JP5349102B2 - Ultrasonic image processing display device, ultrasonic image processing display method, and control processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of easily obtaining an ultrasonic diagnosis image suitable for diagnosis without manual complicated resetting even if an obtained ultrasonic diagnosis image is not an image suitable for diagnosis. <P>SOLUTION: This ultrasonic image processing display device includes: a means 14 for storing image generation parameters of two or more characteristic items in obtaining an ultrasonic display image in association with an ultrasonic reflection signal and an ultrasonic display image; a means 13 for comparing each characteristic item of a specific image generation parameter at this time with each character item of the two or more image generation parameters stored by an image generation condition storage means when a specific ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained and a specific ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal, and selecting an image generation parameter which the contents of the respective characteristic items of the specific image generation parameter most match; and a means for converting the specific ultrasonic reflection signal and the specific ultrasonic display image according to the image generation parameter to thereby obtain an ultrasonic display image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic image processing display device, and in particular, an ultrasonic image processing display device, an ultrasonic image processing display method, and a control for obtaining an ultrasonic display image by performing image processing on an ultrasonic reflection signal obtained from a subject. It relates to a processing program.

  Conventionally, in the examination and diagnosis by the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, the ultrasonic reflected signal obtained from the subject is subjected to image signal processing corresponding to the diagnostic purpose, and examination data is created as ultrasonic image data. Thereafter, the examination data is reproduced, and a doctor's diagnosis is made to determine the condition of the affected area of the subject from the image information. As described above, the examination and diagnosis medical actions by the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus are performed separately for the preparation of examination data and the diagnosis by this.

  An image obtained by a general ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can be obtained by changing the processing method and setting of various conditions in imaging from an ultrasonic reception signal to an image information signal. It is very different and the setting of the method and its conditions is important and depends on the skill of the person in charge of creating the inspection data. Also, in the objective diagnostic action of the doctor who interprets the test data of the results, the attention area of the ultrasound image or the attention area that is drawn based on the specialized medical knowledge is determined according to the subjective judgment criteria of the doctor in charge. Diagnosis is made by observing.

  Therefore, the conventional diagnostic inspection of the ultrasonic image is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the scanning of the subject in the examination phase and the reflected signal obtained at that time are subjected to image processing (S61) and stored as image data (S62). In the subsequent diagnosis phase, a past image is referred to (S63) to determine whether the image quality is suitable for diagnosis (S64). If the image quality is not suitable, the image quality is manually adjusted (S65), and then based on the adjusted image. Diagnosis is performed (S66).

  However, in the above-described conventional case, when an ultrasonic image stored as examination data is an image that is not suitable for diagnosis, in order to obtain an ultrasonic image suitable for diagnosis, complicated resetting of the processing method and its conditions is necessary.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus. Even if the obtained ultrasonic diagnostic image is not an image suitable for diagnosis, manual resetting is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic image processing display device, an ultrasonic image processing display method, and a control processing program that can easily obtain an ultrasonic diagnostic image suitable for diagnosis.

  According to claim 1 of the present invention, the reflected signal acquisition means for transmitting the ultrasonic wave and receiving the reflected wave from the subject to obtain the ultrasonic reflected signal, and the ultrasonic reflected signal obtained by the reflected signal acquisition means Image processing means for obtaining a predetermined ultrasonic display image, and when the ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition means and from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition means, the ultrasonic display image A specific ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the image generation parameter storage means for storing the image generation parameters of a plurality of characteristic items in association with the ultrasonic reflection signal and the ultrasonic display image, and the reflection signal acquisition means. When a specific ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition means, each characteristic item of the specific image generation parameter at this time is generated by the image generation. An image generation parameter selection unit that compares the characteristic items of the plurality of image generation parameters stored in the subject storage unit and selects the image generation parameter that matches most of the contents of the characteristic items of the specific image generation parameter; Conversion display image acquisition means for converting the specific ultrasonic reflection signal and the specific ultrasonic display image based on the image generation parameter selected by the image generation parameter selection means to obtain a converted ultrasonic display image; An ultrasonic image processing display device is provided.

  According to claim 4 of the present invention, a reflected signal acquisition step of transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave from the subject to obtain an ultrasonic reflected signal, and the ultrasonic wave obtained by the reflected signal acquiring step A display image acquisition step of performing image processing on the reflection signal to obtain a predetermined ultrasonic display image, and obtaining the ultrasonic reflection signal by the reflection signal acquisition step and the ultrasonic wave by the display image acquisition step from the ultrasonic reflection signal An image generation parameter storage step for storing image generation parameters of a plurality of characteristic items when obtaining a display image in association with the ultrasonic reflection signal and the ultrasonic display image, and a specific ultrasonic reflection signal by the reflection signal acquisition step When a specific ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition step, the specific image production at this time is obtained. Each characteristic item of the parameter is compared with each characteristic item of the plurality of image generation parameters stored by the image generation condition storing step, and the image generation parameter that most matches the content of each characteristic item of the specific image generation parameter An image generation parameter selection step for selecting the image, and converting the specific ultrasonic reflection signal and the specific ultrasonic display image based on the image generation parameter selected by the image generation parameter selection step to convert the ultrasonic display image And a converted display image obtaining step for obtaining an ultrasonic image processing display method.

  According to the present invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic image suitable for diagnosis can be easily obtained without performing complicated manual resetting even if the obtained ultrasonic diagnostic image is not an image suitable for diagnosis. An ultrasonic image processing display device, an ultrasonic image processing display method, and a control processing program are obtained.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart of the whole ultrasonic image processing display apparatus of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the control preset data which sets the process conditions of this embodiment. The flowchart which applies condition setting from the coincidence of the control preset data of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the conventional ultrasonic image diagnosis.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
The configuration of the ultrasonic image processing display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The ultrasonic image processing display device 10 includes a control unit 11, a probe 16 including a probe that contacts a living body, a transmission / reception unit 21, a signal processing circuit unit 31, and a display device 15 that displays an ultrasonic image. The processed image data storage device 14 stores three types of data processed by the signal processing circuit unit 31.

  The control unit 11 includes a control CPU unit 12 that controls the entire system of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 and a control unit storage device 13 that stores control data and a control program.

  The control CPU unit 12 is connected to an input device 17 such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch command screen. The input device 17 is used to operate the device 10 or input data. In FIG. 1, a solid line indicates the flow of signal data, and a dotted line indicates the flow of control data.

  The transmission / reception unit 21 includes a transmission circuit 23 that outputs an ultrasonic signal radiated from the probe 16 according to an instruction from the control CPU unit 12, and a reception circuit 22 that amplifies the ultrasonic reflection signal received by the probe 16 and removes noise. Have. The output of the receiving circuit 22 is input to the signal processing circuit unit 31.

  The signal processing circuit unit 31 includes a signal processing A unit 32 that performs high-frequency signal processing on the received ultrasonic signal, a quadrature detection circuit 33 that extracts IQ data such as a pixel signal component and a Doppler signal component, and an image of the IQ data. It has a signal processing B section 34 for converting into color or luminance pixel data of the configuration information, and a scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 for mapping into two-dimensional image frame data for screen display.

  The signal processing circuit unit 31 performs image processing such as a B (tomographic) image mode, a D (Doppler) image mode, or an M image mode on the ultrasonic signal based on a control signal from the control CPU unit 12. The output of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 is input to a display device 15 such as a monitor, and the display device 15 outputs an ultrasonic image in each mode such as a B (tomographic) image mode, a D (Doppler) image mode, or an M image mode. indicate.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 is controlled by the control CPU unit 12 and is subjected to ultrasonic reception processing signal (hereinafter referred to as signal A) data which is an RF signal (process intermediate data) input to the quadrature detection circuit 33. , And pixel signal (hereinafter referred to as signal B) data that is an output of the signal processing B unit 34 that is input to the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35, and frame image data that is finally displayed as an ultrasonic image on the display device 15. A processed image data storage device 14 is provided for storing each.

  By the way, in the ultrasonic image data storage device included in the conventional general ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, the B (tomographic) image mode, D, which is the output of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 which is the final stage of the ultrasonic image data processing, (Doppler) Still image data or moving image data of an ultrasonic image such as an image mode or an M image mode is stored as a record of output image information to a display device.

  In contrast, in the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 of this embodiment, the B (tomographic) image mode of the output image data of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 output to the display device 15 through the connection line SL63 shown in FIG. The still image data and moving image data of the ultrasonic image such as the D (Doppler) image mode or the M image mode are stored in the processed image data storage device 14.

  Furthermore, in this apparatus 10, the data A, which is an RF reception ultrasonic signal output from the signal processing A unit 32 to which an ultrasonic reception signal is input, and the phasing addition of convergence / focus, etc. The signal B before the input to the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 is also stored in the processed image data storage device 14 at the same time. The signal A is stored in the processed image data storage device 14 via the connection line SL61 and the signal B is stored via the connection line SL62.

  Although not shown in the drawing, for the data collection by these connection lines, a data buffer device is provided on each line corresponding to the recording speed of the processed image data storage device 14 according to the form and capacity of the data. May be.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and an example of a preset data list of processing conditions shown in FIG.

  The ultrasonic image processing display device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured by a preparation phase, an inspection phase, and a diagnosis phase in accordance with the operation status. The operation in these phases will be described sequentially for each phase.

<Preparation phase>
FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the entire ultrasonic image processing display apparatus of this embodiment. As preparation before inspection by this apparatus, in step S21, for example, the image generation parameters shown in FIG. 3 are set and registered in advance.

  For example, as shown in a horizontal row in FIG. 3, the image generation parameters are predetermined from the data collection setting conditions related to the ultrasonic reflection signal obtained by receiving the ultrasonic reflected wave from the subject and the ultrasonic reflection signal. This is a series of data including image generation method conditions when performing the above image processing and obtaining an ultrasonic image.

  The image generation parameters are preset in the control unit storage device 13 included in the control unit 11 and identified by the inspector ID for each diagnostic doctor and inspection engineer (these persons who perform inspection and diagnosis are collectively referred to as an inspector). Information, which is recorded in advance in the control preset data section 132 as one of the data files. This data file is a list of preset data of control information, that is, preset data of control information, of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 of the present embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the preset data list includes a data collection setting condition C30 and an image generation method condition C40 for each preset IDC 31. The data collection setting condition C30 characterizes the collection condition for obtaining an ultrasonic reflection signal. As characteristic items, for example, an examiner IDC32, a diagnostic part C33, a probe type C34, a physique C35 of a subject, and a comment C36 are included. Used.

  Further, the image generation method condition C40 characterizes a generation method when an ultrasonic display image is obtained, and its characteristic items include, for example, a multiple artifact removal level C41, an ultrasonic image edge smoothness C42, and a contour enhancement degree. C43, dynamic range C44, and startup application name C45 are used, and corresponding data is preset and recorded for each characteristic item.

  The data of each characteristic item is data specifically instructing the operation of the transmission / reception unit 21 and the signal processing circuit unit 31 and the control of the processing. The examination engineer or the doctor in charge of diagnosis is the point of interest in the ultrasonic image diagnosis to be performed. Correspondingly, the information on the unique data collection setting condition and image generation method condition is set.

  The setting of the control preset data unit 132 is performed by inputting each item data from the input device 17, or the setting condition data set at the time of previous ultrasonic image diagnosis or browsing of other ultrasonic images is controlled. Data sets may be added by transferring to the preset data list.

  In a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, there is a case where it is set every time an examination is performed, or previous setting information is stored in the device without specific identification. When other inspectors continue to use the same device, the setting contents are unknown, and a new setting operation has to be performed to ensure the accuracy of the inspection setting. On the other hand, the present embodiment has a configuration in which inaccuracy is eliminated and setting contents are clarified.

<Inspection phase>
Ultrasound images of the region to be diagnosed by the subject are collected and recorded in step S22 and step S23 shown as the examination phase in FIG.

  If the doctor does not directly collect diagnostic ultrasound images, the laboratory technician is given a simple order (instruction) regarding the imaging site and affected area of the subject. Based on this order, the laboratory technician sets control information based on medical skill, that is, sets control unit presets, to the control unit 11 of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10, and then observes the ultrasonic image. Then, the position and direction of the probe 16 are manipulated to scan the subject, and the obtained reflected ultrasonic signal is image-processed (step S22).

  A reflected ultrasonic signal from the living body obtained by changing the direction by scanning is input to the receiving circuit 22 of the transmitting / receiving unit 21 via the probe 16.

  The reflected ultrasonic signal is output as an RF signal from the receiving circuit 22 and input to the signal processing circuit unit 31. This input signal is sequentially processed by the signal processing A unit 32, the quadrature detection circuit 33, the signal processing B unit 34, and the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35, and the B (tomographic) image mode, D (Doppler) image mode, or M It is displayed on the screen of the display device 15 as an ultrasonic image such as an image mode.

  For the control of the processing sequentially performed in step S22, that is, the setting of the processing condition / degree, range, type, etc., some of the image generation parameters of the characteristic items included in the control preset data list were issued by the doctor. After the inspection engineer adjusts and sets the order according to his / her medical knowledge and skill, ultrasonic image data is collected.

  The setting conditions (image generation method conditions) at the time of image acquisition are stored in the processed image data storage device 14 together with the identification of the image data in recording of the image data in step S23 described below as recording parameter set data. .

  In the image data storage / collection in step S23 of the present embodiment, at least one image data in the B (tomographic) image mode, the D (Doppler) image mode, or the M image mode in a general image data form is assigned. For the observation of the inspection engineer himself, the output of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 input to the display device 15 is collected and stored as display image data in the same manner as a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the output signal A of the signal processing A unit 32 that performs processing of the amplitude and band of the high frequency signal is stored in the processed image data storage device 14 as an inspection result image data file via the connection line SL61. In addition, for the IQ data output from the quadrature detection circuit 33 that receives the signal A and extracts the signal component, the signal B output from the signal processing B unit 34 that performs the pixel data characteristic processing through the connection line SL62 is processed image data. It is stored in the storage device 14 as an inspection result image data file.

  Then, the ultrasonic image frame data that is the output of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 is also inspected in the processed image data storage device 14 of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 by the connection line SL63, as in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Save as a result image data file at the same time.

  Further, the parameter setting data at the time of recording of the setting conditions such as the degree of processing, the range, and the type of the signal processing circuit unit 31 is also collected in the inspection result image data file and stored in the processed image data storage device 14.

  Steps S22 and S23 are repeatedly performed on the subject for each inspection order when an inspection order for another subject has been issued to the inspection technician in charge.

<Diagnosis phase>
In this embodiment, steps S24 to S27 in the diagnosis phase are performed on the ultrasonic image stored in the processed image data storage device 14, that is, the stored past image data that is the target of the examination performed in steps S22 and S23 in FIG. To implement. Through these steps, the doctor re-observes the image displayed on the display device 15 with a desired setting, and diagnoses the ultrasonic image of the subject. The details of this re-observation and processing in the diagnosis are shown below.

  First, an inspection result image which is a “preserved past image” to be redisplayed in advance in the processed image data storage device 14 by the “inspection preparation” in step S21 and the “inspection phase” in steps S22 and S23. In step S24, the data file is searched by an input operation from the input device 17, for example, the patient ID of the subject, the examination date, and the like.

  Next, in step S25, it is checked whether the characteristic item of the data collection setting condition or the characteristic item of the image generation method condition corresponding to the referred ultrasonic display image is stored in the processed image data storage device 14.

  That is, in step S25, the signal A of the signal processing A section 32 output of the signal processing circuit section 31 or the IQ data output from the quadrature detection circuit 33 of the retrieved inspection result image data file is also processed by the signal processing B section. For each of the output signal B that has been processed as pixel information in 34, each of the data in the middle of signal processing or the frame image data of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 output to the display device 15 is processed image. It is checked whether it is stored in the data storage device 14.

  If the image generation parameter is stored in the processed image data storage device 14 in step S25, it is determined which image generation parameter is selected in step S25a. Details thereof will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In the next step S26, the image generation parameter is called from the processed image data storage device 14, and the ultrasonic display image is automatically adjusted (converted) based on the image generation parameter.

  Thereafter, in step S27, the converted ultrasonic display image is displayed on the screen of the display device 15. In step S28, the diagnosis doctor looks at the displayed image and makes a diagnosis.

  On the other hand, if the image generation parameter corresponding to the reference image is not stored in step S25, the process moves to step S28, and the ultrasonic display image obtained earlier is used as it is without conversion. Diagnose by looking at the ultrasound image displayed on the display screen.

  That is, in the diagnostic phase in the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the signal processing A unit 32 of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 in the examination phase that has already been performed is performed by steps S24 and S25 of the processing flow. In the case where neither the output signal A or the output signal B from the signal processing B unit 34 is stored in the processed image data storage device 14, it is the same as that of a conventional general ultrasonic diagnostic imaging device. The inspection engineer can perform the inspection and display the ultrasonic image data collected and stored in the processed image data storage device 14.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 according to the present embodiment proceeds to step S26 in the diagnosis phase when at least one of the signal A and the signal B is stored in the processed image data storage device 14. The processing is advanced, and image quality adjustment can be performed by setting the image generation parameters set in advance.

  In this step S26, based on the list data of the image generation parameters shown in FIG. 3, the received signal and the pixel data are specified based on the data collection setting condition C30 corresponding to the diagnosis site and the designation of the examiner (examiner, diagnostic doctor). Perform reprocessing. As a result, the image quality adjustment desired by the person performing the diagnosis (generally a diagnostician) can be performed based on the image generation parameters based on the correspondence relationship of the image generation method condition C40 in FIG. 3 set in the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 in advance. The setting C13 can be automatically selected by the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the ultrasonic image processing can be automatically performed again with this setting, and the processing result can be output to the display device 15.

  In the process of step S26, predetermined image generation parameters are selected and set in the signal processing A unit 32 or the signal processing B unit 34, and the ultrasonic image is reprocessed. In this process, at least one of the signal A and the signal B inspected / collected in the inspection phase already performed by the inspection engineer is connected to the original output point of the processed image data signal processing circuit unit 31 or the connection line SL61 or Reprocessing is performed by setting a new image generation parameter desired by the diagnosis doctor who makes a diagnosis, or by selecting an image generation parameter that has been set and stored in advance. The frame image data as a result of the reprocessing is image diagnosis reprocessing in which the display device 15 displays the frame image data again.

  The result of the processed image data after the execution of the image diagnosis reprocessing in step S26 is performed by connecting the connection line SL61, the connection line SL62, Alternatively, the processed image data storage device 14 is further stored as a diagnostic record by the connection line SL63.

  Hereinafter, a specific image generation parameter selection method and its setting implementation in step S25a will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

<Image reprocessing in diagnosis phase>
In step S25 shown in FIG. 2, the signal processing A unit of the signal processing circuit unit 31 of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 according to the present embodiment is performed by subject scanning in step S22 performed by the laboratory technician in the previous examination phase. The output signal A data from 32, the output signal B data from the signal processing B section 34, and the data in the middle of signal processing or the frame image data to be output to the display device 15 are stored in the processed image data storage device 14. To find out.

  As a result of the search, in the ultrasonic image inspection that has undergone the inspection preparation and the inspection phase that has been performed in advance, the output signal A data or the output signal B data that is in the process of displaying the final ultrasonic image is the result of the inspection phase. These are detected if stored as data.

  For example, the processing image data signal processing circuit unit 31 in which desired processing parameters of a new diagnosis person (diagnostic doctor) are set for the output signal A data or the output signal B data of the detected intermediate data. If reprocessing is performed by the signal processing A unit 32, the quadrature detection circuit 33, the signal processing B unit 34, and the scan conversion screen generation circuit unit 35, this diagnostic charge is applied to the ultrasonic inspection image that has been subjected to the inspection procedure in advance. The ultrasonic image data having a desired image quality can be displayed again on the display device 15.

  In the ultrasonic image processing / display apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the stored output signal A data or output signal B data is detected in step S25 of the processing procedure, in the next step S25a, FIG. Alternatively, the processing is performed according to the processing procedure shown in FIG.

  In the processing shown in FIG. 4, the setting state of the image generation parameter in the previous inspection phase is compared with the setting information in the preset data list of the processing conditions exemplified in FIG. 3, and one of them is determined by the determination based on the degree of coincidence. Processing conditions are set by one image generation parameter, automatic image quality setting is performed without manual operation by the inspector, and ultrasonic images for inspection and observation obtained as a result of the execution are re-displayed on the display device 15. indicate.

  The processing condition preset data list in the present embodiment is stored in the control preset data section 132 of the control section storage device 13 of the control section 11 shown in FIG. The preset data is an image generation parameter, and includes a data collection setting condition C30 and an image generation method condition C40 as shown in FIG. Data collection setting conditions C30 are, for example, setting items for examination items or subject situations such as P set IDC31, examiner C32, diagnostic site C33, probe C34, physique C35, comment C36, and image generation method condition C40 is This is a matter related to setting of inspection image status such as multiple artifact C41, smoothness C42, contour emphasis C43, dynamic range C44, and startup application C45.

  The update or addition of the control preset data unit 132 is performed by the diagnostic doctor or the laboratory technician who is the examiner C32 directly inputting desired setting data for each item of the preset data in the control unit storage device 13 through the input device 17. Done.

  Further, as another method of this update or addition, a desired setting state and condition that the inspector C32 has operated the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 in order to store the image data in step S22 of the inspection phase is set as the P set ID. Can be registered in the control preset data section 132 as one of the preset data.

  About the setting process procedure of the image generation data parameter which the ultrasonic image processing display apparatus 10 of this embodiment performs, the setting which adapts to a diagnosis doctor's diagnosis from the some control preset data part 132 set for every examiner. A procedure for determining the conditions, resetting the image display conditions, and re-displaying with a desired image quality will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the procedure for re-displaying the image quality desired by the diagnostic doctor is as follows. First, in step S41, the identification and the name of the logged-in doctor are identified in the control unit storage device 13. The control preset data section 132 (list) set and stored in advance is searched, and the maximum number K of preset data records of the diagnosis doctor to be applied is determined as the repetition parameter k.

  In step S42 inside the repetitive processing (step S41 and step S43), FIG. 3 shows the display target image data collected and collected by the inspection performed by the inspection engineer in step S22 described above and stored in the processed image data storage device 14. For example, P set IDC31, examiner C32, diagnostic site C33, probe C34, physique C35, comment C36, and other data collection setting conditions C30, and record number i with the identification ID of the diagnostic doctor illustrated in FIG. It is determined whether each item of the control preset data of the set, the inspector IDC32i, the diagnostic part C33i, the probe type C34i, the subject physique C35i, the comment C36i, and the like are matched with the setting conditions (characteristic item contents).

  In this determination, if all match, for example, P set ID = j, in step S44, for example, multiple artifacts C41, smoothness C42 of each item of the image generation method condition C40 of the matched P set ID = j. Setting data (values) that coincide with each other, such as contour enhancement C43, dynamic range C44, and startup application C45, are set in the control CPU unit 12.

  Further, in step S44, the setting based on the setting data is instructed via the control unit 11, and the signal processing A unit 32, the quadrature detection circuit 33, and the signal processing B unit 34 of the signal processing circuit unit 31 that have been instructed. And the output signal A data or the output signal B data acquired in the prior examination phase of the subject to be examined and stored in the processed image data storage device 14 by the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35. Contrary to the inspection data collection, the data is re-input to each processing unit of the signal processing circuit unit 31 via the connection line SL61, the connection line SL62, or the connection line SL63.

  The processing result of the signal processing circuit unit 31 by this re-input, that is, the image data processed according to the image generation method condition desired by the doctor in charge of diagnosis is displayed again on the display device 15 in step S50 of the final procedure. Further, along with this re-displaying, this image data and the output signal A data and output signal B data as the result of reprocessing are also processed image data storage device 14 via connection line SL61, connection line SL62, or connection line SL63. Is appended with a new data identification ID.

  On the other hand, if there is no coincidence of the setting conditions in step S42 of the repetitive processing (step S41 and step S43), the image data according to the processing setting conditions set by the laboratory technician at the time of collection, that is, the processed image data storage device 14 is reapplied in step S49 and redisplayed on the display device 15 (step S50).

  In the processing in step S44, image generation conditions that are exactly the same as the image generation conditions that have been set in advance by the diagnostic doctor or that have been previously set for diagnosis of the subject in the same situation are generated. It is possible to automatically search for the method conditions, reset the conditions in the ultrasonic image processing display device 10, and automatically display image data for observation and diagnosis based on the settings. The image displayed in this process is the reproduction of the settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the past diagnosis of the diagnosis doctor, and the diagnosis image is displayed without the doctor himself relying on the memory of the past operation. You can do it right away.

  On the other hand, when there is no match or match for all items, based on the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5B, first, in step S42a of the repetitive processing, the control preset data section 132 for the control preset data setting at the time of performing the inspection. As a result of (list) data search, the number of matching indexes Mj to which the setting item is suitable is calculated for each preset ID.

  Next, in step S45, for all the preset IDs, an ultrasonic image inspection that does not match any of the P set IDs with a match index Mk = 0 in which the preset data items do not match at all is performed. If all the coincidence indexes Mk are “0 (zero)”, that is, if there is no matching example of the past examination example or the setting example desired by the diagnostic doctor, the process proceeds to step S49.

  Since there is no matching example, in this step S49, the image data created at the time of inspection is applied, that is, the image data already stored in the processed image data storage device 14 is redisplayed on the display device 15 (step S50). ).

  On the other hand, if there is a non-zero coincidence index Mk in step S45, the process proceeds to step S46. In this step S46, the setting data of the control preset data section 132j of the preset ID = J that is suitable for the maximum number (number) of the matching index Mk, for example, Mj = n, that is, the maximum number of setting items n is the control section. 11 to instruct.

  Further, the signal processing A unit 32, the quadrature detection circuit 33, the signal processing B unit 34, and the scan conversion screen generation circuit 35 of the signal processing circuit unit 31 to which this setting has been made make it possible to advance the subject to be examined. The output signal A data or the output signal B data acquired in the inspection phase and stored in the processed image data storage device 14 is connected to the connection line SL61, the connection line SL62, or the connection line SL63, contrary to the inspection data collection. Then, the signal is re-input to each processing unit of the signal processing circuit unit 31.

  The processing result of the signal processing circuit unit 31 by this re-input, that is, the setting most suitable for the image generation method condition desired by the doctor in charge of diagnosis and other setting conditions that do not match is performed in the past or desired setting The image data processed by the above is re-displayed on the display device 15 in step S50 of the final procedure.

  Further, along with this re-displaying, this image data and the output signal A data and output signal B data as the result of reprocessing are also processed image data storage device 14 via connection line SL61, connection line SL62, or connection line SL63. Is appended with a new data identification ID.

  According to the present embodiment, in ultrasonic image diagnosis, collected image data can be obtained without the doctor performing the diagnosis, instructing the inspection engineer who collects the inspection image, in detail on the complicated setting conditions of data collection in the inspection order. On the other hand, the setting of the image generation data parameter for the ultrasonic image display processing of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus that is performed or desired by the diagnostic doctor in the past can be automatically performed. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform the image quality adjustment operation of the ultrasonic image display processing apparatus which is related to medical knowledge and skill, is complicated and has empirical requirements, and improves the throughput of the medical ultrasonic image diagnosis work. be able to.

  In addition, it is possible to observe and diagnose a display image with diagnostic image quality to which one of the set conditions is applied. Furthermore, since one of the conditions is applied that matches all of the preset items desired by the doctor, automatic application is performed, and setting and adjustment of the setting conditions of the diagnostic doctor are performed. The labor is reduced, and the throughput of image diagnosis for each subject is improved.

  In the above description, the embodiment based on the processing and operation based on the hardware function means constituting the apparatus is shown. However, the operation of this hardware function means is stored in the control unit storage device 13 of the control unit 11 as a processing procedure. Even if an image reproduction processing program is stored in a part of the control information program unit 131 and is executed by the control CPU unit 12, a display image with the same diagnostic image quality can be provided, and an equivalent effect can be obtained. .

  In addition, it is also possible to implement said process according to the procedure by a computer.

[Second Embodiment]
<Example of reprocessing exclusively>
In the diagnosis based on the ultrasound image, the examination of the ultrasound image collection performed by the laboratory technician and the diagnosis of interpreting the collected ultrasound image performed by the doctor are performed separately. In particular, the ultrasound image dedicated to the reproduction process that reproduces and processes the data related to the medical ultrasound image that has already been examined and collected by the diagnostic doctor under the data processing conditions desired by the diagnostic doctor who performs the interpretation diagnosis, and displays the image. Another embodiment of the present application in the processing display device will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic image processing display device 50 that exclusively performs the reproduction processing of medical ultrasound data that has already been examined and collected, which is the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the solid line indicates the flow of signal data, and the dotted line indicates the flow of control data.

  The ultrasonic image processing display device 50 includes a control unit 61 and a signal processing circuit unit 51. An input device 17 such as a mouse or a keyboard is connected to the control CPU unit 12 of the control unit 51, and an output of the signal processing circuit unit 51 is connected to the display device 15.

  The signal processing circuit unit 51 includes a signal processing A unit 52 that performs high-frequency signal processing, a quadrature detection circuit 53 that extracts IQ data such as a pixel signal component and a Doppler signal component, and the IQ data using the color of image configuration information. It has a signal processing B section 54 for converting to luminance pixel data, and a scan conversion screen generation circuit 55 for mapping to screen display two-dimensional image frame data.

  The signal processing circuit unit 51 performs image processing such as a B (tomographic) image mode, a D (Doppler) image mode, or an M image mode with respect to the ultrasonic signal in accordance with a control signal from the control CPU unit 62. An output of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 55 is input to the display device 15 such as a monitor, and an ultrasonic image in each mode such as a B (tomographic) image mode, a D (Doppler) image mode, or an M image mode is displayed.

  Furthermore, the ultrasonic image processing display device 50 is controlled by the control CPU 62, and is an ultrasonic reception processing signal (referred to as signal A) data which is an RF signal input to the quadrature detection circuit 53, which is intermediate data of processing. , And pixel data (referred to as signal B) that is an output of the signal processing B unit 34 input to the scan conversion screen generation circuit 55 and frame image data that is finally displayed as an ultrasonic image on the display device 15. A processed image data storage device 14a for storing is provided.

  Further, in the ultrasonic image processing display device 50, similarly to the signal processing circuit unit 31 of the ultrasonic image processing display device 10 described above, a scan conversion screen generation circuit that outputs to the display device 15 through the connection line SL66 shown in FIG. The still image data or moving image data of the ultrasonic image such as the B (tomographic) image mode, the D (Doppler) image mode, or the M image mode of the output image data 55 is stored in the processed image data storage device 14a.

  Further, in the ultrasonic image processing display device 50, together with these moving image data, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the connection line SL66, a signal processing A section 52 to which an ultrasonic reception signal is input through the connection line SL64. The signal A, which is an RF reception ultrasonic signal, output from the image data storage device 14a is stored.

  Further, the output of the signal processing B unit 54 that performs pixel information processing such as convergence / phasing phasing addition, and the signal B before the input of the scan conversion screen generation circuit 55 is also processed by the connection line SL65 shown in FIG. It is stored in the data storage device 14a.

  Each data of the examination result image data file of the processed image data storage device 14a in which collected image data to be diagnosed is stored in advance is processed under the control of the control CPU unit 62. The circuit unit 51 is connected to the input terminal of each processing means.

  Note that the processed image data storage device 14a does not necessarily have to be a data storage device exclusively connected to the signal processing circuit unit 51, and diagnostics for recording and distributing image data connected to a LAN in a medical institution. Any data storage device such as an image server (not shown) is suitable, and the ultrasonic image data collected by the ultrasonic image inspection is stored as an inspection result image data file.

  The stored examination result image data file is an RF signal output from the transmission / reception unit 21 of the ultrasonic image processing display device used for the examination by scanning the subject described in the examination phase of the second embodiment. Are input to the signal processing circuit unit 51. The RF signal input to the signal processing circuit unit 51 is sequentially processed by the signal processing A unit 52, the quadrature detection circuit 53, the signal processing B unit 54, and the scan conversion screen generation circuit 55, and is output to the display device 15.

  These data include the image data at the input end of each processing means and the output end of the signal processing circuit unit 31, and the setting, control, etc. of the degree, range, and type of processing in each processing unit. It consists of image generation parameter data of characteristic items included in the preset data list, that is, data of characteristic items of data collection setting conditions and data of specific items of image generation method conditions.

  The ultrasonic image processing display device 50 that exclusively performs the reproduction processing of the present embodiment operates in the diagnostic phase shown in steps S24 to S28 in FIG. The operation in this diagnosis phase is performed by the doctor performing the diagnosis, and the control CPU unit 12 of the ultrasonic image processing display device 50 is updated with the image data file of the examination to be diagnosed and the collected examination results in step S24. The processed image data storage device 14 is searched and inquired.

  As a result, in step S25, each image data collected in the data file is converted into the signal processing A unit 52, the quadrature detection circuit 53, the signal processing B unit 54, and the scan conversion screen generation circuit 55 of the signal processing circuit unit 51. Are returned from the processed image data storage device 15a via the connection line SL64, the connection line SL65, and the connection line SL66.

  The signal processing A unit 52, the quadrature detection circuit 53, the signal processing B unit 54, and the scan conversion screen generation circuit 55 to which the image data of the inspection result is input are subjected to image quality adjustment in step S26. Perform signal processing. That is, one of the control preset data units 132, which is exactly the same as the plurality of control unit data identified for each diagnostic doctor of the image generation parameters set and recorded in advance in the control unit storage device 13 of the control unit 62 in the preparation phase described above. The processing condition P set ID = J is set.

  The setting of the processing condition is selected and set by determining the matching index Mk representing the degree of matching with the collection condition from among a plurality of preset data according to the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. This selection and setting is performed by a diagnosis doctor or an inspector of a diagnostic engineer identified by the P (pre) set ID (C31) based on the list data of the image generation parameters shown in FIG. Based on the determination in step S42 or step S45 in FIG. 4 from among the plurality of control preset data sections 132 for each ID, the process of the procedure for determining and setting the past setting of the diagnostic doctor or the desired condition setting is performed. Done.

  In the order of the processing shown in FIG. 4, the setting conditions intended by the diagnostic doctor are automatically set based on the coincidence index Mk. In step S50, that is, in step S27 of the diagnostic phase of FIG. On the 15 display screens, an ultrasonic image of an image quality desired by the diagnostic doctor, that is, suitable for diagnosis is displayed.

  According to the ultrasonic image processing display device of this embodiment, in ultrasonic image diagnosis, a doctor who performs diagnosis instructs an inspection engineer who collects inspection images as detailed inspection orders for complicated setting conditions for data collection. Even if there is no data stored in the processed image data storage device 14a or the diagnostic image server connected to the LAN in the medical institution, the ultrasonic image data collected or collected in advance is set or desired by the diagnostic doctor. It is possible to observe and diagnose a display image of diagnostic image quality to which one of the set conditions is applied.

  In the description of the above embodiment, diagnostic doctors, laboratory technicians, and the like are distinguished. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to distinguish the person who operates the ultrasonic image processing display device based on the present invention. Therefore, the person who performs the operation for inspection and diagnosis of the present apparatus, whether directly or indirectly. Are collectively called inspectors.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. These modifications are also included in the present invention as long as they are based on the technical idea of the present invention.

10, 50 ... ultrasonic image processing display device,
11, 61 ... control unit,
12, 62... CPU control unit,
13 ... Control unit storage device,
14, 14a ... processed image data storage device,
15 ... display device,
16: Probe,
17 ... Input device,
21: Transmitter / receiver,
22: Receiver circuit,
23: Transmitter circuit,
31, 51... Signal processing circuit unit,
32, 52... Signal processing A section,
33, 53 ... Quadrature detection circuit,
34, 54 ... Signal processing section B,
35, 55 ... scan conversion screen generation circuit,
131 ... Control information program part,
132: Control preset data section.

Claims (9)

Reflected signal acquisition means for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave from a subject to obtain an ultrasonic reflected signal;
Display image acquisition means for image-processing the ultrasonic reflection signal obtained by the reflection signal acquisition means to obtain a predetermined ultrasonic display image;
When the ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition means and when the ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition means, image generation parameters of a plurality of characteristic items are set as the ultrasonic reflection signal. And image generation parameter storage means for storing in association with the ultrasonic display image;
When a specific ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition means and a specific ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition means, each characteristic item of the specific image generation parameter at this time is An image generation parameter for selecting the image generation parameter that most matches the contents of the characteristic items of the specific image generation parameter compared with the characteristic items of the plurality of image generation parameters stored by the image generation condition storage unit A selection means;
Conversion display image acquisition means for converting the specific ultrasonic reflection signal and the specific ultrasonic display image based on the image generation parameter selected by the image generation parameter selection means to obtain a converted ultrasonic display image;
An ultrasonic image processing display device comprising:   The ultrasonic image processing display device according to claim 1, wherein the image generation parameter includes a characteristic item of a data collection setting condition and a characteristic item of an image generation method condition.   3. The ultrasonic image processing display device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic items of the data collection setting condition include at least an examiner ID and a diagnostic part of the subject. A reflected signal acquisition step of transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave from the subject to obtain an ultrasonic reflected signal;
A display image acquisition step of performing image processing on the ultrasonic reflection signal obtained by the reflection signal acquisition step to obtain a predetermined ultrasonic display image;
Image generation parameters of a plurality of characteristic items when the ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition step and when the ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition step are the ultrasonic reflection signals. And an image generation parameter storing step for storing in association with the ultrasonic display image;
When a specific ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition step and a specific ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition step, each characteristic item of the specific image generation parameter at this time is An image generation parameter for selecting the image generation parameter that most matches the contents of the characteristic items of the specific image generation parameter compared with the characteristic items of the plurality of image generation parameters stored in the image generation condition storage step A selection step;
A converted display image acquisition step of converting the specific ultrasonic reflection signal and the specific ultrasonic display image based on the image generation parameter selected in the image generation parameter selection step to obtain a converted ultrasonic display image;
An ultrasonic image processing display method comprising:   5. The ultrasonic image processing display method according to claim 4, wherein the image generation parameter includes a characteristic item of a data collection setting condition and a characteristic item of an image generation method condition.   6. The ultrasonic image processing display method according to claim 5, wherein the characteristic items of the data collection setting condition include at least an examiner ID and a diagnostic part of the subject. A reflected signal acquisition step of transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave from the subject to obtain an ultrasonic reflected signal;
A display image acquisition step of performing image processing on the ultrasonic reflection signal obtained by the reflection signal acquisition step to obtain a predetermined ultrasonic display image;
Image generation parameters of a plurality of characteristic items when the ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition step and when the ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition step are the ultrasonic reflection signals. And an image generation parameter storing step for storing in association with the ultrasonic display image;
When a specific ultrasonic reflection signal is obtained by the reflection signal acquisition step and a specific ultrasonic display image is obtained from the ultrasonic reflection signal by the display image acquisition step, each characteristic item of the specific image generation parameter at this time is An image generation parameter for selecting the image generation parameter that most matches the contents of the characteristic items of the specific image generation parameter compared with the characteristic items of the plurality of image generation parameters stored in the image generation condition storage step A selection step;
A converted display image acquisition step of converting the specific ultrasonic reflection signal and the specific ultrasonic display image based on the image generation parameter selected in the image generation parameter selection step to obtain a converted ultrasonic display image;
Is executed by the ultrasonic image processing display device.   The control processing program according to claim 7, wherein the image generation parameter includes a characteristic item of a data collection setting condition and a characteristic item of an image generation method condition.   9. The control processing program according to claim 8, wherein the characteristic items of the data collection setting condition include at least an examiner ID and a diagnostic part of the subject.

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