

(Example 2)

Next, a second embodiment will be described based on Fig. On the other hand, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

In this example, the evaluation index calculator 63 does not include the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 and the non-calculating unit 632, but has a correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 instead. The correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 is an example of an embodiment of the correlation coefficient averaging unit in the present invention.

The operation of this example will be described. In this example, the calculation method of the evaluation index value Qn is different from the first embodiment. More specifically, the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 calculates the correlation coefficient C of the region of interest RE (the regions R (i) and R (ii)) in the correlation calculations performed by the elastic data creating unit 5 )), the average value _(AV C) in the each frame is calculated. In this example, the average value (C _AV ) of the correlation coefficient C is used as the evaluation index value Qn. Therefore, the average value (C _AV ) is stored in the memory (62).

Here, since 0? C? 1, in the present example, 0? As the correlation coefficient in the correlation calculation becomes closer to 1, a displacement that more accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can be obtained. On the other hand, the closer to 0, the more the displacement that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can not be obtained. Therefore, also in this example, Qn is the closer to 1, the mean value (X1 _AV, X2 _AV) and preferably as the evaluation index, the higher the quality Qn is close to 0, on the other hand, the mean value (X1 _AV, X2 _AV ) As an evaluation index.

The display image creation unit 61 plots the average value C _AV as the evaluation index value Qn to generate the evaluation graph Qgr as in the first embodiment, (QG), which is composed of a plurality of evaluation indexes At this time, as in the first embodiment, the display image creating unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value.

According to this example, since the evaluation index graph Qgr obtained by plotting the average value C _AV is displayed together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, the displacement measurement areas RS1, RS2 can be more accurately grasped quantitatively.

Furthermore, since the evaluation index display QG consisting of the evaluation index graph Qgr indicating the temporal change of the evaluation index value Qn which is the average value (C _AV ) of the correlation coefficient C is displayed, It is possible to grasp whether or not the image is the elastic image data created on the basis of the displacement obtained by the correlation calculation with a low correlation coefficient due to, for example, compression on the living tissue and excessive relaxation of the biotissue or insufficient signal intensity of echo have. This makes it possible to evaluate whether or not the image accurately reflects the elastic image of the living tissue from a viewpoint different from the conventional one.

(Example 3)

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. The same components as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In this example, the evaluation index calculator 63 has the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631, the ratio calculating unit 632, and the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633, and also has a multiplier 634 ). The multiplier 634 is an example of an embodiment of the multiplier in the present invention.

The calculation of the evaluation index value Qn in this example will be described. The evaluation index calculation physical quantity averaging unit 631 selects a correlation window in which a correlation calculation is performed in which the correlation coefficient C is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value C _TH as in the first modification of the first embodiment and calculates a mean value Xr 'calculates a), and the ratio calculating unit 632 is the average value _(AV Xr' _AV calculating the ratio (Ra) by using a), and calculates the Y from the equation (1). Further, as in the second embodiment, the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 calculates an average value (C _AV ) of the correlation coefficient C.

The multiplication unit 634 multiplies the calculated value Y obtained in the non-computing unit 632 by the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C obtained in the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633, And the multiplication value M is calculated. The multiplication value M is calculated for each frame. In this example, the multiplication value M is set as the evaluation index value Qn. Therefore, the multiplication value M is stored in the memory 62.

Here, since 0? Y? 1, 0? C _AV? 1, 0? M? Therefore, also in this example, 0? Qn? 1. Since the multiplication value M is a multiplication value of the calculated value Y and the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C, the closer the multiplication value M, that is, the evaluation index value Qn, , The evaluation index of the average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) becomes good. On the other hand, the closer to Qn is, the worse the evaluation index of the average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ).

The multiplier 614 multiplies the calculated value Y by an average value (C _AV ) of the correlation coefficient C by adding weights.

At the time of creating the evaluation index display QG, the display image creation unit 61 plots the multiplication value M as the evaluation index value Qn, The indicator display (QG) is created and displayed. At this time, the display image creating unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value, as in the first and second embodiments.

Here, as in the first modification of the first embodiment, the evaluation index value Qn calculated from the average value (Xr _AV ') of the displacement obtained by the correlation calculation of the correlation coefficient C equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value (C _TH ) When displayed as the evaluation index display (QG), the correlation coefficient is not reflected at all as an element of the quality evaluation of the elastic image. On the other hand, when the average value (C _AV ) of the correlation coefficient C is displayed as the evaluation index display (QG) as in the second embodiment, the degree of compression and relaxation of the biotissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is insufficient , The correlation coefficient C becomes high, so that a good value may be displayed as the evaluation index value Qn. Therefore, in this example, by multiplying the calculated value Y obtained by using the ratio Ra calculated using the average value Xr _AV 'and the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C, And an evaluation index value Qn that includes elements of degree of relaxation and elements of correlation coefficient and can also display an evaluation index display QG consisting of the evaluation index value Qn. Thus, whether or not the image is an elastic image that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue can be evaluated from a wider perspective than in the past.

Since the evaluation index graph Qgr obtained by plotting the multiplication value M is displayed together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 as in the first and second embodiments, , RS2) can be quantitatively and more accurately grasped.

(Example 4)

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. (C _AV ) obtained by the correlation coefficient averaging unit 633 and the average value C _AV of the correlation coefficient C obtained by the correlation calculating unit 633 and the multiplication value M ), And any one of the calculated value Y, the average value C _AV , and the multiplied value M is selected and calculated to obtain the evaluation index value Qn. Then, the evaluation index display QG consisting of the selected evaluation index value Qn is created and displayed by the display image creating unit 61 in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments. The operator selects the evaluation value (Yn), the average value (C _AV ) and the multiplication value (M) as the evaluation index value (Qn). It may be possible to change the evaluation index value Qn once selected.

According to this example, an evaluation index graph Qgr obtained by plotting any one of the calculated value Y, the average value C _AV and the multiplied value M together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2 The elasticity of the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2 can be more accurately grasped quantitatively as in the first to third embodiments.

The evaluation index graph Qgr created using the evaluation index graph Qgr created using the calculated value Y and the evaluation index graph Qgr created using the average value C _AV and the evaluation index graph Qgr created using the multiplication value M It is possible to evaluate whether or not the image is an elastic image that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue in a broader view than in the past.

(Example 5)

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described based on Fig. The same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are not described here.

In this example, the evaluation index calculation section 63 has only the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average section 631. [ The average value Xr _AV calculated by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging unit 631 is used as the evaluation index value Qn. Here, the average value Xr _AV is an example of the embodiment of the pressing state against the living tissue in the present invention, and the evaluation index calculating physical quantity averaging section 631 is an example of the embodiment of the pressing state calculating section in the present invention to be.

The display image creating unit 61 plots the average value Xr _AV as the evaluation index value Qn and displays the evaluation index display QG of the evaluation graph Qgr as in the first to fourth embodiments, ) Is created and displayed. At this time, as in the first to fourth embodiments, the display image creating unit 61 may calculate an average of a plurality of frames of the evaluation index value Qn and plot the average value.

Here, as described above, if the degree of compression and relaxation of the biotissue by the ultrasonic probe 2 is excessive or insufficient, the displacement that accurately reflects the elasticity of the living tissue is not calculated. Therefore, when the average value Xr _AV calculated by the evaluation index calculation physical quantity averaging section 631 is excessively high or too low, the average values (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) for the displacement measurement areas RS1, Does not accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. From this point of view, the average value Xr _AV can be said to indicate whether or not the average values (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) accurately reflect the elasticity of the living tissue. Therefore, since the evaluation index graph Qgr obtained by plotting the average value Xr _AV is displayed together with the displacement graphs Sgr1 and Sgr2, as in the first to fourth embodiments, the displacement measurement area RS1 , RS2) can be quantitatively and more accurately grasped.

In the fifth embodiment, the pressure applied to the body surface of the living body may be detected as a pressing state against the living tissue, and the evaluation index display (QG) may be displayed using the pressure as the evaluation index value Qn. In this case, the pressure applied to the body surface is detected by providing a pressure sensor at the abutting portion with the body surface of the ultrasonic probe 2, for example.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the above embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the ratio calculating unit 632 may calculate only the ratio Ra, and do not need to perform the calculation of (Formula 1). In this case, the ratio Ra | is set as the evaluation index value Qn. FIG. 19 shows an example of the evaluation index display QG created by plotting the ratio Ra | as the evaluation index value Qn and displayed on the display unit 7. As shown in FIG. In Fig. 19, the abscissa indicates the time and the ordinate indicates the ratio | Ra |. As shown in Fig. 19, a band-shaped portion O may be displayed in a predetermined range in which the ratio Ra | is close to 1. This strip-shaped portion O is set in a range of a ratio Ra | where an elastic image (EG) accurately reflecting the elasticity of the living tissue is obtained. When the operator presses and relaxes the living body tissue with the ultrasonic probe 2 so that the evaluation index display QG enters the band-shaped portion O by displaying the band-shaped portion O, An elastic image accurately reflecting the elasticity can be obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, the displacement indicator SG is formed by a graph, but the present invention is not limited to this. Since the displacement indicator SG must quantitatively represent the elasticity of the displacement measurement areas RS1 and RS2, the displacement may be represented by a number, for example.

Further, the evaluation index display (QG) may be composed of bar (B) as shown in Fig. The length of the bar B corresponds to the value of the evaluation index value Qn and elongates and contracts in the vertical direction together with the change of the evaluation index value Qn.

Further, the bar B may not be expanded or contracted in the longitudinal direction according to the evaluation index value Qn but may be changed in color depending on the evaluation index value Qn.

In the above embodiments, the displacement display SG is displayed in the memory playback mode, but the displacement display SG may be displayed in the real time mode.

In the above embodiments, the average value (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ) is described as the setting area physical quantity in the present invention, but the setting area physical quantity is not limited to directly indicating the physical quantity itself, that is, the physical quantity . The setting area physical quantity may indirectly indicate physical quantities calculated from physical quantities such as the logarithm of the average values (X1 _AV , X2 _AV ).

Further, the elastic data creating unit 5 may calculate deformation or elastic modulus of the living tissue instead of displacement due to deformation of the living tissue, as a physical quantity relating to the elasticity of the living tissue.

1: ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 5: elastic data creating unit (physical quantity calculating unit)
7: Display section 9:
62: display image creating section (display control section)
63: Evaluation index calculation unit 631: Evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit
632: ratio calculating section (comparing section) 633: correlation coefficient average section
634: Multiplication part G: Ultrasonic image
BG: B mode image EG: elastic image
QG: Indication of evaluation index Qn: Evaluation index value
SG: Displacement display (physical quantity display) RS1, RS2: Displacement measurement area

Claims (14)

A correlation window is set to two temporally different echo data on the same sound line (sound ray) obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves with respect to a living tissue, and a correlation is calculated between the correlation windows to determine the elasticity of each part in the living tissue A physical quantity calculating unit for calculating a physical quantity relating to the object,
A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image;
A display control unit for displaying a physical quantity indicative of a change in the physical quantity of the setting area in the setting area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit among the physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculating unit;
And an evaluation index calculation unit for calculating an evaluation index for the setting area physical quantity,
Wherein the display control unit displays the physical quantity display and the evaluation index display indicating the change of the evaluation index over time together with the award
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
A correlation window is set for two temporally different echo data on the same sound line obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves relating to a living tissue and a correlation is calculated between the correlation windows to calculate a physical quantity related to elasticity of each part in living tissue A physical quantity calculating unit,
A display unit for displaying an ultrasonic image;
A display control unit for displaying a physical quantity indicative of a temporal change of a set area physical quantity in a setting area set in the ultrasonic image displayed on the display unit among the physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculating unit;
And an evaluation index calculation unit for calculating an evaluation index for the setting area physical quantity,
Wherein the display control unit displays the physical quantity display in a form capable of recognizing whether the evaluation index satisfies a predetermined criterion or not
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the evaluation index calculation unit comprises: an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit for calculating an average of the physical quantities calculated by the physical quantity calculation unit for each frame; and an evaluation index calculation unit for calculating a calculation value for each frame by the evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit And a comparison unit for comparing the average value of the physical quantities with the average value of the physical quantities,
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
The method of claim 3,
The evaluation index calculation physical quantity average part calculates an average of the physical quantities obtained for the correlation window in which the correlation calculation of the correlation coefficient equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value is performed
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
The method of claim 3,
And the comparator calculates the ratio of the calculated value by the evaluation index calculating physical quantity average part to the average value of the physical quantity set in advance as the comparison result
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the evaluation index calculator has a correlation coefficient averaging section for calculating an average of correlation coefficients in the correlation calculation between the correlation windows for each frame,
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The evaluation index calculation unit may include an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit for calculating an average of the physical quantities obtained for the correlation window in which the correlation calculation of the correlation coefficient having a predetermined threshold value or more is performed for each frame, Calculating means for calculating an average of correlation coefficients in a correlation calculation between the correlation windows; and a correlation coefficient average calculating unit for calculating a correlation coefficient between the correlation window and the correlation window, And a multiplication section for multiplying the calculated value of the non-calculation section by the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging section, wherein the calculation result by the multiplication section is used as the evaluation index
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the multiplication unit performs a weighting operation between the calculated value of the non-computing unit and the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging unit
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The evaluation index calculation unit may include an evaluation index calculation physical quantity average unit for calculating an average of the physical quantities obtained for the correlation window in which the correlation calculation of the correlation coefficient having a predetermined threshold value or more is performed for each frame, Calculating means for calculating an average of the correlation coefficients in the correlation calculation between the correlation windows in each frame; and a correlation coefficient averaging unit for calculating, And a multiplication section for multiplying the calculated value by the calculated value of the correlation coefficient averaging section and selecting either one of the calculation result of the correlation coefficient averaging section or the calculation result of the multiplication section as a calculation result of the non- As the evaluation index, the calculation result selected by the operation unit that performs instruction input for
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the evaluation index calculating section has a pressing state calculating section that calculates a pressing state with respect to the living tissue, and the calculation result of the pressing state calculating section is used as the evaluation index
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the pressing state is an average value of the physical quantity in a region where an elastic image of the living tissue is generated based on the physical quantity or a pressure applied to a body surface of the living body
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The setting area physical quantity is an average of the physical quantities of the pixels in the setting area
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The ultrasound image is an image obtained by synthesizing an elastic image of a living tissue created based on the physical quantity with a B mode image
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The ultrasonic image is a B mode image
Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.

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