JP2001017425A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently display a subject information useful for a diagnosis while maintaining the visibility of an ultrasonic image and to improve operability. SOLUTION: A controller 16 forms an ultrasonic image based on the reception signal obtained by the transmission/reception of ultrasonic waves to a subject, then individually and selectively displays individual display images showing the primary information in the subject information on the subject at a position not overlapping with the ultrasonic image with the individual display means of a display control section 16c. The display control section 16c displays the primary information and the secondary information based on the primary information as a simultaneous display image at the minimum overlap with the ultrasonic image with a simultaneous display means after a prescribed number of individual display images are selectively displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to an improvement of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays various kinds of information on a subject together with an ultrasonic image on the same screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that forms, for example, a tomographic image or a blood flow image of a subject (living body) based on echo data (received signal) obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. When diagnosing a subject using such an apparatus, in addition to examining the ultrasound image itself, various kinds of information on the subject, such as an arbitrary point-to-point distance or heart rate of an actual subject (eg, heart) By examining directly measurable primary information such as the number and secondary information that can be calculated based on the primary information, a more reliable and quick diagnosis can be performed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an ultrasonic display image when a sector scan is performed on, for example, a heart in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. A fan-shaped scan area (ultrasonic image) 102 is displayed at a substantially central portion of the monitor 100, and a subject (for example, a heart) 104 is displayed. At this time, the simultaneous display image 106 including the primary information and the secondary information as described above is displayed, for example, in the lower left corner of the screen. FIG. 6 shows a detailed example of the simultaneous display image 106. The item of the simultaneous display image 106 shown in FIG. 6 is an examination package for cardiac function diagnosis, and shows an example of primary information and secondary information required for the cardiac function examination. Note that the display items of the inspection package are different for each inspection and for the needs of the diagnostician (operator).

[0006] In FIG. 6, “+ LVIDd” is the end diastolic diameter of the left ventricle, and “× LVIDs” is the end diastolic diameter of the left ventricle. These two items are directly measured from the subject 104 displayed on the ultrasonic image. Possible primary information. In addition,
“+ LVIDd” is a distance between two points indicated by a “+” marker on the screen, and “× LVIDs” is a distance between two points indicated by a “x” marker on the screen.

“#HR” is heart rate, “EDV”
Is left ventricular end diastolic volume, "ESV" is left ventricular end diastolic volume, "SV" is stroke volume, "SVI" is SVIn
dex (SV / BSA), “CO” is cardiac output, “C
OI ”is COIndex (CO / BSA),“ EF ”
Is the ejection fraction, “FS” is the diameter reduction rate, and “BSA” is the body surface area. Once the inspection package is selected,
Items such as those shown in FIG. 6 are displayed, and thereafter, each time measurement or calculation is performed, the result is displayed in a blank portion (** in FIG. 6).
(Indicated by *)). Then, the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus checks the ultrasonic image (the subject 10).
4) and the simultaneous display image 106 to proceed with appropriate diagnosis.

[0006]

However, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, since the size of the display area of the monitor 100 is limited, as shown in FIG.
(Ultrasonic image) and part of the simultaneous display image 106 (generally, a character string) may overlap. Since the simultaneous display image 106 is transparently displayed, the ultrasonic image of the overlapped portion is not completely hidden, but the visibility of the ultrasonic image is greatly reduced by a character string or the like. As described above, the number of display items of the simultaneous display image 106 (examination package) differs for each examination, and can be appropriately increased by setting of the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Then, the possibility that the displays overlap will increase. Also,
As shown in FIG. 6, if there is a blank display image in the display of only the items before the actual measured values or calculated values are completely displayed, the display on the monitor 100 may feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, “+ LVIDd” and “× LVID
When a marking operation is required on an ultrasonic image using a marker such as “+” or “x” as in the measurement of “s”, the overlap may hinder the setting of an accurate marking position. There is also a problem that the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to sufficiently display object information useful for diagnosis while maintaining visibility of an ultrasonic image and to improve operability. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of preventing a decrease.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention forms an ultrasonic image on the basis of a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to and from a subject, and forms an ultrasonic image based on the received signal. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying subject information on a specimen on the same display screen as the ultrasound image, individual display means for sequentially switching and displaying primary information among the subject information individually, and a predetermined number of And a simultaneous display means for simultaneously displaying the primary information and secondary information based on the primary information after the completion of the switching display of the primary information.

Here, the subject information is information obtained as an input value, such as characteristic items of the subject, or a measured value such as a heart rate or a distance between two points which can be directly measured from a formed ultrasonic image. Etc., and secondary information obtained from an operation based on the primary information. The secondary information means processed information, and the case where the calculation result is further processed is also included in the secondary information.

According to this configuration, the primary information is sequentially switched and displayed on the display screen, so that the display area occupied by the primary information is small. As a result, it is possible to suppress that the primary information easily overlaps with the ultrasonic image,
The visibility of the ultrasonic image is improved. Further, even when a marking operation is performed on an ultrasonic image with a marker or the like, the ultrasonic image can be easily recognized, and marking can be performed at an accurate position. As a result, the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is improved. Furthermore, after the display of the predetermined primary information is completed, the secondary information is simultaneously displayed together with the primary information, so that it is possible to easily grasp the entire subject information, and the ultrasonic image and the subject information are used. Appropriate diagnosis can be performed smoothly.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the individual display means sets an individual display area at an arbitrary position outside a display area of an ultrasonic image. I do.

Here, the arbitrary position outside the display region of the ultrasonic image is, for example, near the peripheral portion of the screen displaying the ultrasonic image. According to this configuration, the visibility of each of the primary information and the ultrasonic image can be improved even when the primary information is displayed. The setting position of the individual display area of the individual display image may be arbitrarily selected by the operator, or may be automatically selected by the individual display means.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the above structure, the simultaneous display means includes a simultaneous display information area at a position where a display overlap between the simultaneous display information and the ultrasonic image is minimized. Is set.

According to this configuration, even when the simultaneous display including the primary information and the secondary information is performed, the display overlap between the simultaneous display information and the ultrasonic image is minimized (including zero overlap). Visibility can be maintained individually. The setting position of the simultaneous display information may be arbitrarily selected by the operator or automatically selected by the simultaneous display means.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of FIG.

The ultrasonic probe 12 is a means for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and is used in contact with a subject such as a body surface or an organ surface. When the ultrasonic probe 12 is, for example, a sector electronic scanning type, the ultrasonic beam is scanned by performing electronic scanning on an array vibrator including a plurality of vibrating elements built in the ultrasonic probe 12. You. As a result, a scanning surface is formed. Note that each scanning surface is constituted by a plurality of ultrasonic beams (scanning lines). Also,
Other scanning methods (mechanical sector scanning, linear electronic scanning, etc.) may be used.

The transmission / reception unit 14 is a means for supplying a transmission signal to the ultrasonic probe 12 and executing a predetermined process on a reception signal output from the ultrasonic probe 12. The predetermined processing includes, for example, amplification, detection and A / D
Each process such as conversion is included.

The control unit 16 controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves via the transmission / reception unit 14, and also performs electronic scanning control of ultrasonic beams. The control unit 16 includes a measurement unit 16a and a calculation unit 16b, which will be described later.
The display management unit 16c is also included.

The image forming section 18 forms an ultrasonic image based on a reception signal obtained from the transmitting / receiving section 14,
The processing of the received signal is started when the timing signal is input from the control unit 16, and automatically stopped when the processing of one ultrasonic image is completed. The image information formed by the image forming unit 18 is D / A converted by the display control unit 20 and sent to the monitor 22. An ultrasonic image 102 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the monitor 100.

The control unit 16 is connected to an input unit 22 such as a trackball, a joystick, and a switch.
It issues a measurement instruction to the measurement unit 16a in the control unit 16, an operation instruction to the control unit 16, and the like. The measurement unit 16a acquires primary information (see FIG. 6), which is a characteristic item of the subject. For example, the distance between two points of the ultrasonic image specified by the operator is measured using the image information formed by the image forming unit 18. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, when the subject 104 is a heart, the operator places the “+” marker 24 appearing on the ultrasonic image 102 displayed on the monitor 100 on the input unit. The user moves to a desired position by performing the operation 22 to perform a marking operation. Measuring unit 16
“a” measures the distance between two points (for example, left ventricular end diastolic diameter) based on the marking position. Other primary information acquired by the measuring unit 16a includes, for example, a heart rate. In addition, the direct input information on the subject 104 may be handled as the primary information. Then, the measuring unit 16a
The primary information and the like measured in are provided to the calculation unit 16b, and various calculation processes are performed to form secondary information based on the primary information. The secondary information includes, for example, left ventricular end diastolic volume, body surface area, and the like (see FIG. 6).

The feature of the present embodiment is that the display mode is changed between primary information and secondary information among the object information, and the visibility of the ultrasonic image and the object information displayed on the same screen is improved. It is about to improve. In the present embodiment, the control unit 16 manages the display mode of the primary information and the secondary information.
This is performed by the display management unit 16c provided therein. The display management unit 16c includes individual display means for managing display of primary information and simultaneous display means for managing display including secondary information.

Most of the primary information among the above-mentioned subject information is a measured value, and is intermediate data for acquiring secondary information. Therefore, when the operator acquires the primary information (at the time of measurement)
Has an interest only in the target item, and has no interest in other items (items not in the acquisition operation state). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the individual display means of the display management unit 16c sends the primary information of the subject information to the display control unit 20 for each item as shown in FIGS. The individual display images 26a to 26b are formed, and one of the individual display images 26a to 26b for which information is being acquired is displayed as shown in FIG. 2 (in FIG. 2, the individual display image 26a is displayed). The display position is an arbitrary position outside the display area of the ultrasonic image 102, for example, a lower left position of the display screen. The individual display image relating to the primary information is displayed only in the active state such as the measurement operation, and is not displayed in the inactive state. Therefore, the individual display images of the primary information are sequentially switched and displayed in the order in which the input, the arithmetic operation, and the like are performed. In this case, the individual display areas of the individual display images 26a to 26b displaying the primary information have a small occupation area and do not overlap with the ultrasonic image 102. As a result, good visibility of the ultrasonic image 102 can be ensured, and the operability of the marking operation of the marker 24 and the like can be improved.

When the control unit 16 confirms that the display of the predetermined number of primary information has been completed, that is, that the predetermined measurement operation by the measuring unit 16a and the input operation from the input unit 22 have been completed. Is confirmed, and furthermore, the operation unit 16b
When the secondary information is obtained by executing a predetermined calculation in the display control unit 16c, the simultaneous display including the primary information and the secondary information is performed by using the simultaneous display unit included in the display management unit 16c as shown in FIGS. The image 106 is displayed. In this case, the simultaneous display image 106 and the ultrasonic image 102 partially overlap, but at the time of displaying the primary information, sufficient visibility of the ultrasonic image 102 is ensured, and the operation of the marker 24 ends. Therefore, a part of the overlap does not greatly affect the diagnosis based on the ultrasonic image, but rather can improve the diagnosis efficiency by displaying the subject information and the ultrasonic image.

FIG. 4 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
A flowchart illustrating the procedure for displaying the subject information of 0 is shown.

First, when the ultrasonic image 102 is displayed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the operator selects a display mode of the subject information using the input unit 22 or the like (S10).
0). Here, the selection of the display mode means that the primary information items are individually displayed as shown in FIG. 2 and then displayed all at once as shown in FIG. 5 or all the items are displayed at once from the beginning as shown in FIG. This is a selection of whether or not to display. If the individual display is selected, a test package of the subject information according to the subject and the content of the diagnosis (for example, a test package for cardiac function diagnosis)
Is selected (S101).

When a desired inspection package is selected, the individual display means of the display management unit 16c displays an individual display image 26a of the predetermined primary information as shown in FIG. 2 (S102). This individual display image 26a is displayed on the monitor 10
When displayed on 0, the operator uses the input unit 22 or the like to
An input operation, for example, measurement with the marker 24 is performed (S
103). For example, when the individual display image 26a is an image (“+ LVIDd”) indicating measurement of the left ventricular end diastolic diameter, the measurement unit 16a uses two markers 2 designated by the operator.
The distance between the four is measured and displayed in the measurement result column in the individual display image 26a. When the input operation (measurement result display) is completed, the operator uses the input unit 22, for example, a confirmation switch, a next-term forward switch, or the like, to terminate the input operation.
Notify. The control unit 16 determines whether or not there is an input of the next item (S104). If it is determined that there is an input of the next item (an item that has not been input), the currently displayed individual display image 26a Is deleted (S105),
Returning to (S102), display and input (measurement) of the next item are performed, and it is determined again (S104) whether or not the next item is input.

If the control unit 16 determines in step S104 that the input of the next item, that is, the input of the primary information has already been completed, the simultaneous display means of the display management unit 16c, as shown in FIG. Simultaneous display image 10 including secondary and secondary information
6 is displayed (S106), and a series of display processing is completed to prepare for the next display processing. The simultaneous display image 106
May be displayed after the secondary information acquisition calculation is completely completed, or after the secondary information is displayed in a blank state, it may be sequentially inserted and displayed in a blank. In addition, the simultaneous display image 106
May be appropriately selected by the operator in the inspection package.

On the other hand, in (S100), when the operator selects the simultaneous display from the beginning, similarly to the case of selecting the individual display, an inspection package of the subject information according to the subject and the contents of the diagnosis (for example, a cardiac function diagnosis) Inspection package) is selected (S107).

When the desired inspection package is selected, the display management unit 16c simultaneously displays the object information image (simultaneous display) in which the item information fields of the primary information and the secondary information are blank, as shown in FIG. The display image 106) is simultaneously displayed (S1).
08). In this state, the operator performs an input operation, for example, measurement using the marker 24, using the input unit 22 or the like (S109). The measuring unit 16a measures the distance or the like between the two markers 24 specified by the operator, and inserts the measurement result in the corresponding blank space (S110). After that, the operator notifies the control unit 16 of the end of the input operation by using, for example, the confirmation switch or the next term forward switch of the input unit 22. The control unit 16 determines whether or not there is an input of the next item (S111). If it is determined that there is an input of the next item, the process returns to (S109), and the input (measurement) of the next item is performed.
It is determined again whether or not the next item is input in (S111). Then, when the input of all the items is completed, that is, when the blank insertion of the predetermined primary information and the secondary information is completed, and the display of the subject information is completed, the control unit 16 ends a series of display processing, and Prepare for display processing.

In this embodiment, the individual display image 26
Although the example in which the a and the simultaneous display image 106 are set in the lower left corner of the monitor 100 is shown, the setting position may be arbitrarily changed by the operator's selection, or the display management unit 16c may automatically display the setting position. A position selection function may be provided. In this case, for example, the display management unit 16c individually recognizes the occupation positions of the display region of the ultrasound image and the display region of the subject information, and prevents the two from overlapping or minimizes the amount of overlap. To select and set the display position of the subject information. This setting position may be arbitrarily set, or may be selected at a predetermined number of places, for example, any one of the four corners of the screen.

In the present embodiment, the display of the ultrasonic image and the display of the subject information by the sector scanning have been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to the display of the ultrasonic image and the subject information obtained by another scanning method. And the same effect can be obtained.

[0033]

According to the present invention, since the primary information is sequentially switched and displayed on the display screen, the display area occupied by the primary information is small, and the primary information overlaps with the ultrasonic image. This is easily suppressed, and the visibility of the ultrasonic image is improved. Further, even when a marking operation is performed on an ultrasonic image with a marker or the like, the ultrasonic image can be recognized well, and marking can be performed at an accurate position, thereby improving the operability of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Furthermore, after the display of the predetermined primary information is completed, the secondary information is simultaneously displayed together with the primary information, so that it is possible to easily grasp the entire subject information, and the ultrasonic image and the subject information are used. Appropriate diagnosis can be performed smoothly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display mode of an individual display of primary information of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of display contents of individual display of primary information of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for displaying subject information of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display mode of simultaneous display of subject information of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of display contents of simultaneous display of subject information of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 12 ultrasonic probe, 14 transmitting / receiving section, 16 control section, 16a measuring section, 16b calculating section, 16c display managing section, 18 image forming section, 20 display controlling section, 22 input section, 24 marker , 26a, 26
b Individual display image, 100 monitor, 102 ultrasonic image (scan area), 104 subject, 106 simultaneous display image.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic image is formed based on a reception signal obtained by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to and from an object, and object information on the object can be displayed on the same display screen as the ultrasonic image. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, individual display means for individually and sequentially switching and displaying primary information among the subject information, and after the switching display of a predetermined number of primary information is completed, based on the primary information and the primary information An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising: simultaneous display means for simultaneously displaying secondary information. 2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said individual display means sets an individual display area at an arbitrary position outside a display area of an ultrasonic image. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the simultaneous display means sets a simultaneous display information area at a position where a display overlap between the simultaneous display information and the ultrasonic image is minimized. Ultrasound diagnostic device characterized by the following.