KR101611449B1 - Method for Controlling Medical Imaging Apparatus Having Probe and Medical Imaging Apparatus Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a method and apparatus for conveniently inputting information related to the location of a probe to a medical imaging device and providing the information to a user. A method of controlling a medical imaging device includes generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field generator fixed to a feature point of a breast surface, acquiring a magnetic field value using a magnetic field sensor provided in the probe, Estimating the relative position and orientation of the probe relative to the feature point, and displaying the marker based on the estimated position and orientation on the display portion of the medical imaging device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a control method of a medical imaging apparatus having a probe,

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling a medical imaging device for providing a medical image to a user, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for conveniently providing a position of a probe to a user.

A variety of medical imaging devices are used to identify structures within the body and diagnose diseases. For example, a medical imaging apparatus includes an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a computed tomography apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a positron emission tomography apparatus, and an X-ray apparatus, .

There is a device equipped with a probe for acquiring a medical image among medical image devices. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus irradiates an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe to a target object, receives information of an echo signal reflected from the target object, and obtains an image of a site inside the target object. In particular, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used for medical purposes such as observation of an object, foreign object detection, and injury measurement. Such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is more stable than the diagnostic apparatus using X-ray, is capable of displaying an image in real time, and is safe because there is no radiation exposure, so that it is widely used with other diagnostic apparatuses.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for conveniently entering information related to the location of a probe in a medical imaging device.

In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for conveniently providing information related to the location of a probe to a user.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a medical imaging apparatus, comprising: generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field generator fixed to a feature point of a breast surface; Estimating a relative position and orientation of the probe relative to the feature point based on the acquired magnetic field value; and estimating a position and orientation of the probe relative to the estimated position and orientation on the display portion of the medical imaging device, And displaying the marker based on the marker.

Further, according to another embodiment, the step of displaying the marker may further include displaying at least one of the azimuth, the distance and the direction of the probe with respect to the feature point via the display unit.

According to still another embodiment, the step of displaying the marker may include displaying the medical image generated based on the information acquired through the probe, and the method of controlling the medical imaging device may further include the step of generating the result report information on the medical image And the result report information may include information on the estimated position and direction.

According to still another embodiment, the step of displaying the marker may further include displaying a guide marker indicating a fixed position and a direction.

The step of displaying the marker may change at least one of the color, brightness, and saturation of the marker if the position and direction of the marker coincide with the preset position and direction.

According to still another embodiment, the step of displaying the marker may further include displaying the difference between the position and direction of the marker and a predetermined position and direction.

A medical imaging apparatus having a probe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetic field generating unit fixed to a feature point of a breast surface and generating a magnetic field, a magnetic field value obtaining unit for obtaining a magnetic field value for the magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generating unit, An image processing unit for estimating a relative position and direction of the probe with respect to the feature point based on the obtained magnetic field value and a display unit for displaying the marker based on the estimated position and the estimated direction.

Further, according to another embodiment, the display unit may further display at least one of the azimuth angle, the distance and the direction of the probe with respect to the feature point.

According to still another embodiment, the display unit further displays a medical image generated based on the information obtained through the probe, and the medical imaging apparatus further includes a data processing unit for generating result report information on the medical image, The result report information may include information on the estimated position and orientation.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the display unit may change at least one of color, brightness, and saturation of the marker when the position and direction of the marker coincide with the predetermined position and direction.

According to still another embodiment, the display unit may further display a difference between a position and a direction of the marker and a predetermined position and direction.

According to still another embodiment, the magnetic field generating portion may include a projection receiving groove in the form of a projection capable of receiving a protrusion of the body.

According to still another embodiment, the magnetic field generating portion may include a bonding portion capable of bonding the magnetic field generating portion to the body at one side of the magnetic field generating portion.

According to still another embodiment, the magnetic field generating portion may include a permanent magnet or an induction magnet for generating a magnetic field inside the magnetic field generating portion.

According to still another embodiment, the magnetic field generating portion may have a bar-shaped magnet accommodating portion capable of accommodating a permanent magnet or an induction magnet.

A computer-readable recording medium according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be characterized in that a program for causing the computer to execute the above-described method is recorded.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless probe according to an embodiment.
3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for controlling a medical imaging device in accordance with one embodiment.
4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.
5 is a plan view and a side view of a magnetic field generating unit according to an embodiment.
6 is a conceptual diagram showing a relative position and a direction of a probe relative to a magnetic field generation point according to an embodiment.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a medical imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.
8 is a conceptual diagram showing a screen displayed on a medical imaging apparatus according to another embodiment.
9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of displaying a report by a medical imaging device according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are denoted by like reference characters throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being "connected" to another part, it includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another part in between .

When an element is referred to as " including " an element throughout the specification, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In addition, the term " "... Module " or the like means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

The term "ultrasound image " in the entire specification refers to an image of an object obtained using ultrasound. In addition, the subject may comprise a person or an animal, or a part of a person or an animal. For example, the subject may include a liver, a heart, a uterus, a brain, a breast, an organ such as the abdomen, or a blood vessel. In addition, the object may comprise a phantom, and the phantom may refer to a material having a volume very close to the biological density and the effective atomic number.

Also, throughout the specification, the term "user" may be a medical professional such as a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 will be described as a representative example of a medical imaging apparatus. However, the medical imaging apparatus may include an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 as well as another medical imaging apparatus having a probe.

According to one embodiment, the medical imaging device may be an ultrasound diagnostic device 1000. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment includes a probe 20, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 100, an image processing unit 200, a communication unit 300, a memory 400, an input device 500, And the various configurations described above may be connected to each other via the bus 700.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can be implemented not only as a cart type but also as a portable type. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnostic devices include, but are not limited to, a PACS viewer, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

The probe 20 transmits an ultrasonic signal to the object 10 according to a driving signal applied from the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 100 and receives an echo signal reflected from the object 10. The probe 20 includes a plurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers generate ultrasonic waves that are vibrated according to an electrical signal to be transmitted and are acoustical energy. The probe 20 may be connected to the main body of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 in a wired or wireless manner. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include a plurality of probes 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The transmission unit 110 supplies a driving signal to the probe 20 and includes a pulse generation unit 112, a transmission delay unit 114, and a pulsar 116. The pulse generation unit 112 generates a pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic wave in accordance with a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delay unit 114 determines a transmission directionality And applies the delay time to the pulse. Each of the pulses to which the delay time is applied corresponds to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe 20, respectively. The pulser 116 applies a driving signal (or a driving pulse) to the probe 20 at a timing corresponding to each pulse to which the delay time is applied.

The receiving unit 120 processes the echo signal received from the probe 20 to generate ultrasonic data and includes an amplifier 122, an ADC (Analog Digital Converter) 124, a receiving delay unit 126, And may include a summation unit 128. The amplifier 122 amplifies the echo signal for each channel, and the ADC 124 analog-converts the amplified echo signal. The reception delay unit 126 applies the delay time for determining the reception directionality to the digitally converted echo signal and the summation unit 128 sums the echo signals processed by the reception delay unit 126 And generates ultrasonic data. Meanwhile, the receiving unit 120 may not include the amplifier 122 according to the embodiment. That is, when the sensitivity of the probe 20 is improved or the processing bit number of the ADC 124 is improved, the amplifier 122 may be omitted.

The image processing unit 200 generates and displays an ultrasound image through a scan conversion process on the ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 100. On the other hand, the ultrasound image has a Doppler effect as well as an image of a gray scale obtained by scanning an object in an A mode (amplitude mode), a B mode (brightness mode) and an M mode And may include a Doppler image expressing a moving object by using the Doppler image. The Doppler image may include a blood flow Doppler image (also referred to as a color Doppler image) representing blood flow, a tissue Doppler image representing tissue motion, and a spectral Doppler image representing a moving velocity of the object as a waveform have.

The B mode processing unit 212 extracts and processes the B mode component from the ultrasonic data. The image generating unit 220 can generate an ultrasound image in which the intensity of the signal is expressed by the brightness based on the B mode component extracted by the B mode processing unit 212. [

Similarly, the Doppler processing unit 214 extracts a Doppler component from the ultrasound data, and the image generating unit 220 can generate a Doppler image that expresses the motion of the target object in color or waveform, based on the extracted Doppler component.

The image generating unit 220 may generate a three-dimensional ultrasound image through a volume rendering process on the volume data, and may generate an elastic image by imaging the degree of deformation of the object 10 according to the pressure It is possible. Further, the image generating unit 220 may display various additional information on the ultrasound image in text or graphics. Meanwhile, the generated ultrasound image may be stored in the memory 400.

The display unit 230 displays and outputs the generated ultrasound image. The display unit 230 can display various information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 on the screen through GUI (Graphic User Interface) as well as ultrasound images. Meanwhile, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include two or more display units 230 according to an embodiment.

The communication unit 300 is connected to the network 30 by wire or wireless, and communicates with an external device or a server. The communication unit 300 can exchange data with other medical devices in a hospital server or a hospital connected through a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). In addition, the communication unit 300 can perform data communication according to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard.

The communication unit 300 can transmit and receive data related to diagnosis of a target object such as an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, and Doppler data of the target body 10 through the network 30, A medical image can also be transmitted and received. Further, the communication unit 300 may receive information on the diagnosis history of the patient, the treatment schedule, and the like from the server, and may utilize the information for diagnosis of the target body 10. Further, the communication unit 300 may perform data communication with a doctor or a patient's portable terminal as well as a server or a medical apparatus in a hospital.

The communication unit 300 may be connected to the network 30 by wire or wirelessly to exchange data with the server 32, the medical device 34, or the portable terminal 36. The communication unit 300 may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device and may include, for example, a local communication module 310, a wired communication module 320, and a mobile communication module 330 .

The short range communication module 310 means a module for short range communication within a predetermined distance. The local area communication technology according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless LAN, a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a zigbee, a Wi-Fi Direct, an ultra wideband (UWB) IrDA, Infrared Data Association), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (Near Field Communication), and the like.

The wired communication module 320 is a module for communication using an electrical signal or an optical signal. In the wired communication technology according to an exemplary embodiment, a pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, an ethernet cable May be included.

The mobile communication module 330 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The memory 400 stores various pieces of information to be processed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000. For example, the memory 400 may store medical data related to diagnosis of a target object such as input / output ultrasound data and ultrasound images, and may store an algorithm or a program executed in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000.

The memory 400 may be implemented by various types of storage media such as a flash memory, a hard disk, and an EEPROM. Also, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may operate a web storage or a cloud server that performs a storage function of the memory 400 on the web.

The input device 500 means a means for receiving data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 from a user. The input device 500 may include hardware components such as a keypad, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen, a trackball, a jog switch, etc., but is not limited thereto and may be an electrocardiogram measurement module, a breath measurement module, , A fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, a distance sensor, and the like.

The controller 600 controls the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 as a whole. That is, the control unit 600 controls the operation between the probe 20, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 100, the image processing unit 200, the communication unit 300, the memory 400, and the input device 500 shown in FIG. can do.

Some or all of the probe 20, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 100, the image processing unit 200, the communication unit 300, the memory 400, the input device 500 and the control unit 600 can be operated by a software module However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and some of the above-described configurations may be operated by hardware. At least some of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 100, the image processing unit 200, and the communication unit 300 may be included in the controller 600, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless probe 2000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless probe 2000 includes a plurality of transducers as described with reference to FIG. 1, and may include some or all of the components of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

The wireless probe 2000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a transmitting unit 2100, a transducer 2200, and a receiving unit 2300, and their configurations have been described in 1, do. Meanwhile, the wireless probe 2000 may selectively include a reception delay unit 2330 and a summation unit 2340 according to the implementation.

The wireless probe 2000 may transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object 10, receive an echo signal, generate ultrasonic data, and wirelessly transmit the generated ultrasonic data to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 of FIG.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a process for controlling a medical imaging device in accordance with one embodiment.

First, the medical imaging apparatus can acquire a magnetic field value through a magnetic sensor (S3100). Here, the magnetic field sensor may be provided in a probe of the medical imaging apparatus. According to an embodiment, the magnetic field sensor may be provided in a probe. Alternatively, the magnetic field sensor can be attached to and detached from the probe, and can be variously modified according to the embodiment. In addition, the magnetic field sensor may include a sensor capable of sensing a plurality of magnetic fields. The plurality of sensors can measure the magnitude of the magnetic field having directions on three axes each. The medical imaging device may determine the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field for each of the plurality of sensors based on the magnitude of each magnetic field. The plurality of detectors included in the magnetic field detector can detect the intensity and direction of the magnetic field and convert the detected intensity into an electrical signal. Each detector may be a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element, a Flux Gate Magnetometer, a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), a fiber optic magnetic sensor, a proton precession magnetometer, (optical pumping magnetometer) or the like.

Here, the magnetic field sensed through the magnetic field sensor may refer to a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating unit located at a characteristic point on the body. According to the embodiment, the magnetic field generating unit may be included in the medical imaging apparatus or may be included in a separate apparatus. The magnetic field generating portion may include a permanent magnet or an induction magnet for forming a magnetic field. For example, when capturing a medical image for a breast, the medical imaging device can sense a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator placed on the nipple. The magnetic field generating part may be fixed to the minutiae by using fixing means for fixing to the body according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a feature point according to an embodiment, that is, a relative position and a direction of a probe relative to a magnetic field generation point. If the medical imaging device is an ultrasound diagnostic device, the probe 20 may be located at one point on the breast 6000 to acquire ultrasound images of the breast 6000. At this time, the magnetic field generating portion 4200 may be positioned on the nipple. The magnetic field detector 610 located at one side of the probe 20 may sense a magnetic field generated in the magnetic field generator 4200.

Referring back to FIG. 3, after step S3100, the medical imaging device can estimate the relative position and direction of the probe with respect to the feature point, based on the magnetic field value obtained in step S3100 (S3200). According to one embodiment, the medical imaging device can estimate the relative position and orientation of the probe relative to the feature points from the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field on the plurality of sensors included in the magnetic field sensor. The method of estimating the magnetic field generation point based on the magnitude and position of the magnetic field sensed at the different positions will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Thereafter, the medical imaging apparatus can display the marker in the estimated direction at a position on the display unit corresponding to the estimated position in step S3200 (S3300). Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a screen 7000 displayed on the display unit of the medical imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. The medical imaging apparatus according to one embodiment may display the marker 7020 indicating the position and direction of the probe through the display unit. That is, the marker 7020 may be displayed on the display in an estimated direction at a position corresponding to the estimated position. According to an embodiment, the medical imaging device may display a screen 7000 including a medical image 7010 obtained using a probe. In addition, the medical imaging device can display information 7030 related to the probe position, such as azimuth, position, and distance from the feature point of the probe.

Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a medical imaging apparatus according to another embodiment. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the medical image device can store the position of the probe at the time of capturing the medical image when storing the medical image. When the stored medical image is displayed on the display unit, the medical imaging apparatus displays the position and direction of the probe at the time of photographing the medical image 7010 together with the marker 7020 indicating the current position and direction of the probe A screen 8000 including a guide marker 8010 to be displayed can be displayed. The user can easily obtain the medical image at the same position as the position where the medical image was photographed in the past by moving the probe 20 so that the marker 7020 and the guide marker 8010 are displayed at the same position, can do. According to another embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus can display a screen 8000 displaying the difference 8020 between the position and direction of the probe at the time of imaging the medical image 7010 and the position of the current probe . Here, the medical image 7010 included in the screen 8000 includes at least one of the medical image photographed in the past and the medical image photographed at the marker 7020 at the position of the guide marker 8010 according to the embodiment .

According to one embodiment, in step S3300, the medical imaging apparatus can change at least one of the hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker 7020 when the position of the marker 7020 coincides with a predetermined position and direction. For example, if the position of the marker 7020 is within a certain distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the medical imaging device may cause the marker 7020 to blink. According to another embodiment, when the position of the marker 7020 is within a certain distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the medical imaging apparatus can generate a beep sound.

Also, according to one embodiment, the medical imaging device may generate report information that includes information about the disease associated with the medical image. When generating the report information related to the medical image, the medical imaging device can generate report information including information related to the position and direction of the estimated probe 20 when acquiring the medical image. Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of displaying a report by a medical imaging device according to an embodiment. The medical imaging device according to an exemplary embodiment may output a user interface 9010 for inputting disease-related information through button selection. When the user selects the report creation button 9020 included in the user interface 9010, the medical imaging device can generate the report information 9030 including the positional information 9040 of the marker corresponding to the medical image.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.

The medical imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment may include a probe 20, a magnetic field sensor 4100 provided in the probe 20, an image processing unit 200, and a display unit 230. The magnetic field generator 4200 may further include a magnetic field generator 4200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic field generating section 4200 may be included in a separate external device (not shown) according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an illustration to illustrate one embodiment, and the medical imaging device 1000 may include more or fewer components than the components shown in FIG.

The magnetic field sensor 4100 included in the probe 20 may be integrally formed with the probe 20 or may have a structure capable of being detachably attached to the probe 20. [ The magnetic field sensor 4100 can acquire a magnetic field value using a plurality of sensors. The plurality of detectors can measure the magnitude of the magnetic field having directions on three axes each. Each detector may be a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element, a Flux Gate Magnetometer, a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), a fiber optic magnetic sensor, a proton precession magnetometer, (optical pumping magnetometer) or the like.

The magnetic field sensed through the magnetic field sensor 4100 may be a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator 4200 located at one point on the body. Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relative position and direction of a probe with respect to a feature point according to an embodiment. If the medical imaging device is an ultrasound diagnostic device, the probe 20 may be located at one point on the breast 6000 to acquire ultrasound images of the breast 6000. At this time, the magnetic field generating portion 4200 may be located on a characteristic point, for example, on a nipple. The magnetic field detector 610 located at one side of the probe 20 may sense a magnetic field generated in the magnetic field generator 4200.

4, based on the magnetic field value obtained through the magnetic field sensor 4100, the image processing unit 200 calculates the relative position of the probe 20 with respect to the magnetic field generating unit 4200, Direction can be estimated. The image processing unit 200 can estimate the relative position and direction of the probe with respect to the feature point from the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field on the plurality of detectors included in the magnetic field sensor. The functions performed by the image processing unit 200 throughout this specification may be performed by the control unit 600 of FIG. 1 or other components capable of processing data.

The display unit 230 may display a marker in an estimated direction at a position estimated by the image processing unit 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a screen 7000 displayed on the display unit 230 of the medical imaging apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display unit 230 may display the marker 7020 indicating the position and the direction of the probe 20 through the display unit 230. [ That is, the display unit 230 may display the marker 7020 in an estimated direction at a position corresponding to the estimated position. The display unit 230 may display a screen 7000 including the medical image 7010 obtained using the probe 20 according to the embodiment. In addition, the display unit 230 according to another embodiment may display information 7030 related to the probe position, such as the azimuth, the position of the probe 20, and the distance from the feature point.

In addition, according to one embodiment, the medical imaging device 1000 may store the position of the probe 20 when the medical image is captured when the medical image is stored in the memory 400 of FIG. The display unit 230 displays a marker 7020 indicating the current position and direction of the probe 20 and a guide marker 702 indicating the position and direction of the probe 20 at the time of photographing the medical image 7010 8010 of the display screen 8000 shown in FIG. The user can easily obtain the medical image at the same position as the position where the medical image was photographed in the past by moving the probe 20 so that the marker 7020 and the guide marker 8010 are displayed at the same position, can do. According to another embodiment, the display unit 230 can display a screen 8000 showing a difference 8020 between the position and direction of the probe at the time of photographing the medical image 7010 and the position of the current probe have. Here, the medical image 7010 included in the screen 8000 includes at least one of the medical image photographed in the past and the medical image photographed at the marker 7020 at the position of the guide marker 8010 according to the embodiment .

In addition, the display unit 230 according to an exemplary embodiment may change at least one of the hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker 7020 when the position of the marker 7020 coincides with a predetermined position and direction. For example, when the position of the marker 7020 is within a predetermined distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the display unit 230 may cause the marker 7020 to blink. According to another embodiment, when the position of the marker 7020 is within a predetermined distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may generate a beep sound.

Also, according to one embodiment, the medical imaging device 1000 may generate report information that includes information about a disease associated with a medical image. The report information may be generated by the image processing unit 200 or the control unit 600 of FIG. When generating the report information, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may generate report information including information related to the position and direction of the probe 20 estimated by the image processing unit 200 upon acquisition of the medical image. Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of generating and displaying a report by the medical imaging device 1000 according to an embodiment. The display unit 230 according to an exemplary embodiment may output a user interface 9010 for inputting disease-related information through button selection. When the user selects the report creation button 9020 included in the user interface 9010, the image processing unit 200 or the control unit 600 of FIG. 1 displays a report including the marker position information 9040 corresponding to the medical image Information 9030 can be generated.

The magnetic field generator 4200 according to the embodiment can generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generating section 4200 may include a permanent magnet or an induction magnet for generating a magnetic field.

5 is a plan view 5100 and a side view 5200 of the magnetic field generating portion 4200 according to an embodiment. The magnetic field generating portion 4200 according to one embodiment may include a rod-shaped receiving portion 5120 for receiving the permanent magnet or the induction magnet 5110 having a dipole shape. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the receiving portion 5120 may be a groove on the magnetic field generating portion 4200. In addition, the magnetic field generating unit 4200 according to one embodiment can use a projection receiving portion 5210 in the form of a projection for receiving a part of the body. For example, when the magnetic field generating portion 4200 is located on the nipple of the breast, the projection receiving portion 5210 can receive the nipple. According to another embodiment, the magnetic field generating portion 4200 may further include a bonding portion (not shown) which can contact the body at one side of the magnetic field generating portion 4200. The adhesive portion (not shown) can fix the magnetic field generating portion 4200 to the body using an adhesive, air pressure, band, or the like.

One embodiment of the present invention may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media such as RAM, removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable medium can include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes any information delivery media, including computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. For example, computer storage media may be embodied in ROM, RAM, flash memory, CD, DVD, magnetic disk, magnetic tape, or the like.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and that those of ordinary skill in the art can readily understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention do.

Claims (16)

A method of controlling a medical imaging apparatus that irradiates an ultrasonic signal to a target object, receives information of an echo signal reflected from the target object, and acquires an ultrasound image of the target object,
Generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field generator fixed to the characteristic points of the surface of the object;
Obtaining a magnetic field value using a magnetic field sensor provided in the probe;
Estimating a relative position and orientation of the probe with respect to the feature point based on the acquired magnetic field value; And
A first marker for indicating the current position and direction of the probe estimated on the display unit of the medical imaging apparatus and a second marker for indicating the position and direction of the probe at the time of the imaging of the ultrasound image step;
Wherein the medical imaging device is a medical imaging device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of displaying the first marker and the second marker comprises:
And displaying at least one of an azimuth, a distance and a direction of the probe with respect to the feature point through the display unit.
Medical imaging device control method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of displaying the first marker and the second marker comprises:
The medical images generated based on the information obtained through the probe are displayed together,
The medical imaging device control method includes:
And generating result report information for the medical image, wherein the result report information includes information on the estimated position and direction,
Medical imaging device control method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of displaying the first marker and the second marker comprises:
Further displaying a guide marker indicating a fixed position and direction,
Medical imaging device control method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of displaying the first marker and the second marker comprises:
Changing at least one of hue, brightness, and saturation of the first marker when the position and direction of the first marker coincide with the position and direction of the second marker.
Medical imaging device control method. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of displaying the first marker and the second marker comprises:
Further indicating a difference between a position and a direction of the first marker and a position and a direction of the second marker,
Medical imaging device control method. A medical imaging apparatus comprising: a probe for irradiating an ultrasonic signal to a target object, receiving information of an echo signal reflected from the target object, and acquiring an ultrasound image for the target object,
A magnetic field generator fixed to the characteristic point of the surface of the object and generating a magnetic field;
Acquiring a magnetic field value for a magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generator; and a magnetic field sensor provided in the probe;
An image processing unit for estimating a relative position and a direction of the probe with respect to the feature point based on the obtained magnetic field value;
A memory for storing information on a position and a direction of the probe at the time of photographing the ultrasound image; And
A display unit for displaying a first marker indicating the estimated position and direction of the probe and a second marker indicating the position and direction of the probe stored in the memory;
And a medical imaging device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The display unit includes:
And further displaying at least one of an azimuth angle, a distance and a direction of the probe with respect to the feature point.
Medical imaging device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The display unit includes:
The medical images generated based on the information obtained through the probe are displayed together,
Wherein the medical imaging device comprises:
And a data processing unit for generating result report information on the medical image, wherein the result report information includes information on the estimated position and direction,
Medical imaging device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The display unit includes:
And changing at least one of color, lightness, and saturation of the first marker when the position and direction of the first marker coincide with a predetermined position and direction,
Medical imaging device. 8. The method of claim 7,
The display unit includes:
Further indicating a difference between a position and a direction of the first marker and a position and a direction of the second marker,
Medical imaging device. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the magnetic field generating unit comprises:
And a projection receiving groove in the form of a projection capable of receiving a protrusion of the body. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the magnetic field generating unit comprises:
And a bonding portion for bonding the magnetic field generating portion to a body on one side of the magnetic field generating portion. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the magnetic field generating unit comprises:
And a permanent magnet or an induction magnet for generating a magnetic field inside the magnetic field generating portion,
Medical imaging device. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the magnetic field generating unit comprises:
And a bar-shaped magnet accommodating portion capable of accommodating a permanent magnet or an induction magnet. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method of claim 1.

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