WO2022080183A1 - Ultrasonic diagnostic device and method for controlling ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic diagnostic device (1) comprises: an ultrasonic probe (2); and a diagnostic device body (3) connected to the ultrasonic probe (2), wherein the diagnostic device body (3) includes a monitor (15) which displays an ultrasonic diagnostic image and a plurality of diagnostic observation icons corresponding to a plurality of specific diagnostic observations, a similarity degree determination unit (18) which determines respective degrees of similarity between the ultrasonic diagnostic image and a plurality of image patterns corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic observations, and an emphasis degree changing unit (19) which changes the degrees of emphasis on the plurality of diagnostic observation icons on the monitor, according to the degrees of similarity determined by the similarity degree determination unit (18).

Description

Control method of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that support a diagnosis using an ultrasonic image.

Conventionally, an ultrasonic image of each part of a subject is taken by using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the obtained ultrasonic image is used to make a diagnosis of the part taken by the ultrasonic image. For example, an information processing apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been developed so that a user can easily perform a diagnosis using an ultrasonic image. The information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1 stores a plurality of frames of ultrasonic images taken in the past, and represents a case similar to the case of the site of the subject to be diagnosed from the multiple frames of the ultrasonic image. Search for an ultrasound image and display the ultrasound image.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-039852

However, a user who is unfamiliar with the diagnosis of a subject using an ultrasonic image may refer to an ultrasonic image representing a case similar to the site of the subject to be diagnosed by the information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1. In some cases, it was difficult to determine what kind of diagnostic findings should be given to the ultrasonic image of the site to be diagnosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily imparting diagnostic findings to an ultrasonic image by a user, and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic apparatus main body connected to the ultrasonic probe, and the diagnostic apparatus main body includes a plurality of diagnostic devices corresponding to a plurality of defined diagnostic findings as ultrasonic diagnostic images. A monitor that displays the diagnostic findings icon, a similarity determination unit that determines the similarity between the ultrasonic diagnostic image and a plurality of image patterns corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings, and a similarity determination unit that determines the similarity. It is characterized by including an emphasis changing unit that changes the emphasis of a plurality of diagnostic findings icons on the monitor according to the degree.

The main body of the diagnostic device performs ultrasonic diagnosis of the input device for the user to perform an input operation and the diagnostic findings corresponding to the diagnostic findings icon selected via the input device from among the plurality of diagnostic findings icons displayed on the monitor. It is preferable to include a diagnostic finding linking portion linked to the image.
It is preferable that the diagnostic findings associated with the ultrasonic diagnostic image by the diagnostic findings association unit are displayed on the monitor.

It is preferable that the emphasis changing unit changes the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons so that the diagnostic findings icons corresponding to the diagnostic findings having a high degree of similarity are emphasized more strongly.
In this case, the emphasis changing unit can surround the diagnostic finding icon corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest degree of similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings with a highlight line.
Further, the emphasis degree changing unit can also display the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the diagnostic findings having the highest degree of similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings in a color different from that of other diagnostic findings icons.
Further, the emphasis degree changing unit can display the diagnostic finding icon corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest degree of similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings larger than the other diagnostic findings icons.

The ultrasound diagnostic image is an ultrasound image of the lungs of the subject, and at least one of the plurality of diagnostic findings includes one of B-line, hardening, normal, and no rung sliding. Is preferable.

The ultrasonic diagnostic image is a still image at the time of freezing, and the still image can be displayed on the monitor.
Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic image may be a moving image.
In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic image is preferably a moving image at a predetermined time until the freeze.

Further, the similarity determination unit determines the similarity of the ultrasonic images of the plurality of frames constituting the moving image with the plurality of image patterns corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings, and among the ultrasonic images of the plurality of frames, the similarity is determined. The ultrasonic image with the highest degree is displayed on the monitor, and the emphasis changing unit can change the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons based on the ultrasonic image with the highest degree of similarity.

The control method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention displays an ultrasonic diagnostic image and a plurality of diagnostic findings icons corresponding to a plurality of defined diagnostic findings on a monitor, and displays the ultrasonic diagnostic image and a plurality of diagnostic findings on the monitor. It is characterized in that the similarity with a plurality of corresponding image patterns is determined, and the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons on the monitor is changed according to the determined similarity.

According to the present invention, an ultrasonic probe and a diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe are provided, and the diagnostic device main body has a plurality of diagnostic findings icons corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings defined as an ultrasonic diagnostic image. According to the monitor that displays, the similarity determination unit that determines the similarity between the ultrasonic diagnostic image and the plurality of image patterns corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings, and the similarity determination unit that determines the similarity. Since it includes an emphasis changing unit that changes the emphasis of a plurality of diagnostic findings icons on the monitor, the user can easily give diagnostic findings to the ultrasonic image.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the transmission / reception circuit in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic image generation part in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the diagnostic findings icon whose emphasis degree was changed in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the diagnosis part selection button and the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons displayed on the monitor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is another display example of the diagnostic findings icon in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is still another display example of the diagnostic findings icon in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is another example of the diagnostic findings icon in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of the pleural effusion presence / absence icon displayed together with the diagnostic finding icon in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the linear type ultrasonic probe in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the linear type ultrasonic probe in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is another example of the ultrasonic image and the diagnostic finding icon displayed on the monitor in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the slide bar displayed on the monitor in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The description of the constituent elements described below is based on the representative embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.
In the present specification, the numerical range represented by using "-" means a range including the numerical values before and after "-" as the lower limit value and the upper limit value.
In the present specification, "same" and "same" include an error range generally accepted in the technical field.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and a diagnostic apparatus main body 3.
The ultrasonic probe 2 includes an oscillator array 11, and a transmission / reception circuit 12 is connected to the oscillator array 11.

The diagnostic device main body 3 includes an image generation unit 13, and the image generation unit 13 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 2. Further, the display control unit 14 and the monitor 15 are sequentially connected to the image generation unit 13. Further, the image memory 16 is connected to the image generation unit 13. Further, the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 includes an image pattern memory 17. The similarity determination unit 18 is connected to the image memory 16 and the image pattern memory 17, and the emphasis change unit 19 is connected to the similarity determination unit 18. The emphasis changing unit 19 is connected to the display control unit 14. Further, the diagnostic finding linking portion 20 is connected to the image memory 16. The diagnostic finding linking unit 20 is connected to the display control unit 14.

Further, the transmission / reception circuit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 2, the image generation unit 13, the display control unit 14, the image memory 16, the image pattern memory 17, the similarity determination unit 18, the emphasis change unit 19, and the diagnostic finding linking unit 20. The main body control unit 21 is connected. Further, the input device 22 is connected to the main body control unit 21.
Further, the processor 23 is composed of an image generation unit 13, a display control unit 14, a similarity determination unit 18, an emphasis degree changing unit 19, a diagnostic finding linking unit 20, and a main body control unit 21.

The oscillator array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. Each of these ultrasonic transducers transmits ultrasonic waves according to a drive signal supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 12, receives ultrasonic echoes from a subject, and outputs a signal based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), and PMN-. It is configured by forming electrodes at both ends of a piezoelectric body made of a piezoelectric single crystal or the like represented by PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate: lead magnesiumidene fluoride-lead titanate solid solution).

The transmission / reception circuit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the oscillator array 11 and generates a sound line signal based on the received signal acquired by the oscillator array 11 under the control of the main body control unit 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission / reception circuit 12 includes a pulser 31 connected to the oscillator array 11, an amplification unit 32 sequentially connected in series from the oscillator array 11, an AD (Analog Digital) conversion unit 33, and a beam. It has a former 34.

The pulsar 31 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and transmits from a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators of the oscillator array 11 based on a transmission delay pattern selected according to a control signal from the main body control unit 21. Each drive signal is supplied to a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by adjusting the delay amount so that the ultrasonic waves to be generated form an ultrasonic beam. As described above, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic vibrator of the vibrator array 11, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, and the pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective ultrasonic vibrators. Is generated, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the combined wave of those sound waves.

The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected by, for example, a target such as a site of a subject, and propagates toward the oscillator array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the oscillator array 11 in this way is received by each ultrasonic oscillator constituting the oscillator array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic oscillator constituting the oscillator array 11 expands and contracts by receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, generates a received signal which is an electric signal, and amplifies these received signals. Output to 32.

The amplification unit 32 amplifies the signal input from each ultrasonic vibrator constituting the vibrator array 11, and transmits the amplified signal to the AD conversion unit 33. The AD conversion unit 33 converts the signal transmitted from the amplification unit 32 into digital reception data. The beam former 34 performs so-called reception focus processing by giving and adding delays to each received data received from the AD conversion unit 33. By this reception focus processing, each reception data converted by the AD conversion unit 33 is phase-adjusted and added, and a sound line signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed down is acquired.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image generation unit 13 has a configuration in which a signal processing unit 35, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 36, and an image processing unit 37 are sequentially connected in series.

The signal processing unit 35 corrects the attenuation of the sound line signal received from the transmission / reception circuit 12 by the distance according to the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position using the sound velocity value set by the main body control unit 21. By performing the envelope detection process, a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information about the tissue in the subject, is generated.

The DSC 36 converts the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 35 into an image signal according to a normal television signal scanning method (raster conversion).
The image processing unit 37 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B mode image signal input from the DSC 36, and then sends the B mode image signal to the display control unit 14 and the image memory 16. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal processed by the image processing unit 37 is referred to as an ultrasonic image.

The image memory 16 is for storing the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 13. The ultrasonic image stored in the image memory 16 is read out under the control of the main body control unit 21, and is sent to the display control unit 14, the similarity determination unit 18, and the diagnostic finding linking unit 20.

Examples of the image memory 16 include a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an FD (Flexible Disc), and an MO disk (Magneto-Optical disc). Magnetic disc), MT (Magnetic Tape), RAM (Random Access Memory), CD (Compact Disc: compact disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), SD card (Secure Digital card) : Secure digital card), recording media such as USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory) can be used.

The image pattern memory 17 stores a plurality of image patterns corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings defined for the site of the subject. For example, diagnostic findings on the lungs of a subject are known as so-called B-line, sclerosing, normal and without rung-sliding, and characteristic image patterns appearing in ultrasound images corresponding to these diagnostic findings. Is also known. The image pattern corresponding to these diagnostic findings can be stored in the image pattern memory 17 in advance by the user, for example.

Further, as the image pattern memory 17, similarly to the image memory 16, for example, a flash memory, an HDD, an SSD, an FD, a MO disk, an MT, a RAM, a CD, a DVD, an SD card, a recording medium such as a USB memory, or the like can be used. Can be used.

The similarity determination unit 18 determines the similarity between the ultrasonic diagnostic image generated by the image generation unit 13 and stored in the image memory 16 and the plurality of image patterns stored in the image pattern memory 17. For example, when the image pattern memory 17 stores image patterns corresponding to four diagnostic findings of B line, curing, normality, and no rung sliding, the similarity determination unit 18 uses the four image patterns and ultrasonic waves. The similarity with the diagnostic image is determined, and four similarity values are obtained.
Here, the ultrasonic diagnostic image includes a still image composed of a one-frame ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 13 and a moving image composed of a plurality of frames of ultrasonic images.

As a method for determining the similarity, the similarity determination unit 18 may use, for example, a method using simple template matching, Csurka et al .: Visual Categorization with Bags of Keypoints, Proc. Of ECCV Workshop on Statistical Learning in Computer Vision, pp. Described in the machine learning method described in .59-74 (2004), or in Krizhevsk et al .: ImageNet Classification with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 25, pp.1106-1114 (2012). It is possible to use a general image recognition method or the like using deep learning.

The emphasis changing unit 19 stores a plurality of diagnostic findings icons corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings on the site of the subject together with a predetermined display position on the monitor 15, and the plurality of diagnostic findings determined by the similarity determination unit 18. The emphasis of multiple diagnostic findings icons is changed according to the similarity of each of the diagnostic findings. Here, the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 each have a design imitating the image pattern of the corresponding diagnostic findings so that the user can easily associate and recognize the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4. There is.
Further, the emphasis changing unit 19 can change the emphasis of a plurality of diagnostic findings icons so that, for example, the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 corresponding to the diagnostic findings having a high degree of similarity are emphasized more strongly.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the emphasis changing unit 19 is normal (N), no rung sliding (S (−)), B line (B), and hardening (C) with respect to the lung of the subject. ) (Consolidation), the four diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are stored together with the display positions arranged with the diagnostic findings icons J1, J2, J3, and J4 in order from the left. When the similarity is determined by the similarity determination unit 18 so that the values decrease in the order of, for example, B line, curing, normal, and no rung sliding, the emphasis changing unit 19 determines the similarity, as shown in FIG. The emphasis of the diagnostic finding icon J3 can be changed by surrounding the diagnostic finding icon J3 corresponding to the diagnostic finding of the B line having the highest degree of similarity with the highlight line L1.
The plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 whose emphasis is changed in this way are sent to the display control unit 14 and displayed on the monitor 15.

Here, the normal diagnostic findings include the boundary of the thoracic membrane and the artifact (so-called A line) extending along the direction orthogonal to the depth direction due to the multiple reflection of the ultrasonic wave in the ultrasonic image. Moreover, it is a finding that the boundary of the thoracic membrane reflected in the ultrasonic image is displaced by a certain amount or more in a continuous multi-frame ultrasonic image (so-called rung sliding is recognized). Thus, the normal findings are those that include the A line and show rung sliding in the ultrasound image. Findings without rung sliding include, in ultrasound images, pleural boundaries and artifacts (A-lines) extending along a direction orthogonal to the depth direction due to multiple reflections, and so-called pneumothorax, etc. Therefore, it is a finding that the boundary of the pleura reflected in the ultrasonic image is hardly displaced (no rung sliding is observed) in the continuous multi-frame ultrasonic image. Thus, the findings without rung-sliding include the A-line in the ultrasound image, similar to the normal findings, but no rung-sliding is observed and generally indicate a suspicion of so-called pneumothorax. It has been known. The diagnostic findings of the B line are findings in which a linear pattern along the depth direction is included in the ultrasonic image due to the accumulation of water in the pleura or the like. Further, the finding of hardening means a finding that a granular pattern is included in the ultrasonic image due to the accumulation of water in the lungs or the like.

The main body control unit 21 controls each part of the ultrasonic probe 2 and each part of the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 according to a program or the like recorded in advance.
The display control unit 14 controls the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit 13 and the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 whose emphasis is changed by the emphasis change unit 19 under the control of the main body control unit 21. After performing a predetermined process, the image is displayed on the monitor 15.

The monitor 15 performs various displays under the control of the display control unit 14. The monitor 15 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

The input device 22 is for the user to perform an input operation. The input device 22 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, a touch panel, and other devices for the user to perform an input operation.

The diagnostic findings linking unit 20 links the diagnostic findings corresponding to the diagnostic findings icons selected by the user via the input device 22 among the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 displayed on the monitor 15 to the ultrasonic image. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, four diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are displayed on the monitor 15, and the diagnostic findings icons J3 corresponding to the diagnostic findings of the B line having the highest similarity are selected by the user via the input device 22. When this is done, the ultrasonic image used for determining the similarity by the similarity determination unit 18 is associated with the diagnostic findings of the B line corresponding to the diagnostic findings icon J3 selected by the user.

The processor 23 including the image generation unit 13, the display control unit 14, the similarity determination unit 18, the emphasis change unit 19, the diagnostic finding linking unit 20, and the main body control unit 21 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). ), And a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and ASIC (Application Specific). Integrated Circuit: Application-specific integrated circuit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and other ICs (Integrated Circuit: integrated circuit) may be used, or they may be combined. good.

Further, the image generation unit 13, the display control unit 14, the similarity determination unit 18, the emphasis change unit 19, the diagnostic finding linking unit 20, and the main body control unit 21 are partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like. It can also be configured by letting it.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the following operation explanation, an example of inspecting the lung of the subject will be described, but the inspection site of the subject is not limited to the lung.

Further, in the following operation description, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a touch sensor arranged on the monitor 15 as an input device 22.
Further, a plurality of image patterns corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings of the lung of the subject are stored in the image pattern memory 17. Further, the emphasis changing unit 19 stores a plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings in the lungs of the subject.
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the monitor 15 has a first display area A1, a second display area A2, and a third display area A3.

The first display area A1 is an area for displaying the ultrasonic image U.
The second display area A2 includes a left / right switching button LR for setting one of the left and right lungs of the subject as an inspection site, and four inspection site selection icons P1 to P4 for selecting an inspection location of the subject. , Includes body mark BM. The test site selection icons P1 to P4 correspond to the test site of the lung of the subject, respectively. The inspection site selection icons P1 to P4 are "1R" to "4R" corresponding to the inspection location of the right lung and "1L" corresponding to the inspection location of the left lung by tapping the left / right switching button LR. -Switches to "4L". In the example of FIG. 7, the inspection site selection icons P1 to P4 correspond to the inspection sites of the right lung registered under the names “1R” to “4R”, respectively.

Further, the body mark BM includes a schematic diagram M1 representing a body portion of a subject, a probe mark M2, and an inspection site mark M3. By tapping the left / right switching button LR, the body mark BM including the schematic diagram M1 with the right lung facing the front side and the body mark BM including the schematic diagram M1 with the left lung facing the front side are switched. In the example of FIG. 7, a body mark BM including a schematic view M1 with the right lung facing the front side is shown.

In the body mark BM, the probe mark M2 and the inspection location mark M3 are arranged at positions on the schematic diagram M1 corresponding to each of the inspection location selection icons P1 to P4 to visually indicate the inspection location. When any of the inspection location selection icons P1 to P4 is tapped, the body mark BM corresponding to the tapped inspection location selection icons P1 to P4 is displayed in the second display area A2 of the monitor 15.

The third display area A3 includes a user interface for inputting commands related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, such as a freeze button B1 for freezing the ultrasonic image U. Here, to freeze the ultrasonic image U means to stop the generation of the ultrasonic image U continuously generated by the image generation unit 13 and sequentially displayed on the monitor 15, and the latest one frame of the ultrasonic image U is superposed on the monitor 15. It is to display the sound wave image U.

First, in step S1, the user designates an inspection location for inspecting the lung of the subject via the input device 22, and the designated inspection location is accepted by the main body control unit 21. For example, when the user taps the left / right switching button LR to select the right lung as the inspection site and taps the inspection site selection icon P1 corresponding to the inspection location of "1R" to select the inspection location of "1R". Is accepted by the main body control unit 21. When the inspection location of "1R" is received in this way, for example, the character "1R" is displayed in the first display area A1 of the monitor 15, and the inspection of "1R" is displayed in the second display area A2. The body mark BM corresponding to the location is displayed.

Next, in step S2, the user brings the ultrasonic probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject, and the ultrasonic image U is taken in this state.
At this time, the transmission / reception circuit 12 performs reception focus processing using preset sound velocity values under the control of the main body control unit 21 to generate a sound line signal. The sound line signal generated by the transmission / reception circuit 12 in this way is transmitted to the image generation unit 13. The image generation unit 13 generates an ultrasonic image U using the sound line signal transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 12.

In the following step S3, the ultrasonic image U generated in step S2 is sent to the display control unit 14 and displayed on the monitor 15, and the ultrasonic image U is stored in the image memory 16.

In step S4, the main body control unit 21 determines whether or not an instruction to freeze the ultrasonic image U has been input by the user via the input device 22.

The main body control unit 21 determines that the freeze instruction has been given, for example, when the freeze button B1 displayed in the third display area A3 of the monitor 15 is tapped by the user. Further, the main body control unit 21 determines that the freeze instruction has not been given when the freeze button B1 is not tapped by the user.

If it is determined that the freeze instruction has not been given, the process returns to step S2, and the ultrasonic image U is newly captured. The ultrasonic image U generated in step S2 is displayed on the monitor 15 and stored in the image memory 16 in the subsequent step S3. When step S3 is completed, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not the ultrasonic image U is frozen.

By repeating steps S2 to S4 in this way, the ultrasonic image U is continuously generated and displayed on the monitor 15. Further, by repeating steps S2 to S4, the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames is stored in the image memory 16.

When it is determined in step S4 that the freeze instruction has been given, the generation of the ultrasonic image U is stopped and the ultrasonic image U of the latest frame is displayed on the monitor 15, so that the ultrasonic image U is displayed. It is frozen and proceeds to step S5.
In step S5, the similarity determination unit 18 is a moving image of the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U stored in the image memory 16 by repeating steps S2 to S4, that is, a moving image at a predetermined time until freezing, that is, super The degree of similarity between each of the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U continuously generated within a predetermined time until the ultrasonic image U freezes and the plurality of image patterns stored in the image pattern memory 17. judge. Here, the defined time is set to a few seconds, for example, about 1 second to 3 seconds.

Here, for example, when the similarity between the respective image patterns corresponding to the four diagnostic findings of B-line, curing, normal and no rung sliding, and the ultrasonic image U is calculated, the diagnosis of B-line and curing is performed. Similarity can be determined for each finding using a one-frame ultrasound image U, but for diagnostic findings normal and without rung sliding, the movement of the pleural border within the ultrasound image U is discriminated. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the similarity using a continuous plurality of frames of ultrasonic images U.

Therefore, the similarity determination unit 18 refers to the diagnostic findings of the B line, for example, the images corresponding to each of the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U generated at a predetermined time until the freeze and the diagnostic findings of the B line. The similarity with the pattern can be calculated, and the similarity having the maximum value among the calculated values of the plurality of similarity can be determined as the similarity to the diagnostic findings of the B line. Further, the similarity determination unit 18 resembles each of the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U generated at a predetermined time until the freeze with respect to the diagnostic findings of curing and the image pattern corresponding to the diagnostic findings of curing. The degree can be calculated, and the similarity having the maximum value among the calculated values of the plurality of similarity can be determined as the similarity to the diagnostic findings of hardening.
As a result, the similarity determination unit 18 can obtain the similarity determined for the ultrasonic image U in which the lungs of the subject are clearly captured as the final similarity.

Further, the similarity determination unit 18 analyzes the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames generated at a predetermined time until the freeze, for example, with respect to the diagnostic findings of the B line, and the ultrasonic image of the plurality of frames. Among U, the ultrasonic image U containing the largest number of linear patterns along the depth direction is selected, and the degree of similarity between the selected ultrasonic image U and the image pattern corresponding to the diagnostic findings of the B line is determined. You can also do it.

In this way, the similarity determination unit 18 best represents the characteristics of the diagnostic findings for determining the similarity from the ultrasonic images U of a plurality of frames generated at a predetermined time until the freeze. The degree of similarity can also be determined using U. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of determining the degree of similarity.

Further, for the diagnostic findings of normal and no rung sliding, it is preferable that the similarity is determined by taking into account the displacement of the pleural boundary. Therefore, the image pattern memory 17 has an image corresponding to the normal diagnostic findings. As a pattern, a series of multiple image patterns in which the pleural border is normally displaced are stored, and as an image pattern for diagnostic findings without rung sliding, a series of multiple images in which the pleural border is hardly displaced. It is preferable that the pattern is preserved.

In this case, the similarity determination unit 18 has a plurality of frames of ultrasonic image U generated at a predetermined time until the freeze and a plurality of image patterns corresponding to the normal diagnostic findings with respect to the normal diagnostic findings. Judge the degree of similarity with. Further, the similarity determination unit 18 has a plurality of frames of ultrasonic image U generated at a predetermined time until freeze and a plurality of image patterns corresponding to the diagnostic findings of curing for the diagnostic findings of curing. Determine the degree of similarity.

In the following step S6, the emphasis changing unit 19 has diagnostic findings icons J1 to corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings whose similarity is determined in step S5 based on the similarity to the plurality of diagnostic findings determined in step S5. Change the emphasis of J4.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the emphasis changing unit 19 corresponds to the diagnostic findings icon J1 corresponding to the normal diagnostic findings, the diagnostic findings icon J2 corresponding to the diagnostic findings without rung sliding, and the diagnostic findings of the B line. It is assumed that the diagnostic findings icon J3 and the diagnostic findings icon J4 corresponding to the diagnostic findings of hardening are stored together with the display positions such that the diagnostic findings icons J1, J2, J3, and J4 are arranged from the left. When the similarity to each diagnostic finding is determined in step S5 so that the values decrease in the order of B line, hardening, normal, and no rung sliding, the emphasis changing unit 19 is, for example, as shown in FIG. By surrounding the diagnostic findings icon J3 corresponding to the diagnostic findings of the B line having the highest degree of similarity with the highlight line L1, the emphasis of the diagnostic findings icon J3 can be changed.

In step S7, under the control of the display control unit 14, the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are displayed in the third display area A3 of the monitor 15 according to the emphasis degree changed in step S6, for example, as shown in FIG. To. In the example of FIG. 8, the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 correspond to the diagnostic findings icons J1 corresponding to the normal diagnostic findings, the diagnostic findings icons J2 corresponding to the diagnostic findings without rung sliding, and the diagnostic findings of the B line from the left. The diagnostic findings icon J3 and the diagnostic findings icon J4 corresponding to the diagnostic findings of hardening are displayed on the monitor 15 in this order. Further, the diagnostic finding icon J3 corresponding to the diagnostic finding on the B line is surrounded by the highlighted line L1. Further, in the example of FIG. 8, the diagnostic findings icon J5 indicating that the diagnosis does not apply to any of the diagnostic findings is displayed below the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4.

In this way, the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are displayed on the monitor 15 according to the emphasis based on the similarity determined in step S5, so that the user is highlighted even if he / she is unfamiliar with the diagnosis of the subject. By confirming the diagnostic finding icon J3, an appropriate diagnostic finding can be easily given to the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 15.

In step S8, the main body control unit 21 receives the diagnostic findings icon selected by the user via the input device 22 among the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 displayed on the monitor 15.

In the following step S9, the diagnostic finding linking unit 20 links the ultrasonic image U used for determining the similarity in step S5 and the diagnostic finding corresponding to the diagnostic finding icon selected by the user in step S8 to each other. ..

For example, the diagnosis is made when the highest similarity among the similarity determined for the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames is determined as the final similarity for the diagnostic findings of the B line and the curing, respectively. The finding linking unit 20 selects the ultrasonic image U having the highest degree of similarity to each of the B line and the diagnostic finding of hardening as the target of linking.
Further, the diagnostic finding linking unit 20 targets the ultrasonic images U of a plurality of frames generated at a predetermined time until the freeze, respectively, with respect to the diagnostic findings of normal and without rung sliding.

Finally, in step S10, under the control of the display control unit 14, the diagnostic findings corresponding to the diagnostic findings icon received in step S8 are displayed on the monitor 15. In the example of FIG. 8, among the four diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4, the diagnostic finding icon J3 displayed at the left end is selected by the user, and the diagnostic finding "B" corresponding to the diagnostic finding icon J3 is the first display. In the region A1, it is displayed together with the ultrasonic image U associated with the diagnostic findings on the B line in step S9.

From the above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the similarity between the ultrasonic image U and the plurality of image patterns corresponding to the predetermined plurality of diagnostic findings is determined. Based on their similarity, the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings is changed, and the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are displayed on the monitor 15 according to the changed emphasis. , The user can easily give appropriate diagnostic findings to the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 15 by confirming the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 whose emphasis is changed.

Further, in the present invention, since the emphasis is changed while the display order of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 remains unchanged, for example, a diagnostic finding icon other than the diagnostic finding icon originally desired to be selected by the user is erroneously selected. It is possible to prevent it from being lost.
Further, in the present invention, it is possible to set the display order of a plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 for each facility such as a hospital where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is installed or for each user. Since the emphasis is changed while the display order of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 remains unchanged, the user can use, for example, even if the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are preset in any order. Which icon is most emphasized can be easily confirmed, and appropriate diagnostic findings can be easily given to the ultrasonic image U.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the transmission / reception circuit 12 is provided in the ultrasonic probe 2, but instead of being provided in the ultrasonic probe 2, it is provided in the diagnostic apparatus main body 3. You may.
Further, although the image generation unit 13 is provided in the diagnostic device main body 3, it may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 2 instead of being provided in the diagnostic device main body 3.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image generation unit 13 includes a signal processing unit 35, a DSC 36, and an image processing unit 37, of which the signal processing unit 35 can be included in the ultrasonic probe 2.

Further, the connection method between the ultrasonic probe 2 and the diagnostic device main body 3 is not particularly limited, and may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.
Further, the diagnostic device main body 3 may be a so-called handheld type that can be easily carried by the user, or may be a so-called stationary type.

Further, in FIG. 7, four inspection location selection icons P1 to P4 are illustrated, but the number of inspection location selection icons P1 to P4 is not limited to four. For example, the main body control unit 21 can store the number of inspection points and the set of corresponding inspection points. In this case, the number of inspection points stored by the user's input operation via the input device 22 is selected, and is selected by the user in the second display area A2 of the monitor 15 under the control of the display control unit 14. The same number of inspection location selection icons as the number of inspection locations can be displayed. By switching the number of inspection points in this way, the present invention can be applied to a wider variety of inspections.

Further, although it is explained that a moving image is used as the ultrasonic diagnostic image used in the determination of the similarity in step S5, only one frame of still image can be used. As described above, when only one frame of still image is used, the similarity determination unit 18 is, for example, a one-frame ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 15 at the time of freezing and an image corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic findings. The degree of similarity of patterns can be determined. However, in order to accurately determine the similarity to the diagnostic findings of normal and no rung sliding, it is preferable to determine the similarity using a moving image.

In addition, since it is known from normal diagnostic findings that the tissue from the boundary of the pleura to a certain depth position is displaced with the exhalation or inspiration of the subject, the similarity determination unit 18 is, for example, When determining the similarity to diagnostic findings, normal and without rung-sliding, the movement of the image between the pleural boundary contained in the ultrasound image U and the pleural boundary to a certain depth position is taken into account. The degree of similarity can be determined. This can improve the accuracy of determining the similarity to the diagnostic findings of normal and without rung sliding.
As a constant depth position, the depth position of the artifact extending along the direction orthogonal to the depth direction due to the multiple reflection of ultrasonic waves can be set.

Further, in step S6, the emphasis changing unit 19 changes the emphasis of the diagnostic finding icon J3 by surrounding the diagnostic finding icon J3 corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest similarity determined in step S5 with the highlight line L1. However, the method of changing the emphasis is not limited to this. For example, the emphasis degree changing unit 19 can change the display mode of each of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 according to the similarity degree determined by the similarity degree determination unit 18.

For example, when the similarity to the diagnostic findings of the B line is the highest and the similarity to the diagnostic findings of hardening is the next highest, the emphasis changing unit 19 corresponds to the diagnostic findings of the B line as shown in FIG. The diagnostic finding icon J3 can be surrounded by the double highlighted line L2, and the diagnostic finding icon J4 corresponding to the diagnostic finding of hardening can be surrounded by the highlighted line L3. In this way, the emphasis changing unit 19 can change the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 so that the diagnostic findings icons corresponding to the diagnostic findings having a high degree of similarity are emphasized more strongly.

Further, although not shown, the emphasis changing unit 19 also displays a display mode according to the degree of similarity with respect to the diagnostic finding icon J1 corresponding to the normal diagnostic finding and the diagnostic finding icon J2 corresponding to the diagnostic finding without rung sliding. It can be carried out.

Further, the emphasis changing unit 19 displays the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the diagnostic findings having the highest similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 on the monitor 15 in a color different from that of the other diagnostic findings icons. be able to. Further, the emphasis degree changing unit 19 can display the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 on the monitor 15 in different colors according to the degree of similarity to the plurality of diagnostic findings.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the emphasis changing unit 19 causes the diagnostic finding icon J3 corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest similarity to be displayed on the monitor 15 larger than the other diagnostic finding icons J1, J2 and J4. be able to.
Further, the emphasis changing unit 19 can change the size of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 according to the similarity to the plurality of diagnostic findings. For example, the emphasis changing unit 19 has the similarity. The size of the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the higher diagnostic findings can be increased, and the size of the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the diagnostic findings having a lower similarity can be reduced.

Further, when changing the size of the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4, for example, the diagnostic findings icons corresponding to the diagnostic findings having the lowest similarity can be deleted from the monitor 15. In particular, when the diagnostic apparatus main body 3 is a handheld type, since the monitor 15 is small, the diagnosis with a relatively high degree of similarity is made by deleting the diagnostic finding icon corresponding to the diagnostic finding with the lowest similarity from the monitor 15. The diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the findings can be displayed in a large size, which makes it easier for the user to select the diagnostic findings icon.

Further, in step S9, the diagnostic finding linking unit 20 links the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames generated at a predetermined time until the freeze to the diagnostic findings of normal and without rung sliding, respectively. Although it is explained that the target is, a one-frame ultrasonic image U can also be the target of association. For example, when an image pattern relating to the pleural boundary is stored in the image pattern memory 17, and the similarity determination unit 18 determines the similarity to the pleural boundary in the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames in step S5, the diagnosis is made. The finding linking unit 20 targets the ultrasonic image U of the frame having the highest similarity with respect to the pleural boundary among the ultrasonic images U of a plurality of frames generated at a predetermined time until the freeze. be able to.

Further, although four diagnostic finding icons J1 to J4 are exemplified, the number of diagnostic finding icons is not limited to four, and the degree of similarity is determined, for example, two, three, or five or more. It can be set according to the number of diagnostic findings to be performed. However, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of diagnostic findings regarding the lungs of the subject includes any of the diagnostic findings of B-line, hardening, normal, and no rung sliding.

For example, when the diagnostic findings due to the accumulation of so-called pleural effusion (PE: Pleural Effusion) are added to the lungs of the subject, the pleural effusion is accumulated in addition to the diagnostic findings of normal, no rung sliding, B line, and hardening. (N, PE), no rung sliding and pleural effusion (S (-), PE), B-line and pleural effusion (B, PE), hardening and pleural effusion (C, PE), total 8 Diagnostic findings are possible. In this case, for example, eight diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 and J10 to J13 corresponding to the eight diagnostic findings as shown in FIG. 11 are displayed on the monitor 15.

In addition, when the diagnostic findings of pleural effusion are taken into consideration, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 corresponding to the diagnostic findings of normal, no rung sliding, B line, and hardening, and the pleural effusion. It is also possible to display the pleural effusion icon E1 indicating that the pleural effusion is not recognized and the pleural effusion icon E2 indicating that the pleural effusion is recognized. In this case, the user selects any of the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 via the input device 22, and then selects any of the pleural effusion icons E1 and E2 to take into account the presence or absence of pleural effusion. Diagnostic findings can be imparted to the ultrasound image U.

It is not necessary to display the six icons of the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 and the pleural effusion icons E1 and E2 on the monitor 15 at the same time. For example, of the six icons J1 to J4 and the presence / absence of chest water icons E1 and E2, only the four diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are displayed on the monitor 15, and the user can display the four diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4. When any one is selected, the breast water presence / absence icons E1 and E2 can also be displayed on the monitor 15. By performing such a display, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user that the pleural effusion icon E1 or E2 is selected after selecting any of the four diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4, and the user can clearly indicate that the ultrasonic image U is selected. Diagnosis findings can be given to the patient more smoothly.

Further, FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 to 12 exemplify diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 having a design corresponding to the ultrasonic image U taken by the so-called convex type ultrasonic probe 2. , The design of the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 may be set according to the type of the ultrasonic probe 2 used for the examination of the subject. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, diagnostic findings icons J6 to J9 having a design corresponding to an ultrasonic image U taken by a so-called linear ultrasonic probe 2 are exemplified. The diagnostic finding icon J6 corresponds to the normal diagnostic finding, the diagnostic finding icon J7 corresponds to the diagnostic finding without rung sliding, the diagnostic finding icon J8 corresponds to the diagnostic finding of the B line, and the diagnostic finding icon J9 corresponds to the diagnosis of hardening. Corresponds to the findings.

Further, as in the case of using the convex type ultrasonic probe 2, when using the linear type ultrasonic probe 2, the diagnostic findings icons J14 to J17 in consideration of the accumulation of pleural effusion as shown in FIG. 14 Can be displayed on the monitor 15. In the example of FIG. 14, diagnostic findings icons J14 to J17 having a design corresponding to the linear ultrasonic probe 2 are shown.
Further, although not shown, a pleural effusion icon having a design corresponding to the linear ultrasonic probe 2 can be displayed on the monitor 15 as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Further, although not shown, when a so-called sector type ultrasonic probe 2 is used, a diagnostic finding icon having a design corresponding to the sector type ultrasonic probe 2 can be set.

Further, an example of inspecting the lung of a subject in the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the first embodiment using the flowchart of FIG. 6 is described, but the present invention is limited to the lung inspection. However, it can be applied to various test sites of the subject.

For example, the present invention can be applied to a rectal examination of a subject. In this case, as diagnostic findings, for example, three diagnostic findings of loose stool, standard and hard stool are set according to the hardness of the stool in the rectum, and as shown in FIG. 15, the diagnostic findings of loose stool correspond to the diagnostic findings. The diagnostic findings icon J18, the diagnostic findings icon J19 corresponding to the standard diagnostic findings, and the diagnostic findings icon J20 corresponding to the diagnostic findings of hard stool are displayed on the monitor 15. In the example of FIG. 15, the three diagnostic findings icons J18 to J20 are displayed on the monitor 15 together with the ultrasonic image U1 in which the rectum of the subject is photographed.

Further, for example, the present invention can also be applied to an examination of the inferior vena cava of a subject. In this case, as diagnostic findings, for example, there are respiratory fluctuations in the inferior large vein diameter and the inferior large vein diameter based on the size of the diameter of the inferior large vein and the presence or absence of respiratory fluctuations in the inferior large vein diameter. No respiratory fluctuations in large and inferior large vein diameters, normal inferior large vein diameter and respiratory fluctuations in inferior large vein diameter, normal inferior large vein diameter and no respiratory fluctuation in inferior large vein diameter, small inferior large vein diameter and Six diagnostic findings are set with inferior major venous diameter respiratory fluctuations and inferior major venous diameter small and inferior major venous diameter respiratory fluctuations.

Here, the diameter of the inferior vena cava is 20 mm or more for "large inferior vena cava", the diameter of the inferior vena cava is larger than 10 mm and less than 20 mm for "normal inferior vena cava", and the diameter of the inferior vena cava is small. It means that the diameter of the vein is 10 mm or less. In addition, "with inferior vena cava respiratory fluctuation" means that the change in the diameter of the inferior vena cava in exhaled breath is greater than 40% and 50% or less, and "without inferior vena cava diameter breathable fluctuation" means that the change in inferior vena cava in exhaled breath is greater than 40%. It means that the change in diameter is 40% or less.

Further, for example, the present invention can also be applied to an examination of the liver of a subject. In this case, as diagnostic findings, for example, diagnostic findings of normal, hepatic cyst, fatty liver, hepatic hemangiomas and intrahepatic lime can be set.
Further, for example, the present invention can also be applied to an examination of the gallbladder of a subject. In this case, as diagnostic findings, for example, diagnostic findings of normal, gallbladder polyps, gallbladder wall stones, gallbladder stones, gallbladder adenomyomatosis and gallbladder wall thickening can be set.
Further, for example, the present invention can also be applied to an examination of a kidney of a subject. In this case, as diagnostic findings, for example, diagnostic findings of normal, intrarenal calcification, renal stones, cystic kidney, renal angiomyolipoma, hydronephrosis, double renal pelvis and renal cyst can be set.

Further, for example, the present invention can also be applied to an examination of the heart of a subject. In this case, as diagnostic findings, for example, based on the contractility of the left ventricle, the diagnostic findings of severe hypocontraction, hypocontraction, normal and hypercontraction can be set. "Severe decrease in contractility" means (a single discharge of blood in the left ventricle) / (volume at the end of diastole of the left ventricle) x 100 = [(maximum volume of the left ventricle)-(minimum volume of the left ventricle)) ] / (Maximum volume of left ventricle) is a diagnostic finding that the left ventricular ejection ability is 30% or less, and "decreased contractility" is a diagnosis that the left ventricular ejection ability is larger than 30% and 55% or less. "Normal" is a diagnostic finding with a left ventricular ejection ability of more than 55% and less than 70%, and "hypercontraction" is a diagnostic finding with a left ventricular ejection ability of 70% or more.

For the volume of the left ventricle, for example, the width of the left ventricle in three orthogonal directions is measured from the ultrasonic image U corresponding to two cross sections of the left ventricle orthogonal to each other, and the value of the measured width is used. Can be calculated.

In this way, the present invention is applied to various test sites of the subject, and for example, the test site of the subject can be set by the input operation of the user via the input device 22. Thereby, the user can easily give appropriate diagnostic findings to the ultrasonic image U in the examination of various examination sites of the subject.

Embodiment 2
In the operation explanation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 using the flowchart of FIG. 6, the ultrasonic waves of a plurality of frames generated at a predetermined time until the freeze are triggered by the determination that the freeze instruction has been given in step S4. Although it is described that the image U is used to determine the similarity to a plurality of diagnostic findings in step S5, the ultrasound image U used to determine the similarity is manually selected by the user. You can also do it.

The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 16 is the flowchart of FIG. 6 in the first embodiment, in which steps S11 to S13 are provided instead of step S5.

Since steps S1 to S4 are the same as steps S1 to S4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
If it is determined in step S4 that the freeze instruction has been given, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the frame range of the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames used for determining the similarity is designated by the user via the input device 22, and the designated frame range is accepted by the main body control unit 21.

At this time, for example, under the control of the display control unit 14, as shown in FIG. 16, the slide bar C1 and the freeze button B1 for designating the frame range are displayed in the third display area A3 of the monitor 15. .. The slide bar C1 slides between both ends of the slide bar C1 by being dragged by the user, and is one of a plurality of frames of ultrasonic images U generated from the start of the examination of the subject to the freeze. It includes a slide button C2 for selecting the ultrasonic image U of the frame. The left end of the slide bar C1 corresponds to the ultrasonic image U generated first after the examination of the subject is started, and the right end of the slide bar C1 corresponds to the latest ultrasonic image U at the time of freezing. , The ultrasonic image U corresponding to the position of the slide button C2 is displayed in the first display area A1 of the monitor 15.

For example, when the slide button C2 is slid by the user and the freeze button B1 is tapped while the slide button C2 is moved to the first position, the ultrasonic image U of the first frame in the frame range used for determining the similarity is used. Is specified, the slide button C2 is further slid by the user, and the freeze button B1 is tapped again while being moved to the second position, so that the last frame of the frame range used for determining the similarity is used. The ultrasonic image U is specified. For example, the frame range is designated in this way, and the designated frame range is accepted by the main body control unit 21.

In the following step S12, the user inputs a command to start the determination of the similarity via the input device 22, and this command is accepted by the main body control unit 21.

In step S13, the similarity determination unit 18 corresponds to the ultrasonic image U of a plurality of frames within the frame range specified by the user in step S11 and the plurality of diagnostic findings stored in the image pattern memory 17. Determine the degree of similarity with the image pattern.

In the following step S6, the emphasis changing unit 19 changes the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 based on the similarity determined for each of the plurality of diagnostic findings in step S13.
In step S7, a plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 are displayed on the monitor 15 based on the emphasis changed in step S6.

In step S8, the user selects one of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4 displayed on the monitor 15, and the main body control unit 21 accepts the selected diagnostic findings icons.

In step S9, the diagnostic finding linking unit 20 associates the ultrasonic image U used for determining the similarity in step S13 with the diagnostic findings corresponding to the diagnostic findings icon whose selection was accepted in step S9. ..
Finally, in step S10, the diagnostic findings associated with the ultrasonic image U in step S9 are displayed on the monitor 15.

From the above, even when the frame range of the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U used for determining the similarity is manually specified by the user, the emphasis is changed by the user in the same manner as in the first embodiment. By confirming the diagnostic findings icons J1 to J4, appropriate diagnostic findings can be easily given to the ultrasonic image U displayed on the monitor 15.

Of the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U generated from the start of the examination of the subject to the freeze by the user via the input device 22, the plurality of frames of the ultrasonic image U used for determining the degree of similarity are super. Although it is explained that the frame range of the ultrasonic image U is specified, only one frame of the ultrasonic image U may be specified instead of the frame range being specified.

For example, the slide button C2 is moved by the user, and the freeze button B1 is tapped while the ultrasonic image U of the desired frame is displayed on the monitor 15, so that the ultrasonic image of the frame displayed on the monitor 15 is displayed. U is designated as the ultrasound image U used to determine the degree of similarity.

1 ultrasonic diagnostic device, 2 ultrasonic probe, 3 diagnostic device body, 11 oscillator array, 12 transmission / reception circuit, 13 image generation unit, 14 display control unit, 15 monitor, 16 image memory, 17 image pattern memory, 18 similarity Judgment unit, 19 emphasis change unit, 20 diagnostic finding linking unit, 21 main unit control unit, 22 input device, 23 processor, 31 pulser, 32 amplification unit, 33 AD conversion unit, 34 beam former, 35 signal processing unit, 36 DSC, 37 image processing unit, A1 1st display area, A2 2nd display area, A3 3rd display area, B1 freeze button, BM body mark, C1 slide bar, C2 slide button, E1, E2 chest water presence / absence icon, J1 ~ J20 diagnostic findings icon, L1 to L3 emphasis line, LR left / right switching button, M1 schematic diagram, M2 probe mark, M3 inspection location mark, P1 to P4 inspection location selection icon, U, U1 ultrasound image.

Claims (13)

1. With an ultrasonic probe,
   It is equipped with a diagnostic device main body connected to the ultrasonic probe.
   The diagnostic device body is
   A monitor that displays ultrasonic diagnostic images and multiple diagnostic findings icons that correspond to multiple defined diagnostic findings.
   A similarity determination unit for determining the similarity between the ultrasonic diagnostic image and the plurality of image patterns corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings, respectively.
   An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an emphasis degree changing unit that changes the emphasis degree of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons on the monitor according to the similarity degree determined by the similarity degree determination unit.
2. The diagnostic device body is
   An input device for the user to perform input operations, and
   Among the plurality of diagnostic findings icons displayed on the monitor, a diagnostic finding linking unit that links the diagnostic findings corresponding to the diagnostic findings icon selected via the input device to the ultrasonic diagnostic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, which includes.
3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the diagnostic findings linked to the ultrasonic diagnostic image by the diagnostic findings linking unit are displayed on the monitor.
4. One of claims 1 to 3 for changing the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons so that the emphasis changing unit is emphasized more strongly as the diagnostic findings icon corresponding to the diagnostic findings having a higher similarity is emphasized. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in.
5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the emphasis changing unit surrounds a diagnostic finding icon corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings with a highlight line.
6. The super-elevation according to claim 4, wherein the emphasis changing unit displays a diagnostic finding icon corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings in a color different from that of other diagnostic findings icons. Sound diagnostic equipment.
7. The emphasis changing unit is any one of claims 4 to 6 for displaying the diagnostic finding icon corresponding to the diagnostic finding having the highest similarity among the plurality of diagnostic findings larger than the other diagnostic findings icons. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus described in the section.
8. The ultrasonic diagnostic image is an ultrasonic image of the lungs of a subject, and is an ultrasonic image.
   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of diagnostic findings includes any of the diagnostic findings of B line, hardening, normal, and no rung sliding.
9. The ultrasonic diagnostic image is a still image at the time of freezing, and is a still image.
   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the still image is displayed on the monitor.
10. The ultrasonic diagnostic image according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic image is a moving image.
11. The ultrasonic diagnostic image according to claim 10, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic image is a moving image at a predetermined time until freeze.
12. The similarity determination unit determines the similarity of the ultrasonic images of the plurality of frames constituting the moving image with the plurality of image patterns corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings.
    Among the plurality of frames of ultrasonic images, the ultrasonic image having the highest similarity is displayed on the monitor.
    The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the emphasis changing unit changes the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons based on the ultrasonic image having the highest similarity.
13. An ultrasonic diagnostic image and multiple diagnostic findings icons corresponding to multiple defined diagnostic findings are displayed on the monitor.
    The degree of similarity between the ultrasonic diagnostic image and the plurality of image patterns corresponding to the plurality of diagnostic findings is determined, respectively.
    A control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that changes the emphasis of the plurality of diagnostic findings icons on the monitor according to the determined similarity.

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