JP2008142150A - Medical terminal and medical terminal control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical terminal capable of maintaining a time resolution required for diagnosing by executing the division of the video information of an appropriate transmission capacity corresponding to the communication conditions of respective networks and distributing and transmitting it to the plurality of networks. <P>SOLUTION: The medical terminals 10a and 10b is provided with: medical apparatuses 1a and 1b for measuring the characteristics of biological tissue, converting them to video information and displaying it; and routers 2a and 2b for selecting at least two communication routes from the plurality of communication routes constituting the network, and also has a function of transmitting the video information through the network, wherein the routers 2a and 2b divide the video information corresponding to the communication condition of the plurality of communication routes and transmit it to the at least two communication routes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical terminal that measures characteristics of a living tissue and transmits the video information through a network, and a medical terminal control method.

  As a technique for performing video transmission, remote operation, and the like between a plurality of medical device terminals, a technique using the Internet is known as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  As a technique for transmitting a high-quality image or video using a transmission path with a narrow transmission bandwidth, that is, a network with a low transmission rate, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, each scene of a moving image is transmitted. Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for reducing compression of image data to be transmitted by controlling compression coding according to the amount of motion and the amount of change, and controlling the frame rate, and further reducing the network load. As described above, there is known a method of dividing video information and distributing and transmitting the video information to a plurality of communication paths.

  A general medical diagnostic imaging apparatus can measure biological information such as shape measurement, motion characteristics, and property characteristics of living tissue, and the measurement result is mainly visualized as a tomographic image of living tissue. Is displayed. In particular, ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is superior to medical diagnostic equipment that measures tomographic images of other biological tissues such as X-ray CT or MRI, and it is important to observe the movement of the heart and the like. It is very useful for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is smaller in scale and more portable than a medical diagnostic apparatus that measures tomographic images of other biological tissues such as X-ray CT or MRI. Applicable to medical care.

  In general, when a patient needs emergency care, it is very important to take appropriate initial treatment. From such a background, it has been attempted to transmit a tomographic image of a biological tissue or video from a remote place or inside an ambulance to a hospital via a network and perform a remote diagnosis by a specialist. .

  As shown in Patent Document 1, the method using a network with a high transmission rate using the Internet, particularly a dedicated line, can transmit medical information such as a large-capacity medical image. In order to construct a network, there is a problem that requires a large amount of money. In addition, the method of reducing the packet or frame rate according to the transmission amount of the network reduces the time resolution, for example, relatively many diseases in the heart that moves fast up to about several tens of Hz. In the diagnosis of myocardial infarction or the like, there is a problem that an appropriate diagnosis cannot be made due to the movement of the heart muscle, which is the muscle of the heart.

  As a technique for solving these problems, in Patent Document 2, control is performed in consideration of a motion amount and a change amount of each scene. However, in order to calculate the amount of motion and the amount of change, it is necessary to scan data between all pixels for each frame, and it is difficult to determine the similarity of data instantaneously. Furthermore, there is a problem that the internal memory must be prepared according to the input image size.

On the other hand, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, the method of dividing video information and distributing and transmitting the video information to a plurality of communication paths suppresses the interruption of the video when a communication abnormality occurs in a certain communication path. The purpose is that. However, since video segmentation is not performed in consideration of the throughput of the communication path, if video data exceeding the allowable amount is transmitted to a path with low throughput, it may be determined that the communication is abnormal, resulting in transmission. There is a problem that the temporal resolution of the video information to be reduced is lowered.
JP 2000-175870 A JP-A-11-298890 JP-A-10-108175

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and according to the communication status of each network, video information having an appropriate transmission capacity is divided and time required for diagnosis is obtained. A medical terminal capable of maintaining the resolution is provided.

  In addition, for the measurement information by ultrasound before imaging in different measurement modes such as B-mode image and blood flow measurement image in the ultrasound diagnostic device, all the measurement information is scanned every frame with the required frame rate control A medical terminal capable of determining the similarity of data with a small amount of memory at high speed just by referring to additional information added to measurement information and controlling the amount of transmission based on the result provide.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a medical terminal capable of limiting the control according to the movement of a living tissue such as the heart according to the cardiac cycle and the transmission of unnecessary measurement information during non-diagnosis.

  The medical terminal of the present invention includes a medical device that converts and displays a characteristic value of a living tissue into video information, and a router that selects at least two communication paths from a plurality of communication paths constituting a network, and the video In a medical terminal having means for transmitting information via a network, the router divides the video information according to communication conditions of the plurality of communication paths or operating conditions of the medical device, and the at least two It has the means to transmit to one communication path, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  With this configuration, even when the throughput of each communication path is low, it is possible to divide the video information into an appropriate transmission capacity and transmit the video information maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis.

  In a preferred embodiment, the router includes a plurality of communication control units that perform communication control of the wired communication and the wireless communication via the network.

  With this configuration, video information can be transmitted to an external device in accordance with the communication path environment of wired communication and wireless communication.

  In a preferred embodiment, the communication control means detects the transmission time of at least two consecutive frames or packets when communicating with at least one external device.

  With this configuration, it is possible to monitor the communication status of the communication path.

  In a preferred embodiment, the network is wireless communication, and the communication control means detects reception sensitivity in wireless communication.

  With this configuration, it is possible to monitor the communication status of the communication path by wireless communication.

  In a preferred embodiment, the communication control means estimates the transmission allowance of the communication path based on the transmission time of at least two consecutive frames or packets or the reception sensitivity in wireless communication.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reliably estimate the transmission allowable amount of the communication path, and it is possible to transmit video information having an appropriate transmission capacity according to the transmission allowable amount of the communication path.

  In a preferred embodiment, the router includes a video dividing unit, and the video dividing unit controls the division ratio of the video information based on the transmission allowable amount of the communication path estimated by the communication control unit.

  With this configuration, it is possible to divide video information having an appropriate transmission capacity according to the transmission capacity of the communication path.

  In a preferred embodiment, the router has a video dividing unit, and the video dividing unit controls the division ratio of the video information based on the diagnosis mode of the medical device.

  With this configuration, it is possible to transmit video information that is divided into appropriate video information according to the diagnostic mode and that maintains the time resolution necessary for diagnosis.

  In a preferred embodiment, the video dividing means divides the video information into frame information units.

  With this configuration, one piece of video information can be distributed and transmitted over a plurality of communication paths in units of frame information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the video dividing means divides one frame of video information into line information units.

  With this configuration, one frame of video information can be distributed and transmitted over a plurality of communication paths in units of line information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the router has communication control means and video combining means, and the video combining means is a communication path estimated by the communication control means for transmitting video information divided and transmitted to a plurality of communication paths. Are combined into one piece of video information according to the transmission allowable amount.

  With this configuration, it is possible to obtain video information that maintains the time resolution necessary for diagnosis while corresponding to the transmission allowance of the communication path.

  In a preferred embodiment, the video combining means combines video information in units of frame information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to obtain video information that maintains the time resolution necessary for diagnosis in units of frame information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the video combining means combines video information in units of line information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to obtain video information that maintains the time resolution necessary for diagnosis in units of line information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the medical terminal is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and an input unit that inputs measurement information from a probe with time, additional information added to the measurement information is acquired, and similarity between the additional information is obtained. Data compression / deletion means for compressing or deleting the measurement information based on the detected result, transmission mode addition means for adding data compression format information to the data passed from the data compression / deletion means, and the transmission And a transmission means for transmitting data passed from the mode addition means.

  With this configuration, even if all pixels of the input data are not scanned, the similarity of the data can be determined at high speed and with a small amount of memory only by comparing specific additional information given to the input data. it can. Furthermore, the transmission amount can be controlled by performing optimum data compression / deletion based on the determination result.

  In a preferred embodiment, the data compression / deletion means includes an additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, a similarity detection means for detecting similarity of the additional information, a frame rate changing means for changing the frame rate, or a compression parameter. At least one of the control means, and at least one of the frame rate changing means or the compression parameter control means determines at least one of the frame rate or the compression parameter based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection means. It has a configuration with a function of generating adjusted data.

  With this configuration, the frame rate or the compression rate can be adjusted according to the amount of change in the image, and the transmission amount can be controlled.

  In a preferred embodiment, the data compression / deletion means includes additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, similarity detection means for detecting similarity of the additional information, and data removal means for removing data. The data removal unit has a function of generating frame data by removing preset removal target data based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection unit.

  With this configuration, for example, when data of a plurality of diagnostic modes is transmitted simultaneously (for example, B mode and color flow mode), notable diagnostic mode data is not removed (decimation, frame compression), and other diagnostic mode data Can be removed (decimation / frame compression) at appropriate intervals.

  That is, the transmission amount can be reduced without degrading the image quality of data necessary for diagnosis.

  In a preferred embodiment, the data compression / deletion means includes additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, similarity detection means for detecting similarity of the additional information, and additional information removal means for removing additional information. The additional information removing means generates frame data from which the additional information common to all the acoustic scanning lines in the same frame is removed based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detecting means. It has a configuration with functions.

  With this configuration, it is possible to remove redundant information other than image data on all the acoustic scanning lines in the same frame, so that it is possible to reduce the transmission amount without degrading the image quality.

  In a preferred embodiment, the data compression / deletion unit includes an additional information acquisition unit that acquires the additional information, a similarity detection unit that detects the similarity of the additional information, and an acoustic that thins out an acoustic scanning line in a frame. The acoustic scanning line thinning unit has a function of generating frame data in which the number of acoustic scanning lines in a frame is thinned based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection unit. It has the composition provided.

  With this configuration, the acoustic scanning lines in the frame can be thinned out at regular intervals, and the transmission amount can be controlled according to the similarity of the additional information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the data compression / deletion means has a function of compressing or deleting measurement information based on a biological signal obtained by a biological signal detection means connected to the outside.

  With this configuration, it is possible to control the amount of data to be transmitted based on the similarity of data and biological information such as respiration, pulse, and heart rate.

  In a preferred embodiment, the input means includes an ultrasonic echo signal detection means for detecting an ultrasonic echo signal, and has a function of controlling transmission of measurement information based on the state of the ultrasonic echo signal. .

  With this configuration, transmission of measurement information can be controlled based on data input from the probe.

  In a preferred embodiment, the transmission means has a configuration having a function of compressing or deleting measurement information in accordance with a network transmission allowance detected by the router.

  With this configuration, the transmission amount can be controlled based on the similarity of data and the transmission speed.

  In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a configuration including a receiving unit that receives compressed data and a restoring unit that restores data based on a data compression format added to the received data.

  With this configuration, even when data having a different compression format is transmitted, the compression format of the received data can be confirmed on the receiving side, so that data can be restored using means suitable for each compression format.

  In a preferred embodiment, the restoring means includes a data format information acquiring means for detecting data compression format information given to received data, and a restoring method determining means for determining a data restoring method based on the acquired data format information. And additional information restoring means for restoring the common additional information of the removed acoustic scanning line, and the previous period additional information restoring means restores the frame data based on the data format acquired by the data format information acquiring means. It has a configuration with functions.

  With this configuration, when data compressed in the format described in claim 16 is received, the data before transmission can be restored.

  In a preferred embodiment, in addition to the configuration of claim 21, the restoration unit includes a data format information acquisition unit that detects a data compression format assigned to received data, and a data restoration method based on the acquired data format information. And a data interpolation means for interpolating the removed acoustic scanning line, wherein the data interpolation means restores the frame data based on the data format acquired by the data format information acquisition means. It has the structure provided with the function to do.

  With this configuration, when data is received in the format described in claim 5, the data can be expanded by interpolating the thinned acoustic scanning lines.

  The medical terminal control method of the present invention includes a step of converting a biological tissue characteristic measured by a medical device into video information, a step of displaying the video information, and a transmission permission of a communication path estimated by a communication control means. The step of selecting at least two communication paths from a plurality of communication paths according to the capacity, and the video information in units of frame information or lines according to the transmission capacity of the communication path estimated by the communication control means A step of dividing in units of information; a step of dividing the video information in units of frame information or line information according to a diagnostic mode of the medical device; a step of transmitting the divided video information; The video information divided and transmitted on the communication path is converted into one video information according to the transmission allowance of the communication path estimated by the communication control means. Comprising the step of coupling, a step of displaying the combined image information.

  With this configuration, the characteristics of living tissue are measured, the measured characteristics of living tissue are converted into video information, and the video information is divided into appropriate transmission capacities according to the communication status of multiple communication paths that make up the network. Thus, it is possible to transmit video information that maintains the time resolution necessary for diagnosis.

  According to the present invention, an appropriate transmission capacity is measured in accordance with the communication status of each of a plurality of communication paths constituting a network by measuring the characteristics of the biological tissue, converting the measured characteristics of the biological tissue into video information. The medical terminal capable of transmitting the video information maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis can be realized by selecting the communication path according to the above, dividing the video information, and transmitting the video information.

  Further, the medical terminal is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the result of detecting the similarity between the input information and the input means for inputting the measurement information from the probe over time and the additional information added to the measurement information Data compression / deletion means for compressing or deleting measurement information, transmission mode adding means for adding data compression format information to the data passed from the data compression / deletion means, and the transmission mode It is provided with a transmission means for transmitting data passed from the additional means, does not perform all pixel scanning, and by comparing the specific additional information given to the input data at high speed, and The determination can be made with a small amount of memory.

  Furthermore, the transmission amount can be adjusted by performing optimal data compression / deletion based on the determination result.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the medical terminal of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system for transmitting video information via a network 7 between two medical terminals 10a and 10b as an embodiment of the present invention. Each of the medical terminals 10a and 10b includes a medical device 1a and a router 2a, and a medical device 1b and a router 2b.

  The medical device 1a and the medical device 1b are an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, MRI, X-ray CT, and the like, and include means for measuring the properties of living tissue, converting them into video information, and displaying them. In addition, the medical device 1a and the medical device 1b may be monitors that only display images when used on the image receiving side.

  The router 2a and the router 2b are connected to wireless LAN access points 3a and 3b, PHS base stations 4a and 4b, and mobile phone base stations 5a and 5b, respectively. The router 2a and the router 2b can transmit and receive and have the same configuration. The communication means to be connected may be connected to other communication means 6a and 6b typified by a wired LAN or an ISDN line as necessary.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the router 2a when the router 2a is the transmission side. The router 2a includes a video division unit 201, a route selection unit 202a, and a communication control unit group 203a. The communication unit control unit group 203 includes communication control units that perform communication control with the communication units of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication units 6a. .

  The communication control unit group 203 transmits and receives video information. Further, the communication control unit group 203 detects the transmission time of at least two consecutive frames or packets, or in the case of wireless communication such as a wireless LAN, PHS, and cellular phone, by detecting reception sensitivity, Estimate the transmission allowance of.

  The measurement data of the living tissue converted into video information by the medical device 1a is input to the video dividing unit 201 as transmission video data 21a. The video dividing unit 201 is a transmission allowable amount of each of the communication means estimated by the communication control unit group 203, ie, the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a. Accordingly, the transmission video data 21a is divided into a plurality of transmission data 22a to 22d.

  The route selection unit 202 is a transmission allowable amount of each communication means of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a estimated by the communication control unit group 203. In response to this, a plurality of communication means are selected from the respective communication means as paths for using the video information for transmission.

  It should be noted that it is preferable to select a plurality of communication means from the descending order of the allowable transmission amount as the priority of selection of the communication means.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the video division unit 201 divides the transmission video data 21 in units of frame information. When the transmission video data 21 conforms to a general television signal, the frame rate is image data of 30 frames per second. FIG. 3 shows a case where transmission video data 21 of 30 frames per second is set as transmission data 22a divided into ½, transmission data 22b divided into ¼, and 22c.

  The divided transmission data 22a, 22b, and 22c are the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a estimated by the communication control unit group 203a. In accordance with the transmission allowable amount of the communication means, the route selection unit 202a selects the communication means used for transmission and performs transmission. In FIG. 3, transmission data 22a divided into ½, transmission data 22b divided into ¼, and 22c are selected in order of communication means having a large transmission allowance, and transmission is performed.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where the video dividing unit 201 divides the transmission video data 21 in units of line information. In FIG. 4, when one frame image of the transmission video data 21 is composed of 640 lines of information, the transmission video data 21 is divided into transmission data 23a and transmission data 23b divided into 1/4. , 23c.

  The divided transmission data 23a, 23b, and 23c are the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a estimated by the communication control unit group 203, respectively. In accordance with the transmission allowable amount of the communication means, the route selection unit 202a selects the communication means used for transmission and performs transmission. In FIG. 3, transmission data 23a divided into ½, transmission data 23b divided into ¼, and 23c are selected in order of communication means having a large allowable transmission amount, and transmission is performed.

  In addition, since the transmission video data 21 contains information on the diagnostic mode, the transmission data divided according to the diagnostic mode can be divided into the number of frames or the number of lines when diagnosing a heart disease or the like that requires real-time performance. It is also preferable to create transmission data by thinning out when it is desired to make an emergency diagnosis.

  Further, when the medical device 1a is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, control information such as acoustic line density and frame rate of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus corresponding to the diagnostic mode, or control information of the diagnostic mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is received. Thus, when the transmission video data 21 is divided into a plurality of transmission data 22, the transmission data 22b, 22b and 22c obtained by thinning out the number of frames, or the transmission data 23b, 23b and 23c may be created.

  Note that it is not necessary to select all of the communication means used for transmission in the route selection unit 202, and at least one communication means that satisfies the required time resolution (frame rate) of the video can be selected. It ’s fine.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the router 2b when the router 2b is the receiving side. The router 2b includes a video combining unit 204, a route selection unit 202b, and a communication control unit group 203b. The communication unit control unit group 203b includes communication control units that perform communication control with the communication units of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication units 6a. .

  The communication control unit group 203b transmits and receives video information. Furthermore, the communication control unit group 203b detects the transmission time of at least two consecutive frames or packets, or in the case of wireless communication such as a wireless LAN, PHS, and cellular phone, by detecting reception sensitivity, Estimate the transmission allowance of.

  The video combining unit 204 transmits a plurality of transmission data 22 transmitted from each of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a as one transmission. Combined with the video data 21b.

  The route selection unit 202b is a transmission allowable amount of each communication means of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a estimated by the communication control unit group 203b. In response to this, a plurality of paths to be used for transmission of video information are selected from the respective communication means.

  It should be noted that it is preferable to select a plurality of communication means from the descending order of the allowable transmission amount estimated by the communication control unit group 203b. It is also preferable to increase the priority of communication means capable of receiving transmission data with an earlier transmission time by including transmission time information in the transmission data 22.

  FIG. 6 shows a plurality of transmission data transmitted from the communication means of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a in the video combining unit 204. It is the schematic diagram which showed the case where it couple | bonds by a frame information unit. The transmission data shown in FIG. 6 includes transmission data 22a obtained by dividing 30 frames of transmission video data 21 per second into transmission data 22a and transmission data 22b obtained by dividing the transmission data into 1/4 as described in the embodiment of FIG. , And 22c.

  The video combining unit 204 is configured to transmit a plurality of transmission data transmitted from each of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a in frame information units. Combined to create transmission video data 21b. The transmission data 22a, 22b, and 22c contain frame numbers so that each of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and other communication means 6a can be used. Even if there is a difference in the arrival times of the plurality of transmission data transmitted from the communication means, the transmission video data 21b is created by sorting and combining based on the frame numbers.

The video combining unit 204 has a buffer for temporarily storing transmission data. If there is a difference in the transmission time of the transmission data 22a, 22b, and 22c, the transmission data of the communication path that arrives early is temporarily stored. When the transmission data of the communication path that arrives late arrives, the transmission data is combined to create transmission video data 21b. A transmission video in which the number of frames is reduced by eliminating transmission data that arrives after a certain time Δt (for example, Δt ₁ , Δt _2, etc.) with reference to the point of time when transmission data of a slow-arrival communication path arrives. The data 21b may be created, which is suitable when it is desired to diagnose in real time with the time lag between the transmission side and the reception side being minimized. In order to make a diagnosis in real time, it is preferable to set the allowable time difference Δt of video data to 1 second or less, which is the time of one heart beat.

  Furthermore, the transmission data 22a, 22b, and 22c contain information on the diagnostic mode, so that the transmission data to be combined according to the diagnostic mode is selected by limiting the communication means, and the real time property is required. In the case of diagnosing a disease or the like, it is also preferable to create the transmission video data 21b by thinning out the number of frames when it is desired to make an emergency diagnosis.

  FIG. 7 shows a plurality of transmission data transmitted from the respective communication means of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a in the video combining unit 204. It is the schematic diagram which showed the case where it couple | bonds by a line information unit. The transmission data shown in FIG. 7 includes transmission data 23a and 1/4 obtained by dividing the transmission video data 21a in which one frame image is composed of 640 lines into 1/2 as described in the embodiment of FIG. In this example, the transmission data 23b and 23c are divided into two.

  The video combining unit 204 receives a plurality of transmission data transmitted from the communication means of the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and the other communication means 6a in units of line information. Combined to create one frame of transmission video data 21b. The transmission data 22a, 22b, and 22c include a frame number and a line number, so that the wireless LAN access point 3a, the PHS base station 4a, the mobile phone base station 5a, and other communication Even if there is a difference in the arrival times of the plurality of transmission data transmitted from the respective communication means of the means 6a, the transmission video data 21b is created by combining them after sorting based on the frame number and the line number.

The video combining unit 204 has a buffer for temporarily storing transmission data. If there is a difference in the transmission time of the transmission data 23a, 23b, and 23c, the transmission data of the communication path that arrives early is temporarily stored. When the transmission data of the communication path that arrives late arrives, the transmission data is combined to create transmission video data 21b. One frame with the number of lines thinned out by eliminating transmission data that arrives after a certain time Δt (for example, Δt ₃ , Δt _4, etc.) with reference to the point of time when transmission data of a slow-arrival communication path arrives. The transmission video data 21b may be created, which is suitable when it is desired to make a diagnosis in real time with the time lag between the transmission side and the reception side reduced as much as possible.

  Further, the transmission data 22a, 22b, and 22c contain information on the diagnostic mode, so that the transmission data to be combined according to the diagnostic mode is selected by limiting the communication means, and a heart disease that requires real-time characteristics. In the case of diagnosis, it is also preferable to create the transmission video data 21 by thinning out the number of lines when it is desired to make an emergency diagnosis.

  By adopting such a configuration, according to the communication status of each of a plurality of communication paths constituting the network, a communication path is selected according to an appropriate transmission capacity, and video information is divided and transmitted. A medical terminal capable of transmitting the video information maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis can be realized.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 301 includes an input unit 312, a data compression / deletion unit 313, a transmission mode addition unit 314, and a transmission unit 315.

  The input unit 312 captures the measurement information of the living tissue received from the probe 311 into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration diagram of biological tissue measurement information received from the probe 311.

  The measurement information of the living tissue is handled in units of frames, and one frame is composed of a plurality of acoustic scanning lines.

  Furthermore, the acoustic scanning line is composed of image data and additional information such as a header and a footer.

  This additional information includes data unique to each acoustic scanning line and data common within the frame.

  The data unique to each acoustic scanning line is, for example, information indicating the acoustic scanning line number in the frame, the start position and the end position of the acoustic scanning line, and different values are held for each acoustic scanning line in the same frame. ing.

  The intra-frame common data is, for example, a diagnostic device such as the probe type, frequency, depth, and diagnostic mode, and data and frame number indicating the diagnostic status, and is equal for each acoustic scanning line in the same frame. Holds the value.

  The frame data shown in FIG. 9 exceeds a predetermined time interval (for example, 1/60 seconds. This time interval may be an equal interval of 1/10 seconds or may not be particularly constant). It is taken into the sonic diagnostic apparatus 301.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313 detects the similarity between each frame from the header and footer in the frame with reference to the additional information given to the captured data, and the data compression / deletion unit 313 detects the similarity of the data according to the detected result. Compress and delete.

  The transmission mode addition unit 314 gives the data processed content as additional information to the data processed by the data compression / deletion unit 13.

  The transmission unit 315 transmits data to the router 2.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to determine the similarity of images at high speed, and further, it is not necessary to scan all the pixels, so that the internal memory for detecting the similarity can be reduced.

  That is, with such a configuration, the ultrasonic image input from the probe 311 can be transmitted at high speed while controlling the transmission amount, so the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis is maintained. Can be realized.

(Third embodiment)
10 and 11 are sub-block diagrams of the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  10 and 11, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote the same components as those shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes an additional information acquisition unit 331, a similarity detection unit 332, a frame rate change unit 333, and / or a compression parameter control unit 341. It consists of and.

  The additional information acquisition unit 331 acquires additional information attached to data passed in units of frames from the input unit 312 and passes the data to the similarity detection unit 332.

  The similarity detection unit 332 collates the additional information of the received data with the already stored additional information, and detects the similarity of the additional information.

  Here, there is no additional information to be compared only when data enters the similarity detection unit 332 for the first time, such as immediately after starting the system.

  Therefore, the first data is not compared by the similarity detection unit 332 and is stored in the internal memory as comparison data.

  When the second and subsequent data enters the similarity detection unit 332, it is compared with the comparison reference data to determine whether the data is to be compressed / deleted.

  Here, when it is determined that the comparison results are different, the comparison control data stored in the similarity detection unit 332 is updated.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition unit 31.

  As described with reference to FIG. 9, the intra-frame common data included in each acoustic scanning line holds the same value in each acoustic scanning line of the same frame.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to compare the similarity among all the acoustic scanning lines included in one frame.

  Further, any acoustic scan line data in the frame may be used as a comparison.

  Moreover, although the example which used the header as additional information was described in the Example, a footer may be used.

  In addition, both headers and footers may be used.

  In the frame rate changing unit 333, based on the result of the similarity detecting unit 332, for example, when it is determined that the additional information is different, the input frame data is not changed and the transmission mode adding unit 314 is changed. As described above, when it is determined that the additional information coincides with the transmission unit 315, for example, control is performed such that the frame rate is halved.

  The compression parameter control unit 341 compresses the measurement data based on the result of the similarity detection unit 332 using, for example, JPEG compression if the data is in units of frames, or MPEG compression if the data is in units of multiple frames. Controls the compression rate when performing.

  As the compression method, other methods such as a method using a wavelet may be used.

  Next, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 13 with a focus on control of halving the frame rate.

  FIG. 13 shows an example in which the similarity detection unit 332 determines that the headers are equal as additional information, and the frame is thinned out at a rate of N in M times. Here, for explanation, M = 2 and N = 1 is assumed.

  Here, Frame1, Frame2, Frame3, and Frame4 in the figure have equal headers, and Frame5 and Frame6 have equal headers different from Frame1.

  First, since the first frame data (Frame 1) serves as a criterion for determining the similarity of headers, the intra-frame common header of Frame 1 is stored in the internal memory of the similarity detection unit 332.

  Next, when the intra-frame common header of the second frame data (Frame 2) and the stored intra-frame common header of Frame 1 are compared, the header data is the second data and the Frame 2 data becomes the data to be removed. Removed.

  When the intra-frame common header of the next frame data (Frame 3) is compared with the stored intra-frame common header of Frame 1, the header is the same, but the previous frame data (Frame 2) is removed, so the data is compressed and removed. Send without.

  Similarly, processing is performed for Frame4.

  When Frame 5 is input, it is determined that the headers are different, so the header data serving as a determination reference is changed from Frame 1 to Frame 5.

  With this configuration, since the frame rate can be controlled using the similarity of the headers, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of transmitting the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis can be realized. .

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a sub-block diagram of the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  14, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 8 and 10 indicate the same components as those shown in FIGS.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313c of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes an additional information acquisition unit 331, a similarity detection unit 332, and a data removal unit 371, and the data removal unit 371. Refers to the additional information, confirms whether or not the data designated in advance as a deletion target is included in the acoustic scanning line, and if it is a deletion target, compresses and deletes the data.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment when focusing on the header diagnostic mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 15, two types of diagnostic mode data of the B mode and the color flow mode are transmitted at the same time, but the B mode data is shown as an example of thinning out M times at a rate of N times, Frame1, Frame2, Frame3, Assume that Frame4 and Frame5 have the same header. Here, for the sake of explanation, M = 2 and N = 1.

  First, since the first frame data (Frame 1) serves as a criterion for determining the similarity of headers, the intra-frame common header of Frame 1 is stored in the internal memory of the similarity detection unit 332.

  When the intra-frame common header of the next frame data (Frame 2) is compared with the stored intra-frame common header of Frame 1, since the header is equal and the second data, the data of Frame 2 becomes data to be removed.

  Since the data removal unit 371 includes B-mode data that is data to be removed, the B-mode data is deleted.

  Comparing the intra-frame common header of the next frame data (Frame 3) with the stored intra-frame common header of Frame 1, the header is the same, but the B data of the previous frame is removed, so the data is compressed and removed. Without sending.

  Similarly, processing is performed for Frame 4 and Frame 5.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the diagnostic mode of the header is focused has been described. However, for example, the length of the acoustic scanning line to be transmitted may be controlled by the probe frequency.

  With this configuration, since the transmission amount can be controlled according to the diagnostic mode of the diagnostic image, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of transmitting the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis. it can.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 16, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 8 and 10 denote the same components as those shown in FIGS.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313d of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes an additional information acquisition unit 331, a similarity detection unit 332, and an additional information removal unit 391. The unit 391 generates data in which additional information common to all the acoustic scanning lines in the frame is removed according to the result determined by the similarity detection unit 332.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of the case where common headers are removed in a frame included in an acoustic scanning line until different headers are detected when it is determined that the header similarity is calculated. Assume that Frame1, Frame2, and Frame3 have equal headers.

  First, since the first frame data (Frame 1) serves as a reference for determining the similarity of the headers, the intra-frame common header of Frame 1 is stored therein.

  Next, the intra-frame common header of the second frame data (Frame 2) is compared with the stored intra-frame common header of Frame 1, and since the header is the same second data, it is subject to compression / deletion and is common to Frame 2 Data with the header removed is generated.

  Similarly, processing is also performed for Frame3.

  18 to 22 illustrate an example of a processing flow for generating transmission data by compressing additional information from frame data.

  FIG. 18 is a detailed view of the acoustic scanning lines 1 to 3 included in the frame data input from the probe.

  The first to fourth bytes of each acoustic scanning line is an intra-frame common header (additional information), and the same value is held in each acoustic scanning line, which is data to be compressed.

  The 5th byte and the 6th byte are headers unique to the acoustic scanning line, and hold different values for each acoustic scanning line, and are data not to be compressed.

  Further, the image data of each acoustic scanning line is stored as data after the sixth byte.

  FIG. 22 shows data obtained by compressing / removing additional information from the data shown in FIG. 18, and includes a compressed header, a header unique to the acoustic scanning line for one frame, and an image data portion.

  The configuration of the compressed header in FIG. 22 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 19 shows a compression header composed of data including an intra-frame common header to be compressed and data necessary for decompression.

  First, the first byte stores the number of header bytes used for one acoustic scanning line.

  Next, the second byte indicates the range in which the intra-frame common header is stored, the upper 4 bits indicate the start byte, and the lower 4 bits indicate the end byte.

  Furthermore, common header data is stored in the third to sixth bytes.

  FIG. 20 shows the configuration of the header unique to the acoustic scanning line for one frame in FIG.

  FIG. 20 shows an acoustic scan line-specific header for one frame in which headers that cannot be compressed are stored in the order of the acoustic scan lines.

  The configuration of the image data portion in FIG. 22 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 shows image data for one frame. This data is data in which image data is sequentially stored in the order of acoustic scanning lines, or data obtained by compression-coding the image data portion.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to remove an overlapping data in the same frame, and thus to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of transmitting the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution and image quality necessary for diagnosis. be able to.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 23 is a sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  23, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10 denote the same parts as those shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313e of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes an additional information acquisition unit 331, a similarity detection unit 332, and an acoustic scanning line thinning unit 461. The line thinning unit 461 generates data obtained by thinning the acoustic scanning lines at specified intervals according to the result determined by the similarity detection unit 332.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 shows an example in which the designated acoustic scanning lines are thinned out until different headers are detected when it is determined that the header similarity is equal as a result of calculation.

  Example 1 is a case where data obtained by thinning out odd-numbered acoustic scanning lines is created. Example 2 creates data by thinning out odd-numbered acoustic scanning lines and thinning out even-numbered acoustic scanning lines in the next frame. This is an example.

  The thinning method may be thinned by a method other than the above as long as it is a regular thinning method in addition to the two types of methods described in the embodiments.

  With such a configuration, since the transmission amount can be adjusted based on the similarity of the headers, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of transmitting the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution and image quality necessary for diagnosis Can be realized.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

  25, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote the same parts as those shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301a according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention acquires a biological signal from the externally connected biological signal detection unit 481 and passes the acquired data to the data compression / deletion unit 313e.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313e performs compression / deletion processing of the frame data input from the probe 311 using two pieces of information, the biological signal acquired from the biological signal detection unit 481 and the additional information.

  Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 26 shows an example in which the frame rate is weighted according to the electrocardiogram data input from the biological signal detection unit 481.

  The adjustment is made so that the frame rate is lowered in the diastole where the change in motion is relatively small, and the frame rate is raised in the systole where the change in motion is large.

  By adopting such a configuration, the amount of transmission can be controlled according to not only the similarity of the additional information but also the acquired biological signal information. For example, time intervals such as the systole and diastole of the heart Accordingly, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of transmitting the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution and image quality necessary for diagnosis can be realized.

(Eighth embodiment)
FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

  27, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote the same components as those shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The input unit 312 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301b according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic echo signal detection unit 501.

  Here, an example in which an ultrasonic echo signal is detected using the amplitude of the ultrasonic echo signal is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 28, when the probe 311 is not in contact with the living body and diagnosis is not performed, there is almost no ultrasonic echo from the living body, and the amplitude of the ultrasonic echo signal input to the input unit 312 is Since it becomes smaller, the ultrasonic echo signal is not detected.

  On the other hand, when the probe 311 is in contact with a living body and diagnosis is performed, an ultrasonic echo signal from the living body is present, and thus an ultrasonic echo signal is detected.

  The ultrasonic echo signal detection unit 501 uses the probe 311 to determine from the amplitude value of the ultrasonic echo signal whether the diagnosis is currently being performed (that is, whether the probe 311 is in contact with the living body). The transmission of measurement information is controlled based on the result.

  Note that the amplitude value of the ultrasonic echo signal can be easily detected by setting a threshold value as shown in FIG.

  Based on this result, in FIG. 29, when the probe 311 is not in contact with the living body, that is, when an ultrasonic echo signal is not detected, control is performed so that measurement information is not transmitted.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to control the data to be transmitted according to the necessity of measurement data based on the current diagnosis situation, so that the ultrasonic image unnecessary for diagnosis is not transmitted. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can effectively use the transmission capacity of the communication path can be realized.

(Ninth embodiment)
FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 30, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote the same parts as those shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The data compression / deletion unit 313 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention is based on two pieces of information, that is, communication status data obtained from the router 2 and additional information received from the input unit 312. The frame data input from the probe 311 is compressed / deleted.

  In the compression / deletion process, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, when the transmission speed is slow and the additional information is equal, a process for reducing the transmission amount is performed, and when the transmission speed is high and the additional information is different. A process for increasing the transmission amount is performed.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to control the transmission amount according to not only the similarity of the additional information but also the transmission state, and transmit the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution and image quality necessary for diagnosis. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing the above can be realized.

(Tenth embodiment)
FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

  32, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 8 denote the same elements as those shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301d according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention has a configuration in which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301c described in the ninth embodiment includes a receiving unit 551 and a restoring unit 552.

  The receiving unit 551 receives data via the router 2.

  The restoration unit 552 restores the compressed data received by the reception unit 551.

  With this configuration, it is possible to receive the data transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 301d, refer to the data format added to the transmission data by the transmission mode adding unit 314, and restore the compressed data. Therefore, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of receiving and displaying the ultrasonic image maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis.

(Eleventh embodiment)
FIG. 33 is a sub-block diagram of the restoration unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

  33, the same reference numerals as those shown in FIG. 32 denote the same parts as those shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The restoration unit 552 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention includes a data format information acquisition unit 561, a restoration method determination unit 562, and an additional information restoration unit 563.

  The data format information acquisition unit 561 acquires the data format information added to the transmission data from the transmission mode addition unit 314.

  The restoration method determination unit 562 determines a restoration method from the data format information acquired by the data format information acquisition unit 561.

  When the restoration method determination unit 562 determines that the data format is data obtained by removing the load information common to all the acoustic scanning lines in the frame, the additional information restoration unit 563 reattaches the deleted additional information. , Restore data.

  FIG. 34 shows an example of information added to transmission data by the transmission mode adding unit 314, and this data is acquired by the data format information acquisition unit 561.

  In the present embodiment, an example of receiving data in a format from which additional information has been removed is shown. Therefore, the data format information acquisition unit 561 acquires data of 2.

  Thereafter, the restoration method determination unit 562 confirms that the received data is data from which the additional information has been removed, and in order to restore the data, the additional information restoration unit 563 creates data in which the additional information is restored.

  With this configuration, when data in a format in which additional information is compressed / removed is received, it can be restored to the data before transmission, so the ultrasound image maintaining the time resolution necessary for diagnosis Can be realized.

(Twelfth embodiment)
FIG. 35 is a sub-block diagram of the restoration unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

  35, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 32 and 33 denote the same elements as those shown in FIGS. 32 and 33.

  Therefore, the detailed description of these components will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

  The restoration unit 552b of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention includes a data format information acquisition unit 561, a restoration method determination unit 562, and a data interpolation unit 581.

  The data interpolation unit 581 performs data restoration by interpolating the thinned acoustic scanning lines when the restoration method determining unit 562 determines that the data is the thinned acoustic scanning lines at a specified interval.

  With this configuration, when data in a format with thinned acoustic scanning lines is received, it can be restored to the data before transmission, so the ultrasonic wave that maintains the time resolution necessary for diagnosis An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of receiving and displaying an image can be realized.

  The present invention is suitably used for a medical terminal that measures characteristics of a living tissue, converts it into video information, and transmits the video information through a network.

The block diagram which shows embodiment of the medical terminal of this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the router 2a at the time of making the router 2a of this invention into the transmission side The figure which shows one Example which divided | segmented the transmission video data 21 in the frame information unit in the video division part 201. FIG. The figure which shows one Example which performed the division | segmentation per line information with respect to the transmission video data 21 of 1 frame in the video division part 201. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the router 2b at the time of making the router 2b of this invention into the receiving side The figure which shows one Example which couple | bonded by frame information unit with respect to transmission data 22b, 22b, and 22c in the image | video combination part 204. FIG. The figure which shows one Example which couple | bonded the transmission data 22b, 22b, and 22c by the line | wire information unit for every frame in the image | video combination part 204. Schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 2 of the present invention It is a block diagram of an ultrasonic image of one frame. One frame is composed of N acoustic scanning lines, and further, one acoustic scanning line is composed of a header, acoustic scanning line data, and a footer. Illustration shown Schematic sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Schematic sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the additional information acquired in order to confirm the similarity of data in an additional information acquisition part Explanatory drawing which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Schematic sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in Embodiment 4 of this invention. Schematic sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 5 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which showed an example of a structure of acoustic scanning line data Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data which compressed the common header in a frame produced in the additional information removal part of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in Embodiment 5 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the header peculiar to the acoustic scanning line for 1 frame produced in the additional information removal part of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in Embodiment 5 of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data of the image data part produced in the additional information removal part of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 4 of this invention Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the transmission data of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 5 of this invention Schematic sub-block diagram in the data compression / deletion unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Schematic showing an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 6 of the present invention Schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 7 of the present invention Explanatory drawing which showed an example of operation | movement of the data compression / deletion part of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 7 of this invention Schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 8 of the present invention Schematic diagram of ultrasonic echo signals detected by the ultrasonic echo signal detector of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. Schematic which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in Embodiment 8 of this invention. Schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 9 of the present invention Schematic which shows an example of operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in Embodiment 9 of this invention. Schematic block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 10 of the present invention Schematic sub-block diagram in the restoration unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 11 of the present invention Schematic which shows an example of the transmission mode acquired in the data format information acquisition part of the ultrasound diagnosing device in Embodiment 11 of this invention Schematic sub-block diagram in the restoration unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in Embodiment 12 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b Medical device 2a, 2b Router 3a, 3b Wireless LAN access point 4a, 4b PHS base station 5a, 5b Mobile phone base station 6a, 6b Other communication means 7 Network 10a, 10b Medical terminal 21a, 21b Transmission video data 22a , 22b, 22c, 22d Transmission data divided in frame units 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d Transmission data divided in line units 201 Video division unit 202a, 202b Route selection unit 203a, 203b Communication control unit group 204 Video coupling unit 301, 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 311 Probe 312 Input unit 313, 313a, 313b, 313c, 313d, 313e, 313f Data compression / deletion unit 314 Transmission mode addition unit 315 Transmission unit 331 Additional information acquisition Unit 332 similarity detection unit 333 frame rate change unit 341 compression parameter control unit 371 data removal unit 391 additional information removal unit 461 acoustic scanning line thinning unit 481 biological signal detection unit 501 ultrasonic echo signal detection unit 551 reception unit 552, 552a, 552b Restoration unit 561 Data format information acquisition unit 562 Restoration method determination unit 563 Additional information restoration unit 581 Data interpolation unit

Claims (23)

A medical device that converts and displays characteristic values of biological tissue into video information; and a router that selects at least two communication paths from a plurality of communication paths constituting the network, and the video information is transmitted via the network. In the medical terminal having a means for transmitting, the router divides the video information according to a communication status of the plurality of communication paths or an operating condition of the medical device, and transmits the video information to the at least two communication paths. A medical terminal characterized by comprising: The medical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the router includes a plurality of communication control units that perform communication control of the wired communication and the wireless communication via the network. The medical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit detects a transmission time of at least two consecutive frames or packets when performing communication with at least one external device. . The medical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the network is a wireless communication network, and the communication control unit detects reception sensitivity in wireless communication. 5. The communication control unit estimates a network transmission allowable amount based on a transmission time of the at least two consecutive frames or packets or a reception sensitivity in the wireless communication. The medical terminal described. 2. The router according to claim 1, wherein the router has a video dividing unit, and has a function of controlling a division ratio of the video information according to a network transmission allowance estimated by the communication control unit. Thru | or 5 medical terminal. The medical terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the router includes a video dividing unit and has a function of controlling a division ratio of the video information in accordance with a diagnosis mode of the medical device. . The medical information according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the video information includes a plurality of frame information, and the video dividing unit has a function of dividing the video information into frame information units. Terminal. The video of one frame of the video information includes a plurality of line information, and the video dividing unit has a function of dividing the video information into line information units. Or the medical terminal of 7. The router includes a video combining unit, and distributes the divided video information distributed to the plurality of communication paths according to a network transmission allowance estimated by the communication control unit. 6. The medical terminal according to claim 1, wherein the medical terminal has a function of combining with video information. 11. The medical terminal according to claim 10, wherein the video information includes a plurality of frame information, and the video combining unit has a function of combining the video information in units of frame information. 11. The video of one frame of the video information is composed of a plurality of line information, and the video combining means has a function of combining the video information in units of line information. Medical terminal. The medical device is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, based on an input unit that inputs measurement information from a probe over time, and a result obtained by detecting additional information added to the measurement information and detecting similarity of the additional information A data compression / deletion unit that compresses or deletes the measurement information, a transmission mode addition unit that adds data compression format information to the data passed from the data compression / deletion unit, and a transmission mode addition unit The medical terminal according to claim 1, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the processed data. The data compression / deletion means includes at least one of additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, similarity detection means for detecting similarity of the additional information, frame rate changing means for changing the frame rate, and compression parameter control means. And at least one of the frame rate changing unit and the compression parameter control unit generates data in which at least one of the frame rate and the compression parameter is adjusted based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13, which has a function. The data compression / deletion unit includes an additional information acquisition unit that acquires the additional information, a similarity detection unit that detects the similarity of the additional information, and a data removal unit that removes data. 14. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a function of generating frame data by removing preset removal target data based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection means. The data compression / deletion means includes an additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, a similarity detection means for detecting the similarity of the additional information, and an additional information removal means for removing the additional information, and the additional information removal means 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: generating frame data from which additional information common to all acoustic scanning lines in the same frame is removed based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection means. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described. The data compression / deletion means includes additional information acquisition means for acquiring the additional information, similarity detection means for detecting similarity of the additional information, and acoustic scanning line thinning means for thinning out acoustic scanning lines in a frame, 14. The acoustic scanning line thinning means has a function of generating frame data obtained by thinning out the number of acoustic scanning lines in a frame based on the similarity of the additional information obtained by the similarity detection means. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 18. The data compression / deletion unit has a function of compressing or deleting measurement information based on a biological signal obtained by a biological signal detection unit connected to the outside. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. 19. The ultrasonic wave according to claim 13, wherein the input means includes an ultrasonic echo signal detection means for detecting an ultrasonic echo signal, and has a function of controlling transmission of measurement information based on a state of the echo signal. Diagnostic device. 20. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the transmission unit has a function of compressing or deleting measurement information in accordance with a transmission allowable amount of the network detected by the router. 14. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a receiving unit that receives compressed data; and a restoring unit that restores the data based on a data compression format assigned to the received data. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. The restoration means includes a data format information acquisition means for detecting data compression format information attached to received data, a restoration method determination means for determining a data restoration method based on the obtained data format information, and a removed acoustic scanning line And additional information restoring means for restoring the common additional information, wherein the additional information restoring means has a function of restoring the frame data based on the data format acquired by the data format information acquiring means. Item 22. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Item 21. The restoration means includes a data format information acquisition means for detecting data compression format information added to received data, a restoration method determination means for determining a data restoration method based on the obtained data format information, and a removed acoustic scan 22. A data interpolation unit for interpolating a line, wherein the data interpolation unit has a function of restoring the frame data based on the data format acquired by the data format information acquisition unit. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.

Images