Ultrasonic diagnostic system

Abstract

An ultrasound diagnostic system is provided. The purpose of the present invention is to simplify settings for image quality adjustment of an ultrasonic image in an ultrasonic diagnostic device. A terminal device (12) accepts a preset condition from a user. The preset condition is a predetermined image quality parameter group relating to the image quality of an ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound diagnostic device (10). The terminal device (12) transmits preset information indicating the preset condition to the ultrasonic diagnostic device (10). The ultrasound diagnostic device (10) generates a plurality of pre-captured images from the ultrasound image in accordance with the preset conditions indicated by the preset information. The ultrasound diagnostic device (10) transmits the plurality of pre-captured images to the terminal device (12). The terminal device (12) displays the plurality of pre-captured images on a display. If a pre-captured image is selected by a user from among the plurality of pre-captured images, the terminal device (12) transmits information relating to the selected pre-captured image to the ultrasound diagnostic device (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic system. Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, there is described an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that generates medical information consistent with transfer conditions set by a preset content setting unit as subset data, and transfers the subset data to an external terminal connected via a communication network.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5931416 Gazette

[0004] In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, setting for adjusting the image quality of an ultrasonic image is not necessarily easy for a user. For example, depending on image quality adjustment parameters, a photographing mode, a photographing site or area, the type of an ultrasonic probe, and user preferences, etc., the setting content can change. Therefore, it is difficult to perform the setting for image quality adjustment in a manner conforming to individual conditions, and this setting is very troublesome. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to simplify the setting for adjusting the image quality of an ultrasonic image in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic system including a terminal device and an ultrasonic diagnostic device, characterized in that

[0007] The terminal device includes:

[0008] a receiving unit that receives, from a user, a pre-determined set of image quality parameters related to the image quality of an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic device, that is, preset conditions;

[0009] a terminal transmitting unit that transmits preset information indicating the preset conditions received by the receiving unit to the ultrasonic diagnostic device; and

[0010] a display control unit that causes an image to be displayed on a display of the terminal device,

[0011] The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes:

[0012] an image generation unit that generates a plurality of pre-shot images from ultrasonic images according to the preset conditions indicated by the preset information transmitted from the terminal device; and

[0013] a device transmitting unit that transmits the plurality of pre-shot images to the terminal device,

[0014] The display control unit causes the plurality of pre-shot images transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic device to be displayed as sample images on the display,

[0015] The terminal transmission unit transmits information related to the pre-capture image selected by the user from the plurality of pre-capture images displayed on the display to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0016] The display control unit can cause thumbnail images respectively representing the plurality of pre-capture images transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to be displayed on the display as the sample images.

[0017] The terminal transmission unit transmits information related to the pre-capture image selected by the user selecting the thumbnail image to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0018] The ultrasonic diagnostic system may further include a storage control unit that stores at least one of history information indicating a history of image quality adjustment performed by the user, subject information related to a subject for which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received to generate a pre-capture image generation ultrasonic image, and diagnostic condition information indicating diagnostic conditions when the pre-capture image generation ultrasonic image is generated, in association with a set of image quality parameters for generating the pre-capture image selected by the user, in a storage device.

[0019] The terminal device may further include an acquisition unit that acquires a set of image quality parameters retrieved from the storage device using at least one of the history information, the subject information, and the diagnostic condition information, and the display control unit causes an ultrasonic image whose image quality is adjusted according to the set of image quality parameters acquired by the acquisition unit to be displayed on the display.

[0020] The terminal device may further include a recommendation unit that determines a set of image quality parameters to be recommended to the user based on the set of image quality parameters for generating the pre-capture image selected by the user and the history of image quality adjustment performed by the user, and the display control unit causes a pre-capture image whose image quality is adjusted according to the set of image quality parameters recommended to the user to be displayed on the display.

[0021] The display control unit can cause information related to a change in the image quality parameters performed by the user to be displayed on the display.

[0022] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, setting for adjusting the image quality of an ultrasonic image can be simplified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic system according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the terminal device related to the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a selection screen for selecting preset conditions.

[0028] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing an example of a sample image displayed on the terminal device.

[0029] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing an example of a sample image displayed on the terminal device.

[0030] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing an example of a sample image displayed on the terminal device.

[0031] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing an example of a sample image displayed on the terminal device.

[0032] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing a pre-shot image.

[0033] Figure 10 It is a diagram showing a pre-shot image.

[0034] Figure 11 It is a diagram showing a pre-shot image.

[0035] Figure 12 It is a diagram showing information related to the change of image quality parameters.

[0036] Figure 13 It is a diagram showing information related to the change of image quality parameters.

[0037] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing information related to the change of image quality parameters.

[0038] Figure 15 It is a diagram showing information related to the change of image quality parameters.

[0039] Symbol Explanation

[0040] 10 - Ultrasonic diagnostic device, 12 - Terminal device, 42 - Reception unit, 44 - Display control unit, 46 - Storage control unit, 48 - Acquisition unit, 50 - Recommendation unit. Detailed Embodiment

[0041] Reference Figure 1 , the ultrasonic diagnostic system related to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic system related to the embodiment.

[0042] The ultrasonic diagnostic system includes one or more ultrasonic diagnostic devices 10 and one or more terminal devices 12. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 and the terminal device 12 communicate with other devices via the communication path N.

[0043] The communication path N can be constructed by wireless communication or by wired communication. For example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth (registered trademark) or RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier)) is used as wireless communication. The communication path N can also be a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0044] The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 generates ultrasonic image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves using an ultrasonic probe. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 transmits ultrasonic waves into the subject to be examined and receives the ultrasonic waves reflected inside the subject, thereby generating ultrasonic image data representing the internal tissues of the subject.

[0045] The terminal device 12 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), a tablet computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, or the like. For example, the terminal device 12 is used to set the image quality of the ultrasonic image data.

[0046] For example, the image data generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is transmitted to the terminal device 12 via the communication path N, and the image is displayed on the terminal device 12. Also, the parameters related to the image quality input by the terminal device 12 are transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via the communication path N. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 adjusts the image quality of the ultrasonic image data according to the parameters transmitted from the terminal device 12.

[0047] External devices (e.g., a server) other than the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 and the terminal device 12 may also be included in the ultrasonic diagnostic system and communicate with the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 or the terminal device 12 via the communication path N.

[0048] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 2 , the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 will be described. Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10.

[0049] The ultrasonic probe 14 is a device for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe 14 includes, for example, a 1D array oscillator. The 1D array oscillator is formed by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators in one dimension. An ultrasonic beam is formed by the 1D array oscillator, and the ultrasonic beam is repeatedly electronically scanned. Thereby, a scan cross-section is formed in the living body each time an electronic scan is performed. The scan cross-section corresponds to a two-dimensional echo data acquisition space. The ultrasonic probe 14 may include a 2D array oscillator formed by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators two-dimensionally. An ultrasonic beam is formed by the 2D array oscillator, and if the ultrasonic beam is repeatedly electronically scanned, a scan cross-section that is a two-dimensional echo data acquisition space is formed each time an electronic scan is performed. If the ultrasonic beam is two-dimensionally scanned, a three-dimensional space that is a three-dimensional echo data acquisition space is formed. As a scanning method, sector scanning, linear scanning, convex scanning, etc. are used.

[0050] The transceiver unit 16 functions as a transmit beamformer and a receive beamformer. During transmission, the transceiver unit 16 supplies a plurality of transmit signals having a certain delay relationship to the plurality of ultrasonic oscillators included in the ultrasonic probe 14. Thereby, a transmit beam of ultrasonic waves is formed. During reception, the ultrasonic probe 14 receives a reflected wave (RF signal) from the living body, and thereby outputs a plurality of received signals from the ultrasonic probe 14 to the transceiver unit 16. The transceiver unit 16 forms a receive beam by applying coherent addition processing to the plurality of received signals. The data of this receive beam is output to the image generation unit 18. That is, the transceiver unit 16 performs delay processing on the received signals obtained from each ultrasonic oscillator according to the delay processing conditions for each ultrasonic oscillator, and forms a receive beam by adding the plurality of received signals obtained from the plurality of ultrasonic oscillators. The delay processing conditions are specified by receive delay data indicating the delay time. A set of receive delay data (i.e., a group of delay times) corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic oscillators is supplied from the control unit 30.

[0051] Due to the action of the transceiver unit 16, the ultrasonic beam (i.e., the transmit beam and the receive beam) is electronically scanned, thereby forming a scan cross-section. The scan cross-section corresponds to a plurality of beams, and the plurality of beams constitute a receive frame (specifically, an RF signal frame). In addition, each beam is composed of a plurality of echoes arranged in the depth direction. By repeatedly electronically scanning the ultrasonic beam, a plurality of receive frames arranged on the time axis are output from the transceiver unit 16 to the image generation unit 18. The plurality of receive frames constitute a receive frame sequence.

[0052] If the ultrasonic beam is two-dimensionally electronically scanned by the action of the transceiver unit 16, a three-dimensional echo data acquisition space is formed, and volume data as an aggregate of echo data is obtained from this three-dimensional echo data acquisition space. By repeatedly electronically scanning the ultrasonic beam, a plurality of volume data arranged on the time axis are output from the transceiver unit 16 to the image generation unit 18. The plurality of volume data constitute a volume data sequence.

[0053] The image generation unit 18 generates ultrasonic image data (e.g., B-mode image data) by applying signal processing such as detection, amplitude compression (e.g., logarithmic compression), and conversion functions (coordinate transformation functions and interpolation processing functions based on DSC (Digital Scan Converter), etc.) to the received frames output from the transceiver unit 16. Hereinafter, the image data is appropriately referred to as an "image". For example, the ultrasonic image data is appropriately referred to as an "ultrasonic image", or the B-mode image data is appropriately referred to as a "B-mode image". In addition, the ultrasonic image according to the present embodiment is not limited to the B-mode image, and may be any image generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. For example, the ultrasonic image according to the present embodiment may also be a color Doppler image, a pulsed Doppler image, a strain image, or a shear wave elastography image, etc.

[0054] Moreover, the image generation unit 18 changes the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the image quality parameters. The image quality parameters are parameters for changing the image quality of the ultrasonic image. For example, the image quality parameters are brightness, contrast, smoothing, adaptive filter, gamma value, sharpness, edge enhancement, gain, and frame rate, etc. Of course, these are only examples of the image quality parameters, and other parameters may also be included in the scope of the image quality parameters according to the present embodiment.

[0055] The image quality parameters can be set in advance, or specified by a user such as a doctor or a technician. For example, if the user specifies the image quality parameters by operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 or the terminal apparatus 12, the image generation unit 18 changes the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the image quality parameters specified by the user.

[0056] A set of image quality parameters can also be determined in advance. The set of image quality parameters includes multiple image quality parameters. For example, regarding the image quality parameters, each image quality parameter such as brightness, contrast, smoothing, adaptive filter, gamma value, sharpness, edge enhancement, gain, and frame rate is determined in advance, and a set of image quality parameters including these is determined.

[0057] Hereinafter, the set of image quality parameters determined in advance is referred to as a "preset condition". The information indicating the preset condition is referred to as "preset information". The preset information is information indicating the specific values of each image quality parameter included in the image quality parameters determined in advance.

[0058] For example, the preset condition information is stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the storage unit 38 of the terminal apparatus 12, or the storage unit of an external device, etc.

[0059] For example, preset conditions are determined for each type of ultrasonic image. Specifically, preset conditions for B-mode images, preset conditions for color Doppler, and preset conditions for Doppler (e.g., PW or CW) are determined.

[0060] Moreover, preset conditions can be determined for each type of ultrasonic probe 14, preset conditions can be determined for the examination area (e.g., examination site), and preset conditions can be determined for each user such as a doctor or an examination technician.

[0061] For example, if the user specifies preset conditions by operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 or the terminal device 12, the image generation unit 18 changes the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the preset conditions specified by the user. That is, the image generation unit 18 changes the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to each image quality parameter determined according to the preset conditions.

[0062] The display processing unit 20 generates a display image by superimposing graphic data required for the ultrasonic image. The display image is output to the display unit 22. One or more images are arranged and displayed in a display form according to the display mode.

[0063] The display unit 22 is a display such as a liquid crystal display or an EL display. Ultrasonic images such as B-mode images are displayed on the display unit 22. The display unit 22 can be a device that combines a display and the operation unit 28. For example, a GUI (Graphic User Interface) can also be implemented through the display unit 22 and the operation unit 28. Moreover, a user interface such as a touch panel can also be implemented through the display unit 22 and the operation unit 28.

[0064] The communication unit 24 includes one or more communication interfaces having a communication chip, a communication circuit, etc. The communication unit 24 has a function of sending information to other devices and a function of receiving information from other devices. The communication unit 24 can have a wireless communication function or a wired communication function. The communication unit 24 functions as an example of a device sending unit.

[0065] The storage unit 26 constitutes one or more storage areas for storing data. The storage unit 26 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), various memories (e.g., RAM, DRAM, ROM, etc.), other storage devices (e.g., optical discs, etc.), or a combination thereof.

[0066] Ultrasonic images generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, information indicating imaging conditions, parameters related to the image quality of ultrasonic images, and information related to the subject (e.g., patient) are stored in the storage unit 26.

[0067] The operation unit 28 is a device for a user to input conditions, commands, etc. required for imaging into the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. For example, the operation unit 28 is an operation panel, a switch, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, or a joystick, etc.

[0068] The control unit 30 controls the operations of the respective parts of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

[0069] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 3 , the terminal device 12 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the terminal device 12.

[0070] The communication unit 34 includes one or more communication interfaces having a communication chip, a communication circuit, etc. The communication unit 34 has a function of sending information to other devices and a function of receiving information from other devices. The communication unit 34 may have a wireless communication function or a wired communication function. The communication unit 34 functions as an example of a terminal transmission unit.

[0071] The UI 36 is a user interface and includes a display and an operation unit. The display is a liquid crystal display or an EL display, etc. The operation unit is a keyboard, a mouse, an input key, or an operation panel, etc. The UI 36 may also be a UI such as a touch panel that combines a display and an operation unit. When the UI 36 is composed of a touch panel, information input, etc. can be performed by touchpad operations. For example, touchpad operations include tapping, flicking, swiping, touch and hold, dragging, pinching in, pinching out, scrubbing, pulling down, and dropping, etc.

[0072] The storage unit 38 constitutes one or more storage areas for storing data. The storage unit 38 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), various memories (e.g., RAM, DRAM, ROM, etc.), other storage devices (e.g., optical discs, etc.), or a combination thereof.

[0073] The control unit 40 controls the respective parts of the terminal device 12. And the control unit 40 includes a receiving unit 42, a display control unit 44, a storage control unit 46, an acquisition unit 48, and a recommendation unit 50.

[0074] The receiving unit 42 receives preset conditions. For example, a plurality of preset conditions are displayed on the display of the UI 36. If the user specifies a preset condition using the UI 36, the receiving unit 42 receives the preset condition specified by the user.

[0075] The display control unit 44 displays various information on the display of the UI 36. For example, the display control unit 44 causes an image such as an ultrasonic image to be displayed on the display.

[0076] The storage control unit 46 stores various information in the storage unit 38 or reads out various information from the storage unit 38.

[0077] The acquisition unit 48 acquires a group of image quality parameters from a storage device. The storage device is the storage unit 38 of the terminal device 12, the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, or the storage unit of an external device, etc. When a plurality of groups of image quality parameters are stored in the storage device and a retrieval instruction for a group of image quality parameters is given, the acquisition unit 48 acquires the group of image quality parameters that matches the retrieval condition from the storage device.

[0078] The recommendation unit 50 determines a group of image quality parameters to be recommended to the user. The recommendation unit 50 can determine the group of image quality parameters to be recommended to the user based on the image quality adjustment history, or can also determine the image quality parameters to be recommended to the user by using machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), etc. The type of machine learning or artificial intelligence used is not limited, and any algorithm or model can be used. For example, CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), RNN (Recurrent Neural Network), GAN (Generative Adversarial Networks), linear models, decision tree learning, support vector machine (SVM), Ensemble Classifier, or other algorithms are used. The display control unit 44 adjusts the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the group of image quality parameters recommended to the user and displays the ultrasonic image with the adjusted image quality on the display of the UI 36.

[0079] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 4 , the selection of preset conditions will be described. Figure 4 Indicates the selection screen 54.

[0080] The selection screen 54 is a screen for selecting preset conditions. The selection screen 54 is displayed on the display of the UI 36 of the terminal device 12. For example, when a setting instruction for a group of image quality parameters is given by the user operating the terminal device 12, the display control unit 44 displays the selection screen 54 on the display of the UI 36. When a display instruction for the selection screen 54 is given by the user operating the terminal device 12, the display control unit 44 can display the selection screen 54 on the display of the UI 36.

[0081] A list of multiple preset conditions is displayed on the selection screen 54. Here, as an example, preset conditions are determined for each type and each examination area of the ultrasonic probe 14, and each preset condition is displayed on the selection screen 54.

[0082] For example, the preset conditions α1, α2, α3, …… are the preset conditions suitable for an ultrasonic probe α which is one type of the ultrasonic probe 14. The preset condition α1 is the preset condition suitable for abdominal examination. The preset condition α2 is the preset condition suitable for kidney examination. The preset condition α3 is the preset condition suitable for intestinal examination. That is, the preset condition α1 is the preset condition suitable for abdominal examination using the ultrasonic probe α. The preset condition α2 is the preset condition suitable for kidney examination using the ultrasonic probe α. The preset condition α3 is the preset condition suitable for intestinal examination using the ultrasonic probe α.

[0083] The same applies to the preset conditions β1, β2, β3, ……, γ1, γ2, ……. That is, the preset conditions β1, β2, β3, …… are the preset conditions suitable for an ultrasonic probe β which is one type of the ultrasonic probe 14, and are the preset conditions respectively suitable for different examination regions. The preset conditions γ1, γ2, …… are the preset conditions suitable for an ultrasonic probe γ which is one type of the ultrasonic probe 14, and are the preset conditions respectively suitable for different examination regions.

[0084] The preset information indicating each preset condition can be stored in advance in the storage unit 38 of the terminal device 12, or can be stored in advance in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10. When the preset information is stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, the terminal device 12 acquires the preset information indicating each preset condition from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via the communication path N. The display control unit 44 causes a selection screen 54 showing a list of preset conditions to be displayed on the display of the UI 36 according to the preset information indicating each preset condition.

[0085] The user can select a preset condition on the selection screen 54. For example, when the selection screen 54 is displayed on the touch panel, the preset condition is selected by a touch operation or the like. In Figure 4 the example shown, as indicated by the symbol 56, the preset condition α1 is selected by the user. The accepting unit 42 accepts the preset condition selected by the user.

[0086] Hereinafter, the process when setting the image quality parameter group in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 will be described.

[0087] First, if a setting instruction for the image quality parameter group is given by operating the terminal device 12 by the user, the display control unit 44 will Figure 4 the shown selection screen 54 is displayed on the display of the UI 36. In addition, the initial preset condition can be determined for each user, or can be a preset condition determined as an initial value.

[0088] If the user selects a preset condition on the selection screen 54, the acceptance unit 42 accepts the preset condition selected by the user. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the preset condition α1 is selected by the user.

[0089] The communication unit 34 of the terminal device 12 sends the preset information indicating the preset condition α1 accepted by the acceptance unit 42 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via the communication path N.

[0090] The communication unit 24 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 receives the preset information sent from the terminal device 12 via the communication path N. The image generation unit 18 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 generates a plurality of pre-shot images from the basic ultrasonic image according to the preset condition α1 indicated by the preset information.

[0091] The basic ultrasonic image can be an ultrasonic image generated by actually photographing a subject (e.g., a patient), or an ultrasonic image as a pre-generated standard sample image. The standard sample image is stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 or the storage unit of an external device.

[0092] For example, in the case where an ultrasonic image is generated by actually photographing a subject with the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, the image generation unit 18 generates a basic ultrasonic image from the received frames according to the preset condition α1. That is, the image generation unit 18 generates a basic ultrasonic image according to each image quality parameter determined according to the preset condition α1. The image generation unit 18 can generate a basic ultrasonic image in real time, or generate a basic ultrasonic image according to the received frames stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10.

[0093] The pre-shot image is an example of a sample image used to change the image quality parameters. Specifically, the image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of ultrasonic images with different image quality parameters from the basic ultrasonic image. Each of the plurality of ultrasonic images corresponds to a pre-shot image. For example, the image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of pre-shot images with different brightness by changing the brightness of the basic ultrasonic image. And, the image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of pre-shot images with different contrast ratios by changing the contrast ratio of the basic ultrasonic image. And, the image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of pre-shot images with different sharpness by changing the sharpness of the basic ultrasonic image. And, the image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of pre-shot images with different gamma values by changing the gamma value of the basic ultrasonic image. The same applies to other image quality parameters.

[0094] For each pre-captured image, the image generation unit 18 associates the pre-captured image recognition information used to recognize the pre-captured image with the pre-captured image. Further, for each pre-captured image, the image generation unit 18 associates the information indicating the image quality parameters used to generate the pre-captured image with the pre-captured image. For example, in a pre-captured image with a contrast value of "C0" and a brightness value of "B0", the contrast value "C0" is associated with the brightness value "B0". The same applies to other pre-captured images and other image quality parameters. For example, the control unit 30 stores the pre-captured image in which the pre-captured image recognition information is associated with the information indicating the image quality parameters in the storage unit 26. Thereby, the pre-captured image recognition information and the information indicating the image quality parameters are associated with each other.

[0095] The communication unit 24 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 transmits a plurality of pre-captured images to the terminal device 12 via the communication path N. Each pre-captured image is transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to the terminal device 12 in a state where the pre-captured image recognition information is associated with the information indicating the image quality parameters.

[0096] The communication unit 34 of the terminal device 12 receives the plurality of pre-captured images transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. The display control unit 44 causes the plurality of pre-captured images to be displayed as sample images on the display of the UI 36.

[0097] The user can select the image quality parameters used to generate the selected pre-captured image by selecting a pre-captured image from the plurality of displayed pre-captured images.

[0098] If a pre-captured image is selected from the plurality of displayed pre-captured images by operating the terminal device 12 by the user, the communication unit 34 of the terminal device 12 transmits the information related to the pre-captured image selected by the user to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 via the communication path N.

[0099] The information related to the pre-captured image may be the information indicating the image quality parameters used to generate the pre-captured image (i.e., the information indicating the image quality parameters associated with the pre-captured image), may be the pre-captured image recognition information of the pre-captured image (i.e., the pre-captured image recognition information associated with the pre-captured image), or may be both the information indicating the image quality parameters and the pre-captured image recognition information.

[0100] The communication unit 24 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 receives the information related to the pre-captured image transmitted from the terminal device 12 via the communication path N.

[0101] The control unit 30 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 sets the image quality parameter group as a new preset condition in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 based on the information related to the pre-captured image transmitted from the terminal device 12.

[0102] When the information related to the pre-capture image is information representing image quality parameters, the control unit 30 generates new preset conditions by changing the image quality parameters included in the preset conditions used to generate the basic ultrasonic image to the image quality parameters represented by the information related to the pre-capture image. In the above example, since the preset condition α1 is selected by the user, the control unit 30 changes the image quality parameters included in the preset condition α1 to the image quality parameters represented by the information related to the pre-capture image, and thus generates new preset conditions based on the preset condition α1. The new preset conditions are set in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

[0103] When the information related to the pre-capture image is pre-capture image recognition information, the control unit 30 generates new preset conditions by changing the image quality parameters included in the preset conditions used to generate the basic ultrasonic image to the image quality parameters associated with the pre-capture image recognition information. The new preset conditions are set in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

[0104] Thereafter, the image generation unit 18 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 generates an ultrasonic image according to the set new preset conditions. That is, the image generation unit 18 adjusts the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to each image quality parameter determined in the new preset conditions.

[0105] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 5 to 8 , a display example of a sample image will be described. Figures 5 to 8 An example of a sample image displayed on the terminal device 12 is shown. Here, as an example, the terminal device 12 is a tablet PC or a smart phone. And the preset condition α1 is set to be selected by the user.

[0106] As Figures 5 to 8 shown, the display control unit 44 of the terminal device 12 forms display areas 58, 60, 62 on the display of the UI 36. The display areas 58, 60, 62 are screens on the display of the UI 36.

[0107] The display area 58 is an area for displaying the ultrasonic image 64. For example, the ultrasonic image 64 is sent from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to the terminal device 12, and the display control unit 44 displays the ultrasonic image 64 in the display area 58. The ultrasonic image 64 can be an ultrasonic image generated in real time in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 or a pre-generated standard sample image. For example, the ultrasonic image 64 is generated according to the preset condition α1 and displayed in the display area 60.

[0108] The display area 60 is an area for displaying a plurality of pre-capture images as sample images. For example, the display control unit 44 displays thumbnail images respectively representing the plurality of pre-capture images in the display area 60.

[0109] The display area 62 is an area for displaying messages, buttons, etc. For example, buttons for selecting preview images are displayed in the display area 62.

[0110] In Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the example shown, a plurality of preview images with different contrasts and brightnesses are generated, and each preview image is displayed as a thumbnail in the display area 60. Specifically, preview images C0B0 to C3B3 are respectively displayed as thumbnails in the display area 60. The symbols "C0" to "C3" respectively represent contrasts, and the symbols "B0" to "B3" respectively represent brightnesses. For example, the preview image C0B0 is a preview image with a contrast of contrast "C0" and a brightness of brightness "B0". The same applies to other preview images.

[0111] For example, the image generation unit 18 changes the contrast of the basic ultrasonic image to any one of the contrasts "C0" to "C3", and changes the brightness of the basic ultrasonic image to any one of the brightnesses "B0" to "B3", thereby generating preview images C0B0 to C3B3 respectively. That is, the image generation unit 18 changes the contrast included in the preset condition α1 to any one of the contrasts "C0" to "C3", and changes the brightness included in the preset condition α1 to any one of the brightnesses "B0" to "B3", thereby generating preview images C0B0 to C3B3 respectively.

[0112] For example, the image generation unit 18 changes the contrast of the basic ultrasonic image to contrast "C0", and changes the brightness of the basic ultrasonic image to brightness "B0", thereby generating the preview image C0B0. That is, the image generation unit 18 changes the contrast included in the preset condition α1 to contrast "C0", and changes the brightness included in the preset condition α1 to brightness "B0", thereby generating the preview image C0B0. The same applies to other preview images.

[0113] In Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the example shown, a plurality of preview images with different gamma values and sharpnesses are generated, and each preview image is displayed as a thumbnail in the display area 60. Specifically, preview images G0S0 to G3S3 are respectively displayed as thumbnails in the display area 60. The symbols "G0" to "G3" respectively represent gamma values, and the symbols "S0" to "S3" respectively represent sharpnesses. For example, the preview image G0S0 is a preview image with a gamma value of gamma value "G0" and a sharpness of sharpness "S0". The same applies to other preview images.

[0114] For example, the image generation unit 18 changes the gamma value of the basic ultrasonic image to any one of the gamma values "G0" to "G3", and changes the sharpness of the basic ultrasonic image to any one of the sharpness values "S0" to "S3", thereby generating pre-capture images G0S0 to G3S3 respectively. That is, the image generation unit 18 changes the gamma value included in the preset condition α1 to any one of the gamma values "G0" to "G3", and changes the sharpness included in the preset condition α1 to any one of the sharpness values "S0" to "S3", thereby generating pre-capture images G0S0 to G3S3 respectively.

[0115] For example, the image generation unit 18 changes the gamma value of the basic ultrasonic image to the gamma value "G0", and changes the sharpness of the basic ultrasonic image to the sharpness "S0", thereby generating the pre-capture image G0S0. That is, the image generation unit 18 changes the gamma value included in the preset condition α1 to the gamma value "G0", and changes the sharpness included in the preset condition α1 to the sharpness "S0", thereby generating the pre-capture image G0S0. The same applies to other pre-capture images.

[0116] For example, each pre-capture image is an image generated by using a plurality of image quality parameters that are in a trade-off relationship with each other. If a specific example is given for explanation, each image quality parameter such as contrast, brightness, gamma value, and sharpness is in a trade-off relationship with each other.

[0117] By selecting a pre-capture image on the display area 60, the user can select the image quality parameters used to generate the pre-capture image (that is, the image quality parameters associated with the pre-capture image).

[0118] In Figure 6 In the example shown, as indicated by reference numeral 70, the user is selecting the pre-capture image C1B1. Accordingly, the user selects the contrast "C1" and the brightness "B1". When the user selects the pre-capture image C1B1, the display control unit 44 can adjust the contrast of the ultrasonic image 64 to the contrast "C1", and adjust the brightness of the ultrasonic image 64 to the brightness "B1". In this case, the display control unit 44 displays the ultrasonic image 64 with the adjusted contrast and brightness on the display area 58.

[0119] If the user selects a pre-capture image, the display control unit 44 displays the OK button 66 and the Return button 68 on the display area 62. If the user selects the OK button 66, the communication unit 34 of the terminal device 12 sends the information related to the pre-capture image selected by the user to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via the communication path N. If the user selects the return button 68, the selection of the pre-capture image is canceled.

[0120] If the user selects the preview image C1B1 and presses the OK button 66, the communication unit 34 of the terminal device 12 sends information related to the preview image C1B1 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via the communication path N. For example, the communication unit 34 sends information indicating the contrast "C1" and the brightness "B1" as information related to the preview image C1B1 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10. As another example, the communication unit 34 may send the preview image identification information of the preview image C1B1 as information related to the preview image C1B1 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10.

[0121] The control unit 30 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 changes the contrast included in the preset condition α1 to the contrast "C1", and changes the brightness included in the preset condition α1 to the brightness "B1", thereby generating a new preset condition according to the preset condition α1. The control unit 30 sets this new preset condition in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10. Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 generates an ultrasonic image according to the set new preset condition.

[0122] In Figure 8 In the example shown, as indicated by the symbol 72, the user is selecting the preview image G3S2. Accordingly, the user selects the gamma value "G3" and the sharpness "S2". When the user has selected the preview image G3S2, the display control unit 44 may also adjust the gamma value of the ultrasonic image 64 to the gamma value "G3", and adjust the sharpness of the ultrasonic image 64 to the sharpness "S2". In this case, the display control unit 44 displays the ultrasonic image 64 with the adjusted gamma value and sharpness in the display area 58.

[0123] If the user selects the preview image G3S2 and presses the OK button 66, the communication unit 34 of the terminal device 12 sends information related to the preview image G3S2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via the communication path N. For example, the communication unit 34 sends information indicating the gamma value "G3" and the sharpness "S2" as information related to the preview image G3S2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10. As another example, the communication unit 34 may send the preview image identification information of the preview image G3S2 as information related to the preview image G3S2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10.

[0124] The control unit 30 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 changes the gamma value included in the preset condition α1 to the gamma value "G3", and changes the sharpness included in the preset condition α1 to the sharpness "S2", thereby generating a new preset condition according to the preset condition α1. The control unit 30 sets this new preset condition in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10. Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 generates an ultrasonic image according to the set new preset condition.

[0125] For example, as Figure 6As shown, if the preview image C1B1 is selected and the OK button 66 is pressed, then as Figure 7 shown, the display control unit 44 displays the preview images G0S0 to G3S3 in the display area 60.

[0126] As Figure 6 and Figure 8 shown, if the user selects the contrast "C1", brightness "B1", gamma value "G3", and sharpness "S2", the control unit 30 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 changes the image quality parameters included in the preset condition α1 to these image quality parameters selected by the user, thereby generating a new preset condition α1'. Thereafter, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 generates an ultrasonic image according to this new preset condition α1'.

[0127] For example, the ultrasonic image generated according to this new preset condition α1' is sent from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to the terminal device 12 and displayed on the display of the UI36 of the terminal device 12. For example, this ultrasonic image is displayed in the display area 58. By referring to this ultrasonic image, the user can confirm whether an ultrasonic image with the image quality desired by the user is generated. In the case where an ultrasonic image with the image quality desired by the user is generated, the ultrasonic examination is performed using this preset condition α1'. In the case where an ultrasonic image with the image quality desired by the user is not generated, the user reselects or repeatedly selects the preview image. For example, the preview image is repeatedly selected until an ultrasonic image with the image quality desired by the user is generated.

[0128] In addition, the selection of the preview image, the pressing of the OK button 66, and the pressing of the Return button 68 can also be performed by voice-based instructions.

[0129] As described above, by displaying a plurality of preview images with different image quality parameters as sample images on the terminal device 12, the user of the terminal device 12 can visually confirm and select the image quality parameters. As a result, the setting for adjusting the image quality of the ultrasonic image can be simplified.

[0130] As an application scenario of the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present embodiment, the application scenarios described below can be considered.

[0131] For example, a doctor performs an ultrasonic examination by bringing the ultrasonic probe 14 close to a patient. In this case, in order to generate an ultrasonic image with the image quality desired by the doctor, a technician of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 (for example, a technician performing maintenance, etc.) adjusts a set of image quality parameters set in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 by operating the terminal device 12. The technician selects a preset condition and a pre-shot image by operating the terminal device 12. For example, the selection of the preset condition or the selection of the pre-shot image is performed until an ultrasonic image with the image quality desired by the doctor is generated. According to the present embodiment, even if the technician does not directly operate the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the image quality parameters set in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can be adjusted. For example, without interfering with the operation of the doctor directly operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the technician can adjust the image quality parameters.

[0132] Since the image quality parameters can be adjusted using the terminal device 12, the adjustment of the image quality parameters using the terminal device 12 can be performed beside the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 or at a position different from the position where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is installed. For example, even when actually performing an ultrasonic examination on a patient, the image quality parameters can be adjusted using the terminal device 12 in another room or the like. Thereby, the privacy of the patient is protected.

[0133] The image quality parameters set in a plurality of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses 10 can also be adjusted by one terminal device 12. Of course, the image quality parameters set in one ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can also be adjusted by one terminal device 12.

[0134] Hereinafter, the processing performed by the storage control unit 46 and the acquisition unit 48 will be described.

[0135] The storage control unit 46 stores at least one of the history information, the subject information, and the diagnostic condition information in a storage device (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, referred to as "history storage device") in association with the set of image quality parameters generated to generate the pre-shot image selected by the user.

[0136] The history information is information indicating the history of image quality adjustment performed by the user. The image quality adjustment history is a history of changes in the image quality parameters made by the user. For example, the image quality adjustment history is a history indicating what image quality parameters were changed by the user to what values at what time. For example, for each image quality parameter, the storage control unit 46 includes in the history information in association with each other the value of the image quality parameter before the change (that is, the image quality parameter before the change), the value of the image quality parameter after the change (that is, the image quality parameter after the change), the information for identifying the user who changed the image quality parameter, and the information indicating the date and time of the change of the image quality parameter.

[0137] The image quality adjustment history may also be a history of changes to the image quality parameter group made by the user. For example, the image quality adjustment history is a history indicating which image quality parameter group was changed to what value by the user at what time. For example, for each image quality parameter group, the storage control unit 46 includes the value before the change of the image quality parameter group (i.e., the image quality parameter group before the change), the value after the change of the image quality parameter group (i.e., the image quality parameter group after the change), information for identifying the user who changed the image quality parameter group, and information indicating the date and time when the image quality parameter group was changed, in the history information in an associated manner.

[0138] The subject information is information related to the subject for which ultrasonic waves were transmitted and received to generate an ultrasonic image for pre-shot image generation (e.g., a basic ultrasonic image). For example, the subject information includes subject identification information (e.g., patient ID, etc.) for identifying the subject. The subject information may include information indicating the age and gender of the subject. For example, when performing an ultrasonic examination using the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the subject information is input to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 via the operation unit 28 or the communication path N. The input subject information is transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to the terminal device 12 via the communication path N, and the storage control unit 46 receives the subject information.

[0139] The diagnostic condition information includes information indicating the part where the ultrasonic examination is performed, information indicating the imaging mode of the ultrasonic waves, and information indicating the type of the ultrasonic probe 14, etc.

[0140] The image quality parameter group for generating the pre-shot image selected by the user is a preset condition generated by changing the preset condition selected by the user according to the image quality parameters associated with the pre-shot image selected by the user. When the user selects the preset condition α1, the pre-shot image C1B1, and the pre-shot image G3S2, the preset condition α1' is the image quality parameter group for generating the pre-shot image selected by the user. That is, the combination of contrast and brightness included in the preset condition α1 is changed to the combination of contrast "C1" and brightness "B1", and the combination of gamma value and sharpness is changed to the combination of gamma value "G3" and sharpness "S2", and the generated preset condition α1' is the image quality parameter group for generating the pre-shot image selected by the user.

[0141] The history storage device may be the storage unit 38 of the terminal device 12, may be the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, or may be a storage unit included in an external device such as a server. In various hospital facilities, etc., at least one of the history information, the subject information, and the diagnostic condition information and the image quality parameter group for generating the pre-shot image selected by the user may be stored in the history storage device included in an external device such as a server in an associated manner.

[0142] For example, at least one of the history information, subject information, and diagnostic condition information is determined in advance, and the storage control unit 46 stores the determined information in the history storage device in association with the image quality parameter group used to generate the pre-captured image selected by the user. The user can select the information stored in the history storage device from the history information, subject information, and diagnostic condition information.

[0143] In addition, the storage control unit 46 may also store at least one of the history information, subject information, and diagnostic condition information in the history storage device in association with the image quality parameter group and voice information used to generate the pre-captured image selected by the user. For example, voice information is generated by collecting voice through the microphone provided in the terminal device 12. For example, when the user emits voice when selecting a pre-captured image, the voice of the user is collected through the microphone, and the storage control unit 46 stores the voice information representing the voice in the history storage device in association with other information. Thus, by confirming the voice, the situation when the pre-captured image is selected can be grasped later.

[0144] The acquisition unit 48 acquires the image quality parameter group retrieved from the history storage device by using at least one of the history information, subject information, and diagnostic condition information. The display control unit 44 displays the ultrasonic image with the image quality adjusted according to the image quality parameter group acquired by the acquisition unit 48 on the display of the UI 36.

[0145] For example, the user inputs at least one of the history information, subject information, and diagnostic condition information as a search keyword by operating the terminal device 12. The acquisition unit 48 retrieves and acquires the image quality parameter group associated with the input search keyword from the information stored in the history storage device.

[0146] The display control unit 44 adjusts the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the image quality parameter group acquired by the acquisition unit 48, and displays the ultrasonic image with the adjusted image quality on the display of the UI 36. For example, the ultrasonic image is generated in real time by the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 and sent to the terminal device 12. The display control unit 44 adjusts the image quality of the ultrasonic image sent from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 according to the image quality parameter group acquired by the acquisition unit 48. Of course, the display control unit 44 may also acquire the ultrasonic image stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, the storage unit 38 of the terminal device 12, or an external device, and adjust the image quality of the acquired ultrasonic image according to the image quality parameter group acquired by the acquisition unit 48. The display control unit 44 displays the ultrasonic image with the adjusted image quality on the display of the UI 36.

[0147] For example, when preset conditions used in other facilities are stored in the history storage device, the user can retrieve the preset conditions used in other facilities from the history storage device and use the preset conditions to adjust the image quality of the ultrasonic image. In this way, the user can refer to the preset conditions used in other facilities to adjust the image quality of the ultrasonic image. That is, the image quality parameter group can be shared by multiple users.

[0148] In addition, in Figure 3 the example shown, the terminal device 12 includes a storage control unit 46 and an acquisition unit 48, but the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 may also include a storage control unit 46 and an acquisition unit 48. When the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 includes a storage control unit 46 and an acquisition unit 48, the terminal device 12 may not include a storage control unit 46 and an acquisition unit 48. For example, the acquisition unit 48 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 can retrieve the image quality parameter group from the history storage device, and the image generation unit 18 can adjust the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the retrieved image quality parameter group. The ultrasonic image with adjusted image quality is displayed on the display unit 22.

[0149] Hereinafter, the processing performed by the recommendation unit 50 will be described.

[0150] The recommendation unit 50 determines the image quality parameter group recommended to the user based on the image quality parameter group used to generate the pre-shot image selected by the user and the history of the image quality adjustment performed by the user.

[0151] As described above, the history information indicating the history of the image quality adjustment performed by the user is stored in the history storage device. For example, as Figure 6 and Figure 8 shown, when the pre-shot image is selected by the user, the recommendation unit 50 determines the image quality parameter group recommended to the user based on the image quality parameter group used to generate the selected pre-shot image and the image quality adjustment history indicated by the history information stored in the history storage device. For example, when the image quality parameter group used to generate the pre-shot image selected by the user is the image quality parameter group A, and there is a history of changing the image quality parameter group from the image quality parameter group A to the image quality parameter group B, the recommendation unit 50 determines the image quality parameter group B as the image quality parameter group recommended to the user.

[0152] As another example, a learner can also be generated by learning the selection history of the image quality parameter group, the selection history of the pre-shot image, the image quality adjustment history, the diagnostic conditions, etc. through machine learning or the like. The recommendation unit 50 inputs the image quality parameter group used to generate the pre-shot image selected by the user into the learner and obtains, from the learner, the image quality parameter group as the output corresponding to the input, as the image quality parameter recommended to the user. The data of the learner can be stored in the storage unit 38 of the terminal device 12, can also be stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, or can also be stored in the storage unit of an external device such as a server.

[0153] The display control unit 44 adjusts the image quality of the ultrasonic image according to the image quality parameter group determined by the recommendation unit 50. The display control unit 44 causes the ultrasonic image with the adjusted image quality to be displayed on the display of the UI 36.

[0154] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 9 to 11 , a specific example of the process performed by the recommendation unit 50 will be described. Figures 9 to 11 represents a pre-capture image.

[0155] Figure 9 represents pre-capture images C0B0 to C3B3. Although the display area 60 is not shown in Figure 9 , similar to the example shown in Figure 6 , the pre-capture images C0B0 to C3B3 are displayed in the display area 60 of the terminal device 12. Here, as an example, the pre-capture image C1B1 is selected by the user.

[0156] For example, the recommendation unit 50 determines the image quality parameter group recommended to the user based on the image quality parameter group (the image quality parameter group including the contrast "C1" and the brightness "B1") used to generate the pre-capture image C1B1 and the image quality adjustment history indicated by the history information stored in the history storage device.

[0157] As another example, the recommendation unit 50 may input the image quality parameter group used to generate the pre-capture image C1B1 into the learner, and obtain, from the learner, the image quality parameter group as the output corresponding to the input, as the image quality parameters recommended to the user.

[0158] The pre-capture image C0’Bx and the pre-capture image CyB3’ are shown in Figure 10 . The pre-capture image C0’Bx and the pre-capture image CyB3’ are pre-capture images (i.e., sample images) recommended to the user. The pre-capture image C0’Bx and the pre-capture image CyB3’ are pre-capture images generated according to the image quality parameter group recommended to the user. That is, the contrast "C0’" and the brightness "B3’" are the image quality parameters recommended to the user.

[0159] Users who have previously selected the image quality parameter group including the contrast "C1" and the brightness "B1" tend to change the contrast to the contrast "C0’" and the brightness to "B3’". For example, a learner is generated by learning this change history. The recommendation unit 50 determines the image quality parameter group recommended to the user by using this learner.

[0160] The display control unit 44 displays a plurality of pre-capture images including the pre-capture image C0’Bx and the pre-capture image CyB3’ in the display area 60. Figure 11 represents an example of its display. Although the display area 60 is not shown in Figure 11 , similar to Figure 6Similarly, the display control unit 44 displays Figure 11 a plurality of pre-capture images shown in the display area 60.

[0161] In Figure 11 the example shown, the display control unit 44 replaces the pre-capture images C0B0 to C0B3, C1B3 to C3B3 (refer to Figure 6 ), and displays the pre-capture images C0’B0 to C0’B2, C0’B3’ to C3B3’ in the display area 60. Other pre-capture images are the same as the pre-capture images shown in Figure 6 .

[0162] Thereafter, the user selects a pre-capture image having the contrast and brightness desired by the user from the plurality of pre-capture images shown in Figure 11 . Thus, the user can select a pre-capture image having the image quality desired by the user from the plurality of pre-capture images recommended to the user. That is, the user can select a set of image quality parameters that can generate the image quality desired by the user from the plurality of sets of image quality parameters recommended to the user.

[0163] The display control unit 44 may also cause information related to the change of the image quality parameters made by the user to be displayed on the display of the UI36. For example, the display control unit 44 causes the image quality parameters before the change and the image quality parameters after the change to be displayed on the display as information related to the change of the image quality parameters. As another example, the display control unit 44 causes the difference between the image quality parameters before the change and the image quality parameters after the change to be displayed on the display as information related to the change of the image quality parameters. The display control unit 44 may also cause a list of image quality parameters to be displayed on the display, emphasize the image quality parameters after the change, and display them on the display. In addition, the display control unit 44 may cause the image quality parameters before the change and the image quality parameters after the change to be presented and displayed on the display in a table form or a chart form. Information related to the change of the image quality parameters may be sent from the terminal device 12 to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 and displayed on the display unit 22 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10.

[0164] Figure 12 shows an example of the display of information related to the change of the image quality parameters. In Figure 12 the example shown, the display control unit 44 causes information related to the change of the image quality parameters to be displayed on the display in a table form. The table is composed of a column 74 representing the name of the image quality parameter and columns 76 and 78 representing the image quality parameters.

[0165] The display control unit 44 distinguishes between the image quality parameters after the change and the image quality parameters that have not changed. For example, the display control unit 44 emphasizes the display of the image quality parameters after the change by making the color of the display position of the image quality parameters after the change different from the color of the display position of the image quality parameters that have not changed. In Figure 12 the example shown, the emphasized display part is shaded.

[0166] Figure 13 and Figure 14 represents another display example. In Figure 13 and Figure 14 In the example shown, the display control unit 44 graphs and displays information related to changes in the image quality parameters on the display. Each image quality parameter value is represented by a bar graph. For example, the display control unit 44 creates Figure 12 by graphing each image quality parameter value shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14 the graphs respectively shown in, and displays each graph on the display.

[0167] Figure 15 represents yet another display example. In Figure 15 In the example shown, the display control unit 44 lists and displays information related to changes in the image quality parameters on the display. For example, the date and time of the image quality parameter change, the name of the user who changed the image quality parameter, the inspection area, the name of the image quality parameter, the value of the image quality parameter before the change, the value of the image quality parameter after the change, the reason for the change, and the improvement effect (the effect produced by changing the image quality parameter) are included in the list. For example, the display control unit 44 highlights the image quality parameter after the change. In Figure 15 In the example shown, the highlighted portion is shaded.

[0168] The image generation unit 18, the display processing unit 20, and the control unit 30 can be implemented using hardware resources such as a processor or an electronic circuit, and in this implementation, devices such as a memory can be used as needed. Also, the image generation unit 18, the display processing unit 20, and the control unit 30 can be implemented by a computer, for example. That is, all or part of the image generation unit 18, the display processing unit 20, and the control unit 30 can be implemented through the cooperation of the hardware resources such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the memory of the computer and the software (program) that defines the operations of the CPU and the like. This program is stored in the storage unit 26 of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 via a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD or via a communication path such as a network. As another example, the image generation unit 18, the display processing unit 20, and the control unit 30 can be implemented by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like. Of course, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or the like can also be used. The image generation unit 18, the display processing unit 20, and the control unit 30 can be implemented by a single device or by multiple devices.

[0169] The reception unit 42, the display control unit 44, the storage control unit 46, the acquisition unit 48, and the recommendation unit 50 can be implemented using hardware resources such as a processor and an electronic circuit, and in this implementation, devices such as a memory can be used as needed. Also, the reception unit 42, the display control unit 44, the storage control unit 46, the acquisition unit 48, and the recommendation unit 50 can be implemented by a computer, for example. That is, all or part of the reception unit 42, the display control unit 44, the storage control unit 46, the acquisition unit 48, and the recommendation unit 50 can be implemented through the cooperation of the hardware resources such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the memory of the computer and the software (program) that defines the operations of the CPU and the like. This program is stored in the storage unit 38 of the terminal device 12 via a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD or via a communication path such as a network. As another example, the reception unit 42, the display control unit 44, the storage control unit 46, the acquisition unit 48, and the recommendation unit 50 can be implemented by a DSP, an ASIC, or an FPGA, or the like. Of course, a GPU or the like can also be used. The reception unit 42, the display control unit 44, the storage control unit 46, the acquisition unit 48, and the recommendation unit 50 can be implemented by a single device or by multiple devices.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising a terminal device and an ultrasonic diagnostic device, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic system is characterized in that: The terminal device comprises: an accepting unit that accepts a predetermined set of image quality parameters, i.e., preset conditions, related to the image quality of an ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from a user; a terminal sending unit, which sends preset information indicating the preset condition accepted by the accepting unit to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; and a display control unit, causing an image to be displayed on a display of the terminal device; The ultrasonic diagnostic device comprises: an image generating unit that generates a plurality of pre-captured images from an ultrasonic image according to a preset condition indicated by the preset information transmitted from the terminal device; and a device sending unit, configured to send the plurality of pre-captured images to the terminal device, The display control unit causes the display to display the plurality of pre-images transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as sample images. The terminal transmission unit transmits information on the pre-captured image selected by the user from among the plurality of pre-captured images displayed on the display to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: the display control unit causes the display to display thumbnail images each representing the plurality of pre-images transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as the sample images, The terminal transmitting unit transmits information on the preview image selected by the user selecting the thumbnail image to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes a storage control unit, The storage control unit stores in a storage device at least one of history information indicating a history of image quality adjustments performed by a user, subject information related to a subject that transmits and receives ultrasound waves in order to generate an ultrasound image for pre-image generation, and diagnostic condition information indicating diagnostic conditions when the ultrasound image for pre-image generation was generated, in association with an image quality parameter group for generating a pre-image selected by the user.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The terminal device further includes an acquisition unit, The acquisition unit acquires the image quality parameter group retrieved from the storage device using at least one of the history information, the subject information, and the diagnostic condition information. The display control unit causes the display to display an ultrasonic image whose image quality is adjusted according to the image quality parameter group acquired by the acquisition unit.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The terminal device further includes a recommendation unit. The recommendation unit determines the image quality parameter group recommended to the user based on the image quality parameter group used to generate the pre-captured image selected by the user and the history of image quality adjustment performed by the user. The display control unit causes the display to display, on the display, a preview image whose image quality is adjusted according to an image quality parameter group recommended to a user.

6. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display control unit causes the display to display information related to a change in an image quality parameter performed by a user.

Images