JP2012143358A - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide ultrasonic diagnostic equipment capable of increasing diagnostic efficiency, and program.SOLUTION: This ultrasonic image diagnostic equipment 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 11 and a frame rate adjusting section 152. The frame rate adjusting section 152 of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 1 reduces a scan region, in which ultrasonic transmission and reception are performed by the ultrasonic probe 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment 1, to a region including at least a subject's region of interest.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a program.

  Conventionally, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is smaller in size than other medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, and an ultrasonic probe is used. Because it is a device that can display the state of movement of the test object, such as the heart beat and fetal movement, in real time by simple operations that can be applied from the body surface, it plays an important role in today's medical care. .

  Here, in the examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the frame rate is adjusted depending on the diagnostic part. The frame rate is the number of images per unit time. For example, when a cardiovascular device that moves quickly, such as the heart, is the diagnostic site, adjustment is performed to increase the frame rate in order to improve the time resolution. For example, when diagnosing the heart, the frame rate is adjusted to at least 60 fps (Frames Per second) or more. However, in the conventional technique, the operator manually adjusts the frame rate while referring to the image drawn on the monitor, so that the diagnosis efficiency may be lowered.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-023951

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and program capable of improving diagnostic efficiency.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment includes an adjusting unit. The adjusting means reduces the scanning area where ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe to an area including at least the region of interest of the subject.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the image data control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing by the region extraction unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of field angle adjustment by the frame rate adjustment unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the depth of field by the frame rate adjustment unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of angle of view adjustment processing by the frame rate adjustment unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for adjusting the depth of field by the frame rate adjusting unit according to the first embodiment.

(First embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 11, an input apparatus 12, a monitor 13, and an apparatus main body 100.

  The ultrasonic probe (ultrasonic probe) 11 has a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, and the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal supplied from a transmission / reception unit 110 included in the apparatus main body 100 described later. Furthermore, the reflected wave from the subject P is received and converted into an electric signal. The ultrasonic probe 11 includes a matching layer provided in the piezoelectric vibrator, a backing material that prevents propagation of ultrasonic waves from the piezoelectric vibrator to the rear, and the like.

  When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 11 to the subject P, the transmitted ultrasonic waves are reflected one after another at the discontinuous surface of the acoustic impedance in the body tissue of the subject P, and the ultrasonic probe is used as a reflected wave signal. 11 is received by a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators. The amplitude of the received reflected wave signal depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the discontinuous surface where the ultrasonic wave is reflected. The reflected wave signal when the transmitted ultrasonic pulse is reflected by the moving blood flow or the surface of the heart wall depends on the velocity component of the moving object in the ultrasonic transmission direction due to the Doppler effect. , Subject to frequency shift.

  In this embodiment, even when the subject P is scanned two-dimensionally by the ultrasonic probe 11 which is a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are arranged in a row, the one-dimensional ultrasonic wave is used. A subject P is detected by an ultrasonic probe 11 that mechanically swings a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators of the probe or an ultrasonic probe 11 that is a two-dimensional ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are two-dimensionally arranged in a grid. Even when scanning in three dimensions, it is applicable.

  The input device 12 receives various setting requests from an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and transfers the received various setting requests to the apparatus main body 100. The input device 12 is, for example, a trackball, a switch, a button, a touch command screen, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

  The monitor 13 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for an operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to input various setting requests using the input device 12, and displays an ultrasonic image generated in the apparatus main body 100. Or display.

  The apparatus main body 100 is an apparatus that generates an ultrasonic image based on the reflected wave received by the ultrasonic probe 11, and as shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception unit 110, the B-mode processing unit 120, and the Doppler processing unit 130. An image data generation unit 140, an image data control unit 150, an image memory 160, a control unit 170, and an internal storage unit 180.

  The transmission / reception unit 110 includes a trigger generation circuit, a delay circuit, a pulsar circuit, and the like, and supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 11. The pulsar circuit repeatedly generates rate pulses for forming transmission ultrasonic waves at a predetermined rate frequency. The delay circuit also sets the delay time for each piezoelectric vibrator necessary for determining the transmission directivity by focusing the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic probe 11 into a beam shape, and for each rate pulse generated by the pulser circuit. Give to. The trigger generation circuit applies a drive signal (drive pulse) to the ultrasonic probe 11 at a timing based on the rate pulse. In other words, the delay circuit arbitrarily adjusts the transmission direction from the piezoelectric vibrator surface by changing the delay time given to each rate pulse.

  The transmission / reception unit 110 includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, an adder, and the like, and performs various processes on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 11 to generate reflected wave data. The amplifier circuit amplifies the reflected wave signal for each channel and performs gain correction processing, and the A / D converter is necessary for A / D converting the gain-corrected reflected wave signal to determine the reception directivity. The adder performs an addition process of the reflected wave signal processed by the A / D converter to generate reflected wave data. By the addition processing of the adder, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the reflected wave signal is emphasized.

  As described above, the transmission / reception unit 110 controls transmission directivity and reception directivity in ultrasonic transmission / reception. The transmission / reception unit 110 has a function capable of instantaneously changing delay information, a transmission frequency, a transmission drive voltage, the number of aperture elements, and the like under the control of the control unit 170 described later. In particular, the change of the transmission drive voltage is realized by a linear amplifier type oscillation circuit capable of instantaneously switching values or a mechanism for electrically switching a plurality of power supply units. Further, the transmission / reception unit 110 can transmit and receive different waveforms for each frame or rate.

  The B-mode processing unit 120 receives reflected wave data, which is a processed reflected wave signal subjected to gain correction processing, A / D conversion processing, and addition processing, from the transmission / reception unit 110, and performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, and the like. As a result, data (B mode data) in which the signal intensity is expressed by brightness is generated.

  Here, the B-mode processing unit 120 can change the frequency band to be visualized by changing the detection frequency. Further, the B-mode processing unit 120 can perform detection processing with two detection frequencies in parallel on one reception data.

  By using the function of the B-mode processing unit 120, the ultrasonic contrast agent (microbubbles, bubbles) flowing in the region of interest is detected from one received data in the region of interest of the subject P into which the ultrasound contrast agent has been injected. The reflected wave data used as the reflection source can be separated from the reflected wave data using the tissue existing in the region of interest as the reflection source, and the image data generation unit 140 described later visualizes the flowing bubbles with high sensitivity. In order to observe the contrast image and the morphology, a tissue image obtained by imaging the tissue can be generated.

  The Doppler processing unit 130 performs frequency analysis on velocity information from the reflected wave data received from the transmission / reception unit 110, extracts blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and moving body information such as average velocity, dispersion, and power. Is generated for multiple points (Doppler data).

  The image data generation unit 140 generates time-sequential ultrasonic images from the B mode data generated by the B mode processing unit 120 and the Doppler data generated by the Doppler processing unit 130. Then, the image data generation unit 140 stores the generated ultrasonic image in the image memory 160.

  The image data control unit 150 sequentially acquires the ultrasound images generated by the image data generation unit 140 in time series. Then, the image data control unit 150 sequentially converts the acquired ultrasonic image into a display image and stores it in the image memory 160. Specifically, the image data control unit 150 reads out the ultrasonic image generated by the image data generation unit 140 from the image memory 160 and converts it into a scan line signal sequence in a video format represented by a television (scan conversion). Thus, a display image (B-mode image or Doppler image) is generated, and the generated display image is stored in the image memory 160 again. Note that the image data control unit 150 also executes control related to collection of image data. The collection of image data by the image data control unit 150 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail later.

  The image memory 160 is generated by the raw data generated by the B-mode processing unit 120 and the Doppler processing unit 130 (B-mode data and Doppler data), the ultrasonic image generated by the image data generation unit 140, and the image data control unit 150. The displayed display image is stored. Further, the image memory 160 stores a processing result by the image data control unit 150. Furthermore, the image memory 160 stores an output signal (RF: Radio Frequency) immediately after passing through the transmission / reception unit 110, an image luminance signal, various raw data, and the like as necessary.

  The control unit 170 controls the entire processing in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Specifically, the control unit 170 controls various processes of the transmission / reception unit 110, the B-mode processing unit 120, the Doppler processing unit 130, the image data generation unit 140, and the image data control unit 150. For example, the control unit 170 receives various setting requests input from the operator via the input device 12, various control programs and various setting information read from the internal storage unit 180, and an image data control unit 150 described later. Based on the various setting information, various processes are controlled, and the display image stored in the image memory 160 is controlled to be displayed on the monitor 13.

  The internal storage unit 180 stores a control program for performing ultrasonic transmission / reception, image processing, and display processing, diagnostic information (for example, patient ID, doctor's findings, etc.), and various data such as a diagnostic protocol. The internal storage unit 180 is also used for storing images stored in the image memory 160 as necessary.

  The overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment has been described above. Based on this configuration, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured to be able to improve diagnostic efficiency by the processing of the image data control unit 150 described in detail below. Yes. Specifically, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the image data control unit 150 uses the ultrasonic image generated by the image data generation unit 140 to automatically adjust the frame rate and image quality. By executing the above, it is possible to efficiently diagnose even if the diagnosis site is a fast-moving site such as a circulatory organ.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the image data control unit 150 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the image data control unit 150 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image data control unit 150 includes an area extraction unit 151, a frame rate adjustment unit 152, and an image quality adjustment unit 153, and is connected to the image memory 160.

  The region extraction unit 151 detects the same part depicted in each of a plurality of ultrasonic images continuous in time series, and extracts a region including the same part as the region of interest. Specifically, the region extraction unit 151 determines a tracking point, which is a reference point for adjusting the frame rate, using time-series continuous ultrasonic images generated by the image data generation unit 140. Then, the region extraction unit 151 sets a region of interest based on the determined tracking point.

  More specifically, the region extraction unit 151 acquires two arbitrary ultrasonic images that are continuous in time series from the ultrasonic image generated by the image data generation unit 140. Then, the area extraction unit 151 detects a fast moving part by calculating a difference between the two acquired ultrasonic images, and determines a predetermined position of the detected part as a tracking point. Furthermore, the region extraction unit 151 sets a predetermined region including the detected part as a region of interest.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing performed by the region extraction unit 151 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, two arbitrary ultrasonic images that are continuous in time series are shown as an N-th frame image (N frame image) and an N-th frame next ultrasonic image (N + 1 frame image).

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the region extraction unit 151 acquires two ultrasonic images “N frame image” and “N + 1 frame image” that are continuous in time series from the image memory 160. Then, the region extraction unit 151 calculates the difference between the two acquired images. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the region extraction unit 151 subtracts the luminance of each coordinate in “N + 1 frame image” from the luminance of each coordinate in “N frame image” to obtain two images. The difference 21 is calculated. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the region extraction unit 151 subtracts the luminance of each coordinate in “N frame image” from the luminance of each coordinate in “N + 1 frame image”, thereby An image difference 22 is calculated.

  In this manner, the region extraction unit 151 performs a process of subtracting the other from one of two ultrasonic images that are continuous in time series, thereby performing motion in the region depicted in the ultrasonic image. A certain part is detected. In addition, when calculating the difference between images, the region extraction unit 151 determines whether or not the parts depicted in the two ultrasonic images are the same part using pattern matching or the like. That is, the region extraction unit 151 calculates a difference between images of the parts determined to be the same part.

  Then, the region extraction unit 151 calculates the correspondence between the differences between the two images. Specifically, the region extraction unit 151 calculates which coordinate of the subsequent image in the time series corresponds to each coordinate included in the moving part drawn in the previous image in the time series. Then, the area extraction unit 151 determines a set of coordinates having the largest change amount as a tracking point in the calculated coordinate correspondence. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the region extraction unit 151 tracks the coordinate 23 having the smallest depth direction coordinate in the difference 21 and the coordinate 24 having the largest depth direction coordinate in the difference 22. Decide as a point.

  The area extraction unit 151 executes the above-described process a plurality of times. Specifically, the region extraction unit 151 acquires a plurality of sets of two ultrasound images that are continuous in time series, and executes the above-described processing on the acquired sets of ultrasound images. Then, the region extraction unit 151 extracts two ultrasonic images having the largest change amount of the set of coordinates determined as tracking points. As a result, it is possible to perform processing in consideration of the range of motion of the diagnostic region.

  In addition, the process of acquiring multiple sets of two ultrasound images that are continuous in time series is a random acquisition of any two images, even when two sets are acquired from ultrasound images that are consecutive in time series. It may be the case. For example, two N + 10th ultrasound images may be acquired from the Nth ultrasound image, such as Nth and N + 1th images, N + 10th and N + 11th images, etc. It may be a case where any two images are acquired at random. The number of sets of two ultrasonic images is arbitrarily determined by a designer or an operator.

  Then, the region extraction unit 151 sets a region including two differences calculated from the two extracted ultrasonic images as a region of interest, and stores the information on the set region of interest and the two differences in the image memory 160. . For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the region extraction unit 151 sets a rectangle determined from the coordinate 23, the coordinate 24, and the coordinate 25 having the smallest change amount in the differences 21 and 22 as the region of interest 26. Then, information regarding the region of interest 26 and the differences 21 and 22 is stored in the image memory 160. The region of interest is not limited to a rectangle, and for example, a circle determined from coordinates 23, coordinates 24, and coordinates 25 may be used.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 reduces the scanning area where ultrasound is transmitted and received by the ultrasound probe to an area including at least the region of interest of the subject. Specifically, the frame rate adjusting unit 152 reduces the scanning region so that the region of interest set by the region extracting unit 151 does not fall outside the scanning region (scanning region). More specifically, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 adjusts the angle of view (scan range) and the depth of field (depth) on the condition that the region of interest is included in the scan region (scan region). .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of angle of view adjustment by the frame rate adjustment unit 152 according to the first embodiment. For example, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 narrows the angle of view by one step, as indicated by the dotted line 31 in FIG. Then, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 determines whether or not the region of interest is included in the scan region with the angle of view narrowed by one step. Here, when the region of interest is included in the scan region, the frame rate rate adjustment unit 152 further narrows the angle of view by one step as indicated by the dotted line 32 in FIG.

  As described above, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 narrows the angle of view in a stepwise manner until a part of the region of interest deviates from the scan region. For example, the frame rate adjusting unit 152 narrows the angle of view in a stepwise manner as indicated by dotted lines 31, 32, 33, and 34 in FIG.

  Then, when a part of the region of interest deviates from the scan region, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 widens the angle of view by one step and ends the adjustment of the angle of view. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 gradually narrows the angle of view until a part of the region of interest deviates from the scan region, and a part of the region of interest is the scan region. The angle of view is adjusted to be one step wider than the angle of view that is out of the range. The width for adjusting the angle of view is arbitrarily set by the designer or operator. It is also possible to set different widths for the width for narrowing the angle of view and the width for widening the angle of view.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the depth of field adjustment by the frame rate adjustment unit 152 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, (A) in FIG. 5 corresponds to (B) in FIG. For example, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 decreases the visual field depth of the scan region after the angle of view adjustment illustrated in FIG. 5A by one step as illustrated in FIG. Then, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 determines whether or not the region of interest is included in the scan region in a state where the depth of field is reduced by one step. Here, when the region of interest is included in the scan region, the frame rate rate adjustment unit 152 further reduces the depth of field by one step as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 gradually reduces the depth of field until a part of the region of interest deviates from the scan region. Then, when a part of the region of interest deviates from the scan region, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 increases the visual field depth by one step and ends the adjustment of the visual field depth.

  As described above, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 can reduce the scan time required for one frame by reducing the scan area in accordance with the region of interest. As a result, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 improves the frame rate. That is, by narrowing the angle of view, the number of ultrasonic beams to be transmitted is reduced, and as a result, the frame rate is improved. In addition, by reducing the depth of field, the time until the reflected wave is received is shortened, and as a result, the frame rate is improved.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the image quality adjustment unit 153 includes a plurality of ultrasonic waves that are continuous in time series in a plurality of ultrasonic images generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the scanning region reduced by the frame rate adjustment unit 152. The image quality adjustment parameter that interacts with the frame rate is changed on condition that the same region drawn in each image is included in the region of interest. Specifically, the image quality adjustment unit 153 adjusts the image quality that changes as the frame rate is adjusted by the frame rate adjustment unit 152. More specifically, the image quality adjustment unit 153 improves the image quality that has deteriorated as the frame rate is adjusted.

  For example, the image quality adjustment unit 153 improves the image quality by adjusting the raster density as an image quality adjustment parameter that interacts with the frame rate. When adjusting the image quality by adjusting the raster density, the image quality adjustment unit 153 first generates an ultrasound image in which the raster density is set to the maximum value in the scan region reduced by the frame rate adjustment unit 152. . Then, the image quality adjustment unit 153 causes the region extraction unit 151 to determine a tracking point. Note that the raster density is set to be the highest within a range that does not fall below the frame rate desired by the operator.

  Here, when the raster density is used as the image quality adjustment parameter, for example, the angle of view and the depth of field may increase. Therefore, the image quality adjustment unit 153 determines whether or not the tracking point determined by the region extraction unit 151 falls within the region of interest stored in the image memory 160. Specifically, the image quality adjustment unit 153 determines whether or not the tracking point falls within the region of interest using the amount of change of the tracking point and the direction (vector) of the change. For example, the image quality adjustment unit 153 determines whether or not the tracking point determined by the region extraction unit 151 falls within the region of interest 26.

  If the tracking point falls within the region of interest, the image quality adjustment unit 153 ends the image quality adjustment. On the other hand, if the tracking point does not fall within the region of interest, the image quality adjustment unit 153 lowers the raster density by one level and generates an ultrasonic image again. Then, the image quality adjustment unit 153 determines whether or not the tracking point of the regenerated ultrasonic image falls within the region of interest. As described above, the image quality adjustment unit 153 gradually decreases the raster density until the tracking point is within the region of interest. Then, the image quality adjustment unit 153 performs control so that an image in which the scan area and the raster density are adjusted is displayed from the monitor 13 when the tracking point falls within the region of interest.

  That is, the image quality adjustment unit 153 first improves the image quality as much as possible by setting the raster density to the highest value. Then, the image quality adjustment unit 153 gradually decreases the raster density until the tracking point is within the region of interest in order to correct the change in the angle of view and the depth of field caused by increasing the raster density. Thereby, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to provide an ultrasonic image in which a region of interest is accurately depicted with high image quality.

  For example, in the prior art, the operator repeatedly adjusts the frame rate and the raster density until a desired image is obtained. This operation is one of the factors that reduce the diagnostic efficiency because it takes time until a desired image is obtained. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can automatically perform the above-described operation of the operator and provide an ultrasonic image with high quality in a short time. That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to improve diagnostic efficiency.

  In the above description of the processing by the image data control unit 150, the description has been made using an image. However, in actuality, the above processing is not displayed on the monitor but is executed only inside the apparatus, and the frame rate is automatically set. An image is displayed on the monitor 13 for the first time after the adjustment is completed.

  Next, processing of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 show the processing after the ultrasonic probe 11 is applied to the body surface of the subject P and the diagnosis is started.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, when the child adjustment function is activated (Yes in step S101), the region extraction unit 151 is generated by the image data generation unit 140. Two images that are continuous in time series are acquired from the ultrasonic image thus obtained (step S102).

  Then, the region adjustment unit 151 calculates a difference between the two acquired ultrasonic images, and calculates a change amount between the images (step S103). Subsequently, the region adjustment unit 151 determines whether or not the change amount has been calculated a predetermined number of times (step S104). If the change amount has not been calculated a predetermined number of times (No at Step S104), the region adjustment unit 151 returns to Step S102 and acquires two images that are continuous in time series.

  On the other hand, when the change amount is calculated a predetermined number of times (Yes at Step S104), the region adjustment unit 151 determines a tracking point and extracts two images with the maximum change amount (Step S105). ). Then, the region extraction unit 151 sets a region of interest using the extracted two images (step S106).

  Thereafter, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 adjusts the scan area based on the set region of interest (step S107). Then, the image quality adjustment unit 153 sets the raster density to the maximum value (step S108), and generates an ultrasonic image with the set scan area and raster density (step S109).

  Thereafter, the region extraction unit 151 acquires two images that are continuous in time series from the generated ultrasonic image, and calculates the amount of change between the images (step S110). Then, the image quality adjustment unit 153 determines whether the tracking point is within the region of interest based on the amount of change between images and the direction of change calculated by the region extraction unit 151 (step S111).

  Here, when the tracking point is not within the region of interest (No at Step S111), the image quality adjustment unit 153 generates an image with the raster density lowered by one level (Step S112), and the region extraction unit 151 The amount of change between the images is calculated again (step S110).

  On the other hand, when the tracking point is within the region of interest (Yes at Step S111), the image quality adjustment unit 153 displays an image generated with the adjusted scan region and raster density on the monitor 13 as a diagnostic image (Step S111). S113), the process is terminated. Until the automatic adjustment function is activated, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is in a standby state (No at Step S101).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of angle of view adjustment processing by the frame rate adjustment unit 152 according to the first embodiment. The process in FIG. 7 corresponds to the process in step S107 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 narrows the angle of view of the ultrasonic image by one step (step S201), and the region extraction unit 151 It is determined whether or not the region of interest set in step S2 falls within the scan region (step S202).

  If the region of interest is within the scan region (Yes at Step S202), the frame rate adjustment unit 152 returns to Step S201 and narrows the angle of view by one step. On the other hand, when the region of interest does not fit in the scan region (No at Step S202), the frame rate adjustment unit 152 applies the angle of view widened by one level (Step S203), and ends the angle of view adjustment processing. .

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the depth-of-view adjustment processing by the frame rate adjustment unit 152 according to the first embodiment. The process in FIG. 8 corresponds to the process in step S107 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 decreases the visual field depth of the ultrasonic image by one step (step S301), and the region extraction unit 151 It is determined whether or not the region of interest set by (1) is within the scan region (step S302).

  If the region of interest is within the scan region (Yes at step S302), the frame rate adjustment unit 152 returns to step S301 and narrows the angle of view by one step. On the other hand, when the region of interest does not fit in the scan region (No at Step S302), the frame rate adjustment unit 152 applies the depth of field that is deepened by one step (Step S303), and ends the depth of field adjustment process. .

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 reduces the scan area where ultrasound is transmitted and received by the ultrasound probe 11 to an area including at least the region of interest of the subject. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can automatically adjust the frame rate and improve the diagnostic efficiency.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the region extraction unit 151 detects the same part depicted in each of a plurality of time-sequential ultrasonic images, and each detected same part is detected in the ultrasonic image. A region including the rendered position is extracted as the region of interest. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can automatically set a moving part as a region of interest, and can reduce the work of the operator related to the setting of the region of interest. To do.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 reduces the scan area by narrowing the angle of view of the ultrasonic image on condition that the region of interest is included in the scan area. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to narrow the angle of view so as to reliably include the region of interest.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 reduces the scanning region by reducing the depth of field of the ultrasonic image on condition that the region of interest is included in the scanning region. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to narrow the depth of field so as to reliably include the region of interest.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the image quality adjustment unit 153 continuously in time series in a plurality of ultrasonic images generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the scan region reduced by the frame rate adjustment unit 152. The raster density that affects the frame rate is changed on condition that the same region depicted in each of the plurality of ultrasonic images is included in the region of interest. Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment makes it possible to improve the image quality of an image in which a region of interest is reliably depicted.

(Second Embodiment)
Although the first embodiment has been described so far, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the first embodiment described above.

(1) Region of Interest Setting In the first embodiment described above, the case where the region extraction unit 151 sets a region of interest has been described. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this, and may be a case where a region of interest is set by an operator, for example. In such a case, the frame rate adjustment unit 152 reduces the scan region using the region of interest set by the operator.

(2) Process Target In the first embodiment described above, the case where a two-dimensional ultrasonic image is used has been described. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this, and for example, a case where a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is used may be used. In such a case, the ultrasonic image with the adjusted frame rate and image quality is displayed as, for example, a rendering image from a certain viewpoint direction, or displayed as an MPR (Multi Planar Reformation) image cut along a predetermined section. Or

(3) Processing Order In the first embodiment described above, the case where the depth of field is adjusted after the angle of view has been adjusted has been described. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this, and the angle of view may be adjusted after the depth of field is adjusted.

(4) Image Quality Adjustment Parameter In the first embodiment described above, the case where the raster density is used as the image quality adjustment parameter that interacts with the frame rate has been described. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this, and for example, a setting related to a compound for increasing contrast resolution, the number of focus stages, a data size of a color image, and the like may be used.

  For example, when using the setting related to the compound, the image quality adjustment unit 153 adjusts the setting related to each of the spatial compound and the frequency compound. When adjusting the setting relating to the spatial compound, the image quality adjustment unit 153 adjusts the number of ultrasonic beams to be combined when generating an ultrasonic image, for example. When adjusting the frequency compound, the image quality adjustment unit 153 adjusts images obtained at high frequency and low frequency, for example. When the data size of a color image is used, the image quality adjustment unit 153 adjusts the number of transmissions of ultrasonic beams that are transmitted to generate Doppler data, for example.

(5) Automatic setting of region of interest In the first embodiment described above, the case where an arbitrary region including a difference between images is set as a region of interest has been described. However, the disclosed technique is not limited to this, and for example, the region of interest may be set in consideration of other factors in which the frame rate changes. For example, when setting the region of interest, the region extraction unit 151 sets the region of interest as small as possible when setting the region of interest from the body surface in consideration of the position from the body surface.

(6) Elements related to change in frame rate In the first embodiment described above, the angle of view and the depth of field are described as examples of elements related to the change in frame rate, and the raster density is used as an image quality adjustment parameter. However, for example, sub-mode setting for setting PS-THI (Pulse subtraction tissue Harmonic imaging) or APS, the position of the viewport during zooming, the frame rate control function, the speed when performing Doppler scan, or 1 The frame rate also changes depending on the setting of P-Sel (parallel simultaneous reception processing) for generating reflected wave data of a plurality of reception focus from the reflected wave signal of each piezoelectric vibrator obtained by the transmission of the ultrasonic beam. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 disclosed in the present application can also automatically adjust the frame rate in consideration of the setting state of each element described above.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment can automatically adjust the frame rate and the image quality, and improve the diagnostic efficiency. Enable.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 Ultrasonic probe 12 Input apparatus 13 Monitor 100 Apparatus main body 150 Image data control part 151 Area extraction part 152 Frame rate adjustment part 153 Image quality adjustment part

Claims (6)

An adjusting means for reducing a scanning area where ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe to an area including at least a region of interest of the subject;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:   A region extracting means for detecting the same portion depicted in each of a plurality of time-sequential ultrasonic images and extracting a region including the same portion detected in each of the plurality of ultrasonic images as the region of interest; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The said adjustment means reduces the said scanning area | region by narrowing the angle of view of the said ultrasonic image on the condition that the said interested area | region is contained in the said scanning area | region. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment.   The said adjustment means reduces the said scanning area | region by making the visual field depth of the said ultrasonic image shallow, on the condition that the said interested area | region is contained in the said scanning area | region. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described in any one.   In the plurality of ultrasound images generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from the scanning region reduced by the adjustment unit, the same portion depicted in each of the plurality of time-sequential ultrasound images is the region of interest. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image quality adjustment unit that changes an image quality adjustment parameter that interacts with the frame rate on the condition that the image quality adjustment parameter is included. An adjustment procedure for reducing a scanning region in which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe to a region including at least a region of interest of the subject;
An adjustment program for causing a computer to execute.