Ultrasonic imaging device, signal processing device, and signal processing method

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a signal processing apparatus, and a signal processing method capable of optimizing parameters at each time of examination and reducing the examination time. An ultrasonic wave is irradiated to an object, and a reception signal is obtained by receiving the ultrasonic wave from the object by a plurality of ultrasonic elements. A characteristic quantity representing a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object is calculated from the reception signal. A given processing is performed on the reception signal using one or more parameters for reception signal processing to generate an image. The image is subjected to image processing using one or more parameters for image processing. At this time, the values of the parameters for reception signal processing and the parameters for image processing are determined based on the characteristic quantity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to setting of imaging parameters of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] In medical ultrasonic examination using an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an examiner can initially obtain an appropriate image for diagnosis by adjusting imaging parameters of the ultrasonic probe and the imaging apparatus to appropriate values in accordance with the patient, the imaging site. The parameters to be adjusted are numerous, and thus time is spent in setting the imaging parameters, and the complexity of the examination increases. Known are apparatuses that prepare sets of imaging parameters in advance for the purpose of shortening the examination time and reducing the complexity of the examination, and automatically select an appropriate set of parameters in accordance with the connected probe.

[0003] Further, in Patent Literature 1, disclosed is an apparatus that automatically selects an appropriate set of imaging parameters based on the weight, the body fat rate, the age, the sex, the physique, and the diagnosis target site of the patient from a pre-registered patient database.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-167116

[0007] As for the shape of the tissue and the internal organs in the body of an actual patient, the difference caused by the patient is large. Further, the pressing manner of the probe against the patient differs depending on the examiner. Further, even for the same organ, the appropriate image differs depending on the content of the examination to be performed. Therefore, according to the conventional automatic setting of imaging, it is difficult to obtain an appropriate image for diagnosis for all combinations of the patient, the examiner, and the examination content, and ultimately, the operation of manually and appropriately setting the imaging parameters at each examination is required. The adjustment operation of the parameters requires consideration of the shape of the patient, the characteristics of the ultrasonic waves, and the like, and requires knowledge and experience.

[0008] Further, for beginners of medical ultrasonic examination, it is originally difficult to manually adjust the imaging parameters of the apparatus.

[0009] Further, the parameters that can be manually adjusted are sometimes limited to a part of the numerous parameters that the apparatus has, and there are parameters that are determined internally and cannot be changed, and thus there is a limit to obtaining an ultrasonic image appropriate for diagnosis. SUMMARY

[0010] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0011] An object of the present application is to provide an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that enables optimization of parameters at each examination and shortens the examination time.

[0012] Means for solving the problem

[0013] To achieve the above object, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present application includes a reception unit, a characteristic quantity detection unit, a signal and image processing unit, and a control unit. The reception unit receives a reception signal output in time series from a plurality of ultrasonic elements that receive ultrasonic waves from an object irradiated with the ultrasonic waves. The characteristic quantity detection unit calculates a characteristic quantity representing a frequency-dependent characteristic accompanying attenuation of the ultrasonic waves propagating in the object, from the reception signal. The signal and image processing unit performs a given processing using one or more reception signal processing parameters with respect to the reception signal and generates an image, and performs image processing on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters. The control unit sets values of the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters of the signal and image processing unit, and performs the processing. Further, the control unit includes a parameter decision unit that decides values of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters, based on the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection unit.

[0014] Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the present application, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that optimizes parameters in real time in accordance with a state of an imaging object, saves examination time, and generates an image with high diagnostic performance can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an overall structure of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1.

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of the characteristic quantity detection unit 10 of Embodiment 1.

[0018] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of the parameter decision unit 21 and the parameter value storage 30 of Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing actions of each part of the signal processing apparatus 101 of Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a structure of the signal processing apparatus 101 of Embodiment 2.

[0021] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing actions of the signal processing apparatus 101 of Embodiment 2.

[0022] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a structure of the parameter decision unit 21 of Embodiment 3.

[0023] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the signal processing device 101 of Embodiment 3.

[0024] Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the ultrasonic imaging device 100 of Embodiment 4.

[0025] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the ultrasonic imaging device of Embodiment 4.

[0026] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for receiving selection of a ROI from a user of Embodiment 5.

[0027] Symbol Explanation

[0028] 10: feature amount detection section;

[0029] 11: time series data preprocessing section;

[0030] 12: frequency analysis section;

[0031] 13: depth direction distribution calculation section;

[0032] 15: ROI decision section;

[0033] 16: time series data range calculation section;

[0034] 17: ROI;

[0035] 17a, 17b, 17c: ROI;

[0036] 18a, 18b, 18c: signal;

[0037] 20: control section;

[0038] 21: parameter decision section;

[0039] 22: difference calculation section;

[0040] 23: feature amount correction section;

[0041] 24: selection section;

[0042] 24-1, 24-2: selection section;

[0043] 25: feature amount holding memory;

[0044] 26-1, 26-2: type determiner;

[0045] 30: parameter value memory;

[0046] 40: signal and image processing section;

[0047] 41: signal processing section;

[0048] 42: image processing section;

[0049] 53: OK button;

[0050] 50: display device;

[0051] 51: UI (user interface);

[0052] 60: change object selection section;

[0053] 100: ultrasonic imaging apparatus;

[0054] 101: signal processing device;

[0055] 102: transmission section;

[0056] 104: reception section;

[0057] 108: ultrasonic probe;

[0058] 120: subject;

[0059] 151: ROI selection screen;

[0060] 152: type selection screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Embodiments of the present application will be described.

[0062] Sound waves have a characteristic that the frequency-dependent attenuation is dependent on the propagation distance, i.e., the imaging depth (time). In addition, depending on the patient's morphology, the imaging site, the frequency-dependent attenuation characteristic is different according to the state of the medium (tissue) through which the sound wave propagates, and thus the characteristic of the received ultrasonic wave signal is different. In addition, in the case of scanning the transmission beam, the region irradiated with the transmission beam varies, and thus the characteristic of the ultrasonic wave signal varies from time to time.

[0063] The inventors focused on these phenomena, and by analyzing the frequency-dependent attenuation characteristic of the time-series received signal output from the ultrasonic wave element that received the ultrasonic wave, the state of the tissue through which the ultrasonic wave propagates is comprehensively and easily grasped. The value of the parameter used for processing of the received signal and the like is set according to the analysis result. Thereby, the optimization of the parameter is achieved at each examination, and the examination time is shortened. The parameter is prepared in advance in a plurality of states of various subjects, and is selected from among them, and thus the processing based on the parameter can be comprehensively and easily performed.

[0064] [EMBODIMENT 1]

[0065] The ultrasonic imaging device 100 of Embodiment 1 will be described using the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The overall structure of the ultrasonic camera device 100 is shown.

[0066] like Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasonic camera device 100 is configured to include a transmitter 102, a signal processing device 101, an input device, a user interface (UI) 51, and a display device 50. An ultrasonic probe 108 is connected to the ultrasonic camera device 100, and the ultrasonic probe 108 has an array of multiple ultrasonic elements arranged in a row.

[0067] The transmitting unit 102 generates a transmission signal and outputs it to multiple ultrasonic elements of the ultrasonic probe 108. The ultrasonic elements then convert the transmission signal into ultrasonic waves, which are then projected onto the subject 120. An example of transmitting ultrasonic waves in the depth direction of the subject 120 will be described here.

[0068] The irradiated ultrasonic waves propagate within the subject 120, and are attenuated due to reflection, scattering, and other factors from objects within the subject 120. The frequency of the attenuated ultrasonic waves varies depending on the tissue constituting the subject 120 and the size of the reflective and scattering bodies included in the tissue; therefore, the attenuation characteristics vary depending on the frequency of the ultrasonic waves and the tissue constituting the subject 120. The reflected and scattered ultrasonic waves change direction and propagate further, with a portion reaching the ultrasonic element of the ultrasonic probe 108 and being received. The time required from the ultrasonic element irradiating the subject 120 until the waves are reflected, scattered, and re-reach the ultrasonic element to be converted into a received signal depends on the depth of the reflection and scattering. Furthermore, the signal amplitude reflects the reflection intensity and scattering intensity at the location of the reflection and scattering within the subject 120.

[0069] Therefore, the received signals, which are sequentially output by multiple ultrasonic elements that receive ultrasonic waves reflected and scattered by the subject 120, include information about the depth of the reflected and scattered waves, as well as information about the intensity of the reflection and scattering at the location of the reflected and scattered waves within the subject 120. The signal processing device 101 uses this information to generate an image.

[0070] Furthermore, as described above, the received signal includes information on frequency-dependent attenuation characteristics that vary depending on the tissue constituting the subject 120. The signal processing device 101 sets parameters for detecting and processing the received signal based on these frequency-dependent attenuation characteristics, and parameters for processing the generated image. Thus, parameters suitable for the morphology and imaging location within the subject 120 are set. The processing within the signal processing device 101 will be described in detail below.

[0071] The signal processing apparatus 101 is configured with a reception unit 104, a characteristic quantity detection unit 10, a signal and image processing unit 40, a control unit 20, and a parameter value storage 30.

[0072] The reception unit 104 receives reception signals from a plurality of ultrasonic elements of the ultrasonic probe 108, performs sampling, and converts them into digital signals. Thereafter, the reception unit 104 delays the reception signals of each ultrasonic element by a predetermined delay time and adds them, or the like, to perform reception beamforming along a given scan line. The reception unit 104 performs reception beamforming for a plurality of scan lines, and generates reception signals after reception beamforming for each scan line.

[0073] The characteristic quantity detection unit 10 calculates a characteristic quantity that indicates a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of an ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in a subject, from the reception signals of each element or the reception signals after reception beamforming on a specific scan line.

[0074] The signal and image processing unit 40 generates an image by performing a given process on the reception signals after reception beamforming using one or more reception signal processing parameters, and performs image processing on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters.

[0075] The control unit 20 sets one or more values of the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters used for processing by the signal and image processing unit 40, and performs the processing. At this time, the control unit 20 is provided with a parameter determination unit 21 that receives the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection unit 10, and determines the values of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters based on the same.

[0076] Use Figure 2 The structure of the characteristic quantity detection unit 10 will be further described. Hereinafter, an example in which the characteristic quantity detection unit 10 calculates a characteristic quantity by processing the reception signals after reception beamforming will be described, but the characteristic quantity can also be calculated for the reception signals of each ultrasonic element before reception beamforming.

[0077] The characteristic quantity detection unit 10 is provided with a time series data preprocessing unit 11, a frequency analysis unit 12, and a depth direction distribution calculation unit 13.

[0078] The time series data preprocessing unit 11 receives the reception signals on which reception beamforming has been performed by the reception unit 104 along a given scan line from the reception unit 104, and extracts signals in a given depth (time) range, and performs noise removal, or the like.

[0079] The time-series data preprocessing section 11 divides the received signal received from the time-series data preprocessing section 11 in the depth (time) direction at a predetermined interval and width, and sets a plurality of depth intervals (for example, depth intervals A, B, and C).

[0080] The frequency analysis section 12 performs processing such as Fourier transform on the received signal in each of the depth intervals (A, B, and C), and thereby calculates information of the frequency component that varies in the depth direction.

[0081] The depth direction distribution calculation section 13 calculates the variation in the depth direction of the feature represented by the predetermined frequency component from the information of the frequency component that varies in the depth direction calculated by the frequency analysis section 12, and outputs it as a feature quantity. For example, the variation in the depth (time) direction of the center frequency of the received signal, the variation in the depth (time) direction of the transmission band of the received signal, the variation in the depth (time) direction of the maximum amplitude in a prescribed frequency interval, the variation in the depth (time) direction of any of the power and the energy, and the like are calculated as the feature quantity. In Figure 2 In the example, the depth direction distribution calculation section 13 calculates the variation in the depth (time) direction of the center frequency of the received signal as the feature quantity 1, and calculates the variation in the depth direction of the maximum amplitude in the frequency interval from the frequency fl (for example, 1.5 MHz) to the frequency f2 (for example, 5.5 MHz) as the feature quantity 2.

[0082] The parameter determination section 21 and the parameter value storage 30 are used. Figure 3 The structure of the parameter determination section 21 and the parameter value storage 30 will be described. As the parameter for the received signal processing, for example, a parameter in which one or more values of a depth-variable band-pass filter, a depth-variable reception aperture, and a depth-variable sound velocity that process the received signal are changed can be cited. Further, as the parameter for the image processing, a time gain control can be cited.

[0083] In the parameter value storage 30, a plurality of types in which the variation in the depth direction differs are set in advance for each of the feature quantities calculated by the depth direction distribution calculation section 13, and are stored. For example, as shown in Figure 3 For the feature quantity 1 (the variation in the depth direction of the center frequency of the received signal), types 1 to 3 in which the amount of variation in the depth direction of the center frequency (tilt, presence or absence of a step) differs are set. For the feature quantity 2 (the variation in the depth direction of the maximum amplitude in the interval from the frequency fl to the frequency f2), types 1 to 4 in which the amount of variation in the maximum amplitude (tilt) differs are set.

[0084] In the parameter value storage 30, for each of the plurality of types of the feature quantities 1 and 2, the correspondence with the predetermined value of the parameter for the signal processing or the parameter for the image processing is stored.

[0085] For example, in Figure 3 In the example shown, the value of parameter 1, which causes the pass-through frequency band of the depth-variable bandpass filter used for signal processing to vary in the depth direction, is established to correspond to types 1 to 3 of feature quantity 1 (the variation of the center frequency of the received signal in the depth direction). Specifically, in Figure 3 In the example, according to each of the three types of feature quantity 1, the value of parameter 1 is predetermined to change the upper and lower limits of the -6dB passband frequency of the depth-variable bandpass filter in the depth direction. The value of parameter 1 is corresponding to type 1, 2, and 3 respectively and stored in parameter value memory 30.

[0086] Furthermore, for feature quantity 2 (maximum amplitude within the interval from frequency f1 to frequency f2) of types 1 to 4, the value of parameter 2, which causes the magnification controlled by time gain as an image processing parameter, to vary in the depth (time) direction, is predetermined. The value of parameter 2 is stored in parameter value memory 30, corresponding to type 1 to 4 respectively.

[0087] If we were to explain in further detail, then as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the values ​​of the parameters in the parameter value memory 30 correspond to each type of the depth-direction distribution (time-direction variation) of the feature quantity. For example, feature quantity 1 (depth-direction variation of the center frequency of the received signal) is set to three types: type 1, where the center frequency decreases stepwise as the depth increases; type 2, where it decreases smoothly; and type 3, where it decreases with a fixed slope. Different parameter 1 (depth-direction variation of the pass-through frequency band of the depth-variable bandpass filter) is assigned to each type 1 to 3. Furthermore, for feature quantity 2 (maximum amplitude in the interval from frequency f1 to frequency f2), different types 1 to 4 are set to the slope of the depth-direction attenuation, and different values ​​of parameter 2 are assigned to each type to the slope that causes the amplification of the time gain control to increase in the depth direction.

[0088] like Figure 3 As shown, the parameter determination unit 21 includes type determiners 26-1, 26-2, etc., and selection units 24-1, 24-2, etc., for each type of feature quantity. The type determiners 26-1, 26-2, etc., determine whether the feature quantity detected by the feature quantity detection unit 10 corresponds to any of the multiple types of feature quantities stored in the parameter value memory 30. The selection units 24-1, 24-2, etc., can determine appropriate parameter values ​​for processing the received signal from which the feature quantity has been extracted by selecting the value of the parameter corresponding to the determined type.

[0089] Specifically, type determiners 26-1, 26-2, etc., compare the depth direction distribution of feature quantities with multiple types of depth direction distributions of feature quantities pre-stored in parameter value memory 30, and determine the more suitable type. As a method for determining the type by type determiners 26-1, 26-2, etc., for example, a method can be used to analytically select features with high consistency between the depth direction distribution of feature quantities received from feature quantity detection unit 10 and the depth shift curves of multiple types of feature quantities. Furthermore, a method can also be used, for example, to select based on a program that is installed with a method for determining classification according to pre-set rules. Additionally, a learning model can be used as a type determiner, which employs a learning dataset with the depth direction distribution of feature quantities as input data and its corresponding type as positive solution data, and is learned through machine learning.

[0090] Furthermore, in the signal processing apparatus 101 of this embodiment, the processing of the feature quantity detection unit 10 and the signal and image processing unit 40 are performed in a pipelined manner. Moreover, the processing of the feature quantity detection unit 10 is performed at a stage preceding the signal and image processing unit 40. Therefore, the control unit 20 can set the parameter value obtained by the parameter determination unit 21 based on the feature quantity detected by the feature quantity detection unit 10 for a certain received signal as the parameter value for the subsequent signal and image processing unit, and use it for processing the received signal.

[0091] Therefore, the control unit 20 can reflect the characteristic quantities of the received signal in the image generation performed by the signal and image processing unit 40 in real time. As a result, the signal and image processing unit 40 can generate an image suitable for diagnosis using parameters appropriate to the shape of the part of the subject 120 that receives the received signal.

[0092] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, the signal and image processing unit 40 includes a signal processing unit 41 that processes the received signal and generates an image, and an image processing unit 42 that processes the generated image. The control unit 20 performs pipelined processing, outputting control signals to the feature detection unit 10, the signal processing unit 41, and the image processing unit 42 respectively, causing them to perform processing in parallel. Thus, the control unit 20 instructs the feature detection unit 10 to detect a feature, receives the feature, and determines the corresponding signal processing parameters and image processing parameters via the parameter determination unit 21. Furthermore, when the received signal is transmitted from the feature detection unit 10 to the signal processing unit 41, the control unit 20 outputs the signal processing parameters and a control signal instructing signal processing to the signal processing unit 41. Further, when the image generated by the signal processing unit 41 is transmitted to the image processing unit 42, the control unit 20 outputs the image processing parameters and a control signal instructing image processing to the image processing unit 42.

[0093] Next, use Figure 4 The flowchart below explains the operation of each part of the signal processing device 101. Here, the signal processing device 101 can be constructed in hardware. For example, it can be designed using a custom IC such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a programmable IC such as a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) to implement the functions of each part. Alternatively, part or all of the signal processing device 101 can be configured to implement its functions through software. In this case, a computer or similar device equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and memory can constitute part or all of the signal processing device 101. The CPU reads the program stored in memory and executes it, thereby implementing these functions.

[0094] If the transmitting unit 102 outputs a transmitting signal to multiple ultrasonic elements of the ultrasonic probe 108, the ultrasonic probe 108 transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject 120. The ultrasonic waves propagate within the subject 120, and a portion of them is reflected, scattered, etc., within the subject 120, resulting in frequency-dependent attenuation. The reflected and scattered ultrasonic waves reach the ultrasonic elements, are converted into received signals, and the ultrasonic elements output a time-series received signal.

[0095] (Step S501)

[0096] The receiving unit 104 receives time-series received signals from the ultrasonic element and performs receiving beamforming along a predetermined scan line.

[0097] (Step S502)

[0098] The time series data preprocessing unit 11 extracts a given depth (time) range of the received signal data after receiving beamforming, and sets multiple depth intervals (e.g., intervals A, B, and C) with predetermined intervals and widths.

[0099] (Step S503)

[0100] The frequency analysis unit 12 performs frequency analysis on the received signals in each interval (A, B, C) and solves for the information of the frequency components that vary according to each depth interval (each depth).

[0101] (Step S504)

[0102] The depth direction distribution calculation section 13 calculates one or more predetermined characteristic quantities from the information on the frequency components that vary for each depth interval (for each depth). Here, the characteristic quantity detection section 10 calculates the variation in the depth (time) direction of the center frequency of the received signal as the characteristic quantity 1, and calculates the maximum amplitude of the frequency interval of the frequency B from the predetermined frequency A as the characteristic quantity 2 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0103] (Step S505)

[0104] The type determiners 26-1, 26-2 of the parameter decision section 21 receive the characteristic quantity 1 and the characteristic quantity 2 from the characteristic quantity detection section 10, and determine whether each type of the characteristic quantities (the characteristic quantity 1, the characteristic quantity 2) corresponds to any of the predetermined types.

[0105] (Step S506)

[0106] The selection sections 24-1, 24-2, etc. read the values of the parameters corresponding to the determined types from the parameter value storage 30 for each type of the characteristic quantities (the characteristic quantity 1, the characteristic quantity 2), and decide them as the values of the parameters corresponding to the characteristic quantities (refer to Figure 4 ). By performing this processing for all of the characteristic quantities 1, 2, the value of the parameter 1 that causes the transmission band of the depth-variable band-pass filter to vary in the depth (time) direction according to the characteristic quantity 1, for example, is decided. According to the characteristic quantity 2, the value of the parameter 2 that causes the amplification of the time gain control to vary in the depth (time) direction is decided.

[0107] The control section 20 sets the value of the parameter for the received signal processing (the variation in the depth direction of the transmission band of the depth-variable band-pass filter) that is decided based on the type of the characteristic quantity 1 among the parameters decided by the parameter decision section 21, in the signal processing section 41. Further, the control section 20 sets the value of the parameter for the image processing (the variation in the depth direction of the amplification of the time gain control) that is decided based on the type of the characteristic quantity 2, in the image processing section 42. In addition, the control section 20 sets a predetermined value or a value set by the operator for the values of the parameters required for the received signal processing other than the parameters 1, 2.

[0108] (Step S507)

[0109] The signal processing section 41 performs a filter processing that passes only the frequency band set for each depth by the parameter 1 (the transmission band of the depth-variable band-pass filter) set in step S506, on the received signal after the beamforming. The processed received signal is output to the image processing section 42.

[0110] In addition, the depth-variable band-pass filter processing can calculate the characteristic quantity 1 for the received signal of each scan line, determine the parameter 1, and process the received signal by the determined parameter 1. The depth-variable band-pass filter processing can calculate the characteristic quantity 1 for the received signal of one scan line, determine the parameter 1, and perform the same depth-variable band-pass filter processing for the received signals of all the scan lines used to generate a frame by the parameter 1.

[0111] (Step S508)

[0112] The image processing section 42 arranges the received beam-formed signals of each scan line to generate one frame of image. The image processing section 42 performs image processing of the generated image by the parameter 2 for image processing (variation in the depth direction of the amplification rate of the time gain control) set in step S506. Specifically, the image processing section 42 processes the generated image by the amplification rate of the time gain control set as the parameter 2.

[0113] In a case where the image processing parameter is not determined from the characteristic quantity, the parameter determining section 21 controls the control section 20 to output only a control signal indicating image generation to the image processing section 42. The image processing section 42 performs image processing using the value of the parameter determined in advance after arranging the received beam-formed signals of each scan line to generate one frame of image.

[0114] In either case, the image processing section 42 outputs the generated image to the display device 50 and causes it to display.

[0115] According to the present embodiment, the depth direction distribution of the characteristic quantity is obtained by using the time-series received signal data reflecting the information of the depth direction of the subject 120, so that the state of the received signal can be comprehensively and easily grasped. Thus, by using the depth direction distribution of the characteristic quantity, the value of the parameter corresponding to the characteristics of the patient / imaging site can be determined.

[0116] Further, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present embodiment performs a plurality of processes by pipeline processing, so that the optimal value of the parameter required for optimization can be found from the received signal of the upstream, and thus the optimization can be performed simultaneously for the processes of the downstream. Thus, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus can provide a diagnostic image using the optimal imaging parameter for each frame. Therefore, the optimization of the parameter can be performed in real time in accordance with the state of the imaging object, the examination time can be saved, and an image with high diagnostic performance can be provided.

[0117] Further, the transmission unit 102 can be configured to generate a transmission signal based on one or more parameters. In this case, the parameter determination unit 21 of the control unit 20 can determine the value of the parameter of the transmission unit 102 based on the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity calculated by the feature quantity detection unit 10.

[0118] <<Embodiment 2>>

[0119] An ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present application will be described using Figure 5 and Figure 6 . Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the signal processing apparatus 101 with the feature quantity detection unit 10 as the center, Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the signal processing apparatus 101.

[0120] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 is of the same structure as that according to Embodiment 1, but differs from the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 in that a ROI (Region of Interest) is set and the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity is calculated based on the received signal after the reception beamforming used in the generation of the image within the ROI. By setting the ROI to a region in which the patient characteristics are visualized, it is possible to set the value of the parameter appropriate for the region in which the patient characteristics are visualized. Hereinafter, the differences from the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0121] As shown in Figure 5 , the feature quantity detection unit 10 includes a ROI determination unit 15 and a time series data range calculation unit 16 in addition to the structure of the feature quantity detection unit 10 according to Embodiment 1. The ROI determination unit 15 determines a ROI 17 in which the feature quantity is detected based on information received from a user. The time series data range calculation unit 16 sets a depth range for the received signal after the reception beamforming of each scan line in accordance with the determined ROI 17.

[0122] The operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 will be described using the flow of Figure 6 . Figure 6 The flow of Figure 4 adds steps S601 and S602 between step S501 and step S502 of the flow of Figure 4 , and adds step S603 after step S508. The description will be made focusing on the steps different from .

[0123] (Step S501)

[0124] The reception unit 104 receives the time series received signal from the ultrasonic element and performs reception beamforming along the scan line determined in advance.

[0125] (Step S601)

[0126] The ROI decision section 15 decides the ROIs 17 in which the feature amounts are detected in the region selected by the user via the UI 51 and the control section 20. For example, the user selects a representative region (a specific depth and size) in which the characteristics of the examinee are manifested, and the ROIs 17 are decided automatically from the region including the selected region, from the shallowest portion to the deepest portion of the imaging region. Further, within the ROIs 17, smaller ROIs (ROIs 17a to 17c in the example) are decided at a depth width appropriate for detecting the feature amounts. In addition, the representative region can be set to a position (for example, the center of the image) and size decided in advance. Figure 5

[0127] (Step S602)

[0128] The time-series data range calculation section 16 extracts the received signals of N scan lines included in the lateral direction (azimuth direction) of each of the ROIs 17a to 17c decided by the ROI decision section 15, and sets a depth interval in the range of the depth corresponding to the depth range of each of the ROIs 17a to 17c of the received signals of the plurality of scan lines, respectively. That is, the range in the depth direction (vertical direction) of the ROIs 17a to 17c is reflected by the depth interval of the time-series data, and the range in the lateral direction (azimuth direction) of the ROIs is reflected by the number of scan lines.

[0129] (Step S502)

[0130] The time-series data preprocessing section 11 extracts the signals in the plurality of depth intervals corresponding to the ROIs 17a to 17c set respectively to the received signals of N scan lines in step S602. Further, the time-series data preprocessing section 11 performs average addition of the received signals of the depth intervals corresponding to the ROIs 17a to 17c of the received signals of N scan lines in the scan line direction. That is, by performing average addition of the received signals extracted from the depth intervals of the same ROI 17a with respect to the received signals of N scan lines, noise is removed. The same processing is performed with respect to the ROIs 17b and 17c, respectively. The received signals after the average addition processing (signals 18a, 18b, and 18c in the example) are sent to the frequency analysis section 12. Figure 5

[0131] (Steps S503 to S506)

[0132] Steps S503 to S506 are the same as in Embodiment 1, the frequency analysis section 12 performs frequency analysis of the received signals after the average addition in each depth interval, the feature amount detection section 10 calculates the feature amounts 1 and 2, and the parameter decision section 21 decides the parameters 1 and 2.

[0133] ​​(Steps S507-S508)

[0134] Steps S503-S506 are performed not only on the received signal corresponding to ROI 17 but also on the received signal of the entire image, using the values of the determined parameters 1 and 2 to perform signal processing and image processing, and an image is generated. The control section 20 displays the generated image on the display device 50.

[0135] (Step S603)

[0136] The control section 20 displays a screen asking whether to change the position and size of ROI 17 on the display device 50 or the like to the user who has seen the generated image, and confirms with the user. In a case where the user has selected a change of ROI 17 via the UI 51, the process returns to step S602, and the position and size of ROI 17 are changed. Steps S502-S508 are executed again based on the changed ROI 17.

[0137] According to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 2, the received signal of ROI 17 set in a representative region in which a patient characteristic is manifested is used for detection of the characteristic quantity from among the received signal of the entire scanning range, and thus stable detection of data of the characteristic quantity can be performed, and the value of the parameter can be stably determined.

[0138] <<Embodiment 3>>

[0139] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3 of the present application is described using Figure 7 and Figure 8 . Figure 7 is a diagram describing the structure of the parameter determination section 21 of Embodiment 3, Figure 8 is a flowchart describing the operation of the signal processing device 101.

[0140] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3 is of the same structure as Embodiment 1, but the parameter determination section 21 has a characteristic quantity storage 25, a difference calculation section 22, a characteristic quantity correction section 23, a type determiner 26, and a selection section 24. The characteristic quantity storage 25 stores the past depth direction distribution of the characteristic quantity. The difference calculation section 22 compares the depth direction distribution of the present and past characteristic quantities, and calculates the difference. The characteristic quantity correction section 23 corrects the depth direction distribution of the present characteristic quantity to data that has not changed extremely from the past depth direction distribution of the characteristic quantity in a case where the difference is large.

[0141] The operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3 is described using the flow of Figure 8 . The flow of Figure 8 is executed in Figure 4Steps S901 to S904 are added between step S541 and step S505 of the flow of Fig. 5. Hereinafter, the description will be made focusing on the different steps. Figure 4

[0142] (Steps S501 to S504)

[0143] The reception section 104 receives the time-series reception signal from the ultrasonic wave element, and the feature amount detection section 10 calculates the depth direction distribution of the predetermined feature amounts 1, 2.

[0144] (Step S901)

[0145] The feature amount detection section 10 saves the depth direction distribution data of the feature amounts 1, 2 calculated this time in the feature amount saving memory 25.

[0146] (Steps S902, S903)

[0147] The difference calculation section 22 reads the depth direction distribution of the feature amounts 1, 2 of the previous time or the time before the previous time from the feature amount saving memory 25, and calculates the difference from the depth direction distribution of the feature amounts 1, 2 calculated this time by the feature amount detection section 10. The difference calculation section 22 determines whether the difference is equal to or larger than the predetermined first threshold value. The difference calculation section 22 proceeds to step S904 in the case where the difference is equal to or larger than the predetermined first threshold value for the feature amount. In the case where the difference is smaller than the predetermined first threshold value, the process proceeds to step S505.

[0148] (Step S904)

[0149] The feature amount correction section 23 performs correction so that the depth direction distribution of the feature amount 1 and / or the feature amount 2 whose difference is equal to or larger than the first threshold value approaches the depth direction distribution of the feature amount of the previous time or the time before the previous time. For example, the average of the distribution curve of the depth direction distribution this time and the distribution curve of the previous time is adopted to correct the depth direction distribution of the feature amount this time.

[0150] (Step S505)

[0151] The type determiner 26 of the parameter determination section 21, like the type determiners 26-1, 26-2 of Embodiment 1, receives the feature amounts from the feature amount detection section 10, and determines whether each of the feature amounts corresponds to any of the predetermined types.

[0152] (Step S506)

[0153] The selection section 24, like the selection sections 24-1, 24-2 of Embodiment 1, reads the value of the parameter corresponding to the corresponding type from the parameter value memory 30, and determines the value of the parameter 1, 2 corresponding to the feature amounts 1, 2 (see Figure 4 ).​

[0154] The steps S901 to S904, S505, and S506 are performed for each feature quantity.

[0155] The control section 20 sets the parameter values 1 and 2 decided by the parameter deciding section 21 to the signal processing section 41 and / or the image processing section 42.

[0156] (Steps S507, S508)

[0157] The steps S507 and S508 are performed similarly to Embodiment 1, and generate an image. The image processing section 42 outputs the generated image to the display device 50, and causes it to be displayed.

[0158] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 3 can suppress a large change in the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity, and a large change in the parameter value between frames, and thus can maintain the continuity of the generated images between frames, and generate a video that is easy to diagnose.

[0159] In addition, in Embodiment 3, the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity is stored in the feature quantity storage memory 25, and the difference between the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity of the previous time and the present time is calculated, but the decided parameter value can be stored in the memory, and the difference between the parameter value of the previous time and the present time can be calculated. In this case, too, a large change in the parameter value between frames can be suppressed, and thus the continuity of the generated images between frames can be maintained, and a video that is easy to diagnose can be generated.

[0160] <<Embodiment 4>>

[0161] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 4 of the present application will be described using Figure 9 and Figure 10 . Figure 9 is a diagram that describes the structure of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 of Embodiment 4, Figure 10 is a flowchart that describes the operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

[0162] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 of Embodiment 4 has the feature quantity detecting section 10 of the structure of Embodiment 2 and the parameter deciding section 21 of the structure of Embodiment 3. In addition, the transmission section 102 of Embodiment 4 generates a transmission signal based on one or more parameters, and outputs it to the ultrasonic elements of the ultrasonic probe. Further, the control section 20 has the change object selecting section 60.

[0163] As in Embodiment 3, the difference calculating section 22 reads the feature quantity of the previous time or the time before the previous time from the feature quantity storage memory 25, and calculates the difference from the feature quantity calculated by the present feature quantity detecting section 10. In the case where the difference is larger than the second threshold value decided in advance, the control section 20 changes the value of the parameter of the transmission section 102 or the set region and / or size of the ROI 17. The change object selecting section 60 selects whether to change the parameter value of the transmission section 102, whether to change the ROI 17, based on the instruction or the like received from the user via the UI 51.

[0164] The flow of Figure 10 will be described below. Figure 10 The flow of Figure 8 is added between step S501 and step S502 of the flow of Figure 6 of Embodiment 3. In addition, the step S1001 of transmission is added before step S501 of the flow of Figure 8 , the step S1002 of determination is further added between step S902 and step S903, and a loop is added from this step S1002 to step S1001 via steps S100, S1004. Hereinafter, the description will be made focusing on the steps different from Figure 8 .

[0165] (Step S1001)

[0166] The transmission section 102 generates a transmission signal based on one or more parameters, and outputs to the ultrasonic elements of the ultrasonic probe 108. The ultrasonic elements convert the transmission signal into an ultrasonic wave, and irradiate to the subject 120.

[0167] (Step S501)

[0168] The reception section 104 receives the time-series reception signal from the ultrasonic elements.

[0169] (Step S601)

[0170] The ROI deciding section 15, as in Embodiment 2, calculates the range of the one frame image or the image generated by the signal and image processing section 40 based on the reception signal by arithmetic operation.

[0171] (Step S602)

[0172] The ROI deciding section 15 sets the ROI 17 in the range of the image. The region where the ROI 17 is set can be a position (for example, the center of the image) and a size decided in advance, or a region received from the user via the UI 51.

[0173] (Steps S502 to S504)

[0174] The feature amount detection section 10 calculates the depth direction distribution of one or more predetermined feature amounts from a received signal used for image generation within the ROI 17.

[0175] (Step S901)

[0176] The feature amount detection section saves the depth direction distribution data of the feature amount calculated this time in the feature amount saving memory 25.

[0177] (Step S902)

[0178] The difference calculation section 22 reads the depth direction distribution of the feature amount of the previous frame or the frame before the previous frame from the feature amount saving memory 25, and calculates the difference from the depth direction distribution of the feature amount calculated by the feature amount detection section 10 this time.

[0179] (Step S1002)

[0180] The difference calculation section 22 determines that the feature amount has changed greatly from the previous frame when the difference is equal to or greater than a second threshold value determined in advance, and proceeds to step S1003.

[0181] (Step S1003)

[0182] The change target selection section 60 performs prompting to cause the user to select whether to change the parameter value of the transmission section 102 or whether to change the ROI 17 in order to cope with a large change in the feature amount, and receives a selection made by the user via the UI 51. In addition, the change target selection section 60 can select one of a change in the parameter value of the transmission section 102 or a change in the ROI 17, in addition to receiving a selection from the user.

[0183] In a case where the change target selection section 60 selects a change in the ROI 17, the process returns to step S602, the position and size of the ROI 17 are changed, and then the process proceeds to step S502 or later.

[0184] In this way, by changing the position and size of the ROI 17, it is possible to set the ROI 17 in a region in which the patient characteristics are apparent, and to perform detection of the feature amount again.

[0185] On the other hand, in a case where the change target selection section 60 does not select a change in the ROI 17, that is, in a case where the parameter value of the transmission section 102 is selected, the process proceeds to step S1004.

[0186] (Step S1004)

[0187] In step S1004, the selection unit 24 selects the parameter value used in user selection or automatic transmission from the parameter value memory 30 and outputs it to the change object selection unit 60. For example, by narrowing the transmission bandwidth to transmit a narrow-band transmission signal, the noise included in the received signal is reduced. Furthermore, by transmitting a transmission beam using a transmission waveform with a lower center frequency, the amplitude of the received signal is increased. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal is improved, and the accuracy of feature detection is improved.

[0188] The object selection unit 60 sets parameter values ​​for the sending unit 102 and returns to step S1001.

[0189] Therefore, in step S1001, the transmitting unit 102 uses the parameter values ​​set from the changing object selection unit 60 to generate a transmitting signal and outputs it to the ultrasonic probe 108 for transmission.

[0190] Therefore, it is possible to switch to a transmission beam that can easily reveal patient characteristics from the received signal, thereby enabling the detection of characteristic quantities.

[0191] (Step S1002)

[0192] In step S1002 above, if the difference calculation unit 22 is less than a predetermined second threshold, it proceeds to step S903.

[0193] (Steps S903, S904)

[0194] The difference calculation unit 22 determines whether the difference calculated in step S902 is above a predetermined first threshold and below a second threshold. If the difference is above the first threshold and below the second threshold, the difference calculation unit 22 proceeds to step S904, and similarly to Embodiment 3, performs correction to make the depth direction distribution of the current feature quantity close to the depth direction distribution of the previous feature quantity, and then proceeds to step S505.

[0195] If the difference calculated by the difference calculation unit 22 in step S902 is less than the predetermined first threshold, the process proceeds directly to step S505.

[0196] (Steps S505~S508)

[0197] Similar to embodiments 1 to 3, the parameter determination unit 21 determines the value of the parameter based on the depth direction distribution of the feature quantities calculated by the feature quantity detection unit 10. The signal processing unit 41 and the image processing unit 42 use the parameter value to generate an image and perform image processing. The image processing unit 42 outputs the generated image to the display device 50 for display.

[0198] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of Embodiment 4 switches the transmission beam by changing the transmission parameter in a case where the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity changes extremely greatly. Alternatively, by changing the position and size of the ROI 17, it is possible to set so that the characteristics of the subject are easily visualized from the depth direction distribution of the feature quantity. Thereby, the accuracy of the detection of the feature quantity of the subject is improved, the feature quantity detection can be performed by a more robust method, and stable depth direction distribution detection is possible.

[0199] <<Embodiment 5>>

[0200] As Embodiment 5, for the example of the screen displayed on the display apparatus 50, the following is explained. Figure 11 Figure 11 The screen is an example of the screen displayed on the display apparatus 50 in order for the ROI decision section 15 to decide the ROI 17 in step S601 of Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 4. The ROI decision section 15 can select the type of the feature quantity and the position of the representative ROI by the user operating on the Figure 11

[0201] Based on the received signal in the imaging, the result after the type decision is displayed on the type selection screen 152, and the user can collate the ultrasonic image and the decision result, and judge the appropriateness of the applied parameter based on the decision result. In order to draw an ultrasonic image more suitable for diagnosis, the user can move the cursor of the type selection screen 152 to view the image to which the parameter based on another decision type is applied. Further, the user can select the representative ROI in the representative region in which the patient characteristics are visualized by moving the cursor of the ROI selection screen 151 and pressing the OK button 53. As shown in the example of Figure 11 the example, it is also possible to be a method of selecting from a screen in which the correspondence of the number and the size of the ROI is established in advance, or a method of manually circling the region using the operation panel.​​

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, characterized by comprising: has: a reception unit that receives reception signals output time-sequentially from a plurality of ultrasonic elements that receive ultrasonic waves from an object irradiated with the ultrasonic waves; a characteristic quantity detection unit that calculates a characteristic quantity that represents a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic waves accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic waves in the object, from the reception signals; a signal and image processing unit that performs a given process using one or more reception signal processing parameters on the reception signals and generates an image, and performs image processing on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters; and a control unit that sets values of the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters of the signal and image processing unit, and performs a process, the control unit including a parameter decision unit that decides values of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters, based on the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection unit, the characteristic quantity detection unit obtaining information of a frequency component that changes in a depth direction of the reception signals, and calculating the characteristic quantity based on the information, the characteristic quantity detection unit including: a preprocessing unit that divides the reception signals to set a plurality of depth intervals, and extracts the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals; a frequency analysis unit that frequency-analyzes the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals extracted by the preprocessing unit; and a depth direction distribution calculation unit that obtains a change in a depth direction of a characteristic represented by a frequency component that is decided in advance, from information represented by the frequency components of the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals analyzed by the frequency analysis unit, and outputs the change as a characteristic quantity, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus further having a parameter value storage, in the parameter value storage, a plurality of types decided in advance according to a manner of change in the depth direction of the characteristic quantity and values of parameters decided in advance for each of the plurality of types are stored in correspondence, the parameter decision unit including a type decider that decides whether the change in the depth direction of the characteristic quantity obtained by the characteristic quantity detection unit with respect to the reception signals corresponds to which of the plurality of types, and a selector that selects a parameter value corresponding to the decided type from the parameter value storage.

2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the characteristic quantity to be reflected in real time in generation of an image by the signal and image processing unit by setting values of the parameters decided by the parameter decision unit when the signal and image processing unit processes the same reception signals.

3. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit performs reception beamforming on the reception signals output by the plurality of ultrasonic elements along a given scan line, the characteristic quantity detection unit obtains the characteristic quantity by processing the reception signals after the reception beamforming.

4. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The feature quantity detection section calculates one or more of a change in a center frequency of the reception signal in the depth direction, a change in a transmission band of the reception signal in the depth direction, a change in a maximum amplitude in a given frequency range in the depth direction, and a change in any of a power and an energy in the depth direction, as the feature quantity.

5. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ultrasonic waves irradiated to the object are irradiated in a depth direction of the object, the parameter for reception signal processing includes a parameter that changes a value of one or more of a depth-variable band-pass filter, a depth-variable reception aperture, and a depth-variable sound velocity that processes the reception signal.

6. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ultrasonic waves irradiated to the object are irradiated in a depth direction of the object, the parameter for image processing is a parameter that changes a value of a time gain control.

7. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic imaging apparatus further has a transmission section, the transmission section generates a transmission signal based on one or more parameters and outputs to the ultrasonic element, the transmission signal is converted into ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic element, and the ultrasonic waves are irradiated to the object, the parameter determination section sets a value of one or more parameters among parameters for transmission signal generation of the transmission section based on the feature quantity.

8. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control section performs processing of the feature quantity detection section and processing of the signal and image processing section by pipeline processing, sets the processing of the feature quantity detection section as processing of a stage more forward than the signal and image processing section, and sets a value of the parameter calculated based on the feature quantity as a parameter value of the signal and image processing section of a stage rearward.

9. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature quantity detection section has: a ROI determination section that sets a plurality of ROIs in a range of the image generated based on the reception signal in the depth direction; and a range calculation section that extracts the reception signal of a plurality of scan lines used in generation of the image in the plurality of ROIs, sets a depth range corresponding to the depth of the ROI for each of the depths of the extracted reception signal, the preprocessing section performs addition averaging of the reception signal of the depth range in the same ROI after extracting the reception signal of the depth range set by the range calculation section, the frequency analysis section performs frequency analysis of the reception signal after the addition averaging, the depth direction distribution calculation section calculates a feature quantity of the ROI based on a result of the frequency analysis of the reception signal after the addition averaging.

10. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, characterized by comprising: has: a reception section that receives a reception signal output time-serially from a plurality of ultrasonic elements that receive ultrasonic waves from an object irradiated with the ultrasonic waves; a characteristic quantity detection section that calculates a characteristic quantity from the reception signal, the characteristic quantity indicating a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the subject; a signal and image processing section that performs a given process using one or more reception signal processing parameters on the reception signal and generates an image, and performs image processing on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters; and a control section that sets values of the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters of the signal and image processing section, and performs a process, the control section including a parameter decision section that decides values of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters based on the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection section, the parameter decision section having a characteristic quantity holding memory that holds the characteristic quantity, a difference calculation section that reads the characteristic quantity from the previous time or the time before the previous time from the characteristic quantity holding memory, and calculates a difference from the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection section this time, a characteristic quantity correction section that corrects the characteristic quantity this time in a case where the difference is greater than a first threshold decided in advance, and a selection section that selects a value of a corresponding parameter from parameter values decided in advance using the characteristic quantity corrected by the characteristic quantity correction section.

11. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, characterized by comprising: There is: a reception section that receives a reception signal output time-sequentially from a plurality of ultrasonic elements that receive an ultrasonic wave from a subject irradiated with the ultrasonic wave; a characteristic quantity detection section that calculates a characteristic quantity from the reception signal, the characteristic quantity indicating a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the subject; a signal and image processing section that performs a given process using one or more reception signal processing parameters on the reception signal and generates an image, and performs image processing on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters; and a control section that sets values of the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters of the signal and image processing section, and performs a process, the control section including a parameter decision section that decides values of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters based on the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection section, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus further having a transmission section, the transmission section generating a transmission signal based on one or more parameters and outputting to the ultrasonic elements, the transmission signal being converted into an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic elements and irradiated to the subject, the parameter decision section having a characteristic quantity holding memory that holds the characteristic quantity, a difference calculation section that reads the characteristic quantity from the previous time or the time before the previous time from the characteristic quantity holding memory, and calculates a difference from the characteristic quantity calculated by the characteristic quantity detection section this time; and a selection section that selects a value of a parameter of the transmission section from parameter values decided in advance in a case where the difference is greater than a second threshold decided in advance.

12. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, characterized by comprising: There is: a reception unit that receives a reception signal output time-sequentially from a plurality of ultrasonic wave elements that receive an ultrasonic wave from an object irradiated with the ultrasonic wave; a characteristic amount detection unit that calculates a characteristic amount that indicates a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object, from the reception signal; a signal and image processing unit that performs a given process using one or more reception signal processing parameters on the reception signal and generates an image, and performs image processing on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters; and a control unit that sets values of the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters of the signal and image processing unit, and performs a process, the control unit including a parameter decision unit that decides values of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters, based on the characteristic amount calculated by the characteristic amount detection unit, the characteristic amount detection unit obtaining information of a frequency component that changes in a depth direction of the reception signal, and calculating the characteristic amount based on the information, the characteristic amount detection unit including: a preprocessing unit that divides the reception signal to set a plurality of depth intervals, and extracts reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals; a frequency analysis unit that frequency-analyzes the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals extracted by the preprocessing unit; and a depth direction distribution calculation unit that obtains a change in a depth direction of a characteristic indicated by a frequency component that is decided in advance, from information indicated by the frequency components of the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals analyzed by the frequency analysis unit, and outputs the information as a characteristic amount, the characteristic amount detection unit including: a ROI decision unit that sets a plurality of ROIs in a depth direction within a range of the image generated from the reception signal; and a range calculation unit that extracts the reception signals of a plurality of scan lines used in generation of the image within the plurality of ROIs by the characteristic amount detection unit, and sets a depth interval for each depth corresponding to a depth range of the ROI, for the extracted reception signals, the preprocessing unit, after extracting the reception signals of the depth intervals set by the range calculation unit, adds and averages the reception signals of the depth intervals within the same ROI, the frequency analysis unit frequency-analyzes the reception signals after the adding and averaging, the depth direction distribution calculation unit calculates a characteristic amount of the ROI based on a frequency analysis result of the reception signals after the adding and averaging, the parameter decision unit including a characteristic amount saving memory that saves the characteristic amount, and a difference calculation unit that reads the characteristic amount of the previous time or before the previous time from the characteristic amount saving memory, and calculates a difference from the characteristic amount calculated by the characteristic amount detection unit this time, in a case where the difference is greater than a second threshold value decided in advance, the ROI decision unit changes a set range and / or size of the ROI.

13. A signal processing method, characterized by, including: The first step is to receive a reception signal output time-sequentially from a plurality of ultrasonic elements that receive an ultrasonic wave from an object irradiated with an ultrasonic wave; The second step is to calculate a characteristic quantity representing a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object, from the reception signal; and The third step is to execute a given process on the reception signal using one or more reception signal processing parameters and generate an image, and to perform image processing on the image using one or more image processing parameters, The value of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters is decided based on the characteristic quantity, The second step obtains information of a frequency component of the reception signal varying in a depth direction, and calculates the characteristic quantity based on the information, The second step includes: A preprocessing step of dividing the reception signal to set a plurality of depth intervals and extracting reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals; A frequency analysis step of frequency-analyzing the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals extracted in the preprocessing step, respectively; and A depth direction distribution calculation step of obtaining a variation in a depth direction of a characteristic represented by a frequency component of the reception signal of each of the plurality of depth intervals analyzed in the frequency analysis step, as a characteristic quantity, A plurality of types decided in advance according to a manner of variation in the depth direction of the characteristic quantity and a value of a parameter decided in advance for each of the plurality of types are stored in a parameter value storage in correspondence with each other, It is determined whether the variation in the depth direction of the characteristic quantity obtained for the reception signal in the second step corresponds to which of the plurality of types, A parameter value corresponding to the determined type is selected from the parameter value storage. Including:

14. A signal processing method characterized by, The first step is to receive a reception signal output time-sequentially from a plurality of ultrasonic elements that receive an ultrasonic wave from an object irradiated with an ultrasonic wave; The second step is to calculate a characteristic quantity representing a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object, from the reception signal; and The third step is to execute a given process on the reception signal using one or more reception signal processing parameters and generate an image, and to perform image processing on the image using one or more image processing parameters, The value of one or more parameters among the reception signal processing parameters and the image processing parameters is decided based on the characteristic quantity, The characteristic quantity is stored in a characteristic quantity storage, The characteristic quantity of the previous time or before the previous time is read from the characteristic quantity storage, and a difference from the characteristic quantity calculated in the second step this time is calculated, In a case where the difference is greater than a first threshold value decided in advance, the characteristic quantity this time is corrected, And The value of a corresponding parameter is selected from the parameter value decided in advance, using the corrected characteristic quantity. Including:

15. A signal processing method, characterized by, ​ The first step receives a reception signal outputted from a plurality of ultrasonic elements which receive an ultrasonic wave from an object irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, time-series; The second step calculates a characteristic quantity which represents a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object, from the reception signal; and The third step executes a given process using one or more parameters for reception signal processing on the reception signal and generates an image, and performs image processing on the image using one or more parameters for image processing, a value of one or more parameters among the parameters for reception signal processing and the parameters for image processing is decided based on the characteristic quantity, The signal processing method further has a transmission step, The transmission step generates a transmission signal based on the one or more parameters and outputs to the ultrasonic elements, the transmission signal is converted into an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic elements, and the ultrasonic wave is irradiated to the object, The characteristic quantity is stored in a characteristic quantity storage memory; The characteristic quantity of the previous time or before the previous time is read from the characteristic quantity storage memory, and a difference from the characteristic quantity calculated this time in the second step is calculated; And In a case where the difference is greater than a second threshold value decided in advance, a value of a parameter of the transmission step is selected from a parameter value decided in advance.

16. A signal processing method characterized by, Including: The first step receives a reception signal outputted from a plurality of ultrasonic elements which receive an ultrasonic wave from an object irradiated with the ultrasonic wave, time-series; The second step calculates a characteristic quantity which represents a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasonic wave accompanying propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object, from the reception signal; and The third step executes a given process using one or more parameters for reception signal processing on the reception signal and generates an image, and performs image processing on the image using one or more parameters for image processing, a value of one or more parameters among the parameters for reception signal processing and the parameters for image processing is decided based on the characteristic quantity, The second step obtains information of a frequency component which changes in a depth direction of the reception signal, and calculates the characteristic quantity based on the information, The second step has: A preprocessing step which divides the reception signal to set a plurality of depth intervals, and extracts reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals; A frequency analysis step which respectively performs frequency analysis on the reception signals of the plurality of depth intervals extracted in the preprocessing step; And A depth direction distribution calculation step which obtains a change in a depth direction of a characteristic represented by a frequency component of the reception signal of the plurality of depth intervals analyzed in the frequency analysis step, and outputs as a characteristic quantity, The second step has: A ROI decision step which sets a plurality of ROIs in a depth direction within a range of the image generated from the reception signal; and And a range calculation step of extracting the received signals of the scan lines used in the generation of the image within the ROIs in the second step, setting a depth interval for each of the depths corresponding to the depth range of the ROIs for the extracted received signals, the preprocessing step adds and averages the received signals of the depth intervals within the same ROIs after extracting the depth interval of the received signals set in the range calculation step, the frequency resolution step frequency-resolves the received signals after the addition and averaging, the depth direction distribution calculation step calculates a feature quantity of the ROIs based on the frequency resolution results of the received signals after the addition and averaging, the feature quantity is saved in a feature quantity saving memory, the feature quantity of the previous time or the time before the previous time is read from the feature quantity saving memory, and a difference from the feature quantity calculated this time in the second step is calculated, the ROI decision step changes the set region and / or size of the ROIs in the case where the difference is greater than a second threshold decided in advance.

Images