JPH11113913A - Ultrasonograph - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the outer diameter of an insertion unit thinner by using an ultrasonic probe of which the mechanical structure is simple, and also, accurately obtain three-dimensional data without an unevenness in the three- dimensional scanning density. SOLUTION: An ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes an ultrasonic oscillator in the tip end cap 13 of an insertion unit 9, and at the end part, a magnet sensor 15 which detects a magnetic field by a magnetic source 30 is provided, and an ultrasonic observation device 4 and a localization detecting device 6 or the like are connected. In an ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7, a three-dimensional data of an examining site is constituted from echo data obtained by the ultrasonic oscillator 14 and outputs of the magnet sensor 15, and at the same time, the three-dimensional scanning density of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is calculated. On an image processing monitor 8, three-dimensional scanning density image and a three- dimensional ultrasonic image formed by the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7 are displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus for obtaining a three-dimensional ultrasonic image by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a living body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-30938, while performing a three-dimensional scan such as a spiral scan combining a radial scan and a linear scan of an ultrasonic transducer in a body cavity, There has been proposed an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to obtain a three-dimensional ultrasonic image. According to such an apparatus, the state of the subject can be observed and diagnosed three-dimensionally, and the diagnostic performance can be improved.

However, the apparatus disclosed in the above publication requires a dedicated driving device for performing three-dimensional scanning, and thus has a problem in that the structure of the apparatus is complicated and the cost is increased. Further, in this apparatus, when the scan path of the linear scan is a duct in a curved body cavity, three-dimensional data as a straight lumen is obtained, so that a three-dimensional data different from an actual state is obtained. An image may be generated.

In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-261900 discloses an ultra-sound device in which at least one of a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field and a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field is inserted into a body cavity. A three-dimensional image construction means is provided at the tip of the ultrasonic probe to obtain position coordinates and tilt angle data from a magnetic sensor with the movement of the ultrasonic probe, and to construct a three-dimensional image from an ultrasonic tomographic image. A proposed ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has been proposed. In such a configuration, by manually moving the ultrasonic probe that performs a general-purpose radial scan, a three-dimensional scan can be performed without a dedicated driving device.
The same three-dimensional data as the actual state of the subject can be obtained.

Further, as an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which position detecting means such as a magnetic field sensor and an acceleration sensor are provided in an ultrasonic probe to obtain three-dimensional data as described above, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received from a body cavity. US Pat. No. 5,398,691 (International Patent WO95)
/ 06436). An ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves from outside the body is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-332544 (US Pat. No. 5,353,354).
JP-A-8-308824 (European Patent No. 073)
No. 6284A2).

[0006]

However, the apparatus disclosed in US Pat.
In order to obtain dimensional data, a special drive for rotating the ultrasonic transducer about two orthogonal axes is provided at the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope inserted into the body cavity. For this reason, there has been a problem that the mechanical structure of the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope becomes complicated, and the outer diameter of the insertion portion becomes large. In order to reduce the burden on the subject, it is desirable that the ultrasonic probe inserted into a body cavity such as an ultrasonic endoscope has a smaller outer diameter. Further, there is another problem that the cost is increased due to the complicated structure.

On the other hand, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-261900 uses an ultrasonic probe for performing a general-purpose radial scan, and has a simple mechanical structure. Can be eliminated. However, unlike an apparatus that always scans a fixed volume for a three-dimensional scan as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-30933, a scan of a sufficient range for constructing a three-dimensional image is required. Since it is not known whether or not the processing has been completed, the density of the obtained three-dimensional data may be uneven. This problem is present not only in JP-A-6-261900 but also in the devices disclosed in JP-A-4-332544 and JP-A-8-308824.

[0008] The problem of unevenness in the three-dimensional scan density is as follows.
The ultrasonic probe disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-261900 for use in a body cavity is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-33254.
The position of the scanning plane by the ultrasonic transducer is less visible than the ultrasonic probe used outside the body disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-308824 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-308824. It is serious in that the unevenness is difficult to understand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a simple mechanical structure of an insertion portion, a small outer diameter, and accurate acquisition of three-dimensional data without unevenness in three-dimensional scan density. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0010]

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention is inserted into a body cavity of a living body, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a portion to be inspected by an ultrasonic vibrator provided at a distal end thereof. An ultrasonic probe, which is provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe, a position detector for detecting the position of the ultrasonic transducer, and echo data obtained by the ultrasonic probe and the position detector Three-dimensional data forming means for forming three-dimensional data of a test site from the output;
A three-dimensional scan density calculating unit for calculating a three-dimensional scan density of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe, and a notifying unit for notifying a state of the three-dimensional scan density are provided.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing the entire configuration of an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged configuration of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration.

The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic endoscope 1 as an ultrasonic probe in a body cavity, a light source device 2 for supplying illumination light for observing an optical image of a site to be inspected, A video device 3 for generating an optical observation image of a region, an ultrasonic observation device 4 for generating a two-dimensional ultrasonic tomographic image of a test site, and an observation monitor 5 for displaying an optical observation image and an ultrasonic tomographic image; , A position detection device 6 for detecting the position of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, an ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7 for generating a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, and image processing for displaying a three-dimensional ultrasonic image It comprises a monitor 8 and a cable connecting these devices.

The ultrasonic endoscope 1 has an elongated insertion section 9 to be inserted into a body cavity, and a wide operation section 10 connected to the base end of the insertion section 9. The side section of the operation section 10 connects to the light source device 2. A light source cable 11 to be connected and an ultrasonic cable 12 to be connected to the ultrasonic observation device 4 extend.

A distal end cap 13 is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 9, and an ultrasonic vibrator 14 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves is rotatably disposed inside the distal end cap 13 as shown in FIG. I have. A magnetic sensor 15 for detecting a magnetic field is provided at the distal end around the distal end cap 13, and an observation light irradiation window 16 and a CCD camera 17 are provided at a proximal end. In addition, a bendable bending portion 18 that moves the tip cap 13 in the direction indicated by the thick arrow is provided on the base end side of the tip cap 13.

A flexible shaft 19 having one end connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 14 is disposed inside the insertion portion 9 so as to rotate the ultrasonic vibrator 14. The other end of the flexible shaft 19 extends into the operation unit 10 and is connected to a DC motor 20 that drives the flexible shaft 19 to rotate. Operation unit 1
0 is provided with a bending knob 21 for operating the bending direction of the bending portion 18, a three-dimensional scan start switch 22A, and a three-dimensional scan end switch 22B.

The light source cable 11 includes a light guide fiber (not shown) for transmitting observation light a from the light source device 2 to the observation light irradiation window 16 and a CC from the CCD camera 17.
A signal line (not shown) for receiving the D signal b by the video device 3 is provided therein, and a light source connector 23 for connecting to the light source device 2 is provided at an end. The light source device 2 is provided with a lamp 24 for generating observation light a.

A video cable 26 is connected to the light source connector 23 by a small connector 25 provided at an end, and is connected to the video apparatus 3 via the video cable 26. The video device 3 processes the CCD signal b to generate a video signal of an optical observation image of the test site and outputs the video signal to the observation monitor 5.

The ultrasonic cable 12 transmits a pulsed voltage from the ultrasonic observation device 4 to the ultrasonic transducer 14,
A signal line (not shown) for receiving the echo signal c from the ultrasonic transducer 14 by the ultrasonic observation device 4, a magnetic field detection signal d from the magnetic sensor 15, a three-dimensional scan start switch 22A, and a three-dimensional scan A signal line (not shown) for receiving the three-dimensional scan start / end signal from the end switch 22B by the position detection device 6 is provided internally, and the end portion is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 4. Ultrasonic connector 27 is provided. Note that the transmission path of the three-dimensional scan start / end signal is the same as the magnetic field detection signal d, and is not shown.

The ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 performs signal processing on the echo signal c to generate a tomographic image signal relating to a two-dimensional ultrasonic tomographic image of the test site, and outputs the signal to the observation monitor 5.
Ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7 for digital echo data
Output.

A position detecting cable 29 is connected to the ultrasonic connector 27 by a small connector 28 provided at the end, and is connected to the position detecting device 6 via the position detecting cable 29. The position detecting device 6 includes a magnetic source 30 that generates a magnetic field.
Digital position and direction data is generated based on the magnetic field detection signal d for 0, and is output to the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7 is a large-sized hard disk or magneto-optical disk for recording echo data from the ultrasonic observation device 4 together with positional direction data from the position detecting device 6. A recording unit 31 composed of a recording unit of the capacity, a coordinate conversion circuit 32 for performing coordinate conversion of the echo data recorded in the recording unit 31, a three-dimensional memory 33 for recording the coordinate-converted data, and storage in the three-dimensional memory 33 And a three-dimensional image processing circuit 34 for performing various image processing such as a process of constructing a three-dimensional ultrasonic image (hereinafter, referred to as a three-dimensional ultrasonic image) on the obtained data.

Further, the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7
A switch 35 that opens and closes in response to a three-dimensional scan start / end signal from a three-dimensional scan start switch 22A and a three-dimensional scan end switch 22B, and from which part in the scanned space the echo data sequentially recorded in the recording unit 31 is scanned. And the number of times the scan plane of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 traverses each part in the space based on the position specified by the position specifying circuit 36 and the position specified by the position specifying circuit 36. And a scan position counting memory 37 for grasping a portion three-dimensionally scanned by the ultrasonic endoscope 1, and a three-dimensional scan density in space from the count value counted by the scan position counting memory 37. 3D scan density image creation circuit 3 for creating an image to be expressed
8 is provided.

Then, the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7
A display circuit 40 is provided for switching between the output of the three-dimensional image processing circuit 34 and the output of the three-dimensional scan density calculation circuit 39 or for superimposing and converting them into analog signals. The display circuit 40 outputs an analog signal of a three-dimensional ultrasonic image, a three-dimensional scan density image, or an image obtained by superimposing them on the image processing monitor 8.

Next, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

The ultrasonic endoscope 1 is inserted by a user such as a doctor into a hollow organ such as a stomach, an esophagus, and a large intestine in a living body of a subject.

The observation light a from the light source device 2 is emitted from the observation light irradiation window 16 through the light source connector 23 and the light guide fiber in the light source cable 11, and illuminates the portion to be inspected. At this time, the CCD signal b of the optical image on the surface of the part to be inspected captured by the CCD camera 17 is transmitted from the CCD camera 17 to the signal line in the light source cable 11, the small connector 25 connected to the light source connector 23,
Is input to the video device 3. Then, the video device 3 creates a video signal related to the surface of the test site based on the CCD signal b and outputs the video signal to the observation monitor 5.

On the other hand, by rotating the DC motor 20, the flexible shaft 19 is rotationally driven, and this driving force is transmitted to the tip of the shaft, and the ultrasonic transducer 14 is rotated. During this rotation, a pulse-like voltage repeatedly transmitted from the ultrasonic observation device 4 is applied to the ultrasonic transducer 14. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer 14 performs a so-called radial scan that rotates while transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave into a living body.

An echo signal c from the ultrasonic transducer 14 concerning the portion to be inspected obtained by the radial scan is input to the ultrasonic observation device 4 via the signal line in the ultrasonic cable 12 and the ultrasonic connector 27. . Then, the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 performs processing such as envelope detection, logarithmic amplification, and A / D conversion on the echo signal c to create a tomographic image signal related to the test site, and outputs the signal to the observation monitor 5. I do.

Further, the ultrasonic observation device 4 generates the echo signal c
, And creates digital echo data relating to the test site, and outputs the digital echo data to the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7. The echo data at this time is a value in which a value corresponding to the distance from the ultrasonic transducer 14 and the radial scan rotation angle, that is, a value corresponding to the polar coordinate is used as an address, and the intensity of the echo signal c at each address is described as data. And

The observation monitor 5 displays an optical observation image of the test site by a video signal from the video device 3, and a two-dimensional ultrasonic tomographic image of the test site by a tomographic image signal from the ultrasonic observation device 4. Is displayed. The display of the optical observation image and the ultrasonic tomographic image is switched by an instruction input from an input unit such as a keyboard or a touch panel (not shown) in some cases, and in some cases, both images are simultaneously displayed.

On the other hand, the magnetic sensor 15 is
To detect the magnetic field generated. The magnetic field detection signal d from the magnetic sensor 15 is input to the position detecting device 6 via a signal line in the ultrasonic cable 12, a small connector 28 connected to the ultrasonic connector 27, and a position detecting cable 29. Then, the position detection device 6 includes information on the position (x, y, z) of the magnetic sensor 15 with respect to the magnetic source 30 and the orientation [Euler angles (ψ, θ, φ)] based on the magnetic field detection signal d. The digital position / direction data is output to the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7.

In the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7, the echo data from the ultrasonic observation device 4 is recorded in the recording section 31 with the position and direction data from the position detecting device 6 as a header. Specifically, the echo data for one rotation of the ultrasonic transducer 14, that is, the echo data of an amount necessary to form one ultrasonic tomographic image (hereinafter, referred to as an echo data block) is the echo data. The recording unit 3 uses position and direction data obtained when the ultrasonic transducer 14 makes one rotation to acquire a block as a header of an echo data block.
1 shall be recorded. Then, by repeating this, a plurality of continuous echo data blocks are sequentially recorded.

Here, a method of three-dimensional scanning by the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below.

In the present embodiment, the three-dimensional scan is performed as shown in FIG.
As described above, the user grips the insertion section 9 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 with his / her hand and moves it in the direction of the arrow (in the direction of pulling out of the subject), or operates the bending knob 21 to move the bending section 18. Curved,
This is performed by changing the direction of the tip cap 13. In this way, as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of recording units 31 in the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus 7 which are not parallel to each other but have different three-dimensional scan densities are provided. An echo data block for the ultrasonic tomographic image is recorded. However, if left unchecked, it is difficult for the user to determine whether a 3D scan of a sufficient range or density has been completed to construct a 3D ultrasound image, and the density of the obtained 3D data may be uneven. There is.

Therefore, in this embodiment, information on the three-dimensional scan density is displayed on the screen of the image processing monitor 8 during the three-dimensional scan by the following method.

First, when starting a three-dimensional scan, the user presses a three-dimensional scan start switch 22A. Then, the three-dimensional scan start signal is converted into a certain code (three-dimensional scan start code) in the position detecting device 6,
It is input to the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7.

The switch 35 in the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus 7 is closed by the three-dimensional scan start code, and the processing for displaying the three-dimensional scan density starts. At this time, the data in the scan position counting memory 37 is reset to the initial value 0 over all addresses. And
The position specifying circuit 36 specifies the positions of the echo data blocks sequentially recorded in the recording unit 31 based on the position and direction data input in parallel with the recording unit 31.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of an address of the scan position counting memory 37. Here, (2n + 1) × (2n +
1) × (2n + 1) = (2n + 1) 3 (However every single cubic n is a natural number) is the ultrasonic endoscope 1 3
It corresponds to a cubic area in the actual space where the dimensional scan is performed.

Since the actual position of the echo data block in the space is flat as shown in FIG. 4A, the position specifying circuit 36 adds one cubic data crossing this plane. By updating, the number of times the scanning plane of the radial scan by the ultrasonic endoscope 1 crosses each part in the space is counted. For example, if the echo data block crosses the cubic hatched area shown in FIG. 5, the address is (1,2n + 1,2n + 1),
That is, one data (2, 2n, 2n + 1)... Is added.

The three-dimensional scan density image creation circuit 38
Based on the count value, an image expressing the three-dimensional scan density by the ultrasonic endoscope 1 as shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter, referred to as a three-dimensional scan density image) is created. In FIG. 6, the three-dimensional scan density image is represented as a simple three-dimensional image having different hues according to the three-dimensional scan density.

The display circuit 40 converts the image data of the three-dimensional scan density image created by the three-dimensional scan density image creation circuit 38 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the image processing monitor 8.

To end the three-dimensional scan, the user presses the three-dimensional scan end switch 22B. Then, the three-dimensional scan end signal is converted into a certain code (three-dimensional scan end code) in the position detecting device 6,
It is input to the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7. The switch 35 in the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus 7 is opened by the three-dimensional scan end code, and the processing for displaying the three-dimensional scan density ends.

Further, if this series of processing is performed in real time during the three-dimensional scan, an image as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the image processing monitor 8 while being sequentially updated. Therefore, for example, the user moves the ultrasonic endoscope 1 or bends the bending portion 18 so that the three-dimensional scan density image becomes evenly red, so that it is sufficient to construct a three-dimensional ultrasonic image. Thus, three-dimensional scanning in a wide range can be performed, and unevenness in the density of the obtained three-dimensional data can be suppressed.

When the three-dimensional scan density image is generated, the position direction data (ie, the actual position where the three-dimensional scan is performed) input from the position detecting device 6 and the cubic of the address of the scan position counting memory 37 are used. The positional relationship between the three-dimensional scan density images must be defined.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position and direction data at the time when the three-dimensional scan start code is input to the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device 7, that is, the position of the magnetic sensor 15 at the time when the three-dimensional scan starts, are shown in FIG. 5, the center address (n + 1, n +) of the scan position counting memory 37.
(1, n + 1). And
Address of scan position counting memory 37 (1,1,1)
The vertex on the outside of the cubic having is set to coincide with the origin 0 of the three-dimensional scan density image shown in FIG. Further, regarding the orientation, the direction of the top of the magnetic sensor 15 at the time when the three-dimensional scan is started, that is, the direction of the top of the tip cap 13 is made to coincide with the z-axis shown in FIGS.

After the three-dimensional scanning is completed, the coordinate conversion circuit 32 in the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus 7 reads the echo data block recorded in the recording unit 31 and sets the address represented by the polar coordinates to the orthogonal. Transform coordinates so that they are represented by coordinates. Further, the coordinate conversion circuit 32
Of the plurality of coordinate-converted echo data blocks, the portion where the echo data blocks overlap as shown in FIG. 4A is averaged, or interpolation processing is performed between the echo data blocks, and (e) in FIG. The three-dimensional image data in which the addresses as shown in b) are represented by three-dimensional orthogonal coordinates is created. Then, the three-dimensional image data is stored in the three-dimensional memory 33.

Next, the three-dimensional image processing circuit 34 reads out the three-dimensional image data from the three-dimensional memory 33, and
Processing necessary for constructing a three-dimensional ultrasonic image as shown in FIG. 8 is performed. The outline of this image construction processing will be described later.

The display circuit 40 converts the image data of the three-dimensional ultrasonic image constructed by the three-dimensional image processing circuit 34 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the image processing monitor 8.
As a result, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of the test site is displayed on the image processing monitor 8.

The image construction processing performed in the three-dimensional image processing circuit 34 will be described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a section setting process which is a part of the process performed by the three-dimensional image processing circuit 34.

FIG. 10 shows a plurality of, specifically, four cross-sections (specifically, four sections) set when displaying an ultrasonic image of a test site on the image processing monitor 8 in a three-dimensional manner as shown in FIGS. (Cross-sectional echo data), and a portion indicated by a satin pattern is a region of interest 41 such as a lesion. This cross section is displayed on the image processing monitor 8 using the three-dimensional image data read from the three-dimensional memory 33.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show three-dimensional ultrasonic images finally constructed by appropriately setting the four cross sections of FIG. 10, and the cross sections A and A of FIGS. B, C, and D correspond to the cross sections A, B, C, and D of FIG. 10 (FIG. 10 is a cross section of FIGS. 7 and 8 that is actually a cross section including a lesion as described below). A corresponds to the cross section after translation or rotation of A).

That is, the cross section C is a cross section perpendicular to the cross sections A and D and includes the cutting line + shown in FIG. 10, and the cross section B is a cross section similarly including the cutting line x shown in FIG. Also, section A
Is a cross section perpendicular to the cross sections B and C and includes the cutting line 示 す shown in FIG. 10, and the cross section D is a cross section also including the cutting line □ shown in FIG.

In FIG. 10, the cutting line indicated by a broken line, the frame line of the section being operated, and the like are colored yellow or the like so as to be easily distinguished from the image of the section displayed in black and white gray scale. Displayed so that it can be easily identified.

In the section setting processing shown in FIG. 9, first, in step S1, the user uses an input means such as a keyboard or a touch panel (not shown) to input a region of interest 4 such as a lesion.
The cursor of the cross section B in FIG. 10 is slid in the direction of the arrow (the horizontal direction in FIG. 10) so that 1 is displayed on the cross section A. Then, the cutting line △ moves in conjunction with the cursor, and the region of interest 41 is displayed on the cross section A by the cutting line △.

In step S2, the user uses the input means so that the region of interest 41 is oriented appropriately.
The section A is rotated about a center point indicated by 0. Here, the section A is rotated by operating such that a certain point K moves in the direction of the arrow. In the section A in FIG. 10, the region of interest 41 is set to be directly below.

Further, in step S3, the cutting lines + and X are moved using the input means so that the cutting lines + or X come on the region of interest 41. The method of this movement is the same as that of the cursor. Then, the region of interest 41 is displayed on the section B or the section C. FIG. 10 shows a case where the cutting line x is moved.

Finally, in step S4, the cutting lines △ and □ are moved using the input means so that the region of interest 41 is included between the cutting line △ and the cutting line □.

Thus, the section setting of the three-dimensional ultrasonic image shown in FIG. 10 is completed.

After this section setting processing is completed,
A three-dimensional ultrasonic image, such as a simple three-dimensional image in which the surface of a luminal organ is not extracted as shown in FIG. 7 or a three-dimensional image in which surface data E is extracted as shown in FIG. Is constructed and displayed on the image processing monitor 8. Since the method of extracting the surface data is conventionally known, the description is omitted here.

In the above-described embodiment, the three-dimensional scan density calculation circuit 39 calculates the three-dimensional scan density by the ultrasonic endoscope 1 and displays the three-dimensional scan density unevenness on the image processing monitor 8 as an image. Therefore, the user can perform a three-dimensional scan in a sufficient range for constructing a three-dimensional ultrasound image while checking the three-dimensional scan density image, and suppress unevenness in the density of the obtained three-dimensional data. it can. Thus, using the ultrasonic endoscope 1 that performs only a radial scan with a simple mechanical structure, the outer diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and three-dimensional data can be accurately obtained without unevenness in the three-dimensional scan density. be able to.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the three-dimensional scan density image is represented as a simple three-dimensional image having different hues according to the three-dimensional scan density. Is not limited to this mode. For example, the three-dimensional scan density may be displayed with different luminance instead of different hues. Alternatively, the three-dimensional scan density may be displayed in a plurality of cross sections instead of a simple three-dimensional image.

As a modification of the first embodiment, FIG.
The example which changed the image display method of dimensional scan density is shown.

FIG. 11A shows an example in which the three-dimensional scan density is displayed as two cross sections orthogonal to the α plane and the β plane.
FIG. 11B is an example in which two cross sections of FIG. 11A are developed and displayed. Further, instead of two cross sections, more cross sections such as a plurality of cross sections perpendicular to the z-axis may be displayed. Alternatively, a three-dimensional scanning method may be used in which only cubes having a low three-dimensional scanning density are displayed, and the displayed clusters are erased.

In the present embodiment, the magnetic sensor 15 is used as the ultrasonic scanning position detecting means. However, an acceleration sensor that calculates the position based on the acceleration may be used, or another position detecting sensor may be used. In this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 15 is provided at the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 1. However, the positions of the magnetic sensor 15 and the magnetic source 30 may be reversed even if the positions are reversed. Can be detected.

Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the calculation method of the three-dimensional scan density is changed will be described. The device configuration is the same as that described in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in the method of calculating the three-dimensional scan density, and therefore only that part will be described.

In the first embodiment, the position specifying circuit 36 specifies the positions of the echo data blocks sequentially recorded in the recording unit 31 based on the position and direction data input in parallel with the recording unit 31, and the scan position counting memory. By adding one cubic data crossed by the scan plane in the 37-dimensional address space and updating it, the number of times the scan plane of the radial scan by the ultrasonic endoscope 1 crosses each part in the space is counted. It has become.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the position specifying circuit 3
At 6, the cubic data at the position including the magnetic sensor 15 is added and updated at regular intervals based on the position and direction data from the position detection device 6, thereby updating the ultrasonic endoscope 1. Count the density of points on the trajectory of the tip. For example, when the position of the magnetic sensor 15 indicated by the position and direction data is included in the cubic at the address (1,1,1) shown in FIG. 5, this cubic data is added by one.
Other operations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, unevenness in three-dimensional scan density can be displayed as an image, and three-dimensional data can be accurately obtained without unevenness in three-dimensional scan density. Similar effects can be obtained.

In the second embodiment, the position specifying circuit 3
At 6, the cubic data at the position including the magnetic sensor 15 is added and updated at regular intervals based on the position and direction data, thereby updating the density of points on the trajectory of the ultrasonic endoscope 1. Although counting is not limited to this, as a modification, the position specifying circuit 36 monitors the trajectory of the magnetic sensor 15 for a certain period of time, and cubic data at a position including the trajectory is counted by the number of trajectories. A method of counting the density of the trajectory itself of the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 by adding and updating may be used.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing device.

The third embodiment is an example in which audible sound output means is provided for notifying the user by sound when the three-dimensional scan density exceeds a predetermined value. Since only the configuration and operation of the ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus are different from those of the first embodiment, only that part will be described.

The ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus 7a of the third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment, and uses a user's hand based on position and direction data in a three-dimensional scan density calculation circuit 39. It has an alarm drive circuit 51 that informs the user of the density unevenness due to the dimensional scan with an audible sound,
The alarm drive circuit 51 is connected to externally provided alarms 52 and 53 for outputting a warning sound.

The alarm drive circuit 51 includes the position detecting device 6
A position differentiating circuit 54 for calculating a change in the position of the magnetic sensor 15 based on the position and direction data from the camera; an angle differentiating circuit 55 for calculating a change in the orientation of the magnetic sensor 15;
4 and peak value detection circuits 56 and 57 for detecting the peak value of the output of the angle differentiating circuit 55, respectively. Other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, in the three-dimensional scan density calculation circuit 39, the position differentiating circuit 54 uses the magnetic sensor 1 obtained from the position and direction data from the position detecting device 6.
The data (x, y, z) at the position of No. 5 is sequentially differentiated, and the change in the differential value is output to the peak value detection circuit 56. The peak value detection circuit 56 peak-holds the differential value for a certain period, compares the peak value with a certain threshold value, and outputs an alarm 52 when the peak value exceeds the threshold value.
Is driven by applying voltage. Thereby, the alarm 52
Outputs a warning sound when the differential value of the position information exceeds a predetermined value.

The angle differentiating circuit 55 is provided with the magnetic sensor 15 obtained from the position and direction data from the position detection position 6.
Are sequentially differentiated, and the change in the derivative value is output to the peak value detection circuit 57. [Euler Angle (ψ, θ, φ)] Then, the peak value detection circuit 57 and the alarm 53 perform the same operation as the above-described operation for the position information, and output a warning sound when the differential value of the angle information exceeds a predetermined value.
Other operations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the position differentiation circuit 54 and the angle differentiation circuit 55 provided in the three-dimensional scan density calculation circuit 39 calculate the position information of the output of the magnetic sensor 15 and the differential value of the angle information, respectively. Alarm 52, 53
By informing the user that the differential value has exceeded a specific fixed value by an audible sound to inform the user of unevenness in the three-dimensional scan density, it is possible to construct a three-dimensional ultrasonic image. When the amount of change (differential value) between the position and the angle between the tomographic images is so large that it becomes difficult, the user can easily recognize by the warning sounds issued from the alarms 52 and 53, and can perform the three-dimensional scanning. You can start over. Thus, using the ultrasonic endoscope 1 that performs only a radial scan with a simple mechanical structure, the outer diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and three-dimensional data can be accurately obtained without unevenness in the three-dimensional scan density. be able to.

When an ultrasonic probe, such as an ultrasonic endoscope, inserted into a body cavity is used, it is necessary to know the relationship between the position and orientation between a specific part of the subject and the ultrasonic scan plane. Thus, for example, the distance from the reference position of the subject, such as the incisor, to the lesion site can be known, and this is useful for examination in terms of identification of the lesion position during reexamination.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-68442 proposes an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a magnetic field source is provided on an ultrasonic probe in order to display information on the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe with a body mark or the like. . In this device, a magnetic source is implanted in a bed so that a subject lies on the bed, and a magnetic sensor attached to or incorporated in an ultrasonic probe uses a magnetic sensor attached to or inside the sternum to measure the tip of the sternum, the navel, the right side of the body, and the left side of the body. Measure the position and create a body mark. And
At the same time that the ultrasonic tomographic image is collected and displayed, its position and angle with respect to the bed are measured by the magnetic sensor, and information on the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe is displayed on the body mark diagram.

However, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-68422, the reference positions such as the tip of the sternum, the stomach, the right side of the body, and the left side of the body are measured before the examination, and then the body mark is measured. A diagram is created, and information on the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe is displayed thereon. For this reason, when the subject moves on the bed during the examination, the reference position is shifted from the body mark, and there is a problem that the information on the position and angle of the ultrasonic probe becomes inaccurate.

The position detecting means for performing position detection using a magnetic sensor is usually configured with a magnetic source for generating a magnetic field. The position of the magnetic source is provided on the bed in the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,691, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-332544, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-68422. The arm is attached to the processor and is made of a material that does not affect the magnetic field.

However, if a magnetic source is provided on a bed such as a metal column that disturbs the magnetic field, the generated magnetic field may be greatly disturbed. For this reason, there has been a problem that the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe cannot be accurately obtained. Further, in general, the detection accuracy of this type of position detecting means using magnetism decreases when the magnetic sensor is far from the magnetic source. Therefore, if a magnetic source is provided on an arm or the like attached to a host processor or the like, the magnetic sensor may be farther from the magnetic source depending on the position of the host processor or the mounting method of the arm, and the detection accuracy of the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe may be increased. However, there has been a problem that position information cannot be obtained accurately.

Thus, the following fourth and fifth embodiments show examples of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement around the subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The fourth embodiment shows a configuration in which the reference position of the subject and the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe can be accurately grasped.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the fourth embodiment,
The magnetic source 30 is attached and fixed to a belt 61 made of a material that does not disturb the magnetic field, such as rubber or leather, and the belt 61 is attached to the body (here, the chest) of the subject 62. At this time, the belt 61 is always attached to a specific position serving as a reference for the subject 62. Other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment, the belt 61 is always attached to the reference position of the subject 62 at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis, so that the magnetic source 30 is placed at this reference position or at a fixed position with respect to the reference position. Since the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is fixedly attached to the body of the examiner 62, the position and the direction of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 from the reference position can be obtained more accurately, and the lesion position can be easily identified at the time of the reexamination.

At this time, in the present embodiment, the magnetic source 3
Numeral 0 is provided on a belt 61 formed of a material that does not disturb the magnetic field, such as rubber or leather. Further, since the belt 61 is attached to the body of the subject 62, compared to a case where the magnetic source 30 is provided on a bed or the like. There is no danger of disturbing the magnetic field. Further, compared to the case where the magnetic source 30 is provided on an arm or the like provided in a host processor or the like, the magnetic sensor 15
And the magnetic source 30 are arranged close to each other, so that there is no possibility that the detection accuracy of the position and direction of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is reduced. Therefore, the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is controlled by the magnetic sensor 15.
Position and direction can be obtained with higher precision and accuracy.

Other functions and effects are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the magnetic sensor 15
Is provided at the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 as in the first embodiment, and the magnetic source 30 is provided on the belt 61 attached to the subject 62. However, the magnetic sensor 15 and the magnetic source 3
Even if the position of 0 is reversed, the position of the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 can be detected.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement configuration around the subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis.

The fifth embodiment shows another configuration in which the reference position of the subject and the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe can be accurately grasped in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the fifth embodiment,
The magnetic source 30 is attached and fixed to a mouthpiece 63 made of a material such as plastic that does not disturb the magnetic field.
The mouthpiece 63 is held by the mouth of the subject 62 during the ultrasonic diagnosis, and the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is
Is inserted into the body cavity through the mouth and esophagus. Other configurations are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

According to the fifth embodiment, since the magnetic source 30 together with the mouthpiece 63 is fixedly mounted on the body of the subject 62 so as to be at a fixed position near the incisor teeth of the subject 62, The position and direction of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 from the incisor tooth, which is the reference position of the subject, can be obtained more accurately, and identification of the lesion position at the time of reexamination is easy.

At this time, in this embodiment, the magnetic source 3
0 is formed of a material that does not disturb the magnetic field, such as plastic, and is disposed on the mouthpiece 63 held at the mouth of the subject. Absent. Further, as compared with the case where the magnetic source 30 is provided on an arm or the like provided in a host processor or the like, since the magnetic sensor 15 and the magnetic source 30 are arranged closer to each other, the detection accuracy of the position and direction of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is improved. There is no danger of lowering. For this reason, the position and direction of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 can be accurately and more accurately obtained by the magnetic sensor 15.

The other operations and effects are the same as those described in the first embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, the magnetic sensor 15
Is provided at the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 as in the first embodiment, and the magnetic source 30 is provided on the mouthpiece 63 held by the subject 62. However, the positions of the magnetic sensor 15 and the magnetic source 30 are May be reversed because the position of the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 can be detected.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the magnetic sensor 15 and the magnetic source 30 are provided one by one. However, a plurality of magnetic sensors 15 may be provided. For example, as in the fourth embodiment, the magnetic source 30 may be provided on a belt attached to the subject, and the magnetic sensor 15 may be provided on the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 and the mouthpiece 63. Even if these positions are exchanged with each other, the position of the distal end of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 and the reference position of the subject can be detected.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an ultrasonic endoscope provided with an observation optical system such as a CCD camera is used as an ultrasonic probe for a body cavity. However, an ultrasonic probe without an optical system is used. Can be applied in the same manner.

Although the configuration using an ultrasonic endoscope that mechanically performs a radial scan has been described, an ultrasonic scanning method is one scan by one scan such as a linear scan, a sector scan, and a convex scan. The same applies to an ultrasonic probe that scans a surface. Further, the scan surface may be a curved surface instead of a flat surface.

[Supplementary Notes] (1) An ultrasonic probe which is inserted into a body cavity of a living body and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a test site by an ultrasonic vibrator provided at a distal end to obtain echo data, and the ultrasonic probe A position detector provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the probe, for detecting the position of the ultrasonic transducer, and three-dimensional data of the part to be inspected from the echo data obtained by the ultrasonic probe and the output of the position detector And a three-dimensional scan density calculating means for calculating a three-dimensional scan density of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe, and a notifying means for notifying a state of the three-dimensional scan density. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus characterized in that:

In the configuration of Appendix 1, the ultrasonic probe is inserted into a body cavity of a living body, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a test site to obtain echo data. Then, the three-dimensional scan density calculating means calculates the three-dimensional scan density of the ultrasonic probe, and the notifying means notifies the user of the state of the three-dimensional scan density (unevenness). After the three-dimensional scanning of the ultrasonic probe is completed in this way, the three-dimensional data forming means forms three-dimensional data of the test site from the echo data and the output of the position detector.

(2) The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the notification means is display means for displaying the three-dimensional scan density on a screen.

In the configuration of Appendix 2, the display means notifies the user of the state (unevenness) of the three-dimensional scan density by displaying the three-dimensional scan density on a screen.

(3) The ultrasonic probe scans one scan plane by one scan of the ultrasonic vibrator, and the three-dimensional scan density calculating means scans each part in the scan target space with the scan plane. The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional scan density is calculated by counting the number of times that the image has crossed.

In the configuration of Appendix 3, the ultrasonic probe is
One scan plane is scanned by three scans.
The three-dimensional scan density is calculated by counting the number of times the scan plane has traversed each part in the scan target space in the three-dimensional scan density calculation means.

(4) The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to appendix 3, wherein the ultrasonic probe performs a radial scan by the ultrasonic transducer.

In the configuration of Appendix 4, the ultrasonic probe performs an ultrasonic radial scan.

(5) The ultrasonic probe scans one scan plane by one scan of the ultrasonic vibrator, and the three-dimensional scan density calculation means calculates the scan plane at each part in the scan target space. 3. The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional scan density is calculated by calculating a density of a trajectory or a density of points on the trajectory.

In the configuration of Appendix 5, the three-dimensional scan density calculating means calculates the three-dimensional scan density by calculating the density of the trajectory of the scan plane in each part in the scan target space or the density of points on this trajectory. I do.

(6) The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the display means expresses the three-dimensional scan density as luminance or a different hue.

In the configuration of Appendix 6, the display means expresses the three-dimensional scan density as luminance or a different hue.

(7) The three-dimensional scan density calculating means includes a differential calculating means for calculating a differential value of the output of the position detector, and the notifying means determines that the differential value has exceeded a specific value. 2. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an audible sound output unit that notifies the user of audible sound.

In the configuration of Appendix 7, the differential operation means provided in the three-dimensional scan density calculation means calculates a differential value of the output of the position detector. The audible sound output means notifies the user of the state (unevenness) of the three-dimensional scan density by notifying the user of an audible sound when the differential value exceeds a specific value.

(8) The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein the differential operation means performs the operation of the differential value on the position of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0116] In the configuration of Supplementary Note 8, the differential operation means calculates a differential value with respect to the position of the ultrasonic transducer.

(9) The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein the differential operation means performs the operation of the differential value with respect to the angle of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0118] In the configuration of Supplementary Note 9, the differential calculating means calculates a differential value with respect to the angle of the ultrasonic transducer.

(10) A three-dimensional scan start signal, which is input by a user and indicates the start of a manual three-dimensional scan performed using the ultrasonic probe, is transmitted to the three-dimensional scan density calculating means. A three-dimensional scan end input means for transmitting a three-dimensional scan end signal, which is input by a user and indicates the end of a manual three-dimensional scan performed using the ultrasonic probe, to the three-dimensional scan density calculating means. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a scan end input unit.

In the configuration of Appendix 10, the user manually inputs the start of the three-dimensional scan using the ultrasonic probe through the three-dimensional scan start input means, and the three-dimensional scan start signal is output. The information is transmitted to the scan density calculation means, and the notification means starts notification of the state of the three-dimensional scan density. Then, the user manually inputs the end of the three-dimensional scan using the ultrasonic probe via the three-dimensional scan end input unit, and a three-dimensional scan end signal is transmitted to the three-dimensional scan density calculation unit. Then, the notification of the state of the three-dimensional scan density by the notification means ends.

(11) A magnetic source for generating a magnetic field is provided around the ultrasonic probe, and the position detector is a magnetic sensor for detecting a position by a magnetic field generated from the magnetic source. 2. The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.

In the configuration of Appendix 11, the magnetic source generates a magnetic field around the ultrasonic probe. The magnetic sensor detects the position of the ultrasonic probe based on the generated magnetic field.

A first object of the present invention according to Supplementary notes 1 to 11 and 15 is that the mechanical structure is simple, the outer diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and the three-dimensional data can be accurately obtained without unevenness in the three-dimensional scan density. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of acquiring the image.

According to the constitutions of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, 15
The three-dimensional scan density calculating means calculates the three-dimensional scan density of the ultrasonic probe, and the notifying means notifies the user of the state of the three-dimensional scan density (unevenness). A three-dimensional scan of a range sufficient to construct can be performed and the resulting 3
The unevenness in the density of the dimensional data can be suppressed. This allows the use of an ultrasonic probe with a simple mechanical structure,
The outer diameter of the insertion portion can be reduced, and three-dimensional data can be accurately obtained without unevenness in three-dimensional scan density.

(12) An ultrasonic probe which is inserted into a body cavity of a living body and transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from a test site by an ultrasonic vibrator provided at a distal end to obtain echo data, and a periphery of the ultrasonic probe. A magnetic source for generating a magnetic field, a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic field generated from the magnetic source, or a plurality of magnetic sensors, and a test site from the echo data obtained by the ultrasonic probe and the output of the magnetic sensor Three-dimensional data forming means for forming the three-dimensional data of
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus having: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, wherein at least one other than the one provided at the distal end of the insertion portion is provided on a fixing means fixedly mounted on the body of the subject.

In the structure of Appendix 12, the ultrasonic probe is
It is inserted into a body cavity of a living body, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a test site to obtain echo data. At this time, the magnetic source generates a magnetic field around the ultrasonic probe. In addition, one or more magnetic sensors detect the position by the generated magnetic field. Then, the three-dimensional data forming unit forms three-dimensional data of the test site from the echo data and the output of the magnetic sensor.

(13) The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to appendix 12, wherein the fixing means is a belt worn on the body of the subject.

In the configuration of Appendix 13, the position of the ultrasonic probe is detected by the magnetic field by the magnetic source or the magnetic sensor provided on the belt worn on the subject's body.

(14) The fixing means is characterized in that the subject is a mouthpiece worn on the mouth by the subject.
8. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to 1.

In the configuration of Appendix 14, the position of the ultrasonic probe is detected by a magnetic field by a magnetic source or a magnetic sensor provided in a mouthpiece worn by the subject in the mouth.

(15) The ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 14, wherein the ultrasonic probe is an ultrasonic endoscope having optical observation means.

In the configuration of Appendix 15, the echo data of the test site and the optical image of the test site are obtained and observed by the ultrasonic endoscope having the optical observation means.

A second object of the present invention according to Supplementary notes 12 to 15 is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of more accurately obtaining the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe from the reference position of the subject. It is in.

A third object of the present invention according to Supplementary notes 12 to 15 is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining the position and direction of an ultrasonic probe with higher accuracy and accuracy by a magnetic sensor. .

According to the arrangements of appendices 12 to 15, at least one of the magnetic source and the magnetic sensor is provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic probe, and at least one other is fixed to the body of the subject. The position and the direction of the ultrasonic probe from the reference position of the subject can be obtained more accurately because the fixing means is provided on the fixing means to be mounted. Also,
With the magnetic sensor, information on the position and direction of the ultrasonic probe can be obtained with higher precision and accuracy.

[0136]

As described above, according to the present invention, the mechanical structure of the insertion portion is simple, the outer diameter can be reduced, and three-dimensional data can be accurately obtained without unevenness in the three-dimensional scan density. There is an effect that a possible ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing interpolation processing of an echo data block;

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view conceptually showing an address of a scan position counting memory.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing a three-dimensional scan density image;

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing a display example of a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a test site;

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view showing a display example of a three-dimensional ultrasonic image of a test site;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a section setting process in the three-dimensional image processing circuit;

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing a plurality of cross-sectional images when setting a cross-section for generating a three-dimensional ultrasonic image;

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a method for displaying an image of three-dimensional scan density according to a modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement configuration around a subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement configuration around a subject at the time of ultrasonic diagnosis according to a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ultrasonic endoscope 4 ... Ultrasonic observation apparatus 5 ... Observation monitor 6 ... Position detection apparatus 7 ... Ultrasonic three-dimensional image processing apparatus 8 ... Image processing monitor 14 ... Ultrasonic vibrator 15 ... Magnetic sensor 30 ... Magnetic Source 34: 3D image processing circuit 39: 3D scan density calculation circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] An ultrasonic probe that is inserted into a body cavity of a living body and transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to and from a test site by an ultrasonic vibrator provided at a distal end to obtain echo data; A position detector that is provided at the tip and detects the position of the ultrasonic transducer; and constructs three-dimensional data of a test site from the echo data obtained by the ultrasonic probe and the output of the position detector. Three-dimensional scan density calculating means for calculating a three-dimensional scan density of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe; and notifying means for notifying a state of the three-dimensional scan density;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: