JP2011019751A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of easily distinguishing a difference in hue in a composite image obtained by adding a B-mode image and an elastic image to a portion where luminance is lowered in a B-mode image.
An elastic image data creating unit for creating elastic image data based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue, and an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from the living tissue. Inverted B-mode image data creating unit 61 for creating inverted B-mode image data whose brightness is inverted from that of the B-mode image, and adding the elastic image data and the inverted B-mode image data to obtain composite image data And a composite image data creation unit 62 to create.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a combined image obtained by combining a B-mode image and an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue.

  In the B-mode image in which the intensity of the echo signal is represented by luminance, the luminance increases as the intensity of the echo signal increases. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a composite image obtained by combining such a B-mode image with an elastic image representing the hardness or softness of a living tissue in hue. ing.

Japanese Patent No. 3932482

  The composite image is an image obtained by adding the B-mode image and the elastic image. Therefore, a portion where the intensity of the echo signal is low, that is, a portion where the luminance is low in the B-mode image is displayed in a dark hue in the composite image, and the difference in hue may be difficult to understand. In particular, a portion with low luminance in the B-mode image may be a tumor, and there is a demand for observing the elasticity of this portion.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnosis that can easily distinguish a difference in hue in a composite image obtained by adding the B-mode image and the elastic image to a portion where the luminance is low in the B-mode image. Is to provide a device.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention of the first aspect is that elastic image data creation for creating elastic image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue. An inverted B-mode image data generating unit that generates inverted B-mode image data in which brightness is inverted from that of the B-mode image based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue, and the elasticity An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a composite image data creation unit that creates composite image data by adding image data and the inverted B-mode image data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the inverted B-mode image data creating unit generates B-mode image data created based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the inverted B-mode image data is created on the basis thereof.

  The invention of the third aspect includes an elastic image data creation unit that creates elastic image data based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue, and an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue. A B-mode image data creation unit that creates B-mode image data based on the B-mode image data, and a reversed B-mode image that creates inverted B-mode image data whose brightness is reversed from that of the B-mode image based on the B-mode image data A data creation unit; a first composite image data creation unit that creates the first composite image data by adding the elastic image data and the B-mode image data; the elastic image data and the inverted B-mode image data; A second composite image data creating unit for creating second composite image data, and display of the first composite image based on the first composite image data, Serial and second combining switches the display of the second synthesized image based on the image data switching control unit, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a.

  The invention of a fourth aspect is the invention of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the inversion B-mode image data creation unit is configured to perform the inversion so that the luminance increases as the intensity of the echo signal decreases. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized by creating B-mode image data.

  The invention of a fifth aspect is the invention of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the inverted B-mode image data creation unit is a function representing a relationship between intensity and luminance of the echo signal, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the inverted B-mode image data is created based on a function whose luminance is set higher as the intensity of the echo signal is lower.

  The invention of the sixth aspect includes an elastic image data creation unit that creates elastic image data based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue, and an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue. A B-mode image data creation unit for creating B-mode image data based on the B-mode image data, and a high-brightness B-mode image data for creating high-brightness B-mode image data having a higher brightness than the B-mode image based on the B-mode image data An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a creation unit; and a composite image data creation unit that creates composite image data by adding the elasticity image data and the high-luminance B-mode image data.

  The invention of the seventh aspect includes an elastic image data creation unit that creates elastic image data based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue, and an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue. A B-mode image data creation unit for creating B-mode image data based on the B-mode image data, and a high-brightness B-mode image data for creating high-brightness B-mode image data having a higher brightness than the B-mode image based on the B-mode image data A creation unit; a first composite image data creation unit that creates first composite image data by adding the elastic image data and the B-mode image data; and the elastic image data and the high-intensity B-mode image data. The second composite image data creating unit for creating the second composite image data, displaying the first composite image based on the first composite image data, A switching control unit for switching the display of the second synthesized image based on the second synthesized image data, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a.

  The invention of the eighth aspect is the invention of the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the high-brightness B-mode image data creation unit is a function representing a relationship between the intensity of the echo signal and the brightness, and the B-mode image The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is characterized in that the high-luminance B-mode image data is created based on a function whose luminance is set to be higher than that.

  A ninth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth or eighth aspect of the invention, further comprising an operation unit for setting and inputting the function.

  According to the present invention, composite image data is created by adding the elastic image data and the inverted B-mode image data obtained by inverting the brightness level of the B-mode image. Since the inverted B-mode image data is data in which the luminance of the display image increases as the intensity of the echo signal decreases, the portion in which the luminance decreases in the B-mode image when the synthesized image data is displayed as a synthesized image. With respect to the above, it is possible to easily distinguish the difference in hue in the composite image.

  According to another invention, the first composite image based on the first composite image data obtained by adding the elastic image data and the B-mode image data, and the elastic image data and the inverted B-mode image data are added. The second composite image based on the second composite image data can be switched and displayed. Thereby, the difference in hue in the second composite image can be easily identified for the portion of the B-mode image where the luminance is low. On the other hand, there is a possibility that a portion with high luminance in the B-mode image is displayed with a dark hue in the second composite image. However, by switching to the display of the first composite image, the difference in hue can be reliably identified in the first composite image for the portion where the luminance is high in the B-mode image.

  According to another aspect of the invention, composite image data is created by adding the elasticity image data and high-intensity B-mode image data whose display image has a higher luminance than the B-mode image. Therefore, when the composite image data is displayed as a composite image, a difference in hue can be easily identified in the composite image for a portion having a low luminance in the B-mode image.

  Furthermore, according to another invention, the first composite image based on the first composite image data obtained by adding the elastic image data and the B-mode image data, the elastic image data, and the high-luminance B-mode image data. The second composite image based on the added second composite image data can be switched and displayed. Thereby, the difference in hue in the second composite image can be easily identified for the portion of the B-mode image where the luminance is low. On the other hand, in the portion where the luminance is high in the B-mode image, there is a possibility that the difference in the intensity of the echo signal becomes difficult to appear as the luminance difference. However, by switching to the display of the first composite image, it is possible to display an image with a difference in luminance for a portion where the luminance is high in the B-mode image.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the synthetic | combination part in 1st embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnosing device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a function for creating an inverted B-mode image in the inverted B-mode image data creation unit shown in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the synthetic | combination part in the modification of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function for converting B mode image data into luminance information in the modification of 1st embodiment. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of 2nd embodiment, it is a figure which shows the function for converting B mode image data into luminance information, and the function for producing high-intensity B mode image data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the synthetic | combination part in the ultrasonic diagnosing device of 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the synthetic | combination part in the modification of 2nd embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2, a transmission / reception unit 3, a B-mode image data creation unit 4, an elastic image data creation unit 5, a synthesis unit 6, and a display unit 7, and further includes a control unit 8 and An operation unit 9 is provided.

  The ultrasonic probe 2 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue. An elastic image is created as described below based on echo signals acquired by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves while repeating compression and relaxation while the ultrasonic probe 2 is in contact with the surface of the living tissue. In the ultrasonic probe 2, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves for generating a B-mode image is performed separately from transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves for generating an elastic image.

  The transmission / reception unit 3 drives the ultrasonic probe 2 with a predetermined scan parameter to scan the scan surface. Further, the echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 2 is subjected to signal processing such as phasing addition processing.

  The B-mode image data creation unit 4 performs B-mode processing such as logarithmic compression processing and envelope detection processing on the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3 to create B-mode image data. The B-mode image data here includes data representing the intensity of the echo signal. The B-mode image data creation unit 4 is an example of an embodiment of a B-mode image data creation unit in the present invention.

  The elastic image data creation unit 5 creates elastic image data based on the echo signal output from the transmission / reception unit 3. The elastic image data creation unit 5 is an example of an embodiment of the elastic image data creation unit in the present invention.

  Specifically, first, the elasticity image data creation unit 5 uses, as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of each part in the living tissue, displacement due to deformation of each part in the living tissue caused by the compression and relaxation of the ultrasonic probe 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as the physical quantity). "Displacement") is calculated. The elastic image data creation unit 5 calculates a displacement based on two echo signals that are temporally different on the same sound ray. Next, the elastic image data creation unit 5 converts the calculated displacement into gradation hue information, and creates elastic image data in an elastic image display area for displaying an elastic image.

  Incidentally, the elastic image display area may be the entire scan surface or a region of interest (ROI) set by the operator.

  The composition unit 6 includes an inverted B-mode image data creation unit 61 and a composite image data creation unit 62 as shown in FIG. The inverted B-mode image data creation unit 61 creates inverted B-mode image data in which the brightness level in the B-mode image is inverted based on the B-mode image data created by the B-mode image data creation unit 4.

  Incidentally, the luminance here means the luminance when the inverted B-mode image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as an image, and the inverted B-mode image data consists of data values corresponding to the luminance. It is data.

  The inverted B-mode image data creation unit 61 sets the luminance based on the function C1 shown in FIG. This function C1 is a function representing the relationship between the intensity of the echo signal and the set luminance, and is a function in which the set luminance increases as the echo signal intensity decreases. However, the function C1 is a function that has a predetermined luminance instead of zero luminance even in a portion where the intensity of the echo signal is high. This function C is preferably an appropriate function according to the difference in observation object.

  The composite image data creation unit 62 adds the elasticity image data created by the elasticity image data creation unit 5 and the inverted B-mode image data created by the inverted B-mode image data creation unit 61 to produce composite image data. Create The synthesized image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing an inverted B-mode image in which brightness is inverted (black and white inverted) and a color elastic image from a normal B-mode image. The

  The control unit 8 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). And the said control part 8 reads the control program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part which is not shown in figure, and performs the function in each part of the said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. FIG.

  The operation unit 9 includes a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) for an operator to input instructions and information. For example, in the operation unit 9, the operator can set and input the function C1 so as to be a desired function. The operation unit 9 is an example of an embodiment of the operation unit in the present invention.

  Now, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. First, in the ultrasonic probe 2, ultrasonic transmission / reception for B-mode images and ultrasonic transmission / reception for elastic images are performed separately. Here, B-mode image ultrasonic transmission / reception refers to ultrasonic transmission / reception in which the B-mode image data creation unit 4 acquires an echo signal for creating B-mode image data. The elastic image ultrasonic transmission / reception refers to ultrasonic transmission / reception in which the elastic image data generating unit 5 acquires an echo signal for generating elastic image data.

  The B-mode image data creation unit 4 creates B-mode image data based on the echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic transmission / reception for the B-mode image, and the inverted B-mode image data creation unit 61 further creates the inverted B-mode image data. Create mode image data. On the other hand, the elastic image data creation unit 5 creates elastic image data based on echo signals obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception for elastic images. Then, the composite image data creating unit 62 creates composite image data based on the elastic image data and the inverted B-mode image data.

  Here, the operator sets and inputs the function C1 in the operation unit 9 so that the luminance of the echo signal is high and the luminance of the B-mode image is as high as possible in the inverted B-mode image. Then, the brightness may be adjusted.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example, the inverted B-mode image data is data in which the luminance of the inverted B-mode image that is the display image increases as the intensity of the echo signal decreases, Compared with the B-mode image, the black and white of the display image is inverted. Therefore, when the composite image data is displayed as a composite image, the difference in hue in the composite image can be easily identified for the portion where the luminance is low in the B-mode image.

  Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this modification, the composition unit 6 includes a first composite image data creation unit 63 and a second composite image data creation unit 64 in addition to the inverted B-mode image data creation unit 61 as shown in FIG. ing.

  The first composite image data creation unit 63 adds the elasticity image data created by the elasticity image data creation unit 5 and the B mode image data created by the B mode image data creation unit 4, One composite image data is created. The first composite image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a first composite image in which a normal B-mode image and a color elastic image are combined.

  Incidentally, the B-mode image data synthesized with the elastic image data in the first synthesized image data creation unit 63 is converted into luminance information which is converted into gradation using the function C2 shown in FIG. It has become the data. The function C2 is a function that represents the relationship between the intensity of the echo signal and the set luminance, as with the function C1, but unlike the function C1, the function C2 has a brightness that is set as the intensity of the echo signal increases. Is a function that increases.

  The second composite image data creation unit 64 adds the elasticity image data and the reverse B-mode image data created by the reverse B-mode image data creation unit 61 to create second composite image data. The second synthesized image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a second synthesized image obtained by synthesizing an inverted B mode image obtained by inverting black and white with a normal B mode image and a color elastic image.

  In this modification, the control unit 8 performs switching between display of the first composite image and display of the second composite image. The control unit 8 switches display based on an operation by the operator from the operation unit 9. The control unit 8 is an example of an embodiment of a switching control unit in the present invention.

  According to this modification, it is possible to easily distinguish the difference in hue in the second composite image with respect to the portion where the luminance is low in the B-mode image. On the other hand, there is a possibility that a portion with high luminance in the B-mode image is displayed with a dark hue in the second composite image. However, by switching to the display of the first composite image, the difference in hue can be reliably identified in the first composite image for the portion where the luminance is high in the B-mode image.

  Incidentally, in the first embodiment, only the B-mode image may be displayed on the display unit 7 instead of the composite image and the first and second composite images.

(Second embodiment)
Next, 2nd embodiment is described based on FIG.6 and FIG.7. However, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In this example, the intensity of the echo signal in the B-mode image data is converted into gradation information that has been gradation using the function C2 shown in FIG. 6, and the B-mode image is displayed on the display unit 7. This function C2 is a function shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the synthesizing unit 6 includes a high brightness B-mode image data creating unit 65 and a synthesized image data creating unit 66. The high-intensity B-mode image data creation unit 65 creates high-intensity B-mode image data having a higher brightness than that of the B-mode image based on the B-mode image data.

  The high luminance B-mode image data creation unit 65 sets the luminance based on the function C3 shown in FIG. This function C3 is a function in which the luminance is set higher than the luminance set by the function C2 (however, the functions C2 and C3 overlap at the highest signal intensity).

  Also in this example, in the operation unit 9, the operator can set and input the function C3 so as to be a desired function.

  The composite image data creation unit 66 adds the elasticity image data created by the elasticity image data creation unit 5 and the high brightness B mode image data created by the high brightness B mode image data creation unit 65. Create composite image data. The synthesized image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing a high-intensity B-mode image that is higher in luminance than a normal B-mode image and a color elastic image.

  The operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example will be described. In this example, either the B-mode image or the composite image is displayed on the display unit 7. More specifically, when displaying a B-mode image, the ultrasonic probe 2 performs only ultrasonic transmission / reception for the B-mode image. Based on the obtained echo signal, the B-mode image data creation unit 4 creates B-mode image data. A B-mode image based on the B-mode image data is displayed on the display unit 7.

  When displaying the composite image, the ultrasonic probe 2 separately performs ultrasonic transmission / reception for B-mode images and ultrasonic transmission / reception for elastic images to acquire echo signals. Then, the B mode image data creation unit 4 creates B mode image data, and the high brightness B mode image data creation unit 65 creates high brightness B mode image data. On the other hand, the elastic image data creation unit 5 creates elastic image data. Then, the composite image data creation unit 66 creates composite image data based on the elastic image data and the high brightness B-mode image data.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of this example, the high-intensity B-mode image data is data such that the luminance of the high-intensity B-mode image that is the display image is higher than that of the B-mode image. Therefore, when the composite image data is displayed as a composite image, a difference in hue can be easily identified in the composite image for a portion having a low luminance in the B-mode image.

  Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the synthesizing unit 6 includes a first synthesized image data creating unit 67 and a second synthesized image data creating unit 68 in addition to the high brightness B-mode image data creating unit 65 as shown in FIG. is doing.

  The first composite image data creation unit 67 is similar to the first composite image data creation unit 63 in the modification of the first embodiment, and the elastic image data created by the elastic image data creation unit 5 and the B The B-mode image data created by the mode image data creation unit 4 is added to create first composite image data. The first composite image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a first composite image in which a normal B-mode image and a color elastic image are combined.

  The second composite image data creation unit 64 adds the elasticity image data and the high brightness B-mode image data created by the high brightness B-mode image data creation unit 65 to create second composite image data. . The second synthesized image data is displayed on the display unit 7 as a second synthesized image obtained by synthesizing a high-intensity B-mode image having a higher luminance than a normal B-mode image and a color elastic image.

  In this modification, the control unit 8 performs switching between display of the first composite image and display of the second composite image. The control unit 8 switches display based on an operation by the operator from the operation unit 9. The control unit 8 is an example of an embodiment of a switching control unit in the present invention.

  According to this modification, it is possible to easily distinguish the difference in hue in the second composite image with respect to the portion where the luminance is low in the B-mode image. On the other hand, in the portion where the luminance is high in the B-mode image, there is a possibility that the difference in the intensity of the echo signal becomes difficult to appear as the luminance difference. However, by switching to the display of the first composite image, it is possible to display an image with a difference in luminance for a portion where the luminance is high in the B-mode image.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated by each said embodiment, of course, this invention can be variously implemented in the range which does not change the main point. For example, the elastic image data creation unit 5 calculates the strain and elastic modulus of the living tissue as a physical quantity related to the elasticity of the living tissue instead of the displacement due to the deformation of the living tissue, and the elastic image data based on the strain and the elastic modulus. May be created.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 4 B mode image data creation part 5 Elastic image data creation part 8 Control part (switch control part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Operation part 61 Inverted B mode image data creation part 62,66 Composite image data creation part 63,67 First composite image data creation part 64,68 Second composite image data creation part 65 High brightness B mode image data creation part

Claims (9)

An elastic image data creation unit for creating elastic image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
An inverted B-mode image data creation unit that creates inverted B-mode image data in which the brightness is inverted from the B-mode image based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
A composite image data creation unit that creates composite image data by adding the elasticity image data and the inverted B-mode image data;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The inverted B-mode image data creation unit creates the inverted B-mode image data based on B-mode image data created based on an echo signal obtained by transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from a living tissue. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. An elastic image data creation unit for creating elastic image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
A B-mode image data creating unit that creates B-mode image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
Based on the B-mode image data, an inverted B-mode image data creating unit that creates inverted B-mode image data in which the brightness is inverted from the B-mode image;
A first composite image data creating unit that creates the first composite image data by adding the elastic image data and the B-mode image data;
A second composite image data creation unit that creates the second composite image data by adding the elasticity image data and the inverted B-mode image data;
A switching control unit that switches between display of the first composite image based on the first composite image data and display of the second composite image based on the second composite image data;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   4. The inverted B-mode image data creation unit creates the inverted B-mode image data so that brightness increases as the intensity of the echo signal decreases. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to 1.   The inverted B-mode image data creation unit is a function representing a relationship between the intensity and the luminance of the echo signal, and is based on a function in which the luminance is set higher as the intensity of the echo signal decreases. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein mode image data is created. An elastic image data creation unit for creating elastic image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
A B-mode image data creating unit that creates B-mode image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
A high-brightness B-mode image data creation unit that creates high-brightness B-mode image data having a brightness higher than that of the B-mode image based on the B-mode image data;
A composite image data creation unit that creates composite image data by adding the elasticity image data and the high-luminance B-mode image data;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: An elastic image data creation unit for creating elastic image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
A B-mode image data creating unit that creates B-mode image data based on echo signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living tissue;
A high-brightness B-mode image data creation unit that creates high-brightness B-mode image data having a brightness higher than that of the B-mode image based on the B-mode image data;
A first composite image data creating unit that creates the first composite image data by adding the elastic image data and the B-mode image data;
A second composite image data creation unit that creates the second composite image data by adding the elastic image data and the high-luminance B-mode image data;
A switching control unit for switching between display of the first composite image based on the first composite image data and display of the second composite image based on the second composite image data;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The high-luminance B-mode image data creation unit is a function representing a relationship between the intensity and luminance of the echo signal, and is based on a function in which luminance is set higher than that of the B-mode image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein image data is created.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an operation unit configured to input the function.

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