JPH08252253A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To perform heart function measurement by reproducing the reference image of a tomographic image displayed in real time synchronously with a real time image fitting in its heart tense, displaying it on the screen of the same image display means and plotting by observing an M mode image on an arbitrary sampling line. CONSTITUTION: Plural memory parts 3a, 3b which record tomographic image data in an examinee in plural frames in time series and record the heart tense information of a viable wave detected from the examinee are arranged in parallel. An arbitrary direction M mode part 10 which performs processing to display by sampling the M mode image in an arbitrary direction for the tomographic image obtained by inputting ultrasonic wave data from the memory part and reading out the memory part is provided. A DSC 12 to develop by inputting a calculated result on the frame of the tomographic image by performing arithmetic processing by inputting the ultrasonic wave data from the memory part and sampling the change of the various kinds of physical characteristics of a viable signal, or to display a result made into a graph by a control/graphic part 8 in M mode fashion in a graph is installed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention uses ultrasonic waves to record a plurality of tomographic image data in time series for a diagnostic region in a subject, detects a biological signal, and displays the tomographic image and the biological signal. Regarding an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, in particular, a reference image related to the tomographic image is synchronously reproduced with the real-time image in synchronization with the cardiac phase of the tomographic image displayed in real time, and both images are displayed on the screen of the same image display means. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of performing comparative observation and also capable of performing cardiac function measurement by drawing an M-mode image on an arbitrary extraction line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of this type includes a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject and a signal of a reflection echo received by driving the probe to generate ultrasonic waves. And an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit for processing a plurality of time-series frames of tomographic image data in a subject including a moving tissue by digitizing a reflection echo signal from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit and detecting a biological wave detected from the subject. A memory unit for recording cardiac phase information, a digital scan converter for writing a digital signal from the memory unit for each scanning line of an ultrasonic beam to form image data, and a biological wave of the subject to be detected. A biological signal detection unit that generates a biological signal and sends it to the memory unit, and a graphic memory that stores graphic data output from the control / graphic unit, A combining unit for inputting output data from the digital scan converter and the graphic memory and combining them for displaying an image, a control / graphic unit for controlling the operation of each of the above-mentioned constituent elements and creating various graphic data, and the above combining unit. And image display means for displaying the image data from the above as an image. Then, on the screen of the image display means, a biological signal such as an electrocardiographic waveform is displayed in superposition with the obtained ultrasonic tomographic image,
For example, the cardiac phase was grasped by this biological signal.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the memory unit for recording the tomographic image data and the cardiac phase information measured for the subject is one.
Since only one piece was provided, the tomographic image data and the cardiac time phase information obtained at the time of measurement of the subject were recorded in the memory unit while being displayed on the image display means as a monitor, and the next time observation was performed. Data is reproduced from the memory unit and the tomographic image and its cardiac phase are displayed on the image display means. Therefore, it was not possible to reproduce a reference image related to the real-time image at the same time as the real-time image while measuring and displaying the real-time image of a certain subject for comparative observation on the same screen. On the other hand, conventionally, a real-time image is displayed on one image display unit while measuring a certain object, and a related reference image is separately displayed on another image display unit for comparative observation. In this case, the reference image could not be displayed according to the cardiac time phase of the real-time image, and the cardiac time phases of both images could not be matched for correct comparative observation. In addition, since the image reader was observing the displacement of the cardiac phase of both images while correcting the amount of displacement in his / her head, it requires skill in observation and subjective individual differences may occur. there were.

Further, in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
It was not possible to perform cardiac function measurement by extracting and displaying an M-mode image in an arbitrary direction from the measured tomographic image.

Therefore, the present invention addresses such a problem and reproduces the reference image related to the tomographic image synchronously with the real-time image in synchronization with the cardiac phase of the tomographic image displayed in real time. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying both images on a screen of a display unit for comparative observation, and capable of drawing an M-mode image on an arbitrary extraction line to measure a cardiac function. To aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in a subject, and an ultrasonic wave driven by the probe. Ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit for processing the received reflected echo signal and digitizing the reflected echo signal from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit to record the tomographic image data in the subject including the moving tissue in a plurality of frames in time series. And a memory unit for recording cardiac phase information of the biological wave detected from the subject, and a digital scan converter for writing digital signals from the memory unit for each scanning line of the ultrasonic beam to form image data, A biological signal detection unit that detects a biological wave of the subject to generate a biological signal and sends the biological signal to the memory unit, and a graphic output from the control / graphic unit. A graphic memory for storing data, a synthesizing section for synthesizing the output data from the digital scan converter and the graphic memory for displaying an image, controlling the operations of the respective constituent elements, and creating various graphic data. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a control / graphic unit and an image display unit for displaying image data from the synthesizing unit as an image, a plurality of the memory units are arranged in parallel between the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit and the digital scan converter. In addition to
An arbitrary-direction M-mode unit for inputting ultrasonic data from a plurality of parallel memory units and performing a process for extracting and displaying an M-mode image in an arbitrary direction from a tomographic image obtained by reading the memory unit. Provided is an arithmetic unit for inputting ultrasonic data from a plurality of parallel memory units and extracting a change in various physical characteristics of a biological signal to perform arithmetic processing, and further input an arithmetic result from this arithmetic unit. Another digital scan converter is provided for displaying the result developed in the frame of the tomographic image or graphed by the control / graphic section in M mode as a graph.

Further, a hue modulator for modulating a frame image of a tomographic image created by the digital scan converter or a graphed M mode image into a hue or a gradation is connected to the subsequent stage of the other digital scan converter. However, the output signal from the hue modulator may be sent to the synthesizer.

Further, in the control / graphics section,
The tomographic image data and the cardiac phase information recorded in at least one of the plurality of memory units are transferred and stored, and the stored data is read out and stored in any one of the plurality of memory units. It is effective to connect an external storage device that transfers data to the memory unit.

[0009]

In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus constructed as described above, at least one of a plurality of memory units arranged in parallel between the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit and the digital scan converter has a real-time image and its cardiac time phase. In addition to recording the data of the above, the reference image related to the real-time image and the data of the cardiac phase thereof are recorded in the other memory unit, and the biological input to each memory unit is performed by the operation input to the control / graphic unit. By instructing to start reproduction from a time phase that is a predetermined time period back from the specific time phase of the biological wave detected by the signal detection means or a time phase that has passed a predetermined time period, a reference image in accordance with the cardiac time phase of the real-time image Is reproduced synchronously with the real-time image and displayed on the screen of the same image display means. As a result, the reference image related to the tomographic image can be reproduced synchronously with the real-time image in accordance with the cardiac phase of the tomographic image displayed in real time, and both images can be compared and observed. Further, in order to extract and display an M-mode image in an arbitrary direction from a tomographic image obtained by inputting ultrasonic data from the plurality of parallel memory units by the M-mode unit in an arbitrary direction and reading the memory unit. , The arithmetic unit inputs the ultrasonic data from the plurality of parallel memory units, extracts the change in various physical characteristics of the biomedical signal, performs arithmetic processing, and further by another digital scan converter,
It operates so as to input a calculation result from the calculation unit and develop it in a frame of a tomographic image or display the result graphed by the control / graphic unit as a graph in M mode. This makes it possible to draw an M-mode image on an arbitrary extraction line for the tomographic image of the diagnostic region of the subject and perform heart function measurement.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus uses ultrasonic waves to record a plurality of tomographic image data in time series for a diagnostic site in a subject and detects a biological signal and displays the tomographic image and the biological signal.
As shown in FIG. 1, a probe 1, an ultrasonic wave transceiver 2,
A first memory unit 3a, a digital scan converter (hereinafter abbreviated as "DSC") 4, and a biological signal detection unit 5
A graphic memory 6, a synthesizing unit 7, a control / graphic unit 8 and an image display unit 9, and a second memory unit 3b, an arbitrary direction M mode unit 10, and an arithmetic unit 1.
1, a second DSC 12, and a hue modulator 13.

The probe 1 mechanically or electronically performs beam scanning to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a subject. Although not shown in the figure, the probe 1 is a source of ultrasonic waves. It contains multiple transducers that receive the reflected echoes. The ultrasonic wave transmission / reception unit 2 sends a drive pulse to the probe 1 to generate ultrasonic waves and processes a signal of the received reflection echo. A known transmission pulser and a transmission delay circuit for forming an ultrasonic beam to be transmitted from the child 1 to the subject;
A receiving amplifier that amplifies the reflected echo signal received by each transducer of the probe 1, and a receiving delay circuit that forms the ultrasonic beam of the received wave by aligning and adding the phases of the received reflected echo signals. And a phasing circuit including an adder and the like. Then, the probe 1 scans the ultrasonic beam in a certain direction in the body of the subject to obtain one tomographic image.

The first memory section 3a digitizes the reflected echo signal output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving section 2 and records a plurality of tomographic image data in the subject including a moving tissue in time series, and at the same time, records the subject. As shown in FIG. 1, the cardiac phase information of the biological wave detected from the biological wave is recorded, and the internal configuration includes an interface 14a, a cine memory 15a for recording a plurality of tomographic image data in time series, and a biological wave of the biological wave. The biomedical signal memory 16a records the cardiac phase information as an electrocardiographic waveform, and the cine memory 15a and the address section 17a for controlling the read / write addresses of the biomedical signal memory 16a. Although not shown, an A / D converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal is provided in the front stage or the rear stage of the interface 14a.

The DSC 4 has the first memory section 3a.
The digital signal output from the ultrasonic beam is written into the line memory for each scanning line or plural scanning lines of the ultrasonic beam to form image data, and the image data is sent to the synthesizing unit 7 described later.

The bio-signal detector 5 detects a bio-wave such as an electrocardiographic waveform of the subject to generate a bio-signal, and the electrocardiographic electrode 18 in contact with the hand or foot of the subject. Although not shown, the heartbeat signal is captured, the heartbeat signal is amplified by an internal configuration circuit, the signal at the R wave apex of the heartbeat waveform is detected from the amplified signal, and the generation interval of the R wave signal is measured. It is also becoming. Then, the electrocardiographic electrode 18
The biological signal detecting section 5 and the biological signal detecting section 5 constitute a biological signal detecting means.

The graphic memory 6 stores graphic data such as various figures output from a control / graphic section 8 described later. Further, the synthesizing section 7 inputs the output data from the DSC 4 and the graphic memory 6 and synthesizes the data for displaying an image.

The control / graphic section 8 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned constituent elements and creates graphic data such as various figures. The control / graphic section 8 is composed of, for example, a CPU, and is arbitrarily input by an operator's operation from the input section 19. In response to the command, a required control signal is sent to each component.

Further, the image display 9 serves as an image display means for converting the image data output from the synthesizing section 7 into an analog video signal and displaying it as an image by a television display system, and is constituted by, for example, a television monitor. Although not shown, a D / A converter for converting a digital signal into an analog video signal is provided in the preceding stage of the image display device 9. When the monitor is of a digital type, the image data from the synthesizing unit 7 is displayed as an image as it is.

Here, in the present invention, a second memory unit 3b is provided in parallel with the first memory unit 3a between the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 2 and the DSC 4, and these memory units 3a are also provided. , 3b are provided with an arbitrary direction M mode unit 10 and an arithmetic unit 11, and further,
The second DSC 12 is provided in the subsequent stage, and the hue modulator 13 is provided in the subsequent stage.

Like the first memory unit 3a, the second memory unit 3b digitizes the reflected echo signal output from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 2 to obtain tomographic image data in the subject including the moving tissue. A plurality of frames are recorded in time series and the cardiac phase information of the biological wave detected from the subject is recorded, and the internal configuration thereof is the interface 14b and the tomographic image data in time series as shown in FIG. It comprises a cine memory 15b for recording a plurality of frames, a biosignal memory 16b for recording cardiac phase information of biowaves as an electrocardiographic waveform, and an address section 17b for controlling read / write addresses of the cine memory 15b and biosignal memory 16b. .
Although not shown, an A / D converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal is provided in the front stage or the rear stage of the interface 14b.

A real-time image and data of its cardiac phase are recorded in one of the two memory units 3a and 3b, and a reference image and its reference image related to the real-time image are recorded in the other memory unit. The cardiac phase data is recorded, and a biosignal is sent to each of the memory units 3a and 3b by an operation input to the control / graphic unit 8 by a trackball, a joystick, a key switch or the like provided in the input unit 19. The reproduction start is instructed from a time phase that is a predetermined time period back from the specific time phase of the biological wave detected by the detection unit 5 or a time phase after a predetermined time period has elapsed, and the reference image is real-time image according to the cardiac time phase of the real-time image. And is reproduced in synchronization with and displayed on the same screen of the image display 9.

The arbitrary-direction M-mode unit 10 is provided between the output side of the two memory units 3a and 3b and the DSC 4. The arbitrary-direction M-mode unit 10 receives the ultrasonic data output from the two parallel memory units 3a and 3b and reads the memory units 3a and 3b to obtain a tomographic image, which is an M-mode image in an arbitrary direction. 2 for extracting and displaying the first buffer memory 20a and its address portion 21a, the second buffer memory 20b and its address portion 21b, as shown in FIG. , A switching processing unit 22 and an M-mode image memory 23. The first and second buffer memories 20a and 20b alternately write and read high frame rate ultrasonic data read from the cine memories 15a and 15b in the two memory units 3a and 3b, respectively, and are arranged in parallel. And is provided in two systems. In addition,
The address sections 21a and 21b attached to the respective buffer memories 20a and 20b are
Addresses corresponding to the extraction of M-mode image data in an arbitrary direction are sequentially designated from the ultrasonic data written in a and 20b. Further, the switching processing unit 22 alternately switches the first and second buffer memories 20a and 20b provided in the two parallel systems as described above, and
The image data read from each of the buffer memories 20a and 20b is subjected to image processing such as averaging and thinning processing or interpolation processing. Further, the M-mode image memory 23 is an M-mode image for drawing an M-mode image in an arbitrary direction from the ultrasonic data from the first or second buffer memories 20a and 20b input via the switching processing unit 22. It records data and is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory. Then, the data read from the M-mode image memory 23 is sent to the DSC 4.

Further, the arithmetic unit 11 is provided on the output side of the two memory units 3a and 3b. The calculation unit 11 inputs the ultrasonic data output from the two parallel memory units 3a and 3b, extracts a change in various physical characteristics (for example, brightness) of the biological signal, and performs a calculation process. The second DSC 12 is provided on the output side of the arithmetic unit 11. The second DSC 12 inputs the operation result output from the operation unit 11 and develops it in the frame of the tomographic image or displays the result graphed by the control / graphic unit 8 as a graph in M mode. belongs to. Further, the hue modulator 13 is provided on the output side of the second DSC 12. The hue modulator 13 modulates the frame image of the tomographic image created by the second DSC 12 or the graphed M mode image into hue or gradation. Then, the hue modulator 1
The data output from 3 is sent to the synthesizing unit 7. The hue modulator 13 does not necessarily have to be provided. In that case, the output data from the second DSC 12 is sent to the combining unit 7.

Next, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured as described above, the reference image is reproduced synchronously with the real-time image in accordance with the cardiac phase of the real-time image measured for the subject and displayed on the screen of the same image display 9. About the operation to display,
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 3, a normal operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 displays a tomographic image 24 of a heart, for example, as a diagnostic region in the upper part of the tomographic image display area E ₁ of the image display 9. At the same time, the electrocardiographic waveform 25 as a biological signal is simultaneously displayed on the upper part of the biological signal display area E _{2 on} the right side. At this time, for example, a tomographic image 24 for several heartbeats is recorded as a moving image in the cine memory 15b in the second memory unit 3b shown in FIG. 1, and the electrocardiographic waveform 25 corresponds to the cardiac time phase in the biological signal memory 16b. Will be recorded. Next, by operation input from the input unit 19, for example, the cine memory 15a and the biological signal memory 16a in the first memory unit 3a are switched to a mode for recording a real-time image. As a result, the cine memory 15b and the biological signal memory 16b in the second memory section 3b are in the reproduction mode of the reference image related to the real-time image.

In this state, the input section 19 shown in FIG. 1 is operated to input the cine reproduction start position based on the R wave on the electrocardiographic waveform 25 displayed as shown in FIG. At this time,
The control / graphics unit 8 changes the processing procedure depending on whether the input cine reproduction start position is a time phase that goes back from the R wave as the specific time phase or an elapsed time phase.

Generally, in order to grasp the cardiac function, it is sufficient to grasp the systolic motion from the P wave before the R wave to about 300 ms, that is, from the atrial contraction to the end systole of the ventricle. I do. First, the control / graphics section 8
The biological signal memory 16b in the second memory section 3b is examined to grasp the position of the R wave on the electrocardiographic waveform 25 shown in FIG.
It is determined that the inputted cine reproduction start position is a time phase that is traced back by a predetermined time phase from the R wave, for example, a position including a P wave before the R wave. Next, the control / graphics unit 8
The read address of the address section 17b in the second memory section 3b is set so that the input position is the cine reproduction start position, and the cine memory 15b and the biological signal memory 16b are set.
To wait.

Next, when the real-time diagnosis of the subject is started, the control / graphic section 8 causes the control / graphic section 8 to display a real-time tomographic image of the cine memory 15a and the bio-signal memory 16a in the first memory section 3a and its cardiac time. The delay time from the input of phase data to the output is delayed by the same time as the time from the R wave to the cine reproduction start position. Then, the interface 14a in the first memory unit 3a
Detects the R wave on the real-time electrocardiographic waveform 26 (see FIG. 3) currently being measured by the biological signal detecting unit 5, and outputs the detection timing of this R wave to the control / graphic unit 8. As a result, the control / graphic unit 8 activates the address unit 17b in the second memory unit 3b at the designated address of the read address set as described above, and accesses the cine memory 15b and the biosignal memory 16b. , The tomographic image 24 (reference image) read from each and the data of the electrocardiographic waveform 25 corresponding thereto are transferred to the DSC 4.

As a result of such processing, as shown in FIG. 3, a tomographic image 27 of, for example, the heart as a diagnostic region is displayed in real time in the middle part of the tomographic image display area E ₁ of the image display 9, and The electrocardiographic waveform 26 as a biological signal is displayed in real time in the middle part of the right biological signal display area E ₂ , and at the same time, the real-time image (2
The reference image (24) can be synchronously reproduced with the real-time image (27) in synchronization with the cardiac phase (26) of 7) and displayed on the screen of the same image display 9. As a result, the reference image (24) can be reproduced and displayed in synchronization with the real-time image (27), and both images can be compared and observed.

In the image display example shown in FIG. 3, in the present invention, it is assumed that the luminance difference of the myocardial portion is displayed over time for the purpose of determining the cardiac function, and the extraction position mark 28 is provided on the tomographic image 24 as the reference image. In addition to displaying, the corresponding extraction position marks 29 are displayed on the tomographic image 27 as a real-time image, and the change in brightness of each designated portion is shown as a reference image brightness curve 30 for the tomographic image 24 and the real-time image brightness for the tomographic image 27. The curve 31 is arranged vertically and displayed. Then, in the lower part of the biological signal display area E ₂ , a calculated value graph (for example, a difference in luminance change is calculated) 3 for heart function determination obtained from the information of the tomographic images 24 and 27.
Display 2. The calculated value graph 32 displays the cardiac phase in synchronization with the contents of the cine memories 15a and 15b with the position of the R wave on the electrocardiographic waveform 33 shown in the lower part as a reference. That is, the calculated value graph 32 includes the reference image brightness curve 30 and the real-time image brightness curve 31.
Show the difference between and.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the case where the myocardial infarction site is identified and the severity is determined by grasping the properties of the myocardium will be specifically described. Here, when the ultrasound contrast agent is injected into the subject, since the myocardial perfusion is blocked to the myocardial infarction site, the fact that the ultrasound contrast agent is not distributed is used before and after the injection of the contrast agent. Comparing the ultrasonic images, contrast brightness enters the capillaries of normal myocardium, so the reflected brightness increases significantly, but the contrast brightness does not change to the myocardial infarction site and the change in reflected brightness is poor. Try to judge by. First, in FIG. 3, a tomographic image 2 as a reference image
An image before injection of the contrast agent is displayed in 4.
Further, the tomographic image 27 as a real-time image displays the image after the injection of the contrast agent. And each tomographic image 2
4, 27 are reproduced and displayed by synchronizing the cardiac phases as described above.

In this state, the extraction position marks 28 and 29 corresponding to each other are formed on the tomographic images 24 and 27.
9 is input and displayed, and positions corresponding to each other are manually set for each frame. Next, the extraction position mark 2
The brightness information at the positions indicated by 8 and 29 is processed by the calculation unit 11 and then graphed by the processing of the control / graphic unit 8 and the graphic memory 6, such as a reference image brightness curve 30 and a real-time image brightness curve 31, respectively. Is displayed in. These luminance curves 30 and 31 are displayed with their cardiac phases synchronized, as shown by the corresponding electrocardiographic waveforms 25 and 26, respectively. Next, each of the above brightness curves 3
The difference between the luminance changes of 0 and 31 is calculated by the calculation unit 11, and the result is displayed as a calculation value graph 32. According to the calculated value graph 32, if the brightness of the positions of the corresponding extraction position marks 28, 29 in each tomographic image 24, 27 is significantly different before and after the injection of the contrast agent, that is, the value of the calculated value graph 32 is If it is larger, it can be determined that the site is not perfused, that is, a myocardial infarction site.

In the image display example of FIG. 3, the electrocardiographic waveform 26 of the real-time image (27) shows a state in which it is sequentially rewritten in the survey mode. Reference numeral 34 is a reference image (24) and a real-time image (27).
When and are displayed in synchronism with the cardiac phase, they represent a mark indicating a shift position for adjusting a frame in which excess or deficiency has occurred due to a change in heart rate. Furthermore, in the above explanation,
Although the case of making a determination based on the brightness difference of the image display has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and a change in frequency or the like may be calculated and compared. Further, the therapeutic effect can also be determined by grasping the amount that changes over time due to, for example, medication to the subject from the brightness difference or the change in frequency.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing another example of an image display example in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. This example is shown in Figure 1.
The M-mode image in the arbitrary direction is extracted from the tomographic image obtained by inputting the ultrasonic data from the two memory units 3a and 3b arranged in parallel by the M-mode unit 10 in the arbitrary direction shown in FIG. The display processing is performed, and the myocardial luminance comparison calculation is semi-automatically performed to display the image. First, similarly to the case of the image display example shown in FIG. 3, a tomographic image 27 of, for example, the heart as a diagnostic region is displayed in real time in the middle part of the tomographic image display area E ₁ of the image display 9 and its right side. The electrocardiographic waveform 26 as a biological signal is displayed in real time in the middle part of the other biological signal display area E ₂ , and at the same time, a tomographic image is displayed according to the cardiac phase (26) of the real-time image (27). The tomographic image 24 of the heart is displayed as a reference image in the upper part of the area E ₁ , and the electrocardiographic waveform 25 as a biosignal is displayed in the upper part of the biosignal display area E _{2 on} the right side thereof. As a result, the reference image (24) is reproduced in synchronization with the real-time image (27),
It is displayed on the screen of the same image display device 9.

In this state, in FIG. 4, each tomographic image 2
The position of the myocardium is grasped on 4, 27, and the M-mode image extraction line 35 is input as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line on the reference image (24), and the corresponding real-time image (27) is input.
Input the M-mode image extraction line 36 as shown by the dashed line above. Here, each M-mode image extraction line 3
5 and 36 are displayed by extending them on both sides with the long axis 37 and 38 indicated by broken lines as symmetrical axes, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be displayed by inputting only on one side. Further, although each of the M-mode image extraction lines 35 and 36 is displayed one by one, a plurality of M-mode image extraction lines may be input and displayed. After that, M shown by the alternate long and short dash line intersecting with the myocardium
The position and brightness of the myocardium in the M mode are automatically discriminated from the mode image extraction lines 35 and 36, and a brightness graph obtained by following the myocardium is created and displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the reference image brightness curve 30 and the real-time image brightness curve 31 are displayed. These brightness curves 30, 31
Are displayed with their cardiac phases synchronized, as indicated by the corresponding electrocardiographic waveforms 25 and 26, respectively. Next, the difference in brightness change between the brightness curves 30 and 31 described above is calculated by the calculation unit 11, and the result is displayed as a calculated value graph 32. Then, the myocardial infarction site is determined based on the magnitude of the value of the calculated value graph 32.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views showing still another example of the image display in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention. In these examples, the frame modulator 13 shown in FIG. 1 modulates a frame image of a tomographic image created by the second DSC 12 or a graphed M mode image into a hue or a gradation, and displays the image. Is. In FIG. 5, for example, with respect to the calculated value graph 32 for cardiac function determination displayed in the lower part of the biological signal display area E ₂ shown in FIG. A modulation area E ₃ is provided, and other calculation results and the like are displayed with a hue in this area E ₃ . By doing so, the visibility of the image can be improved and the diagnostic efficiency can be improved.

Further, in FIG. 6, for example, instead of the calculated value graph 32 and the electrocardiographic waveform 33 displayed in the lower part of the biological signal display area E ₂ shown in FIG. 3, calculation is performed by the calculation unit 11 shown in FIG. A plurality of processed calculation results are displayed in a plurality of graphs, and a part of them is displayed with a hue. Here, the calculated value graph 32 similar to that shown in FIG.
And the pressure difference graph 40 created by calculating the pressure difference with respect to the heart pressure are displayed, and the state in which the pressure changes with time is displayed with a hue in the pressure difference graph 40. . That is, the pressure difference graph 40
In the curve, the time phase A during the pressure increase is displayed in, for example, yellow, the time phase B at the highest pressure is displayed in, for example, red, and the time phase C during the pressure decrease is displayed in, for example, green. By doing this, the visibility when displaying multiple calculation results in multiple graphs is improved,
The diagnostic efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tomographic image data and cardiac phase information recorded in at least one of the plurality of memory units 3a and 3b are transferred to the control / graphic unit 8 shown in FIG. An external storage device 41 is connected which stores the stored data, reads the stored data, and transfers the data to any one of the plurality of memory units. In this case, the real-time tomographic image 27 and the electrocardiographic waveform 26 to be measured one after another are stored in the external storage device 41, or the tomographic image 24 at the normal time is stored as a reference image, and those data are arbitrarily stored. Can be read and played. Therefore, the therapeutic effect can be determined by performing normal or abnormal comparative observation on the currently displayed diagnostic image or by comparatively observing the diagnostic images over time.

Although the two memory units (3a, 3b) are provided in parallel in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more memory units are provided in parallel. hand,
Three or more diagnostic images may be displayed side by side on the screen of the image display 9 shown in FIG. 3 or 4. In this case, a plurality of images can be displayed as the reference image (24), and various kinds of comparative observations can be performed with the real-time image (27).

[0038]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above,
At least one of a plurality of memory units provided in parallel between the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit and the digital scan converter
In addition to recording the real-time image and the data of the cardiac phase thereof in the individual, the reference image and the data of the cardiac phase thereof related to the real-time image are recorded in the other memory unit.
Instructing each memory unit to start playback from a time phase that is a predetermined time period back from the specific time phase of the biological wave detected by the bio-signal detection means or a time phase that is a predetermined time period after the operation input to the control / graphics unit By doing so, the reference image can be reproduced synchronously with the real-time image in accordance with the cardiac phase of the real-time image and displayed on the screen of the same image display means. As a result, the reference image related to the tomographic image can be reproduced synchronously with the real-time image in accordance with the cardiac phase of the tomographic image displayed in real time, and both images can be compared and observed. Therefore, the skilled artisan does not need to compare and display the reference image on a separate image display means as in the conventional art, and the reader does not have to correct the deviation of the cardiac phase between the real-time image and the reference image in his / her mind. Therefore, both images can be easily compared and observed for diagnosis without the need for and without subjective individual differences.

Further, the arbitrary-direction M-mode unit inputs ultrasonic data from the plurality of parallel memory units and reads out the memory unit to extract and display the M-mode image in the arbitrary direction. The calculation unit, the ultrasonic data from the plurality of parallel memory units is input by the calculation unit, the change in the physical characteristics of the biological signal is extracted, and the calculation process is performed.
It is possible to input a calculation result from the calculation unit and develop it in a frame of a tomographic image or display the result graphed by the control / graphic unit as a graph in M mode. This makes it possible to draw an M-mode image on an arbitrary extraction line for the tomographic image of the diagnostic region of the subject and perform heart function measurement. Further, it is also possible to display the above M mode image as an A mode image and perform various function measurements and the like.

Further, the hue modulation section can modulate the frame image of the tomographic image created by another digital scan converter or the M mode image graphed into the hue or the gradation. Therefore, it is possible to add a hue or a gradation to the displayed image, improve the visibility of the image, and improve the diagnostic efficiency.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the case where an external storage device is connected to the control / graphic unit, the external storage device stores real-time tomographic images and electrocardiographic waveforms to be measured one after another, It is possible to store a tomographic image in a normal state as a reference image and read out those data arbitrarily and reproduce them. Therefore, the therapeutic effect can be determined by performing normal or abnormal comparative observation on the currently displayed diagnostic image or by comparatively observing the diagnostic images over time.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of an arbitrary-direction M-mode unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a reference image and a real-time image by the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a display example of a reference image and a real-time image by the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of an image display example in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of an image display example in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Probe 2 ... Ultrasonic wave transmission / reception part 3a ... 1st memory part 3b ... 2nd memory part 4 ... DSC 5 ... Biological signal detection part 6 ... Graphic memory 7 ... Synthesis part 8 ... Control / graphic part 9 ... Image display unit 10 ... Arbitrary direction M mode unit 11 ... Calculation unit 12 ... Second DSC 13 ... Hue modulation unit 14a, 14b ... Interface 15a, 15b ... Cine memory 16a, 16b ... Biosignal memory 17a, 17b ... Address unit 19 ... Input unit 24 ... tomographic image (reference image) 25 ... electrocardiographic waveform of reference image 26 ... electrocardiographic waveform of real-time image 27 ... tomographic image (real-time image) 41 ... external storage device

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kanda 1-1-14 Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Inside Hitachi Medical Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject, and an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit for driving the probe to generate ultrasonic waves and processing the received signals of reflected echoes.
A memory for digitizing the reflected echo signal from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit to record a plurality of tomographic image data in the subject including a moving tissue in time series and to record the cardiac time phase information of the biological wave detected from the subject. Section, a digital scan converter that writes a digital signal from the memory section for each scanning line of an ultrasonic beam to form image data, a biological signal generated by detecting a biological wave of the subject, and the memory section A biological signal detection means for sending to the control / graphic section, a graphic memory for storing graphic data output from the control / graphic section, and a combining section for inputting output data from the digital scan converter and the graphic memory and for combining for image display. , Control the operation of each component above and create various graphic data. In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having a control / graphic unit and an image display unit for displaying image data from the synthesizing unit as an image, a plurality of the memory units are arranged in parallel between the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit and the digital scan converter. In which the ultrasonic data from a plurality of memory units arranged in parallel are input, and a process for extracting and displaying an M-mode image in an arbitrary direction from a tomographic image obtained by reading the memory units is displayed. An M mode unit is provided, and an arithmetic unit for inputting ultrasonic data from a plurality of parallel memory units to extract changes in various physical characteristics of a biological signal and performing arithmetic processing is further provided. Further, an arithmetic result from the arithmetic unit By inputting and developing in the frame of the tomographic image or the control
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further comprising another digital scan converter for displaying a graphed result in the graphic section in M mode as a graph. 2. A hue modulator for modulating a frame image of a tomographic image created by the digital scan converter or a graphed M mode image into a hue or a gradation is connected to the subsequent stage of the other digital scan converter. Then
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an output signal from the hue modulator is sent to the synthesizer. 3. The control / graphic unit transfers and stores the tomographic image data and cardiac phase information recorded in at least one of the plurality of memory units, and stores the stored data. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an external storage device connected to read out and transfer to any one of the plurality of memory units.