JP2013052248A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image processor for easily retrieving image data.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the image processor of the embodiment include: an imaging means for scanning ultrasonic waves to a subject, and generating image data on the basis of reception signals obtained by the scanning; a thumbnail processing means for reducing the image data generated by the imaging means, and generating thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data which is larger than the thumbnail data and is excellent in visibility; and a display means capable of displaying the thumbnail data and the enlarged thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail processing means together with the image data generated by the imaging means.

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus that display thumbnail data of image data obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves.

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave generated from an ultrasonic probe into a subject, detects a reflected wave caused by a difference in acoustic impedance of a subject tissue, and obtains an image such as a tomographic image in a living body In recent years, it has been used in various medical fields. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is widely used for diagnosis of circulatory organs, abdominal organs, and the like because real-time image data can be easily obtained by simply bringing an ultrasonic probe into contact with the body surface of a subject.

Examinations such as circulatory organs and abdominal organs include normal examinations and examinations that are executed systematically according to clinical applications, for example. As a clinical application, there is a stress echo method in which image data is collected to evaluate the motor function of the heart before and after giving exercise load or drug load to the subject. In addition, there is a contrast echo method for injecting a contrast medium from a vein to enhance a blood flow signal and evaluating blood flow dynamics in the heart or liver. As described above, there is known an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of efficiently performing an inspection while preventing an operation error with respect to an inspection in which the apparatus needs to be operated in a limited time according to a predetermined procedure (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

In this ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a program (activity) is called and displayed on the display unit of the workflow so that the work can be performed according to the workflow of a preset protocol as the examination procedure according to the examination plan of the clinical application. And a workflow system that executes the activities of the displayed workflow.

By the way, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has image data storage unit that stores image data that is useful for diagnosis among image data displayed on a display unit in a normal examination and image data displayed according to an activity according to a protocol. The thumbnail data of the saved image data is displayed on the display unit, and the saved image data can be confirmed and searched.

JP 2001-137237 A

However, a plurality of image data is stored in the image data storage unit during the examination, and the displayed image data is displayed on the display unit when the image data is similar, for example, image data generated by imaging the same part of the subject. There is a problem that it is difficult to search whether or not image data stored in the image data storage unit includes data useful for diagnosis from the plurality of thumbnail data thus obtained. For this reason, if the image data corresponding to each thumbnail is displayed on the display unit and determined for each thumbnail, there is a problem that inspection takes time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus that can easily search for image data.

In order to solve the above problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Imaging means for scanning sound waves and generating image data based on a reception signal obtained by the scanning;
Along with the image data generated by the imaging means, thumbnail processing means for reducing the image data generated by the imaging means to generate thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data that is larger than the thumbnail data and excellent in visibility, Display means capable of displaying thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail processing means.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 7 reduces the image data obtained from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus based on the imaging conditions including the image condition and the image mode for examining the subject, Thumbnail data or thumbnail processing means for generating enlarged thumbnail data larger than the thumbnail data, and display means capable of displaying thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail processing means together with the image data It is characterized by that.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of the screen displayed on the display part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the display condition setting screen displayed on the display part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the ultrasonic diagnosing device based on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the image data displayed on the display part which concerns on the Example of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the image data displayed on the display part which concerns on the Example of this invention, and the expansion thumbnail data less than a setting number of sheets. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of image data and a set number of enlarged thumbnail data displayed on the display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of image data, a set number of enlarged thumbnail data, and thumbnail data displayed on the display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the image data displayed on the display part which concerns on the Example of this invention, and thumbnail data.

  Examples of the present invention will be described.

  Embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 scans the subject P with ultrasound based on imaging conditions for examining the subject P, and generates image data based on the received signal obtained by the scanning. The imaging unit 4, the image processing unit 5 that stores and displays the image data generated by the imaging unit 4, the operation unit 7 that inputs various command signals and sets imaging conditions, the imaging unit 4 and the image processing And a system control unit 8 that controls each unit of the unit 5 in an integrated manner.

The imaging unit 4 includes an ultrasonic probe 1 that transmits / receives ultrasonic waves to / from the subject P, a transmission / reception unit 2 that transmits an ultrasonic drive signal and a reflection signal to the ultrasonic probe 1, and a transmission / reception unit 2. And a data processing unit 3 for processing the received signal obtained by the above and generating image data such as B-mode image data and Doppler image data.

The ultrasonic probe 1 performs transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves by bringing the tip portion into contact with the body surface of the subject P, and has, for example, a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators arranged in one dimension. This piezoelectric vibrator converts an electric pulse (ultrasonic drive signal) into an ultrasonic pulse (transmitted ultrasonic wave) at the time of transmission, and electrically converts an ultrasonic reflected wave (received ultrasonic wave) from the subject P at the time of reception. It has a function of converting into a signal (ultrasound reception signal).

The transmission / reception unit 2 is controlled based on image conditions included in the imaging conditions supplied from the system control unit 8, and generates an ultrasonic drive signal for generating and transmitting a transmission ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe 1. And a receiving unit 22 that performs phasing addition on a plurality of channels of ultrasonic reception signals obtained from the respective piezoelectric vibrators of the ultrasonic probe 1.

The transmission unit 21 generates a rate pulse that determines a repetition period (Tr) of the ultrasonic pulse radiated to the subject P, a focusing delay time for focusing the ultrasonic wave to a predetermined depth in transmission, and a predetermined delay time. After giving the rate pulse a deflection delay time for transmitting an ultrasonic wave at a viewing angle (θ1 to θK), each piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic probe 1 is driven and transmitted to the subject P. An ultrasonic drive pulse for emitting ultrasonic waves is generated and output to the ultrasonic probe 1.

The receiving unit 22 amplifies a minute ultrasonic reception signal output from the ultrasonic probe 1 to ensure a sufficient S / N, and receives a reception ultrasonic wave from a predetermined depth with respect to the ultrasonic reception signal. After providing a focusing delay time for focusing and obtaining a narrow received beam width and a deflection delay time for setting the receiving directivity of the ultrasonic wave, phasing the ultrasonic reception signal from each piezoelectric vibrator These are added together and output to the data processing unit 3.

The data processing unit 3 is controlled based on the image mode included in the imaging condition supplied from the system control unit 8, and uses the phasing and addition signal output from the reception unit 22 of the transmission / reception unit 2 to generate M mode data and B Generated by the B mode data generation unit 31 that generates mode data, the Doppler data generation unit 32 that generates Doppler data, and the M mode data and B mode data generated by the B mode data generation unit 31 and the Doppler data generation unit 32 Processed Doppler data, etc.
And an image data generation unit 33 that generates image data such as mode image data, B-mode image data, and Doppler image data.

The B-mode data unit 31 performs envelope detection on the phase-added signal output from the receiving unit 22 and then performs logarithmic conversion. Then, the logarithmically converted signal is converted into a digital signal to generate M mode data and B mode data, which are output to the image data generation unit 33.

The Doppler data generation unit 32 detects a Doppler shift frequency from the phase-added signal output from the reception unit 22 and converts it to a digital signal, and then extracts a signal related to blood flow and heart wall movement information. Then, autocorrelation processing is performed on the extracted Doppler signal. Then, based on the autocorrelation processing result, Doppler data representing the velocity of blood flow, heart wall, etc. is generated and output to the image data generating unit 33.

The image data generation unit 33 performs scan conversion for image display on the M mode data and B mode data output from the B mode data generation unit 31, the Doppler data output from the Doppler data generation unit 32, and the like. M-mode image data represented as a waveform in which morphological changes such as blood vessels and blood vessels amplitude with time, B-mode image data representing a tomographic image, and Doppler images representing blood flow, heart wall velocity, etc. over time Image data such as data is generated. Then, information on the imaging condition of the image data supplied from the system control unit 8 is added to the generated image data and output to the image processing unit 5.

The image processing unit 5 stores an image data storage unit 51 that stores the image data generated by the image data generation unit 33 of the data processing unit 3 in the imaging unit 4, and when the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51. The thumbnail data processing unit 52 that generates thumbnail data and the like obtained by reducing the stored image data, the image data generated by the image data generation unit 33, the thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail data processing unit 52, and the like are displayed. And a display unit 53.

The image data storage unit 51 stores, for example, one frame of image data (still image data) output from the image data generation unit 33 when one operation for storing still image data is performed from the operation unit 7. Save as image data. In addition, when one operation for saving moving image data is performed from the operation unit 7, a plurality of frames of image data (moving image data) in a predetermined time range output from the image data generation unit 33 are converted into one image. Save as data.

The thumbnail data processing unit 52 reads out the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 in response to the storage operation of the still image data or the moving image data, and then reduces the read-out image data to display a preset display. Based on the conditions, thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data that is larger than the thumbnail data and excellent in visibility are generated. Then, the generated thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data are output to the display unit 53.

If the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 is moving image data, the thumbnail data or the enlarged thumbnail of the image data of the oldest frame stored in the image data storage unit 51 of the moving image data, for example. Generate data.

The display unit 53 includes a liquid crystal panel or a CRT, and displays image data output from the image data generation unit 33, thumbnail data output from the thumbnail data processing unit 52, and enlarged thumbnail data. In addition, the thumbnail data processing unit 52 displays a display condition setting screen for setting display conditions for generating thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data. Further, a preset protocol is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a screen displayed on the display unit 53. This screen 54 is a first display area 55 that displays the image data generated by the image data generation unit 33, and a second display that displays the thumbnail data and the enlarged thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail data processing unit 52.
Display area 56, and a third display area 57 for displaying thumbnail data, enlarged thumbnail data, protocol, and the like generated by the thumbnail data processing unit 52.

The operation unit 7 in FIG. 1 includes input devices such as various switches, a keyboard, a trackball, a mouse, and a touch screen on the operation panel. And the ID of the subject P to be examined
Setting operation of subject information such as name, setting operation of image modes such as M mode image data, B mode image data, and Doppler image data generated by the imaging unit 4, depth of field of view, viewing angle, and frequency for generating image data An image condition setting operation such as, an inspection start operation for starting an inspection, an inspection end operation for ending the started inspection, an operation for storing still image data or moving image data, and the like are performed.

The system control unit 8 includes a CPU and a storage circuit 81, and stores input information supplied from the operation unit 7 in the storage circuit 81. And based on these input information, the transmission / reception part 2 of the imaging part 4
The data processing unit 3 and the image data storage unit 51 of the image processing unit 5, the thumbnail data processing unit 52, the display unit 53 and other units are controlled and the entire system is controlled. The storage circuit 81 stores a protocol set by an operation from the operation unit 7.

Next, an example of the display condition setting screen displayed on the display unit 53 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, the display condition setting screen 60 includes an image data storage unit 51 of the image processing unit 5.
“Number of sheets”, “Protocol phase” for setting the display conditions for generating enlarged thumbnail data or thumbnail data of the image data stored in the second display area 56 of the screen 54 in the display unit 53, “Image mode” and “Image condition” fields are displayed.
Information on the display conditions set in each column is stored in the storage circuit 81 of the system control unit 8.

The thumbnail data processing unit 52 of the image processing unit 5 then saves all the images stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection based on the display conditions set on the display condition setting screen 60 supplied from the system control unit 8. The thumbnail data of the image data and the enlarged thumbnail data are generated and displayed in the second display area 56.

In the “number of sheets” column, the number of enlarged thumbnail data that can be displayed in the second display area 56 during inspection is set. And, for example, when an operation of selecting and inputting two sheets is performed from the operation unit 7,
“2” is displayed in the dialog box 60a.

By setting the number of images, when image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection, the set number of images is counted in order from the latest image data among the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection. In addition to the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to, the thumbnail data of the old image data exceeding the set number can be displayed in the second display area 56.

Here, when the thumbnail data of less than the set number is displayed in the second display area 56, when the image data is further saved in the image data storage unit 51, the enlarged thumbnail data of the latest saved image data is stored. Are displayed in the second display area 56 together with the enlarged thumbnail data of less than the set number.

Further, when the set number of enlarged thumbnail data is displayed in the second display area 56,
Further, when the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51, the image data is stored together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the set number of image data sequentially counting from the latest image data among the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51. Thumbnail data of image data other than the set number stored in the storage unit 51 is displayed in the second display area 56.

In the “Protocol Phase” column, the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the designated phase of the protocol is displayed in the second display area 56.
Set the display conditions to be displayed. When an input operation for enabling the display condition is performed from the operation unit 7, “Re” is displayed in the dialog box 60 b. Further, when an invalidation operation is performed, the dialog box 60b is displayed blank.

With the setting for enabling the display condition, when the protocol is executed during the inspection and the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the designated phase of the protocol, the image data storage unit 51 in the designated phase. The image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 is stored together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number set in the “number of sheets” column in order from the latest image data stored in the image data. Thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number of image data can be displayed in the second display area 56.

In the “image mode” column, display conditions for displaying enlarged thumbnail data of image data to which information of the same image mode as the image data displayed in the first display area 55 is added are displayed in the second display area 56. Set. When an input operation for validating the display condition is performed from the operation unit 7, “Re” is displayed in the dialog box 60c. Further, when an invalidation operation is performed, the dialog box 60c is displayed blank.

When the display condition is set to be valid, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection is stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection, and is displayed in the first display area 55. The image data is stored in the inspection along with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number set in the “Number of images” column, counting from the latest among the image data with the same image mode information as the current image data. Thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number of image data stored in the unit 51 can be displayed in the second display area 56.

In the “image condition” column, display conditions for displaying in the second display area 56 enlarged thumbnail data of image data to which information of image conditions substantially the same as the image data displayed in the first display area 55 is added. Set. When an input operation for validating the display condition is performed from the operation unit 7, “Re” is displayed in the dialog box 60d. Further, when an invalidation operation is performed, the dialog box 60d is displayed blank. Furthermore, an operation for selecting and inputting, for example, a depth of field, a viewing angle, or the like as an image condition to be a target when enabled is the operation unit 7.
Is performed, “Depth” is the depth of field in the dialog boxes 60e, 60f, etc.
”And“ Scale Range ”are displayed. Note that when one of the “image mode” and “image condition” fields is set to be valid, the other field is set to be invalid.

The image data saved in the image data storage unit 51 during the examination when saved in the image data storage unit 51 during the examination by the setting for validating the set image condition, and is stored in the first display area 55. Along with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number set in the “Number of images” column, counting from the latest among the image data to which image condition information that falls within the allowable range of the displayed image data is added. Thumbnail data other than image data up to the set number of image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 by inspection can be displayed in the second display area 56.

As described above, when the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection, the enlarged thumbnail data of the latest stored image data can be displayed in the second display area 56. Further, based on the display conditions set on the display condition setting screen 60, the enlarged thumbnail data or thumbnail data of the image data saved in the image data storage unit 51 during the examination is displayed in the second display area 56. Can do.

When a group designation operation for designating any one of the thumbnail data displayed in the second display area 56 is performed from the operation unit 7, the image data of the designated thumbnail data stored in the image data storage unit 51 and Among the image data under the same display conditions, the thumbnail data of the data other than the image data up to the set number can be displayed in the second display area 56 together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number from the latest. it can.

If all thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data cannot be displayed in the second display area 56, a predetermined area in the second display area 56 is moved by a scroll operation from the operation unit 7, and all thumbnail data or Enlarged thumbnail data can be displayed.

Further, the first to third display areas 55, 56, 5 are operated by the thumbnail data area operation for expanding the second display area 56 to an area including the first and third display areas 55, 57.
7 can display thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data. This
Further, a large number of thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data can be displayed simultaneously.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 9, the example of the operation | movement procedure which concerns on an Example and operation | movement of the ultrasound diagnosing device 10 according to this operation is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of image data displayed on the display unit 53. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of image data displayed on the display unit 53 and enlarged thumbnail data less than the set number. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of image data displayed on the display unit 53 and a set number of enlarged thumbnail data. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of image data, a set number of enlarged thumbnail data, and thumbnail data displayed on the display unit 53. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of image data and thumbnail data displayed on the display unit 53.

In FIG. 4, in order for the operator of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to inspect the subject P, the operation unit 7
When, for example, “2” is set in the “number” field of the display condition setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 3 and the “protocol phase” field is set to be valid, the operation is input. The display condition input information is stored in the storage circuit 81 of the system control unit 8. For example, when an operation for setting imaging conditions such as B-mode image data and an image condition for generating the B-mode image data is performed, the input information is stored in the storage circuit 81. When the subject information of the subject P is set and the examination start operation is performed, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 starts the examination of the subject P (step S1).

The system control unit 8 controls the imaging unit 4 and the image processing unit 5 based on the input information stored in the storage circuit 81. When the operator touches the ultrasonic probe 1 in the vicinity of the imaging region of the subject P, the B mode data generation unit 31 of the data processing unit 3 in the imaging unit 4 causes the transmission / reception unit 2 to
B-mode data is generated from the received signal received from, and output to the image data generation unit 33.
The image data generation unit 33 generates B-mode image data from the B-mode data output from the B-mode data generation unit 31, and is real-time in the first display area 55 of the screen 54 in the display unit 53 of the image processing unit 5. To display.

Next, when an operation for displaying a preset contrast echo protocol is performed in order to display the contrast examination procedure of the subject P, the contrast echo protocol examination procedure stored in the storage circuit 81 is performed. The workflow is displayed on the display unit 53 together with the B-mode image data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the workflow and B-mode image data are displayed on the display unit 53. On this screen 54 a, B-mode image data 55 is displayed in the first display area 55.
0 is displayed in real time. The second display area 56 is blank because no storage operation has been performed from the operation unit 7 after the start of inspection. A contrast echo protocol workflow 70 is displayed in the third display area 57. This workflow 70 is an activity as a procedure of contrast examination of the subject P, for example, “Injection”,
It is composed of “Early” and “Late”.

Next, a contrast examination of the subject P is performed according to the workflow 70 displayed in the third display area 57 of the screen 54 a in the display unit 53.

First, a workflow 7 displayed in the third display area 57 of the screen 54a as an operation of administering a contrast agent to the subject P and designating a phase of the contrast echo protocol.
When an operation for designating 0, for example, “Injection” is performed from the operation unit 7, the screen 54
The activity of the designated phase is displayed together with the B-mode image data in the first display area 55 of a (step S2 in FIG. 4). As a result, it is understood that the designated phase of the contrast echo protocol is “Injection”.

If the enlarged thumbnail data is displayed in the second display area 56 when the operation for designating the phase is performed (Yes in step S3 in FIG. 4), the enlarged thumbnail data in the second display area 56 is displayed. In addition to erasing, the thumbnail data of the enlarged thumbnail data that has been erased is displayed in the second display area 56 (step S4 in FIG. 4). Then, step S5
Migrate to If the enlarged thumbnail data is not displayed in the second display area 56 (No in step S3 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S5.

When the image data is stored in the designated phase after “No” in step S3 or after step S4 (Yes in step S5 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S6. Also,
When the image data is not stored in the designated phase (No in step S5 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S10.

If the workflow 70 after “No” in step S5 has the next phase (Yes in step S10 in FIG. 4), the process returns to step S2. If there is no next phase (No in step S10 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S11. Here, “Injectio”
Since “Early” is reserved after “n”, the process returns to Step S2.

Next, when an operation for designating “Early” of the workflow 70 displayed in the third display area 57 of the screen 54 a is performed from the operation unit 7 after a predetermined time from the administration of the contrast agent,
The activity of the designated phase is displayed together with the B-mode image data in the first display area 55 of the screen of the display unit 53 (step S2 in FIG. 4). Thereby, it is understood that the phase of the contrast echo protocol is “Early”.

After step S2 in the “Early” phase, enlarged thumbnail data is not displayed in the second display area 56 in the “Injection” phase, so “No” in step S3 is executed.

After “No” in step S 3, B-mode image data useful for diagnosis at a timing representing a state in which the contrast agent flows into the blood vessel of the imaging unit of the subject P and is stained is real-time in the first display area 55. When the save operation is performed from the operation unit 7, the image processing unit 5
The image data storage unit 51 stores the B-mode image data output from the image data generation unit 33 (step S6 in FIG. 4).

When the B-mode image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the designated phase, the thumbnail data processing unit 52 sets the display conditions set on the display condition setting screen 60 supplied from the system control unit 8. Based on this, enlarged thumbnail data or thumbnail data of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 is generated and displayed in the second display area 56.

Here, when B-mode image data useful for diagnosis is displayed in the first display area 55, for example, when the first saving operation is performed from the operation unit 7, as shown in a screen 54b in FIG. B mode image data 551 displayed together with “Early” in one display area 55 is stored in the image data storage unit 51, and enlarged thumbnail data 561 of the stored B mode image data 551 is displayed in the second display area 56. To do.

As described above, the enlarged thumbnail data 561 of the B-mode image data 551 can be newly displayed in the second display area 56 in the image data storage unit 51. Thereby, the B-mode image data 551 useful for diagnosis stored in the image data storage unit 51 can be easily retrieved during the examination.

If less than two pieces of enlarged thumbnail data are displayed in the second display area 56 after step S6 (No in step S7 in FIG. 4), two pieces of enlarged thumbnail data of the newly saved image data are displayed. Displayed in the second display area 56 together with the enlarged thumbnail data of less than (step S8 in FIG. 4).

Further, when two enlarged thumbnail data are displayed in the second display area 56 (FIG. 4).
Yes in step S7), the latest thumbnail data stored in the image data storage unit 51 together with the enlarged thumbnail data of two pieces of image data counted in order from the latest image data stored in the image data storage unit 51. The thumbnail data of the image data other than the two is displayed in the second display area 56 (step S9 in FIG. 4).

Here, when B mode image data that is more useful than the B mode image data 551 is displayed in the first display area 55, for example, when a second save operation is performed from the operation unit 7,
As shown in the screen 54c of FIG. 7, the B mode image data 552 displayed in the first display area 55 is saved in the image data storage unit 51, and the enlarged thumbnail data 562 of the saved B mode image data 552 is enlarged. It is displayed in the second display area 56 together with the thumbnail data 561.

Thus, by displaying the enlarged thumbnail data 561 in the second display area 56, the B-mode image data displayed in the first display area 55 can be observed while referring to the enlarged thumbnail data 561. . Further, the enlarged thumbnail data 562 of the B-mode image data 552 newly stored in the image data storage unit 51 can be displayed in the second display area 56 together with the enlarged thumbnail data 561. Thereby, the B-mode image data 551 and 552 useful for diagnosis stored in the image data storage unit 51 can be easily searched during the examination.

Further, when B mode image data that is more useful for diagnosis than the B mode image data 551 is displayed in the first display area 55, when the third saving operation is performed, the screen 54 in FIG.
As shown in d, the B-mode image data 553 displayed in the first display area 55 is stored in the image data storage unit 51, and the enlarged thumbnail data of the two latest stored B-mode image data 552 and 553 is stored. 562 and 563 and the latest 2 stored in the image data storage unit 51.
The thumbnail data 561a of the B mode image data 551 other than the number of images is stored in the second display area 5
6 is displayed.

In this manner, by displaying the enlarged thumbnail data 561 and 562 in the second display area 56, the B-mode image data displayed in the first display area 55 is observed with reference to the enlarged thumbnail data 561 and 562. can do. Then, the enlarged thumbnail data 563 of the B-mode image data 553 newly stored in the image data storage unit 51 is
It can be displayed in the second display area 56 together with the enlarged thumbnail data 562. Thereby, B-mode image data 552 and 553 that are more useful for diagnosis than the B-mode image data 551 stored in the image data storage unit 51 can be easily searched during the examination.

If “No” in step S5, or after step S8 or step S9, the workflow 70 has the next phase (Yes in step S10 in FIG. 4), the process returns to step S2. If there is no next phase (No in step S10 in FIG. 4), the process proceeds to step S11. Step S10 is executed.

Here, since “Late” is reserved after “Early”, the process returns to step S2. Then, when step S2 is executed in the “Late” phase that is the designated phase, “Late” is displayed together with the B-mode image data 554 in the first display area 55, as shown in the screen 54e of FIG. . In addition, thumbnail data 561a, 562a, three pieces of B-mode image data 551, 552, and 553 stored in the image data storage unit 51 are stored.
563a is displayed in the second display area 56.

As described above, the thumbnail data 561a and 562a of all the B-mode image data 551, 552, and 553 stored in the image data storage unit 51 at times other than the designated phase.
563a can be displayed in the second display area 56. Thereby, B-mode image data 552 and 553 other than the designated phase stored in the image data storage unit 51 can be searched during the examination.

Further, after steps S3 to S9 are executed in the “Late” phase, there is no phase after “Late” in step S10, and the process proceeds to step S11. Next, when an operation for ending the examination is performed from the operation unit 7, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 finishes the examination (step S11 in FIG. 4).

Note that, for example, when thumbnail data 561a, 562a, 563a is displayed in the second display area 56 of the display unit 53 during or after the inspection, the thumbnail data 561 is displayed.
a group designation operation for designating any one of data a, 562a, and 563a;
From the latest, among the B-mode image data 551, 552, and 553 in the “Early” phase, which is the same display condition as the designated data stored in the image data storage unit 51, the set number is set. Along with the enlarged thumbnail data 562 and 563 of the two B-mode image data 552 and 553, the thumbnail data of all image data other than the B-mode image data 552 and 553 stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection 2 display areas 56 or first to third display areas 55, 56, 57.

Also, the image data saved in the image data storage unit 51 in the “Late” phase is the same as the data specified in the second display area in the same manner as the operation for the image data saved in “Early”. The enlarged thumbnail data of the display conditions can be displayed in the second display area 56 or the first to third display areas 55, 56, 57.

Thereby, image data useful for diagnosis can be easily retrieved from the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the examination. Then, only useful image data can be stored by erasing image data that is not necessary for diagnosis.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the enlarged thumbnail data or thumbnail data of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 based on the display conditions set on the display condition setting screen 60 is displayed on the screen of the display unit 53. 54 can be displayed in the second display area 56.

When the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection by setting the “number of sheets” that is the display condition, the latest image among the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the inspection is stored. The thumbnail data of the old image data exceeding the set number can be displayed in the second display area 56 together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data counted in order from the data.

Also, it is specified when the protocol is executed during the inspection and the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the specified phase of the protocol by setting to enable the “protocol phase” which is the display condition. The image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the inspection together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number of images counted in order from the latest image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the first phase. Thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number of data can be displayed in the second display area 56.

Further, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection when the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection by the setting for enabling the “image mode” that is the display condition is the first data. The image data storage unit 51 in the inspection together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number of image data sequentially counted from the latest among the image data to which the same image mode information as the image data displayed in the display area 55 is added. The thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number of the image data stored in the second display area 56 can be displayed.

Furthermore, when the image condition is saved in the image data storage unit 51 during the inspection by setting the “image condition” which is the display condition and the setting for enabling the set display condition, the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 51 in the inspection. Along with the enlarged thumbnail data of the latest set number of image data of the image data to which image condition information that falls within the allowable range of the image data displayed in the first display area 55 is added. The thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number of image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 by the inspection can be displayed in the second display area 56.

As described above, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 51 can be easily searched from the enlarged thumbnail data displayed in the second display area 56. Thereby, a test | inspection can be performed rapidly.

P Subject 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Transmission / reception unit 3 Data processing unit 4 Imaging unit 5 Image processing unit 7 Operation unit 8 System control unit 10 Ultrasound diagnostic device 21 Transmission unit 22 Reception unit 31 B-mode data generation unit 32 Doppler data generation unit 33 Image data generation unit 51 Image data storage unit 52 Thumbnail data processing unit 53 Display unit 81 Storage circuit

Claims (9)

An imaging means for scanning the subject with ultrasonic waves and generating image data based on a received signal obtained by the scanning;
Thumbnail processing means for reducing the image data generated by the imaging means to generate thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data that is larger than the thumbnail data and excellent in visibility;
Display means capable of displaying thumbnail data and enlarged thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail processing means together with image data generated by the imaging means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: Image data storage means for storing image data generated by the imaging means;
The thumbnail processing means generates thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data of image data stored in the image data storage means during examination of the subject based on preset display conditions. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. Display condition setting means for setting the number of enlarged thumbnail data that can be displayed on the display means;
When the image data is stored in the image data storage unit, the image data stored in the image data storage unit is counted in order from the latest image data up to the set number of images set by the display condition setting unit. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thumbnail data of old image data exceeding the set number is displayed together with enlarged thumbnail data of data. Phase specifying means for specifying the phase of the protocol in which the procedure of the inspection is represented;
The image data storage means together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number of images counted from the latest image data of the image data stored in the image data storage means in the phase designated by the phase designation means 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number of image data stored in the image data is displayed. The image data stored in the image data storage means is added with image mode information of the image data, and is image data stored in the image data storage means. The image data displayed on the display means Up to the set number of image data stored in the image data storage means together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number of image data counted from the latest in the image data with the same image mode information added The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thumbnail data other than the image data is displayed on the display means. Image condition information of the image data is added to the image data stored in the image data storage means, and the image data is stored in the image data storage means. The image data displayed on the display means Among the image data stored in the image data storage means, together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number, counting from the latest among the image data to which image condition information falling within the allowable range is added. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thumbnail data other than the image data up to the set number is displayed on the display means. Thumbnail processing means for reducing image data obtained from an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and generating thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data larger than the thumbnail data;
An image processing apparatus comprising: display means capable of displaying thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail processing means and enlarged thumbnail data together with the image data. Image data storage means for storing the image data;
The thumbnail processing means generates thumbnail data or enlarged thumbnail data of image data stored in the image data storage means during examination of the subject based on preset display conditions. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7. Display condition setting means for setting the number of enlarged thumbnail data that can be displayed on the display means;
Among the image data stored in the image data storage means, old images exceeding the set number together with the enlarged thumbnail data of the image data up to the set number set by the display condition setting means counting from the latest image data in order. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein thumbnail data of the data is displayed.

Images