Ultrasonic diagnostic device and body position marking display method

Abstract

The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the accompanying drawings relate to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method for displaying a body position mark. A body position mark intended by a user is appropriately displayed without using the size or shape of a part. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment comprises a position acquisition unit and a switching unit. The position acquisition unit acquires the current position information of the ultrasonic probe in three-dimensional space. When the switching unit displays a body position mark representing one of a pair of left and right parts, when the ultrasonic probe is located at a position more than a specified distance away from the middle point of the pair of left and right parts toward the other part, the body position mark representing one part is switched to the body position mark representing the other part.

Description

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-070295 (filing date: April 9, 2020) and claims the benefit of priority from that application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the accompanying drawings relate to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a body marker display method. Background Art

[0003] Some ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have a function of displaying an image indicating an imaging position, which is called a body marker.

[0004] A body marker is an image schematically showing a part of the subject. By displaying the body marker together with an ultrasonic image generated based on echo data acquired by an ultrasonic probe, the user can easily understand which part is currently being examined in the ultrasonic image.

[0005] Among technologies for displaying body markers, there is a technique that uses a position sensor to obtain the ultrasonic probe's positional information in three-dimensional space and automatically displays the body marker using this information. This technique uses the ultrasonic probe's positional information to estimate the currently observed area based on the typical size and shape of the observed area, and automatically displays the body marker corresponding to that area.

[0006] However, technologies that automatically display body markers based on the standard size and shape of the observed parts make it extremely difficult for users to understand when the body marker switches from one part to the other when observing a pair of left and right parts. For example, in some cases, the midpoint between the two parts is defined based on the standard size and shape of the two parts, and the body marker switches to the other part near the midpoint. In this case, when observing one of the left and right parts, the body marker may switch to the other part without the user's intention.

[0007] For example, consider a scenario where a user scans the periphery of the left breast to observe it. If the ultrasound probe accidentally crosses the midpoint between the left and right breasts, the user mistakenly assumes that the observation target has changed from the left to the right breast, and the body markers for the left breast are switched to those for the right breast. In this case, even with technologies that automatically display body markers based on the standard size and shape of the observed part, if the left and right parts differ in size, the desired body markers may not be displayed. Consequently, the body marker display, intended to improve user convenience, can become an obstacle to continued examination. Summary of the Invention

[0008] One of the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the accompanying drawings is to appropriately display the body position marker intended by the user. However, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the accompanying drawings are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems. Technical problems corresponding to the effects of the various structures shown in the embodiments described later can also be identified as other technical problems.

[0009] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a position acquisition unit and a switching unit. The position acquisition unit acquires the current position information of the ultrasonic probe in three-dimensional space. The switching unit switches the body position mark representing one of a pair of left and right parts from the one part to the other part when the ultrasonic probe is positioned more than a predetermined distance away from the midpoint of the pair of left and right parts.

[0010] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately display the body position mark intended by the user without taking into account the size and shape of the body part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of implementation functions of a processor of a processing circuit.

[0013] Figure 3 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a body position mark indicating the right breast, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a body position mark indicating the left breast.

[0014] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the positions of the left and right breasts in a three-dimensional space and the positions of reference points of the body position mark indicating the right breast and the body position mark indicating the left breast.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the alignment between the position of the ultrasonic probe in three-dimensional space and the body mark indicating the right breast.

[0016] Figure 6 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a case where the ultrasonic probe is moved from a position near the nipple EL of the left breast to a position farther from the left breast than the nipple of the right breast.

[0017] Figure 7 It means in Figure 6The illustrated example is an explanatory diagram of an example of how the body position mark displayed in the body position mark display area is switched.

[0018] Figure 8 Yes means through Figure 1 The flowchart of an example of a procedure for a processor of a processing circuit shown in FIG. 1 to appropriately display a body position mark intended by a user when observing a pair of left and right parts without using the size or shape of the parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a body mark display method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment has a function of displaying a body mark.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to an embodiment.

[0022] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can be used by being connected to an ultrasonic probe 20, an input interface 21, a display 22, and a position information acquisition device 23. Alternatively, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may include at least one of the ultrasonic probe 20, the input interface 21, the display 22, and the position information acquisition device 23. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may also be a tablet or smartphone type.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes a transmitting and receiving circuit 11 , a B-mode processing circuit 12 , a Doppler processing circuit 13 , an image generating circuit 14 , an image memory 15 , a storage circuit 16 , a network connection circuit 17 , and a processing circuit 18 .

[0024] The transmitting and receiving circuit 11 has a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. The transmitting and receiving circuit 11 is controlled by the processing circuit 18 to control the transmitting directivity and receiving directivity in the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. Figure 1 , an example in which the transmitting and receiving circuit 11 is provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is shown. However, the transmitting and receiving circuit 11 may be provided in the ultrasonic probe 20 , or may be provided in both the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and the ultrasonic probe 20 .

[0025] The transmission circuit includes a pulse generator, a transmission delay circuit, and a pulse generator circuit, and supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer. The pulse generator repeatedly generates rate pulses at a predetermined rate frequency, which form the transmitted ultrasonic waves. The transmission delay circuit assigns a delay time to each rate pulse generated by the pulse generator. This delay time is the delay time required for each piezoelectric transducer to converge the ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic transducer into a beam and determine the transmission directionality. Furthermore, the pulse generator circuit applies a drive pulse to the ultrasonic transducer at a timing based on the rate pulses. The transmission delay circuit arbitrarily adjusts the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the piezoelectric transducer surface by varying the delay time assigned to each rate pulse.

[0026] The receiving circuit, which includes an amplifier circuit, an A / D converter, and an adder, receives echo signals received by the ultrasonic transducer and performs various processing on the echo signals to generate echo data. The amplifier circuit amplifies the echo signals for each channel and performs gain correction. The A / D converter performs A / D conversion on the gain-corrected echo signals, assigning the delay time required to determine the reception directivity to the digital data. The adder performs summation on the echo signals processed by the A / D converter to generate echo data. This summation emphasizes the reflection components originating from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the echo signals.

[0027] The B-mode processing circuit 12 receives echo data from the receiving circuit and performs logarithmic amplification and envelope detection, generating data (B-mode data) representing signal strength as brightness. The Doppler processing circuit 13 performs frequency analysis on velocity information based on the echo data received from the receiving circuit, extracting echo components of blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent based on the Doppler effect. This generates data (Doppler data) that extracts motion state information such as average velocity, variance, and power at multiple points.

[0028] The image generation circuit 14 generates ultrasonic image data based on the echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe 20. For example, the image generation circuit 14 generates two-dimensional B-mode image data representing the intensity of the reflected wave using brightness, based on the two-dimensional B-mode data generated by the B-mode processing circuit 12. Furthermore, the image generation circuit 14 generates image data representing movement status information in the form of a mean velocity image, a variance image, a power image, or a combination of these two-dimensional color Doppler images, based on the two-dimensional Doppler data generated by the Doppler processing circuit 13.

[0029] The image memory 15 is a memory that stores images generated by the processing circuit 18. The storage circuit 16 includes a processor-readable recording medium, such as a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. Some or all of the programs and data stored in the storage medium of the storage circuit 16 can be downloaded via communication over a network, or provided to the storage circuit 16 via a removable storage medium such as an optical disc. Furthermore, some or all of the information stored in the storage circuit 16 can be distributed and stored in at least one of the storage media, such as an external storage circuit or a storage circuit (not shown) of the ultrasonic probe 20, or copied and stored.

[0030] The network connection circuit 17 implements various information communication protocols corresponding to the network configuration. The network connection circuit 17 connects the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to other electrical equipment according to these various protocols. This connection can be achieved by, for example, an electrical connection via an electronic network. Here, the term "electronic network" refers to the entire information communication network that utilizes electrical communication technology. This includes not only wireless and wired LANs such as the hospital's backbone LAN (Local Area Network), and the Internet, but also telephone communication lines, optical fiber communication networks, cable communication networks, and satellite communication networks.

[0031] The processing circuit 18 has a function of overall control over the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. The processing circuit 18 is a processor that reads and executes a body mark display program stored in the storage circuit 16 to appropriately display a body mark intended by the user, regardless of the size or shape of the body part.

[0032] The ultrasonic probe 20 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 via a cable. Alternatively, the ultrasonic probe 20 may be wirelessly connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

[0033] As the ultrasonic probe 20, a two-dimensional array probe can be used, in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in the scanning direction (azimuth direction) and a plurality of elements are also arranged in the lens direction (elevation direction). Examples of such two-dimensional array probes include 1.5D array probes, 1.75D array probes, and 2D array probes.

[0034] Alternatively, the ultrasonic probe 20 may be configured to acquire volumetric data. In this case, the ultrasonic probe 20 may be configured to scan the subject three-dimensionally using a two-dimensional array probe, or two-dimensionally using a one-dimensional ultrasonic probe 20 comprising a plurality of piezoelectric transducers arranged in a row. Alternatively, the ultrasonic probe 20 may be configured to scan the subject three-dimensionally by rotating the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, or the piezoelectric transducers of the one-dimensional ultrasonic probe may be mechanically oscillated.

[0035] When the ultrasonic probe 20 is able to acquire volume data, the user can select either a two-dimensional display mode (2D mode) or a four-dimensional display mode (4D mode). The two-dimensional display mode (2D mode) is a display mode that displays any one of a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasonic images as a real-time dynamic image or as a static image. The four-dimensional display mode (4D mode) is any one of the four-dimensional display modes (4D modes) that displays a three-dimensional ultrasonic image acquired in real time as a dynamic image.

[0036] The input interface 21 is implemented using a common input device such as a trackball, switch, button, mouse, keyboard, touchpad for inputting input operations by touching the operating surface, contactless input circuit using an optical sensor, or voice input circuit, and outputs operation input signals corresponding to user operations to the processing circuit 18. The input interface 21 may also be configured as an operation panel. In this case, the operation panel functions as a touch command screen and includes, for example, a display, a touch input circuit provided near the display, and hardware keys.

[0037] The display 22 is composed of a common display output device such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and displays various information under the control of the processing circuit 18. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may not include at least one of the input interface 21 and the display 22.

[0038] Furthermore, for example, if the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is a stationary device and includes the input interface 21 and the display 22, the input interface 21 may function as a touchscreen command screen. Furthermore, if the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is a tablet or smartphone-type ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the input interface 21 and the display 22 may be integrated into a touchscreen.

[0039] The position information acquisition device 23 can be configured using, for example, a magnetic sensor, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, or an acceleration sensor as a position sensor. For example, if the position information acquisition device 23 is configured to include an optical sensor (e.g., an optical camera) as a position sensor, the position information of the ultrasonic probe 20 is obtained based on image data acquired by the optical camera installed at a location where the ultrasonic probe 20 can be imaged (e.g., a ceiling or wall).

[0040] Alternatively, if a marker is provided on the housing of the ultrasonic probe 20, the position information acquisition device 23 may determine the position information of the ultrasonic probe 20 based on images of the marker from multiple directions obtained by capturing the marker using multiple optical cameras. In this case, the distance between the marker and a predetermined position on the transducer array plane or the housing of the ultrasonic probe 20 may be pre-stored in the storage circuit 16 as offset information.

[0041] Furthermore, when the position information acquisition device 23 includes a transmitter, a magnetic sensor serving as a position sensor, and a control device, the transmitter transmits a reference signal. Specifically, the transmitter is positioned at an arbitrary location, generating a magnetic field outward from the transmitter. The magnetic sensor serving as the position sensor receives the reference signal and acquires position information in three-dimensional space. For example, the magnetic sensor serving as the position sensor is mounted on the surface of the ultrasonic probe 20, detects the three-dimensional magnetic field generated by the transmitter, converts the detected magnetic field information into a signal, and outputs it to the control device.

[0042] In this case, the control device calculates the coordinates and orientation of the magnetic sensor in three-dimensional coordinates with the transmitter as the origin based on the signal received from the magnetic sensor, and outputs the calculated coordinates and orientation as position information of the ultrasonic probe 20 to the processing circuit 18 .

[0043] Figure 2 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions implemented by the processor of the processing circuit 18. Figure 2 As shown, the processor of the processing circuit 18 implements a position information acquisition function 31, a positioning function 32, a switch position setting function 33, and a body position mark display switching function 34. These functions 31-34 are stored in the storage circuit 16 in the form of programs.

[0044] When the left and right parts of a pair of left and right parts are alternately observed, the processor of the processing circuit 18 appropriately displays a body mark indicating the part the user intends to observe, without using the size or shape of each part.

[0045] Known examples of a left-right pair of sites include a breast consisting of a left and right breast, a carotid artery, and various other sites. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and body position marker display method of this embodiment can be applied to any of these sites. The following description uses an example in which the left-right pair of sites is a left and right breast.

[0046] Figure 3 (a) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a body position mark 40R indicating the right breast, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a body position mark 40L indicating the left breast.

[0047] like Figure 3As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 8 , body markers 40R and 40L are images schematically showing the right breast and the left breast, respectively.

[0048] In each of the body position mark 40R representing the right breast and the body position mark 40L representing the left breast, the numerical values ​​(0, 3, 6, 9) on the circumference represent the clockwise orientation defined with the nipple position as the reference. Regarding the orientation direction, in a subject in a standing position, the orientation can be defined as 0 o'clock (0 degrees) vertically upward from the nipple position, and the angle can be determined clockwise (see Figure 3 (a), (b)).

[0049] In addition, in each of the body markers 40R, 40L, a plurality of areas may be defined based on the nipple position. The defined plurality of areas include, for example, fan-shaped AD areas each having an expansion angle of 90 degrees arranged around the nipple position and a circular area E around the nipple position. In addition, the area E may also be classified into the areola area E and the nipple area E'. In addition, in these areas AD, in the body marker 40R representing the right breast, the AD areas may be defined in sequence in a clockwise direction when viewed from the front, and in the body marker 40L representing the left breast, the AD areas may be defined in sequence in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front. In addition, an area C' representing the axillary part may also be defined in each of the body markers 40R, 40L (refer to Figure 3 (a), (b)).

[0050] The position information acquisition function 31 acquires the current three-dimensional spatial position information of the ultrasonic probe 20 from the position information acquisition device 23. Alternatively, the position information acquisition function 31 may acquire the output signal of the position sensor of the position information acquisition device 23 and determine the current position of the ultrasonic probe 20 based on the output signal of the position sensor, thereby acquiring the current three-dimensional spatial position information of the ultrasonic probe 20. The position information acquisition function 31 is an example of a position acquisition unit.

[0051] In order to automatically and appropriately switch the body position marks according to the three-dimensional spatial position of the ultrasound probe 20 , it is necessary to align the three-dimensional spatial position of the ultrasound probe 20 with the body position marks representing the left and right regions in advance.

[0052] Figure 4 : is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the positions of the left and right breasts in three-dimensional space and the positions of the reference points of the body position mark 40R representing the right breast and the body position mark 40L representing the left breast. Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining the alignment between the position of the ultrasonic probe 20 in three-dimensional space and the body mark 40R indicating the right breast.

[0053] The reference points include at least the nipple as the main reference point. The following describes an example in which the reference points include positions corresponding to 0 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 9 o'clock on the circumference of the body mark in addition to the nipple. Figure 5 In the figure, the reference points of the right breast are represented as five small circles with hatched lines. In addition, the reference point of the right breast is set as ER for the nipple and the reference points on the circumference are marked with numbers R for the directions (for example, the positions of the three points on the circumference of the body mark 40R are marked as 3R, etc.), and the reference point of the left breast is set as EL for the nipple and the reference points on the circumference are marked with numbers L for the directions (see Figure 4 ).

[0054] The alignment function 32 performs initial alignment (initial alignment) between the ultrasound probe 20 and the body markers representing each of the left and right parts. Specifically, the alignment function 32 associates the position of the ultrasound probe 20 in three-dimensional space with the position on the body markers for each of at least one reference point of one part and at least one reference point of the other part in the left and right parts, thereby aligning the ultrasound probe 20 with the body marker representing one part and the body marker representing the other part. The alignment function 32 is an example of an alignment unit.

[0055] First, the user places the ultrasound probe 20 at the nipple of the right breast in three-dimensional space, and indicates via the input interface 21 that the current position of the ultrasound probe 20 in three-dimensional space corresponds to the right nipple ER of the body marker 40R (see Figure 4 Similarly, when the user places the ultrasound probe 20 at the position of the nipple of the left breast in three-dimensional space, he indicates via the input interface 21 that the current position of the ultrasound probe 20 in three-dimensional space is the position corresponding to the left nipple EL of the body marker 40L (see Figure 4 EL).

[0056] As a result, the positioning function 32 can associate the position of the ultrasound probe 20 in three-dimensional space with the position on the body marker for each of the nipple ER of the right breast and the nipple EL of the left breast. Based on at least the information about these two main reference points, the positioning function 32 can align the ultrasound probe 20 with the body marker 40R representing the right breast and the body marker 40L representing the right breast. Of course, the positioning function 32 can also process multiple reference points for each of the left and right parts of the body.

[0057] The switching position setting function 33 automatically sets a position as the switching position, based on the positional relationship between the three-dimensional position of the ultrasound probe 20, the position of at least one reference point on a body marker representing one part, and the position of at least one reference point on a body marker representing another part, as determined by alignment performed by the alignment function 32. For example, the switching position setting function 33 automatically sets a position as the switching position as the position of the other part, a predetermined distance away from the midpoint M between a left and right pair of parts and the corresponding main reference point of another part. The predetermined distance does not include zero.

[0058] When the left and right paired parts are the left and right breasts, the switching position setting function 33 automatically sets the switching position ThLR from the left breast to the right breast to a position that is a predetermined distance from the midpoint M toward the right breast. For example, the switching position ThLR is the nipple ER of the right breast. Alternatively, the switching position ThLR may be a predetermined position between 3R and ER (e.g., the midpoint between 3R and ER), or a predetermined position between ER and 9R (e.g., the midpoint between ER and 9R). Similarly, the switching position setting function 33 sets the switching position ThRL from the right breast to the left breast to a position that is a predetermined distance from the midpoint M toward the left breast.

[0059] In this way, the switching position setting function 33 can automatically set the switching position based on the alignment information related to the reference point without using information about the size or shape of the part. Alternatively, the switching position setting function 33 can display setting candidates for the switching position on the display 22, allowing the user to select from the setting candidates to set the switching position.

[0060] The body mark display switching function 34 switches the display of a body mark representing one of a pair of left and right parts from the one part to the other part when the ultrasound probe 20 is positioned at a position more than a predetermined distance away from the midpoint M of the pair of left and right parts. The body mark display switching function 34 is an example of a switching unit.

[0061] Figure 6 The ultrasonic probe 20 is shown as moving from a position near the nipple EL of the left breast to a position farther from the left breast than the nipple ER of the right breast ( Figure 6 An illustration of an example of a situation where ) moves to the left of . Figure 6 , an example is shown in which the switching position ThRL from the right breast to the left breast coincides with the nipple EL of the left breast, and the switching position ThLR from the left breast to the right breast coincides with the nipple ER of the right breast.

[0062] in addition, Figure 7 It means in Figure 6 The illustrated example is an explanatory diagram of an example of how the body position mark displayed in the body position mark display area 41 is switched.

[0063] Now, consider Figure 7 As shown in the upper part of FIG, the display 22 displays the ultrasonic image 50, and the body mark 40L indicating the left breast is displayed in the body mark display area 41. At this time, when the ultrasonic probe 20 is located at a position more than a predetermined distance away from the middle point M toward the right breast (at Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 1 , when the position ThLR is located at the switching position from the left breast to the right breast, that is, the nipple ER of the right breast, or is located at a position farther from the left breast than the nipple ER, the body position mark display switching function 34 switches the body position mark displayed in the body position mark display area 41 from the body position mark 40L indicating the left breast to the body position mark 40R indicating the right breast (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 Then, when the ultrasonic probe 20 moves toward the left breast, the ultrasonic probe 20 is positioned at a position more than a predetermined distance away from the middle point M toward the left breast (at Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 1 , when the nipple EL of the left breast is at the switching position ThRL from the right breast to the left breast, or is at a position farther from the right breast than the nipple EL, the body position mark display switching function 34 switches the body position mark displayed in the body position mark display area 41 from the body position mark 40R indicating the right breast to the body position mark 40L indicating the left breast (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 arrow from lower segment to upper segment).

[0064] Next, an example of the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the body mark display method according to this embodiment will be described.

[0065] Figure 8 Yes means through Figure 1 The flowchart of an example of the procedure for the processor of the processing circuit 18 shown in FIG. 1 to appropriately display the body position mark intended by the user without using the size or shape of the body part when observing a pair of left and right parts. Figure 8 In the figure, the reference numerals marked with numbers S represent the steps of the flowchart.

[0066] First, in step S1, the positioning function 32 obtains the current three-dimensional spatial position information of the ultrasonic probe 20 from the position information acquisition function 31. Then, the positioning function 32 associates the three-dimensional spatial position of the ultrasonic probe 20 with the position on the body position marker for each of at least one reference point of one of the left and right parts and at least one reference point of the other part, thereby aligning the ultrasonic probe 20 with the body position marker representing one part and the body position marker representing the other part (see Figure 4 、 Figure 5 ).

[0067] Next, in step S2 , the switching position setting function 33 automatically sets the switching positions ThRL and ThLR to positions spaced a predetermined distance from the middle point M of the left and right pair of parts toward the other part based on the positioning information of the positioning function 32 .

[0068] Steps S1 and S2 may be performed before ultrasonic scanning of the subject.

[0069] Next, when ultrasonic scanning of the subject is started, in step S3 , the position information acquisition function 31 acquires the current position information of the ultrasonic probe 20 in the three-dimensional space.

[0070] Next, in step S4 , the body mark display switching function 34 displays a body mark corresponding to the current position of the ultrasound probe 20 in the three-dimensional space.

[0071] Steps S3 and S4 are processes for determining the body mark initially displayed in the body mark display area 41. Information regarding the switching positions ThRL and ThLR may not be used. For example, if multiple reference points are being aligned for each of a pair of left and right parts, in step S4, the body mark display switching function 34 may initially display a body mark representing the part on one side corresponding to the multiple reference points, if the current position of the ultrasound probe 20 in three-dimensional space is within the smallest circle containing the multiple reference points.

[0072] Next, in step S5 , the body mark display switching function 34 updates the current position information of the ultrasound probe 20 in the three-dimensional space.

[0073] Next, in step S6 , the body mark display switching function 34 determines whether the ultrasound probe 20 is located at a position more than a predetermined distance away from the middle point M of the pair of left and right parts toward the other part, that is, at the switching position from one side to the other side or at a position closer to the other side than the switching position.

[0074] If the ultrasonic probe 20 is located closer to one site than the position (switching position) that is a predetermined distance away from the midpoint M of the pair of left and right sites toward the other site (No in step S6), the process returns to step S5. On the other hand, if the ultrasonic probe 20 is located at a position that is a predetermined distance or more away from the midpoint M of the pair of left and right sites toward the other site (Yes in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7.

[0075] Next, in step S7, the body position mark display switching function 34 switches the body position mark displayed on the display 22 from the body position mark indicating one part to the body position mark indicating another part (see Figure 7 ).

[0076] Next, in step S8, the body mark display switching function 34 determines whether the series of steps should be terminated according to the user's examination termination instruction, etc. If the series of steps should be terminated, the series of steps is terminated. On the other hand, if the series of steps should not be terminated, the process returns to step S5.

[0077] Through the above steps, when observing a pair of left and right parts, the body position mark intended by the user is appropriately displayed without taking into account the size or shape of the parts.

[0078] In technologies that automatically display body markers based on the standard size and shape of an observed part, when observing one of a pair of left and right parts, the midpoint between the two parts may become the switching position of the body marker. In this case, if the user scans near the midpoint, a body marker different from the intended one is often displayed, or the body markers frequently switch, which is very inconvenient for the user.

[0079] On the other hand, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 of this embodiment aligns the ultrasonic probe 20 with the body marker and uses this alignment information to switch the body marker. Specifically, based on the alignment information of the main reference points of the left and right parts, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 sets the switching position to a position that is a predetermined distance away from the midpoint between the main reference points toward the other part. Therefore, unless the ultrasonic probe 20 is moved to a position that is a predetermined distance away from the midpoint toward the other part, the body marker representing the other part will not switch. Therefore, compared to a case where the switching position is set based on the shape or size of the part, the body marker representing the one part can be reliably maintained while observing the part.

[0080] Furthermore, if the user wishes to observe another part, the ultrasound probe 20 must be moved significantly to a position a predetermined distance away from the midpoint toward the other part. Therefore, the user can switch to a body position mark indicating another part by moving the ultrasound probe 20 to the other side with explicit intent.

[0081] Therefore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can reliably display a body mark indicating the part of the body to be observed that the user intends, regardless of the size or shape of the part.

[0082] According to at least one embodiment described above, a body position mark intended by the user can be appropriately displayed without taking into account the size and shape of the body part.

[0083] In addition, the term "processor" used in the above description refers to circuits such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). When the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor implements functions by reading and executing programs stored in a storage circuit. In addition, when the processor is, for example, an ASIC, instead of storing the program in the storage circuit, the function equivalent to the program is directly loaded into the circuit of the processor as a logic circuit. In this case, the processor implements various functions by hardware processing that reads and executes the program loaded into the circuit. Alternatively, the processor can also implement various functions by combining software processing with hardware processing.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which a single processor in a processing circuit implements each function. However, a plurality of independent processors may be combined to form a processing circuit, with each processor implementing a different function. Furthermore, when multiple processors are provided, a storage circuit for storing programs may be provided separately for each processor, or a single storage circuit may store programs corresponding to the functions of all programs.

[0085] Several embodiments have been described, but these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments may be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention and are also intended to be included within the invention set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising: The position acquisition unit sequentially acquires the current position information of the ultrasonic probe in three-dimensional space; A positioning unit associates the body position markers corresponding to the left breast and the right breast with the position of the ultrasound probe in three-dimensional space, wherein the left and right pairs of parts are the left breast and the right breast; A display unit that displays a body position mark corresponding to one of the left breast and the right breast; and The switching unit switches the body position mark displayed on the display unit from the body position mark indicating the left breast to the body position mark indicating the right breast and causes the display unit to display the body position mark based on the acquired position information, when the ultrasound probe located on the left breast side of the middle position between the left and right breasts moves to a first switching position set at a position away from the middle position to the right breast side by a predetermined distance or moves to a position farther from the left breast than the first switching position. Furthermore, the switching unit switches the body position mark displayed on the display unit from the body position mark indicating the right breast to the body position mark indicating the left breast and causes the display unit to display the body position mark based on the acquired position information, when the ultrasound probe located on the right breast side of the middle position between the left and right breasts moves to a second switching position set at a position away from the middle position to the left breast side by a predetermined distance or moves to a position farther from the right breast than the second switching position.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The middle position is the middle point between the main reference point of the left breast and the main reference point of the right breast.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The main reference points of each of the left breast and the right breast are the nipples of each of the left breast and the right breast.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The body position marks corresponding to the left breast and the right breast respectively indicate the positions of the breasts at time with the nipple as the center. When the ultrasonic probe located at a position closer to the right breast than the midpoint between the nipples of the left and right breasts moves to a position closer to the nipple of the left breast than the position indicating 9 o'clock in the body position mark corresponding to the left breast, the switching unit switches from the body position mark corresponding to the right breast displayed on the display unit to the body position mark corresponding to the left breast, and causes the display unit to display the body position mark, When the ultrasonic probe located closer to the left breast than the midpoint between the nipples of the left breast and the right breast moves to the nipple side closer to the right breast than the position indicating 3 o'clock in the body position mark corresponding to the right breast, the switching unit switches from the body position mark corresponding to the left breast displayed on the display unit to the body position mark corresponding to the right breast, and causes the display unit to display it.

5. A method for displaying a body position mark, comprising: The step of sequentially obtaining the current three-dimensional spatial position information of the ultrasonic probe; A step of associating body markers corresponding to the left breast and the right breast respectively with the position of the ultrasound probe in three-dimensional space, wherein the pair of left and right parts are the left breast and the right breast; A step of displaying a body position mark corresponding to one of the left breast and the right breast on a display unit; Based on the acquired position information, when the ultrasound probe located closer to the left breast than the middle position between the left and right breasts moves to a first switching position set at a position away from the middle position toward the right breast by a predetermined distance or moves to a position farther from the left breast than the first switching position, the body position mark displayed on the display unit is switched from the body position mark indicating the left breast to the body position mark indicating the right breast, and the display unit is caused to display the body position mark; and Based on the acquired position information, when the ultrasonic probe located closer to the right breast than the middle position between the left breast and the right breast moves to a second switching position set at a position away from the left breast by a specified distance from the middle position or moves to a position farther from the right breast than the second switching position, the body position mark displayed on the display unit is switched from the body position mark representing the right breast to the body position mark representing the left breast, and the display unit is caused to display the body position mark.

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