JP2008212508A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of improving operability relating to a measurement operation. <P>SOLUTION: The screen display part 12 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 fixedly displays an ultrasonic image. A start key detection part 13 detects the operation of a start key 21 and reads setting information 16 from a storage part 15. A measurement menu processing part 9 displays a measurement menu, a measurement processing part 10 starts the execution of a measurement package, and a measured result processing part 11 displays a measured result column including a measurement part. A pointer is displayed together with the ultrasonic image and a measurement state is attained. An operation part 5 moves the pointer, a pointer position detection part 6 detects the position information of the pointer, and a pointer area determination part 7 judges which area the pointer is positioned in. On the basis of a determined result, a pointer shape determination part 8 determines the shape of the pointer and a switching part 19 switches a processing state. A settlement key detection part 18 detects the operation of a settlement key, and the measurement package and the measurement part are selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that captures and displays an ultrasound image. Specifically, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs measurement using an ultrasonic image.

  In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an examiner designates a measurement location on an acquired ultrasonic image using an input device such as a mouse or a trackball. Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus performs measurement calculation and displays the measurement result on the screen. For example, when the examiner designates one point or a plurality of points on the ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus measures a distance, an area, a volume, or calculates a measurement value in the region for the designated point.

There has also been proposed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that improves the operability by registering a measurement location and reading the registered measurement location at the next measurement (see, for example, [Patent Document 1]).
In addition, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been proposed in which a series of operation sequences is registered in advance, and the display mode and operation pattern are sequentially shifted based on the registered operation sequence every time the NEXT mode switch is operated (for example, [[ (See Patent Document 2]).
In addition, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been proposed in which measurement contents are registered in advance for each case, and the measurement contents are selected according to a designated case to perform measurement (see, for example, [Patent Document 3]).

JP 2001-314399 A JP 2000-325345 A JP 2000-254127 A

  In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an examiner performs measurement by operating a dedicated key, a touch panel, or a measurement menu. In the case of a dedicated key or touch panel, it is necessary to keep an eye on the ultrasonic image display screen in order to confirm the position of the dedicated key or the position on the touch panel. In the case of the measurement menu, it is necessary to select measurement contents and measurement locations before the measurement is started.

In addition, a measurement package is prepared for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The measurement package is configured for each purpose and application, and measurement contents and measurement locations are registered in advance. In measurement by a measurement package, there are a mode in which measurement contents and measurement locations are automatically selected sequentially and a mode in which measurement contents and measurement locations are selected each time.
Even in a mode in which measurement content and measurement location are automatically selected in sequence, measurement content and measurement location registered in advance depending on the subject and imaging conditions may become impossible to measure. When changing the measurement content and measurement location, an operation using a change key different from the measurement key is required.
Further, in the mode in which the measurement content and the measurement location are selected each time, an operation with a selection key different from the measurement key is required to select the measurement content and the measurement location. Moreover, when starting a different measurement package, it is necessary to start again from the beginning by operating the start key.

  In the techniques shown in [Patent Document 1] to [Patent Document 3], since a series of operation contents are registered in advance, when changing the measurement contents or measurement location, a change key or the like different from the measurement key is used. It is necessary to operate. In any case, there is a problem that the operation related to the change of measurement contents is complicated and the diagnosis efficiency is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of improving the operability related to the measurement operation.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention provides an ultrasonic probe that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a subject, and an ultrasonic image based on an ultrasonic reception signal output from the ultrasonic probe. In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an image configuration unit to be configured; a display device on which the configured ultrasound image is displayed; and a measurement unit that performs measurement based on the ultrasound image displayed on the display device. Display means for simultaneously displaying on the display screen of the display device a menu column indicating a list of items related to the ultrasonic image and the measurement and a pointer indicating a position on the display screen; and the ultrasonic image on the display screen; A pointer moving means for moving the pointer to and from the menu field; a position information acquiring means for acquiring position information of the pointer on the display screen; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising selecting means for selecting the processing condition, the.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention simultaneously displays an ultrasonic image, a menu column related to measurement, and a pointer on the display screen of the display device, and the pointer moves between the ultrasonic image and the menu column on the display screen. The position information on the display screen of the pointer is acquired, it is determined in which area on the display screen the pointer is located, and the processing state and the form of the pointer are selected and switched based on the determination result.

  When it is determined that the pointer is located in the region of the ultrasound image, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus sets the processing state as the measurement state in the ultrasound image, and when it is determined that the pointer is located in the region of the menu column, The processing state is set so that an item can be selected in the menu column. The pointer is, for example, an arrow-shaped pointer or a cross-shaped measurement caliper that can be operated by an operating device such as a trackball.

Further, a plurality of types of menu columns may be provided, and the area determination process and the process state switching process may be performed for each menu field. In addition, each item in the menu column may be hierarchized, and when the item in the menu column is selected by the pointer, the menu column in the lower hierarchy may be sequentially displayed so that the items in the menu column in the lower hierarchy can be selected. Examples of the types of menu columns include menu columns related to measurement packages, measurement locations, and measurement functions.
As a result, the processing state can be switched by merely moving the pointer on the screen without separately operating a change key or the like, so that the operability related to measurement can be improved. Further, by switching the shape and color of the pointer according to the processing state, the processing state can be grasped reliably in real time.

When an item is selected in the menu column, the pointer may be moved to another type of menu column or an ultrasonic image area.
Thereby, it is possible to immediately start the measurement process or perform the item selection process in another related menu field without largely moving the pointer after selecting the item in the menu field.

In addition, if the pointer moves from the ultrasound image area to the menu field area during measurement processing on the ultrasound image and returns to the ultrasound image area again, the current measurement is continued. Also good.
As a result, even if an item can be selected in the menu column in the middle of the measurement process, if no item is selected, the process can be continued from the middle of the measurement process again.

Further, when the pointer moves from the ultrasonic image area to the menu column area during the execution of the measurement process on the ultrasonic image, the processing state may not be switched.
Thereby, since the selection item of the menu column is not changed until the measurement process is completed, an erroneous operation can be prevented.

If the pointer moves from the ultrasound image area to the menu field area while the measurement location is specified by the pointer movement trajectory in the ultrasound image, the position where the pointer reaches the menu field or a position near it. As a final point of the movement locus, the movement locus may not be drawn in the area of the menu column.
In addition, when the measurement location is specified by the movement trajectory of the pointer in the ultrasonic image, the pointer moves from the ultrasonic image area to the menu field area and returns to the ultrasonic image area again. The drawn locus may be corrected. Alternatively, the pointer may be moved to the final point of the pointer movement locus.
Thereby, even if the measurement process is interrupted, the process can be continued from the middle of the measurement process again. Further, when the measurement process is resumed, the influence of the interruption of the measurement process can be reduced by correcting the movement locus and moving the pointer position to the final point.

In addition, if the pointer moves from the ultrasound image area to the menu field area during measurement processing on the ultrasound image and an item is selected in the menu field, the current measurement process may be stopped. .
Thus, by performing item selection in the menu column in the middle of the measurement process, the measurement process being executed can be stopped and the measurement package and measurement location can be changed.

Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may hold setting information relating to measurement and select a predetermined item from the menu column in advance based on the setting information read from the storage unit at the start of operation.
As a result, the measurement process can be executed after automatically selecting the measurement package and the measurement location at the start of the operation.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the ultrasonic diagnosing device which makes it possible to improve the operativity which concerns on measurement operation can be provided.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description is omitted.

(1. Configuration of ultrasonic diagnostic equipment)
First, the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits an ultrasonic wave by driving an ultrasonic probe 2 including a plurality of transducers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a diagnostic site in a subject 17 and the ultrasonic probe 2. In addition, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 3 that processes the received reflected echo signal, an ultrasonic signal conversion unit 4 that reconstructs the reflected echo signal into an ultrasonic image, and an operation unit that gives an operation instruction to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 5 and an image display unit 12 for displaying a pointer such as a measurement caliper, a measurement menu, and a measurement result together with the ultrasonic image.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of the operation unit 5.
The operation unit 5 includes a start key 21, a trackball 22, a confirmation key 23, a keyboard 24, function keys 25, and a mouse 26.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an aspect of the screen 31 displayed by the image display unit 12.
On the screen 31, a measurement menu column 32, an ultrasonic image 33, and a measurement result column 34 are displayed. In the measurement menu column 32, a list of measurement contents is displayed. In the measurement result column 34, a list of measurement locations is displayed. In the measurement menu column 32, for example, items of measurement packages are displayed. In the measurement result column 34, for example, the item of the measurement location is displayed together with the value of the measurement result. A pointer 38 is displayed in the ultrasonic image 33, the measurement menu column 32, or the measurement result column 34.

  The examiner moves the cursor 35 in the measurement menu column 32 and the cursor 36 in the measurement result column 34 using the trackball 22 of the operation unit 5, and selects each item by pressing the enter key 23. Further, the examiner moves the pointer 38 of the ultrasonic image 33 using the trackball 22 of the operation unit 5 and presses the enter key 23 to designate the position in the ultrasonic image 33.

  Returning to FIG. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 further includes a pointer position detection unit 6 that detects the position of the pointer 38 and whether the pointer 38 exists in any region of the ultrasonic image 33, the measurement menu column 32, or the measurement result column 34. A pointer area determination unit 7 to be determined, a switching unit 19, a start key detection unit 13 that detects an operation of the start key 21, a start processing unit 14 that initially sets measurement contents and measurement locations, and setting information 16 are held. A storage unit 15 is provided.

The switching unit 19 executes a pointer shape determining unit 8 that determines the shape of the pointer 38, a measurement menu processing unit 9 that executes a process for an operation instruction in the measurement menu column 32, and a process for an operation instruction in the ultrasound image 33. The measurement processing unit 10 and the measurement result processing unit 11 that executes processing for an operation instruction in the measurement result column 34 are included.
The switching unit 19 determines the shape of the pointer 38 and selects and switches the processing state based on the determination result of the pointer area determination unit 7. The switching of the processing state is, for example, switching between the item selectable state in the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34 and the measurement state in the ultrasonic image 33.

  The setting information 16 includes information on a measurement package in which measurement contents and measurement locations are registered in advance, a pointer shape, various mode settings, and the like. The setting information 16 may be set so that a measurement package to be started for each diagnosis field can be set by the examiner, or a specific item (for example, the top item) in the measurement menu is automatically selected. Alternatively, the item display order of the measurement menu may be set by the examiner.

(2. Operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1)
Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(2-1. Start processing)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the start process.
The screen display unit 12 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 freezes and displays the ultrasound image 33 in a fixed manner. The start key detector 13 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the operation of the start key 21 (S41). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 reads the setting information 16 from the storage unit 15 (S42). The measurement menu processing unit 9 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 displays the measurement menu column 32 on the screen (S43). The measurement processing unit 10 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 reads the measurement package at the start from the setting information 16, selects the read measurement package from the measurement menu column 32, and starts executing the measurement package (S44 and S45). The measurement result processing unit 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 displays on the screen a measurement result column 34 including a measurement location together with the ultrasonic image 33 and the measurement menu column 32. The pointer 38 corresponding to the measurement location is displayed on the screen together with the ultrasonic image 33 and enters the measurement state (S46).

  Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 may be in a state in which predetermined items are selected in advance from the measurement menu column 32 and the measurement result column 34 based on the setting information 16 read from the storage unit 15 during the start process. Thereby, it is possible to execute the measurement process after automatically selecting the measurement package and the measurement location during the start process.

(2-2. Pointer movement processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the pointer movement process.
The operation unit 5 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 moves the pointer 38 on the display screen by the trackball 22. The pointer position detector 6 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the position information of the pointer 38 on the display screen (S51).
The pointer area determination unit 7 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 determines in which area of the measurement menu column 32, the ultrasonic image 33, or the measurement result column 34 the pointer 38 is located (S52).

  When the pointer 38 is located in the area of the measurement menu column 32, the pointer shape determination unit 8 reads the item selection pointer shape from the setting information 16. The measurement menu processing unit 9 displays and moves the item selection pointer 38 and enters a measurement package selection state (S53 and S54). When the pointer 38 is located in the region of the ultrasonic image 33, the pointer shape determination unit 8 reads the measurement pointer shape from the setting information 16. The measurement processing unit 10 displays and moves the measurement pointer 38 and enters a measurement state (S55 and S56). When the pointer 38 is located in the area of the measurement result column 34, the pointer shape determination unit 8 reads the item selection pointer shape from the setting information 16. The measurement result processing unit 11 displays and moves the item selection pointer 38, and enters the measurement location selection state (S57 and S58).

(2-3. Confirmation process)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the confirmation process.
The confirmation key detector 18 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the operation of the confirmation key 23 (S61). The pointer area determination unit 7 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 determines in which area of the measurement menu column 32, the ultrasonic image 33, or the measurement result column 34 the pointer 38 is located (S62).

  When the pointer 38 is located in the area of the measurement menu column 32, the measurement menu processing unit 9 ends the measurement package being executed and starts the selected measurement package (S63 and S64). When the pointer 38 is located in the region of the ultrasonic image 33, the measurement processing unit 10 performs a measurement process (S65). The measurement process is, for example, fixing a pointer, determining a measurement position, calculating a measurement value, and displaying a measurement result. When the pointer 38 is located in the area of the measurement result column 34, the measurement result processing unit 11 stops the measurement at the current measurement location and changes the measurement location to the selected measurement location (S66 and S67).

(3. Screen display)
Next, screen display will be described with reference to FIGS.
(3-1. Start process and pointer movement process)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing screen display in the start process (FIG. 4) and the pointer movement process (FIG. 5).

  As shown in a screen G701, when the start key 21 is pressed, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 displays a measurement menu column 32, an ultrasound image 33, and a measurement result column 34. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 automatically selects a measurement package from the measurement menu column 32 to set the execution state of the measurement package, automatically selects a measurement location from the measurement result column 34, and The measurement pointer 38-1 is displayed on the ultrasonic image 33.

As shown in the screen G <b> 702, when changing the selection item in the measurement menu column 32, the examiner moves the pointer 38-1 to the measurement menu column 32 area. When the pointer 38-1 reaches the area of the measurement menu column 32, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the shape of the measurement pointer 38-1 to the item selection pointer 38-2 and displays it. The measurement package can be changed.
Conversely, when performing measurement processing, the examiner moves the pointer 38-2 to the region of the ultrasonic image 33. When the pointer 38-2 reaches the region of the ultrasonic image 33, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the shape of the item selection pointer 38-2 to the measurement pointer 38-1 and displays the measurement state. To do.

As shown in the screen G703, the examiner moves the pointer 38-1 to the area of the measurement result column 34 when changing the selection item of the measurement result column 34. When the pointer 38-1 reaches the area of the measurement result column 34, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the shape of the measurement pointer 38-1 to the item selection pointer 38-3 and displays it. The measurement location can be changed.
Conversely, when performing measurement processing, the examiner moves the pointer 38-3 to the region of the ultrasonic image 33. When the pointer 38-3 reaches the area of the ultrasonic image 33, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the shape of the item selection pointer 38-3 to the measurement pointer 38-1 and displays the measurement state. To do.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has been described as displaying the measurement state screen G701 first when detecting the pressing of the start key 21, but displays the screen G702 in which the measurement package can be changed. Alternatively, a screen G703 in which the measurement location can be changed may be displayed.

  In addition, the measurement package at the start may be preset in the setting information 16 or may not be preset. When the measurement package at the start is not preset, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 starts, for example, the uppermost measurement package in the measurement menu column 32, the measurement package executed last time, or the measurement package with high use frequency. When presetting a measurement package at the start, the examiner sets a measurement package as observation pre-processing in advance. For example, the measurement package at the start time may be designated by the examiner for each diagnosis field via the setting menu. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 registers the preset measurement package in the setting information 16 of the storage unit 15.

  As described above, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can immediately enter the measurement state or the measurement content and the measurement location by operating the start key 21. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 can change the measurement state, the state in which the measurement content can be selected, and the state in which the measurement location can be selected by simply moving the pointer 38 on the screen without separately operating a change key or the like. Since it changes, the operativity which concerns on a measurement can be improved.

(3-2. Confirmation process)
(3-2-1. Confirmation Process in Measurement Menu Field 32)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen display in the confirmation process (FIG. 6) of the measurement menu column 32. As shown in FIG.
A screen G800 corresponds to the screen G702 in FIG. As shown in the screen G800, when the examiner selects the measurement package with the pointer 38-2 in the measurement menu column 32 and presses the confirm key 23, the cursor 81 moves to the cursor 82 as shown in the screen G801, and the measurement is performed. The package is changed. Further, the measurement location in the measurement result column 34 is automatically selected. The item selection pointer 38-2 disappears, the measurement pointer 38-1 is displayed in the ultrasonic image 33, and the measurement state is entered.

Note that the screen transition from the screen G801 to the screen G802 or the screen G803 is the same as the screen transition from the screen G701 to the screen G702 or the screen G703 in FIG.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has been described as displaying the measurement state screen G801 when the pressing of the confirmation key 23 is detected when the pointer 38-2 is positioned in the measurement menu field 32. However, the cursor 81 is set to the cursor 82. The measurement package can be changed without changing the shape and position of the pointer 38-2, and the screen G802 in which the measurement package can be changed can be displayed, and the measurement location can be changed. You may make it display screen G803 which is a state.

As described above, when the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the pressing of the confirmation key 23 and displays the screen G801, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the measurement package and deletes the item selection pointer 38-2 in the measurement menu column 32. Since the measurement pointer 38-1 is displayed on the ultrasonic image 33, the measurement can be performed immediately without greatly moving the pointer 38 by the trackball 22.
Further, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the pressing of the confirmation key 23 and displays the screen G802, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the measurement package and does not change the shape and position of the pointer 38-2. As a result, the measurement position is not changed. When the measurement position is designated as the measurement state, the pointer 38-2 may be moved to the region of the ultrasonic image 33.
When the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the pressing of the confirmation key 23 and displays the screen G803, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the measurement package and deletes the item selection pointer 38-2 in the measurement menu column 32, Since the item selection pointer 38-3 is displayed in the measurement result column 34, the measurement location can be immediately selected without greatly moving the pointer 38 by the trackball 22.

(3-2-2. Confirmation Process in Measurement Result Field 34)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display in the confirmation process (FIG. 6) in the measurement result column 34.
A screen G900 corresponds to the screen G703 in FIG. As shown in the screen G900, when the examiner selects a measurement location with the pointer 38-3 in the measurement result column 34 and presses the confirm key 23, the cursor 91 moves to the cursor 92 as shown in the screen G901, and the measurement is performed. The location is changed. The item selection pointer 38-3 disappears, and the measurement pointer 38-1 is displayed in the ultrasonic image 33 to enter the measurement state.

Note that the screen transition from the screen G901 to the screen G902 or the screen G903 is the same as the screen transition from the screen G701 to the screen G702 or the screen G703 in FIG.
Further, although the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has been described as displaying the measurement state screen G901 when the pressing of the confirmation key 23 is detected when the pointer 38-3 is positioned in the measurement result column 34, the cursor 91 is set to the cursor 92. It is also possible to display the screen G903 in which the measurement location can be changed without changing the shape and position of the pointer 38-3 after the measurement location is changed.

As described above, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the pressing of the confirmation key 23 and displays the screen G901, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the measurement location and deletes the item selection pointer 38-3 in the measurement result column 34. Since the measurement pointer 38-1 is displayed on the ultrasonic image 33, the measurement can be performed immediately without greatly moving the pointer 38 by the trackball 22.
Further, when the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 detects the pressing of the confirmation key 23 and displays the screen G903, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the measurement location and does not change the shape and position of the pointer 38-3. As a result, the measurement position is not changed. When the measurement position is designated as the measurement state, the pointer 38-3 may be moved to the region of the ultrasonic image 33.

(3-3. Pointer movement processing during measurement processing)
(3-3-1. Measurement position specification by multiple specified points)
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display for designating a measurement position by a plurality of designated points.
The measurement by a plurality of designated points is, for example, measurement of the distance between two points.

  As illustrated in a screen G1001, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 displays a plurality of pointers 101 and a pointer 102 on the ultrasound image 33 when performing measurement processing using a plurality of designated points. After the position of one pointer is fixed, the other pointer may be displayed. An auxiliary line 103 is displayed between the pointer 101 and the pointer 102. In the following description, it is assumed that the position of the pointer 101 is fixed and the position of the pointer 102 is undetermined.

  As shown in the screen G1002, when the examiner moves the pointer 102 from the region of the ultrasonic image 33 to the region of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 selects the shape of the pointer 102 as an item. The pointer is changed to the pointer 38-2 or pointer 38-3 for display. The measurement package or measurement location can be changed. During this time, it is desirable to keep the auxiliary line 103 displayed and to link the movement of the pointer 38-2 or 38-3 with the position of the auxiliary line 103.

  As shown in the screen G1003, when the confirmation key 23 is not pressed and the pointer 38-2 or the pointer 38-3 moves again outside the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the pointer shape is changed. Then, the pointer 102 is displayed to set the measurement state.

  As described above, when the pointer 102, which is an undetermined designated point, moves to the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 selects each item by changing the shape of the pointer. When the pointer is moved again to the area of the ultrasonic image 33 without selecting an item, the shape of the pointer is changed to the measurement pointer 102 again and the measurement position can be designated. To do. Therefore, even if the measurement content and measurement location can be selected in the middle of the measurement process, if the measurement content and measurement location are not changed, the process can be continued from the middle of the measurement processing again.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen display when the pointer shape is not changed.
In FIG. 10, when the pointer 102 is moved to the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the pointer shape is changed so that each item can be selected. In this way, the measurement state may be kept without changing the pointer shape.
A screen G1101 and a screen G1103 in FIG. 11 correspond to the screen G1001 and the screen G1003 in FIG. As shown in the screen G1102 of FIG. 11, even when the pointer 102 moves to the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 does not change the pointer shape and the pointer 102 Is displayed in the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34.
As a result, the selection items in the measurement menu column 32 and the measurement result column 34 are not changed until the measurement position designation is completed, so that an erroneous operation can be prevented.

(3-3-2. Measurement position specification by trace)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen display for specifying a measurement position by tracing.
The measurement by the trace is, for example, measurement of the area in the region.

  As shown in a screen G1201, when performing measurement processing by tracing, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 displays a pointer 121 on the ultrasound image 33 and displays a locus 122 along the movement path of the pointer 121 from the trace start point 120. indicate. In the following description, it is assumed that the trajectory 122 is undetermined.

  As shown in the screen G1202, when the examiner moves the pointer 121 from the region of the ultrasonic image 33 to the region of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 selects the shape of the pointer 121 as an item. The pointer is changed to the pointer 38-2 or pointer 38-3 for display. The measurement package or measurement location can be changed. During this time, the locus 122 remains displayed.

  As shown in the screen G1203 and the screen G1204, when the confirmation key 23 is not pressed and the pointer 38-2 or the pointer 38-3 comes out of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34 again, The shape is changed and the pointer 121 is displayed to enter the measurement state. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 displays the pointer 121 at the missing position, and displays the locus 123 from the final point 126 to the pointer 121 together with the previous locus 122.

It is desirable that the shape of the locus 123 from the previous locus 122 and the final point 126 can be corrected. The correction of the trajectory may be automatically corrected by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 or may be corrected when an explicit correction instruction is given by the examiner. As shown in the screen G1205, for example, when the enter key 23 is pressed, the shapes of the trajectory 122 and the trajectory 123 are corrected, and the corrected trajectory 127 is displayed. Further, when the pointer 38-2 or the pointer 38-3 moves out of the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the pointer 121 is automatically moved to the position of the final point 126 of the previous locus 122. May be.
The position at which the pointer 38-1 reaches the area of the measurement menu field 32 or the measurement result field 34 may be used as the final point 126 of the locus 122, or the position before the area of the measurement menu field 32 or the measurement result field 34 may be set. The final point 126 of the locus 122 may be used. In any case, the movement locus 122 is not drawn in the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34.

  As described above, when the pointer 121 drawing the locus 122 moves to the area of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 can select each item by changing the shape of the pointer. When the pointer moves to the region of the ultrasound image 33 again without selecting an item, the shape of the pointer is changed to the measurement pointer 121 again and the drawing of the locus 122 is continued. Therefore, even if the measurement content and measurement location can be selected in the middle of the measurement process, if the measurement content and measurement location are not changed, the process can be continued from the middle of the measurement processing again. Further, by correcting the trajectory 122 and moving the pointer position to the final point 126 when the measurement process is resumed, the influence of the interruption of the measurement process can be reduced.

  The movement of the pointer during the measurement process may be switched to the operation of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34, or may not be switched to the operation of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34. As in FIG. 11, until the measurement position designation by tracing is completed, the measurement processing is continued without switching to the operation of the measurement menu column 32 or the measurement result column 34 regardless of the position of the pointer 121. Good.

(3-4. Measurement content and measurement location change processing during measurement processing)
(3-4-1. Measurement content change processing)
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the measurement menu column 32 during the measurement process.
As shown in a screen G1301, when performing measurement processing by tracing, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 displays a pointer 131 on the ultrasound image 33 and a locus 132 along the movement path of the pointer 131.
As shown in the screen G1302, when the examiner moves the pointer 131 from the region of the ultrasonic image 33 to the region of the measurement menu column 32, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the shape of the pointer 131 to the item selection pointer 38-. Change to 2 and display. The measurement package can be changed. During this time, the trajectory 132 remains displayed.

When the examiner selects a measurement package with the pointer 38-2 in the measurement menu column 32 and presses the enter key 23, the measurement package being executed is terminated.
As shown in a screen G1303, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 deletes the trajectory 132, moves the cursor 133 to the cursor 134, changes the measurement package, and starts executing a new measurement package.

  As described above, when a measurement package change operation is performed in the measurement menu column 32 during the measurement process, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 ends the measurement process being executed and starts a new measurement package. . Therefore, when it is desired to change the measurement package in the middle of the measurement process, by simply operating the pointer 38 and the confirmation key 23, the measurement process being executed can be ended and the measurement package can be changed.

(3-4-2. Measurement location change processing)
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the measurement result column 34 during the measurement process.
As shown in a screen G1401, when performing measurement processing by tracing, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 displays the pointer 141 on the ultrasound image 33 and displays the locus 142 along the movement path of the pointer 141.
As shown in the screen G1402, when the examiner moves the pointer 141 from the area of the ultrasonic image 33 to the area of the measurement result column 34, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 changes the shape of the pointer 141 to the item selection pointer 38-. Change to 3 and display. The measurement location can be changed. During this time, the trajectory 142 remains displayed.

When the examiner selects a measurement location with the pointer 38-3 in the measurement result column 34 and presses the confirm key 23, the measurement package being executed is terminated.
As shown in a screen G1403, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 deletes the trajectory 142, moves the cursor 143 to the cursor 144, changes the measurement location, and starts measuring a new measurement location.

  As described above, when the measurement location change operation is performed in the measurement result column 34 during the measurement process, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 ends the measurement process being executed and measures a new measurement location. Start. Therefore, when it is desired to change the measurement location in the middle of the measurement process, the measurement process being executed can be ended and the measurement location can be changed by simply operating the pointer 38 and the confirmation key 23. Since there is no need to repeat the operation from the beginning of the measurement package, the operability can be improved.

(3-5. Selection of functions related to measurement)
7 to 14, the switching of the position and the operation target of the pointer 38 in the measurement menu column 32, the ultrasonic image 33, and the measurement result column 34 has been described. However, the switching of the operation target by the pointer 38 is not limited thereto. By moving the pointer 38, it is possible to select not only the measurement package and measurement location, but also the functions related to measurement.

  The function related to measurement is, for example, a measurement method related to measurement being performed. For example, as an area measurement method, a method for specifying a measurement range by tracing an edge, a method for specifying a measurement range by specifying two axes of an ellipse, and a method for obtaining an area by specifying only a diameter as a circle There is. It is desirable to select a measurement method suitable for the measurement site, drawing state, and the like.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating selection of a measurement method during the measurement process.
As shown on a screen G1501, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 assigns a measurement function to the function key 25 of the operation unit 5, and displays a function menu 151 indicating the correspondence between the function key 25 and the measurement function at the lower end of the screen. In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 displays a pointer 38-1 on the ultrasound image 33. Note that not only the measurement method but also parameter settings used for calculation may be assigned to the function keys 25 and the function menu 151.

  As shown in the screen G1502, when the examiner moves the pointer 38-1 from the region of the ultrasonic image 33 to the region of the function menu 151, as shown in the screen G1503, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 performs a pull-down menu or the like. The sub function menu 152 is displayed, and the shape of the pointer 38-1 is changed to the item selection pointer 38-4 for display. The measurement function can be changed. The examiner selects the measurement function by moving the pointer 38-4 in the sub function menu 152 and pressing the enter key 23.

  As described above, even after the measurement process is started, the measurement function can be changed by moving the measurement pointer 38 to the function menu 151, so that the operability related to the measurement process can be improved.

(4. Other)
The preferred embodiments of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

Configuration diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the operation part 5 The figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the screen 31 which the image display part 12 displays Flow chart showing start processing Flow chart showing pointer movement processing Flow chart showing the confirmation process The figure which shows the screen display in a start process (FIG. 4) and a pointer movement process (FIG. 5). The figure which shows the screen display in the determination process (FIG. 6) of the measurement menu column 32 The figure which shows the screen display in the determination process (FIG. 6) of the measurement result column 34 Diagram showing the screen display for specifying the measurement position with multiple specified points Diagram showing the screen display when the pointer shape is not changed Figure showing the screen display for specifying the measurement position by tracing The figure which shows operation of the measurement menu column 32 during a measurement process The figure which shows operation of the measurement result column 34 during a measurement process Diagram showing selection of measurement method during measurement process

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ......... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 ......... Ultrasonic probe 3 ......... Ultrasonic transmission / reception part 4 ......... Ultrasonic signal conversion part 5 ......... Operation part 6 ......... Pointer position detection part 7 ... ...... Pointer area determination unit 8 ............ Pointer shape determination unit 9 ............ Measurement menu processing unit 10 ............ Measurement processing unit 11 ............ Measurement result processing unit 12 ............ Image display unit 13 ............ Start key Detection unit 14 ......... Start processing unit 15 ......... Storage unit 16 ......... Setting information 17 ......... Subject 18 ......... Confirmation key detection unit 19 ......... Switching unit 21 ......... Start key 22 …… ... Track ball 23 ......... Confirmation key 25 ......... Function key 32 ......... Measurement menu field 33 ......... Ultrasound image 34 ......... Measurement result field 35, 36, 81, 82, 91, 92 ......... Cursor 38, 38-1, 38-2, 38-3, 38-4 ......... Poi 101, 102, 121, 131, 141 ......... Pointer 103 ......... Auxiliary line 120 ......... Start point 122, 123, 127, 132, 142 ......... Track 126 ......... Final point 133, 134, 143 144 ......... Cursor 151 ......... Function menu 152 ......... Sub function menu

Claims (14)

An ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound to and from the subject, an image configuration unit that configures an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound reception signal output from the ultrasound probe, and the configured ultrasound image In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display device on which is displayed; and a measurement unit that performs measurement based on an ultrasonic image displayed on the display device.
Display means for simultaneously displaying on the display screen of the display device a menu column indicating a list of items related to the ultrasonic image and the measurement and a pointer indicating a position on the display screen;
Pointer moving means for moving the pointer between the ultrasound image and the menu field on the display screen;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the pointer on the display screen;
Selecting means for selecting a processing state corresponding to the position information of the pointer;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines in which area on the display screen the pointer is located based on the acquired position information of the pointer.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a pointer form determination unit that determines a form of the pointer based on a determination result of the determination unit.   When the determination unit determines that the pointer is located in the region of the ultrasonic image, the selection unit sets the processing state to the measurement state in the ultrasonic image, and the determination unit sets the pointer to the menu. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when it is determined that the position is located in a column area, the selection unit sets the processing state to an item selectable state in the menu column.   The said menu column is comprised from at least 1 type of menu column, The said determination means and the said selection means perform area | region determination and a process state switch for every said at least 1 type of menu column. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described.   The menu column is hierarchized, and when the menu item is selected by the pointer, the selection unit sequentially displays the lower hierarchy menu column and can select the lower hierarchy menu column item. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   2. The ultrasonic diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein when an item is selected in the menu column, the selection unit moves the pointer to another type of menu column or the region of the ultrasonic image. apparatus.   When the pointer moves from the ultrasonic image area to the menu field area during the measurement process in the ultrasonic image and returns to the ultrasonic image area again, the selection unit includes: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement process being executed is continued.   The selection means does not switch the processing state when the pointer moves from the ultrasonic image area to the menu column area during execution of the measurement process on the ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   When the pointer is moved from the ultrasonic image area to the menu field area while the measurement location is designated by the movement trajectory of the pointer in the ultrasonic image, the measuring means moves the pointer to the menu. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position reaching the column or a vicinity thereof is set as a final point of the movement trajectory.   When the pointer moves from the ultrasonic image area to the menu field area while the measurement location is designated by the pointer movement trajectory in the ultrasonic image, and returns to the ultrasonic image area again. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit corrects a locus drawn by the pointer.   When the pointer moves from the ultrasonic image area to the menu column area while the measurement location is designated by the pointer movement locus in the ultrasonic image, and returns to the ultrasonic image area again. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit moves the pointer to a final point of a movement locus of the pointer.   If the pointer moves from the ultrasound image area to the menu field area during the measurement process on the ultrasound image and an item is selected in the menu field, the measurement unit The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement process is stopped. A storage unit for holding setting information related to the measurement;
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects a predetermined item in advance from the menu column based on setting information read from the storage unit at the start of operation.

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