Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an ultrasound diagnostic device capable of adaptively outputting support information on the basis of a target cross-section and a cross-section type of a formed ultrasound tomographic image. In the support information database (32), annotations that are different support information are associated with a plurality of matching rates that are different from each other. A target cross-section specifying unit (36) specifies a target cross-section, which is a cross-section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed by a subject. A coincidence rate calculation unit (38) calculates a coincidence rate between a target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed by transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject, and the target cross-section specified by the target cross-section specification unit (36). The output unit (20) outputs, on the basis of the support information database (32), support information of content corresponding to the coincidence rate between the cross-section type of the target image calculated by the coincidence rate calculation unit (38) and the target cross-section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses an improvement in an ultrasonic diagnostic device. Background Art

[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that forms an ultrasonic image or performs various tests based on reflected waves from a subject obtained by irradiating the subject with ultrasonic waves. Conventionally, some ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses have a function for supporting an examiner (user) such as a doctor or a technician.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic device that stores a series of inspection processes and inspection procedures that set inspection execution conditions for each inspection process. If the inspector selects a certain inspection procedure, the execution conditions will be automatically set for each inspection process. If the required inspection is completed in a certain inspection process, it will automatically switch to the next inspection process.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-127808

[0005] In an inspection (including measurement) using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it is sometimes necessary to form an ultrasonic tomographic image of an appropriate cross section depending on the purpose. In this specification, the appropriate cross section corresponding to the inspection is referred to as a target cross section. The target cross section is defined in information such as the inspection procedure disclosed in Patent Document 1, or is input into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by the inspector. In order to accurately form an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross section, it is necessary to make the ultrasonic probe contact the subject at an accurate position in an accurate direction and to accurately set the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In this specification, the method of contacting the subject with the ultrasonic probe and the settings of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus are collectively referred to as the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (performed by the inspector).

[0006] Here, in order to support the formation of an ultrasonic tomographic image of a target cross section, it is conceivable to provide the inspector with support information related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. As a simple method, it is conceivable to provide the inspector with uniform support information corresponding to the target cross section. However, it is sometimes inappropriate to provide the inspector with uniform support information. For example, multiple inspectors who want to form an ultrasonic image of the same target cross section may form ultrasonic images of different cross-sectional categories depending on their operating proficiency. For example, an inspector with relatively high operating proficiency, although at a level requiring support, can form an ultrasonic image of a cross-sectional category close to the target cross section. On the other hand, an inspector with relatively low operating proficiency may sometimes form an ultrasonic image of a cross section that is far from the target cross section. In this case, it is inappropriate to provide the same support information to both. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in the present specification is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of adaptively outputting support information according to the cross-section type and target cross-section of a formed ultrasonic tomographic image.

[0008] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in the present specification is characterized in that it comprises: a target section determination unit for determining a target section as a section category of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed; a consistency rate calculation unit for calculating a consistency rate between the section category of the object image and the target section by performing section recognition processing on an object image as an ultrasonic tomographic image formed according to an instruction of an examiner; and an output unit for establishing a support information database associated with each of the consistency rates based on support information related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to output support information corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit, wherein the support information is used to support the formation of the target section as a section category of the ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed by the examiner.

[0009] Preferably, in the support information database, the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the display method of the object image, and the output unit outputs support information corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and the display method of the object image.

[0010] Preferably, in the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate and a measurement content using the object image, and the output unit outputs support information corresponding to the consistency rate and the measurement content calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit.

[0011] Preferably, in the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate and the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic device, and the output unit outputs support information corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic device.

[0012] Preferably, in the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate and an attribute of the subject, and the output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and the attribute of the subject.

[0013] Preferably, in the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate, the first section category, and the second section category other than the first section category, and the output unit outputs support information corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit, the section category of the object image as the first section category, and the target section as the second section category.

[0014] Preferably, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further comprises a support information editing unit configured to edit the support information in accordance with an instruction from a user of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0015] Preferably, the consistency rate calculation unit recalculates the consistency rate associated with the same target section after outputting the support information, and when the consistency rate after outputting the support information becomes higher than the consistency rate before outputting the support information, a priority flag is marked on the support information in the support information database, and when a plurality of support information are associated with the consistency rate in the support information database, the output unit outputs the support information marked with the priority flag in preference to the support information not marked with the priority flag.

[0016] Preferably, the consistency rate calculation unit calculates the consistency rate for each inspection process and stores it in a memory during an inspection along a plurality of inspection processes in which ultrasonic tomographic images of the target cross-sections that are different from each other are formed in each inspection process, and the output unit outputs the consistency rate calculated for the inspection process that has been inspected during the inspection along the plurality of inspection processes.

[0017] Preferably, the output unit outputs an inspection report including item values ​​for a plurality of items for each of the plurality of inspection steps after a plurality of inspection steps for forming ultrasonic tomographic images of the target cross-sections that are different from each other are completed in the inspection step, the plurality of items including the consistency rate and the support information output when an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross-section related to the inspection step is to be formed, and in the inspection report, for each of the target cross-sections, information of the item corresponding to the consistency rate corresponding to the target cross-section is associated with an establishment of an association.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in this specification, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of adaptively outputting support information according to the cross-section type and target cross-section of a formed ultrasonic tomographic image. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the content of the support information DB.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a first example of a reference image serving as support information.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a second example of a reference image serving as support information.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a figure which shows an example of the support information display screen.

[0025] Figure 6 It is a figure which shows an example of an inspection report.

[0026] Explanation of symbols

[0027] 10-ultrasonic diagnostic device, 12-ultrasonic probe, 14-transceiver, 16-signal processing unit, 18-image forming unit, 20-output unit, 22-display, 24-input interface, 26-control unit, 28-memory, 30-learning model, 32-support information DB, 34-support information editing unit, 36-target section determination unit, 38-consistency calculation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is a medical apparatus installed in a medical institution such as a hospital and used when performing an ultrasonic examination.

[0029] The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is a device that scans an ultrasonic beam on a subject and generates an ultrasonic image based on the received signal obtained thereby. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 has a plurality of operation modes, such as B mode, M mode, PW (Pulse Wave) Doppler mode, CW (Continuous Wave) Doppler mode, or color Doppler mode. For example, in B mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 forms an ultrasonic tomographic image (B-mode image) by converting the amplitude intensity of the reflected wave from the scanning surface into brightness based on the received signal. And, for example, in PW Doppler mode, CW Doppler mode, or color Doppler mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 forms a Doppler image representing the movement speed of a part of the subject or the speed of blood flow based on the difference in frequency between the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the received ultrasonic wave. In the Doppler image, the movement speed of a part of the subject or the speed of blood flow is represented by color or the like, and is displayed superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image. The operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 can be set according to the instructions of the examiner.

[0030] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can provide the examiner with support information related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. The support information is used to support the formation of a target cross section as a cross section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed by the examiner. The details will be described later. For example, when a beginner who is not familiar with the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 operates the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can play a function of providing support information.

[0031] The ultrasonic probe 12 is a device that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to a subject. The ultrasonic probe 12 has a transducer element array composed of a plurality of transducer elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to a subject.

[0032] The transceiver 14 transmits a transmission signal to the ultrasonic probe 12 (more specifically, each vibrating element of the vibrating element array) according to the control from the control unit 26 (described later). As a result, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from each vibrating element toward the subject. In addition, the transceiver 14 receives a reception signal from each vibrating element that receives a reflected wave from the subject. The transceiver 14 has an adder and a plurality of delays corresponding to each vibrating element, and a phase-aligning addition process is performed by aligning the phases of the reception signals from each vibrating element and adding them together through the adder and the plurality of delays. As a result, a reception beam signal is formed in which information representing the signal strength of the reflected wave from the subject is arranged along the depth direction of the subject.

[0033] The signal processing unit 16 performs various signal processing including filtering processing using a bandpass filter or detection processing on the reception beam signal from the transceiver 14. Furthermore, when the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is the Doppler mode, the signal processing unit 16 generates Doppler data indicating the site of the subject or the velocity of the blood flow based on the reception beam signal from the transceiver 14. Specifically, the signal processing unit 16 generates Doppler data by multiplying the reference frequency (transmission frequency) by the reception beam signal, performing quadrature detection to extract the Doppler frequency shift through a low-pass filter, performing sample gate processing to extract only the signal at the location of the sample volume (in the case of the PW Doppler mode), performing A / D conversion of the signal, and performing frequency analysis based on the fast Fourier transform method (FFT method).

[0034] The image forming unit 18 forms an ultrasonic tomographic image (B-mode image) based on the received beam signal processed by the signal processing unit 16. First, the image forming unit 18 converts the received beam signal into data on the coordinate space of the ultrasonic image, and forms an ultrasonic tomographic image based on the coordinate conversion signal. Furthermore, when the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is the Doppler mode, the image forming unit 18 forms a Doppler waveform or a color Doppler image based on the Doppler signal from the signal processing unit 16.

[0035] The output unit 20 controls the display 22 to display an ultrasonic image such as an ultrasonic tomographic image or a color Doppler image formed by the image forming unit 18. The display 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display.

[0036] The output unit 20 can display an ultrasonic image (ultrasonic tomographic image or Doppler image, etc.) on the display 22 in either real-time or frozen display mode. The display mode of the ultrasonic image can be switched according to the instructions of the examiner. When the display mode is real-time, the output unit 20 displays the ultrasonic image formed in succession by the signal processing unit 16 and the image forming unit 18 based on the received signals continuously received by the ultrasonic probe 12 in real time on the display 22. On the other hand, when the display mode is frozen, the output unit 20 displays the ultrasonic image formed at the time corresponding to the instructions of the examiner on the display 22 in the form of a static image.

[0037] The output unit 20 displays the support information on the display 22, which will be described in detail later. The output unit 20 may output the support information by sound from a speaker (not shown) instead of or in addition to displaying the information on the display 22.

[0038] The input interface 24 is composed of, for example, buttons, a trackball, a touch panel, etc. The input interface 24 is used by a user such as an examiner to input commands into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 .

[0039] The control unit 26 is configured to include at least one of a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit), etc.) and a dedicated processor (e.g., a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a programmable logic device, etc.). The control unit 26 may be configured by the cooperation of a plurality of processing devices existing in physically separated positions, rather than being configured by a single processing device. The control unit 26 controls each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to an ultrasonic diagnostic program stored in a memory 28 described later.

[0040] The memory 28 is configured to include a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card), or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 28 stores an ultrasonic diagnostic program for operating each part of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic program may be stored in a non-temporary storage medium readable by a computer, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a CD-ROM. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 can read and execute the ultrasonic diagnostic program from such a storage medium.

[0041] And, if Figure 1 As shown, the memory 28 stores a learning model 30 and a support information DB (DataBase) 32 .

[0042] The learning model 30 is, for example, a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), but may be any model as long as it performs the functions described below. The learning model 30 is learned in a manner that predicts and outputs the cross-sectional category of the input ultrasonic tomographic image using a combination of an ultrasonic tomographic image and the cross-sectional category of the ultrasonic tomographic image (training cross-sectional category) as learning data. In the present embodiment, the learning process of the learning model 30 is performed by a learning processing device different from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, and the fully learned learning model 30 is stored in the memory 28. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may also include a learning processing unit ( Figure 1 (not shown in the figure), and the learning processing unit performs the learning processing of the learning model 30. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 becomes a learning processing device.

[0043] The details of the learning process of the learning model 30 are as follows. The processor of the learning processing device inputs an ultrasonic tomographic image as learning data to the learning model 30. The learning model 30 predicts and outputs the cross-sectional type of the input ultrasonic tomographic image. The processor of the learning processing device changes the parameters in the learning model 30 so that the difference between the output data of the learning model 30 and the training cross-sectional type included in the learning data becomes small. The learning model 30 is learned by repeating this process. The fully learned learning model 30 can predict the cross-sectional type of the input ultrasonic tomographic image with high accuracy.

[0044] The learning model 30 according to the present embodiment has an activation function such as a Softmax function in its output layer, and outputs, as output data, a plurality of combinations of a cross-section category and a parameter indicating the possibility that an input ultrasonic tomographic image is of the cross-section category.

[0045] The support information DB 32 is a database storing support information related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 provided to the examiner, and the support information is used to support the formation of a target cross section as a cross section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed by the examiner.

[0046] Figure 2 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the content of the support information DB 32. In the support information DB 32, different support information is associated with a plurality of different consistency rates. Figure 2 In the example, the annotation as support information is associated with the consistency rate. The consistency rate refers to the consistency rate between the cross-sectional category of the ultrasonic tomographic image (referred to as the object image in this specification) formed by sending ultrasound to the subject according to the instructions of the examiner and the target cross-sectional category. For example, if the cross-sectional category of the object image is the same as the target cross-sectional category, its consistency rate will become quite high, and if the cross-sectional category of the object image is a completely different cross-sectional category from the target cross-sectional category, its consistency rate will become quite low. In the case where the cross-sectional category of the object image is different from the target cross-sectional category but they are close (for example, representing the same part but with slightly different cross-sectional categories, etc.), the consistency rate will be lower than the case where the cross-sectional category of the object image is the same as the target cross-sectional category, and the consistency rate will be higher than the case where the cross-sectional category of the object image is a completely different cross-sectional category from the target cross-sectional category. It can also be said that the consistency rate indicates the possibility that the cross-sectional category of the object image is the target cross-sectional category.

[0047] In this embodiment, in the support information DB 32, the range of values ​​that the consistency rate can take is divided into a plurality of consistency rate levels according to one or more segmentation thresholds. Furthermore, in the support information DB 32, the support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and the consistency rate level. Figure 2 In the example of , the range of values ​​that the consistency rate can take is divided into a consistency rate level of "high" (for example, a consistency rate of 70% or more), a consistency rate level of "medium" (for example, a consistency rate of 50% or more and less than 70%), and a consistency rate level of "low" (for example, a consistency rate of less than 50%). In this case, the consistency rates of "70%" and "50%" become the segmentation thresholds. Moreover, different annotations are associated with each consistency rate level as support information.

[0048] In the support information DB 32, it is preferred that the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the display mode of the target image. In the present embodiment, the display mode of the target image is real-time or frozen. Figure 2In the example of , a comment is associated with each combination of each agreement rate and the display mode of the target image "real time", and a comment is associated with each combination of each agreement rate and the display mode of the target image "frozen".

[0049] Furthermore, in the support information DB 32, it is preferred that the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the measurement content using the target image. The measurement content refers to the content of various measurements using the ultrasonic image, such as the long axis measurement of the heart. The measurement content may also be specified by the examiner. Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may store a series of inspection processes and an inspection procedure in which the inspection execution conditions of each inspection process are set. In this case, the measurement content may be determined based on the inspection procedure selected by the examiner and the progress of the inspection procedure.

[0050] In the support information DB 32, the support information is preferably associated with each combination of the coincidence rate and the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. As described above, the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 includes B mode, PW Doppler mode, CW Doppler mode, color Doppler mode, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0051] Furthermore, in the support information DB 32, the support information is preferably associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the subject's attributes. The subject's attributes include, but are not limited to, the subject's gender, weight, condition, country or region, or the subject's facility (hospital or university).

[0052] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 As shown, the annotation as the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate, the display method of the target image, the measurement content using the target image, the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, and the attribute of the subject. In addition, the method of associating the consistency rate, the display method of the target image, the measurement content using the target image, the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the attribute of the subject, and the support information may be any method.

[0053] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a first example of a reference image serving as support information. Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 3 , comments are shown as support information, but the support information stored in the support information DB 32 may also be as follows: Figure 3 The reference image may be, for example, an ultrasonic tomographic image, a schematic diagram, an illustration, a schematic diagram, a CT image, an MRI image, or an image (including an illustration) showing the position of an appropriate ultrasonic probe 12, etc. Figure 3 As shown, in the reference image, each part (pancreas, inferior vena cava, splenic vein, abdominal aorta, etc.) in the target cross section is preferably clearly indicated by characters or graphics.

[0054] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing a second example of a reference image as support information. In the support information DB 32, the support information may be Figure 4 The reference image shown is associated with a combination of a coincidence rate, a first cross-sectional type, and a second cross-sectional type other than the first cross-sectional type. Figure 4 In the reference image, the left side of the arrow is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the first cross-sectional category, and the right side of the arrow is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the second cross-sectional category. Therefore, when the examiner intends to form an ultrasonic image of the second cross-sectional category as the target cross-sectional area but forms an ultrasonic image of the first cross-sectional category by mistake (i.e., Figure 4 By displaying such a reference image, the examiner can easily understand how to change the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 from the current position to the appropriate position. Figure 4 The reference image shown may also be a dynamic image that changes from the image on the left to the image on the right.

[0055] The method of using the support information DB 32 will be described later. Figure 2 The priority flags associated with the respective support information will also be described later.

[0056] return Figure 1 The support information editing unit 34 edits the support information stored in the support information DB 32 according to the instruction from the user such as the examiner of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 or the instructor who instructs the examiner input through the input interface 24. For example, the support information editing unit 34 changes the annotations of the support information stored in the support information DB 32 according to the instruction from the user. Alternatively, the support information editing unit 34 changes the reference images of the support information stored in the support information DB 32 according to the instruction from the user.

[0057] The target section determination unit (36) determines the section type of the ultrasonic tomographic image that the inspector should form, that is, the target section. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 stores the above-mentioned inspection procedure, and the target section determination unit 36 ​​determines the target section according to the inspection procedure selected by the inspector and the progress of the inspection procedure. For example, it is assumed that in the inspection procedure, the first inspection process is an inspection using an ultrasonic image of section category A, and the second inspection process is an inspection using an ultrasonic image of section category B. In this case, in the first inspection process, the target section is section category A, and in the second inspection process, the target section is section category B. In addition, the target section determination unit 36 ​​can also determine the target section according to the inspector's instructions input from the input interface 24. That is, the target section can also be specified by the inspector.

[0058] The consistency rate calculation unit 38 calculates the consistency rate between the target image and the target cross section determined by the target cross section determination unit 36 ​​by performing cross section recognition processing on the target image. Specifically, the consistency rate calculation unit 38 inputs the target image to the learned learning model 30 that performs cross section recognition processing. As a result, the learning model 30 predicts and outputs the cross section category of the target image. As described above, the learning model 30 outputs the cross section category and the parameter indicating the possibility that the target image is the cross section category. For example, the cross section category A is 80%, the cross section category B is 15%, and the cross section category C is 5%. In this embodiment, the consistency rate between the target image and the target cross section adopts the parameter indicating the possibility of each cross section category output by the learning model 30. For example, in the case where the output data of the learning model 30 is the above example, if the target cross section is cross section category A, the consistency rate between the target image and the target cross section is 80%, if the target cross section is cross section category B, the consistency rate between the target image and the target cross section is 15%, and if the target cross section is cross section category C, the consistency rate between the target image and the target cross section is 5%.

[0059] The following describes the details of the support information output process performed by the output unit 20. In the following description, the content of the support information DB 32 is assumed to be Figure 2 The content shown.

[0060] The output unit 20 outputs support information of the content corresponding to the consistency rate between the cross-section type of the object image and the target cross-section calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 based on the support information DB 32. For example, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 80% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "high"), the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the consistency rate level "high" in the support information DB 32 (e.g., comments "After observing the long and short axes, please save the maximum diameter of the long axis", "swelling: long axis 12 cm or more / atrophy: long axis less than 8 cm" or a reference image). Furthermore, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 60% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "medium"), the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the consistency rate level "medium" in the support information DB 32 (e.g., comments "be careful not to overlap the rear area of ​​the liver with the right kidney as much as possible", "please use image search to select a good cross section" or a reference image). Furthermore, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 20% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "low"), the output unit 20 outputs the support information associated with the consistency rate level "low" in the support information DB 32 (for example, comments such as "Please touch the probe between the ribs on the right anterior axillary line", "Is the lubricating gel sufficient? Please try to reacquire" or a reference image).

[0061] Figure 5 2 is a diagram showing an example of a support information display screen displayed by the output unit 20 on the display 22. Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , the support information output screen displays annotation CO as support information and reference image REF as support information together with the target image USI. In addition, the support information output screen may display reference information I such as the consistency rate between the section type of the target image and the target section calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 and the target section determined by the target section determination unit 36.

[0062] As described above, according to the present embodiment, support information corresponding to the coincidence rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section is provided to the inspector, so that support information particularly suitable for the inspector can be provided.

[0063] In the case where the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the display mode of the target image in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 preferably outputs support information with contents corresponding to the consistency rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section and the display mode of the target image specified by the inspector (i.e., real-time or frozen). For example, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 80% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "high") and the display mode of the target image is "real-time", the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the consistency rate level "high" and the display mode of the target image "real-time" in the support information DB 32 (e.g., a comment "After observing the major and minor axes, please save the maximum diameter of the major axis" or a reference image). On the other hand, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 80% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "high") and the display mode of the object image is "frozen", the output unit 20 outputs the support information associated with the consistency rate level "high" and the display mode "frozen" of the object image in the support information DB 32 (for example, the annotation "swelling: longer diameter 12 cm or more / atrophy: longer diameter less than 8 cm" or a reference image).

[0064] In the support information DB 32, when the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the measurement content of the target image, the output unit 20 preferably outputs the support information corresponding to the consistency rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section and the measurement content specified by the inspector or determined according to the inspection procedure. For example, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 80% (that is, the consistency rate level is "high") and the measurement content of the target image is "long axis measurement", the output unit 20 outputs the support information associated with the consistency rate level "high" and the measurement content "long axis measurement" in the support information DB 32 (for example, a comment "After observing the long and short axes, please save the maximum diameter of the long axis" or a reference image).

[0065] In the support information DB 32, when the support information is associated with each combination of the coincidence rate and the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the output unit 20 preferably outputs the support information of the content corresponding to the coincidence rate between the cross-section type of the object image and the target cross-section and the current operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. For example, when the coincidence rate calculated by the coincidence rate calculation unit 38 is 80% (that is, the coincidence rate level is "high") and the current operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is the B mode, the output unit 20 outputs the support information associated with the coincidence rate level "high" and the operation mode "B mode" in the support information DB 32 (for example, the comment "After observing the major and minor axes, please save the maximum diameter of the major axis", "swelling: major axis 12 cm or more / atrophy: major axis less than 8 cm" or the reference image).

[0066] In the support information DB 32, when the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the attributes of the subject, the output unit 20 preferably outputs the support information corresponding to the consistency rate between the cross-sectional category of the object image and the target cross-sectional category and the attributes of the subject. The attributes of the subject corresponding to the object image can be input into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 by the examiner or recorded in the above-mentioned examination procedure. For example, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 80% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "high") and the attribute of the subject is a male 90 years old, the output unit 20 outputs the support information associated with the consistency rate level "high" and the subject attribute "male / 90 years old" in the support information DB 32 (for example, the comment "After observing the major and minor axes, please save the maximum diameter of the major axis" or the reference image).

[0067] Furthermore, in the support information DB 32, in the support information (reference Figure 4 ) is associated with the combination of the consistency rate, the first section category, and the second section category, it is preferred to output support information corresponding to the consistency rate between the section category of the target image and the target section, the section type of the target image as the first section category, and the target section as the second section category. In detail, the output unit 20 determines support information associated with the combination of the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38, the section type of the target image as the first section category, and the target section determined by the target section determination unit 36 ​​as the second section category from the support information DB 32, and outputs the determined support information. The section type of the target image here means the section category with the highest possibility among the possibilities of the multiple section categories calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38.

[0068] Specifically, assuming that Figure 4 The reference image shown is associated with a combination of a consistency level "low", a first cross-sectional type "cross-sectional type A", and a second cross-sectional type "cross-sectional type B" as support information. Figure 4 In the reference image, the left side of the arrow is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the first cross-sectional category "cross-sectional category A", and the right side of the arrow is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the second cross-sectional category "cross-sectional category B". In this case, if the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 20% (i.e., the consistency rate level is "low"), the cross-sectional category of the target image is cross-sectional category A, and the target cross-sectional category is cross-sectional category B, then the output unit 20 outputs Figure 4 Reference images are shown as supporting information.

[0069] If the output unit 20 outputs the support information, the examiner changes the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 or changes the setting of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 according to the output support information. As a result, sometimes the consistency rate between the cross-sectional category of the object image and the target cross-sectional category is improved. In this case, it can be considered that the output support information is effective. On the other hand, even if the support information is output, sometimes the consistency rate between the cross-sectional category of the object image and the target cross-sectional category is not improved. In this case, it can be considered that the output support information is not very effective.

[0070] Therefore, the consistency rate calculation unit 38 preferably recalculates the consistency rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the same target cross-section after the support information is output by the output unit 20. Furthermore, when the consistency rate after the support information is output becomes higher than the consistency rate before the support information is output, it is preferable to add a priority flag to the support information in the support information DB 32 (refer to Figure 2 On the other hand, when the consistency rate after outputting the support information becomes the same as or lower than the consistency rate before outputting the support information, the consistency rate calculation unit 38 does not mark the support information with a priority flag. Thus, the support information marked with a priority flag becomes effective information, that is, information that can improve the consistency rate between the cross-section category of the object image and the target cross-section.

[0071] Furthermore, when a plurality of support information and the consistency rate are associated with each other in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 preferably outputs the support information with the priority flag in priority to the support information without the priority flag. Figure 2 As shown, it is assumed that among the plurality of support information associated with the consistency rate level “low”, the comment “touch the probe between the ribs on the right front axillary line” is marked with a priority flag, and the comment “is the lubricant sufficient? Please try to obtain it again” is not marked with a priority flag. Here, when the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit 38 is 20% (i.e., the consistency rate level is “low”), the output unit 20 preferentially outputs the comment “touch the probe between the ribs on the right front axillary line” which is the support information marked with a priority flag among the support information associated with the consistency rate level “low” in the support information DB 32. In this way, the support information considered to be more effective can be preferentially output.

[0072] In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, it is conceivable that an inspection is performed along a plurality of inspection processes in which ultrasonic tomographic images of target cross sections different from each other are formed in each inspection process. For example, an inspection is performed along the above-mentioned inspection procedure. In this case, the inspector performs the inspection while forming an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross section defined in each inspection process. The consistency rate calculation unit 38 calculates the consistency rate between the cross section type of the target image formed in the inspection process and the target cross section related to the inspection process every time the inspector forms an ultrasonic tomographic image (target image) in each inspection process. That is, the consistency rate is calculated for each inspection process. Here, the consistency rate calculation unit 38 associates the consistency rate calculated in each inspection process with each inspection process and stores it in the memory 28.

[0073] Furthermore, the output unit 20 preferably outputs the consistency rate calculated for the inspected inspection process during the inspection along the plurality of inspection processes. Figure 5 As shown, the output unit 20 preferably reads the calculated consistency rate for the inspected inspection process from the memory 28, and displays a list L of the consistency rate of each inspection process on the display 22. Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , the plurality of inspection processes form an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross section “left lobe of the liver” in inspection process 1, an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross section “tail of the pancreas” in inspection process 2, and an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross section “left kidney” in inspection process 3. Based on list L, the inspector can confirm that the consistency rate between the cross section types of the target images in inspection processes 1 and 2 and the target cross section is “high” during the implementation of inspection process 3.

[0074] Furthermore, appropriate setting values ​​(appropriate setting values) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 for forming an ultrasonic image of a target cross section may be prepared in advance for each inspection process, and the output unit 20 may output a comment as support information when the setting value set by the inspector deviates from the appropriate setting value by a predetermined amount or more. For example, a comment such as "The gain is 40. Is it too low?" may be output.

[0075] The output unit 20 preferably outputs an inspection report after a plurality of inspection steps are completed. Figure 6 2 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection report R. The inspection report R can be output in the form of being displayed on the display 22, or can be output by printing on a print medium such as paper. Based on the inspection report R, for example, an instructor who instructs a beginner can review the contents of the inspections in a plurality of inspection processes performed by the beginner afterwards.

[0076] The inspection report R is configured to include a plurality of item values ​​for a plurality of items for each of a plurality of inspection processes. In particular, the plurality of items of the inspection report R include a consistency ratio between a section type of the object image and a target section and support information output when an ultrasonic tomographic image of a target section related to the inspection process is to be formed. As the plurality of items, Figure 6 The inspection report R shown includes “Section No.”, “Section Type”, “Concordance Rate”, “Required Time”, “Change Parameter”, “Error Detection Section”, “Comment”, and “Image”.

[0077] The item "Section No." is a number for identifying the inspection process.

[0078] The item "section type" indicates the target section in the inspection process.

[0079] The item “matching rate” is the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 38 in the inspection process.

[0080] The item "required time" is the time required for an inspector to perform the inspection in the inspection process.

[0081] The time required for the inspection in each inspection step is automatically measured by, for example, a timing function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 , from the time when the inspection step starts to the time when the inspection step ends.

[0082] The item "changed parameters" is the setting values ​​of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 changed by the examiner in the inspection process (especially, the setting values ​​related to the formation of ultrasonic images or image quality correction). Examples of such setting values ​​include gain, depth, frame rate, speed range, ROI size, baseline, sample volume, angle, reliability of SWE / SWM / ATT, etc.

[0083] The item “falsely detected cross section” refers to the cross section category when the coincidence rate calculation unit 38 determines that the cross section category having the highest coincidence rate with the cross section category of the target image is a cross section category other than the target cross section of the inspection process in the inspection process.

[0084] The item "comments" is comments output as support information in the inspection process.

[0085] The item "image" is an image of the object formed by the inspector in the inspection process.

[0086] In addition to the above information, the inspection report R may also include the attributes of the subject or information identifying the inspector who performed the inspection of the multiple inspection steps (inspector ID or name, etc.). This information is input into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 by the inspector before performing the inspection of the multiple inspection steps.

[0087] In the inspection report R, it is also possible not to associate the item values ​​for all items with each inspection process. In particular, the output unit 20 determines the item to associate the item value with the inspection process based on the consistency rate of the inspection process. In other words, the output unit 20 outputs the inspection report R, in which, for each target cross section, the information of the item corresponding to the consistency rate corresponding to the target cross section is associated. For example, the output unit 20 may not include the item value of at least one of the item "change parameter" or the item "misdetected cross section" in the inspection report R for the inspection process with a consistency rate level of "high" (for example, a consistency rate of 70% or more) (in this case, output "-" or the like in the column or do not display anything). This is because these items are not very important when the consistency rate is high. On the other hand, the output unit 20 preferably includes the item value of at least one of the item "change parameter" or the item "misdetected cross section" in the inspection report R for the inspection process with a consistency rate level of "medium" (for example, a consistency rate of 50% or more and less than 70%) or a consistency rate level of "low" (for example, a consistency rate of less than 50%).

[0088] The outline of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is as described above. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0089] in addition, Figure 1 The transceiver 14, signal processing unit 16, image forming unit 18, output unit 20, support information editing unit 34, target cross section determination unit 36 ​​and consistency rate calculation unit 38 shown are functional blocks representing functions implemented by a processor. The processor is configured to include at least one of a general-purpose processing device (e.g., a CPU, etc.) and a dedicated processing device (e.g., a GPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a programmable logic device, etc.). As a processor, it can also be composed of a plurality of processing devices that exist in physically separated positions, rather than a single processing device. In addition, the above-mentioned units can also be implemented by the cooperation of hardware such as a processor and software.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device, characterized in that: have: a target cross-section determination unit that determines a target cross-section as a cross-section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed; a coincidence rate calculation unit that calculates a coincidence rate between a cross-section type of a target image and the target cross-section by executing a cross-section recognition process on a target image that is an ultrasonic cross-sectional image formed according to an instruction of an examiner; and An output unit outputs support information corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit based on support information related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device and establishing a support information database associated with each of the consistency rates, wherein the support information is used to support the formation of a target cross-section as a cross-section category of the ultrasonic tomographic image that the examiner should form.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the support information database, the support information is associated with each combination of the consistency rate and the display method of the target image. The output unit outputs support information of a content corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and the display method of the target image.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the agreement rate and measurement content using the object image. The output unit outputs support information of a content corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and the measurement content.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the agreement rate and an operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and an operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate and an attribute of the subject. The output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit and the attribute of the subject.

6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the consistency rate, a first cross-section type, and a second cross-section type other than the first cross-section type. The output unit outputs support information of contents corresponding to the consistency rate calculated by the consistency rate calculation unit, the cross-section type of the target image as the first cross-section type, and the target cross-section as the second cross-section type.

7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: We also have a support information editing department. The support information editing unit edits the support information according to an instruction from a user of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The consistency calculation unit recalculates the consistency related to the same target cross section after outputting the support information, and in a case where the consistency after outputting the support information becomes higher than the consistency before outputting the support information, marks the support information with a priority flag in the support information database, When a plurality of support information are associated with the consistency rate in the support information database, the output unit outputs the support information to which the priority flag is assigned with priority over support information not to which the priority flag is assigned.

9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The coincidence rate calculation unit calculates the coincidence rate for each inspection step and stores the coincidence rate in a memory during inspection along a plurality of inspection steps in which ultrasonic tomographic images of the target cross section different from each other are formed in each inspection step. The output unit outputs the consistency rate calculated for the inspected inspection step during the inspection along the plurality of inspection steps.

10. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The output unit outputs an inspection report including item values ​​for a plurality of items for each of the plurality of inspection steps after a plurality of inspection steps for forming ultrasonic tomographic images of the target cross-sections that are different from each other are completed in the inspection step, the plurality of items including the consistency rate and the support information output when an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target cross-section related to the inspection step is to be formed, wherein, in the inspection report, information of the item corresponding to the consistency rate corresponding to the target cross-section is associated with each of the target cross-sections.

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