WO2019124170A1 - 超音波観測装置、超音波観測装置の作動方法および超音波観測装置の作動プログラム - Google Patents

超音波観測装置、超音波観測装置の作動方法および超音波観測装置の作動プログラム Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019124170A1
WO2019124170A1 PCT/JP2018/045565 JP2018045565W WO2019124170A1 WO 2019124170 A1 WO2019124170 A1 WO 2019124170A1 JP 2018045565 W JP2018045565 W JP 2018045565W WO 2019124170 A1 WO2019124170 A1 WO 2019124170A1
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Prior art keywords
ultrasonic
sensitivity
unit
observation apparatus
display image
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Ceased
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PCT/JP2018/045565
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English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
繁範 香西
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Olympus Corp
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Olympus Corp
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Publication of WO2019124170A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019124170A1/ja
Priority to US16/905,720 priority Critical patent/US11723627B2/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
    • A61B8/46—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
    • A61B8/461—Displaying means of special interest
    • A61B8/463—Displaying means of special interest characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/13—Tomography
    • A61B8/14—Echo-tomography
    • 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
    • A61B8/5207—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data, e.g. for generating an image

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ultrasound observation apparatus, an operation method of the ultrasound observation apparatus, and an operation program of the ultrasound observation apparatus.
  • an ultrasound diagnostic system that performs diagnosis using an ultrasound probe, it is required to notify the user of the state of the ultrasound transducer provided in the ultrasound probe each time the ultrasound probe is connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus. It is getting worse.
  • an electronic scanning ultrasonic probe a plurality of elements included in an ultrasonic transducer are driven at one time to acquire sound ray data. Therefore, even if the sensitivity reduction occurs in one element, the influence on the image is small, and it is difficult for the user to view the image and judge the sensitivity reduction.
  • Patent Document 1 has a circuit for detecting an abnormal state for each of the transmission and reception channels of the ultrasonic probe, and when an abnormal state is detected, judgment as to whether or not diagnosis is possible is made.
  • Techniques for display are disclosed. In this technology, information on a channel in an abnormal state is displayed by characters to notify the user.
  • Patent Document 2 it is determined whether the sensitivity characteristic of the evaluation vibrating element is normal based on the reception signal obtained from the predetermined evaluation vibrating element of the ultrasonic probe, and based on the determination result.
  • a technique is disclosed that generates characteristic distribution data indicating the distribution of sensitivity characteristics of a plurality of transducer elements, and determines the propriety of diagnosis.
  • the display unit informs the user of the abnormal part of the ultrasonic probe by displaying the vibrating element determined to be abnormal as distinguishable from the normal vibrating element.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an ultrasonic observation that enables the user to intuitively grasp the influence on the ultrasonic image caused by the decrease in sensitivity of the element of the ultrasonic probe.
  • Device, method of operating ultrasound observation device, and operation program of ultrasound observation device are provided.
  • the ultrasonic observation apparatus can connect an ultrasonic probe provided with an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of elements for generating ultrasonic waves, It is an ultrasonic observation device that generates data of an ultrasonic image based on an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe while transmitting a transmission signal for generating an ultrasonic wave to the ultrasonic probe connected to the ultrasonic probe.
  • a determination unit that determines whether each device is a sensitivity reduction device having a sensitivity decrease using data of digital signals corresponding to the echo signals received by a plurality of devices, and the determination unit is a sensitivity reduction device
  • An area specifying unit for specifying an area in the ultrasonic image in which the sensitivity is lowered based on the contribution of the element determined to be present to the ultrasonic beam, and the area specified by the area specifying unit are displayed
  • a sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit for generating data that desensitization unit displaying an image, characterized by comprising a.
  • the sensitivity reduction portion display image generation portion has data of a sensitivity reduction portion display image having a display form according to the contribution degree of the sensitivity reduction element to the ultrasonic beam. It is characterized by generating.
  • the area specifying unit calculates a total contribution degree obtained by totaling the contribution degree of the sensitivity reducing element to the ultrasonic beam, and the area contribution unit calculates the total contribution degree It is characterized by specifying an area.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit generates data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image by allocating visual information according to the total contribution degree to the area. It is characterized by
  • the ultrasonic observation apparatus is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the area specifying unit specifies the area based on the degree of contribution according to the depth at which the ultrasonic wave reaches.
  • the ultrasonic observation apparatus is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the area specifying unit specifies the area based on the degree of contribution according to the type of the connected ultrasonic probe.
  • the determination unit acquires sensitivity information of one or more elements, and determines whether each element is a sensitivity reducing element based on the sensitivity information. It is characterized by
  • the determination unit determines whether each element is a sensitivity reducing element based on a condition defined for each type of connected ultrasonic probe. It is characterized by
  • the ultrasonic observation apparatus is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the judgment unit carries out the judgment when the connection of the ultrasonic probe is detected.
  • an ultrasonic probe provided with an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of elements generating ultrasonic waves can be connected, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the connected ultrasonic probe.
  • An operation method of an ultrasound observation apparatus which generates ultrasound image data based on an echo signal received from the ultrasound probe while transmitting a transmission signal to be generated, the determination unit including the plurality of elements.
  • the operation program of the ultrasonic observation apparatus is connectable to an ultrasonic probe provided with an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of elements generating ultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic wave is connected to the connected ultrasonic probe.
  • An operation program of an ultrasonic observation apparatus which generates ultrasonic image data based on an echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe while transmitting a transmission signal to be generated, wherein the determination unit is the plurality of elements
  • the user it is possible for the user to intuitively grasp the influence on the ultrasound image caused by the decrease in sensitivity of the ultrasound element of the ultrasound probe.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system provided with the ultrasound observation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing performed by the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit of the ultrasound observation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example of a sensitivity reduction portion display image displayed by the display device in the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the element sensitivity determination process performed by the ultrasonic observation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an outline of processing performed by the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit of the ultrasound observation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system provided with the ultrasound observation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing performed by the sensitivity reduction
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating an outline of a process performed by the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit of the ultrasound observation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating an outline of processing performed by the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit of the ultrasound observation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of a sensitivity reduction portion display image displayed by the display device in the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic system provided with the ultrasound observation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
  • the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 shown in the figure transmits an ultrasound wave to a subject to be observed, and receives an ultrasound wave reflected by the subject.
  • generated are provided.
  • the ultrasonic probe 2 converts an electrical pulse signal received from the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 into an ultrasonic pulse (acoustic pulse) at its tip and irradiates the object with the ultrasonic pulse, and
  • the ultrasonic transducer 21 has an ultrasonic transducer 21 for converting an acoustic echo into an electrical echo signal (ultrasound signal) that is expressed by a voltage change.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 21 is an electronic scanning type having a plurality of elements arranged in an array. The element is configured using a piezoelectric material such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead titanate (PT), or lead niobate, and converts ultrasonic waves by converting mechanical energy and electrical energy. Send and receive.
  • PZT lead zirconate titanate
  • PT lead titanate
  • lead niobate lead niobate
  • the ultrasound probe 2 may be an ultrasound endoscope further having an imaging optical system and an imaging element, or may be a small diameter miniature probe not having an optical system. Further, the ultrasonic probe 2 may be of an extracorporeal type in which ultrasonic waves are irradiated from the body surface of the subject as well as the type inserted into the body of the subject.
  • the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 includes a transmission unit 31, a reception unit 32, a signal processing unit 33, an ultrasound image generation unit 34, a determination unit 35, an area identification unit 36, and a sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37. , An input unit 38, a control unit 39, and a storage unit 40.
  • the transmission unit 31 is electrically connected to the ultrasound probe 2 and transmits a transmission signal (pulse signal) to the ultrasound transducer 21.
  • the frequency band of the pulse signal transmitted by the transmission unit 31 may be a wide band that substantially covers the linear response frequency band of the electroacoustic conversion of the pulse signal in the ultrasonic transducer 21 to the ultrasonic pulse.
  • the transmission unit 31 transmits a transmission signal to a plurality of elements constituting one sound ray while controlling the transmission timing to each element.
  • the transmitter 31 transmits various control signals output from the controller 39 to the ultrasound probe 2. In addition, when detecting the presence or absence of the sensitivity fall of an element, you may make the power of the transmission signal which the transmission part 31 transmits stronger than the power of the transmission signal at the time of a test
  • the receiving unit 32 receives an echo signal, which is an electrical reception signal, from the ultrasonic transducer 21 and performs A / D conversion to convert data of a digital radio frequency (RF) signal (hereinafter referred to as RF data). Generate).
  • the receiving unit 32 also has a function of receiving various types of information including the identification ID from the ultrasound probe 2 and transmitting the information to the control unit 39.
  • the signal processing unit 33 generates digital ultrasound image reception data based on the RF data received from the receiving unit 32. Specifically, the signal processing unit 33 performs known processing such as digital beam forming (DBF) processing for adjusting and adding phases of a plurality of RF data, envelope detection processing, and logarithmic conversion processing, and Generate reception data for ultrasound image.
  • the ultrasonic image reception data is a plurality of line data (sound ray data) in which the amplitude or intensity of the reception signal indicating the intensity of reflection of the ultrasonic pulse is arranged along the transmission / reception direction (depth direction) of the ultrasonic pulse. It consists of
  • the signal processing unit 33 outputs the generated reception data for ultrasound image for one frame to the ultrasound image generation unit 34.
  • the ultrasound image generation unit 34 generates ultrasound image data based on the reception data for ultrasound image received from the signal processing unit 33.
  • the ultrasound image generation unit 34 has a digital scan converter (DSC) that converts the ultrasound image reception data into data according to the display method of the display device 4.
  • the ultrasound image generation unit 34 further performs known signal processing such as gain processing and contrast processing to generate ultrasound image data.
  • This ultrasound image data is so-called B mode image data.
  • the B-mode image is a grayscale image in which the values of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), which are variables when an RGB color system is adopted as a color space, are matched.
  • the determination unit 35 analyzes the RF data received from the reception unit 32 to determine the presence or absence of the sensitivity decrease in the element included in the ultrasonic transducer 21. After the determination unit 35 detects the amplitude of the RF data as a sensitivity value, the sensitivity value is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and an element having a sensitivity value smaller than the threshold value is an element having a sensitivity decrease (hereinafter referred to as sensitivity decrease element). It is determined that The determination unit 35 writes, for example, sensitivity information in which the element determined to be the sensitivity reduction element is 1 and the other elements are 0 in the storage unit 40 and stores the information.
  • This determination process is performed in a state where the distal end portion of the ultrasonic probe 2 is held in the air after the user connects the ultrasonic probe 2 to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3.
  • an echo signal received by the receiving unit 32 with respect to the transmission signal transmitted by the transmitting unit 31 is reflected at the interface between the ultrasonic transducer 21 and air. It is an echo signal that has returned.
  • the area specifying unit 36 uses the sensitivity information for each element stored in the storage unit 40 to specify an area affected by the sensitivity decrease in the ultrasonic image.
  • the area specifying unit 36 specifies the sensitivity reduction part based on the degree of contribution of the element for the transmission numerical aperture to the ultrasonic beam.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing performed by the area specifying unit 36.
  • FIG. 2 exemplifies the case where one ultrasonic beam is formed by using five elements E1 to E5, and the determination unit 35 determines that the element E2 and the element E3 are sensitivity reducing elements among the five elements E1 to E5. The case where it is judged is illustrated. Further, the ultrasonic probe 2 emits five ultrasonic beams B1 to B5. It goes without saying that the number of elements of the ultrasonic transducer 21 is not limited to this.
  • Each ultrasonic beam Bi has the highest contribution from the element Ei, and the lower the contribution from the element Ei, the lower the contribution.
  • the contribution of the element E1 is 75%
  • the contribution of the element E2 is 25%
  • the contributions of the elements E3 to E5 are 0%.
  • the ultrasonic beam B2 has a contribution of 50% to the element E2, 25% to each of the elements E1 and E3, and 0% to the elements E4 and E5.
  • Information on the degree of contribution to the ultrasonic beam for each element is stored in the storage unit 40.
  • weighting may be performed by another method based on the degree of contribution of the element to the ultrasonic beam.
  • the weights of the central element Ei and the three elements adjacent to the element Ei are equally maximized, and the weights of the other elements are relatively lowered.
  • the method of weighting is not limited to the method described above as long as at least the weight of the central element is the largest and the weight of the element farthest from the central element is the smallest.
  • the area specifying unit 36 calculates, for each ultrasonic beam, a total contribution degree obtained by summing the contribution degree of the sensitivity reducing element.
  • the degree of contribution is the degree of contribution of each element to the ultrasonic beam (the ratio of the transmission intensity to which it contributes), and the sum of the degrees of contribution to one ultrasonic beam is always 100%.
  • the sum of the degrees of contribution of the sensitivity reducing elements is the value of the total degree of contribution shown in the table. The larger this value, the greater the influence of the sensitivity reducing element.
  • the degrees of contribution of the sensitivity reduction elements E2 and E3 are calculated for the ultrasonic beams B1 to B5.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates data of a sensitivity reduction unit display image that displays the area (sensitivity reduction unit) specified by the area specification unit 36.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image based on the total contribution degree calculated by the region identification unit 36.
  • the sensitivity reduction part display image generation part 37 allocates the color according to the total contribution degree for every area
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example of the sensitivity reduction unit display image displayed by the display device 4.
  • the sensitivity reduced portion display image 100 shown in the figure shows a display example in the case where the processing described with reference to FIG. 2 is performed and colors are assigned in accordance with the above-described rule.
  • the sensitivity-reduced portion display image 100 displays beam regions b1 and b4 corresponding to the ultrasonic beams B1 and B4 in yellow (indicated by dots in FIG. 3), and beam regions b2 corresponding to the ultrasonic beams B2 and B3. , B3 are displayed in red (indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 3), and the beam area b5 corresponding to the ultrasonic beam B5 is displayed in white.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 displays the sensitivity reduction unit display by allocating visual information such as saturation, lightness, pattern, or pattern according to the total contribution instead of allocating a color according to the total contribution. Image data may be generated.
  • the input unit 38 is configured using a user interface such as a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a trackball, a touch panel, and a touch pad, and receives input of various operation signals.
  • a signal instructing start of sensitivity determination processing of the element of the ultrasonic transducer 21 is included.
  • the control unit 39 reads the information stored and stored by the storage unit 40 from the storage unit 40, and executes various arithmetic processing related to the operation method of the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 to perform ultrasound diagnosis including the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 Integrate and control the operation of the system 1.
  • the storage unit 40 is a threshold of the sensitivity value to be referred to when the determination unit 35 makes a determination, information such as a result of determination made by the determination unit 35 for each element, an ultrasonic beam and an element that the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 refers And the relationship between the total contribution degree and the assignment of colors to the desensitized portion display image.
  • the threshold of the sensitivity value stored in the storage unit 40 may be different depending on the type of the ultrasound probe 2.
  • the storage unit 40 stores various programs for operating the ultrasound diagnostic system 1 and data including various parameters and the like necessary for the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic system 1.
  • the various programs include an operating program for executing the operating method of the ultrasound diagnostic system 1.
  • the various programs can be stored in a computer readable storage medium such as a hard disk, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a flexible disk and the like, and can be widely distributed. Also, various programs can be acquired by downloading via a communication network.
  • the communication network referred to here is realized by, for example, an existing public line network, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like, and may be wired or wireless.
  • the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 having the above configuration is a dedicated integration that executes a specific function such as a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
  • the circuit is realized using a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various programs and the like are previously installed, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) storing operation parameters and data of each process.
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • the display device 4 receives and displays data signals of the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic observation device 3 and the display image of the sensitivity reduction unit via the video cable.
  • the display device 4 is configured using a monitor such as liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence).
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the element sensitivity determination process performed by the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 having the above configuration. In the flowchart shown below, it is assumed that the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is powered on.
  • the control unit 39 causes the display device 4 to display a start message of the element sensitivity determination process (step S102).
  • This start message is, for example, "Start the element sensitivity determination process of the element of the ultrasonic probe. Please hold the tip of the ultrasonic probe in the air and press the OK button.”
  • step S101: No the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 repeats step S101.
  • the control unit 39 sets the counter i to the initial value 1 (step S104). Subsequently, the transmission unit 31 selects the element Ei among the plurality of elements included in the ultrasonic transducer 21 and transmits a transmission signal to the element Ei (step S105). Although the case where the transmission unit 31 transmits the transmission signal to the element E1 when the input unit 38 receives the input of the start instruction signal has been described here, when the control unit 39 detects the connection of the ultrasound probe 2 Alternatively, the transmitter 31 may automatically start transmitting the transmission signal to the element E1.
  • the receiving unit 32 receives an echo signal from the ultrasonic transducer 21, performs A / D conversion to generate RF data, and outputs the RF data to the determination unit 35 (step S106).
  • the determination unit 35 uses the RF data received from the reception unit 32 to determine whether or not the element Ei is a sensitivity reducing element, and stores the determination result in the storage unit 40 (step S107).
  • the determination unit 35 calculates the sensitivity value of the element Ei from the RF data, and when the sensitivity value is lower than the threshold value, determines the element Ei as a sensitivity reduction element. In the case illustrated in FIG. 2, the determination unit 35 determines that the two elements E2 and E3 are sensitivity reducing elements.
  • control unit 39 determines whether the counter i is smaller than the number 5 of elements (step S108). If the counter i is smaller than 5 (step S108: YES), the control unit 39 increments the counter i by 1 (step S109) and performs control to return to step S105 because the determination processing for all elements is not completed. On the other hand, when the counter i is not smaller than 5 (step S108: No), the control unit 39 performs control to shift to step S110 because the determination processing for all elements is completed. When all the determination processes by the determination unit 35 end, for example, the information illustrated in FIG. 2 is stored in the storage unit 40.
  • the area specifying unit 36 refers to the storage unit 40 to calculate the total contribution of each ultrasonic beam (step S110).
  • the specific calculation method is as described with reference to FIG.
  • the area specifying unit 36 specifies an area in which the sensitivity is reduced using the total contribution degree (step S111).
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image based on the total contribution degree (step S112). Specifically, the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image by, for example, assigning a color corresponding to the total contribution degree to the ultrasonic beam corresponding region in the ultrasonic image.
  • the control unit 39 causes the display device 4 to display the sensitivity reduction unit display image (step S113).
  • the display device 4 displays, for example, the sensitivity reduction unit display image 100 shown in FIG.
  • the control unit 39 may cause the display device 4 to display a message notifying that the sensitivity lowering element is present, and a message notifying the degree of sensitivity lowering for each ultrasonic beam together with the sensitivity lowering unit display image.
  • the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 ends the series of processes.
  • the control unit 39 causes the display device 4 to end the display of the sensitivity reduction unit display image. It is also good. In addition, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the display device 4 starts displaying the sensitivity reduction portion display image, the control unit 39 may cause the display device 4 to end the display of the sensitivity reduction portion display image.
  • step S103 when the input unit 38 does not receive the input of the start instruction signal (step S103: No), when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start message was displayed (step S114: Yes), the ultrasonic observation is performed.
  • the device 3 ends the series of processes.
  • step S114: No the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 returns to step S103.
  • the region where the sensitivity is lowered in the ultrasonic image based on the degree of contribution to the ultrasonic beam of the element determined to be the sensitivity lowering element having the sensitivity decrease is In order to generate data of the sensitivity reduced portion display image to be displayed, it is possible for the user to intuitively grasp the influence on the ultrasonic image caused by the sensitivity reduction of the ultrasonic element that the ultrasonic probe has.
  • the user when performing local observation, the user can select and use a portion with less influence of sensitivity reduction.
  • the ultrasound observation apparatus identifies the sensitivity-reduced portion by performing the determination of the sensitivity-reduced portion for each depth, and generates data of the sensitivity-reduced portion display image.
  • the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
  • components of the ultrasound diagnostic system will be described with the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are diagrams for explaining an outline of processing performed by the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 in the second embodiment.
  • 5 to 7 show an outline of processing in different depth regions D1 to D3.
  • FIG. 5 shows an outline of processing in the deepest depth region D1
  • FIG. 7 shows an outline of processing of the deepest depth region D3.
  • 5 to 7 show the case where one ultrasonic beam is formed using five elements E1 to E5 in the same manner as in FIG. 2, and determination unit 35 determines element E2 and five of five elements E1 to E5.
  • the case where the element E3 is determined to be a sensitivity reducing element is illustrated.
  • the ultrasonic beam Bij has the highest contribution from the element Ei, and the lower the contribution from the element Ei, the lower the contribution.
  • the contribution of the element E1 is 75%
  • the contribution of the element E2 is 25%
  • the contributions of the elements E3 to E5 are 0% (FIG. 5).
  • the contribution of the element E1 is 70%
  • the contribution of the element E2 is 20%
  • the contribution of the element E3 is 10%
  • the contributions of the elements E4 and E5 are 0% (FIG. 6) .
  • the ultrasonic beam B13 has a contribution of 68% for the element E1, 18% for the element E2, 9% for the element E3, 5% for the element E4, and 0% for the element E5. (FIG. 7).
  • the ultrasonic beam B21 has a contribution of 50% to the element E2, 25% to each of the elements E1 and E3, and 0% to the elements E4 and E5 (FIG. 5).
  • the contribution of the elements E2 and E3 is 40%
  • the contribution of the elements E1 and E4 is 10%
  • the contribution of the element E5 is 0% (FIG. 6).
  • the ultrasonic beam B23 has a contribution of 38% for each of the elements E2 and E3, a contribution of 9% for each of the elements E1 and E4, and a contribution of 6% for the element E5 in the deepest region (FIG. 7). ).
  • the setting of the degree of contribution shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is merely an example, and the division in the depth direction and the setting of the contribution rate are not limited to this.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 calculates, for each depth region, a total contribution degree obtained by summing the contribution degree of the sensitivity reduction element with respect to each ultrasonic beam.
  • the correspondence between the total contribution degree and the display color is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, “white” when the total contribution is 0% or more and less than 25%, “yellow” when the total contribution is 25% or more and less than 60%, and “red” when the total contribution is 60% or more Assign each of
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image based on the calculated total contribution degree. Under the present circumstances, the sensitivity reduction part display image generation part 37 allocates the color according to the total contribution degree for every depth area
  • FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of the sensitivity reduction unit display image displayed by the display device 4.
  • the display mode is determined for each partial beam area bij corresponding to the ultrasonic beam Bij.
  • the sensitivity-reduced portion display image 200 includes beam regions b1 (b11, b12, b13) corresponding to the ultrasonic beams B1 (B11, B12, B13), and ultrasonic beams B4 (B41, B42, B43).
  • the beam area b4 (b41, b42, b43) corresponding to Y is displayed in yellow (dot in FIG. 8).
  • the beam area b2 (b21, b22, b23) corresponding to the ultrasonic beam B2 (B21, B22, B23) is displayed in red (hatched in FIG. 8), and the ultrasonic beam B5 is displayed.
  • Beam regions b5 (b51, b52, b53) corresponding to (B51, B52, B53) are displayed in white.
  • the reduced sensitivity portion display image 200 is displayed in a different color for each partial beam region in the beam region b3 corresponding to the ultrasonic beam B3. Specifically, in the reduced sensitivity portion display image 200, the partial beam area b31 is displayed in red (hatched in FIG. 8), and the partial beam areas b32 and b33 are displayed in yellow.
  • step S110 the area specifying unit 36 calculates the total contribution degree for each depth area of each ultrasonic beam, as described above.
  • step S111 the area specifying unit 36 specifies an area in which the sensitivity is reduced for each depth area of the ultrasonic beam.
  • step S112 the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image by assigning a color according to the total contribution degree to each depth region of each ultrasonic beam.
  • the user intuitively grasps the influence on the ultrasonic image caused by the decrease in the sensitivity of the ultrasonic element of the ultrasonic probe. It will be possible to
  • the data of the sensitivity-reduced portion display image is generated using different degrees of contribution according to the depth at which the ultrasonic waves reach, only the sensitivity-reduced portion that affects the ultrasonic image is More accurate notification can be made.
  • the determination unit 35 instead of calculating the sensitivity value using the RF data, performs processing similar to that at the time of data generation of the ultrasound image to convert the RF data into luminance data of each pixel after image data conversion. An average may be calculated, and this average may be used as sensitivity information to determine the presence or absence of a decrease in sensitivity of the element.
  • the determination process of the presence or absence of the sensitivity fall of the element in the determination part 35 is not restricted to what was mentioned above.
  • the determination unit 35 uses an element whose sensitivity value is smaller than the threshold value as a candidate element, and calculates a statistical value such as an average, a sum, a variance, or a mode value of sensitivity values of a predetermined number of elements nearby.
  • the candidate element may be determined to be the sensitivity reducing element if it is smaller than the second threshold value determined according to the value.
  • the near region in this case may be determined according to, for example, the transmission numerical aperture at the time of generating an ultrasound image, or may be determined according to the different reception numerical aperture according to the depth, or reception for each depth It may be determined according to the smaller one of the numerical aperture and the transmission numerical aperture.
  • the near region may be thinned or selected at predetermined intervals within a predetermined range centered on the candidate element, or may be randomly selected within the predetermined range.
  • the determination unit 35 may irradiate the ultrasonic beam to determine the reduction in sensitivity for each sound ray, and when there is a reduction in sensitivity, may determine the element at the center of the ultrasonic beam as the sensitivity reduction element .
  • the sensitivity reduction unit may be displayed while the examination is performed using the ultrasound diagnostic system 1.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 refers to the storage unit 40 to specify the sensitivity reduction element, and an ultrasonic image The data of the sensitivity reduced portion display image is generated in accordance with the display of.
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 also changes the display mode of the sensitivity reduction unit display image according to the scroll.
  • the control unit 39 causes the display device 4 to display the sensitivity reduction unit display image side by side with the ultrasound image. Note that the control unit 39 may cause the display device 4 to display the sensitivity reduction unit display image smaller than the ultrasound image.
  • the control unit 39 causes the display device 4 to end the display of the sensitivity reduction unit display image.
  • the ultrasound observation apparatus may further include a superimposed image generation unit that generates data of a superimposed image in which the ultrasound image and the sensitivity reduction unit display image are superimposed.
  • a superimposed image generation unit that generates data of a superimposed image in which the ultrasound image and the sensitivity reduction unit display image are superimposed.
  • the input unit 38 receives the display instruction input of the sensitivity reduction unit during the examination
  • the sensitivity reduction unit display image generation unit 37 generates the data of the sensitivity reduction unit display image as described above, and then the superimposed image is generated.
  • the generation unit superimposes this data on the data of the ultrasound image to generate data of the superimposed image.
  • the superimposed image may be displayed by coloring the reduced sensitivity portion or may be displayed as translucent by increasing the transmittance of the reduced sensitivity portion.
  • the user can grasp the sensitivity reduction part even during the examination and can use it in the case of the examination or diagnosis.
  • the ultrasound observation apparatus, the operation method of the ultrasound observation apparatus, and the operation program of the ultrasound observation apparatus according to the present invention have an effect on the ultrasound image due to the decrease in sensitivity of the element of the ultrasound probe. Useful for the user to intuitively grasp.

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PCT/JP2018/045565 2017-12-20 2018-12-11 超音波観測装置、超音波観測装置の作動方法および超音波観測装置の作動プログラム Ceased WO2019124170A1 (ja)

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