Ultrasonic image diagnosis apparatus and ultrasonic image display program

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus which juxtaposes a past image 2 and a present image 3. An image processing apparatus generates image data based on reflection wave signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. A past image storage apparatus stores the image data as the past image 2 and stores setting information 8 related to the transmission and reception conditions of the ultrasonic waves at the time of acquiring the past image 2 in association with the past image 2. A past image selection apparatus selects one past image 2 from the stored past images 2, and a setting information re-setting apparatus re-sets the setting information 8 associated with the selected past image 2. Then, the image processing apparatus generates image data which becomes the present image 3 based on reflection wave signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves under conditions based on the re-set setting information 8. With the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus of the present application, comparison and diagnosis of two images can be easily performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ultrasound image diagnostic device and an ultrasound image display program that use ultrasound to visualize the condition of a subject. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices are well-known as simple and safe diagnostic tools for imaging the condition within living tissue (subject). Ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices typically generate images based on signals received through the transmission and reception of ultrasound waves, and then display these images on a display device.

[0003] However, when using ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices to observe a affected area, it is often necessary to compare past images obtained from previous imaging with current images obtained from the current imaging for diagnosis. For example, in the case of a fracture in any of the limbs, past and current images are compared, and the diagnosis is based on the differences found in the comparison (previous observation). Therefore, in general ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices, there are various devices with dual (B / B) mode that display two images on the display screen (e.g., see Patent Documents 1 to 3, etc.).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4787570 ( Figure 2 wait) Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-105638 ( Figure 1 wait) Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-175219 ( Figure 2 wait)

[0005] However, in ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices, there are many settings related to the ultrasound transmission and reception conditions at the time of image acquisition, such as observation depth, receiving gain, dynamic range, and focal point. Therefore, if the settings from acquiring past images are not matched with those for acquiring current images, even simply comparing two images displayed in dual mode will not lead to accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, to ensure consistent observation at each measurement site using the same settings, most ultrasound imaging diagnostic devices have preset functions for registering various settings. However, if the number of settings is too large (e.g., 20 to 30), it becomes difficult to determine which settings to select, thus limiting the number of registerable settings. In such cases, it becomes challenging to handle comparisons under various conditions.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the aforementioned problems, and its object is to provide an ultrasound image diagnostic device and an ultrasound image display program that can easily compare and diagnose two images. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned problem, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device of technical solution 1 of the present invention includes a transmission and reception control device for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves from a subject. Based on the reflected wave signal obtained through the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, it visualizes the state within the subject, displaying past images obtained from past visualizations and current images obtained from the current visualization side-by-side on a display screen. The device is characterized by comprising: an image processing device for generating image data based on the reflected wave signal; and a storage device for storing the generated image data as the past image and storing setting information related to the ultrasonic transmission and reception conditions at the time of obtaining the past image in the storage device. The image processing device includes: a past image storage device that stores images in association with the storage device; a past image selection device that selects one of the past images from a plurality of past images stored in the storage device upon user instruction; an image display device that displays the selected past image on the display screen; and a setting information resetting device that calls the setting information associated with the selected past image and resetting the called setting information; and an image processing device that generates image data that becomes the current image based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves under the reset setting information.

[0008] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 1, when the past image selection device selects a past image from multiple past images based on a user's instruction, the image display device displays the selected past image on the display screen. Then, the setting information resetting device resets the setting information associated with the selected past image, and the image processing device, based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound under the reset setting information, can generate image data that becomes the current image. As a result, past images and current images can be displayed side-by-side on the display screen, thus allowing for easy diagnosis of the subject by comparing the past and current images to identify differences.

[0009] Technical solution 2 of the present invention is based on technical solution 1, wherein the past image storage device stores multiple sets of setting information, including observation depth, receiving gain, dynamic range, focus point, frequency, and transmission output, in association with the past image.

[0010] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 2, multiple setting information, including observation depth, receiving gain, dynamic range, focus point, frequency, and transmission output, is stored in association with past images. Thus, if a past image is selected, image data that becomes the current image can be generated based on the setting information associated with the past image, eliminating the need to match multiple setting information pieces one by one. Therefore, by identifying differences between past and current images, diagnosis of the subject is easily achieved.

[0011] Technical solution 3 of the present invention is based on technical solution 2, wherein the image display device displays, in the vicinity of the past image and the present image, a plurality of setting information including viewing depth, receiving gain, dynamic range, focus point, frequency and transmission output.

[0012] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 3, by displaying the plurality of setting information incidentally near the past image and the present image respectively, the user can easily confirm that the past image and the present image were generated based on the same setting information.

[0013] The present invention, technical solution 4, is based on any one of technical solutions 1 to 3, wherein the image processing device performs a process of colorizing each pixel of the current image and displaying it based on the brightness difference between the past image and the current image of each pixel.

[0014] Furthermore, even when past and present images generated based on the same settings are displayed side-by-side on a screen, it is not easy to intuitively capture the differences (changes) between the past and present images. Therefore, in the invention described in technical solution 4, the image processing device colors each pixel of the present image according to the brightness difference between the past and present images. Thus, by observing the colored pixels, the user can grasp the positional deviation between the present and past images. Moreover, by offsetting the present image, the past and present images can be more precisely aligned, minimizing the number of colored pixels. Furthermore, by observing the color scheme after alignment, specifically the remaining colored areas, the user can intuitively understand which areas have changed.

[0015] Technical solution 5 of the present invention is based on technical solution 4. The image processing device performs the following processing: when the brightness value of the current image is greater than the brightness value of the past image in a specified number of pixels, it performs the processing of coloring the specified pixels of the current image with a warm color scheme and then displaying them; when the brightness value of the current image is less than the brightness value of the past image in a specified number of pixels, it performs the processing of coloring the specified pixels of the current image with a cool color scheme and then displaying them.

[0016] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 5, by coloring pixels with increased brightness values ​​as warm-toned chromatic colors and pixels with decreased brightness values ​​as cool-toned chromatic colors, pixels in the current image whose brightness values ​​have changed from those in the past image can be made clearer. As a result, the chromatic pixels can be used as an aid in correcting positional shifts in the current image. Furthermore, the contrast between warm-toned and cool-toned chromatic colors can highlight chromatic pixels remaining after positional shift correction. Moreover, since pixels are colored with bright, warm-toned chromatic colors when brightness values ​​increase and with dark, cool-toned chromatic colors when brightness values ​​decrease, the magnitude of brightness values ​​can be intuitively grasped compared to the opposite situation.

[0017] Technical solution 6 of the present invention is based on technical solution 4, and technical solution 7 of the present invention is based on technical solution 5. The color includes red, green and blue components, and the image processing device processes at least one of the red, green and blue components in each pixel of the current image to change the brightness value to a value different from the brightness value of the other color components.

[0018] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 6 or 7, by changing the brightness value of at least one of the red, green, and blue components in each pixel of the current image to a different value, the tonal differences between each pixel can be highlighted. Thus, it is easier to know the positional offset between the current image and the past image, as well as the changes in the current image relative to the past image.

[0019] The present invention provides a method for displaying an ultrasonic image on a processor, comprising: an image processing step for generating image data based on reflected wave signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves over a subject; a past image storage step for storing the generated image data as a past image in a storage device and storing setting information related to the ultrasonic transmission and reception conditions at the time of obtaining the past image in association with the past image in the storage device; a past image selection step for selecting one of the past images from a plurality of past images stored in the storage device based on a user instruction; a past image display step for displaying the selected past image on a display screen; a current image processing step for generating the image data as a current image obtained by the current image based on the reflected wave signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves under the condition of resetting the setting information; and a current image display step for displaying the current image alongside the past image on the display screen.

[0020] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 8, in the past image selection step, if a past image is selected from multiple past images based on the user's instruction, the selected past image is displayed on the display screen in the past image display step. Then, in the setting information resetting step, the setting information associated with the selected past image is re-set, and in the current image processing step, image data that becomes the current image is generated based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound under the re-set setting information. Subsequently, in the current image display step, since the current image and past images are displayed side by side on the display screen, differences can be easily identified by comparing the past images and the current images, making it easy to diagnose the subject.

[0021] Technical solution 9 of the present invention is based on technical solution 8. After the current image display step, a coloring step is performed to color each pixel of the current image with color and then display it, based on the brightness difference between the past image and the current image of each pixel.

[0022] Therefore, according to the invention described in technical solution 9, in the coloring step after the current image display step, each pixel of the current image is colored and displayed based on the brightness difference between the past image and the current image for each pixel. Thus, by observing the colored pixels, the user can grasp the positional deviation between the current image and the past image. Furthermore, by offsetting the current image, the number of colored pixels can be minimized, thereby ensuring precise alignment between the past and current images. Moreover, by observing the color scheme after alignment, specifically by observing the remaining colored areas after alignment, the user can intuitively understand which areas have changed and how.

[0023] As described above, the invention according to technical solutions 1 to 9 enables easy comparison and diagnosis of two images. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a front view showing the ultrasonic image diagnostic device of this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a block diagram representing the electrical structure of an ultrasound imaging diagnostic device. Figure 3 This refers to a photograph where past and present images are displayed side-by-side. Figure 4 It is a photograph that indicates that the current image (the image of the observed object) is misaligned upwards relative to a past image (the image of the object to be compared). Figure 5A It is a photograph showing the current image (with color) before alignment. Figure 5B It is a photograph that represents the current image (with color) after alignment. Figure 6A It is a photograph showing the current image (with color) before alignment. Figure 6B It is a photograph that represents the current image (with color) after alignment. Figure 7A It is a photograph showing the current image (with color) before alignment. Figure 7B It is a photograph that represents the current image (with color) after alignment. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 11 includes an apparatus body 12 and an ultrasound probe 13 connected to the apparatus body 12. The ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 11 of this embodiment is, for example, an apparatus that images the condition within a living tissue 1 (subject) based on reflected wave signals obtained through the transmission and reception of ultrasound waves.

[0027] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the ultrasound imaging diagnostic device 11 displays a past image 2 (obtained by imaging an image from the past, for example, one month ago) and a current image 3 (obtained by imaging the same area as the past image 2 today) side-by-side on the display screen 10. Furthermore, the past image 2 and the current image 3 are cross-sectional images representing the cross-section of the living tissue 1. In this embodiment, the past image 2 is displayed on the left side of the display screen 10, and the current image 3 is displayed on the right side of the display screen 10. That is, the ultrasound imaging diagnostic device 11 has a dual (B / B) mode that displays two images 2 and 3 on the display screen 10.

[0028] Furthermore, near the past image 2 and the present image 3, setting information 8 related to the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception conditions at the time of acquiring images 2 and 3 is displayed. Additionally, near the past image 2 and the present image 3, setting information 8 related to image processing conditions and setting information 8 related to ultrasonic wave safety are also displayed. Specifically, in the upper part of the display area 4 located below the past image 2, the image softness (S) and image sharpness (E) are displayed as setting information 8; in the lower part of the display area 4, the frequency (F), transmission output (A), reception gain (G), dynamic range (D), and depth of view (R) are displayed as setting information 8. Furthermore, in the display area 5 located to the left of the past image 2, three focal points F1 are displayed as setting information 8. Similarly, on the upper part of the display area 6 located below the current image 3, softness (S) and sharpness (E) are displayed as setting information 8. On the lower part of the display area 6, frequency (F), transmit output (A), receive gain (G), dynamic range (D), and depth of view (R) are displayed as setting information 8. Additionally, in the display area 7 located to the right of the current image 3, three focus points F1 are displayed as setting information 8. Furthermore, in these setting information 8, frequency (F), transmit output (A), and receive gain (G) are setting information 8 related to the transmit and receive conditions. Additionally, softness (S), sharpness (E), dynamic range (D), depth of view (R), and focus point F1 are setting information 8 related to image processing conditions.

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the ultrasonic probe 13 has a signal cable 14, a probe head 15 connected to the front end of the signal cable 14, and a probe-side connector 16 connected to the base end of the signal cable 14. On the other hand, a body-side connector 17 is provided on the device body 12, and the probe-side connector 16 of the ultrasonic probe 13 is detachably connected to the body-side connector 17.

[0030] Furthermore, the probe head 15 of the ultrasonic probe 13 has multiple ultrasonic transducers arranged in a fan shape (not shown). When using the ultrasonic probe 13, the probe head 15 is brought into contact with the living tissue 1, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received in this state. The form of the ultrasonic probe 13 is not particularly limited, but this embodiment uses a transmission probe for performing transmissive electronic scanning, for example, transmitting 5MHz ultrasonic waves in a fan shape.

[0031] Next, the electrical structure of the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 11 will be described in detail.

[0032] like Figure 2As shown, the main body 12 of the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 11 includes a controller 21, a pulse generation circuit 22, a transmission control circuit 23, a transmission control circuit 24, an A / D conversion circuit 25, a signal processing circuit 26, an image processing circuit 27, a memory 28, a transmission data memory 29, a first DSC (Digital Scan Converter) expansion section 30, a transmission data display memory 31, an insertion section 32, and a display device 33, etc.

[0033] The controller 21 is a computer comprising a known central processing unit (CPU), which executes control programs using the memory 28 to uniformly control the entire device. Furthermore, the controller 21 transmits and receives ultrasound waves from the living tissue 1. In other words, the controller 21 functions as an "information transmission and reception control device."

[0034] The pulse generating circuit 22 operates in response to a control signal from the controller 21, generating and outputting a pulse signal with a predetermined period. The transmission control circuit 23 includes multiple delay circuits (not shown) corresponding to the number of ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic probe 13, and outputs drive pulses delayed according to the pulse signal output from the pulse generating circuit 22. The delay time of each drive pulse is set such that the ultrasonic waves output from the ultrasonic probe 13 reach the focal point at a predetermined irradiation point.

[0035] The transmission control circuit 24 comprises a signal amplification circuit (not shown), a delay circuit, and a phase-correcting adder circuit. In the transmission control circuit 24, the reflected wave signals (echo signals) received by each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 13 are amplified, and after adding a delay time that takes into account the receiving directionality to each reflected wave signal, they are phase-corrected and added together. This addition adjusts the phase difference between the reflected wave signals of each ultrasonic transducer.

[0036] The A / D conversion circuit 25 converts the analog signal (reflected wave signal) output from the transmitting control circuit 24 into a digital signal. Additionally, the signal processing circuit 26 comprises a logarithmic transformation circuit (not shown), an envelope detection circuit, and the like. The logarithmic transformation circuit in the signal processing circuit 26 performs a logarithmic transformation on the reflected wave signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 25, and the envelope detection circuit detects the envelope of the output signal from the logarithmic transformation circuit.

[0037] Image processing circuit 27 performs prescribed image processing on the reflected wave signal output from the envelope detection circuit of signal processing circuit 26. Furthermore, the image-processed reflected wave signal is stored in transmission data memory 29 by controller 21. Then, the first DSC unfolding unit 30 unfolds the reflected wave signal stored in transmission data memory 29 as a B-mode image. Additionally, the unfolded B-mode image is generated as brightness image data corresponding to the amplitude (signal intensity) of the reflected wave signal, and the generated image data is stored in transmission data display memory 31 as a current image 3 representing a cross-section of the living tissue 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the controller 21 stores multiple setting information 8 related to the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception conditions when acquiring the past image 2 and the current image 3, and multiple setting information 8 related to image processing conditions, in the transmission data memory 29 in association with the current image 3. Then, the setting information 8 stored in the transmission data memory 29 is transmitted (stored) to the transmission data display memory 31 via the first DSC unfolding unit 30. In addition, the setting information 8 in this embodiment includes softness (S), sharpness (E), frequency (F), transmission output (A), reception gain (G), dynamic range (D), depth of view (R), and focus point F1.

[0039] Then, based on the image data stored in the transmit data display memory 31, the controller 21 displays the current image 3 in black and white (achromatic) tones on the right side of the display screen 10 of the display device 33. That is, in this embodiment, the current image 3 displayed is a monochrome image (monochrome image). In addition, the controller 21 also displays a plurality of setting information 8 stored in the transmit data display memory 31 in the display areas 6, 7 near the current image 3.

[0040] In addition, such as Figure 2As shown, the main body 12 of the device includes an image data storage memory 41, a second DSC unfolding unit 42, and an image display memory 43 (storage device). In the image data storage memory 41, the controller 21 transmits (stores) the reflected wave signal and setting information 8 stored in the transmission data storage memory 29. Then, the second DSC unfolding unit 42 unfolds the reflected wave signal stored in the image data storage memory 41 as a B-mode image. Furthermore, the unfolded B-mode image is generated as image data with brightness corresponding to the amplitude (signal intensity) of the reflected wave signal, and the generated image data is stored in the image display memory 43 as a past image 2 (stored image) representing a cross-section of the living tissue 1. That is, the controller 21 functions as a "past image storage device." Additionally, the setting information 8 stored in the image data storage memory 41 is transmitted (stored) to the image display memory 43 via the second DSC unfolding unit 42.

[0041] Subsequently, the controller 21 displays the past image 2 in black and white (achromatic) tones on the left side of the display screen 10 of the display device 33, based on the image data stored in the image display memory 43. That is, in this embodiment, the past image 2 displayed is a monochrome image (monochrome image). In addition, the controller 21 incidentally displays multiple setting information 8 stored in the image display memory 43 in the display areas 4 and 5 near the past image 2.

[0042] Additionally, the controller 21 activates the insertion unit 32, detecting the brightness values ​​of each pixel in the past image 2 and the current image 3 based on the image data of the past image 2 stored in the image display storage 43 and the image data of the current image 3 stored in the data transmission display storage 31. Then, the controller 21 calculates the difference between the brightness values ​​of the past image 2 and the current image 3 for each pixel, and uses the calculated difference as the brightness difference.

[0043] Furthermore, the controller 21, acting as an image processing device, performs a process of coloring each pixel of the current image 3 with a different color (chromatic color) based on the degree (magnitude) of the brightness difference. Specifically, when the brightness value of the current image 3 is greater than that of the past image 2, the controller 21 performs a process of coloring the specified pixels of the current image 3 with a warm-toned chromatic color before displaying them. Conversely, when the brightness value of the current image 3 is less than that of the past image 2, the controller 21 performs a process of coloring the specified pixels of the current image 3 with a cool-toned chromatic color before displaying them. The chromatic color includes a red component (R), a green component (G), and a blue component (B).

[0044] Furthermore, the controller 21 performs the following processing: in each pixel of the current image 3, the brightness value of at least one of the red component (R), green component (G), and blue component (B) is changed to a value different from the brightness values ​​of the other color components. In this embodiment, the red component (R) of the specified pixel in the current image 3 is assigned a brightness value after adding (subtracting) α% of the brightness difference to the brightness value of the current image 3. Additionally, the green component (G) of the specified pixel in the current image 3 is assigned β% of the brightness value of the current image 3 and (100-β)% of the brightness value of the past image 2. Furthermore, the blue component (B) of the specified pixel in the current image 3 is assigned γ% of the brightness value of the current image 3 and (100-γ)% of the brightness value of the past image 2. In this way, various color transformations can be performed by setting the parameters α, β, and γ.

[0045] For example, such as Figure 5A , Figure 5B As shown, with α = 100%, β = 100%, and γ = 100%, the red component (R) is assigned a value equal to the brightness value of the current image 3 plus the brightness difference, while the green component (G) and blue component (B) are equally assigned the brightness values ​​of the current image 3. As a result, pixels with increased reflectance (brightness value) are colored warm (specifically red), and pixels with decreased reflectance (brightness value) are colored cool (specifically green), thus pixels whose brightness values ​​have changed between the current image 3 and the past image 2 are sharpened. However, since only the brightness values ​​of the current image 3 are assigned to the green component (G) and the blue component (B), and the brightness values ​​of the past image 2 are not reflected, it is difficult to see the positional shift between the current image 3 and the past image 2, making alignment difficult.

[0046] Therefore, as Figure 6A , Figure 6B As shown, it is preferable to set α = 100%, β = 100%, and γ = 0 (%). The red component (R) is assigned the value calculated by adding the brightness difference to the brightness value of the current image 3, the green component (G) is assigned the brightness value of the current image 3, and the blue component (B) is assigned the brightness value of the past image 2. In this way, since the positional shift between the current image 3 and the past image 2 is easily visible, positional alignment becomes easier. Furthermore, in this case, since pixels with increased reflectance intensity (brightness value) are colored warm (specifically yellow), and pixels with decreased reflectance intensity (brightness value) are colored cool (specifically blue), pixels whose brightness values ​​have changed between the current image 3 and the past image 2 are sharpened.

[0047] In addition, such as Figure 7A , Figure 7BAs shown, α = -100%, β = 0%, and γ = 100%. In this case, the value obtained by subtracting the brightness value of the current image 3 from the brightness difference is assigned to the red component (R), the brightness value of the past image 2 is assigned to the green component (G), and the brightness value of the current image 3 is assigned to the blue component (B). As a result, pixels with increased reflectance (brightness value) are colored as cool colors (specifically blue), and pixels with decreased reflectance (brightness value) are colored as warm colors (specifically yellow). However, since the green component (G) has higher visual recognition than the blue component (B), ... Figure 6A As shown in Figure B, it is preferable to assign the brightness value of the current image 3 to the green component (G). Furthermore, Figures 5 to 7 of this embodiment are black and white images, but are actually images in which at least a portion of the pixels are colored.

[0048] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the display device 33 is, for example, a color display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display, a plasma display, a CRT display, or a projection display, used to display the past image 2 and the present image 3 (see reference). Figure 3 )wait.

[0049] In addition, the main body 12 of the device includes an input device 51 and a storage device 52. The input device 51 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a switch, or various indicator devices, and is used for inputting instructions from the user. Examples of indicator devices include touchpads, touch panels, mice, handwriting tablets, trackballs, and joysticks.

[0050] Storage device 52, such as a disk drive, optical disk drive, or semiconductor storage device, stores control programs (ultrasonic image display programs) and various data. Controller 21, according to instructions from input device 51, transfers programs and data from storage device 52 to memory 28, and executes the programs and data sequentially. Furthermore, the programs executed by controller 21 can be programs stored on storage media such as floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, BDs, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, flash memory, SD cards, or other semiconductor storage media, or programs downloaded via communication media. Such programs are installed in storage device 52 before execution.

[0051] Next, the diagnostic processing performed by the controller 21, which is the processor, in the ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0052] First, after applying an acoustic medium (sterile gel or sterile gel) to the surface of the living tissue 1, which becomes the patient's treatment area, the user, such as a doctor, brings the probe head 15 of the ultrasound probe 13 into contact with it through the acoustic medium.

[0053] Next, the user operates the scan start button (not shown) set on the input device 51. Then, the controller 21, which is an image processing device, determines the button operation and begins processing to display the past image 2 and the current image 3 of the living tissue 1.

[0054] In this process, the controller 21 activates the pulse generation circuit 22 to initiate the transmission and reception of ultrasound waves by the ultrasonic probe 13. Specifically, in response to a control signal output from the controller 21, the pulse generation circuit 22 activates to provide a pulse signal with a predetermined period to the transmission control circuit 23. Then, in the transmission control circuit 23, a drive pulse with a delay time corresponding to each ultrasonic transducer is generated based on the pulse signal and provided to the ultrasonic probe 13. As a result, each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe 13 vibrates, and the ultrasound waves irradiate the living tissue 1.

[0055] Additionally, a portion of the ultrasound waves propagating within the living tissue 1 is reflected by the tissue boundary surface (e.g., blood vessel wall) of the living tissue 1 and received by the ultrasound probe 13. At this time, the reflected waves are converted into electrical signals (reflected wave signals) by the ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound probe 13. Then, after being amplified by the transmission control circuit 24, the reflected wave signal is input to the A / D conversion circuit 25. Furthermore, after the A / D conversion circuit 25 converts the reflected wave signal into a digital signal, it provides the reflected wave signal to the signal processing circuit 26. After performing signal processing such as logarithmic conversion and envelope detection in the signal processing circuit 26, the reflected wave signal is provided to the image processing circuit 27.

[0056] Next, the controller 21 performs an image processing step, generating image data based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves from the living tissue 1. Specifically, the controller 21 activates the image processing circuit 27 to perform prescribed image processing on the reflected wave signal output from the signal processing circuit 26. Then, the controller 21 stores the image-processed reflected wave signal in the transmission data memory 29. Furthermore, the reflected wave signal stored in the transmission data memory 29 is expanded as a B-mode image by the first DSC expansion unit 30. The expanded B-mode image is generated as brightness image data corresponding to the amplitude of the reflected wave signal, and the generated image data is stored as the current image 3 in the transmission data display memory 31.

[0057] In addition, the controller 21 stores multiple setting information 8 (see reference) related to the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception conditions when acquiring past image 2 and current image 3. Figure 3 The current image 3 is stored in the transmission data memory 29. In addition, the setting information 8 stored in the transmission data memory 29 is transmitted (stored) to the transmission data display memory 31 via the first DSC expansion unit 30.

[0058] Furthermore, the controller 21 transmits (stores) the reflected wave signal and setting information 8 stored in the transmission data memory 29 to the image data storage memory 41. Additionally, the reflected wave signal stored in the image data storage memory 41 is expanded as a B-mode image by the second DSC expansion unit 42, and the expanded B-mode image is generated as image data with brightness corresponding to the amplitude of the reflected wave signal.

[0059] In the subsequent past image storage step, the controller 21 stores the generated image data as past image 2 (saved image) in the saved image display memory 43. At the same time, the controller 21 transmits the setting information 8 stored in the saved image data memory 41 to the saved image display memory 43 via the second DSC unfolding unit 42, and stores it in the saved image display memory 43 in association with the past image 2.

[0060] In the subsequent past image selection step, the controller 21 selects a past image 2 from a plurality of past images 2 (image data) stored in the image display memory 43, based on the user's instruction (user's operation on the input device 51). That is, the controller 21 functions as a "past image selection device". In addition, in dual mode, the user selects the past image 2 as the comparison object image for comparison with the current image 3.

[0061] In the subsequent past image display step, the controller 21 displays the past image 2 in varying shades of black and white on the left side of the display screen 10 of the display device 33, based on the image data selected from the image display memory 43. That is, the controller 21 functions as an "image display device". Additionally, the controller 21 incidentally displays multiple settings information 8 stored in the image display memory 43 in display areas 4 and 5 near the past image 2.

[0062] In the subsequent setting information resetting step, the controller 21 retrieves the setting information 8 associated with the selected past image 2 from the image display memory 43 and re-sets (stores) the retrieved setting information 8 to the transmission data memory 29. That is, the controller 21 functions as a "setting information resetting device". Additionally, at this time, the right side of the display screen 10 (the current display position of image 3) is in a scanning state with the same settings (preset function) as the past image 2. That is, the ultrasound image diagnostic device 11 of this embodiment has a reference function. Furthermore, the setting information 8 stored in the transmission data memory 29 is transmitted (stored) to the transmission data display memory 31 via the first DSC unfolding unit 30.

[0063] In the next current image processing step, the controller 21 generates image data for the current image 3 obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves based on the reflected wave signal obtained under the re-set setting information 8. Specifically, the controller 21 stores the reflected wave signal in the transmission data memory 29. In addition, the reflected wave signal stored in the transmission data memory 29 is expanded as a B-mode image by the first DSC expansion unit 30, and the expanded B-mode image is generated as image data of brightness corresponding to the amplitude of the reflected wave signal. The generated image data is stored as the current image 3 in the transmission data display memory 31.

[0064] In the subsequent current image display step, controller 21 displays the current image 3 alongside the past image 2 on the display screen 10 of display device 33. Specifically, controller 21 displays the current image 3 in varying shades of black and white on the right side of the display screen 10 of display device 33, based on image data selected from the transmitted data display memory 31. As a result, as... Figure 3 As shown, with the past image 2 positioned on the left and the current image 3 positioned on the right, the past image 2 and the current image 3 are displayed on the display screen 10. Furthermore, the controller 21 incidentally displays the setting information 8 stored in the transmit data display memory 31 in the display areas 6 and 7 near the current image 3.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, image data that becomes the current image 3 is generated based on setting information 8 associated with the selected past image 2, but the setting information 8 does not include the position information of the past image 2. Therefore, in most cases, a positional offset will occur between the past image 2 and the current image 3. Figure 4 This shows the current state where image 3 (the image of the observed object) is misaligned upwards relative to the past image 2 (the image of the comparison object).

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the positional deviation is corrected as follows. Specifically, in the coloring step after the current image display step, the controller 21 performs a process of coloring each pixel of the current image 3 with colored pixels based on the brightness difference between the past image 2 and the current image 3 (see Figures 5 to 7). In detail, the controller 21 activates the insertion unit 32, calculates the difference between the brightness value of the past image 2 and the brightness value of the current image 3 for each pixel based on the image data of the past image 2 stored in the image display storage 43 and the image data of the current image 3 stored in the data transmission display storage 31, and uses the calculated difference as the brightness difference. Then, the controller 21 performs a process of coloring each pixel of the current image 3 with colored pixels (warm and cool colors) and displaying them based on the degree (magnitude) of the brightness difference. Through the display of these colored pixels, the user can know the positional deviation between the current image 3 and the past image 2.

[0067] Furthermore, the current image 3 can be moved up, down, left, right, or rotated by the user's operation of the ultrasound probe 13. Specifically, by moving the ultrasound probe 13 in a planar direction or changing the angle of the ultrasound probe 13, the current image 3 is moved / rotated. As a result, if the positional offset between the current image 3 and the past image 2 becomes smaller, the brightness difference becomes smaller. At this time, the pixels with smaller brightness differences lose their color and become black and white (achromatic) pixels. In addition, at this time, among the pixels of the current image 3, for example, as the tumor healing progresses, only pixels whose brightness values ​​have changed from those of the past image 2 are colored and displayed in color. Furthermore, by observing these colored portions, the user can observe the process.

[0068] Then, the user operates the scan end button (not shown) set on the input device 51. The controller 21 determines the button operation and ends the processing for displaying the past image 2 and the current image 3 of the living tissue 1. In addition, the current image 3 seen this time is stored in the saved image display memory 43 as the subsequent past image 2. At the same time, the setting information 8 stored in the transmit data display memory 31 is stored in the saved image display memory 43 in association with the current image 3 seen this time.

[0069] Therefore, the following effects can be obtained according to this embodiment.

[0070] (1) In the ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus 11 of this embodiment, when the controller 21 selects a past image 2 from a plurality of past images 2 based on the user's instruction, the selected past image 2 is displayed on the display screen 10. Then, the controller 21 resets the setting information 8 associated with the selected past image 2, and based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound under the reset setting information 8, image data that becomes the current image 3 can be generated. As a result, the past image 2 and the current image 3 can be displayed side by side on the display screen 10, so by comparing the past image 2 and the current image 3, differences can be found, and diagnosis (process observation) of the living tissue 1 (affected area) can be easily performed. In addition, in this embodiment, the past image 2 obtained in the past is selected as the comparison object image, and the current image 3 is obtained according to the setting information 8 associated with the selected past image 2. Therefore, compared with the case of using the past preset function with a limited number of registerable setting information, the comparison of images 2 and 3 can be performed in a variety of scenarios.

[0071] (2) In this embodiment, when the user selects the past image 2 that they want to compare in the dual mode, the selected past image 2 is displayed on the left side, and the right side of the display screen 10 becomes the scanning state of scanning the current image 3 based on the same setting information 8 as the past image 2. In this case, since it is not necessary to match multiple setting information 8 one by one, the difference can be found by comparing the current image 3 side and the past image 2 side, thereby making it easy to diagnose the living tissue 1 (affected area).

[0072] (3) In this embodiment, even if the past image 2 and the current image 3 generated based on the same setting information 8 are displayed side by side on the display screen 10, it is not easy to intuitively capture the differences (changes) between the past image 2 and the current image 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the controller 21 colors (modulates) each pixel of the current image 3 with color according to the brightness difference between the past image 2 and the current image 3 for display. As a result, the user can grasp the positional offset between the current image 3 and the past image 2 by observing the colored pixels. Then, by offsetting the current image 3, the number of colored pixels can be minimized, thereby closely aligning the past image 2 and the current image 3. Furthermore, by observing the color matching state after alignment, specifically by observing the remaining colored parts after alignment, the user can intuitively grasp which part has changed. Moreover, in this embodiment, the color (colored) of the pixel implies the degree of brightness difference, so the user can intuitively grasp the degree of brightness difference simply by observing the color of the pixel. For example, in a colored environment where pixels are colored brightly (warmly) by increasing the brightness value, it is easier to intuitively grasp that the brightness value is larger compared to a colored environment where pixels are colored darkly (coolly) by decreasing the brightness value.

[0073] (4) In this embodiment, each pixel of the current image 3 is colored (warm or cool) based on the brightness difference between the past image 2 and the current image 3. In this case, the color of the colored pixel is very different from the surrounding colors (white, black, etc., achromatic). Therefore, it is easy to visually identify the colored pixels.

[0074] Alternatively, the above implementation method can be modified as follows.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the setting information 8 related to the transmission and reception conditions of ultrasound includes image softness (S), image sharpness (E), frequency (F), transmission output (A), reception gain (G), dynamic range (D), depth of view (R), and focus point F1. However, at least one of the multiple setting information 8 may be omitted.

[0076] In the ultrasound image diagnostic device 11 described above, the past image 2 is displayed on the left side of the display screen 10, and the current image 3 is displayed on the right side of the display screen 10. However, the ultrasound image diagnostic device 11 may also display the current image 3 on the left side of the display screen 10 and the past image 2 on the right side of the display screen 10.

[0077] In the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 11 described above, the past image 2 and the current image 3 are displayed side-by-side on the display screen 10. However, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 11 may also display the past image 2 and the current image 3 vertically on the display screen 10. In this case, the past image 2 may be displayed at the top of the display screen 10 and the current image 3 at the bottom, or the past image 2 may be displayed at the bottom of the display screen 10 and the current image 3 at the top.

[0078] In the above embodiments, when displaying the specified pixels of the current image 3 in color, the past image 2 and the current image 3 can be displayed side by side on the display screen 10 (2-screen display), or only the current image 3 can be displayed on the display screen 10 (1-screen display).

[0079] In the above embodiment, based on the brightness difference between the past image 2 and the present image 3 for each pixel, the process of coloring each pixel of the present image 3 and then displaying it was performed. However, the process of coloring each pixel of the "past image 2" and then displaying it could also be performed.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the user operates the ultrasonic probe 13 to move and rotate the current image 3, thereby aligning the past image 2 and the current image 3. However, the alignment can also be achieved by the user operating the input device 51 or the like to move and rotate the past image 2, or by the user operating the input device 51 or the like to move and rotate both the past image 2 and the current image 3.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device 11 may also include a notification device that notifies the positional shift of the past image 2 and the current image 3 when the brightness difference between the past image 2 and the current image 3 of each pixel exceeds a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, examples of notification devices include light-emitting devices such as lamps that notify of brightness differences exceeding a threshold by emitting light (lighting up, flashing, etc.), sound output devices such as alarms that notify of brightness differences exceeding a threshold by sound (warning tone, etc.), and display devices such as liquid crystal displays that notify of brightness differences exceeding a threshold by displaying (text, symbols, pictures, etc.).

[0082] The ultrasound imaging diagnostic device 11 described above is used for observing the healing process of living tissue 1 (affected area), but it can also be used in other medical fields, such as pregnancy examinations or observation of the condition of malignant neoplasms. Furthermore, the ultrasound imaging diagnostic device 11 can also be used in the health field, such as observing the growth or training process. Moreover, the ultrasound imaging diagnostic device 11 can also be used in the animal field, such as observing the fattening process of animals in livestock farms. That is, living tissue from animals other than humans can be used as the subject of examination, as can living tissue from livestock such as cattle, horses, and pigs.

[0083] The ultrasound image diagnostic device 11 described above can, for example, observe the same area on both sides in the case of any fracture in the limbs, displaying the images of the healthy side (the unfractured side) and the affected side (the fractured side) side-by-side on the display screen 10. Furthermore, the image of the healthy side is treated as a past image obtained through past image processing, while the image of the affected side is treated as a present image obtained through current image processing. Additionally, the controller 21 (image display device) preferably performs further image processing to reverse the left-right orientation of the image of the healthy side. In this way, since the images of the healthy side and the affected side are displayed in the same direction, the user can still confirm the cross-sectional structure of the examined body without any sense of incongruity after the image reversal.

[0084] In addition to the technical ideas described in the claims, the following are examples of technical ideas and solutions grasped by the above embodiments.

[0085] (1) The ultrasonic image diagnostic device of any of the above technical solutions of the present invention further includes a reporting device, which reports the positional deviation between the past image and the present image when the brightness difference between the past image and the present image of each pixel exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0086] (2) In any of the above technical solutions of the present invention, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device performs the processing of displaying the past image and the present image side by side.

[0087] (3) In any of the above technical solutions of the present invention, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device further has the function of displaying the past image and the present image side by side, performing processing to display the present image without reversing the left and right sides, and performing image processing to display the past image by reversing the left and right sides.

[0088] (4) In any of the above technical solutions of the present invention, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device is a living tissue.

[0089] (5) In any of the above technical solutions of the present invention, the ultrasonic image diagnostic device further includes the storage of past image information related to image processing conditions in the storage device. Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0090] 1…living tissue as the subject of examination 2…Past Images 3…Now Image 8…Settings Information 10… Display screen 11…Ultrasound imaging diagnostic device 21…A controller that serves as an information transmission and reception control device, an image processing device, a past image storage device, a past image selection device, an image display device, a setting information resetting device, and a processor. 43…Image display memory as a storage device F1…Focus

Claims

1. An ultrasonic image diagnostic device, comprising a transmission and reception control device, wherein the transmission and reception control device transmits and receives ultrasonic waves for a subject, and based on the reflected wave signals obtained through the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, images the condition within the subject are generated, and past images obtained from past generation and current images obtained from current generation are displayed side-by-side on a display screen, characterized in that, The ultrasound imaging diagnostic device includes: An image processing device that generates image data based on the reflected wave signal; A past image storage device that stores the generated image data as the past image in the storage device, and stores setting information related to the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception conditions at the time of obtaining the past image in the storage device in association with the past image; A past image selection device that, upon user instruction, selects one past image from a plurality of past images stored in the storage device; An image display device that displays the selected past image on the display screen; The setting information resetting device recalls the setting information associated with the selected past image and then resets the recalled setting information. The image processing device is capable of generating image data that becomes the current image based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves under the condition of the re-set setting information. The image processing device also performs color display processing: based on the brightness difference between the past image and the current image for each pixel, it performs color color display on each pixel of the current image; The color includes red, green and blue components. In the color display process, the brightness value of the red component, which belongs to the warm color component, is adjusted using a different value than that of the green and blue components, which belong to the two types of cool color components. When the pixel brightness value of the current image is greater than that of the past image, it is colored with warm colors; when the pixel brightness value of the current image is less than that of the past image, it is colored with cool colors, thereby displaying the positional offset between the past image and the current image. By moving the past image or the present image to reduce the colored areas, alignment between the past image and the present image can be achieved.

2. The ultrasonic image diagnostic device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The past image storage device stores multiple sets of settings, including viewing depth, receiving gain, dynamic range, focus point, frequency, and transmission output, in association with the past image.

3. The ultrasonic image diagnostic device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The image display device incidentally displays, in the vicinity of the past image and the present image, multiple settings including viewing depth, receiving gain, dynamic range, focus point, frequency, and transmission output.

4. An ultrasonic image display program, characterized in that, It is an ultrasonic image display program on the processor that enables the following steps to be executed, which includes: Image processing steps based on generating image data from reflected wave signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves from a subject; and The past image storage step involves storing the generated image data as a past image in a storage device and storing setting information related to the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception conditions at the time of obtaining the past image in the storage device in association with the past image; and A past image selection step that selects one past image from a plurality of past images stored in the storage device, based on a user instruction; and the past image display step of displaying the selected past image on the display screen; and The process involves retrieving the setting information associated with the selected past image, then resetting the retrieved setting information; and... A current image processing step, based on the reflected wave signal obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves under the condition of resetting the setting information, generates the image data that becomes the current image obtained in this imageization; and The current image display step, which displays the current image alongside the past image on the display screen; and Following the current image display step, a coloring step is performed to color each pixel of the current image based on the brightness difference between the past image and the current image for display. In the coloring step, to enable the past image and the present image to be aligned by moving the image to reduce the operation of the coloring parts, the following processing is performed on each pixel of the present image: among the red, green, and blue components included in the chromatic color, the brightness value of the red component, which belongs to the warm color component, is changed to a value different from that of the green and blue components, which belong to the cool color component. Thus, when the pixel brightness value of the present image is greater than the pixel brightness value of the past image, it is displayed as a warm color; when the pixel brightness value of the present image is less than the pixel brightness value of the past image, it is displayed as a cool color, thereby presenting the positional offset state between the past image and the present image.

Images