JP2002063564A - Image processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain prescribed reliability of image processing wherein a projection image is handled while easily setting a point of interest in the projection image and performing measurement based upon the point of interest. SOLUTION: A set of three-dimensional data which are obtained by an ultrasonic probe 12 and stored in a memory 24 is computed by an image processing part 26 for every line of sight in an imaging data space (ROI) set by an input part 30 according to the lines of sight to form a projection image. Then, points of interest are set in the generated projection image and the image processing part 26 computes at least one of the maximum length and minimum length among straight paths connecting the lines of sight passing the points of interest in the imaging data space and displays the range of the distance prescribed by the maximum or minimum value at a display part 28 together with the distance between the points of interest in the projection image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a storage medium, and more particularly to an arithmetic processing for a projection image obtained by projecting three-dimensional data in a three-dimensional imaging data space onto a plane.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an object having a three-dimensional shape is displayed on a display device, a projection method is used. For example, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is widely used as a device capable of observing the surface shape and internal structure of a living organ (subject) having a three-dimensional shape from the body surface. In ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
The three-dimensional data of the subject is obtained by transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the subject and sequentially receiving the reflected waves to form a three-dimensional data set as a whole. Then, with respect to the acquired three-dimensional data set, a region of interest (ROI;
By setting the region of interest and projecting the three-dimensional data in the ROI onto a plane along the line of sight by a method such as volume rendering, a three-dimensional image (projected image) of the subject is obtained and the result is displayed. It is projected on the device.

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used for various medical treatments, the size of a specific position of a subject to be observed, that is, the length (distance) of a line connecting the specified points and a plurality of line segments In many cases, it is desired to recognize the angle or the area surrounded by the line segment formed as a numerical value. For example, in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, as a method of measuring a linear distance between two points in a three-dimensional data set, a cross section is set in a three-dimensional data set including the two points, and two Point designation and distance measurement calculation between them were performed.

However, in the above-described method, it is difficult to set a cross section including two points in the set in the three-dimensional data set, and the operation of setting the cross section requires skill and a great amount of operation time. And had In addition, it takes a lot of time to check whether the set cross section really includes two desired points.

Therefore, by specifying two points (points of interest) on the projected image and measuring the distance between the two points, the straight-line distance between the two points in the corresponding three-dimensional data set is simply expressed. It has been proposed to. According to this method, a simple distance expression can be performed by setting an easy point of interest.

[0006]

However, as described above, a three-dimensional image (projection image) obtained by volume rendering or the like is obtained by projecting three-dimensional data within a certain calculation range on a plane by setting an ROI. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, even if attention points A and B are specified on the projection image 100 and the distance L between the attention points A and B is measured, the original Thickness along the line of sight in the three-dimensional imaging data space (ROI) (depth direction)
D are included in a superimposed state at the same time. That is,
In FIG. 9, the length that the user actually wants to know is the length L0 between the real point A0 and the real point B0 shown in the ROI, but the point of interest that is actually displayed on the display device and can be set. The point projected on A is obtained by projecting all the data of the line segment ab on the line of sight of the ROI. Similarly, the point projected to the point of interest B that can be set is the point where all the data of the line segment cd on the line of sight of the ROI is projected. Therefore, the actual point A0 is projected on the same target point A at any position on the line segment ab. Similarly, the actual point B0 is projected to the same point of interest B at any position on the line segment cd. That is, the actual points A0 and B0 become indefinite points on the projected image. As a result, although the line segment connecting the real points A0 and B0 can take various distances L0, they are all expressed on the projection image as the same distance L between the points of interest A and B, and the projection image The distance L measured above contains ambiguity, and there is a problem that sufficient reliability cannot be obtained even if only the distance L on the projected image is displayed.

Similarly, when a plurality of points of interest are set on a projected image and the angle or area defined by a line segment connecting the points of interest is measured, the position of the real point on the ROI is indefinite as described above. Therefore, there is a problem that the angle and the area measured on the projection image also have low reliability.

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 perform an operation of easily setting a point of interest on a projected image in image processing for handling the projected image.
Even when the measurement based on the attention point is performed, a process that can obtain a predetermined reliability is performed.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention sets a plurality of lines of sight in a three-dimensional imaging data space, and sets a data for each line of sight. Image forming means for performing a calculation to form a projected image, setting means for setting a plurality of points of interest on the projected image, and setting a distance between each line of sight passing through the plurality of points of interest in the imaging data space. Calculating means for calculating at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value among the lengths of the straight paths to be connected.

[0010] It is preferable that the arithmetic means calculates a range in which the length of the straight path can be taken using both the maximum value and the minimum value.

As described above, in the imaging data space, the maximum value, the minimum value, and the range defined by the lengths of the lengths of the linear paths connecting the respective lines of sight passing through the plurality of points of interest are indicated. Thus, it is possible to indicate a criterion for guaranteeing the result of measuring the length of the straight line path connecting the point of interest on the projection image, and the reliability of measurement on the projection image is improved. In addition, since the point of interest can be easily set on the projected image, highly reliable measurement can be performed by an easy operation.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the arithmetic means of the image processing apparatus of the present invention further connects the three lines of sight passing through each point of interest in the imaged data space. At least one of a maximum value and a minimum value among the angles formed by the two straight paths is calculated.

[0013] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the calculating means further calculates an angle range in which two straight paths can be formed based on both the maximum value and the minimum value.

[0014] According to this configuration, the angle measured based on the point of interest set on the projection screen also indicates the maximum value and the minimum value with respect to the measured value and the range defined by them, thereby facilitating the point of interest. Even if the above setting operation is performed, the reliability of the measured value can be improved.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention sets a plurality of lines of sight in a three-dimensional imaging data space, performs a data operation for each line of sight, and executes a projection image. Forming an image, a setting unit for setting a plurality of points of interest on the projection image, and generating a connection line connecting the plurality of points of interest on the projection image, and a projection area surrounded by the connection line And at least a maximum value and a minimum value in an area of a plane that can form the projection region by connecting a plurality of lines of sight passing through the point of interest in the imaging data space. Computing means for computing one of them.

In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the calculation means calculates the area range using both the maximum value and the minimum value.

Here, the projection area surrounded by the connection line is an area that can be surrounded by a straight line, a curve, or the like.

According to this configuration, the maximum value and the minimum value with respect to the area measured based on the point of interest set on the projection screen and the range defined by them are indicated, so that the point of interest can be easily obtained. Even if the above setting operation is performed, the reliability of the measured value can be improved.

Further, in the above configuration, the arithmetic means is further characterized by calculating an average value of the maximum value and the minimum value.

In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the arithmetic means calculates upper and lower limit values centered on the calculated average value.

By calculating the average value or calculating the upper and lower limits centered on the average value, the range in which the measured value can be taken can be more specifically and easily recognized, and the reliability of the measured value can be recognized. Can be improved. When the upper and lower limit values are indicated, if the range deviates from the upper and lower limit values, it may be determined that the ambiguity of the measured value is too large, and the measurement may be disabled or the setting may be changed.

In order to achieve the above object, in the above configuration, the projection image is formed based on the ultrasonic waves transmitted / received to / from the subject, and each point of interest is displayed on the ultrasonic projection image. Preferably, it is set.

According to this configuration, the size and the like of the disease or the like existing in the subject can be recognized with a predetermined reliability. Also, the operation of setting the point of interest at that time can be easily performed.

[0024] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a storage medium storing a program for executing arithmetic processing on a computer, wherein the program is stored in at least a three-dimensional imaging data space. A plurality of lines of sight are set for each line of sight, a data operation is performed for each line of sight to form a projected image, a plurality of points of interest are set on the projected image, and the plurality of points of interest are set in the imaging data space. The method is characterized in that at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value is calculated in the length of a straight line path connecting each line of sight passing through.

[0025] In the above configuration, the program may further include, within the imaging data space, a maximum of angles formed by two straight paths connecting the three lines of sight passing through the respective points of interest. It is preferable to calculate at least one of the value and the minimum value.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a storage medium storing a program for executing an arithmetic processing on a computer, the program comprising at least three-dimensional imaging data. A plurality of lines of sight are set for the space, a data image is calculated for each line of sight to form a projected image, a plurality of points of interest are set on the projected image, and the plurality of points of interest are set on the projected image. A connecting line is generated to form a projection area surrounded by the connecting line, and a plane that can form the projection area by connecting a plurality of lines of sight passing through the point of interest in the imaging data space. It is characterized in that at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value is calculated in the area.

The storage medium includes any medium capable of carrying information electromagnetically, chemically, or optically, such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, and a hard disk.

[0028]

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 image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration block diagram in the case of being incorporated in a “0”.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 12 including a transducer array 12a for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, and a delay distribution of a transmission beam supplied to the transducer array 12a. The transmission beamformer 14 performs the phasing addition of the reflected waves received by the transducer array 12a, and the tomographic plane obtained by the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves performed by the transducer array 12a is referred to as the tomographic plane. A motor 12b for moving the transducer array 12a to move in the orthogonal direction to obtain a three-dimensional data set,
Motor drive 1 for driving the motor 12b
And a control unit 20 for controlling the transmission beamformer 14 and the reception beamformer 16 and for controlling the motor drive 18. The ultrasonic probe 12 is provided with an array position detection sensor 12c for detecting the swing amount of the transducer array 12a, and the control unit 20 controls the drive amount of the motor 12b based on the detection result. ing.

The signal from the receiving beam former 16 is amplified by the amplifier 22 and stored in the memory 24. The image processing unit (image forming means, calculating means) 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 forms a desired projection image using the three-dimensional data set stored in the memory 24,
Display above. The image processing unit 26 sets an ROI, which is an imaged data space, in an arbitrary space within the acquired three-dimensional data set in the acquired three-dimensional data set.
An input unit (setting means) including an I setting unit, a viewpoint setting unit for setting a viewpoint used when forming a projection image, a point-of-interest setting unit for setting a point of interest on a projection image for performing distance measurement, which will be described later, and the like. 30 are connected.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 configured as described above
The user obtains a three-dimensional data set by bringing the ultrasonic probe 12 into contact with the subject and transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. At this time, a region of interest (ROI), which is an imaging data space, is set in the three-dimensional data set by the ROI setting unit, and a plurality of lines of sight are set for the set ROI, as shown in FIG. Data projection (for example, volume rendering) is performed for each line of sight to form a projection image on the display device 28. The formation of the projection image is the same as the conventional method.

The features of the present embodiment are: distance measurement between attention points, angle measurement based on the attention points set on the projection image,
By simultaneously calculating the possible values of the measured values together with the measured values of the area measurement and relating the results to the measured values, the reliability of the measured values is clarified and the reliability is improved.

First, attention points A and B set on the projection image
The distance (length) L between them will be described. As described above, the attention points A and B set on the projection image by the attention point setting unit
The distance L between them has ambiguity with respect to the distance L0 defined by the real points A0 and B0. In view of this ambiguity, the distance L between the points of interest A and B is shown in association with a finite value. For example, the maximum value and the minimum value of the distance L are calculated, and the distance L between the points of interest A and B is guaranteed by the maximum value or the minimum value, or a range defined by both.

In FIG. 2, a point of interest A is a real point A0 present on any one of the line segments ab of the line of sight passing through the ROI, and a point of interest B is a line segment cd of the line of sight passing through the ROI.
A real point B0 existing in any of the above is shown. Accordingly, the length of the straight line path connecting the lines of sight passing through the points of interest A and B in the ROI, that is, the maximum value and the minimum value of the straight line path A0B0 in the square abcd shown in the ROI are calculated. That is, the following calculation is performed.

[0035]

(Equation 1) That is, the minimum value Lmi of the line segments ac, ad, bc, and bd
Calculate n and the maximum value Lmax.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the display device 28. The display device 28 has a main window 28a showing a projection image, and a sub-window 28b showing a measured value, a minimum value Lmin, a maximum value Lmax, and the like. In FIG.
The distance L in the main window is the minimum value Lmin and the maximum value Lm
It is shown that it is within the range defined by ax, that is, Lmin ≦ L ≦ Lmax. In this way, by clearly displaying the range that the measured value L can take, it is possible to easily improve the reliability of a measured value based on a point of interest that is easily set on the projected image. Become.

At this time, the minimum value Lmin and the maximum value Lmax
, The average value Lave may be indicated. That is,
By calculating Lave = (Lmin + Lmax) / 2 and displaying it in accordance with the sub-window 28b, it is possible to further easily recognize the possible values of the measurement values indicated by the points of interest A and B on the projected image.

As another display method, the distance L may indicate the variation σ between the minimum value Lmin and the maximum value Lmax together with the average value Lave. That is, σ = (Lmax−Lm
in) / 2 and may be expressed as L = Lave ± σ.

When the thickness D of the ROI is "zero", Lmin = L = Lmax, which is equivalent to the distance measurement between the points of interest A and B on the projection plane. Clearly not. In such a case, it may be displayed by a message or the like that the determined value has no ambiguity.
On the other hand, if the thickness D is very large, the ambiguity becomes very large. For example, when Lmin = 3 ≦ L ≦ Lmax = 100, it is hard to say that the range of the distance L is finite. . Therefore, the ambiguity α is defined as α≡ (Lmin + Lmax) / L. When the ambiguity α is, for example, α ≧ 0.25, in order to prevent confusion of the user of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, for example, Display such as "measurable" or "reference value".
Further, a message urging the user to correct the setting of the ROI may be displayed in the sub window 28b.

FIG. 4 shows points of interest A, B, and C on the projected image.
When three points are set, ∠A formed by the line segments AB and BC
An example is shown in which the angle of BC is displayed in a state in which the reliability is improved, like the distance L described above. As described above, since the line segments AB, BC, and AC based on the three points of interest A, B, and C set on the projection image include ambiguity due to the thickness D of the ROI, the minimum value and the maximum value Is uncertain between
Therefore, the angle of ∠ABC formed by the line segments AB and BC is also uncertain. The minimum and maximum possible values of the actual angle on the ROI that can be ∠ABC on the projected image are ∠a1b1
c1, ∠a1b1c2, ∠a1b2c1, ∠a1b2c2, ∠a2
8 of b1c1, ∠a2b1c2, ∠a2b2c1, ∠a2b2c2
All are included in the street. Therefore, when the angle of ∠ABC is displayed on the projected image based on the points of interest A, B, and C, the line segments a1b1, a1b2, a2b1, a2b2, b
The distance (length) of 1c1, b1c2, b2c1, b2c2 is obtained,
The minimum value and the maximum value of the eight angles are calculated.

The possible values of the angle θx are x1, the possible distance between the attention points B and C is x2, and the possible distance between the attention points C and A is x3. In this case, it can be shown as follows.

[0042]

(Equation 2) By displaying at least one of the minimum value and the maximum value of the angle θx, desirably the angle range determined by both, in the same manner as the distance display described above, the reliability of the angle display can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when a plurality of points of interest A1 to A4 on the projected image are set and the area S surrounded by the points of interest is measured, as shown in FIG. RO
Since the projection is performed with an ambiguity due to the thickness D of I, the area measured on the projected image also includes ambiguity, similarly to the above-described distance and angle. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 6, the minimum value Smin defined on the ROI
By calculating the maximum value and the maximum value Smax, it is possible to improve the reliability of the area calculated based on a plurality of points of interest on the projected image. First, an area S on the projection image is set. For example, for a plurality of points of interest set on the projection image, the region forming unit (region forming means) included in the image processing unit 26 sets a connecting line (which may be a straight line or a curve) connecting the plurality of points of interest. By generation, an area S (projection area) surrounded by the connection line is determined.

As another method for setting the area S, a plurality of points of interest on the projected image are connected by a curve using a spline function or a Bezier curve, and the area S (projection area) surrounded by the curve is determined. You can also ask.

As a method of actually calculating the area, for example, there is a method of approximating the area of the image to be measured with a plurality of triangles defined by straight lines connecting three points on a connecting line defining the area S. Since the line segments constituting the triangle include the ambiguity based on the thickness D of the ROI as described above, the minimum value and the maximum value of the possible area of the triangle on the projection image are calculated, and the final value is calculated. The minimum value and the maximum value of the area on the projection image that are to be obtained in a desired manner are calculated.

As described above, by calculating the minimum value and the maximum value of the length based on the point of interest on the projected image in consideration of the thickness D of the ROI, the length, angle, area, etc. The reliability of the measurement value measured on the projection image can be improved.

Note that the method of calculating the angle and the method of calculating the area are merely examples, and the same effect as that of the present embodiment can be obtained by calculation using another known method.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a case where the projection image is formed by conformal mapping with the virtual point O as a viewpoint and the point of interest on the projection image is indicated by polar coordinates, and this embodiment is applied. I have. The distance (length) between the points of interest M and N on the projected image is the actual points a and c on the upper surface P of the ROI and the lower surface Q of the ROI.
The length is defined by a quadrilateral abcd formed by the above real points b and d. Here, since the real points a and b are the same point on the projection image, as shown in FIG.
1, θ1). Similarly, since the real points c and d are the same point on the projection image, (φ2, θ2) on the projection image is shared. The difference between the real points a, b, c, and d is the distance from the viewpoint O. That is, the actual point a is determined by the length ra of the side Oa, and the actual point b is determined by rb. Therefore, in the three-dimensional space, the coordinates of the real point a are (φ1, θ1, r
a), the coordinates of the real point b are (φ1, θ1, rb), the coordinates of the real point c are (φ2, θ2, rc), and the coordinates of the real point d are (φ2, θ
2, rd). If the coordinates of each real point are obtained in this way, for example, the distance between the real point a and the real point d can be formulated as follows.

[0049]

(Equation 3) Then, the maximum value and the minimum value of the straight route L are calculated within the square abcd shown in the ROI. That is, the following calculation is performed.

[0050]

(Equation 1) That is, the minimum value Lmi of the line segments ac, ad, bc, and bd
Calculate n and the maximum value Lmax. Then, the distance L between the points of interest M and N in the projection image in the range defined by the minimum value Lmin and the maximum value Lmax is shown as Lmin ≦ L ≦ Lmax.
Also in this case, by clearly displaying the range that can be taken by the distance L, which is a measured value, it is possible to easily improve the reliability of the measured value based on the attention point easily set on the projection image. Become.

Further, similarly to the example shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the average value Lave may be indicated based on the minimum value Lmin and the maximum value Lmax. In other words, if calculation and display are performed with Lave = (Lmin + Lmax) / 2, it is possible to further easily recognize the possible values of the measurement values indicated by the points of interest M and N on the projection image.

The distance L is defined as a minimum value Lmin and a maximum value Lmax.
May be shown together with the average value Lave. That is, σ = (Lmax−Lmin) / 2, and L =
It may be expressed as Lave ± σ. Further, the ambiguity α is defined as α≡ (Lmin + Lmax) / L, and when the ambiguity α is, for example, α ≧ 0.25, in order to prevent confusion of the user of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, for example, Display such as "measurable" or "reference value". In addition, a message prompting the user to correct the ROI setting is displayed in sub window 28b.
May be shown.

Even when polar coordinates are used, it is possible to calculate the angles and areas shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, etc., and to calculate the range in which the measured values can be taken in addition to the measured values. .

As described above, by displaying the measurement result in consideration of the thickness D of the ROI, even if the user measures the distance, the angle, the area, and the like on the projected image, the range of values that can be obtained is shown. Is displayed using the minimum value, the maximum value, the average value, etc., so that the measurement value expression including ambiguity on the projection screen can be displayed in a more reliable form.

In the present embodiment, the range defined by the minimum value and the maximum value is shown, but either the minimum value or the maximum value indicates the lower limit or the upper limit of the measured value. Is also good. In addition, the same effect as that of the present embodiment may be displayed as long as only the average value Lave is displayed, or a display that indicates a comparison criterion with respect to the measurement value measured on the projection image, such as display of only Lave ± σ including ambiguity α. Can be obtained.

Further, the configuration block diagram shown in FIG. 1 is also an example, and any configuration can be appropriately changed as long as it can display a comparison reference for a measurement value measured on a projection image as described above. The memory 24 in FIG. 1 is omitted in a case where processing is performed in real time, such as an ultrasonic image processing apparatus which was filed by the present applicant earlier and disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-33538. The three-dimensional data set may be sequentially input to the image processing unit 26 and may be processed.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using ultrasonic waves has been described. In equipment, C using X-ray
The same effect can be obtained even when applied to an apparatus such as T or magnetic resonance diagnosis (MRI). The same effect can be obtained by performing the same treatment on a three-dimensional data set obtained by a nondestructive inspection or the like.

Further, the processing procedure described in the above-described embodiment, that is, a plurality of lines of sight are set in the acquired three-dimensional imaging data space, and data calculation is performed for each line of sight to form a projection image. Processing, a process of setting a plurality of points of interest on the projection image, and a maximum value and a maximum value of the length of a straight line path connecting each line of sight passing through the plurality of points of interest in the imaging data space. A program for executing processing for calculating at least one of the minimum values may be stored in a storage medium. Then, the program stored in the storage medium may be read by an arbitrary computer and executed on the computer. In this case, if a three-dimensional data set is acquired by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or the like, image processing similar to that of the above-described embodiment can be performed by a desktop computer or the like, and diagnosis and inspection can be performed at an arbitrary location. And the data can be effectively used. The storage medium includes a CD-R
Any medium capable of carrying information electromagnetically, chemically, or optically, such as an OM, DVD, or hard disk, is included.

[0059]

According to the present invention, the maximum value and the minimum value are defined by the maximum value and the minimum value in the length of a straight line path connecting each line of sight passing through the plurality of points of interest in the imaging data space. By indicating the range, it is possible to indicate a criterion for guaranteeing the result of the measurement of the length of the straight line path connecting the point of interest on the projection image, and the reliability of the measurement on the projection image is improved. In addition, since the point of interest can be easily set on the projection image, the measurement can be performed by an easy operation while improving the reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram when an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an image diagram when a minimum value and a maximum value are calculated in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an image diagram illustrating a display example including a minimum value and a maximum value in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in a case where processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to angle display.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram in a case where processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to area display.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a minimum area and a maximum area that can be taken when processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to area display.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram in the case where processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed using polar coordinates.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in the case where processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed using polar coordinates.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram illustrating distance measurement on a projected image in a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, 12 ultrasonic probe, 12a
Transducer array, 14 transmission beamformer, 16 reception beamformer, 20 control unit, 22 amplifier, 24 memory, 26 image processing unit (image forming unit), 28 display device, 30 input unit.

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 4C301 JC11 KK17 KK30 5B057 AA07 BA02 BA03 BA05 BA07 CA02 CA08 CA13 CA16 CB02 CB08 CB12 CB16 CC01 CD14 CE20 DB02 DB05 DB09 DC03 DC08 5L096 AA03 AA06 AA09 BA06 BA13 FA64 FA67

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image forming means for setting a plurality of lines of sight in a three-dimensional imaging data space, performing a data operation for each line of sight to form a projection image, and a plurality of points of interest on the projection image Setting means for setting, and calculating means for calculating at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value in a length of a straight line path connecting each line of sight passing through the plurality of points of interest in the imaging data space. An image processing apparatus, comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means calculates a range in which the length of the straight path can be taken using both the maximum value and the minimum value. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said calculating means further comprises: two straight lines connecting three lines of sight passing through each of said points of interest in said imaging data space. An image processing apparatus for calculating at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value among angles formed by a path. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said calculating means calculates a range of angles at which two straight paths can be formed using both the maximum value and the minimum value. apparatus. 5. An image forming means for setting a plurality of lines of sight in a three-dimensional imaging data space, performing a data operation for each line of sight to form a projection image, and a plurality of points of interest on the projection image Setting means for generating a connection line connecting the plurality of points of interest on the projection image, and forming a projection area surrounded by the connection lines; and setting the connection line in the imaging data space. Computing means for computing at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value in an area of a plane which can form the projection area by connecting a plurality of lines of sight passing through a point. apparatus. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the calculating means calculates the area range using both a maximum value and a minimum value. 7. The method of claim 2 or claim 4 or claim 6.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the calculating unit further calculates an average value of a maximum value and a minimum value. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said calculating means calculates upper and lower limit values centered on the calculated average value. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection image is formed based on ultrasonic waves transmitted / received to / from the subject, and each point of interest is formed by ultrasonic projection. An image processing device set on an image. 10. A storage medium storing a program for executing arithmetic processing on a computer, wherein the program sets at least a plurality of lines of sight to a three-dimensional imaging data space, and for each line of sight, Performing a data operation to form a projected image; setting a plurality of points of interest on the projected image; length of a straight line path connecting each line of sight passing through the plurality of points of interest in the imaging data space Wherein at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value is calculated. 11. The medium according to claim 10, wherein the program further forms two straight paths connecting three lines of sight passing through each of the points of interest in the imaging data space. A storage medium for calculating at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value among the angles. 12. A storage medium storing a program for executing arithmetic processing on a computer, wherein the program sets at least a plurality of lines of sight to a three-dimensional imaging data space, and for each line of sight. Performing a data operation to form a projected image; setting a plurality of points of interest on the projected image; generating a connecting line connecting the plurality of points of interest on the projected image; and projecting a region surrounded by the connecting line. And calculating at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value in an area of a plane on which the projection area can be formed by connecting a plurality of lines of sight passing through the point of interest in the imaging data space. A storage medium characterized by the above.