KR20120059418A - Medical image display apparatus and method for displaying medical images - Google Patents

Medical image display apparatus and method for displaying medical images Download PDF

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KR20120059418A
KR20120059418A KR1020110126027A KR20110126027A KR20120059418A KR 20120059418 A KR20120059418 A KR 20120059418A KR 1020110126027 A KR1020110126027 A KR 1020110126027A KR 20110126027 A KR20110126027 A KR 20110126027A KR 20120059418 A KR20120059418 A KR 20120059418A
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display
elastic
image
physical quantity
display data
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KR1020110126027A
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Korean (ko)
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?이치로 다니가와
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지이 메디컬 시스템즈 글로발 테크놀러지 캄파니 엘엘씨
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Priority to KR1020110126027A priority Critical patent/KR20120059418A/en
Publication of KR20120059418A publication Critical patent/KR20120059418A/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/48—Diagnostic techniques
    • A61B8/485—Diagnostic techniques involving measuring strain or elastic properties
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/5215—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data
    • A61B8/5238—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data for combining image data of patient, e.g. merging several images from different acquisition modes into one image
    • A61B8/5246—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data for combining image data of patient, e.g. merging several images from different acquisition modes into one image combining images from the same or different imaging techniques, e.g. color Doppler and B-mode
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
    • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
    • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
    • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
    • G01R33/54—Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
    • G01R33/56—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
    • G01R33/563—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution of moving material, e.g. flow contrast angiography
    • G01R33/56358—Elastography
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
    • G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
    • G01S7/52042—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation determining elastic properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52053—Display arrangements
    • G01S7/52057—Cathode ray tube displays
    • G01S7/52074—Composite displays, e.g. split-screen displays; Combination of multiple images or of images and alphanumeric tabular information

Abstract

PURPOSE: A medical image display device and method are provided to help medical diagnosis by displaying the portions of biological tissue having the same elasticity in the same display form on first and second images. CONSTITUTION: A medical image display device(1) displays medical images of biological tissue. A physical quantity calculator(5) calculates a first physical quantity related to the elasticity of the biological tissue. A display image control unit displays a first elasticity image having a display form corresponding to the first physical property and displays, as a medical image, a second elasticity image having a display form corresponding to a second physical quantity related to the elasticity of elasticity of the biological tissue. The display image control unit displays the portions of the biological tissue having the same elasticity as the first and second elasticity images.

Description

MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING MEDICAL IMAGES}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying a medical image (image) of a biological tissue and a method for displaying a medical image. The present invention relates in particular to a medical image display apparatus for displaying an elastic image of biological tissue as a medical image, and a method for medical image display.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic image display device for displaying an elastic image each configured in a display form corresponding to elasticity of a living tissue. Regarding an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system, a system capable of displaying an elastic image of a living tissue is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 2 and the like. Each of the MRI elastic image displayed by the MRI system and the ultrasonic elastic image displayed by the ultrasonic image display device is, for example, an image made of a color corresponding to the elasticity of the biological tissue.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-118152 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-283372

By the way, an MRI elastic image is a wiper in range image than an ultrasonic elastic image. Ultrasonic elastic images, on the other hand, are generally better in spatial resolution than MRI elastic images. Thus, as an imaging diagnosis that takes advantage of the characteristics of both images, the disease part may be displayed while displaying an MRI elastic image on an ultrasound image display device, and viewing an image of the entire organ such as the liver through the MRI elastic image, for example. Once specified, it may be desirable to be able to identify and diagnose a region or region considered a disease by a real-time ultrasound elastic image with good spatial resolution.

However, since the MRI elastic image and the ultrasonic elastic image are generated using the corresponding color map by the MRI system and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, portions or regions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are displayed in different colors in each elastic image. . Thus, when the second elastic image generated in another medical image display apparatus is displayed in the medical image display apparatus for displaying the first elastic image, portions having the same elasticity are the same in the first elastic image and the second elastic image. It can be displayed in the form of a display. Accordingly, there is a need for a medical image display apparatus capable of displaying an image useful for diagnosis.

A medical image display apparatus for displaying a medical image of a biological tissue, comprising: a physical quantity calculator for calculating a first physical quantity related to elasticity of the biological tissue; A first elastic image having a display form corresponding to the first physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculator and a second elasticity having a display form corresponding to a second physical quantity associated with the elasticity of the biological tissue calculated by the other medical image display apparatus A display image control unit for causing an image to be displayed as a medical image; The display image control unit provides a medical image display apparatus for causing images in which parts having the same elasticity in living tissue are displayed in the same display form to be displayed as first and second elastic images.

According to the present invention, portions having the same elasticity in living tissue are presented in the same display form in the first and second images, and thus images useful for diagnosis can be displayed.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a diagram for explaining generation of physical quantity data.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a display control unit in the ultrasonic image display device shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the elastic image data generating unit in the display control unit shown in FIG.
5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit in which a medical image is displayed.
6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic image display apparatus.
7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit in which a B-mode image is displayed.
8 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit in which a B-mode picture and an MRI picture are displayed.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a strain distribution in an ROI that is a target for generating an ultrasound elastic image and a color information conversion graph.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a color information conversion graph illustrated in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a hardness distribution in a region of interest that is a target for generating an MRI elastic image and a color information conversion graph.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing a color information conversion graph illustrated in FIG. 11.
13 shows a table in which corresponding hardness and strain are defined.
14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display control unit in the first modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit in the first modification of the embodiment.
16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the first modification of the embodiment.
17 is a diagram showing one example of a display unit in which arbitrary points are set for a B-mode image in the first modification of the embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing graphs of correlation information between strain and hardness in a first modification. FIG.
19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the second modification of the embodiment.
20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the third modification of the embodiment.
21 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the third modification.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a graph of correlation information between strain and hardness in a third modification. FIG.
FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display control unit of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the fourth modification of the embodiment.
24 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the fourth modification.
25 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the fourth modification.
26 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of a display control unit of the ultrasonic image display apparatus according to the embodiment.
27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit in which a measurement area is set.
28 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display unit in which the measurement area is set.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the Example of this invention is described concretely based on an accompanying drawing. The ultrasonic image display device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B-mode data generator 4, a physical quantity data generator 5, a display controller 6, a display A unit 7, an operating unit 8, a control unit 9, an HDD (hard disk drive) 10, a magnetic field generator 11, and a magnetic sensor 12 are provided. The ultrasonic image display apparatus 1 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the medical image display apparatus according to the present invention.

The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits ultrasonic waves to living tissue and receives echoes thereof. Ultrasonic elastic imaging by repeating pressure and relaxation in the state in which the ultrasonic probe 2 is in contact with the surface of biological tissue or by applying acoustic radiation pressure from the ultrasonic probe 2 As described below, this is generated based on an echo signal obtained by performing transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves during deforming of a living tissue.

The ultrasonic probe 2 has a magnetic sensor 12 consisting of a hole element, for example. Subsequently, the magnetic sensor 12 detects the magnetic field generated from the magnetic field generator 11 made of the magnetic field generating coil. The signal detected by the magnetic sensor 12 is input to the display controller 6. The signal detected by the magnetic sensor 12 may be input to the display controller 6 via a cable (not shown) or may be input wirelessly.

On the basis of the control signal supplied from the control unit 9 to perform the scanning of the ultrasonic waves on all sound rays, the transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 under predetermined scan conditions. . The transmit / receive unit 3 performs signal processing such as phasing-adding processing for each echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2. The echo signal which has undergone the signal processing in the transmission / reception unit 3 is output to the B-mode data generator 4 and the physical quantity data generator 5.

The B-mode data generator 4 performs B-mode processing such as algebraic compression processing, envelope detection processing, and the like on the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to generate B-mode image data. B-mode data is output from the B-mode data generator 4 to the display control section 6.

The physical quantity data generator 5 generates physical quantity data related to elasticity in the living tissue, based on the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3 (physical quantity data generation function). The physical quantity data generating apparatus 5, based on two echo signals on the same sound line belonging to two frames (iii) and (ii), shows the physical quantity related to the elasticity of each region in the biological tissue as shown in FIG. It calculates when appropriate, and produces | generates physical quantity data accordingly (for example, refer Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2008-126079). The physical quantity data generator 5 generates physical quantity data, and targets within the regions of interest R1 and R2 serving as targets for generating the ultrasonic elastic image UEG described below.

The physical quantity data generator 5 calculates the strain S due to the deformation of the living tissue as a physical quantity. Physical quantity data is data which consists of the strain S of each area | region in living tissue. The physical quantity data generator 5 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the physical quantity data generator in the present invention. The physical quantity data generating function is one example for explaining an embodiment of the physical quantity calculating function in the present invention. In addition, strain S is an example explaining embodiment of a 1st physical quantity in this invention.

The B-mode data output from the B-mode data generator 4 and the physical quantity data output from the physical quantity data generator 5 are input to the display control unit 6. As shown in Fig. 3, the display control unit 6 includes a position calculator 61, a memory 62, a B-mode image data generating unit 63, an ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64, and an MRI elastic image. The data generation unit 65 and the display image control unit 66 are provided.

The position calculator 61, based on the magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor 12, uses the magnetic field generator 11 as an origin to incline and tilt the ultrasonic probe 2 in a three-dimensional space. Calculate information about the location. In addition, the position calculator 61 calculates positional information about the echo data in the three-dimensional space based on the probe positional information.

B-mode data and physical quantity data are stored in the memory 62. B-mode data and physical quantity data are stored in the memory 62 as a data set for all sound lines. The memory 62 is formed of a semiconductor memory such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or the like. In addition, B-mode data and physical quantity data may also be stored in the HDD 10.

Here, the echo signal (including data generated based on the echo signal) may be referred to as raw data (Raw) data before conversion to the B-mode image data and elastic image data described below. The B-mode data and the physical quantity data stored in the memory 62 or the HDD 10 are raw material data.

The echo signal subjected to the phase-addition processing in the transmission / reception unit 3 can be stored in the HDD 10 as raw data.

MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI system 100 is stored in the memory 62 through the control unit 9. The MRI elastic image data stored in the memory 62 is volume data and includes color information corresponding to the elasticity of the biological tissue. The MRI elastic image data stored in the memory 62 includes information about the hardness H of the biological tissue calculated by the MRI system 100 (nPa, where n is any numerical value and Pa is Pascal). something to do. The MRI elastic image data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the second elastic display data in the present invention. The MRI system 100 is one example for explaining an embodiment of another medical image display apparatus in the present invention. The information about the hardness H is one example for explaining the embodiment of the second physical quantity in the present invention.

Image data (MRI image data) of an MRI image such as a T1 emphasized image, a T2 emphasized image, etc. generated by the MRI system 100 is also stored in the memory 62.

In addition, MRI elastic image data and MRI image data may be stored in the HDD 100.

The B-mode image data generating unit 63 scan-converts the B-mode data by the scan converter to generate B-mode image data having brightness information corresponding to the signal strength of each echo. The luminance information included in the B-mode image data includes a predetermined gray level (256 gray levels).

The ultrasonic elastic image data generation unit 64 includes a color data generator 641 and a scan converter 642 as shown in FIG. The color data generator 641 generates the color data CD based on the physical quantity data as described below. The color data CD has color information corresponding to elasticity of living tissue. Color data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the first elasticity display data in the present invention. The color data generator 64 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the first elastic display data generator in the present invention. Color information is one example for explaining an embodiment of display type information in the present invention.

The scan converter 642 scan-converts the color data CD to generate ultrasonic elastic image data.

The MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 is based on the information on the hardness (H) of the biological tissue calculated by the MRI system 100, the color information about the MRI elastic image displayed on the display unit 7 Generates MRI elastic image data consisting of. The MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 has color information different from the MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI system 100 and stored in the memory 62. Details thereof will be described below. The MRI elastic image data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the second elastic display data in the present invention. The MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 is one example for explaining the embodiment of the second elastic display data generating unit in the present invention.

The display image control unit 66 uses the B-mode image data, the ultrasonic elastic image data, and the MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 to display the display unit 7 in FIG. 5. Allows to display medical images G1, G2 and G3 as shown in (Display Image Control Function). The medical image G1 includes a B-mode image BG, the medical image G2 includes a combination image of a B-mode image BG and an ultrasonic elastic image UGE, and a medical image G3. Includes a combined image of an MRI elastic image (MEG) and an ultrasonic elastic image (UGE). In addition, the symbol Li in the medical image G3 represents the liver. As described below, the medical image G3 has the same cross section as the medical images G1 and G2 in the biological tissue, but the MRI elastic image MEG is larger than the ultrasonic elastic image UGG and the B-mode image BG. A wider range of images is obtained.

Ultrasonic elastic images (UGE) and MRI elastic images (MEG) are images each having a display form corresponding to elasticity of living tissue. In this example, the images are images that include a color corresponding to the elasticity of the biological tissue. The ultrasonic elastic image (UGE) is one example for explaining the embodiment of the first elastic image in the present invention. The MRI elastic image (MEG) is one example for explaining the embodiment of the second elastic image in the present invention. In addition, the display image control unit 66 is one example for explaining the embodiment of the display image control unit in the present invention, and the image control function is one example for explaining the display image control function in the present invention.

By the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 can display the combined and obtained data as the medical image G2 by adding the B-mode image data and the ultrasonic elastic image data together. In the medical image G2, the ultrasonic elastic image UGE is placed in such a manner that the B-mode image BG in the background becomes transparent in the region of interest R1 set on the B-mode image BG. do. The region of interest R1 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the display region for the first elastic image in the present invention.

By the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 can display the image obtained by superimposing the ultrasonic elastic image UGE on a part of the MRI elastic image MEG as the medical image G3. It becomes possible. Here, "nesting" means that no picture for the background is displayed. The ultrasonic elastic image UGE is displayed in the corresponding region of interest R2 set on the MRI elastic image MEG.

In addition, the medical images G1 to G3 are images for the same section in the living tissue, and the ROIs and ROI2 of interest are set for the same position in the living tissue.

By the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 can display only the B-mode image BG based on the B-mode image data (see FIG. 7) or based on the MRI image data. MRI image MG can be displayed (see FIG. 8).

The display unit 7 consists of LCD (liquid crystal display), CRT (cathode ray tube), etc. The operating unit 8 comprises a keyboard and pointing device (not shown) that allows the operator to enter instructions or information. The operation unit 8 is one example for explaining the embodiment of the input unit in the present invention.

The control unit 9 includes a CPU (central processing unit). The control unit 9 reads out a control program stored in the HDD 10 and causes such a control program to execute a function in each part of the ultrasonic image display apparatus 1 starting from the physical quantity data generating function and the display image control function.

The operation of the ultrasonic image display device 1 of this embodiment at such a point in time at which medical images G1 to G3 are displayed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When displaying the medical images G1 to G3, the process of steps S1 to S3 is executed to coordinate the MRI elastic image and the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image (each of the B-mode image BG and the ultrasonic elastic image UGE). Registration between the coordinate system of each of the (MEG) and the MRI image (MG) is performed. In particular, in step S1, the ultrasonic probe 2 first transmits ultrasonic waves to living tissue to receive respective echo signals. Subsequently, by the display image control unit 66, the control unit 7 displays the real-time B-mode image BG based on the echo signal as shown in FIG.

Next, in step S2, by the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 is in parallel with the B-mode image BG as shown in FIG. 8. It is possible to display the MRI image MG based on the MRI image data stored therein. By the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 displays the MRI image MG when the operator inputs an instruction to the operation unit 8.

Next, in step S3, the coordinate system of the B-mode image BG and the coordinate system of the MRI image MG are matched with each other. Specifically, the operator operates the operation unit 8 while comparing the B-mode image BG displayed on the display unit 7 with the MRI image MG, and the same cross section as the real-time B-mode image BG. The display unit 7 displays the corresponding MRI image MG having a. The determination as to whether the cross sections are the same with each other is made, for example, by allowing the operator to refer to the characteristic area. It is also assumed that the plane scanned by the ultrasonic probe 2 is parallel to the slice plane of the MRI image MG.

When the B-mode image BG and the MRI image MG having the same cross section are displayed, using the track ball or the like of the operation unit 8, the operator uses the B-mode image BG on the display unit 7. Specifies an arbitrary point of. The operator designates a point in the B-mode picture BG and also in the MRI picture MG that can be considered the same position as the designated point. Here, MRI image data has positional information. Thus, when the point where the position is regarded as the same between the B-mode picture BG and the MRI picture MG is designated as described above, the coordinate system of the B-mode picture BG and the MRI picture MG The matching position between the coordinate systems of is specified, thereby enabling coordinate transformation between the coordinate system of the ultrasound image and the coordinate system of each MRI image MG and MRI elastic image MEG. After completion of the above-described registration, the MRI image MG and the MRI elastic image MEG of the same section as the transmission / reception plane of the current ultrasound are automatically displayed based on the position information calculated by the position calculator 61. Could be.

When the process of performing the matching in steps S1 to S3 is finished, by the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 causes the medical images G1 to S in step S4 as shown in FIG. G3) can be displayed. In step S4, the operator causes the tissue to be deformed by repeatedly pressing and relaxing the tissue through the ultrasonic probe 2 or by causing the ultrasonic probe 2 to apply acoustic radiation pressure. Subsequently, the ultrasonic probe 2 executes ultrasonic transmission / reception into and out of the living tissue, and this deformation is repeated at this time. Then, by the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 displays the medical image G1 made up of the real-time B-mode image BG with respect to the transmitting / receiving plane of the ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic probe 2. And medical image G2 consisting of a real-time B-mode image (BG) for the transmit / receive plane and a real-time ultrasound elastic image (UGE) for the transmit / receive plane. In addition, by the display image control unit 66, the display unit 7 is an MRI elastic image (MEG) for the same cross section as the transmission / reception plane in living tissue and an ultrasonic elastic image (UGE) for the transmission / reception plane. It is possible to display a medical image (G3) comprising a.

The ultrasonic elastic image UGE is displayed in the region of interest R1 set for the B-mode image BG and in the region of interest R2 set for the MRI elastic image MEG. Regions of interest R1 and R2 are set to have the same location and range within the biological tissue. By operating the operating unit 8 of the user, the regions of interest R1 and R2 are set. More specifically, when either of the regions of interest R1 and R2 is set, the other is set to the same position in the set position with the living tissue. For example, when the region of interest R1 is set in the B-mode image BG, the region of interest R2 is the MRI image MG so as to occupy the same position in the position where the biological tissue and the region of interest R1 are set. It is set for).

In the ultrasound elastic image (UGE) and the MRI elastic image (MEG), portions having the same elasticity in the living tissue are displayed in the same display form, that is, in the present embodiment, in the same color.

Specifically, the color data generator 641 generates color data by converting the data of the strain constituting the physical quantity data into color information. The color data generator 641 sets the color information conversion graph GRH1 to the distribution X1 of the strain in the region of interest R1 as shown in FIG. 9, and sets the color information conversion graph GRH1. On the basis of this, conversion to color information is performed, and a predetermined number of color information corresponding to strain S is assigned to the color information conversion graph.

The color information conversion graph GRH1 will be described. The color information conversion graph GRH1 is correlation information on the strain S and the color. As shown in Fig. 10, the horizontal axis represents strain S, and the vertical axis represents color information. In this embodiment, hue is used as color information. The color information conversion graph GRH1 has M (e.g., M = 256) color tone information of the color tones 1 to M. FIG. The color information conversion graph GRH1 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the first correlation information in the present invention.

Here, a portion having a gradient in the color tone information conversion graph GRH1 is referred to as "dynamic range DR". In this dynamic range DR, strain S is converted to hue information (hue 1 to M) in a stepwise manner differently depending on the value. For example, when the strain S is greater than or equal to S and smaller than S2, it is converted to the color tone 1. When strain S is greater than or equal to S2 and smaller than S3, strain S is converted to color tone 2. When strain S is greater than or equal to S (n-1) and less than or equal to Sn, strain S is converted into color tone M. FIG.

In addition, when there is a strain outside the dynamic range DR, this strain is uniformly converted to the same color tone. In this embodiment, the strain larger than the strain Sn corresponding to the horizontal portion in the hue information conversion graph GRH is converted into the hue M.

The dynamic range DR is set based on the average value S AV of the strain S in the region of interest R1. In particular, the color data generator 641 first calculates an average value S AV of the strain S in the region of interest R1. As shown in FIG. 9, the dynamic range DR is set to a strain range of ± ΔS based on the average value S AV .

Based on the color information conversion graph GRH1 set in this manner, the color data generator 641 converts the data about the strain S from the physical quantity data into color tone information to generate color data. Subsequently, the scan converter 642 scan-converts the color data to generate ultrasonic elastic image data.

The MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 converts information about the hardness H into color information to generate MRI elastic image data. The MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 sets the color information conversion graph GRH2 to the distribution X2 of the hardness H in the region of interest R2 as shown in FIG. 11, and converts the color information. Based on the graph GRH2, conversion to color information is performed to generate MRI elastic image data, and a predetermined number of color information corresponding to the hardness H is assigned to the color information conversion graph. The color information conversion graph GRH2 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the second correlation information in the present invention.

The color information conversion graph GRH2 is correlation information about the hardness H and the color. As shown in Fig. 12, the horizontal axis represents hardness, and the vertical axis represents color information. Here again, color information becomes color tone information. The color information conversion graph GRH2 has the same color tone information as that in the color information conversion graph GRH1 (that is, tones 1 to M).

In the dynamic range DR for the color information conversion graph GRH2, the color information is converted to the hue 1 when the color information is H1 or more and less than H2. When the color information is more than H2 and less than H3, the color information is converted to the hue 2. When the color information is more than H (n-1) and less than Hn, the color information is converted into the hue M.

The dynamic range DR of the color information conversion graph GRH2 is set based on the average value H AV of the hardness H in the region of interest R2. In particular, the MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 first calculates an average value H AV of the hardness H in the region of interest R2. As shown in FIG. 11, the dynamic range DR is set to a hardness range of ± ΔH based on the average value H AV .

Here, ΔH representing the range of hardness and ΔS representing the range of strain S are each set to the same range in view of the elasticity of the living tissue. As shown in Fig. 13, a table Ta in which the hardness H and the strain S corresponding to each other is defined is stored in the HDD 10 or the memory 62. Figs. This table Ta is correlation information, in which the same strain S and hardness H are defined in view of the elasticity of the living tissue. Table Ta is obtained by measuring strain S and hardness H using a known phantom. The MRI elastic image data generation unit 65 determines the DH corresponding to the DS based on the table Ta in order to set the dynamic range DR, and sets the color information conversion graph GRH2 accordingly.

With regard to the elasticity of living tissues, the range of hardness less than H1 and less than H2 is the same as the range of strain less than S1 and less than S2. With regard to the elasticity of biological tissues, the range of hardness less than or equal to H2 and less than H3 is the same as the range of strain less than or equal to S2 and less than S3. Regarding the elasticity of biological tissues, the range of hardness less than H (n-1) and less than Hn is the same as the range of strain less than S (n-1) and less than Sn. Accordingly, in the MRI elastic image data generated based on the color information conversion graph GRH2 and the ultrasonic elastic image data, those portions that are equal to each other in the elasticity of the biological tissue have the same color information.

In addition, the setting of the dynamic range DR is not limited to the above. For example, the dynamic range DR will be set between the minimum and maximum values of the strain S in the region of interest R1 to generate the color information conversion graph GRH1, and the dynamic range DR is the color. It will be set between the minimum and maximum values of the hardness H of the region of interest R2 to produce the information conversion graph GRH2. In addition, when the color information conversion graphs GRH1 and GRH2 are generated in this manner, the regions of interest R1 and R2 are the same parts in the biological tissue. For this reason, portions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue will be the same color information in the MRI elastic image data and the color data generated based on the color information conversion graphs GRH1 and GRH2.

According to the ultrasonic image display apparatus 1 of the above-described embodiment, portions having the same elasticity in biological tissues are expressed in the same color with respect to the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG. Thus, an image useful for diagnosis can be displayed.

Modifications of this embodiment will be described below. The first variant is first described. In the first variant, as shown in FIG. 14, the display control unit 6 does not include the MRI image data generation unit 65, but the position calculator 61, the memory 62, and the B-mode image data generation unit. (63), an ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit (64), and a display image control unit (66). In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 includes a correlation information generating device 643 in addition to the color data generating device 641 and the scan converter 642.

The operation of this example will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S11 to S13 have the same process as steps S1 to S3 of FIG. 6, and thus further description thereof will be omitted. After the process of step S13 is completed, the worker starts the ultrasonic transmission / reception by the ultrasonic probe 2 into and out of the biological tissue in which the deformation is repeated. Subsequently, the physical quantity data generator 4 generates physical quantity data based on the resulting echo signal.

Next, in step S15, the operator operates the operation unit 8 to display the B-mode image BG having the desired section. Thereafter, the operator sets arbitrary points p1 and p2 in the B-mode image BG using the track ball or the like of the operating unit 8 as shown in FIG. Also, the points p1 and p2 may be set in relation to the image obtained by combining the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the B-mode image BG based on the ultrasonic elastic image data generated based on the physical quantity data. .

Next, in step S16, correlation information indicating a correspondence between the strain S and the hardness H is generated. The correlation information is information in which the strain S and the hardness H in the elasticity of the living tissue are defined. In addition, in this example, the correlation information for the strain S and the hardness H is considered to be unknown unlike the above.

In addition, the generation of correlation information will be described in detail. The correlation information generator 643 first specifies the points p1 'and p2' (not shown) corresponding to the points p1 and p2 in the MRI image MG. Each of the points corresponding to points p1 and p2 means a point at the same location within the biological tissue.

Strain Sa at point p1 and hardness Ha at point p1 'have the same elasticity. Strain Sb at point p2 and hardness Hb at point p2 'have the same elasticity. Thus, as shown in FIG. 18, the correlation information generator 643 plots the points q1 (Sa, Ha) and the points q2 (Sb, Hb) in the coordinate plane, and these points A graphic GRH3 consisting of straight lines passing through q1 and q2 is determined as correlation information, in which the horizontal axis represents strain S and the vertical axis represents hardness H. The correlation information including the graphic GRH3 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the physical quantity correlation information in the present invention.

Next, in step S17, the color data generator 641 converts the strain S of the physical quantity data into color information to generate color data. In particular, the color data generator 641 first specifies the hardness H corresponding to the strain S of the physical quantity data based on the graphic GRH3 of the correlation information. Subsequently, the color data generator 641 specifies color information corresponding to the specified hardness H based on the color information conversion graph GRH4 (not shown), and specifies the color information in which the first physical quantity is specified. Convert to Color data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the first elasticity display data in the present invention. The color information conversion graph GRH4 is one example for explaining an embodiment of correlation information in the present invention.

When the MRI system 100 converts the hardness H into color information to generate an MRI elastic image, the color information conversion graph GRH4 is used. Accordingly, in the color data generated by the color data generator 641 and the elastic image data generated by the MRI system 100, the portions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue become the same color information.

In addition, data relating to the color information conversion graph GRH4 is stored from the MRI system 100 to the HDD 10 or the memory 62.

Next, in step S18, the scan converter 642 scan-converts the color data to generate ultrasonic elastic image data. Subsequently, in step S19, the display image control unit 66 causes the display unit 7 to display the medical images G1 to G3 (see FIG. 5).

Each of the ultrasonic elastic images UEG of the medical images G2 and G3 is an image displayed based on the ultrasonic elastic image data generated by the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64. The MRI elastic image MEG in the medical image G3 is an image generated in the MRI system 100 and displayed based on the MRI elastic image data stored in the memory 62 or the HDD 10. Accordingly, in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG on the display unit 7, those parts having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are represented by the same color information.

In this example, the MRI elastic image data stored in the HDD 10 or the memory 62 and generated by the MRI system 100 is one example illustrating an embodiment of the second elastic display data in the present invention. The HDD 10 and the memory 62 are one example for explaining the embodiment of the storage unit in the present invention.

In addition, the B-mode image BG in each of the medical images G1 and G2 and the ultrasonic elastic image UEG in the medical image G2 are real-time images. The B-mode image BG, the ultrasonic elastic image UEG, and the MRI elastic image MEG are images having the same section. The variant embodiments described below are also similar.

Also, points p1 and p2 can be set in the MRI image MG. In this case, the points p1 'and p2' are specified in the B-mode picture BG.

It is not limited to such a case where points p1 and p2 are set and correlation information consisting of graphic GRH3 is generated. A table Ta in which corresponding hardness H and strain S are defined may be used as correlation information.

In the first variant, only the point p1 may be set in the B-mode picture BG. In this case, the color data generator 641 specifies the point p1, and the point p1 'corresponding to the MRI image MG is based on the color information conversion graph GRH4, and the point p1. Specify the color information corresponding to the hardness Ha matched to the strain S in, and convert the data on the same strain S into the strain Sa at the point p1 in the physical quantity data for the specified color information. To convert. Accordingly, the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG is displayed with the same color tone as the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 'in the MRI elastic image MEG. Thus, the present invention encompasses such cases in which the first and second images of the present invention display only in the same display form only a part of portions having the same elasticity in biological tissue.

When only the point p1 is set, the ultrasonic elastic image UEG of the portion where the elastic image is harder than the point p1 is the same color tone as the portion harder than the point p1 'in the MRI elastic image MEG. Will be expressed as

Next, a second modified embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second modification, the display control section 6 has the configuration shown in Fig. 3, and the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 has the configuration shown in the drawing.

Based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 19, the operation of this example will be described. Steps S21 to S26 are the same as those of steps S11 to S16 in FIG. 16 in processing, and thus description thereof will be omitted. In step S27, the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 generates ultrasonic elastic image data based on the physical quantity data generated in step S24, and the MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 generates the hardness. The information on (H) is changed to color information to generate MRI elastic image data.

The generation of the ultrasonic elastic image data will be described. The color data generator 641 first generates color data based on the color information conversion graph GRH5 (not shown and may be the same as the color information conversion graph GRH1), and is shown in FIG. Similar to step S4 in the flowchart, this is assigned a predetermined number of color information corresponding to strain S, respectively. Color data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the first elasticity display data in the present invention. The color data generator 641 is an example for explaining an embodiment of the first elastic display data generator in the present invention. Accordingly, the scan converter 642 scan-converts the color data to generate ultrasonic elastic image data.

Next, generation of MRI elastic image data will be described. The MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 specifies the strain S corresponding to the hardness H calculated by the MRI system 100 based on the graphic GRH3 (see FIG. 18) of the correlation information. The memory 62 is stored in the memory 62 or the HDD 10. Next, the MRI elastic image data generation unit 65 specifies the color information corresponding to the specified strain S based on the color information conversion graph GRH5 and converts the hardness H into the specified color information. The MRI elastic image data is generated by the conversion. Therefore, those portions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue become the same color information in the MRI elastic image data and the ultrasonic elastic image data generated in step S27.

In addition, the MRI elastic image data generated in step S27 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the second elastic display data in the present invention. The MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 is one example for explaining the embodiment of the second elastic display data generating unit in the present invention.

When the ultrasonic elastic image data and the MRI elastic image data are generated in step S27, the flowchart proceeds to the process of step S28. In step S28, the display image control unit 66 allows the display unit 7 to display the medical images G1 to G3.

Each of the ultrasonic elastic images UEG of the medical images G2 and G3 is an image displayed based on the ultrasonic elastic image data generated in step S27. The MRI elastic image MEG in the medical image G3 is an image displayed based on the MRI elastic image data generated in step S27. Accordingly, in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG on the display unit 7, those parts having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are represented by the same color information.

Also in the second variant, as in the first variant, only the point p1 may be set in the B-mode image BG. In this case, the MRI elastic image data generating unit 65 specifies the point p1 and the point p1 'corresponding to the MRI image MG, and based on the color information conversion graph GRH5, the point p1 Color information corresponding to the strain Sa corresponding to the hardness Ha at '), and data for the hardness H equal to the hardness Ha at the point p1' as specified color information. To convert. Thus, in the MRI elastic image MEG, the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 'is displayed with the same color tone as the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG.

When only the point p1 is set, the MRI elastic image MEG of the part that is harder than the point p1 is the same as the part that is harder than the point p1 'in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG. It will be expressed in hue.

The third modified embodiment will be described next. In the third modification, the display control section 6 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. The ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 generates the correlation information generator 643 'and the regeneration color data in addition to the color data generator 641 and the scan converter 642, as shown in FIG. Device 644. The regenerating color data generator 644 is an example for explaining an embodiment of the third elastic display data generator in the present invention.

The operation of this example will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S31 to S35 are the same in processing as steps S11 to S15 of FIG. 16 and steps S21 to S25 of FIG. 19, and thus description thereof will be omitted. . When the points p1 and p2 are set in step S35, the correlation information generating device 643 'indicates the correspondence between the color information of the color data and the color information of the MRI elastic image data in step S36. Generate correlation information. Correlation information is one example for explaining an embodiment of display type correlation information in the present invention.

The color data generator 641 generates color data based on the physical quantity data generated in step S34. The color data generator 641 generates color data based on the color information conversion graph GRH5. Color data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the first elasticity display data in the present invention. The color data generator 641 is an example for explaining an embodiment of the first elastic display data generator in the present invention.

MRI elastic image data is data generated by the MRI system 100 and stored in the memory 62 or the HDD 10.

In addition, the scan converter 642 scan-converts the color data generated by the color data generator 641 to generate ultrasonic elastic image data. In step S35, the points p1 and p2 may be set in the image obtained by combining the B-mode image BG and the ultrasonic elastic image UEG based on the ultrasonic elastic image data. In this case, the ultrasonic elastic image (UEG) is one example in the present invention describing an embodiment of the elastic image of the living tissue based on the first elastic display data.

In this example, the correlation information is such information in which color information with the same elasticity of biological tissue is defined based on color data and MRI elastic image data. In particular, the correlation information generating device 643 'corresponds to the points p1' corresponding to the points p1 and p2 in the MRI image MG in a manner similar to the steps S16 (see FIG. 16) and step S26 described above. And p2 ') are specified first.

In addition, the display unit 7 displays the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG. Then, the points p1 and p2 will be set to the ultrasonic elastic image UEG, and the points p1 'and p2' corresponding to the points p1 and p2 may be specified in the MRI elastic image MEG. will be. In this case, the ultrasonic elastic image UEG displayed here is an image based on the color data generated by the color data generator 641. Also, the MRI elastic image (MEG) displayed here is an image based on MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI system 100.

Points p1 and p1 'have the same elasticity because they are at the same location in biological tissue. Therefore, the color information C1 at the point p1 and the color information C1 'at the point p1' have the same elasticity. Also, because the points p2 and p2 'are located at the same location in the biological tissue, they have the same elasticity. Therefore, the color information C2 at the point p2 and the color information C2 'at the point p2' have the same elasticity. The correlation information generator 643 'plots the points q3 (C1, C1') and points q4 (C2, C2 ') in the coordinate plane, and passes through these points q3 and q4. A graphic GRH6 composed of straight lines is determined as correlation information, in which the horizontal axis represents the color information of the color data and the vertical axis represents the color information of the MRI elastic image data.

Next, in step S37, the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 generates ultrasonic elastic image data. This will be described in detail below. The regenerating color data generating device 644 first generates the regenerating color data based on the color data generated by the color data generating device 641. In particular, the regenerating color data generating device 644 first specifies the color information for the MRI elastic image data corresponding to the color information about the color data based on the graphic GRH6 of the correlation information. Subsequently, the regenerating color data generating device 644 generates the regenerating color data by converting the color information of the color data into the corresponding color information on the MRI elastic image data specified based on the graphic GRH6. Regenerating color data is one example for explaining an embodiment of the third elasticity display data in the present invention.

The portion having the same elasticity in the biological tissue is the same color information in each of the regenerating color data and the MRI elastic image data.

Next, the scan converter 642 scan-converts the regenerated color data to generate ultrasonic elastic image data.

When the ultrasonic elastic image data is generated in step S37, the display image control unit 66 allows the display unit 7 to display the medical images G1 to G3 in step S38 (Fig. 5). Reference).

Each of the ultrasonic elastic images UEG of the medical images G2 and G3 is an image displayed based on the ultrasonic elastic image data generated in step S37. The MRI elastic image MEG in the medical image G3 is displayed based on the MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI system 100 and generated by the MRI elastic image data stored in the memory 62 or the HDD 10. It is an image. Thus, in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG displayed on the display unit 7, those portions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are represented by the same color information.

Also in the third variant, only the point p1 may be set. In this case, the regenerating color data generator 644 specifies the point p1 'corresponding to the point p1 of the MRI image MG, and points the same color information as the point p1 in the color data. (p1 ') is converted into color information of the MRI elastic image data. Thus, in the MRI elastic image MEG, the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 is displayed with the same color tone as the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 'in the MRI elastic image MEG.

When only the point p1 is set, the ultrasonic elastic image UEG of the part that is harder than the point p1 has the same color tone as the part that is harder than the point p1 'in the MRI elastic image MEG. Will be expressed.

The fourth modified embodiment will be described next. In the fourth modification, the display control section 6, as shown in Fig. 23, includes a position calculator 61, a memory 62, a B-mode image data generating unit 63, an ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit ( 64, and a regenerating MRI elastic image data generating unit 67 in addition to the display image control unit 66. The regenerating MRI elastic image data generating unit 67 is one example for explaining the embodiment of the fourth elastic display data generating unit in the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 includes a color data generating device 641, a scan converter 642, and a correlation information generating device 643 ′.

The operation of this example will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. Steps S41 to S46 have the same process as steps S31 to S36 in FIG. 21, and thus, further description thereof will be omitted. In step S47, the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64 generates ultrasonic elastic image data. The regenerated MRI elastic image data generating unit 67 generates regenerated MRI elastic image data based on the MRI elastic image data generated in the MRI system 100 and stored in the memory 62 or the HDD 10.

In the ultrasonic elastic image data generating unit 64, the scan converter 642 scan-converts the color data generated by the color data generator 641 to generate ultrasonic elastic image data. The regeneration MRI elastic image data generation unit 67 specifies the color information of the color data corresponding to the color information of the MRI elastic image data, based on the graphic GRH6 (see FIG. 22) of the correlation information. Then, the regenerating MRI elastic image data generating unit 67 converts the color information of the MRI elastic image data into the color information of the color data specified based on the graphic GRH6 to generate the regenerating MRI elastic image data. The regenerated MRI elastic image data is one example for explaining the embodiment of the fourth elastic image data in the present invention.

The portion having the same elasticity in the biological tissue is the same color information in each of the regenerated elastic image data and the color data.

Next, in step S48, the display image control unit 66 enables the display unit 7 to display the medical images G1 to G3 (see FIG. 5).

Each of the ultrasonic elastic images UEG of the medical images G2 and G3 is an image displayed based on the ultrasonic elastic image data generated in step S47. The MRI elastic image MEG in the medical image G3 is an image displayed based on the regenerated MRI elastic image data generated in step S47. Thus, in each of the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG both displayed on the display unit 7, those portions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are represented by the same color information.

Also in this example, an MRI elastic image (MEG) based on the MRI elastic image data generated by the MRI system 100 can be displayed with the third modification. In this case, the MRI elastic image (MEG) is one example in the present invention describing an embodiment of the elastic image of the biological tissue based on the second elastic display data.

Also, in the fourth variant, only the point p1 may be set. In such a case, the regenerating color data generating device 644 specifies the point p1 'corresponding to the point p1 of the MRI image MG, and uses the same color information as the point p1' and the MRI elastic image data. Convert to color information of the color data at point p1 at. Thus, in the MRI elastic image MEG, the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 'is displayed with the same color tone as the portion having the same elasticity as the point p1 in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG.

While the invention has been described using the respective embodiments as described above, it will be apparent that the invention can be modified and practiced in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the physical quantity data generator 5 may calculate displacement, elastic modulus, etc. due to deformation of the biological tissue instead of the strain as the physical quantity related to the elasticity of the biological tissue. In addition, acoustic radiation pressure may be applied to living tissue to generate a shear wave in the living tissue. The hardness (Pa; Pascal) of the biological tissue may be calculated as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the biological tissue, based on the velocity of the shear wave. In addition, the velocity of the shear wave may be calculated based on the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave. In addition, the physical quantity related to the elasticity of the biological tissue may be calculated by other known methods.

As shown in FIG. 26, the display control unit 6 may be provided with a numerical display control unit 68, by which the display unit 7 calculates the hardness calculated by the MRI system 100. The value N of H) can be displayed. In this case, as shown in Fig. 27, when the operator sets the measurement area R using the track ball or the like of the operating unit 8 in the ultrasonic elastic image UEG in the medical image G2, The numerical display control unit 68 specifies the same position as the measurement area R3 in the biological tissue in the MRI elastic image MEG, and the display unit 7 determines the value N of the hardness H at that position. Allow to display The numerical display control unit 68 is one example for explaining an embodiment of the numerical display control unit in the present invention.

In addition, in the configuration of the display control unit 6 shown in FIG. 26, the numerical display control unit 68 may be added to the configuration of the display control unit 6 shown in FIG. 3, and also the display shown in FIG. 26. In the configuration of the control section 6, the numerical display control unit 68 can be added to the configuration of the display control section 6 shown in Figs. 14 and 23 (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 28, the display image control unit 66 may cause the display unit to display the ultrasonic elastic image UEG and the MRI elastic image MEG side by side. The operator may use the operating unit 8 to set the measurement area R3 to the MRI elastic image MEG, and the numerical display control unit 68 may determine the value of the hardness H of the measurement area R3. It may be possible for the display unit to display (N).

The display image control unit 66 includes a medical image G1 including a B-mode image BG, a medical image G2 including a combination image of a B-mode image BG and an ultrasonic elastic image UEG, And a medical image G3 comprising a combined image of the MRI elastic image MEG and the ultrasonic elastic image UEG, which can be arranged side by side, and although not specifically shown, the display unit 7 displays the MRI image. You will be able to.

Many and broad embodiments of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, except as described in the claims.

Claims (10)

In the medical image display device 1 for displaying a medical image of a living tissue,
A physical quantity calculator 5 for calculating a first physical quantity related to elasticity of the biological tissue;
A first elastic image having a display form corresponding to the first physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculator 5 and a display form corresponding to a second physical quantity related to the elasticity of the biological tissue calculated by the other medical image display apparatus A display image control unit 66 for causing the second elastic image to be displayed as a medical image;
The display image control unit 66 allows the images having the same elasticity in the biological tissue to be displayed as the first and second elastic images to be displayed in the same display form.
Medical image display device. The method of claim 1,
A first elastic display data generator 64 for converting the first physical quantity into display form information on the first elastic image and generating first elastic display data consisting of display form information;
A second elastic display data generator 65 for converting the second physical quantity into display form information on the second elastic image and generating second elastic display data consisting of display form information;
The first elasticity display data generator 64 and the second elasticity display data generator 65 may be configured such that portions having the same elasticity in the living tissue have the same display shape information in the first elasticity display data and the second elasticity display data. Generate the first elasticity display data and the second elasticity display data, respectively,
The display image control unit 66 causes the first elastic image to be displayed based on the first elastic display data and causes the second elastic image to be displayed based on the second elastic display data.
Medical image display device. The method of claim 2,
The first elastic display data generating device 64 is configured to display the display form information on the first elastic image and the first corresponding information of the first physical quantity on the basis of the distribution of the first physical quantity calculated by the physical quantity calculator 5. Setting, and based on the first corresponding information, converting from the first physical quantity to the display type information,
The second elastic display data generating device 65 sets the display shape information on the second elastic image and the second corresponding information of the second physical quantity based on the distribution of the second physical quantity calculated by the other medical image display apparatus. And converting from the second physical quantity to the display type information based on the second corresponding information,
Each of the first elasticity display data generator 64 and the second elasticity display data generator 65 is configured such that the first and second physical quantities having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are converted into the same display shape information. Setting the first correspondence information and the second correspondence information
Medical image display device. The method of claim 1,
A storage unit (62) configured to store second elastic display data composed of display shape information corresponding to the second physical quantity and generated by another medical image display apparatus;
Generating first elastic display data converting the first physical quantity into display shape information corresponding to the second physical quantity matched with the first physical quantity and generating first elastic display data consisting of display shape information corresponding to the first physical quantity Further comprises a device 64,
The display image control unit 66 causes the first elastic image to be displayed based on the first elastic display data and causes the second elastic image to be displayed based on the second elastic display data.
Medical image display device. The method of claim 1,
A first elastic display data generator 64 for converting the first physical quantity into display form information on the first elastic image and generating first elastic display data consisting of display form information;
A second elastic display data generator for converting the second physical quantity into display shape information corresponding to the first physical quantity matched with the second physical quantity and generating second elastic display data consisting of display shape information corresponding to the second physical quantity Further includes 65,
The display image control unit 66 causes the first elastic image to be displayed based on the first elastic display data and causes the second elastic image to be displayed based on the second elastic display data.
Medical image display device. The method of claim 1,
A storage unit 62 which is composed of second display type information corresponding to the second physical quantity and stores second elastic display data generated by another medical image display apparatus 1;
A first elastic display data generator (64) for generating first elastic display data composed of first display type information corresponding to the first physical quantity;
And a third elastic display data generator for converting first display form information into second display form information that is identical to the elasticity of the biological tissue represented by the first display form information and thereby generating third elastic display data. and;
The display picture control unit 66 allows the picture to be displayed as the first elastic picture based on the third elastic display data and the picture to be displayed as the second elastic picture based on the second elastic display data.
Medical image display device. The method of claim 1,
A storage unit 62 which is composed of second display type information corresponding to the second physical quantity and stores second elastic display data generated by another medical image display apparatus 1;
A first elastic display data generator (64) for generating first elastic display data composed of first display type information corresponding to the first physical quantity;
And a fourth elastic display data generator for converting second display form information into first display form information that is equal to the elasticity of the biological tissue represented by the second display form information and thereby generating fourth elastic display data. and;
The display picture control unit 66 allows the picture to be displayed as the first elastic picture based on the first elastic display data and the picture to be displayed as the second elastic picture based on the fourth elastic display data.
Medical image display device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The display picture control unit 66 allows the combined picture of the first picture and the second picture to be displayed.
Medical image display device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An input unit 8 for performing input of the measurement area setting in the first elastic image or the second elastic image;
A numerical display control unit 68 for causing a numerical value of the second physical quantity to be displayed in the measurement area set in the input unit;
Medical image display device. A method for displaying a medical image of a living tissue,
Calculating a first physical quantity related to elasticity of the biological tissue;
Calculating a first elastic image having a display form corresponding to the first physical quantity by the medical image display apparatus 1;
Calculating a second elastic image having a display form corresponding to a second physical quantity associated with elasticity of the biological tissue to be displayed as a medical image by another medical image display apparatus;
An image display step in which portions having the same elasticity in the biological tissue are displayed as the first and second elastic images in the same display form;
A method for displaying a medical image of a living tissue.
KR1020110126027A 2010-11-30 2011-11-29 Medical image display apparatus and method for displaying medical images KR20120059418A (en)

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