JPH11318906A - Ultrasonograph for image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce cost and to attain miniaturization of an ultrasonograph for image while improving operability. SOLUTION: On the basis of the control of a CPU of an image processing part of an ultrasonograph for image, a control panel 25 controls a display control part 32 connected to a system bus 31, by a CPU 30 which is a system controller of the control panel 25, to display plural kinds of control image planes with control objects such as buttons, on an LCD display part 33. The LCD display part 33 is constituted being provided with a cover-like touch panel and constituted in such a way that a point of the LCD display part 33 touched by a user' s finger can be recognized by the CPU 30 through a touch panel control part 34 for controlling the touch panel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus characterized by an apparatus control panel for instructing the control of signal processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a user interface of a general information handling apparatus, an interface centering on window display has been known.

[0003] As in a personal computer (PC) or a workstation, a user opens a menu from a part of a window displayed on a CRT using a keyboard or a mouse and selects an item. Operating the device.

However, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to a living body, performs three-dimensional operations, and displays an ultrasonic tomographic image in the living body using the obtained echo data in a three-dimensional area, It is very inconvenient for a user to operate the apparatus using the above-described keyboard or mouse during an inspection for collecting images, so a dedicated apparatus control panel is prepared. Actually, the user operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using the dedicated device control panel to perform an inspection.

[0005]

However, since this device operation panel is composed of a large number of switches and the like in accordance with the function of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, the cost increases.
In addition, there is a problem that the size of the apparatus is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of achieving cost reduction, downsizing of the apparatus, and further improving operability. It is intended to be.

[0007]

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a living body, performs three-dimensional scanning, and uses the obtained echo data of the three-dimensional region to obtain an ultrasonic image in the living body. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasonic tomographic image, based on patient data, an inspection unit that performs transmission and reception of the echo data to acquire an ultrasonic image to perform inspection, and an ultrasonic image obtained by the inspection unit. Review means for performing image processing on the inspection means, and control instruction display means for displaying control contents for controlling the inspection means and the review means and for inputting an instruction signal according to the control contents with a touch panel. .

In the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the control instruction display means for inputting an instruction signal corresponding to the control content by a touch panel performs a plurality of first operation mode control displays in the processing by the inspection means. By performing a plurality of second operation mode control displays in the processing by the review means, it is possible to achieve cost reduction and downsizing of the apparatus, and to improve operability.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 56 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device control panel of an image processing unit in FIG. FIG. 3 is a first flowchart showing a control flow of the CPU of the image processing unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a second flowchart showing a control flow of the CPU of the image processing unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a third flowchart showing the control flow of the CPU of the image processing unit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of C of the image processing unit of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a fourth flowchart showing the flow of control of the PU, FIG. 7 is a fifth flowchart showing the flow of control of the CPU of the image processing unit in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a view showing the display of the inspection mode control unit in the processing of FIG. 9 is a view showing a review mode control unit display in the processing of FIG. 3, FIG. 10 is a view showing an examination reservation card in the processing of FIG. 4, and FIG. 11 is a view showing a patient information registration dialog using the examination reservation card of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a radial inspection card in the process of FIG. 4, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of the radial inspection card of FIG. 12 by a multi-display button, and FIG. 14 is a diagram of a radial inspection card of the radial inspection card of FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a second display example, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example on a high image quality monitor using the zoom button of the radial inspection card in FIG.
12 is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the radial direction button of the radial inspection card in FIG. 12, FIG. 17 is a view showing a display pattern by the sub-screen button and the image switching button of the radial inspection card in FIG. 12, and FIG. Enlarged view of image rotation dial of inspection card,
19 is an enlarged view of an image selection slider of the radial inspection card of FIG. 12, FIG. 20 is a view showing a helical inspection card in the processing of FIG. 4, FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a display button of the helical inspection card of FIG. FIG. 23 is a view showing a dual screen display by the dual display button of the display button of FIG. 21, FIG. 23 is a view showing a combination display by the combination display button of the display button of FIG. 21, and FIG. 24 is a linear priority display button of the display button of FIG. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a radial priority display by the radial priority display button of the display button of FIG. 21, FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a relationship between an image selection slider and a display image in the combination display of FIG. 23, FIG. FIG. 28 is an enlarged view of the image selection slider of the helical inspection card, FIG. 28 is a diagram showing switching of the image selection slider by the linear direction button of the helical inspection card of FIG. 20, and FIG. 29 is a diagram of the pre-processing when the range in the processing of FIG. FIG. 30 shows a process card, and FIG. 30 shows a range of 2 cm in the process of FIG.
FIG. 31 is a view showing a pre-process card in the following cases, FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of an STC adjustment slider of the pre-process card of FIG. 29 or FIG. 30, and FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of a contrast adjustment slider of the pre-process card of FIG. 29 or FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the gain adjustment slider of the pre-processing card of FIG. 29 or 30. FIG. 34 is a view showing a system setting card in the processing of FIG. 4, and FIG. 35 is a system clock setting dialog by the system setting card of FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a hospital name setting dialogue by the system setting card of FIG. 34, FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a record setting dialogue by the system setting card of FIG. 34, and FIG. 38 is a radial by the system setting card of FIG. FIG. 39 shows a setting dialog, and FIG. 39 shows a range button of the radial setting dialog shown in FIG. Shows a shows a change in, FIG. 40 FIG. 34
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a change in stroke button display of the helical setting dialog of FIG. 40, FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a change in pitch button display of the helical setting dialog of FIG. 40, FIG. 43 is a diagram showing correspondence of pitch buttons between the helical setting dialog of FIG. 40 and the helical inspection mode, FIG.
4 is a view showing a pseudo color option dialog by the system setting card of FIG. 34, FIG. 45 is a view showing a radial review card in the processing of FIG. 4, and FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of a contrast adjustment slider of the radial review card of FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of a gain adjustment slider of the radial review card of FIG. 45, FIG. 48 is a view showing a helical review card in the processing of FIG. 4, FIG. 49 is a view showing a save tool dialog in the processing of FIG. 5, and FIG. FIG. 51 is a view showing a file name input dialog by a save tool dialog of FIG. 49, FIG. 51 is a view showing an arrangement of each tool button of the radial examination card of FIG. 12, and FIG. 52 is a patient selection dialog as a load tool in the processing of FIG. FIGS. 53 and 53 show an image selection dialog by the patient selection dialog of FIG. Shows, FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a shutdown dialog in the process of FIG. 6, FIG. 55 FIG. 54
FIG. 56 is a diagram showing an example of an error display in the processing of FIG. 7.

(Configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic observation unit 2 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and displaying a real-time echo image, and an ultrasonic observation unit. And an image processing unit 3 for performing image processing for displaying a three-dimensional image based on the echo data obtained in Step 2. Also, an ultrasonic probe 4 having means for inserting an ultrasonic transducer (transducer: not shown) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves into a body cavity and capable of performing a spiral scan of the ultrasonic transducer, and this ultrasonic probe A drive unit 5 for driving the ultrasonic observation unit 4 is connected to the ultrasonic observation unit 2.

The ultrasonic observation unit 2 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 6 for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from the driving unit 5 and an A / A converter for converting echo signals captured by the transmitting / receiving unit 6 into digital echo data.
A D converter 7, a frame memory 8 for storing the echo data converted by the A / D converter 7, and a digital scan converter (hereinafter referred to as a digital scan converter) for converting the echo data stored in the frame memory 8 into image data of a desired television system. , DSC) 9, a D / A converter 10 for converting a digital image signal output from the DSC 9 into an analog signal, and a monitor for inputting the output image signal of the D / A converter 10 and displaying a real-time echo image. 11
And a system controller 12 that controls each unit such as a drive unit 5, a transmission / reception unit 6, an A / D converter 7, and a frame memory 8.

The image processing unit 3 includes a CPU 13 for controlling image processing and the like, a main storage device (main memory) 14 for storing data and the like of each image processing result, and a system controller 12 of the ultrasonic observation unit 2. Control unit 1 for sending and receiving instructions
5, a polar coordinate conversion unit 1 for converting continuous sound ray data from the ultrasonic observation unit 2 into a plurality of continuous two-dimensional image data
6, an image data storage device (image memory) 17 for storing image data and the like converted by the polar coordinate conversion unit 16, and an image for performing various image processing such as rotation, luminance conversion, pseudo color, and edge enhancement at high speed. A processing processor 18, a first external storage device 19 including a hard disk for storing information such as a processing program and backup data,
A second external storage device 20 such as a magneto-optical disk for backing up the first external storage device 19, and a frame buffer 22 for temporarily storing data after image processing;
A D / A converter 23 for converting an output image signal of the frame buffer 22 into an analog signal, and an image processing for inputting the output image signal of the D / A converter 23 and displaying an ultrasonic image after image processing. A high image quality monitor 24, an apparatus control panel 25 for further operating the apparatus, and a control communication section 26 for performing communication between the apparatus and the control panel, respectively.
a, 26b and an external signal source 28 (for example, an endoscope device)
And an image signal input unit 29 for inputting an image signal from the device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus control panel 25 includes a CPU 30 which is a system controller of the apparatus control panel 25.
Display control unit 32 connected to the system bus 31
To display a plurality of types of control screens having operation objects such as buttons on the LCD display unit 33. The LCD display unit 33 is provided with a cover-shaped touch panel (not shown). The CPU 30 detects a point at which the user touches the LCD display unit 33 with a finger via a touch panel control unit 34 that controls the touch panel.
Is configured to be recognized.

In the device control panel 25, the CPU 30 transmits operation information (for example, information such as "button 1 is pressed") of the operated object from the coordinate data of the recognized point.
CP of the image processing unit 3 via the control communication units 26a and 26b
The data is transmitted to U13, and the ROM 35 stores C
A program that operates on the PU 30 is stored in the RAM 36.
Is a temporary data storage area for performing a program operation.

The ROM 35 can be constituted by an EEPROM, a flash ROM, or a PC card type hard disk.

(Operation) Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When performing ultrasonic observation, first, in the ultrasonic observation section 2, the ultrasonic probe 4 is inserted into the body cavity, and the transmission / reception section 6 and the driving section 5 control the ultrasonic probe 4 under the control of the system controller 12. The ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic probe 4 is driven in a spiral manner to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave into a living body, thereby acquiring echo data of a three-dimensional region in a body cavity.

That is, although not shown, for example, by rotating a motor attached to the rear end of a male screw screwed into a female screw built in the drive unit 5 of the ultrasonic probe 4, the shaft of the ultrasonic probe 4 is rotated. The ultrasonic transducer attached to the tip of the male screw arranged along the direction is rotationally driven to radially transmit ultrasonic waves in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the ultrasonic probe 4 and , And receives reflected ultrasonic waves (echo signals) reflected at the portion where the acoustic impedance changes. In addition, an echo signal for a three-dimensional area (that is, by spiral scanning) is obtained by linearly scanning in the axial direction of the rotation axis by the pitch of the male screw along with the rotation.
This echo signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 7 to become echo data.

The obtained echo data is stored in the frame memory 8 and displayed on the monitor 11 via the DSC 9 and the D / A converter 10 as a real-time echo image (ultrasonic observation image). At the same time, the digital signal is sent from the subsequent stage of the A / D converter 7 to the image processing unit 3 in the form of continuous one-dimensional echo data (sound ray data). At this time, accompanying data such as the image size of the two-dimensional image data and the distance between the images is also sent to the image processing unit 3 at the same time.

Next, in the image processing unit 3, sound ray data obtained by a spiral scan in the body cavity of the ultrasonic probe 4 and sent from the ultrasonic observation unit 2 to the image processing unit 3 is:
The polar coordinate conversion unit 16 converts the image data into image data. Then, the image data storage device (image memory) 17 writes the image data, together with the accompanying data, in the order in which they are captured as a plurality of continuous two-dimensional images. At this time, sound ray data before polar coordinate conversion is also stored in the image memory.

The image processing processor 18 performs rotation, luminance conversion, pseudo color, and the like based on the image data and the auxiliary data stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17.
Image processing such as edge enhancement is performed.

The image data resulting from the processing is sent to the frame buffer 22 where it is temporarily stored, and is sent via the D / A converter 23 to the high image quality monitor 24 for image processing. After that, the ultrasonic image subjected to the image processing is displayed on the high image quality monitor 24.

Here, the steps of various image processing by the image processor 18 are controlled by the CPU 13.

Next, the operation of this embodiment immediately after the power is turned on will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, the CPU 13 of the image processing unit 3 recognizes that the inspection mode is set immediately after the power is turned on in step S1, and sends an inspection mode control unit display command to the apparatus control panel in step S2. To 25. The device control panel 25 that has received the inspection mode control unit display command is
The display mode is displayed on the display unit 33 as shown in FIG.

Then, the LCD display unit 3 of the device control panel 25
Inspection mode control unit display shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 8)
In step S3, it is determined whether or not an operation command output when the operation object is operated is received, and the process waits until the operation command is received.
Proceed to 4.

In step S4, it is determined whether the received operation command is an operation command for changing the basic mode. If the received operation command is an operation command for changing the basic mode, a display command for displaying the review mode control unit is transmitted to the device control panel 25 in step S5. The device control panel 25 that has received the review mode control unit display command sets the L
The review mode control unit is displayed on the CD display unit 33 as shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S4 that the received operation command is not an operation command for changing the basic mode,
The process proceeds to step S11 (described in FIG. 4) described later.

Here, the LCD display unit 3 of the device control panel 25
The display of the inspection mode control unit and the display of the review mode control unit, which are displayed in No. 3, will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the inspection mode control unit displays an inspection reservation card that can control the inspection reservation mode, a radial inspection card that can control the radial inspection mode, a helical inspection card that can control the helical inspection mode, and a pre-process mode. Card object selection tab from which each card object of the pre-processing card that can control the system setting and the system setting card that can control the system setting mode, and each tool including the save tool button (Save), the load tool button (Load), and the shutdown button Button and basic mode change button (MODE)
And a common button including an eight-direction key, a freeze button (Freez), and a record button (Rec).

The inspection reservation card, the radial inspection card, the helical inspection card, the pre-process card, and the system setting card are displayed in an overlapping manner. When the operator touches the card object selection tab of the card desired to be used, the target card is displayed. It is displayed at the top.

The display of the review mode control unit is shown in FIG.
As shown in the table, a radial review card that can control the radial review mode, a helical review card that can set the helical review mode, a card object selection tab that can select each card object of the system setting card that can control the system setting mode, and a tool button , A basic mode change button (MODE), and a common button.

The radial review card, the helical review card, and the system setting card are displayed in an overlapping manner. When the operator touches the card object selection tab of the card desired to be used, the target card is displayed at the top.

Next, when information other than "basic mode change button is pressed" is received from the device control panel 25 in step S4 of FIG. 3, that is, the operation command received in step S4 of FIG. An operation when it is determined that the instruction is not a mode change operation command will be described.

If it is determined in step S4 of FIG. 3 that the received operation command is not an operation command for changing the basic mode,
As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 in step S11 is information indicating that the "test reservation card tab has been pressed". If there is, in step S12, an inspection reservation card display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 3, where "the inspection reservation card tab is pressed".
If not, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the information received from the device control panel 25 is "radial inspection card tab pressed".
It is determined whether the information is information or not. If the information is "radial inspection card tab pressed", a radial inspection card display command is transmitted to device control panel 25 in step S14, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. Tab pressed. "
If not, the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, the information received from the device control panel 25 is "Helical inspection card tab pressed".
It is determined whether it is information or not, and if the information is "Helical inspection card tab pressed", a helical inspection card display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25 in step S16, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. Tab pressed. "
If not, the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the information received from the device control panel 25 is "the preprocess card tab has been pressed".
It is determined whether the information is information or not. If the information is "preprocess card tab pressed", a preprocess card display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25 in step S18, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. Tab pressed. "
If not, the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the information received from the device control panel 25 is "the system setting card tab has been pressed".
It is determined whether it is information or not, and if it is the information that the "system setting card tab is pressed", a system setting card display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25 in step S20, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. Tab pressed. "
If not, the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, it is determined whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 is "radial review card tab pressed" information. If the information is "radial review card tab pressed" information, in step S22 A radial review card display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 3. If the information is not "radial review card tab pressed" information, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, it is determined whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 is "Helical review card tab pressed" information. If the information is "Helical review card tab pressed" information, in step S24 A helical review card display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG.
The processing shifts to 31 (described with reference to FIG. 5).

Here, LC selected in each step of FIG.
Each mode operated by each card displayed on the D display unit 33 will be described.

First, the examination reservation mode operated by the examination reservation card displayed on the LCD display section 33 of the apparatus control panel 25 which has received the examination reservation card display command in step S12 will be described.

In the examination appointment mode, patient information on which an examination is to be performed can be registered in an examination appointment list. Prior to the start of the examination, information on all the patients to be used on that day is input, and it is possible to select each time the patient changes. Up to 10 tests can be registered in the test reservation list. Once registered in the examination appointment list,
It is recorded in the patient information storage area of the hard disk 19 or the like. From the next time, when the patient ID is input, the patient information such as the name and the date of birth is automatically read from the patient information storage area. The ultrasonic image recorded on the hard disk 19 is recorded in association with the patient information in the patient information storage area.

Next, each operation object displayed on the examination reservation card will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Examination Schedule List Registered patient IDs, names, and registered examination date data are displayed in a list. By directly touching the LCD display unit 33, a patient ID can be selected by a touch panel provided on the LCD display unit 33. The selected patient ID row has a different color from the other rows.

(2) Registration button Registers the test in the test reservation list. When the registration button of the LCD display unit 33 is directly touched, a patient information input dialog (FIG. 11) described later is displayed on the LCD display unit 33 by the touch panel provided on the LCD display unit 33.

(3) Correction button-Corrects patient information even though it is selected in the examination reservation list. Touching the correction button on the LCD display 33 directly
A touch panel provided on the CD display unit 33 displays a patient information input dialog (FIG. 11) described later on the LCD display unit 33. At this time, each input field (FIG. 1)
1), the patient information is called from the patient information storage area in the hard disk 19 and displayed.

(4) Delete button The line (patient ID) selected in the examination reservation list is deleted from the list.

(5) Delete All Button Deletes all tests registered in the test reservation list from the list.

The patient information registration dialog displayed on the LCD display unit 33 when the registration button or the correction button in FIG. 10 is pressed will be described with reference to FIG.

In the patient information registration dialog, information such as patient ID, patient name, date of birth, age, and gender can be input or edited as follows.

(1) In order to input and edit a patient ID, first, when the user directly touches the ID field, a cursor is displayed in the ID field to enable input. Then, an ID number can be input by touching a button of the virtual keyboard. After inputting, pressing the return key or touching another field confirms the input data. If the input data is the previously registered patient ID data, the CPU 13
Searches the patient information storage area of the hard disk 19 and retrieves other information (name, date,
(Age, gender) read out and display information in each input field.

(2) To enter and edit the patient name, enter N
When the user directly touches the AME field, a cursor is displayed in the NAME field and input becomes possible. Then, you can enter your name by touching the buttons on the virtual keyboard. Pressing the return key confirms the data.

(3) To input and edit the date of birth, first, O. When B field is touched directly, D. O. A cursor is displayed in the B field and input becomes possible. Then, you can enter your date of birth by touching the buttons on the virtual keyboard. Pressing the return key confirms the data. At this time, the CPU 13 calculates the age from the input date of birth data and the current time (detected from a timer in the apparatus), and displays the age in the AGE field.

(4) To enter and edit the age, first enter A
When the user directly touches the GE field, a cursor is displayed in the AGE field and input becomes possible. Then, the age can be input by touching a button on the virtual keyboard. Pressing the return key confirms the data.

(5) To input and edit gender, first
When the user directly touches the EX field, a cursor is displayed in the SEX field, and input becomes possible. Then, by touching the buttons of the virtual keyboard, the gender (M for men, F for women) can be input. Pressing the return key confirms the data.

(6) When the "OK" button is pressed, the entered data is confirmed and the display returns to the inspection reservation card display of FIG.

(7) When the “Cancel” button is pressed,
The entered data is discarded and the display returns to the inspection reservation card display of FIG.

Next, the radial inspection mode operated by the radial inspection card displayed on the LCD display unit 33 of the device control panel 25 which has received the radial inspection card display command in step S14 of FIG. 4 will be described.

In this radial inspection mode, in FIG. 1, a motor built in the drive unit 5 of the ultrasonic probe 4 and attached to the rear end of a male screw screwed into a female screw is rotated to set the ultrasonic probe 4 The ultrasonic vibrator attached to the tip of the male screw arranged along the axial direction is rotationally driven to transmit ultrasonic waves radially in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the ultrasonic probe 4 and , Reflected ultrasonic wave (echo signal) reflected at the part where the acoustic impedance changes
Is a mode in which an ultrasonic image is received to obtain an ultrasonic image.

Next, each operation object displayed on the radial inspection card will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Range button Switches the display range of the radial image. That is, 1,
Any one of the buttons of 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 cm
One of them is selected, and the range information selected here is transmitted to the system controller 12 of the ultrasonic observation unit 2.

(2) Display button Switches the display pattern of the radial image. That is, one of the full circle display, the upper half circle display, the lower half circle display, the left half circle display, and the right half circle display is selected.

(3) Image quality button Switches the image quality mode of the ultrasonic image. The button display is
This is a toggle switching display of “Hi” and “St”. When the button display is “Hi”, the high image quality mode (High Q
quality) is selected. When the button display is “St”, the standard mode (Standard) is selected. The image quality information selected here is transmitted to the system controller 12 of the ultrasonic observation unit 2.

(4) Multi display button A list of images stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is displayed. The display method is a four-sheet display button,
By selecting any one of the nine-image display buttons (or the OFF button), four-image display as shown in FIG. 13 or nine-image display as shown in FIG. 14 can be performed.

(5) Zoom button The ultrasonic image is enlarged twice to display an image as shown in FIG. At this time, the entire image is displayed in the child screen area at the lower left of the CRT screen, and the area surrounded by a square (cursor) therein is enlarged and displayed in the parent screen area. The position of the enlarged area can be moved with an eight-direction key (see FIG. 8).

(6) Radial direction button The display direction of the radial image is switched. In the present embodiment, the observation direction of the radial image, that is, “NORMAL”
And "INVERT" (see FIG. 16).

(7) Sub-screen button In FIG. 1, an image from an external signal source 28 (for example, an endoscope device) input to the image signal input unit 29 is displayed on the high image quality monitor 24 side by side with an ultrasonic image. I do. On / O
When the ff button is turned on, the external input image (endoscope image) is displayed in the sub-screen area together with the radial ultrasonic image (ultrasound image) (see FIG. 15), and the La / Sm button is displayed as La ( Large is selected), the size of the child screen increases.

(8) Image switching button Selects whether an ultrasonic image is displayed in the main screen area or an external input image is displayed. Press the image switch button E
When VIS (endoscope device) display is performed, an external input image (endoscope image) is displayed in the main screen area. With the combination of the sub-screen button and the image switching button, the external input image display style as shown in Table 1 and FIG. 17 can be selected.

[0072]

[Table 1] (9) Image rotation dial (FIG. 18) This rotates the ultrasonic image (64 steps / circle). 1) Knob: Press and slide along the circumference to rotate the ultrasonic image. 2) Fine adjustment button: Fine adjustment of the rotation amount. Once you press it,
Rotate 8 pitches. 3) Reset button: Resets the rotation amount and returns to the state before rotation.

4) Rotation amount display: The rotation amount is displayed (0 to 0).
511).

(10) Image Selection Slider (FIG. 19) One of a plurality of images stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is selected and displayed on the high image quality monitor 24. 1) Fine adjustment button: Select the latest image by pointing left,
Select a more past image to the right. 2) Latest image selection button: The latest image can be selected. 3) Oldest image selection button: The oldest image can be selected. 4) Display of selected image number: The number of the selected image is displayed. 5) Knob: Press and slide left and right to select an ultrasonic image.

Next, the helical inspection mode operated by the helical inspection card displayed on the LCD display unit 33 of the device control panel 25 which has received the helical inspection card display command in step S16 of FIG. 4 will be described.

In FIG. 1, a motor built in the drive unit 5 of the ultrasonic probe 4 and attached to the rear end of a male screw screwed to a female screw is rotated to move along the axial direction of the ultrasonic probe 4. The ultrasonic vibrator attached to the tip of the arranged male screw is rotationally driven to transmit ultrasonic waves radially in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the ultrasonic probe 4 and to change the acoustic impedance. By receiving the reflected ultrasonic wave (echo signal) reflected by the part and scanning linearly in the axial direction of the rotation axis by the pitch of the external thread with rotation, three-dimensional (that is, by spiral scanning) Receive an echo signal for the area.

Thus, a cross-sectional image (radial image) parallel to the rotational plane of the ultrasonic transducer and a cross-sectional image (linear image) perpendicular to the rotational plane of the ultrasonic transducer are obtained and displayed on the high-quality monitor 24. It is a helical inspection mode.

Each operation object displayed on the helical inspection card will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Range button Switches the display range of radial and linear images. That is, among the buttons of 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 cm,
You can select any one.

(2) Display Button There are various types of display buttons as shown in FIG. 21, and by pressing this button, the display pattern of the radial and linear images displayed on the high-quality monitor 24 is switched as follows.

1) Dual display (FIG. 22) 2) Combination display (FIG. 23) 3) Linear priority display (FIG. 24) 4) Radial priority display (FIG. 25) Operation of image selection slider and display image in combination display 26 is shown in FIG.

(3) Stroke button Switches the helical scan stroke length. Thereby, the moving distance of the ultrasonic transducer in the rotation axis direction can be set. That is, any one of the buttons of 15, 20, 30, and 40 mm can be selected.

(4) Pitch button Pitch of helical scan (interval for obtaining radial image)
Switch. That is, 0.25, 0.35, 0.5,
Any one of the buttons of 0.75 and 1.0 mm can be selected.

(5) Picture quality button The picture quality button is the same as the picture quality button on the radial inspection card, and the description is omitted.

(6) Stroke mode button A mode in which a radial image is captured only for one stroke and automatically frozen (“AutoStop” = On)
A mode (“AutoStop” = Off) in which the radial image is continuously taken in for any number of strokes can be selected.

When the button is pressed once, “AutoStop” = On, and when pressed again, “AutoStop” = Off.

(7) Radial direction button The radial direction button is the same as the radial direction button on the radial inspection card, and the description is omitted.

(8) Linear Direction Button The display direction of the linear image is switched. It is possible to switch between displaying the probe tip side of the linear image rightward or leftward.

When the display direction of the linear image is switched, the probe insertion direction marker display on the screen display on the high image quality monitor 24 is switched.

(9) Image Rotation Dial The image rotation dial is the same as the image rotation dial of the radial inspection card, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, the radial image and the linear image are simultaneously rotated.

(10) Image Selection Slider (FIG. 27) One of a plurality of radial images stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is selected and displayed on the high image quality monitor 24.

1) Slider: When the slider is slid horizontally while pressing the knob, the radial image is updated. 2) Top button: Selects the radial image closest to the probe tip. 3) Center button: Selects a radial image located at the center of one stroke. 4) End button: Select the radial image closest to you.

5) Left arrow button: Selects a radial image closer to the user than (in the initial state). 6) Right arrow button: Selects a radial image on the probe tip side (in the initial state). 7) Display of selected image number: The number of the selected image is displayed. When the linear display direction is switched by operating the linear direction button (see FIG. 20), the display of the image selection slider is switched as shown in FIG.

Next, the preprocess mode operated by the preprocess card displayed on the LCD display unit 33 of the device control panel 25 which has received the preprocess card display command in step S18 of FIG. 4 will be described.

The stem controller 12 of the ultrasonic observation unit 2
Has a function of controlling the transmission / reception unit 6 to adjust the luminance value and the contrast value of the sound ray data output from the A / D converter 7. By adjusting the luminance value and the contrast value by the transmission / reception unit 6, an image whose image quality has been adjusted by the user can be displayed in real time.

In the pre-process mode, the luminance value and the contrast value set by the user are transmitted from the CPU 13 to the system controller 12 via the control unit 15, and the system controller 12 controls the transmission / reception unit 6 accordingly. To control image quality.

Each operation object displayed on the pre-process card will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30.

The pre-process card is displayed as shown in FIG. 29 when the range of 3 cm or more is selected in the radial inspection and the helical inspection, and is displayed when the range of 2 cm or less is selected. The display looks like 30.

(1) STC adjustment slider (FIG. 31) Ultrasonic waves at each depth are set by seven sets (for a range of 3 cm or more) or five sets (for a range of 2 cm or less) according to the distance in the diagnostic direction. Echo contrast can be adjusted independently. 1) Slider: The value is updated when the knob is slid horizontally while pressing the knob. 2) DOWN button: The value decreases. 3) UP button: The value increases. Each STC slider adjusts the contrast in the range shown in Table 2.

[Table 2] (2) Contrast adjustment slider (FIG. 32) The contrast of an ultrasonic image can be adjusted. 1) Slider: The value is updated when the knob is slid horizontally while pressing the knob. 2) DOWN button: The value decreases. 3) UP button: The value increases. 4) Contrast value display Displays the set contrast value.

(3) Gain adjustment slider (FIG. 33) Adjusts the brightness of the ultrasonic image. 1) Slider: The value is updated when the knob is slid horizontally while pressing the knob. 2) DOWN button: The value decreases. 3) UP button: The value increases. 4) Gain value display: The set gain value is displayed.

(4) Preset buttons By operating a group of "PreProcessPreset" buttons, up to ten sets of STC, gain, and contrast values currently set can be stored. Alternatively, the stored STC, gain, and contrast values can be arbitrarily called.

STC, GAIN, CONT currently being set
To store the RAST data: 1) Select a pre-process card and select "C"
ALL "is selected. 2) Set various data of STC, GAIN, and CONTRAST. 3) Press the "SAVE" button. 4) When one of the buttons “SET 1 to 10” is pressed, the current setting is stored in the pressed SET button.

Stored STC, GAIN, CON
To call up the TRAST data: 1) Select pre-process and select "CAL" in the initial state.
L "is selected. 2) When any one of the buttons “SET 1 to 10” is pressed, the STC and G stored in the pressed SET button are pressed.
AIN, CONTRAST data is called.

The STC, GAIN, and CONTRAS data are stored or recalled as a set of Table 3.

[0105]

[Table 3] In FIG. 1, the system controller 12 can control the driving unit 5 to detect the ultrasonic frequency corresponding to the mounted ultrasonic probe 4. C
The PU 13 can communicate with the system controller 12 and have the frequency value notified from the system controller 12. Then, the CPU 13
STC, GAIN, CONT for each ultrasonic frequency
RAST data can be stored or recalled.

Next, the system setting mode operated by the system setting card displayed on the LCD display section 33 of the device control panel 25 which has received the system setting card display command in step S20 of FIG. 4 will be described.

In the system setting mode, the following various settings can be made on the system setting card as shown in FIG. 1) DATE & TIME: The system clock can be set. "DATE & TIME ..." on the system setting card
When the button is pressed, as shown in FIG.
3 displays a system clock setting dialog.

In this system clock setting dialog, Y
ear, Mouth, Day, Hour, Min, Se
It consists of six fields c and a virtual keyboard.

In each field, the system time at the time when the dialog is opened is displayed as a numerical value as an initial value. When the user directly touches each field, the field is selected and data can be set. The user directly touches each button of the virtual keyboard to make settings.

When the "OK" button is pressed, the entered data is determined and the flow returns to the system setting card.
Pressing the “CEL” button discards the input data and returns to the system setting card.

2) HOSPITAL NAME: A hospital name can be set. "Hospit" of the system setting card
When the “alName...” button is pressed, a hospital name setting dialog is displayed on the LCD display unit 33 as shown in FIG.

[0112] The hospital name setting dialogue includes a hospital name field and a virtual keyboard. In the hospital name field, the current hospital name is displayed as an initial value.

Touching the hospital name field enables the hospital name to be entered. Press the “OK” button to confirm the entered hospital name, return to the system setting card, and click “CANCEL”.
Pressing the "L" button discards the entered hospital name and returns to the system setting card.

3) RECORD OPTION: Recording settings can be made when the “record button (Rec)” is pressed on each card. "REC" on the system setting card
When the "ORD OPTION ..." button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 37, the recording on the LCD display section 33 allows various settings relating to image recording to be performed when the "record button (Rec)" of each card is pressed. A setting dialog is displayed.

For example, a recording method when the “record button (Rec)” is pressed in the radial inspection mode is set.

[RECORD SINGLE IMAG]
When "E" is selected, the image displayed on the high image quality monitor 24 is recorded alone. In addition, "RECORD IMAG
When "ESET" is selected, the images stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 are recorded as a set.

Then, when the "OK" button is pressed, the settings are determined and the display returns to the system setting card, and the "CANCEL" button is pressed.
Pressing the button discards the settings and returns to the system setting card.

4) Radial Mode Optio
N: Settings related to the radial inspection mode can be made. "RADIAL MODE OPTIO" on the system setting card
When the "N ..." button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 38, a radial setting dialog for performing a setting specific to the "radial inspection mode" is displayed on the LCD display section 33.

(A) First, "Range Button" used in the radial inspection mode can be set. Range button set here (Range Button)
Introduces “Range Butto” in radial inspection mode
n "and can be used for radial inspection.

This range button (Range Butt)
on), the range button (Range Butt)
Press the arrow buttons above and below (ton) to select the range button (Range Button) to use.

When the arrow button is pressed, the range button (Range Button) display changes as shown in FIG. The range button here (Range B
button) and “R” in the radial inspection mode.
The order of “ang Button” is the same. The user selects a range button (Range Butt) to be set.
ton) directly touch the arrow buttons above and below to make settings.

(B) In addition, image average display (Averag)
ing Num. ), The weighting coefficient K in the image average display can be set. The setting range is 0.1 to 1.0,
The setting unit is 0.1 step, and the range button (Range)
e Button).

(C) Then, when the "OK" button is pressed,
Confirm the settings and return to the system setting card.
Pressing the “EL” button discards the settings and returns to the system setting card.

5) HELICAL MODE OPTI
ON: Settings related to the helical inspection mode can be made. "HELI MODE MODE OPI" on the system setting card
When the “TION ...” button is pressed, as shown in FIG.
A helical setting dialog for performing a setting specific to the “helical inspection mode” is displayed on the CD display unit 33.

(A) First, "Stroke Button" used in the helical inspection mode can be set. The stroke button (Stroke Button) set here
on), the helical inspection mode “Stroke Bu
ton "and can be used for helical inspection.

This stroke button (Stroke B)
button, the stroke button (Stro)
Press the arrow buttons on the left and right of the “Ke Button” and press the stroke button (Stroke Button)
ton).

When the arrow button is pressed, the display of the stroke button (Stroke Button) changes as shown in FIG. In addition, the stroke button here (St
The order of “Stroke Button” is the same as the order of “Stroke Button” in the helical inspection mode. Stroke button to be set (Stroke
The user operates the arrow buttons on the left and right of (Button) to make settings.

(B) Next, “Pitch Button” used in the helical inspection mode can be set. Pitch button set here (Pitch Button)
Helical inspection mode "Pitch Butto"
n "and can be used for helical inspection.

This pitch button (Pitch Button)
on), the pitch button (Pitch Button)
Press the arrow buttons above and below (ton) to select the pitch button (Pitch Button) to use.

When the arrow button is pressed, the display of the pitch button (Pitch Button) changes as shown in FIG. Also, the pitch button here (Pitch B
utton) and “Pi” in the helical inspection mode.
The arrangement order of “tch Button” matches as shown in FIG. Pitch button to be set (PitchBu
The setting is performed by operating the arrow buttons above and below (tton).

(D) The setting of the "Range Button" used in the helical inspection mode is the same as the setting of the "Range Button" used in the radial inspection mode, so that the description is omitted (FIGS. 38 and 3).
9).

(E) Then, when the "OK" button is pressed,
Confirm the settings and return to the system setting card.
Pressing the “EL” button discards the settings and returns to the system setting card.

6) PSEUDO COLOR: Settings for pseudo color display can be made.

The system setting card “PSEUDO C”
When the "OLOR ..." button is pressed, as shown in FIG.
A pseudo color option dialog for setting a color palette of the pseudo color is displayed on the CD display unit 33 (the pseudo color is "radial review mode",
Available in "Helical Review Mode").

(A) First, each button of “COLOR SET” is selected to select a color palette.
Press "1" to select color palette 1, "2"
Is pressed, the color pallet 2 can be selected, and if "3" is pressed, the color pallet 3 can be selected. (These color pallet information is stored in the hard disk 19.
Each pallet information can be set by the user according to the following (b)).

(A) Next, a “Limit 1” slider,
The color scheme of each palette can be set with the “Limit 2” slider and the “COLOR” button.

More specifically, the “Limit 1” slider can set the upper limit value or the lower limit value of an arbitrary band in the 0-255 gradation, and the “Limit 2” slider can set the 0-25
An upper limit value and a lower limit value of an arbitrary band in five gradations can be set. Here, "Limit1" slider, "Limit1"
2) Of the values set with the slider, the larger value is the upper limit,
The smaller value is the lower limit (note that the “Limit 1” slider and the “Limit 2” slider can be used in the same operation as the “gain” slider and the “contrast” slider in the “preprocess mode” (see FIGS. 32 and 33). ).

(B) When the "COLOR" button is pressed,
When the "D" button is selected, the level bands set by the "Limit1" slider and the "Limit2" slider are displayed in "red". When the “GREEN” button is selected, the “Limit 1” slider and the “Limit 1”
2) The level band set by the slider is displayed in “green”.
Further, when the “BLUE” button is selected, “Limi” is displayed.
The level band set by the “t1” slider and the “Limit2” slider is displayed in “blue”.

(C) Then, when the "OK" button is pressed,
Confirm the settings and return to the system setting card.
Pressing the “EL” button discards the settings and returns to the system setting card.

Next, the LCD of the device control panel 25 which has received the radial review card display command in step S22 of FIG.
The radial review mode operated by the radial review card displayed on the display unit 33 will be described.

In the radial review mode, the ultrasonic image stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 in the radial inspection and the ultrasonic image recorded in the hard disk 19 in the radial inspection are mainly obtained by the radial review card shown in FIG. Image processing can be performed on the image.

(1) Display button Switches the display pattern of the radial image. Full circle display,
Any one of the upper semicircle display, the lower semicircle display, the left semicircle display, and the right semicircle display can be selected (similar to the radial inspection mode).

(2) Contrast adjustment slider (FIG. 4)
6) The CPU 13 that adjusts the contrast of the ultrasound image controls the image processor 18 and the frame buffer 22 to directly control the ultrasound image data that has been subjected to the polar coordinate conversion.

1) Slider: The value is updated when the knob is slid horizontally while pressing the knob. 2) UP button: The value increases. 3) DOWN button: The value decreases. 4) Contrast value display: Contrast value (1 to 10)
0) is displayed. 5) Reset button: Resets the value to the initial state.

(3) Gain adjustment slider (FIG. 47) Adjusts the brightness of the ultrasonic image. The CPU 13 controls the image processor 18 and the frame buffer 22 to directly control the polar coordinate-converted ultrasonic image data. 1) Slider: The value is updated when the knob is slid horizontally while pressing the knob. 2) UP button: The value increases. 3) DOWN button: The value decreases. 4) Reset button: Resets the value to the initial state. 5) Gain value display Brightness is displayed.

(4) Image Rotation Dial This is the same as the radial inspection mode, and a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 18).

(5) Image Selection Slider This is the same as the image selection slider in the radial inspection mode, and the description is omitted (see FIG. 19).

(6) Multi-display button-Since this is the same as the multi-display in the radial inspection mode, the description is omitted (see FIGS. 13 and 14). .

(7) Pseudo-color button Selects whether to display an ultrasonic image in monochrome or in pseudo-color.

Pressing once will return to pseudo-color display, and pressing again will return to monochrome display. The setting of the pseudo color (the setting of each of R, G, and B) can be performed by the pseudo color option (see FIG. 44) in the system setting mode.

(8) Edge enhancement button The edge of the ultrasonic image is enhanced.

1) OFF: Edge enhancement is released.

2) 1: Edge enhancement weak 3) 2: Edge enhancement strong (9) Zoom button The ultrasonic image is enlarged and displayed twice. The description is omitted because it is the same as the zoom in the radial inspection mode.

(10) Radial direction button Switches the display direction of the radial image. The description is omitted because it is the same as the radial direction button in the radial inspection mode.

(11) Average image button Displays the image selected by the image selector and the previous average image. Press once to display the average image. Press again to return to the display of the image selected by the image selector.

At this time, an image is displayed according to the following equation. I (Disp) = (I (n) + K * (n-1)) / (1
+ K) I (Disp): display image I (n): image selected by image selector I (n-1): immediately before image selected by image selector K: weighting coefficient (0.1 to 1.0) Note that the weighting coefficient K is set to “RAD” in the system setting mode.
IAL MODEOPTION ... ”(FIG. 38).

Next, the LCD of the device control panel 25 which received the helical review card display command in step S24 of FIG.
The helical review mode operated by the helical review card displayed on the display unit 33 will be described.

In the helical review mode, the ultrasonic image stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 for the helical inspection and the ultrasonic image recorded on the hard disk 19 for the helical inspection are mainly provided by the helical review card shown in FIG. Image processing can be performed on the image.

(1) Display button Switches display patterns of radial and linear images. Details of each display pattern are the same as in the helical inspection mode.

(2) Contrast Adjustment Slider The contrast of the ultrasonic image is adjusted. Same as radial review mode.

(3) Gain adjustment slider Adjusts the brightness of the ultrasonic image. Same as radial review mode.

(4) Linear direction button Switches the display direction of the linear image. Same as helical inspection mode.

(5) Radial direction button Switches the display direction of the radial image. Same as helical inspection mode.

(6) Image rotation dial Rotates a radial image and a linear image simultaneously. Same as radial inspection mode.

(7) Image selection slider One of a plurality of ultrasonic images stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is selected. Same as image selection slider in helical inspection mode.

(8) Multi-display button A list of ultrasonic images stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is displayed. Same as multi display in radial inspection mode.

(9) Pseudo-color button Selects whether to display an ultrasonic image in monochrome or pseudo-color. Same as radial review mode.

In step S23 of FIG.
In this embodiment, the CPU 13 shifts the processing to step S31 in FIG. 5 and receives information other than “the helical review card tab is pressed” from the “Save button” of each tool button shown in FIG. (Save), “Load button (Load)” or “Shutdown button” is detected.

That is, when information other than “the helical review card tab has been pressed” is received from the device control panel 25 in step S23 of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG.
, The "Save button (S
ave), “Load button (Load)” or “Shutdown button”, or whether the common button “Freeze button (Freez)” or “Record button (Rec)” is pressed.

More specifically, when receiving information other than “helical review card tab pressed” from the device control panel 25, the CPU 13 determines whether the information received from the device control panel 25 in step S31 of FIG. Button (Save) is pressed "information, and the" Save button (Sa
If "ve) is pressed" information, a save tool control display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25 in step S32, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 3, and the "save button (Save)" is displayed.
If the information is not “pressed”, the process proceeds to step S33.

In the step S33, it is determined whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 is "load button (Load) pressed" information.
Is "pressed" information, a load tool control display command is transmitted to the device control panel 25 in step S34, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 3. If it is not "load button (Load) pressed" information, it is not. Proceed to step S35.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 is "shutdown button pressed" information. If the information is "shutdown button pressed" information, in step S36 the shutdown tool control display The command is transmitted to the device control panel 25, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 3, and if it is not the information that "the shutdown button has been pressed", the process proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, it is determined whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 is the information that "the freeze button (Freez) has been pressed".
ez) is “pressed” information.
The process proceeds to 51 (described with reference to FIG. 6), and if the information is not “freeze button (Freez) pressed” information, the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S38, it is determined whether or not the information received from the device control panel 25 is the information that the "record button (Rec) has been pressed". Returning to step S3, if the information is "record button (Rec) pressed", the process proceeds to step S71 (described in FIG. 7) described later.

For example, if an attempt is made to display the operation object on each card, an LCD display unit 33 having a larger area is required, which leads to an increase in cost. This implements a tool that summarizes the common functions of each card without causing an increase and without impairing operability.

Next, the save tool control operated by the save tool dialog shown in FIG. 49 displayed on the LCD display section 33 of the device control panel 25 which has received the save tool control display command in step S32 of FIG. 5 will be described. .

The save tool has a function of recording the ultrasonic image stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 in the second external storage device 20 composed of a magneto-optical disk or the like. This function is effective as a means for moving an ultrasonic image when the PC is used in a personal computer, or as an emergency recording means when the capacity of the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 becomes insufficient.

Here, the save tool dialog (FIG. 4)
Each object of 9) will be described.

(1) File list The currently used second external storage device (magneto-optical disk)
The files stored in the file 20 are displayed. The directory is displayed sandwiched between <>, and when the selected (highlighted) directory is touched again, the directory can be moved to that directory. The parent directory is indicated by <...>. Press the ▲, ▼ buttons to scroll through the list.

(2) "CHANGE ..." button (change of file name) Used to change the file name displayed in the file name field. When the "CHANGE ..." button is pressed, a "file name input dialog" as shown in FIG. 50 is displayed. Touch the buttons of the virtual keyboard to change the displayed file name. When the “OK” button is pressed, the changed file name is determined, and the screen returns to the save tool dialog (FIG. 49). When the “CANCEL” button is pressed, the file name returns to the save tool dialog (FIG. 49) before being changed.

(3) “EUS Type” setting (SE
T, SINGLE button) Sets whether to record ultrasonic images one by one or in units of 17 image data storage devices (image memories). "S
When the "ET" button is selected, one set of the ultrasonic images recorded in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is recorded. When the "SINGLE" button is selected, only the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor is recorded.

(4) “Image Type” setting (EU-IP, BMP button) The image data format is set. When the “EU-IP” button is selected, an ultrasonic image is recorded in the EU-IP sound ray data format. When the “BMP” button is selected, an ultrasonic image is recorded in a bitmap format usable on a personal computer or the like.

(5) "Save" button When the "Save" button is pressed, the save tool dialog is closed after the recording to the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 is completed, and the save tool ends.

(6) "Cancel" button When the "Cancel" button is pressed, the save tool dialog is closed without recording on the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20, and the save tool ends.

Next, the save tool control operated by the save tool dialog will be specifically described.

(A) Procedure for recording an ultrasonic image on the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 using the save tool 1) Transfer the magneto-optical disk to the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 insert.

2) When the save button shown in FIG. 51 (a diagram showing the arrangement of the tool buttons on the radial inspection card (FIG. 12)) on the LCD display unit 33 is pressed, a save dialog shown in FIG. 49 is displayed.

In the save dialog, the directory and file name recorded in the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 are displayed in the file list field. The file name field displays a file name automatically generated by the apparatus.

3) Operate the file list to move to the directory to be recorded.

4) To change the file name, use “Ch
Press the "ange" button to change the file name. If there is a file you want to overwrite in the file list, touch that line to select it. The selected line is highlighted.
Also, the file name of the selected line is displayed in the file name field, and if the following 5) is executed as it is, the ultrasonic image data is overwritten on the selected file.

5) When the "SAVE" button is pressed, recording on the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 is started.

Next, the load tool control operated by the patient selection dialog shown in FIG. 52 displayed on the LCD display unit 33 of the device control panel 25 which has received the load tool control display command in step S34 of FIG. 5 will be described. .

The load tool reads an ultrasonic image recorded in the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 or an ultrasonic image recorded in the second external storage device 20 composed of a magneto-optical disk or the like, and reads the ultrasonic image. This function is displayed on the image quality monitor 24.

Here, each object of the patient selection dialog (FIG. 52) will be described.

(1) “HDD” and “MO” buttons Designate the image reproduction source (the source from which ultrasonic image data is read).

When "HDD" is selected, an ultrasonic image recorded in the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 is reproduced. Also. When "MO" is selected, an ultrasonic image recorded in the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 is reproduced by a save tool or the like.

(2) Patient / Image List When the “HDD” button is selected, the patient I registered in the first external storage device (hard disk) 19
Display D. When the “MO” button is selected, the ultrasonic image file name and directory recorded in the second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 20 are displayed. Touch one line in the list and select it. The selected line is highlighted. The list can be scrolled by scroll buttons (▲, ▼) beside the list.

The directory is displayed sandwiched between <> (when the “MO” button is selected), and when the selected (highlighted) directory is touched again, the directory is moved to that directory. can do. (When the "MO" button is selected) Displayed in parent directory <...>.

When a patient ID is selected from the patient / image list and the "OK" button is pressed, an image selection dialog, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. 53 is displayed.

(3) “NAME”, “ID”, “REC”
"ENT" button The patient list can be sorted. When "NAME" is selected, a list is displayed in the order of ABC of patient names. "I
When "D" is selected, a list is displayed in the order of ABC of the patient ID. When "RECENT" is selected, the list is displayed in the order of the latest inspection date. It cannot be used when the “MO” button is selected.

(4) “CANCEL” button Closes the patient selection dialog and ends the load tool.

(5) "OK" button When the "HDD" button is selected, a patient selection dialog is opened. When the “MO” button is selected, an ultrasonic image is reproduced.

Here, each object of the image selection dialog (FIG. 53) displayed when the patient ID is selected from the patient / image list and the "OK" button is pressed will be described.

(1) Examination Date List A list of examination date information included in the patient selected in the patient / image list of the patient selection dialog is displayed. Touch one line in the list and select it. The selected line is highlighted. The list can be scrolled by the scroll buttons (▲, ▼) beside the list.

(2) Image list A list of images included in the inspection date selected in the inspection date list is displayed. Touch one line in the list and select it. The selected line is highlighted. The list can be scrolled by the scroll buttons (▲, ▼) beside the list.

The file name displayed in the image list has the following rules depending on the type of the image.

"R_hhmmss_XXXX": SINGLE in radial inspection or radial review mode
Recorded image. "Hhmmss" represents the recorded hours, minutes and seconds. -"XXXX" is a number automatically assigned by the device. OO
It is attached in the range of OO to ZZZZ.

“Rs_hhmmss_XXXX”: An image recorded by SET in radial inspection or radial review mode. "Hhmmss" represents the recorded hours, minutes and seconds. -"XXXX" is a number automatically assigned by the device. OO
It is attached in the range of OO to ZZZZ.

“Hs_hhmmss_XXXX”: Image recorded by helical inspection or helical review. "Hhmmss" represents the recorded hours, minutes and seconds. -"XXXX" is a number automatically assigned by the device. OO
It is attached in the range of OO to ZZZZ.

• SI in radial inspection and review mode
The selection of NGLE or SET recording can be made in Recording Option (see FIG. 34) in the system setting mode.

(3) “SET”, “SINGLE” button Switches the display method of the image list. When "SET" is selected, a radial image and a helical image are displayed in a set unit. When "SINGLE" is selected, all images are displayed.

(4) “CANCEL” button Closes the image selection dialog and returns to the patient selection dialog.

(5) "LOAD" button Plays the image selected in the image list.

Next, the control of the load tool operated on the patient selection dialog will be described in detail.

(A) Procedure for reproducing an ultrasonic image from the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 using a load tool 1) Pressing a load tool button on the LCD display unit 33 causes a patient selection dialog (FIG. 52) is displayed. First, the “HDD” button is selected, and a list of patient IDs registered in the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 is displayed (in the examination reservation mode, patient IDs that have previously reserved examinations) Is displayed here).

2) When the patient ID is selected from the patient / image list and the "OK" button is pressed, an image selection dialog (see FIG. 53) is displayed.

3) When an inspection date is selected from the inspection date list in the image selection dialog (FIG. 53), the ultrasonic image file names included in the inspection date are displayed in the image list.

4) When an ultrasonic image file to be reproduced is selected from the image list of the image selection dialog (FIG. 53) and the "LOAD" button is pressed, the selected ultrasonic image is reproduced. If another ultrasonic image is selected from the image list and the “LOAD” button is pressed, the other ultrasonic image can be reproduced as it is.

(B) Procedure for reproducing an ultrasonic image from the second external storage device 20 using a load tool 1) A magneto-optical disk on which an ultrasonic image is recorded by a save tool or the like is stored in the second external storage device. Insert into 20.

[0220] 2. When the load tool button on the LCD display unit 33 is pressed, a patient selection dialog (FIG. 52) is displayed.

3) When the "MO" button is pressed, the ultrasonic image file name recorded on the magneto-optical disk is displayed in the patient / image list.

4) Select an ultrasonic image file to be reproduced from the patient / image list and press the "OK" button to reproduce the selected ultrasonic image. If another ultrasonic image is selected from the patient / image list and the "OK" button is pressed, the other ultrasonic image can be reproduced as it is.

(C) End of load tool When the “Cancel” button is pressed on the patient selection dialog, the load tool ends.

Next, the LC of the device control panel 25 which received the shutdown tool control display command in step S36 of FIG.
The shutdown tool control operated by the shutdown dialog shown in FIG. 54 displayed on the D display unit 33 will be described.

In the shutdown tool, when the user presses the shutdown button at the right end of the tool button, the CPU 13 enters a shutdown sequence. In the shutdown sequence, the slider value set by the system setting card (FIG. 34) or the pre-process (FIGS. 29 and 30) is recorded in the first external storage device (hard disk) 19, and the same setting is made the next time the power is turned on. To be.

Specifically, 1) When the shutdown button is pressed, a shutdown dialog as shown in FIG. 54 is displayed on the LCD display section 33.

2) "OK" in the shutdown dialog
When the button is pressed, a message dialog as shown in FIG. 55 is displayed to notify that the main power switch may be turned off.

During the above 1) and 2), the CPU 13 operates the system setting card (FIG. 34) and the preprocess (FIG. 29,
The slider value set in step 30) is recorded in the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 so that the same value is set the next time the power is turned on. Record to.

3) In the shutdown dialog, "CAN"
When the “CEL” button is pressed, the state returns to the state immediately before the “Shutdown” button was pressed.

Next, the operation when the "REC" button and the "FREEZE" button which are common buttons are pressed will be described.

First, in step S37 of FIG. 5, when information indicating that the "freeze button (Freez) has been pressed" is received from the device control panel 25, as shown in FIG.
At 51, the CPU 13 determines whether or not it is currently frozen (stopping the capture of the ultrasonic image). If the freeze is being released (the ultrasonic image is being captured), the process proceeds to step S52. If the freeze is being performed, the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S52, the CPU 13 transmits an "image capturing stop command" to the system controller 12 of the ultrasonic observation unit to stop capturing the ultrasonic image, and returns to step S3 in FIG.

At step S53, it is determined whether or not the current mode is the helical inspection mode. If the mode is the helical inspection mode (if controlled by the helical inspection card display in FIG. 20), the process proceeds to step S54; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S55.

In step S54, observation range data, stroke data, pitch data, HiQuality or Standard code data set by the user using the range button, stroke button, pitch button, and image quality button of the helical inspection card are transmitted to the system controller 12. . Further, the process proceeds to step S57, and the “image capture start command” is issued to the system controller 12.
To start capturing ultrasonic images.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S53 that the current mode is not the helical inspection mode, the flow advances to step S55 to determine whether or not the current mode is the radial inspection mode. If not in the radial inspection mode, the process returns to step S3 in FIG.
If in the radial inspection mode (if controlled by the radial inspection card display of FIG. 12), the process proceeds to step S56.

In step S56, the observation range data set by the user using the range button and the image quality button on the radial inspection card, HiQuality or Stand
The ard code data is transmitted to the system controller 12, and the process further proceeds to step S57 to start capturing an image.

In step S57, the CPU 13 which transmitted the “image capture start command” to the system controller 12
Receives the reply code from the system controller 12 in step S58. If the reply code is “OK”, the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 3 because the ultrasonic observation unit 2 is operating normally, but if the reply code is “NG”,
In order to notify the user that an abnormality has occurred and the ultrasonic image has not been captured, the process proceeds to step S59 to display an error occurrence, and then proceeds to step S60.

In step S59, the CPU 13 communicates with the CPU 30 of the device control panel 25 to display an error on the LCD display unit 33 as shown in FIG. At this time, the CPU 13 can also control the frame buffer 22 to perform a similar error display on the high image quality monitor 24.

In step S60, the O displayed on the LCD display unit 33 together with the error display shown in FIG.
It detects whether the user has pressed the K button. When the user presses the “OK” button, first, the C
The PU 30 detects this. Then, the CPU 30 of the device control panel 25 communicates that "the OK button has been pressed".
Is notified to the CPU 13 and "the OK button is pressed".
Is notified, the CPU 13 of the device control panel 25
30 and communicate with the frame buffer 22 to control the LC
The error display on the D display unit 33 and the high image quality monitor 24 is canceled, and the process proceeds to step S52. After transmitting the “image capture stop command” to the ultrasonic observation unit 2 in step S52, the process returns to step S3 in FIG.

In the present embodiment, returning to step S52 after the error display and transmitting the “image capturing stop command” to the ultrasonic observation unit 2 is performed when the image capturing operation is continued in an abnormal state. There is a possibility that another abnormality may occur in the ultrasonic observation unit 2 due to the cause, and the “image capturing stop instruction” is transmitted for safety.

In the present embodiment, step S
If “No” is determined in step 55, step S3 in FIG.
In order to return to the above, in the examination reservation mode and the system setting mode, the image capture / stop cannot be controlled by the Freeze button. However, this is for the sake of simplicity of the explanation. The CPU 13 determines whether the radial inspection mode has been used or the helical inspection mode has been used before the system setting mode is used.
14, and based on the information, step S54
Alternatively, the control in step S56 can be performed.

According to this operation flowchart, the user can operate the capture / stop of the ultrasonic image by using the “FREEZE” button.

Next, in step S38 in FIG. 5, when the information "record button (REC) is pressed" is received from the device control panel 25, as shown in FIG.
U13 indicates whether the current mode is the radial inspection or review mode (the radial inspection card display in FIG.
Is controlled by the radial review card display of the above). If the mode is the radial inspection or review mode, the process proceeds to step S72; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S73.
Proceed to.

In step S72, "RECORD OPTION" in the system setting mode (FIGS. 34 and 37)
RECORD SINGLE IMAGE ”
Is set, or "RECORD IMAGE S
ET ”is set.

In the step S72, “RECORD
SINGLE IMAGE ", step S74
Go to step S7 to set the file name as follows
Go to 7.

“R_hhmmss_XXXX”: SINGLE in radial inspection or radial review mode
Recorded image. "Hhmmss" represents the recorded hours, minutes and seconds. -"XXXX" is a number automatically assigned by the device. OO
It is attached in the range of OO to ZZZZ.

In step S72, "REC
In the case of "ORD SINGLE IMAGE", the process proceeds to step S75, the file name is set as follows, and the process proceeds to step S77.

“Rs_hhmmss_XXXX”: An image recorded by SET in radial inspection or radial review mode. "Hhmmss" represents the recorded hours, minutes and seconds. -"XXXX" is a number automatically assigned by the device. OO
It is attached in the range of OO to ZZZZ.

On the other hand, in the step S73, the CPU 13
Determines whether the current mode is the helical inspection or review mode (is controlled by the helical inspection card display of FIG. 20 or the helical review card display of FIG. 48). If the mode is the helical inspection or review mode, the process proceeds to step S76; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG.
Return to

In step S76, the CPU 13 sets a file name as follows.

“Hs_hhmmss_XXXX”: Image recorded by helical inspection or helical review. "Hhmmss" represents the recorded hours, minutes and seconds. -"XXXX" is a number automatically assigned by the device. OO
It is attached in the range of OO to ZZZZ.

Then, steps S76 and S7
4. The CPU 13 that has set the file name of the ultrasonic image data to be recorded in step S75,
In step S77, the ultrasonic image data recorded in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is transferred to the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 for recording, and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. .

In the present embodiment, step S
If “No” is determined in 73, step S3 in FIG.
In order to return to the above, in the examination reservation mode and the system setting mode, an image cannot be recorded by the recording button. However, this is for the purpose of simplifying the explanation, and actually, the examination reservation mode and the system Whether the radial inspection mode (or review mode) was used before the setting mode was used, or whether the helical inspection mode (or review mode) was used or not.
3 is stored in the main storage device (main memory) 14, and control of step S76, step S74 or step S75 can be performed based on the information.

According to the operation flowchart, the user can operate the recording of the ultrasonic image by the recording button.

(Effect) As described above, in the present embodiment, the control of the CPU 13 of the image processing unit 3 causes the device control panel 25
The LCD display unit 33 displays various cards and tools including a plurality of operation objects such as buttons,
Since various controls can be performed only by operating the touch panel provided on the display unit 33, cost reduction and downsizing of the device can be achieved, and operability can be further improved.

FIGS. 57 to 59 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing the flow of the recording control of the CPU of the image processing section. FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing the superposition recorded by the processing of FIG. Diagram showing the structure of a sound image file,
FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of loading the ultrasound image file recorded by the process of FIG.

Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

First, the operation of this embodiment when the recording button is pressed will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 57, the steps before steps S71 to S76 are the same as those in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, and in the present embodiment, in step S81, the CPU 13 (Described in FIG. 58, Table 4) is set, stored in the main storage device (main memory) 14, and the process proceeds to step S82.

In step S82, the image header information stored in the main storage device (main memory) 14 is transferred to the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 and recorded, and the flow advances to step S83.

In step S83, following step S82, the ultrasonic image data stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 is transferred to the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 for recording.
Is completed, the process returns to step S3 in FIG.

Therefore, the ultrasonic image file recorded by the processing of FIG. 57 has a structure as shown in FIG. That is, the first few bytes are composed of an image header, and the part after the image header is composed of sound ray data of an ultrasonic image. The sound ray data has a size of 512 × 512 (bytes) in the image quality mode = “Normal” and 1024 × 512 (bytes) in the image quality mode = “HQ”.

Table 4 shows the structure of the image header.

[0264]

[Table 4] Brief description of each data: ・ Sound ray data width → image quality mode = 5 in “Normal”
12, 1024 is set in the image quality mode = “HQ”.

• Sound ray data height → always 512 • Recording time (second, minute, hour, day, month, year, day of the week) → set the time when the recording button was pressed.

The patient ID, the patient's name, the patient's date of birth, the patient's age, and the patient's gender → set the data set in the examination reservation mode.

Range → Set data set in radial inspection or helical inspection.

Stroke, pitch → Set data set in helical inspection.

Scan frequency → In FIG. 1, information on the ultrasonic frequency corresponding to the attached ultrasonic probe, which is detected by communication with the system controller 12, is set.

Operation mode → When the record button is executed, radial inspection, helical inspection, radial review,
Set information on which mode of helical review was controlled.

Next, the operation of this embodiment when an image is reproduced by the Load tool will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 59, in a step S91, it is determined whether or not “Load” is executed by the load tool. If "Load" is executed, step S
Proceed to step 102, otherwise proceed to step S92.

If "Load" is executed in step S91, the CPU 13 stores the image header portion of the ultrasonic image file read out in step S102 in the main storage device (main memory) 14, and proceeds to step S103. In step S103, the ultrasound image data portion of the read ultrasound image file is stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17, and the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the image data storage device (image memory) 17, the polar coordinate conversion unit 16, the frame buffer 2
2 is executed to reproduce the ultrasonic image, and the flow returns to step S91 to determine whether “Load” has been executed.

In step S92, it is determined whether or not "Cancel", that is, the end of the Load tool is selected. If “Cancel” has not been selected, the process returns to step S91 again, and if “Cancel” has been selected, the process proceeds to step S93, where the CPU 13 communicates with the CPU 30 of the device control panel 25 and ends the load tool. Then, the process proceeds to step S94.

In step S94, the CPU 13 reads out the operation mode information of the image header information (stored in step S102) of the currently reproduced ultrasonic image from the main storage device (main memory) 14 and proceeds to step S9.
Go to 5.

In step S95, it is determined whether or not the read operation mode is the radial inspection mode. If it is the radial inspection mode, the flow advances to step S99 to execute a radial inspection card display command. If not, the flow advances to step S96 to determine whether or not the read operation mode is the helical inspection mode.

If it is determined in step S96 that the mode is the helical inspection mode, the flow advances to step S100 to issue a helical inspection card display command. If not, the flow advances to step S97. In step S97, it is determined whether the read operation mode is the radial review mode. If the mode is the radial review mode, the flow advances to step S101 to execute a radial review card display instruction; otherwise, the flow advances to step S98 to execute a helical review card display instruction.

Steps S99 and S10
0, in steps S101 and S98, the CP
U13 operates the CP of the device control panel 25 so that the control card of the determined operation mode is displayed on the LCD display unit 33.
It communicates with U30. That is, in step S99, L
A radial inspection card (see FIG. 12) is displayed on the CD display unit 33, a helical inspection card (see FIG. 20) is displayed in step S100, a radial review card (see FIG. 45) is displayed in step S101, and a step S98 is performed. A Rical Review Card (see FIG. 48) is displayed. When the communication with the CPU 30 of the device control panel 25 ends, the CPU 13 ends the reproduction operation processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when an image is reproduced,
It is possible to determine the operation mode when the read image is recorded, and to automatically transition to that mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the operation mode information is recorded together with the ultrasonic image data at the time of recording, and the operation mode information is read together with the ultrasonic image data at the time of reproduction. Then, the CPU 13 automatically controls the LCD display unit 33 of the control panel 21 (for example, when recording is performed in the radial inspection mode, the LCD display unit 33 is controlled to display the display of FIG. 12). Operability can be remarkably improved.

FIGS. 60 to 66 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 60 is a view showing a system setting card, and FIG.
FIG. 62 is a view showing the display of the inspection mode control unit when “RMODE ON” is set.
FIG. 63 is a diagram showing a linear inspection card displayed by the inspection mode control unit shown in FIG. 61, and FIG. 64 is a simplified radial image table based on the linear inspection card shown in FIG. 63. FIG. 65 is a diagram showing a linear image display example by the linear inspection card of FIG. 63, and FIG. 66 is a diagram showing a linear review card by the review mode control unit display of FIG. 62.

Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0283] Depending on the user (doctor), not all of the radial inspection, the radial review, the helical inspection, the helical review, the linear inspection, and the linear review are used depending on the use of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Some users do not use the linear inspection and linear review modes. Therefore, when the control panel is configured by mechanical switches or the like as in the related art, a user who does not use the linear inspection and the linear review becomes a difficult-to-use control panel in which many operation switches and the like are not used. Also, manufacturing two types of control panels for users who use linear inspection and linear review and those who do not use linear inspection and linear review increases costs.

Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to add the linear inspection mode and the linear review mode by setting the system setting mode, and to increase the cost by configuring the cards in these modes by the LCD display. It realizes a convenient ultrasound diagnostic apparatus without inviting.

In this embodiment, whether or not to add the linear inspection and the linear review mode can be set by the SYSTEM setting. However, by slightly changing the configuration of the system setting mode, the radial inspection and the radial review can be set. It is also possible to freely select the mode to be used among the review, the helical inspection, the helical review, the linear inspection, and the linear review by a system setting.

As shown in FIG. 60, the system setting card according to the present embodiment is similar to the system setting card according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.
An "ON / OFF" button has been added. "LINER
Press the MODE ON / OFF button once
The state is changed to the "N" state, and when the button is pressed again, a toggle operation to the "OFF" state is performed.

[LINEER MODE ON / OFF]
When the button is set to the “ON” state, the display of the inspection mode control unit is as shown in FIG. That is, "Helical
A “Liner Exam” tab is displayed between the “Exam” tab and the “Preprocess” tab, and a “linear inspection card” can be selected.

Also, a basic mode change button (MODE)
When the is pressed, the display of the review mode control unit is as shown in FIG. 62, and "H. (Helical) Review" is displayed.
An “L. (Liner) Review” tab is displayed on the right side of the tab, and a “linear review card” (FIG. 66) can be selected.

The linear inspection mode operated by the linear inspection card as shown in FIG. 63 by the “Liner Exam” tab is that the ultrasonic transducer attached to the tip of the ultrasonic probe 4 is rotated without being driven to rotate. Receives echo signals only by scanning linearly in the axial direction of the axis,
Cross-sectional image perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the ultrasonic transducer (linear image)
This is a mode in which only the image data is obtained and displayed on the high image quality monitor 24.

Here, each object (FIG. 63) of the linear inspection card will be described.

(1) Range button Switches the display range of the linear image. 1, 2, 4,
Any one of the buttons of 6, 9, and 12 cm can be selected.

(2) Display button When this button is pressed, the radial and linear image display patterns displayed on the high-quality monitor 24 are displayed in a simple radial mode display (FIG. 64) and a linear mode display (FIG. 65).
Switch to

(3) Stroke button Switches the helical scan stroke length. Thereby, the moving distance of the ultrasonic transducer in the rotation axis direction can be set. Any one of 15, 20, 30, and 40 mm buttons can be selected.

(4) Pitch button Switches the pitch in the linear direction for obtaining sound ray data.
Any one of the buttons of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.25 mm can be selected.

(5) Image quality button This is the same as the image quality button on the radial inspection card (FIG. 12) of the first embodiment.

(6) Stroke mode button A mode in which a linear image is fetched only for one stroke and automatically frozen (“AutoStop” = On)
, A mode (“AutoStop” = Off) in which the linear image is continuously captured for any number of strokes can be selected. When pressed once, “AutoStop” = On, and when pressed again, “AutoStop” = Off.

(7) Linear Direction Button The display direction of the linear image is switched. It is possible to switch between displaying the probe tip side of the linear image rightward or leftward. When the display direction of the linear image is switched, the probe insertion direction marker display on the CRT screen display is switched.

(8) Image rotation dial This button can be used only when the simple radial display is selected by the display button. Fig. 6 in the simple radial mode
When the radial image is displayed on the high image quality monitor 24 as shown in FIG. 4, it is used to adjust the region of interest to the linear cutting position. The operation method is the same as the image rotation dial of the radial inspection card (FIG. 12) of the first embodiment.

Next, an operation procedure of the linear inspection will be described.

(1) When the simple radial display of the display button is selected and the freeze is released by the “Freeze” button, the radial image is displayed as shown in FIG.

(2) Using the image rotation dial, operation is performed so that the region of interest matches the linear cutting position.

(3) When the linear display of the display button is selected, the ultrasonic transducer attached to the tip of the ultrasonic probe 4 starts linear scanning to acquire a linear image, and the high-quality monitor 24 displays the image. 65, the obtained linear image is displayed.

Next, each object of the linear review card will be described with reference to FIG.

The linear review mode operated by the linear review card means that the ultrasonic image stored in the image data storage device (image memory) 17 in the linear inspection and the first external storage device (hard disk) 19 in the linear inspection are recorded. Image processing can be performed on the obtained ultrasonic image.

(1) Contrast adjustment slider Adjusts the contrast of an ultrasonic image. This is similar to the radial review mode (see FIG. 46).

(2) Gain adjustment slider Adjusts the brightness of the ultrasonic image. This is the same as in the radial review mode (see FIG. 47).

(3) Linear direction button Switches the display direction of the linear image.

(4) Pseudo Color Button This is the same as the radial review mode for selecting whether to display an ultrasonic image in monochrome or pseudo color (see FIG. 45).

(5) Edge enhancement button The edge of the ultrasonic image is enhanced.

1) OFF: Edge enhancement is emphasized.

2) 1: Edge enhancement weak 3) 2: Edge enhancement strong As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the linear inspection mode and the linear review mode are set by the system setting. In comparison with the helical inspection mode, the linear inspection mode does not perform the radial rotation of the ultrasonic transducer,
When only a linear image is to be collected, there is an advantage that the inspection time is short.

[Supplementary Notes] (Supplementary note 1) Ultrasound for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to a living body, performing three-dimensional scanning, and displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image of the inside of the living body using the obtained echo data of the three-dimensional region. In a diagnostic device, based on patient data, an inspection unit that performs transmission and reception of the echo data to acquire an ultrasonic image and perform an inspection,
Review means for performing image processing on the ultrasonic image obtained by the inspection means, and control contents for controlling the inspection means and the review means are displayed, and an instruction signal corresponding to the control contents is inputted by a touch panel. Control instruction display means for performing a plurality of first operation mode control displays in the processing by the inspection means, and displays a plurality of second operation mode control displays in the processing by the review means. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus characterized by performing.

(Additional Item 2) The plurality of first operation mode control displays include at least an examination reservation control display for registering the patient data in the examination means, and transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves to / from the living body by radial scanning. A radial inspection control display for controlling a radial inspection to be performed, a helical control display for controlling a helical inspection for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the living body by helical scanning, and a preprocess control display for registering image quality setting data of the ultrasonic image And a first system setting control display for registering system data in the inspection means, wherein the plurality of second operation mode control displays are at least for the ultrasonic image obtained by the radial inspection. Radial review control display performing image processing control, and the ultrasonic image obtained by the helical inspection 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a helical review control display for controlling image processing of the image data, and a second system setting control display for registering system data in the review means. .

(Additional Item 3) An image storage / reproduction means for recording and reproducing the ultrasonic image is provided, and the control instruction display means is a tool having control contents which can be commonly used in processing by the inspection means and the review means. Performing a display, wherein the tool display has at least a save control display unit for instructing the image storage / reproduction unit to record an image, and a load control display unit for instructing the image storage / reproduction unit to reproduce an image. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

(Additional Item 4) A control means for controlling the image storage / reproduction means, wherein the control means transmits the operation mode data in the first operation mode control display and the operation mode data in the first operation mode control display to the ultrasonic wave With the image, stored in the image storage and reproduction means, and, when reproducing the ultrasonic image stored in the image storage and reproduction means, the operation mode data is determined, based on the determined operation mode data, 3. The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic image is reproduced.

(Supplementary note 5) The plurality of first operation mode control displays include a linear test control display for controlling a linear test for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the living body by linear scanning, and the plurality of first operation mode control displays. 2. The ultrasonic image diagnosis according to claim 2, wherein the operation mode control display of No. 2 has a linear review control display for controlling image processing on the ultrasonic image obtained by the linear inspection. apparatus.

[0317]

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus of the present invention, the control instruction display means for inputting an instruction signal corresponding to the control content by the touch panel is provided by the inspection means. Perform operation mode control display,
Since a plurality of second operation mode control displays are performed in the processing by the review means, there is an effect that the cost can be reduced and the device can be downsized, and the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a device control panel of the image processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a first flowchart showing a control flow of a CPU of the image processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a second flowchart showing the flow of control by the CPU of the image processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a third flowchart showing the control flow of the CPU of the image processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fourth flowchart showing the control flow of the CPU of the image processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fifth flowchart showing the flow of control by the CPU of the image processing unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an inspection mode control unit display in the processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display of a review mode control unit in the process of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an inspection reservation card in the processing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a patient information registration dialog using the examination appointment card of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a radial inspection card in the processing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of the radial inspection card shown in FIG. 12 using a multi-display button.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a second display example of the radial inspection card shown in FIG. 12 using the multi-display button.

15 is a diagram showing a display example on a high-quality monitor by a zoom button of the radial inspection card in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of a radial direction button of the radial inspection card in FIG. 12;

17 is a diagram showing a display pattern by a sub-screen button and an image switching button of the radial inspection card in FIG.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of an image rotation dial of the radial inspection card of FIG.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of an image selection slider of the radial inspection card in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a helical inspection card in the processing of FIG. 4;

21 is an enlarged view of a display button of the helical inspection card in FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a dual screen display by a dual display button of the display buttons of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a combination display by a combination display button of the display buttons of FIG. 21;

24 is a diagram showing a linear priority display by a linear priority display button of the display buttons of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a view showing a radial priority display by a radial priority display button of the display button in FIG. 21;

26 is a view showing the relationship between an image selection slider and a display image in the combination display of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of an image selection slider of the helical inspection card of FIG. 20;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing switching of an image selection slider by a linear direction button of the helical inspection card of FIG. 20;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a pre-process card when the range in the processing of FIG. 4 is 3 cm or more.

FIG. 30 is a view showing a pre-process card when the range in the processing of FIG. 4 is 2 cm or less.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of an STC adjustment slider of the preprocess card of FIG. 29 or 30.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of a contrast adjustment slider of the preprocess card of FIG. 29 or 30.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of a gain adjustment slider of the preprocess card of FIG. 29 or 30.

FIG. 34 is a view showing a system setting card in the processing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 35 is a view showing a system clock setting dialogue by the system setting card of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a view showing a hospital name setting dialogue by the system setting card of FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a recording setting dialog by the system setting card of FIG. 34;

FIG. 38 is a view showing a radial setting dialog by the system setting card of FIG. 34;

FIG. 39 is a view showing a change in the range button display of the radial setting dialog of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a view showing a helical setting dialogue by the system setting card of FIG. 34;

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a change in display of a stroke button in the helical setting dialog of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a view showing a change in pitch button display in the helical setting dialog of FIG. 40;

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing correspondence between pitch buttons in the helical setting dialog in FIG. 40 and the helical inspection mode;

FIG. 44 is a view showing a pseudo color option dialog by the system setting card of FIG. 34;

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a radial review card in the processing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of a contrast adjustment slider of the radial review card of FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of a gain adjustment slider of the radial review card of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a view showing a helical review card in the processing of FIG. 4;

FIG. 49 is a view showing a save tool dialog in the processing of FIG. 5;

50 is a diagram showing a file name input dialog by the save tool dialog of FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing the arrangement of tool buttons on the radial inspection card in FIG. 12;

FIG. 52 is a view showing a patient selection dialog as a load tool in the processing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing an image selection dialog by the patient selection dialog of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a view showing a shutdown dialog in the processing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 55 shows a message dialog by the shutdown dialog of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a view showing an example of an error display in the processing of FIG. 7;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing the flow of recording control by the CPU of the image processing unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 58 is a view showing the structure of an ultrasonic image file recorded by the processing of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for loading an ultrasonic image file recorded by the processing of FIG. 57;

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing a system setting card according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 61 shows “LINER” in the system setting card of FIG.
The figure which shows the inspection mode control part display at the time of "MODE ON"

FIG. 62 shows “LINER” in the system setting card of FIG.
The figure which shows the review mode control part display at the time of "MODE ON"

FIG. 63 is a view showing a linear inspection card displayed by the inspection mode control unit in FIG. 61;

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing a simple radial image display example using the linear inspection card in FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a view showing a linear image display example by the linear inspection card in FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 is a view showing a linear review card displayed by the review mode control unit in FIG. 62;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 2 ... Ultrasonic observation part 3 ... Image processing part 4 ... Ultrasonic probe 5 ... Drive part 6 ... Transmission / reception part 7 ... A / D converter 8 ... Frame memory 9 ... DSC 10 ... D / A converter DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Monitor 12 ... System controller 13, 30 ... CPU 14 ... Main storage device (main memory) 15 ... Control part 16 ... Polar coordinate conversion part 17 ... Image data storage device (image memory) 18 ... Image processing processor 19 ... 1st external Storage device (hard disk) 20 Second external storage device (magneto-optical disk) 22 Frame buffer 23 D / A converter 24 High image quality monitor 25 Device control panel 26 a, 26 b Control communication unit 28 External signal source 29 ... image signal input unit 31 ... system bus 32 ... display control unit 33 ... LCD display unit 34 ... touch panel control unit 35 ... R OM 36… RAM

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a living body to perform three-dimensional scanning, and displaying an ultrasonic tomographic image of the inside of the living body using the obtained echo data of a three-dimensional region. Inspection means for transmitting and receiving the echo data to obtain an ultrasonic image for inspection, reviewing means for performing image processing on the ultrasonic image obtained by the inspection means, the inspection means, Control instruction display means for displaying control content for controlling the review means and inputting an instruction signal corresponding to the control content via a touch panel, wherein the control instruction display means comprises a plurality of first The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of second operation mode control displays are performed in the processing by the review unit.