WO2022270219A1

WO2022270219A1 - Ultrasonic diagnostic device and method for controlling ultrasonic diagnostic device

Info

Publication number: WO2022270219A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/021558
Authority: WO
Inventors: 幸哉宮地; りか田代
Original assignee: 富士フイルム株式会社
Priority date: 2021-06-24
Filing date: 2022-05-26
Publication date: 2022-12-29
Also published as: JPWO2022270219A1

Abstract

This ultrasonic diagnostic device (1) comprises: an ultrasonic probe (2); an image generation unit (13) that generates an ultrasonic image on the basis of a reception signal obtained by scanning a subject using the ultrasonic probe (2); a monitor (15) on which the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit (13) is displayed; a region detection unit (16) that detects at least one of a bladder region, a prostate region, a vaginal region, and an excreta region in the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit (13); and a highlighted display unit (17) that performs highlighted display of at least one of the excreta region, the prostate region, the vaginal region, and the bladder region detected by the region detection unit (16) in the ultrasonic image on the monitor.

Description

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD OF ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used for examination of stool of a subject and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

In recent years, attempts have been made to examine the stool inside the subject by examining the abdomen of the subject using an ultrasound diagnostic device. In general, when depicting the stool region in the subject on an ultrasound image, first, the bladder region of the subject is depicted, and the position or orientation of the ultrasound probe is adjusted using the bladder region as a mark, and the subject In many cases, the prostate or vaginal area is visualized, and the stool area is visualized by adjusting the position or orientation of the ultrasound probe using the prostate or vaginal area as a landmark.

Various techniques have been developed to allow users to easily inspect feces inside a subject. For example, in Patent Document 1, a bladder region or a prostate region is extracted from an ultrasound image, and a rectal position and It discloses setting an estimated region of interest and adjusting the transmission/reception conditions of ultrasonic waves so that the inside of the region of interest is clearly drawn.

WO2020/075609

However, since the region of interest in Patent Document 1 is automatically set at a position deep by a predetermined distance from the bladder region or the prostate region, the region of interest does not necessarily include the stool region for each subject. However, there have been cases where the user has not been able to draw the stool region on the ultrasound image.
In addition, a user who is unfamiliar with handling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cannot accurately determine whether or not the bladder region, the prostate region, and the vaginal region are depicted in the ultrasonic image. It was sometimes difficult to visualize the stool area because the area could not be visualized on the ultrasound image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that enable a user to easily visualize a stool region in an ultrasonic image. for the purpose.

According to the following configuration, the above object can be achieved.
[1] an ultrasonic probe;
an image generating unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained by scanning a subject using an ultrasonic probe;
a monitor that displays the ultrasound image generated by the image generator;
a region detection unit that detects at least one of a bladder region, a prostate region, a vagina region, and a stool region in an ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit;
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, comprising: a highlighting unit that highlights at least one of a stool area, a prostate area, a vaginal area, and a bladder area detected by the area detecting unit in an ultrasound image on a monitor.
[2] Provided with an input device for a user to perform an input operation,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to [1], wherein the highlighting unit highlights, on the monitor, a region specified by the user through the input device, out of the bladder region, prostate region, vaginal region, and stool region.
[3] A position estimating unit that calculates the estimated position of the stool region based on at least one of the bladder region, the prostate region, and the vaginal region detected by the region detecting unit, and displays information representing the estimated position on the monitor [ 1] or the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to [2].
[4] The position estimating unit calculates at least one candidate for the position of the stool region based on the detection positions of at least one of the bladder region, the prostate region, and the vaginal region detected by the region detecting unit, and calculates at least one The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to [3], wherein a candidate selected from among at least one candidate based on a positional relationship between one candidate and at least one detection position is used as the estimated position of the stool region.
[5] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to [3] or [4], wherein the region detection unit detects a stool region in a predetermined region including the estimated position calculated by the position estimation unit.
[6] having a subject information memory for storing subject information including the sex of the subject;
The region detection unit detects at least one of a bladder region, a prostate region, and a stool region in an ultrasonic image when the subject information stored in the subject information memory indicates that the subject is male, and detects the subject. Claims [1] to [5], wherein at least one of a bladder region, a vaginal region and a stool region is detected when the sex of the subject is female in the subject information stored in the information memory. ultrasound diagnostic equipment.
[7] generating an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained by scanning a subject using an ultrasonic probe;
Display the ultrasound image on the monitor,
detecting at least one of a bladder region, a prostate region, a vaginal region and a stool region in an ultrasound image;
A method of controlling an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for highlighting at least one of a detected stool area, prostate area, vaginal area and bladder area in an ultrasound image on a monitor.

According to the present invention, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, an image generator for generating an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained by scanning a subject using the ultrasonic probe, and an image generator. a monitor that displays the ultrasonic image generated by the image generator; an area detector that detects at least one of the bladder area, the prostate area, the vaginal area, and the stool area in the ultrasonic image generated by the image generator; and an area detector and a highlighting unit that highlights at least one of the bladder region, the prostate region, the vaginal region, and the feces region detected by the ultrasound image on the monitor, so that the user can easily draw the feces region on the ultrasound image. can.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transmission/reception circuit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image generator in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultrasound image in which a bladder region, a prostate region and a stool region are highlighted in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultrasound image showing information representing an estimated position with respect to a stool region in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another example of an ultrasound image showing information representing an estimated position with respect to a stool region in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The description of the constituent elements described below is based on representative embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.
In this specification, a numerical range represented by "-" means a range including the numerical values before and after "-" as lower and upper limits.
As used herein, the terms "same" and "same" shall include the margin of error generally accepted in the technical field.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and an apparatus body 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2 .
The ultrasonic probe 2 has a transducer array 11 connected to the device body 3 .

The device main body 3 has a transmission/reception circuit 12 connected to the transducer array 11 . An image generation unit 13 , a display control unit 14 and a monitor 15 are connected to the transmission/reception circuit 12 in sequence. An area detection unit 16 is also connected to the image generation unit 13 . A highlighting section 17 is connected to the area detecting section 16 . A display control unit 14 is connected to the highlighting unit 17 .
A device control unit 19 is connected to the transmitting/receiving circuit 12 , the image generation unit 13 , the display control unit 14 , the area detection unit 16 and the highlight display unit 17 . An input device 20 is also connected to the device control section 19 .

A processor 21 for the device main body 3 is configured by the image generation unit 13, the display control unit 14, the area detection unit 16, the highlight display unit 17, and the device control unit 19.

The transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. These ultrasonic transducers each transmit ultrasonic waves in accordance with drive signals supplied from the transmission/reception circuit 12, receive ultrasonic echoes from the subject, and output signals based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer includes, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic typified by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element typified by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), and a PMN- It is constructed by forming electrodes on both ends of a piezoelectric body made of a piezoelectric single crystal or the like, typified by PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate).

The transmission/reception circuit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11 and processes signals acquired by the transducer array 11 under the control of the device control unit 19 . As shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting/receiving circuit 12 includes a pulser 31 connected to the transducer array 11, an amplifier section 32 sequentially connected in series from the transducer array 11, an AD (Analog Digital) conversion section 33, and a beam It has a former 34 .

The pulsar 31 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and based on a transmission delay pattern selected according to a control signal from the device control unit 19, the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11 transmit Each driving signal is supplied to a plurality of ultrasonic transducers by adjusting the delay amount so that the ultrasonic waves generated form ultrasonic beams. In this way, when a pulse-like or continuous-wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, and pulse-like or continuous-wave ultrasonic waves are generated from the respective ultrasonic transducers. are generated, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the composite wave of these ultrasonic waves.

The transmitted ultrasonic beams are, for example, reflected by an object to be inspected within the subject and propagate toward the transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 2 . The ultrasonic echoes propagating toward the transducer array 11 in this manner are received by the respective ultrasonic transducers forming the transducer array 11 . At this time, each ultrasonic transducer that constitutes the transducer array 11 expands and contracts by receiving a propagating ultrasonic echo, generates a received signal that is an electric signal, and these received signals are amplified by an amplifier. 32.

The amplification unit 32 amplifies the signal input from each ultrasonic transducer that constitutes the transducer array 11 and transmits the amplified signal to the AD conversion unit 33 . The AD converter 33 converts the signal transmitted from the amplifier 32 into a digital format. The beamformer 34 performs so-called reception focusing processing by giving respective delays to the digital received signals received from the AD converter 33 and adding them. By this reception focusing process, each reception signal converted by the AD converter 33 is subjected to phasing addition, and a reception signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed down is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image generator 13 has a configuration in which a signal processor 35, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 36, and an image processor 37 are connected in series.
The signal processing unit 35 corrects the attenuation due to the distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic wave to the sound ray signal sent from the transmission/reception circuit 12, and then performs envelope detection processing to obtain the sound ray signal from the subject. A B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding internal tissue, is generated.

The DSC 36 converts (raster-converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 35 into an image signal conforming to the normal television signal scanning method.
The image processing unit 37 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 36, and then outputs the B-mode image signal to the display control unit in accordance with a command from the device control unit 19. 14 and area detection unit 16 . Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 37 is simply referred to as an ultrasound image.

Under the control of the device control unit 19 , the display control unit 14 performs predetermined processing on the ultrasonic image U and the like generated by the image generation unit 13 and displays them on the monitor 15 .

The monitor 15 performs various displays under the control of the display control unit 14. The monitor 15 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

The area detection unit 16 detects at least one of the bladder area, the prostate area, the vagina area, and the stool area in the ultrasound image by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 13 .

Here, the stool region is an ultrasonic wave that propagates toward the transducer array 11 by reflecting the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the transducer array 11 toward the inside of the subject at the shallow part of the stool in the subject. Area imaged based on echoes.

Further, the prostate region is a region representing the prostate of the subject in the ultrasound image, the vagina region is a region representing the vagina of the subject in the ultrasound image, and the bladder region is the bladder of the subject in the ultrasound image. is a region representing

In addition, the region detection unit 16 can use various commonly known methods as image analysis performed on the ultrasound image U when detecting the bladder region, prostate region, vaginal region, and stool region. can.

The area detection unit 16 can use, for example, a so-called template matching method. In this case, the region detection unit 16 stores in advance a plurality of templates with different shapes, textures, etc., for example, for the bladder region, the prostate region, the vagina region, and the stool region. is calculated, and regions where the correlation value is equal to or greater than a certain value are detected as the stool region, the prostate region, the vaginal region, or the bladder region.

The area detection unit 16 can also use, for example, a so-called machine learning method. In this case, the region detection unit 16 may, for example, generate a plurality of teacher images relating to the bladder region, the prostate region, the vaginal region, and the stool region, and the anatomical structures existing around the bladder region, the prostate region, the vaginal region, and the stool region. A plurality of teacher images related to etc. are converted in advance into so-called feature amount vectors, and using the obtained feature amount vectors, the bladder region, prostate area, vaginal area and stool area can be detected.

The area detection unit 16 can also use, for example, a so-called deep learning method. In this case, the region detection unit 16 pre-stores a plurality of teacher images relating to, for example, the stool region, the prostate region, the vagina region, the bladder region, and the anatomical structures existing around these regions. Based on a plurality of teacher images, a so-called segmentation model or the like can be used to detect the bladder region, prostate region, vaginal region and stool region.

The highlighting unit 17 highlights at least one of the bladder region, prostate region, vaginal region, and stool region detected by the region detection unit 16 in the ultrasound image on the monitor 15 . For example, when the region detection unit 16 detects a bladder region, a prostate region, and a stool region, the highlighting unit 17 displays the bladder region R1, prostate region R1, and prostate region R1 in the ultrasound image U on the monitor 15 as shown in FIG. Region R2 and stool region R3 can be highlighted.

In the example of FIG. 4, the highlighting unit 17 displays the outline of the bladder region R1 with a solid line, the outline of the prostate region R2 with a dashed line, and the outline of the stool region R3 with a dotted line. , the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the stool region R3 are highlighted on the ultrasound image U, respectively. In this way, the highlighting unit 17 highlights the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vaginal region, and the stool region R3, for example, the outline of the bladder region R1, the outline of the prostate region R2, and the outline of the vaginal region. and the contour lines of the stool region R3 are displayed using different types of lines such as a solid line, a dotted line, a one-dot chain line, and a two-dot chain line, respectively. can be displayed in a format compatible with

In addition, the highlighting unit 17 displays, for example, the outline of the bladder region R1, the outline of the prostate region R2, the outline of the vagina region, and the outline of the stool region R3 so as to have different thicknesses or colors. can also Further, the highlighting unit 17 may simply display the outline of the bladder region R1, the outline of the prostate region R2, the outline of the vagina region, and the outline of the stool region R3 on the ultrasound image U, for example. can.

Further, the highlighting unit 17 highlights the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vaginal region and the stool region R3 by, for example, filling in the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vaginal region and the stool region R3 with different colors. can also At this time, the highlighting portion 17 can also display the color filled in the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 so as to have a predetermined transparency.

The method of highlighting the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vaginal region and the feces region R3 performed by the highlighting unit 17 is such that the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vaginal region and the feces region R3 are conspicuous to the user. It is not limited to these methods, as long as it is a method of displaying.

The device control section 19 controls each section of the device main body 3 according to a prerecorded program or the like.
The input device 20 is for a user such as a doctor to perform an input operation. The input device 20 is configured by, for example, devices such as buttons, switches, touch pads, and touch panels for users to perform input operations.

Note that the processor 21 having the image generation unit 13, the display control unit 14, the area detection unit 16, the highlighting unit 17, and the device control unit 19 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the CPU performs various processes. FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) , a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or a combination thereof.

The image generation unit 13, the display control unit 14, the area detection unit 16, the highlighting unit 17, and the device control unit 19 of the processor 21 are partially or wholly integrated into one CPU or the like. can also

Next, the basic operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S1, the user brings the ultrasound probe 2 into contact with the abdomen of the subject, and an ultrasound image U inside the subject is generated in this state. At this time, ultrasonic beams are transmitted into the object from the plurality of transducers of the transducer array 11 in accordance with the drive signal from the pulser 31 of the transmission/reception circuit 12, and each transducer that receives the ultrasonic echo from the object A received signal is sent to the amplifying section 32 of the transmitting/receiving circuit 12 . The received signal is amplified by the amplifier 32, converted from analog format to digital format by the AD converter 33, and phased and added by the beamformer 34 to generate a sound ray signal. The sound ray signal is subjected to various types of processing in the image generation unit 13 to generate an ultrasonic image U. FIG.

Next, the region detection unit 16 performs processing for detecting the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 on the ultrasound image U generated in step S1. The region detection unit 16 can detect the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 using methods such as template matching, machine learning, or deep learning.

In the subsequent step S3, the device control unit 19 determines whether or not any one of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 has been detected in step S2. The device control unit 19 receives, for example, from the region detection unit 16 information indicating which region among the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 has been detected, and based on the received information, detects the bladder region R1. , prostate region R2, vaginal region and stool region R3 are detected.

If it is determined in step S3 that any one of the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, vaginal region, and stool region R3 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S4.
In step S4, the ultrasound image U generated in step S1 is displayed on the monitor 15, and the highlighting unit 17 displays the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, vaginal region, and stool region R3 detected in step S2. At least one is highlighted in the ultrasound image U on monitor 15 .

For example, when the subject is male, the highlighting unit 17 displays the outline of the bladder region R1 with a solid line, the outline of the prostate region R2 with a dashed line, as shown in FIG. The bladder region R1, the prostate region R2 and the stool region R3 can be highlighted by displaying the outline of the region R3 with dotted lines. In addition to displaying the outline of the bladder region R1, the outline of the prostate region R2, and the outline of the stool region R3 in different formats, the highlight display unit 17 uses various display methods to display the outline of the bladder. Region R1, prostate region R2 and stool region R3 can be highlighted.

It should be noted that it is usually difficult to draw the stool region R3 on the ultrasonic image U immediately. , the position or orientation of the ultrasonic probe is adjusted using the bladder region R1 as a mark to visualize the prostate region R2 or the vaginal region, and finally the position or orientation of the ultrasonic probe is adjusted using the prostate region R2 or the vaginal region as a mark. In many cases, the stool region R3 is drawn.

Further, in general, a user who is unfamiliar with handling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus cannot accurately determine whether or not the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vagina region are depicted in the ultrasonic image. Regions R1, prostate region R2 and vaginal regions cannot be visualized on the ultrasound image, so it may be difficult to visualize stool region R3.

However, in step S4, at least one of the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, vaginal region and stool region R3 detected in step S2 is highlighted in real time in the ultrasound image U on the monitor 15, so that the user can While confirming that the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, or the vaginal region is depicted in the ultrasonic image U, the position or orientation of the ultrasonic probe 2 is adjusted using the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, or the vaginal region as a mark. , the stool region R3 can be easily drawn on the ultrasound image U.

In addition, even a user who is unfamiliar with ultrasonic examination of feces in the subject can easily grasp that the feces region R3 has been drawn in the ultrasonic image U by confirming the feces region R3 highlighted in step S4. can.

If it is determined in step S3 that none of the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, vagina region, and stool region R3 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S5.
In step S5, the ultrasound image U generated in step S1 is displayed on the monitor 15 without highlighting the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, vagina region and stool region R3.

When the process of step S4 or the process of step S5 is completed in this manner, the process proceeds to step S6.
In step S6, the device control section 19 determines whether or not the inspection is finished. For example, when the user inputs an instruction to end the examination of the subject via the input device 20, the device control unit 19 determines that the examination is to end, and the instruction to end the examination of the subject is not input. In this case, it can be determined that the examination is continued without finishing the examination of the subject.

If it is determined in step S6 that the examination of the subject has not been completed, the process returns to step S1. Further, when it is determined in step S6 that the examination of the subject is finished, the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is finished.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, at least one of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 in the ultrasonic image U is detected and detected. At least one of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the feces region R3 is highlighted in the ultrasound image U on the monitor 15, so the user can easily visualize the feces region R3 on the ultrasound image U.

When the stool region R3, which is the inspection target, is detected in step S2, and the stool region R3 is highlighted on the ultrasonic image U in step S4, the bladder region used as a mark for depicting the stool region R3 Detection and highlighting of R1, prostate region R2 and vaginal region may be stopped. Even in this case, the user can easily grasp that the feces region R3 is depicted in the ultrasound image U by confirming the feces region R3 highlighted in the ultrasound image U on the monitor 15, and Intra-specimen stool testing can be performed.

In addition, the ultrasonic probe 2 and the apparatus main body 3 can be connected to each other by so-called wired communication, and can also be connected to each other by so-called wireless communication.

Also, although it has been described that the transmitting/receiving circuit 12 is provided in the device body 3, the transmitting/receiving circuit 12 may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 2 instead.

In addition, the highlighting unit 17 can highlight a region specified by the user via the input device 20 on the monitor 15 among the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3.

For example, when a user who is unfamiliar with ultrasonic examination of stool inside a subject conducts the examination, all of the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, vaginal region, and stool region R3 detected by the region detection unit 16 are highlighted. If the user's skill level is moderate, the prostate region R2, the vaginal region and the stool region R3 are highlighted; It is set to highlight only region R3. In this way, the user can designate a region to be highlighted in the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor 15 according to his/her skill level, for example.

In addition, the region detection unit 16 and the highlighting unit 17 can detect a region designated by the user via the input device 20 among the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, the vagina region, and the stool region R3. In this case, the highlighting unit 17 also highlights only the region specified by the user via the input device 20 on the ultrasound image U. FIG. Also in this case, the user can specify the area to be detected by the area detection unit 16 according to the user's skill level, for example. In general, the more regions to be detected, the greater the computational load. It is possible to

Embodiment 2
In Embodiment 1, the stool region R3 included in the ultrasound image U is detected by the region detection unit 16, but the position of the stool region R3 is estimated from at least one of the bladder region R1, prostate region R2, and vaginal region. may be

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A includes an apparatus main body 3A instead of the apparatus main body 3 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. Further, the device main body 3A is the device main body 3 in the first embodiment, with the addition of the position estimation section 41 and the device control section 19A instead of the device control section 19. FIG.

In the device main body 3A, a position estimation section 41 is connected to the area detection section 16 and the device control section 19A. Also, the position estimation unit 41 is connected to the display control unit 14 .
Further, the image generator 13, the display controller 14, the area detector 16, the highlighter 17, the device controller 19A and the position estimator 41 constitute a processor 21A for the device main body 3A.

The position estimation unit 41 calculates the estimated position of the stool region R3 based on at least one of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vagina region detected by the region detection unit 16, and outputs information representing the calculated estimated position. Displayed on the monitor 15 .

The position estimation unit 41 can calculate the estimated position of the stool region R3 based on the detected position of any one of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vagina region detected by the region detection unit 16, for example.

At this time, the position estimating unit 41, for example, prestores predetermined depths to the estimated positions for each of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vaginal region, and determines the corresponding predetermined depths from the bladder region R1. , a position further by a corresponding defined depth from the prostate region R2, or a position further by a corresponding defined depth from the vaginal region can be calculated as the estimated position of the stool region R3.

Further, the position estimating unit 41 calculates at least one candidate for the position of the stool region R3, for example, based on the detected positions of at least one of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vaginal region detected by the region detecting unit 16. , one candidate selected from at least one candidate based on the positional relationship between the calculated at least one candidate and at least one detection position detected by the region detection unit 16 is estimated as the fecal region R3. It can also be a position.

At this time, the position estimating unit 41, for example, prestores predetermined depths to the estimated positions for each of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vaginal region, and determines the corresponding predetermined depths from the bladder region R1. , a position deeper than the prostate region R2 by a corresponding determined depth, and a position further deeper than the vaginal region by a corresponding determined depth, respectively, as candidates for the estimated position of the stool region R3. can be calculated.

When only one candidate for the estimated position of the flight region R3 is calculated in this manner, the position estimation unit 41 can determine the calculated one candidate as the estimated position.

Further, when a plurality of candidates for the estimated position of the stool region R3 are calculated, the position estimating unit 41 selects, for example, candidates whose positions in the depth direction are shallower than the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vaginal region. The priority of a plurality of candidates can be calculated so that the priority is low, and the candidate with the highest priority can be determined as the estimated position.

Further, when calculating the priority of a plurality of candidates, the position estimating unit 41 determines that the deviations of the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vagina region in the direction orthogonal to the depth direction are a constant value such as 5 cm. It is also possible to calculate the priority of a plurality of candidates so that the priority of the above candidates is low.

Further, when calculating the priority of a plurality of candidates, the position estimating unit 41 lowers the priority of candidates whose positions in the depth direction are shallower than the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vagina region. It is also possible to combine this method with the method of lowering the priority of candidates whose deviations from the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the vagina region are greater than or equal to a certain value.

Further, the position estimating unit 41 can display a rectangular frame line A1 including the estimated position on the ultrasound image U as information representing the calculated estimated position, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. In the example of FIG. 7, a rectangular frame line A1 is displayed, but the shape of the frame line A1 is not particularly limited to a rectangle, and its size is not particularly limited as long as the user can grasp the estimated position. Further, the position estimation unit 41 can, for example, paint out the area inside the frame line A1 with a color having a certain degree of transparency instead of displaying the frame line A1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the position estimating unit 41 displays an arrow Q1 pointing downward in the depth direction on the prostate region R2 as information representing the calculated estimated position, so that the estimated position is the prostate region. It can also indicate to the user that it is deeper than R2. In addition, the position estimating unit 41 displays, for example, an arrow Q1 on the bladder region R1 instead of displaying the arrow Q1 on the prostate region R2, thereby letting the user know that the estimated position is deeper than the bladder region R1. , or an arrow Q1 may be displayed on the vaginal region to indicate to the user that the estimated position is deeper than the vaginal region.

Further, instead of displaying the arrow Q1 above the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, or the vagina region, the position estimation unit 41 may display the arrow Q1 directly below the bladder region R1, directly below the prostate region R2, directly below the vagina region, It can also be displayed near the bladder region R1, near the prostate region R2, or near the vaginal region, such as a position adjacent to the bladder region R1, a position adjacent to the prostate region R2, or a position adjacent to the vaginal region.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1A according to Embodiment 2, the estimated position of the stool region R3 is calculated by the position estimation unit 41, and the information representing the calculated estimated position is displayed on the monitor 15. , the user can more easily draw the feces region R3 on the ultrasonic image U by referring to the estimated position of the feces region R3.

Note that the region detection unit 16 does not detect the stool region R3 by performing image analysis on the entire ultrasound image U, but rather includes the estimated position of the stool region R3 calculated by the position estimation unit 41. The stool region R3 can be detected by performing image analysis only on the detected region. The area detection unit 16 does not particularly limit the predetermined area including the estimated position as long as it is smaller than the entire area of the ultrasound image U. For example, a rectangular area corresponding to the frame line A1 in FIG. Can be set.

By performing the process of detecting the stool area R3 only in the predetermined area including the estimated position in this way, the process of detecting the stool area R3 is performed on the entire ultrasonic image U. , the calculation load of the region detection unit 16 is reduced, and the region detection unit 16 can detect the fecal region R3 more quickly.

Embodiment 3
Normally, only men have a prostate gland and only women have a vagina. Therefore, for example, depending on the sex of the subject, the region detection unit 16 may perform processing for detecting the prostate region R2 or processing for detecting the vaginal region. You can set whether to

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B according to Embodiment 3. As shown in FIG.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B according to the third embodiment includes an apparatus main body 3B instead of the apparatus main body 3 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The device main body 3B in the third embodiment is the same as the device main body 3 in the first embodiment, except that the object information memory 51 is added, the device control section 19B is replaced with the device control section 19B, and the processor 21 is replaced with the processor 21B. is configured.

In the apparatus main body 3B, the subject information memory 51 is connected to the apparatus control section 19, and the area detection section 16 is connected to the subject information memory 51.

The subject information memory 51 is a memory that stores subject information including the sex of the subject. In addition to the sex of the subject, the subject information may include, for example, the name of the subject, an ID (identifier) for distinguishing the subject from other subjects, the date of birth of the subject, and the like. can. Such subject information can be input by the user via the input device 20 and stored in the subject information memory 51 via the device control section 19B, for example.

The subject information memory 51 includes flash memory, HDD (Hard Disc Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), FD (Flexible Disc), MO disc (Magneto-Optical disc). magnetic disk), MT (Magnetic Tape), RAM (Random Access Memory), CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), SD card (Secure Digital card : secure digital card), USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and other recording media can be used.

The area detection unit 16 reads the subject information from the subject information memory 51 under the control of the apparatus control unit 19, and detects the gender of the subject in the subject information stored in the subject information memory 51. , at least one of a bladder region R1, a prostate region R2 and a stool region R3 in the ultrasound image U is detected. Further, when the subject information stored in the subject information memory 51 indicates that the sex of the subject is female, the area detection unit 16 detects at least one of the bladder area R1, the vagina area, and the stool area R3 in the ultrasound image U. detect one.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B according to Embodiment 3, when the sex of the subject in the subject information is male, the bladder region R1, the prostate region R2, and the stool region R3 in the ultrasonic image U When at least one is detected and the sex of the subject in the subject information is female, at least one of the bladder region R1, the vagina region, and the stool region R3 in the ultrasonic image U is detected. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection in which the vaginal region is detected in some cases, and erroneous detection in which the prostate region R2 is detected when the subject is a woman. In addition, since unnecessary detection processing that does not correspond to the sex of the subject is omitted, the calculation load on the region detection unit 16 is reduced, and the region detection unit 16 can perform region detection processing more quickly.

The timing at which the user inputs subject information via the input device 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the user may input the subject information before the examination of the subject is started, or may input the subject information during the examination of the subject.

Also, an example in which the user inputs subject information via the input device 20 has been described, but the method of inputting subject information is not particularly limited to this.
For example, when object information is stored in advance in a server device (not shown) installed in a hospital or the like, and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1B and the server device are in communication with each other, the object information is transmitted via the input device 20. It can also be downloaded from the server apparatus to the object information memory 51 by the user's input operation.

Also, although it is explained that the aspect of Embodiment 3 is applied to Embodiment 1, it can also be applied to Embodiment 2. Also, both the aspect of the second embodiment and the aspect of the third embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment.

1, 1A, 1B Ultrasound diagnostic device, 2 Ultrasound probe, 3, 3A, 3B Device body, 11 Transducer array, 12 Transmission/reception circuit, 13 Image generation unit, 14 Display control unit, 15 Monitor, 16 Area detection unit, 17 Highlighting section, 19, 19A, 19B Device control section, 20 Input device, 21, 21A, 21B Processor, 31 Pulser, 32 Amplifier section, 33 AD conversion section, 34 Beam former, 35 Signal processing section, 36 DSC, 37 Image processing unit, 41 position estimation unit, 51 object information memory, A1 frame line, Q1: arrow, R1 bladder region, R2 prostate region, R3 stool region, U ultrasound image.

Claims

an ultrasound probe;
an image generating unit that generates an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained by scanning a subject using the ultrasonic probe;
a monitor that displays the ultrasonic image generated by the image generator;
a region detection unit that detects at least one of a bladder region, a prostate region, a vagina region, and a stool region in the ultrasonic image generated by the image generation unit;
a highlighting unit that highlights at least one of the stool area, the prostate area, the vaginal area, and the bladder area detected by the area detecting unit in the ultrasound image on the monitor. .
Equipped with an input device for a user to perform an input operation,
2. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein said highlighting unit highlights, on said monitor, a region specified by a user through said input device, out of said bladder region, said prostate region, said vaginal region and said feces region. sound wave diagnostic equipment.
Position estimation for calculating an estimated position of the stool region based on at least one of the bladder region, the prostate region, and the vaginal region detected by the region detection unit, and displaying information representing the estimated position on the monitor. 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a section.
The position estimating unit calculates at least one candidate for the position of the stool region based on the detected positions of at least one of the bladder region, the prostate region, and the vaginal region detected by the region detecting unit, and 4. The ultrasonic wave according to claim 3, wherein a candidate selected from the at least one candidate based on the positional relationship between the at least one candidate and the at least one detected position is set as the estimated position of the stool region. diagnostic equipment.
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the area detection unit detects the feces area in a predetermined area including the estimated position calculated by the position estimation unit.
a subject information memory for storing subject information including the sex of the subject;
When the subject information stored in the subject information memory indicates that the sex of the subject is male, the area detection unit detects at least the bladder area, the prostate area, and the stool area in the ultrasonic image. detecting one, and detecting at least one of the bladder region, the vaginal region, and the stool region when the sex of the subject is female in the subject information stored in the subject information memory; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
generating an ultrasound image based on a received signal obtained by scanning a subject using an ultrasound probe;
displaying the ultrasound image on a monitor;
detecting at least one of a bladder region, a prostate region, a vaginal region and a stool region in the ultrasound image;
A method of controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein at least one of the detected stool region, the prostate region, the vaginal region and the bladder region is highlighted in the ultrasonic image on the monitor.