JP2014057883A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and puncture supporting control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus allowing the positional relationship between an examination/treatment object region and a puncture needle to be accurately recognized.SOLUTION: An MPR image data generating part 6 of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 sets a predetermined target MPR cross-section in volume data in piercing a puncture needle collected in a three-dimensional area including an examination/treatment object region, and generates target image data. Meanwhile, a puncture data generating part 8 generates puncture needle data showing the position and direction of a puncture needle 32 on the basis of the volume data, and an intersection angle detecting part 10 detects an angle of intersection between a puncture needle MPR cross-section where the puncture needle data is included and the target MPR cross-section. An MPR image data generating part 6 sets the puncture needle MPR cross-section in the volume data, and generates puncture needle image data. A puncture needle supporting data generating part 11 compounds puncture needle image data on which puncture needle data is superposed and the target image data on the basis of the intersection angle, and generates puncture needle supporting data.

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a puncture support control program, and in particular, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used when a puncture needle is inserted into a patient's examination / treatment target site under observation of ultrasonic image data. And a control program for puncture support.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus radiates an ultrasonic pulse generated from a vibration element provided in an ultrasonic probe into a patient's body, and receives the ultrasonic reflected wave generated by the difference in acoustic impedance of the patient tissue by the vibration element. Is used to collect biological information, and it is possible to observe 2D ultrasound image data and 3D ultrasound image data in the body in real time with a simple operation by simply bringing the ultrasound probe into contact with the body surface. Widely used for morphological and functional diagnosis of organs.

In addition, ultrasonic image data (real-time display of invasive examinations and treatments using puncture needles)
Hereinafter, it is referred to as image data. ) Has also been developed, and a two-dimensional puncture technique for the purpose of injecting a drug or removing a cell / tissue from a site to be examined or treated (hereinafter referred to as a site to be examined / treated) is developed. By performing observation while observing image data or three-dimensional image data, safety and efficiency in examinations and treatments can be dramatically improved.

When puncturing an inspection / treatment site under observation of image data, the puncture needle inserted into the body by attaching the puncture needle to a puncture adapter integrated with an ultrasonic probe and the inspection / treatment target A method is proposed in which two-dimensional image data showing a part is generated at the same time, and the inspection / treatment target part is inserted while checking the position and direction of the puncture needle while observing the two-dimensional image data. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Further, the first image data including the examination / treatment target part generated based on the volume data collected from the three-dimensional region of the patient including the examination / treatment target part and the puncture detected by the position sensor of the puncture adapter A method of combining and displaying the second image data including the planned needle insertion path has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-205776 JP 2005-323669 A

According to the methods described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when the puncture needle advances into the body along a preset path (planned insertion path), the inspection / treatment target site is Thus, the tip of the puncture needle can be reliably reached. However, when the hardness of the living tissue in the planned insertion path is extremely uneven, the puncture needle is inserted in an unexpected direction. In such a case, according to the method of Patent Document 1, the puncture needle disappears from the image data,
Further, according to the method of Patent Document 2, since the puncture needle is inserted in a direction different from the planned insertion path shown in the second image data, the position and direction of the puncture needle inserted into the body It has become a problem that it becomes impossible to grasp accurately.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is when a puncture needle inserted into a patient's body enters an unexpected direction due to non-uniformity in tissue hardness or the like. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a puncture support control program capable of accurately and easily grasping the relative positional relationship of a puncture needle with respect to a region to be examined / treated.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides puncture support data based on volume data obtained from a three-dimensional region at the time of insertion of a puncture needle including a region to be examined / treated. The volume data is processed to obtain the 3
The puncture needle data generating means for generating puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle inserted in the three-dimensional area, and the puncture needle data so that the cross section and the insertion direction of the puncture needle substantially coincide with each other A puncture needle MPR cross-section setting means for setting the puncture needle MPR cross-section included in the volume data, a target MPR cross-section including the examination / treatment site set for the volume data, and the puncture needle MPR cross-section Crossing angle detecting means for detecting a crossing angle between the cross section of the target MPR and the cross section of the puncture needle MPR when the cross section of the cross section is the cross axis, target image data of the volume data on the cross section of the target MPR and the puncture needle MPR MPR image data generating means for generating puncture needle image data in a cross section, the target image data, and the puncture needle Puncture support data generating means for generating the puncture support data by combining needle image data based on the crossing angle, and display means for displaying the puncture support data, wherein the cross axis is an ultrasonic probe It is characterized by having a portion perpendicular to the central axis.

On the other hand, the control program for puncture support of the present invention according to claim 7 is directed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
Volume data obtained from the three-dimensional area at the time of insertion of the puncture needle including the examination / treatment site is processed to generate puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle inserted in the three-dimensional area. A puncture needle M for setting a puncture needle MPR cross section including the puncture needle data generation function and the puncture needle data so that the cross section and the insertion direction of the puncture needle substantially coincide with each other with respect to the volume data.
PR cross-section setting function, and the target MPR cross-section and the puncture when the crossing portion of the cross-section of the target MPR cross-section including the examination / treatment target site set for the volume data and the puncture needle MPR cross-section is used A crossing angle detection function for detecting a crossing angle with the needle MPR cross section; a MPR image data generation function for generating target image data in the target MPR cross section of the volume data and puncture needle image data in the puncture needle MPR cross section; Performing a puncture support data generation function for generating the puncture support data by combining target image data and the puncture needle image data based on the crossing angle, and a display function for displaying the puncture support data It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, even when a puncture needle inserted into a patient's body enters an unexpected direction due to tissue hardness non-uniformity or the like, the relative position of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment target site The relationship can be grasped accurately and easily. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform a highly safe test | inspection and treatment efficiently.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the transmission / reception part and reception signal processing part with which the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the Example is provided. The figure for demonstrating the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction in the three-dimensional scanning of the Example. The block diagram which shows the specific structure of the volume data generation part with which the ultrasonic diagnosing device of the Example is provided. The figure for demonstrating the target MPR cross section set with respect to the volume data of the Example, and the target image data produced | generated in this target MPR cross section. The figure which shows the specific example of the puncture assistance data displayed on the display part of the Example. The figure which shows the modification of the puncture assistance data displayed on the display part of the Example. The flowchart which shows the display procedure of the puncture assistance data in the Example. The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic diagnosing device in the 2nd Example of this invention. The figure which shows the production | generation method of the puncture needle projection data in the Example. The figure for demonstrating the production | generation of the puncture assistance data in the Example. The flowchart which shows the display procedure of the puncture assistance data in the Example.

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

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment described below first applies the examination / treatment target part to volume data obtained by three-dimensional scanning before insertion of a puncture needle into a three-dimensional region including the examination / treatment part. A first MPR cross section including the target MPR cross section is set. Next, the target MP of the volume data obtained by three-dimensional scanning at the time of insertion of the puncture needle
First MPR image data (target image data) is generated in the R section, and puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle is generated based on the volume data. Then, the crossing angle between the second MPR cross section (puncture needle MPR cross section) including the puncture needle data and the target MPR cross section is detected, and the puncture needle MPR cross section is set as volume data at the time of puncture needle insertion. MPR image data (puncture needle image data) is generated, and target image data and puncture needle image data on which the puncture needle data is superimposed are combined based on the crossing angle to generate puncture support data.

In the first embodiment of the present invention described below, target image data and puncture needle image data are obtained using volume data obtained by using a so-called two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe in which vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is based on the volume data obtained by mechanically moving or rotating an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibration elements are one-dimensionally arranged. The MPR image data may be generated.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and FIGS. 2 and 4 are specific examples of a transmission / reception unit / reception signal processing unit and a volume data generation unit included in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows a structure.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 transmits ultrasonic pulses (transmitted) to a three-dimensional region including the examination / treatment target site before and during insertion of the puncture needle into the examination / treatment target site. An ultrasonic probe 3 having a plurality of vibrating elements that convert ultrasonic reflected waves (received ultrasonic waves) obtained by the transmission into electrical signals (received signals), and the three-dimensional region Supplying a driving signal for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse in a predetermined direction to the vibrating element;
A transmission / reception unit 2 for phasing and adding reception signals of a plurality of channels obtained from these vibration elements;
A reception signal processing unit 4 that processes a reception signal after phasing addition to generate B-mode data, and sequentially stores B-mode data obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception with respect to the three-dimensional region to generate volume data. MPR that extracts target volume data and puncture needle image data by extracting volume data voxels corresponding to the MPR cross section set in the volume data generation section 5 and the input section 13 or puncture needle MPR cross section setting section 9 described later. An image data generation unit 6 is provided.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a puncture needle data generation unit 8 that processes volume data collected at the time of puncture needle insertion and generates puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle, and the puncture needle data. Crossing angle between the puncture needle MPR cross-section setting unit 9 for setting the puncture needle MPR cross-section and the target MPR cross-section including the examination / treatment target site whose position is set or updated by the input unit 13 and the puncture needle MPR cross-section described above A crossing angle detection unit for detecting the crossing angle, a puncture support data generation unit for generating puncture support data by combining target image data and puncture needle image data based on the detection result of the crossing angle, and MPR before insertion of the puncture needle Image data generator 6
Is provided with a display unit 12 for displaying target image data generated by the puncture needle and puncture support data generated by the puncture support data generation unit 11 when the puncture needle is inserted, and further includes input of patient information, setting of volume data collection conditions, target MPR cross section Update unit, selection of display mode, input of various command signals, and the like, and a system control unit 1 for comprehensively controlling the above-described units
5 is provided.

The ultrasonic probe 3 has N vibration elements (not shown) arranged two-dimensionally at its distal end, and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves by bringing the distal end into contact with the patient's body surface. Each of the vibration elements is connected to the transmission / reception unit 2 via an N-channel multi-core cable (not shown). The vibration element is an electroacoustic transducer, and at the time of transmission, an electric pulse (drive signal) is converted into an ultrasonic pulse (
It has a function of converting an ultrasonic reflected wave (reception ultrasonic wave) into an electrical reception signal at the time of reception. A puncture needle 32 provided separately is provided on the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 3.
Puncture adapter 31 having a needle guide (not shown) for piercing the patient into the body of the patient
The puncture adapter 32 is used to puncture a needle 32 for the volume data described above.
The scheduled insertion route is determined uniquely.

The ultrasonic probe includes sector scanning, linear scanning, convex scanning, and the like, and the operator can arbitrarily select according to the diagnostic part.
A case will be described where a sector scanning ultrasonic probe 3 in which N vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged is used.

Next, the transmission / reception unit 2 shown in FIG. 2 performs a phasing addition on the transmission unit 21 that supplies a drive signal to the vibration element of the ultrasonic probe 3 and the N-channel reception signal obtained from the vibration element. A receiving unit 22 is provided.

The transmission unit 21 includes a rate pulse generator 211, a transmission delay circuit 212, and a drive circuit 213.
The rate pulse generator 211 generates a rate pulse that determines the repetition period of the transmission ultrasonic wave by dividing the reference signal supplied from the system control unit 15. The transmission delay circuit 212 is composed of N-channel independent delay circuits, and has a delay time (focusing delay time) for focusing the transmission ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth in order to obtain a narrow beam width in transmission, and a predetermined delay time. A delay time (deflection delay time) for radiating transmission ultrasonic waves in the transmission / reception direction (θp, φq) is given to the rate pulse. The N-channel independent drive circuit 213 generates a drive pulse for driving the N vibration elements incorporated in the ultrasonic probe 3 based on the rate pulse.

On the other hand, the receiving unit 22 includes an A / D converter 221 including N channels, a reception delay circuit 222, and an adder 223, and an N channel received signal supplied from the vibration element is A / D.
The digital signal is converted by the D converter 221. The reception delay circuit 222 has a delay time for focusing for focusing an ultrasonic wave reflected from a predetermined depth and a deflection delay for setting a strong reception directivity for a predetermined transmission / reception direction (θp, φq). Time is given to each of the N-channel reception signals output from the A / D converter 221, and the adder 223 adds and synthesizes the reception signals supplied from these reception delay circuits 222. That is, the reception delay circuit 222 and the adder 223 perform phasing addition (addition after phase matching) for the reception signal obtained from a predetermined direction.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship of the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception direction (θp, φq) with respect to the orthogonal coordinates (Xo-Yo-Zo) with the central axis of the ultrasonic probe 3 as the Zo axis. For example, N vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged in the Xo-axis direction and the Yo-axis direction, and θp and φq are Xo-Zo plane and Yo-Zo.
The transmission / reception direction projected on the plane is shown.

Returning to FIG. 2, the received signal processing unit 4 includes an envelope detector 41 and a logarithmic converter 42. The envelope detector 41 envelope-detects the reception signal after the phasing addition supplied from the adder 223 of the receiving unit 22, and the amplitude of the reception signal subjected to the envelope detection is logarithmically converted by the logarithmic converter 42. B-mode data is generated. Note that the envelope detector 41 and the logarithmic converter 42 may be configured by changing the order.

Next, a specific configuration of the volume data generation unit 5 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the volume data generation unit 5 includes an ultrasonic data storage unit 51, an interpolation processing unit 52, and a volume data storage unit 53. The ultrasonic data storage unit 51 performs three-dimensional scanning on the patient. The B mode data generated by the reception signal processing unit 4 based on the obtained reception signal is sequentially stored with the transmission / reception direction of the ultrasonic wave as supplementary information.

On the other hand, the interpolation processing unit 52 forms three-dimensional B-mode data by arranging a plurality of B-mode data read from the ultrasonic data storage unit 51 in correspondence with the transmission / reception direction,
Volume data composed of isotropic voxels is generated by interpolating the unequally spaced voxels constituting the three-dimensional B-mode data. The obtained volume data is stored in the volume data storage unit 53.

Returning to FIG. 1, the MPR image data generation unit 6 reads the volume data before insertion of the puncture needle stored in the volume data storage unit 53 of the volume data generation unit 5, and sets a preset target MPR section or input. Target MPR updated in part 13
Target image data is generated by extracting voxels of the volume data corresponding to the cross section. Similarly, volume data at the time of puncture needle insertion stored in the volume data storage unit 53 is read, and the volume data corresponding to the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section set in the puncture needle MPR cross section setting unit 9 Are extracted to generate target image data and puncture needle image data.

Note that the above-described target MPR cross section is initially set, for example, in the Xo-Zo plane shown in FIG. 3, and when the target MPR cross section is not properly located by observation of the target image data obtained at this time, the input unit 13 Is updated to a suitable position by a target MPR cross-section update function 131 described later.

FIG. 5A schematically shows volume data Vo collected in a three-dimensional area including the examination / treatment target site Cp, and the Xo-Zo plane of this three-dimensional area (see FIG. 3). The target MPR cross section Mt is initially set. On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows target image data Dm generated in the above-described target MPR cross section Mt and displayed on the display unit 12.
This is a specific example of t, and the insertion marker Gn indicating the planned insertion path of the puncture needle 32 automatically set in the plane of the target MPR cross section Mt is superimposed on the target image data Dmt and displayed on the monitor of the display unit 12. The The operator then inserts the insertion marker Gn of the puncture needle 32 and the inspection / treatment site C under the observation of the target image data Dmt displayed in time series on the display unit 12.
The position and direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 arranged on the patient's body surface are adjusted so that p intersects.

Returning to FIG. 1, the puncture needle data generation unit 8 includes a comparison circuit (not shown), and compares the voxel value of the volume data supplied from the volume data generation unit 5 with the predetermined threshold value α. . Then, based on the comparison result, a received ultrasonic wave having a relatively large amplitude obtained from the surface of the puncture needle 32 is extracted to generate linear puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle 32.

On the other hand, the puncture needle MPR cross-section setting unit 9 detects the position information of the puncture needle data, and sets the puncture needle MPR cross-section including the puncture needle data for the volume data based on the obtained position information. In addition, when the above-mentioned puncture needle data does not exist on the same plane, for example,
A plane that minimizes the sum of squares of the distances from the respective voxels forming the puncture needle data is set as the puncture needle MPR cross section.

Then, the crossing angle detection unit 10 includes the target MPR cross section set in advance or the position information of the target MPR cross section updated by the input unit 13 and the puncture needle MPR cross section setting unit 9 described above.
The crossing angle between the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section is detected based on the position information of the puncture needle MPR cross section set by.

Next, the puncture support data generation unit 11 includes target image data and puncture needle image data supplied from the MPR image data generation unit 6 and a target MPR cross section supplied from the crossing angle detection unit 10 at the time of puncture needle insertion. Information on the crossing angle with the cross section of the puncture needle MPR is received. And
Based on the crossing angle information, target image data and puncture needle image data are synthesized to generate puncture support data. In this case, the puncture needle image data on which the linear puncture needle data generated by the puncture needle data generation unit 8 is superimposed and the above-described target image data may be combined based on the crossing angle information. According to this method, it becomes easier to grasp the relative positional relationship of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment target site.

Next, the display unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a display data generation unit, a data conversion unit, and a monitor (not shown), and target image data and puncture needle puncture generated by the MPR image data generation unit 6 before puncture needle insertion. It has a function of converting the puncture support data generated by the puncture support data generation unit 11 at the time of entry into a predetermined display format and displaying it on the monitor.

That is, the display data generation unit of the display unit 12 adds incidental information such as patient information to the target image data supplied from the MPR image data generation unit 6 and the puncture support data supplied from the puncture support data generation unit 11. Display data is generated, and the data conversion unit performs conversion processing such as D / A conversion and television format conversion on the display data generated by the display data generation unit and displays the display data on the monitor.

FIG. 6 shows the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section (FIG. 6A) set for the inspection / treatment target site at the time of puncture needle insertion, and puncture support data displayed on the display unit 12 at this time. A specific example (FIG. 6B) is shown. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the target MPR cross section Mt is set in the Xo-Zo plane intersecting the examination / treatment site Cp of the volume data collected at the time of insertion of the puncture needle, and the volume data is processed. The puncture needle MPR cross section Mn is set based on the puncture needle data of the puncture needle 32 obtained as described above.

In such a case, the monitor of the display unit 12 has a target MP as shown in FIG.
Puncture support data Dx obtained by synthesizing the target image data Dmt generated in the R section Mt and the puncture needle image data Dmn generated in the puncture needle MPR section Mn based on the crossing angle information β of these MPR sections. Is displayed.

When displaying the puncture support data Dx obtained by combining the target image data Dmt and the puncture needle image data Dmn, the display data generation unit of the display unit 12 is, for example, a puncture located in front of the target image data Dmt. A warm color tone having transparency corresponding to the crossing angle is set with respect to the needle image data Dmn, and a cold color system having transparency corresponding to the crossing angle with respect to the puncture needle image data Dmn located behind the target image data Dmt Set the color tone.

Specifically, it is desirable to set a larger transparency as the crossing angle between the target MPR cross section Mt and the puncture needle MPR cross section Mn is larger, but it is not particularly limited. Further, a cold color tone is set for the puncture needle image data Dmn located in front of the target image data Dmt, and a warm color tone is set for the puncture needle image data Dmn located behind the target image data Dmt. It doesn't matter.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a modified example of the puncture support data displayed on the display unit 12 at the time of puncture needle insertion. As shown in FIG. Needle M
In addition to the PR cross section Mn, for example, the target MPR cross section Mta orthogonal to the target MPR cross section Mt and the puncture needle MPR cross section Mna orthogonal to the puncture needle MPR cross section Mn are set for the volume data collected at the time of puncture needle insertion To do.

6B, target image data Dmt generated at the target MPR cross section Mt and puncture needle image data D generated at the puncture needle MPR cross section Mn.
Puncture support data Dx (FIG. 7B) by combining with mn, puncture support by combining target image data Dmta generated at the target MPR cross section Mta and puncture needle image data Dmna generated at the puncture needle MPR cross section Mna Data Dxa (FIG. 7C) is displayed on the display unit 12. Also in this case, the puncture needle image data Dmn is the same as in FIG.
The transparency and color tone are set for the puncture needle image data Dmna.

In addition, a display mode for displaying puncture support data obtained by combining one target image data and puncture needle image data as shown in FIG. 6B, or FIGS. 7B and 7C.
Selection of a display mode for displaying puncture support data obtained by combining a plurality of target image data and puncture needle image data as shown in FIG.

Next, the input unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 includes an input device such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, and a mouse on the operation panel, and a target MPR cross-section update function 131 for updating the target MPR cross-section and a display mode selection. A display mode selection function 132 for performing Furthermore, patient information is input, volume data collection conditions are set, threshold value α necessary for generating puncture needle data, various command signals are input using the above-described display panel and input device.

On the other hand, the system control unit 15 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and the above-described various information input / set / selected by the input unit 13 is stored in the storage circuit. And said C
The PU controls each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 based on the above-described input information, setting information, and selection information, and generates and displays puncture support data for the examination / treatment site.

(Puncture support data display procedure)
Next, the display procedure of puncture support data in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Prior to collection of volume data for a three-dimensional region including the examination / treatment target region, the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 inputs patient information at the input unit 13, and further sets volume data collection conditions, and targets MPR. A cross section is set, a display mode is selected, a threshold value α used for generating puncture needle data, and the like are set. In this embodiment, Xo-Z shown in FIG.
Display mode in which o-plane is set as the first target MPR cross section and puncture support data obtained by combining one target image data and puncture needle image data as shown in FIG. Select. Then, the above-described input information, selection information, and setting information in the input unit 13 are stored in the storage circuit of the system control unit 15 (step S1 in FIG. 8).

When the above initial setting is completed, the operator inputs a volume data collection start command from the input unit 13 with the tip of the ultrasonic probe 3 in contact with the body surface of the patient. Is supplied to the system control unit 15, and collection of volume data is started.

When collecting volume data, the rate pulse generator 211 of the transmitter 21 shown in FIG.
Generates a rate pulse in accordance with a control signal supplied from the system control unit 15 and supplies it to the transmission delay circuit 212. The transmission delay circuit 212 has a delay time for focusing ultrasonic waves to a predetermined depth in order to obtain a narrow beam width in transmission, and a delay time for transmitting ultrasonic waves in the first transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1). Is supplied to the rate pulse, and this rate pulse is supplied to the N-channel drive circuit 213. Next, the drive circuit 213 generates a drive signal having a predetermined delay time based on the rate pulse supplied from the transmission delay circuit 212, and supplies this drive signal to the N vibration elements in the ultrasonic probe 3. Direction in the patient's body (θ1
, Φ1) is transmitted.

A part of the radiated transmission ultrasonic wave is reflected by an organ boundary surface or tissue having different acoustic impedance, received by the vibration element, and converted into an N-channel electrical reception signal.
Next, this received signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 221 of the receiving unit 22, and then the delay time for converging the received ultrasonic wave from a predetermined depth in the N-channel receiving delay circuit 222. And a delay time for setting a strong reception directivity with respect to the reception ultrasonic wave from the transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1) is given, and the adder 223 performs phasing addition.

Then, the envelope detector 41 and the logarithmic converter 42 of the received signal processing unit 4 to which the received signal after the phasing addition is supplied perform envelope detection and logarithmic conversion on the received signal to obtain B-mode data. The generated B-mode data is stored in the ultrasonic data storage unit 51 of the volume data generation unit 5.

When the generation and storage of B-mode data for the transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1) is completed, φq = φ1 + (q−1) Δφ (q = 2 to Q) in which the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction is updated by Δφ in the φ direction. ), Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in the same procedure with respect to the transmission / reception directions (θ1, φ2 to φQ) set. At this time, the system control unit 15 updates the delay times of the transmission delay circuit 212 and the reception delay circuit 222 in accordance with the ultrasonic transmission / reception direction by the control signal.

When the ultrasonic transmission / reception in the transmission / reception direction (θ1, φ1 to φQ) is completed by the above-described procedure, θp = θ1 + (p−1) Δθ (p =
2 to P) is set, and three-dimensional scanning is performed by repeating the ultrasonic transmission / reception of φ1 to φQ described above for each of the transmission / reception directions θ2 to θP. The B mode data obtained by ultrasonic transmission / reception in each transmission / reception direction is stored in the ultrasonic data storage unit 51 of the volume data generation unit 5 corresponding to the transmission / reception direction. On the other hand, the volume data generation unit 5
The interpolation processing unit 52 generates volume data based on the ultrasound data stored in the ultrasound data storage unit 51 and stores the volume data in its own volume data storage unit 53 (step S in FIG. 8).
2).

Next, the MPR image data generating unit 6 extracts voxels on the Xo-Zo plane initially set as the first target MPR cross section from the volume data stored in the volume data storage unit 53, and obtains target image data. Generate. Then, an insertion marker indicating the planned insertion path of the puncture needle is superimposed on the target image data and displayed on the monitor of the display unit 12 (step S3 in FIG. 8).

On the other hand, if the operator who has observed the target image data on which the insertion marker is superimposed on the display unit 12 is inappropriate in the position of the target MPR cross-section relative to the examination / treatment target site or the position of the insertion marker, Target M using target MPR cross-section update function 131
The position of the PR section and the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe 3 are updated (step S4 in FIG. 8).

Next, the volume data generation unit 5 generates new volume data based on the reception signal obtained by the ultrasonic probe 3 whose position is updated (step S2 in FIG. 8).
The MPR image data generation unit 6 generates target image data in the target MPR cross section whose position is updated, and displays the target image data on the display unit 12 together with the insertion marker (step S3 in FIG. 8). Then, the above steps S2 to S4 are repeated until the insertion marker is set at a suitable position of the examination / treatment target site.

Next, the operator attaches the puncture needle 32 to the needle guide of the puncture adapter 31 attached to the side surface of the ultrasonic probe 3 and inserts it toward the examination / treatment target site of the patient (step S5 in FIG. 8). ). Furthermore, the volume data collection start command is input again at the input unit 13, and the volume data generation unit 5 generates volume data at the time of insertion of the puncture needle by the same procedure as in step S 2 described above, and the volume data storage unit 53. (Figure 8)
Step S6).

Next, the MPR image data generation unit 6 extracts the voxels in the target MPR cross section from the volume data at the time of insertion of the puncture needle stored in the volume data storage unit 53 to generate target image data ( Step S7 in FIG. On the other hand, the puncture needle data generation unit 8 responds to the ultrasonic reflected wave obtained from the surface of the puncture needle 32 by comparing the voxel value of the volume data collected at the time of puncture needle insertion and a predetermined threshold value α. The voxels to be extracted are extracted, and these voxels are processed to generate linear puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle 32 (step S8 in FIG. 7).

Next, the puncture needle MPR cross-section setting unit 9 detects the position information of the puncture needle data supplied from the puncture needle data generation unit 8, and punctures a plane including the puncture needle data based on the obtained position information. The needle MPR section is set (step S9 in FIG. 7). Then, the MPR image data generation unit 6 reads the puncture needle volume data stored in the volume data storage unit 53 of the volume data generation unit 5 and the puncture needle set by the puncture needle MPR cross-section setting unit 9 The voxel of the volume data corresponding to the MPR section is extracted to generate puncture needle image data (step S10 in FIG. 7).

On the other hand, the crossing angle detection unit 10 is configured such that the preset target MPR cross section or the input unit 1
3 detects the crossing angle between the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section based on the position information of the target MPR cross section updated in 3 and the position information of the puncture needle MPR cross section set by the puncture needle MPR cross section setting unit 9 described above. (Step S11 in FIG. 7). The puncture support data generation unit 11 then supplies the target image data and the puncture needle image data supplied from the MPR image data generation unit 6 and the crossing angle information and the puncture needle supplied from the crossing angle detection unit 10. The puncture needle data supplied from the data generation unit 8 is received, and puncture support data is generated by synthesizing the puncture needle image data on which the puncture needle data is superimposed and the target image data based on the crossing angle information. Then, the display unit 12 performs a predetermined conversion process on the obtained puncture support data and displays it on its own monitor (step S12 in FIG. 7).

Then, by repeating the above steps S5 to S12 or steps S2 to S12, insertion of the puncture needle into the examination / treatment target site is performed under observation of puncture support data generated / displayed in time series.

In the present embodiment, the case where the puncture support data Dx is generated by combining the puncture needle image data Dmn on which the puncture needle data Dnd is superimposed and the target image data Dmt has been described.
The puncture needle image data Dmn on which the puncture needle data Dnd is not superimposed may be combined with the target image data Dmt.

Moreover, although the case where the color tone and the transparency are set for the puncture needle image data Dmn has been described, only one of the color tone and the transparency may be set. Furthermore, the case where the color tone and transparency are set for the puncture needle image data Dmn has been described.
It may be set for the target image data Dmt instead of mn.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, even when a puncture needle inserted into a patient's body enters an unexpected direction due to tissue hardness non-uniformity or the like, the inspection / treatment target It is possible to accurately and easily grasp the relative positional relationship of the puncture needle with respect to the site. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform a highly safe test | inspection and treatment efficiently.

In particular, in this embodiment, the target MPR cross section including the examination / treatment target region and the puncture needle MPR cross section including the puncture needle are set independently, and the target image data in the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle in the puncture needle MPR cross section are set. Since the puncture support data is generated by synthesizing the image data based on the crossing angle information between the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section, the positional deviation of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment target site can be easily grasped. Furthermore, by superimposing the puncture needle data on the puncture needle image data combined with the target image data, the position and direction of the puncture needle in the cross section of the puncture needle MPR can be accurately observed.

Further, the puncture needle image data located in front of the target image data and the puncture needle image data located behind are identified by color tone, and further, based on the size of the crossing angle formed by the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section. By setting the transparency of the puncture needle image data, it is possible to intuitively grasp the positional deviation direction and the magnitude of the positional deviation of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment target site. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform a test | inspection and treatment using a puncture needle safely and correctly.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this embodiment is
A target MPR cross section including the inspection / treatment target region is set for volume data obtained by three-dimensional scanning before insertion of the puncture needle into the three-dimensional region including the inspection / treatment target region. Next, target image data is generated in the target MPR cross section of the volume data obtained by three-dimensional scanning at the time of puncture needle insertion, and puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle is generated based on the volume data. Then, the puncture needle data is generated by projecting the puncture needle data onto the target MPR section, and the puncture support data is generated by superimposing the puncture needle projection data on the target image data.

(Device configuration)
The overall configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 9, units having the same configuration and function as the unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

That is, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9 performs ultrasonic pulses on a three-dimensional region including the examination / treatment target site before and during the insertion of the puncture needle into the examination / treatment target site. (Transmission ultrasonic wave) is transmitted, and the ultrasonic reflected wave (reception ultrasonic wave) obtained by this transmission
An ultrasonic probe 3 having a plurality of vibration elements that convert a signal into an electric signal (reception signal) and a drive signal for transmitting ultrasonic pulses in a predetermined direction in the three-dimensional region are supplied to the vibration elements. A transmission / reception unit 2 that performs phasing addition of the reception signals of a plurality of channels obtained from these vibration elements, a reception signal processing unit 4 that performs signal processing on the reception signal after phasing addition and generates B-mode data, A volume data generating unit 5 that sequentially stores B-mode data obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a three-dimensional region to generate volume data, and a target MPR section set in advance or a target updated in an input unit 13a described later MPR for generating target image data by extracting voxels of the volume data corresponding to the MPR section
An image data generation unit 6 is provided.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 processes the volume data collected at the time of puncture needle insertion to generate puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle, and the puncture needle data. A projection data generation unit 14 that generates puncture needle projection data by projecting onto a target MPR cross section, and a puncture support data generation unit 11a that generates puncture support data by superimposing the obtained puncture needle projection data on target image data; A display unit 12a for displaying the target image data generated by the MPR image data generation unit 6 and the puncture support data generated by the puncture support data generation unit 11a, and further input of patient information, setting of volume data collection conditions,
An input unit 13a for updating the target MPR cross section, selecting a display mode, inputting various command signals, and the like, and a system control unit 15 for comprehensively controlling the above-described units are provided.

As shown in FIG. 10, the projection data generation unit 14 sets the linear puncture needle data Dnd generated by the puncture needle data generation unit 8 based on the volume data at the time of puncture needle insertion in the input unit 13a. The puncture needle projection data Do including the projection image Tnd of the puncture needle data Dnd is generated by projecting onto the target MPR cross section Mt with the light source Ls as a reference.

On the other hand, the puncture support data generation unit 11a performs M based on the volume data at the time of puncture needle insertion.
Puncture support by superimposing the puncture needle projection data generated by the projection data generation unit 14 projecting the puncture needle data on the target MPR cross section onto the target image data of the target MPR cross section generated by the PR image data generation unit 6 Generate data.

The display unit 12a includes a display data generation unit, a data conversion unit, and a monitor (not shown).
The image data generation unit 6 converts the target image data generated based on the volume data before puncture needle insertion and the puncture support data generated by the puncture support data generation unit 11a at the time of puncture needle insertion into a predetermined display format. Display on the monitor.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the generation of puncture support data in the present embodiment. This puncture support data Dy is the target image data Dmt of the target MPR cross section Mt set in the volume data at the time of puncture needle insertion. It is generated by superimposing the puncture needle projection data Do (see FIG. 10) on the puncture needle data Dnd obtained by projection onto the target MPR cross section Mt. Also in this case, the color tone and transparency of the puncture needle projection data are the target M
It is set according to the positional relationship between the PR section Dmt and the puncture needle data Dnd.

On the other hand, the input unit 13a shown in FIG. 9 includes an input device such as a display panel, a keyboard, a trackball, and a mouse on the operation panel, a target MPR cross-section update function 131 that updates the target MPR cross-section, and a display mode selection. And a light source setting function 133 for setting the position and direction of the light source necessary for generating the puncture needle projection data. Furthermore, patient information is input, volume data collection conditions are set, threshold value α necessary for generating puncture needle data, various command signals are input using the above-described display panel and input device.

(Puncture support data display procedure)
Next, the display procedure of puncture support data in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, in FIG. 12, steps showing the same procedure as the display procedure of the puncture support data shown in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

That is, volume data generation, puncture needle setting, target MPR cross-section setting, target MPR cross-section target image data generation, and puncture needle Puncture needle data is generated based on the volume data at the time of puncture and puncture needle insertion. (Steps S1 to S8 in FIG. 12).

When the generation of the puncture needle data is completed, the projection data generation unit 14 inputs the linear puncture needle data generated by the puncture needle data generation unit 8 based on the volume data when the puncture needle is inserted into the input unit. The puncture needle projection data is generated by projecting onto the target MPR cross section with the light source set in 13a as a reference (step S19 in FIG. 12).

On the other hand, the puncture support data generation unit 11a performs M based on the volume data at the time of puncture needle insertion.
Puncture support by superimposing the puncture needle projection data generated by the projection data generation unit 14 projecting the puncture needle data on the target MPR cross section onto the target image data of the target MPR cross section generated by the PR image data generation unit 6 Data is generated and displayed on the monitor of the display unit 12a (step S20 in FIG. 12).

Then, by repeating Steps S5 to S20 or Steps S2 to S20 described above, insertion of the puncture needle into the examination / treatment target site is performed under observation of puncture support data generated / displayed in time series.

In this embodiment, two-dimensional puncture needle projection data Do including a linear projection image Tnd formed by projecting puncture needle data Dnd is superimposed on target image data Dmt to puncture support data Dy. However, the projection image Tnd may be directly superimposed on the target image data Dmt as the puncture needle projection data Do.

Moreover, although the case where the color tone and the transparency are set for the puncture needle projection data Do has been described, only one of the color tone and the transparency may be set. Furthermore, although the case where the color tone and transparency are set for the puncture needle projection data Do has been described, it may be set for the target image data Dmt instead of the puncture needle projection data Do.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the puncture needle inserted into the patient's body is unexpected due to tissue hardness non-uniformity and the like, similar to the first embodiment described above. Even in the case of entering the direction, it is possible to accurately and easily grasp the relative positional relationship of the puncture needle with respect to the examination / treatment target site. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform a highly safe test | inspection and treatment efficiently.

In particular, in this embodiment, the puncture needle projection data obtained by projecting puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle onto the target MPR cross section including the examination / treatment target region is used as the target M.
When generating puncture support data superimposed on the target image data obtained in the PR section, the puncture needle positioned in front of the target MPR section and the puncture needle positioned in the rear are identified by the color tone of the puncture needle projection data, and By setting the transparency of the puncture needle projection data based on the crossing angle between the target MPR cross section and the puncture needle, it is possible to intuitively determine the direction of displacement of the puncture needle and the size of the position deviation relative to the examination / treatment target site. Can grasp. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently perform examinations and treatments using a puncture needle.

As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, It can change and implement. For example, in the above-described embodiments (the first embodiment and the second embodiment), the puncture support data is obtained by synthesizing the target image data on which the insertion marker indicating the planned insertion path is superimposed and the puncture needle image data. I mentioned the case of generating
The target image data used for generating the puncture support data does not necessarily require the insertion marker.

In the above-described embodiment, a case where target image data and puncture needle image data are generated using volume data obtained by using a so-called two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe in which vibration elements are two-dimensionally arranged will be described. For example, the above-described MPR image data is generated based on volume data obtained by mechanically moving or rotating an ultrasonic probe in which a plurality of vibration elements are arranged one-dimensionally. It doesn't matter.

Furthermore, the case where volume data is generated based on B-mode data collected by three-dimensional scanning has been described. However, volume data may be generated based on other ultrasonic data such as color Doppler data. May be collected by a scanning method such as convex scanning, linear scanning, or radial scanning.

According to the present invention, the ultrasonic probe at the time of insertion of the puncture needle as well as the positional deviation between the inspection / treatment target site and the puncture needle due to the non-uniformity of the biological tissue in the planned insertion path of the puncture needle 3
It is possible to accurately and easily grasp the positional deviation caused by the fluctuation of

2. Transmission / reception unit 21 ... Transmission unit 22 ... Reception unit 3 ... Ultrasonic probe 31 ... Puncture adapter 32 ... Puncture needle 4 ... Reception signal processing unit 5 ... Volume data generation unit 6 ... MPR image data generation unit 8 ... Puncture needle data generation Unit 9: Puncture needle MPR cross-section setting unit 10: Crossing angle detection unit 11, 11a ... Puncture support data generation unit 12, 12a ... Display unit 13, 13a ... Input unit 131 ... Target MPR cross-section update function 132 ... Display mode selection function 133 ... Light source setting function 14 ... Projection data generation unit 15 ... System control unit 100, 200 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Claims (7)

In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating puncture support data based on volume data obtained from a three-dimensional region at the time of insertion of a puncture needle including a region to be examined / treated,
Puncture needle data generating means for processing the volume data and generating puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle inserted into the three-dimensional area;
The puncture needle M includes the puncture needle data so that the cross section and the insertion direction of the puncture needle substantially coincide with each other.
A puncture needle MPR cross-section setting means for setting a PR cross-section with respect to the volume data;
Target M including the examination / treatment site set for the volume data
The target MP when the crossing portion of the PR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section is taken as the cross axis
A cross angle detecting means for detecting a cross angle between the R cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section;
MPR image data generating means for generating target image data in the target MPR cross section of the volume data and puncture needle image data in the puncture needle MPR cross section;
Puncture support data generating means for generating the puncture support data by combining the target image data and the puncture needle image data based on the crossing angle, and display means for displaying the puncture support data,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the cross axis has a portion perpendicular to the central axis of the ultrasonic probe. The puncture support data generating unit generates the puncture support data by combining the puncture needle image data on which the puncture needle data is superimposed and the target image data based on the crossing angle. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The superimposition according to claim 1, wherein the display means sets the transparency in either the puncture needle image data or the target image data constituting the puncture support data based on the size of the crossing angle. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. The said display means sets the color tone based on the positional relationship with respect to the said target image data of the said puncture needle image data which comprises the said puncture assistance data.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as described. The puncture needle MPR cross-section setting means includes a plurality of puncture needles MPR corresponding to each of a plurality of target MPR cross-sections including the examination / treatment target region set for the volume data.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cross section is set. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of the cross axis is based on a shape of an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving surface of the ultrasonic probe. For ultrasonic diagnostic equipment,
Volume data obtained from the three-dimensional area at the time of insertion of the puncture needle including the examination / treatment site is processed to generate puncture needle data indicating the position and direction of the puncture needle inserted in the three-dimensional area. Puncture needle data generation function,
The puncture needle M includes the puncture needle data so that the cross section and the insertion direction of the puncture needle substantially coincide with each other.
A puncture needle MPR cross-section setting function for setting a PR cross-section for the volume data;
Target M including the examination / treatment site set for the volume data
The target MP when the crossing portion of the PR cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section is taken as the cross axis
A cross angle detecting function for detecting a cross angle between the R cross section and the puncture needle MPR cross section;
An MPR image data generation function for generating target image data in the target MPR cross section of the volume data and puncture needle image data in the puncture needle MPR cross section;
A puncture support data generation function for generating the puncture support data by combining the target image data and the puncture needle image data based on the crossing angle; and a display function for displaying the puncture support data;
A control program for puncture support characterized in that is executed.

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