JP2017006370A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of safely operating a puncture needle with a simple operation. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment performs ultrasonic scanning on a surface different from a scanning surface of a first transducer array and a first transducer array that performs ultrasonic scanning on a surface parallel to an instrument insertion direction. A second transducer array. The image generation unit generates an ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic signal received by the transducer array. The display unit displays at least one of a first ultrasonic image by the first transducer array and a second ultrasonic image by the second transducer array. Also, the positional information acquisition unit acquires positional relationship information between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array, and the determination unit uses the first transducer array and the second transducer array based on the positional relationship information. Whether to scan is determined. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  A puncture needle is attached to the subject in treatments such as prostate cancer brachytherapy in which a radioactive substance for prostate cancer treatment is placed in the body of the subject, and cytology that collects cells at the lesion site and examines the state of the cells. Insert. The insertion of the puncture needle needs to be performed while observing the inside of the subject, and an ultrasonic image may be acquired by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  Some probes used to acquire an ultrasound image have multiple types of transducer arrays that transmit and receive ultrasound in order to observe the puncture target site and the appearance of the puncture needle in multiple directions. Accordingly, it is possible to switch which transducer array is used to display the acquired ultrasound image. In the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which transducer array is used to display the ultrasonic image is manually switched on the console.

  In such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in addition to an operator who performs puncture, an operator that switches which transducer array displays an ultrasonic image is required, which requires a lot of manpower. In addition, if one surgeon tries to switch the display of the ultrasonic image, the consciousness may be removed from the puncturing operation, and the puncture needle may be operated incorrectly.

JP 2007-330286 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of safely operating a puncture needle with a simple operation.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment is a probe capable of observing an instrument inserted into a subject, and includes a first transducer array that performs ultrasonic scanning on a plane parallel to the insertion direction of the instrument, and the first transducer A probe including a second transducer array that ultrasonically scans a surface different from the scanning surface of the transducer array, and a first ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal received by the first transducer array And generating a second ultrasonic image based on the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer array, the first ultrasonic image, and the second ultrasonic image And a positional information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit, a positional information acquisition unit that acquires positional information between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array, and a positional relationship acquired by the positional information acquisition unit Based on the information, the first transducer array and the second transducer array A judging unit determines whether to enable scanning either of the transducer array.

1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a probe having a plurality of types of transducer arrays according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the flow which switches automatically which transducer array concerning 1st Embodiment scans. The figure which shows the positional relationship of the probe concerning 1st Embodiment, a puncture needle, and a puncture target. Sectional drawing of the body-axis direction of the subject concerning 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the display image in the display concerning 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows a mode that the puncture target object is scanned with each vibrator | oscillator array with the probe concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the mode of the puncture needle which appeared on the 1st ultrasonic image concerning 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described. The processing circuits that execute the image analysis function 141, the image generation function 151, and the determination function 153 in the embodiments are examples of an image analysis unit, an image generation unit, and a determination unit, respectively, in the claims. The display 16 in the embodiment is an example of a display unit in the claims.

(First embodiment)
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a positional information acquisition unit 14 that outputs positional relationship information between an instrument inserted into a subject and the probe 10, and the determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15 has a positional relationship. Which transducer array is to be scanned is determined based on the information. Hereafter, each part with which the ultrasound diagnosing device 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment is provided is demonstrated, and the flow which switches automatically by which transducer array is scanned is explained in full detail.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a probe 10 having a transducer array 101 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a transmission circuit 11, a reception circuit 12, a processing circuit 15 having an image generation function 151, a scanning control function 152, and a determination function 153. And a display 16, a storage circuit 17, an input circuit 18 that receives input from an operator, and a position information acquisition unit 14 that outputs positional relationship information such as the probe 10. In the present embodiment, the image generation function 151, the scan control function 152, and the determination function 153 are stored in the storage circuit 17 in the form of a program that can be executed by a computer. The processing circuit 15 is a processor that realizes a function corresponding to each program by reading the program from the storage circuit 17 and executing the program. In other words, the processing circuit 15 in the state where each program is read has the functions shown in the processing circuit 15 of FIG. In FIG. 1, it is assumed that each of the image generation function 151, the scan control function 152, and the determination function 153 is realized on a single processing circuit 15, but a plurality of independent processors are combined. The processing circuit may be configured so that each processor realizes a function by executing a program.

  In the present embodiment, an instrument is separately inserted into the subject while scanning the subject with the probe 10. The instrument inserted into the subject is, for example, the puncture needle 20.

  The probe 10 has a plurality of vibrators. The vibrator vibrates when a voltage is applied and transmits an ultrasonic wave, and generates a voltage when receiving the vibration of the ultrasonic wave. By arranging a plurality of transducers together and configuring the transducer array 101, the object can be scanned two-dimensionally. For example, there are a linear type and a sector type in which transducers are arranged on a straight line, and a convex type in which transducers are arranged in a convex shape. Further, the transducer array 101 may be configured such that the scanning direction is inclined. The probe 10 in this embodiment has a plurality of types of transducer arrays 101. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the probe 10 having two transducer arrays 101. The probe 10 of FIG. 2 has an elongated shape from the grip 102 to the tip of the probe 10 so that it can be inserted into a body cavity from the anus or the like. The probe 10 includes a first transducer array 101a that scans in a plane parallel to the insertion direction, and a second transducer array 101b that ultrasonically scans a plane different from the scan plane of the first transducer array 101a. Is provided. The plane including the scanning plane of the first transducer array 101a and the plane including the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b intersect each other. Here, the “plane” refers to a surface that extends at infinity, while the “scanning surface” refers to a finite surface that can be scanned by the transducer array 101. Hereinafter, a plane and a scanning plane are used with the same definition.

  For example, the probe 10 is configured such that the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b is perpendicular to the scanning plane of the first transducer array 101a. In FIG. 2, the area with the black diagonal line on the white background is the first transducer array 101a, and the area with the white diagonal line on the black background is the second transducer array 101b. The scanning planes of the two transducer arrays 101 are configured to have a vertical relationship. In each transducer array, for example, the first transducer array 101a is configured as a linear type, and the second transducer array 101b is configured as a convex type. In addition, the combination of the types of transducer arrays can be arbitrarily set, and the same type of combination such as a convex type and a convex type may be used. Further, the positional relationship between the scanning plane of the first transducer array 101a and the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b is not limited to a vertical relationship. For example, the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b is The probe 10 may be configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the first transducer array 101a.

  The transmission circuit 11 transmits a driving pulse, which is a voltage for vibrating each vibrator, at a predetermined interval.

  The receiving circuit 12 receives the ultrasonic signal reflected by the subject, converts each transducer into an electrical signal (voltage), and outputs the received signal.

  The image generation function 151 of the processing circuit 15 processes the reception signal output from the reception circuit 12 based on the setting at the time of transmission of the ultrasonic signal, and generates an ultrasonic image. This ultrasonic image is, for example, a B-mode image in which a difference in intensity of the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave is expressed by a difference in luminance. The image generation function 151 generates a display image to be displayed on the display 16 by processing the ultrasonic image.

  Note that the transmission circuit 11, the reception circuit 12, and the image generation function 151 of the processing circuit 15 may be incorporated in the probe 10.

  The positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information between the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20. The positional relationship information is, for example, three-dimensional coordinate information of each of the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20 and distance information between the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20.

  The position information acquisition unit 14 includes a position sensor 141 such as a magnetic sensor. The position information acquisition unit 14 having a magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field generator 142, a magnetic sensor as the position sensor 141, and a position information calculation circuit 143. The magnetic sensor is attached to the surface or the inside of each of the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20, detects a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator 142, and outputs an electrical signal. The position information calculation circuit 143 calculates the three-dimensional coordinate information and the tilt information of the magnetic sensor with an arbitrary point as the origin based on the electrical signal output from the magnetic sensor.

  The input circuit 18 acquires an input signal from an interface such as a push button, a dial, or a touch panel, and accepts an operation input from an operator. The operation input received by the input circuit 18 is sent to the scanning control function 152 to specify the type of the probe 10 to be used, the scanning direction of the probe 10, and the transducer array 101 to be driven.

  In the scanning control function 152 of the processing circuit 15, the transmission circuit 11 transmits a driving pulse to the vibrator. The scan control function 152 controls which of the plural types of transducer arrays 101 is scanned.

  The determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15 is based on the positional relationship information between the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 14, and includes the first transducer array 101a and the second transducer array 101b. It is determined which transducer array 101 is used for scanning. When the transducer array 101 to be scanned is determined, the determination function 153 sends information specifying the transducer array 101 to be scanned to the scan control function 152, and the scan control function 152 transmits based on the sent information. The circuit 11 is controlled. Further, the image generation function 151 outputs an ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 being scanned to the display 16.

  Whether to scan with the first transducer array 101 or the second transducer array 101 is determined based on, for example, the distance from the tip of the puncture needle 20 to the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. The position information on the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b includes the three-dimensional coordinate information of the probe 10 acquired based on the output of the magnetic sensor attached to the probe 10, and the second transducer array 101b in the probe 10. Can be calculated by obtaining the arrangement position information and the scanning direction of the second transducer array 101b. The position information of the tip of the puncture needle 20 includes three-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20 acquired based on the output of the magnetic sensor attached to the puncture needle 20 and the puncture needle 20 registered in advance. And the distance from the tip of the magnetic sensor to the magnetic sensor. When a magnetic sensor is attached to the distal end portion of the puncture needle 20, the three-dimensional coordinate information of the magnetic sensor can be used as it is as the three-dimensional coordinate information of the distal end portion of the puncture needle 20.

  The determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15 adjusts the frequency for determining which of the first and second transducer arrays 101 is scanned and temporarily stops the determination process based on the input from the input circuit 18. be able to. The frequency adjustment is, for example, setting a minimum time interval of timing at which the determination is performed. With the function of adjusting the frequency of determining the transducer array 101 to be scanned, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic image from being switched excessively by frequent determination processing and the visibility being lowered.

When a plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is expressed by a three-dimensional equation based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit 14, Equation (1) is obtained.

In Equation (1), a, b, c, and d are constants, and x, y, and z are variables. When the three-dimensional coordinate information of the tip of the puncture needle 20 is output as (x ₀ , y ₀ , z ₀ ) from the position information acquisition unit 14, the tip of the puncture needle 20 and the second transducer array 101 b The distance L to the plane including the scanning plane is obtained based on the formula (2).

  In the above, in order to determine the transducer array 101 to be operated, the distance from the tip of the puncture needle 20 to the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is used. A distance from an arbitrary point on the puncture needle 20 different from the tip portion to a plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b may be used. Further, the advancing direction of the puncture needle 20 is estimated, an intersection between the advancing direction and the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is obtained, and the distance from this intersection to the tip of the puncture needle 20 is used. May be.

  The display 16 is composed of a liquid crystal, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like, and displays an ultrasonic image generated by the image generation function 151. The display 16 can also display an operation guide for the puncture needle 20 in addition to the ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic image displayed on the display 16 may be a moving image or a still image.

The storage circuit 17 stores ultrasonic images acquired in the past and setting information of the probe 10. The storage circuit 17 is configured by a hard disk, a semiconductor memory (for example, a random access memory, a solid state drive, a USB memory), or the like. The storage circuit 17 may be configured as an internal drive or may be configured as an external removable medium. Note that the storage circuit 17 may be configured as a media player that can read information from a DVD, a CD, or the like.

  Hereinafter, a flow of processing for automatically switching which transducer array 101 the processing circuit 15 scans will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In describing this flow, the positional relationship among the probe 10, the puncture needle 20, the puncture guide 21 attached to the probe 10 and the prostate 30 shown in FIG. 4 is referred to. In FIG. 4, a view seen from the direction in which the puncture needle 20 is inserted and a view seen from the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the puncture needle 20 is inserted are shown side by side. The scanning planes of the first transducer array 101a and the second transducer array 101b of the probe 10 are indicated by solid lines or broken lines. The scanning plane indicated by the solid line is the scanning plane of the transducer array 101 that is being scanned, and the scanning plane indicated by the broken line is the scanning plane of the transducer array 101 that has stopped scanning. Further, the positional relationship between the body axis cross section of the subject and the probe 10 shown in FIG. The prostate 30 is an example of a puncture target, and may be another part inside the subject.

  First, the input circuit 18 receives an operation input for starting a process of automatically switching which transducer array 101 is to be scanned, and starts an automatic switching process of the transducer array 101 to be scanned by the processing circuit 15. The operator inserts the probe 10 into the rectum 31 of the subject as shown in the cross-sectional view of the subject in the body axis direction shown in FIG. 5, and probes the prostate 30 to a position where the second transducer array 101b can scan the prostate 30. Push 10 forward. Further, the probe 10 is rotated about the longitudinal direction of the probe 10 and adjusted so that the estimated reaching point of the puncture needle 20 is an appropriate position of the prostate 30. The estimated reaching point of the puncture needle 20 can be obtained, for example, by acquiring the position of the hole of the puncture guide 21 in advance. The puncture guide 21 is a metal member that is attached to the probe 10 and has a plurality of holes having a diameter larger than the diameter of the puncture needle 20 for guiding the insertion direction of the puncture needle 20.

  Step S <b> 1 is a step of starting the determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15. The determination function 153 is activated when the processing circuit 15 calls and executes a predetermined program corresponding to the determination function 153 from the storage circuit 17.

  Step S2 is a step in which the image generation function 151 of the processing circuit 15 sequentially generates second ultrasonic images based on the ultrasonic signals received by the second transducer array 101b. The second ultrasonic image is a moving image in which images are sequentially updated.

  Step S3 is a step in which the display 16 displays the second ultrasonic image. In step S3, the probe 10, the puncture needle 20, and the prostate 30 are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. At this time, the operator adjusts the advancing direction of the puncture needle 20 by looking at the first ultrasonic image obtained by scanning with the first transducer array 101a. For example, as shown in the view seen from the advancing direction of the puncture needle 20 in FIG. 4A, the prostate 30 is captured on the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b, and the probe 10 is rotated about the longitudinal direction, The puncture needle 20 is made to pierce a desired part of the prostate 30. In the figure, a point sequence is shown on the scanning plane of the second transducer array, which is an estimated reaching point of the puncture needle 20. The image generation function 151 can generate a display image in which the estimated arrival points corresponding to the respective holes of the puncture guide 21 are superimposed on the ultrasonic image, and the operator can see the display image displayed on the display 16 while viewing the display image. Adjust the 20 estimated arrival points. In step S3, the puncture needle 20 has not entered the area of the scanning surface of the first transducer array.

  Step S4 is a step in which the positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information. The position information acquisition unit 14 outputs, for example, the three-dimensional coordinate information of the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20 output from the magnetic sensor as the positional relationship information.

  In step S5, the determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15 determines whether or not the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a based on the positional relationship information output by the positional information acquisition unit 14. It is a step. In the processing shown below, the distance between the puncture needle 20 and the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is obtained, so that the puncture needle 20 is sufficient for the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a indirectly. Judging whether approached.

As view of the distance from the tip of the puncture needle 20 to the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b from a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the puncture needle 20 in FIGS. 4 (a) and L _2. Also, define the T ₁ as a threshold for determining whether the puncture needle 20 scanned surface of the first transducer array 101a is close enough. T _1, for example, as a view seen from the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the puncture needle 20 of FIG. 4 (b), the vibration from the longitudinal gripping portion 102 side end point of the first transducer array 101a of the second This is the distance to the child array 101b. When T ₁ is set in this way, the time when L ₂ becomes smaller than T ₁ is the time when the distal end portion of the puncture needle 20 enters the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a, and the determination function 153 uses the puncture needle. It can be determined that 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a. Statutes How T ₁ is not limited to the above, may be applied to the value when the tip of the puncture needle 20 is away by a predetermined distance from the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a A value obtained when the tip of the puncture needle 20 enters the scanning surface for a predetermined distance or more may be applied.

When L ₂ matches T ₁ , the traveling direction of the puncture needle 20 is obtained from the three-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20 acquired immediately before, and the traveling direction approaches the scanning plane of the first transducer array 101a. If it is the direction, the determination function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a. Further, when L ₂ matches T ₁ , the determination may be skipped.

  If the determination function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a, the process proceeds to step S6. Otherwise, the process returns to step S4. In step S5, the probe 10, the puncture needle 20 and the prostate 30 are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 4B, and the puncture needle 20 enters the area of the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a. ing.

  Step S6 is a step in which the scanning control function 152 of the processing circuit 15 switches the transducer array 101 to be scanned from the second transducer array 101b to the first transducer array 101a. The scanning control function 152 first controls the transmission circuit 11 to stop scanning by the second transducer array 101b and start scanning by the first transducer array 101a.

  Step S7 is a step in which the image generation function 151 sequentially generates first ultrasonic images based on the ultrasonic signals received by the first transducer array 101a. The first ultrasonic image is a moving image in which the image is sequentially updated.

  Step S8 is a step in which the display 16 displays the first ultrasonic image. FIG. 6 illustrates how the display 16 displays the first and second ultrasonic images. FIG. 6 shows a probe 10 in which the first transducer array 101a is a linear type as shown in FIG. 7 (b), and the second transducer array 101b is a convex type as shown in FIG. 7 (a). A state in which the display 16 displays an ultrasonic image obtained by scanning with each transducer array 101 when the prostate 30 is scanned is shown. The double-pointed arrow means that the transducer array 101 to be scanned is switched between the first transducer array 101a and the second transducer array 101b.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the display 16 displays an ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 in a scannable state. The left side is when the second transducer array 101b is scanning, and the right side is when the first transducer array 101a is scanning.

FIG. 6B shows, when switching the transducer array 101 to be scanned, an ultrasound image corresponding to the transducer array 101 that started scanning after switching, and an ultrasound corresponding to the transducer array 101 that stopped scanning after switching. A state where images are displayed side by side is shown. An ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 that starts scanning after switching is displayed as a moving image. On the other hand, the ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 whose scanning is stopped after switching is a still image display of the ultrasonic image generated immediately before switching.
The ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 that starts scanning after switching is highlighted with the frame color and thickness. 6B, regarding the two display images sandwiching the double-headed arrow, the left side is when the second transducer array 101b is scanning, and the right side is when the first transducer array 101a is scanning. Is the case. For example, when the transducer array 101 to be scanned is switched from the second transducer array 101b to the first transducer array 101a, the first ultrasonic image is displayed with a thick frame.

  In FIG. 6C, when switching the transducer array 101 to be scanned, in addition to the ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 that started scanning after switching, the scanning is performed after switching with a size smaller than the ultrasonic image. An ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 that has stopped is displayed. Regarding the two display images shown in FIG. 6C with the double-headed arrow in between, the left side is when the second transducer array 101b is scanning, and the right side is when the first transducer array 101a is scanning. Is the case. The ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 whose scanning is stopped after switching is an image obtained by displaying a still image of the ultrasonic image generated immediately before switching, as in FIG.

  Several methods for displaying the display image based on the ultrasound image on the display 16 in the step of S8 have been shown. However, the operator can specify which display image format to use via the input circuit 18, and A preset corresponding to the surgeon can also be stored in the storage circuit 17.

  Step S9 is a step in which the positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information as in step S4. The position information acquisition unit 14 outputs, for example, the three-dimensional coordinate information of the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20 output from the magnetic sensor as the positional relationship information.

  Step S10 is a step in which the determination function 153 determines whether the puncture needle 20 has approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. At the time of entering the step of S10, after the puncture needle 20 reaches the puncture target as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the surgeon holds the probe 10 in the insertion direction with the position of the puncture needle 20 fixed. In the opposite direction, the tip of the puncture needle 20 shown in FIG. 4 (e) is pulled out until it can be caught on the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b.

Determining the T ₂ as a threshold value for the puncture needle 20 to determine whether the sufficiently close to the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. T ₂ is, for example, the distance from the end point on the second transducer array 101b side in the longitudinal direction of the first transducer array 101a to the plane including the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b. Figure 4 (c), it shows the T ₂ in a view from a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the puncture needle 20. When the operator pulls out the probe 10 and L ₂ = T ₂ as shown in FIG. 4 (d) as a boundary, and L ₂ <T ₂ , the determination function 153 causes the puncture needle 20 to It is determined that the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is sufficiently close. In FIG. 4D, the scanning plane of the first transducer array 101a and the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b are both shown by solid lines. This is because the first and second transducer arrays It does not mean that scanning is performed at the same time, but it means that scanning can be performed with either transducer array 101. Whether the puncture needle 20 is sufficiently close to the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is determined by setting L ₂ = 0 and the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b and the tip of the puncture needle 20 are It's also a good time to cross. Further, the second transducer array from any point between the end point on the second transducer array 101b side in the longitudinal direction of the first transducer array 101a and the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. the distance to the plane including the scanning surface of the 101b may be _{T 2.} When T ₂ is set in this way, the time when L ₂ becomes smaller than T ₂ is the time when the distal end portion of the puncture needle 20 is sufficiently close to or has reached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. The function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b.

When L ₂ matches T ₂ , the traveling direction of the puncture needle 20 is obtained from the three-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20 acquired immediately before, and the traveling direction approaches the scanning plane of the second transducer array 101b. If it is the direction, the determination function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. Further, if L ₂ matches T ₂ , the determination may be skipped.

  If the determination function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b, the process proceeds to S11, and if not, the process returns to S9.

  In step S11, the scanning control function 152 of the processing circuit 15 switches the transducer array 101 to be scanned from the first transducer array 101a to the second transducer array 101b. The scanning control function 152 first controls the transmission circuit 11, stops scanning by the first transducer array 101a, and starts scanning by the second transducer array 101b.

  Step S12 is a step in which the image generation function 151 sequentially generates first ultrasonic images based on the ultrasonic signals received by the second transducer array 101b. The second ultrasonic image is a moving image in which the image is sequentially updated.

  Step S13 is a step in which the display 16 displays the second ultrasonic image. The method for displaying the ultrasound image in step S13 is the same as the procedure for displaying the first ultrasound image described in step S8.

  In S14, it is determined whether or not the automatic switching process of the transducer array 101 to be scanned is to be terminated. For example, the input circuit 18 receives the operator's input and ends. When the puncture is completed, the puncture needle 20 is pulled out, and when another site is punctured, the process returns to S4 and the same flow is repeated.

  In step S6 and step S11 in the flow described above, the scanning control function 152 controls the transmission circuit 11 to scan any one of the plural types of transducer arrays 101. Different from the above, even when the probe 10 has a configuration capable of simultaneously scanning with a plurality of transducer arrays 101, an ultrasonic image can be generated and displayed in the same manner as in the above flow. For example, when the scanning plane of the first transducer array 101a shown in FIG. 4B is an object to be observed, the image generation function 151 of the processing circuit 15 is super-received by the first transducer array 101a. The imaging process is performed only on the sound wave signal, and the imaging process is not performed on the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer array 101b. As a result, similar to the above flow in which the transducer array 101 that can be scanned has one probe 10, the ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array 101 to be observed is displayed as a moving image, and the other transducer array 101 is displayed. The corresponding ultrasonic image can be displayed as a still image.

  As described above, the instrument inserted into the subject has been described as the puncture needle 20, but the same effect as the present embodiment is possible as long as the position can be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 14 and used for diagnosis and treatment of the subject. Can be obtained. Although the position sensor 141 has been described as a magnetic sensor, it can be replaced with a magnetic sensor by using an ultrasonic sensor that can acquire position information and a gyro sensor that can acquire inclination information. Further, the position information of the probe 10 or the puncture needle 20 can be obtained using infrared rays or radio waves, or the amount of movement of the probe 10 or the puncture needle 20 is determined based on the drive amount of a drive unit such as a motor. It is also possible to use a measuring instrument for obtaining the position sensor 141 as the position sensor 141.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the distance between the puncture needle 20 and the plane including the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is determined by the determination function 153 based on the positional relationship information output by the positional information acquisition unit 14. And determines which of the first transducer array 101a and the second transducer array 101b is to be scanned according to the distance. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually change which transducer array 101 displays an image obtained by scanning according to the position of the puncture needle 20. When the surgeon punctures alone, it is safe because the puncture operation can be performed without releasing the hand from the puncture needle 20 or the probe 10. In addition to an operator who operates the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20, when an operator who changes which transducer array 101 displays an image obtained by scanning is arranged, the operation Since the person becomes unnecessary, puncture can be performed with fewer hands than the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  In addition, the display 16 displays a moving image of an ultrasonic image obtained by scanning the transducer array 101 which is desired to be focused at the current puncture needle position, and the ultrasound corresponding to the transducer array 101 which is not currently required to be focused. The image is hidden or displayed as a still image. Thereby, there is no fear that the transducer image 101 scanned with the ultrasonic image should be noticed or the ultrasonic image that should not be noticed is distracted.

  It is conceivable to provide the probe 10 with a switch for switching the transducer array 101 to be scanned. However, the gripping portion becomes large due to the complexity of the structure, and the operability is lowered. Therefore, it is better to control which transducer array 101 displays the ultrasonic image scanned by the determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15 like the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

(Second Embodiment)
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment includes a position information acquisition unit 14 having an image analysis function 141, and based on the ultrasound image, information on the positional relationship between the instrument inserted into the subject and the probe 10 is provided. The transducer array 101 to be obtained and scanned is switched. Hereinafter, about the structure equivalent to the ultrasound diagnosing device 1 concerning 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the position information acquisition unit 14 has an image analysis function 141. In the present embodiment, the image analysis function 141, the image generation function 151, the scanning control function 152, and the determination function 153 are stored in the storage circuit 17 in the form of a program that can be executed by a computer. The position information acquisition unit 14 and the processing circuit 15 are processors that realize a function corresponding to each program by reading and executing the program from the storage circuit 17. In other words, the processing circuit 15 in the state where each program is read has the functions shown in the processing circuit 15 of FIG. Further, the image analysis function 141 shown in the position information acquisition unit 14 of FIG. 1 is provided. In FIG. 1, the image generation function 151, the scan control function 152, and the determination function 153 are described as being realized on a single processing circuit, but a plurality of independent processors are combined. The processing circuit may be configured so that each processor realizes a function by executing a program. Further, the position information acquisition unit 14 and the processing circuit 15 may be configured by a single processing circuit.

  The positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information between the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20. The positional relationship information is, for example, relative two-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20 with respect to the probe 10 or distance information between the probe 10 and the puncture needle 20.

  The position information acquisition unit 14 has an image analysis function 141. The image analysis function 141 detects an image component corresponding to the puncture needle 20 when an ultrasound image in which an image of the puncture needle 20 that is an instrument to be inserted into the subject is projected, and detects the image component in the ultrasound image. 2D coordinate information of the puncture needle 20 is output. For example, pattern matching is used to detect the image component of the puncture needle 20. In pattern matching, a template having a shape of a puncture needle is prepared, and an image having a shape close to the template in an ultrasonic image is recognized as a puncture needle. After detecting the image component of the puncture needle 20, for example, two-dimensional coordinate information of the tip of the puncture needle 20 with an arbitrary point on the ultrasonic image as the origin is calculated.

  Further, the image analysis function 141 calculates by acquiring the scanning direction of the transducer array 101 that has received the ultrasound signal for generating the ultrasound image and the arrangement position information on the probe of the transducer array 101. The distance from the tip of the puncture needle 20 to the plane including the scanning surface of the transducer array 101 can be calculated.

  Hereinafter, the input circuit 18 receives input from the operator (operator) and starts automatic switching processing of the transducer array 101 to be scanned. Different steps S4, S5, S9, and S10 of FIG. 3 will be described.

Step S4 is a step in which the positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information. The position information acquisition unit 14 is, for example, two-dimensional coordinate information in the first ultrasonic image of the puncture needle 20 output from the image analysis function 141. In step S4, the second transducer array 101b is mainly scanned, but in order to input to the image analysis function 141, in addition to the generation of the second ultrasonic image, the generation of the first ultrasonic image is performed. Also do. For example, when the number of transducer arrays 101 that can be scanned at a time is limited to one, the first ultrasonic image is generated at a lower frequency than the generation of the second ultrasonic image that is mainly scanned. For example, when an ultrasonic image of 10 frames is generated, an ultrasonic image for 9 frames is generated by the second transducer array 101b, and an ultrasonic image for the remaining one frame is generated by the first transducer array. 101a.
Note that, for example, when a plurality of types of transducer arrays 101 can simultaneously receive ultrasonic signals and generate a plurality of ultrasonic images, the image analysis function 141 is positioned from the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image. An ultrasonic image used for acquiring the relationship information is selected and used.

  In step S5, the determination function 153 of the processing circuit 15 determines whether or not the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the first transducer array 101a. For example, when the image analysis function 141 analyzes a first ultrasonic image generated by scanning with the first transducer array 101a and an image of the puncture needle 20 is detected, the puncture needle 20 is subjected to the first vibration. It is determined that the scanning surface of the child array 101a is sufficiently close. An example of the first ultrasonic image at this time is shown in FIG. In FIG. 9A, the tip of the puncture needle 20 is projected near the edge of the first ultrasonic image.

  When the determination function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the operation surface of the first transducer array 101a, the process proceeds to step S6, and otherwise, the process returns to step S4.

  Step S9 is a step in which the positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information as in step S4. The positional relationship information is, for example, two-dimensional coordinate information in the first ultrasonic image of the puncture needle 20 output by the image analysis function 141.

  In step S10, the determination function 153 determines whether the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a boundary for identifying whether the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is provided on the ultrasonic image. In FIG. 9, the boundary line B is indicated by a broken line extending in the vertical direction of the first ultrasonic image. In the first ultrasonic image, since the second transducer array 101b is located on the left side, the boundary line B is provided near the left end of the first ultrasonic image. When the tip of the puncture needle exceeds the boundary line B as shown in FIG. 9B, it is determined that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. The determination method is not limited to this. For example, when the image of the tip of the puncture needle 20 is not visible in the region of the first ultrasonic image, the puncture needle 20 is placed on the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. It may be determined that the time has approached sufficiently.

  When the tip of the puncture needle 20 is positioned on the boundary line B, the traveling direction of the puncture needle 20 is obtained from the two-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20 acquired immediately before, and the traveling direction is the second transducer array. If the direction is closer to the scanning surface of 101b, the determination function 153 determines that the puncture needle 20 has sufficiently approached the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b. Further, when the tip of the puncture needle is located on the boundary line B, the determination may be skipped.

  As described above, the instrument inserted into the subject has been described as the puncture needle 20, but the same effect as the present embodiment is possible as long as the position can be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 14 and used for diagnosis and treatment of the subject. Can be obtained.

  According to the second embodiment described above, the image analysis function 141 of the position information acquisition unit 14 detects the image of the puncture needle 20 from the ultrasonic image and outputs the two-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20. Based on the two-dimensional coordinate information of the puncture needle 20, the determination function 153 determines which of the first transducer array 101a and the second transducer array 101b is used for scanning. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually change the transducer array 101 to be scanned according to the position of the puncture needle 20 as in the first embodiment. Further, even in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 that does not include the position sensor 141 such as a magnetic sensor, positional relationship information between the puncture needle and the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b is acquired by analyzing the ultrasonic image. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce new equipment to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of at least one embodiment described above, the positional information acquisition unit 14 acquires positional relationship information between the puncture needle 20 and the scanning surface of the second transducer array 101b, and the positional relationship information By switching the transducer array 101 to be scanned based on the above, it is possible to puncture safely without increasing manpower.

  The term “processor” used in at least one of the embodiments described above is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). )), Programmable logic devices (for example, Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)), etc. Means the circuit. The processor implements the function by reading and executing the program stored in the storage circuit 17. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit 17, the program may be directly incorporated into the processor circuit. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program incorporated in the circuit. Note that each processor of the present embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, but may be configured as a single processor by combining a plurality of independent circuits to realize the function. Good.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 Probe 101 Transducer array 101a 1st transducer array 101b 2nd transducer array 11 Transmission circuit 12 Reception circuit 14 Position information acquisition part 15 Processing circuit 16 Display 17 Storage circuit 18 Input circuit 20 Puncture needle 21 Puncture guide 30 Prostate 31 Rectum

Claims (8)

A probe capable of observing an instrument inserted into a subject, wherein the first transducer array that performs ultrasonic scanning on a plane parallel to the insertion direction of the instrument is different from the scanning plane of the first transducer array A probe comprising a second transducer array for ultrasonically scanning the surface;
A first ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer array, and a second ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer array. An image generation unit;
A display unit for displaying at least one of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image;
A positional information acquisition unit that acquires positional relationship information between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array;
A determination unit that determines which of the first transducer array and the second transducer array is scanned based on the positional relationship information acquired by the position information acquisition unit;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: The ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array determined to be scannable by the determination unit is sequentially generated by the image generation unit based on the ultrasonic signal received by the transducer array, and the display unit is used as a moving image. Displayed in the
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. When the transducer array to be scanned is switched based on the determination of the determination unit, the image generation unit includes an ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array being scanned after switching, and a transducer array whose scanning is stopped after switching Generates a display image that is aligned with the ultrasound image corresponding to
The ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array that stops scanning after switching in the display image is displayed on the display unit as a still image generated immediately before switching.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The image generation unit generates a display image in which an ultrasonic image corresponding to the transducer array being scanned is emphasized,
The display unit displays the display image;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The position information acquisition unit has a position sensor that outputs positional information of the instrument and the probe,
Obtaining a distance between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array based on the positional relationship information;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The position information acquisition unit includes an image analysis unit that detects an image component corresponding to the instrument in the first ultrasonic image and outputs position information of the instrument.
The image analysis unit obtains a distance between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array based on the position information of the instrument;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A probe capable of observing an instrument inserted into a subject, wherein the first transducer array that performs ultrasonic scanning on a plane parallel to the insertion direction of the instrument is different from the scanning plane of the first transducer array A probe comprising a second transducer array for ultrasonically scanning the surface;
A first ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer array, and a second ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer array. An image generation unit;
A display unit for displaying at least one of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image;
A positional information acquisition unit that acquires positional relationship information between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array;
A determination unit that determines which of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is to be generated as a moving image based on the positional relationship information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. When,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: A probe capable of observing an instrument inserted into a subject, wherein the first transducer array that performs ultrasonic scanning on a plane parallel to the insertion direction of the instrument is different from the scanning plane of the first transducer array A probe comprising a second transducer array for ultrasonically scanning the surface;
A first ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer array, and a second ultrasonic image is generated based on the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer array. An image generation unit;
A display unit for displaying at least one of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image;
A positional information acquisition unit that acquires positional relationship information between the instrument and the scanning plane of the second transducer array;
A determination unit that determines which of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image is to be highlighted based on the positional relationship information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

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