Ultrasonic diagnostic device and control method of ultrasonic diagnostic device

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device allowing a user to intuitively and easily correct a specification result of a vascular area, and control method of the ultrasonic diagnostic device.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: a vascular area specification part (25) for specifying a vascular area from ultrasonic images of a plurality of frames acquired in time series based on a score threshold; a monitor (23) for displaying the ultrasonic images and the specified vascular area; an input device (30) with which a user specifies a position and specifies addition or deletion of a vascular area; a correction area setting part (26) for setting a correction area on the ultrasonic image based on the position specified by the user; and a threshold value correction part (27) for correcting the score threshold according to content of the user specification. The vascular area specification part (25) executes processing of specifying the vascular area from the ultrasonic image in the correction area based on the corrected score threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for identifying blood vessels of a subject from an ultrasonic image, and a method for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, so-called ultrasound diagnostic devices that capture ultrasound images showing cross sections within a subject have been known. A user such as a doctor may use such an ultrasound diagnostic device to observe, for example, a vascular region of a subject. In this case, the user usually checks the ultrasound image captured by the ultrasound diagnostic device to determine which part of the ultrasound image shows the vascular region within the subject. However, since this determination requires a certain level of skill, a technology has been developed that automatically identifies the imaging site, such as a vascular region, so that a user can easily observe the vascular region, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6836652 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when using a technology for automatically identifying a part inside a subject as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vascular region may not be identified correctly for some reason. In such a case, it is necessary to correct the identification result of the vascular region. However, there is a problem that if the vascular region is not identified correctly in multiple frames of ultrasound images, the user has to make a lot of effort to correct the identification result of the vascular region.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems in the conventional art, and has an object to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that allow a user to intuitively and easily correct the results of identifying a vascular region. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above object can be achieved by the following configuration. [1] a vascular region identifying unit that identifies a vascular region based on a score threshold from a plurality of frames of ultrasound images acquired in time series; a monitor for displaying the ultrasound image and the identified vascular region; an input device that accepts a user's designation of a position and a designation regarding addition or deletion of a vascular region; a correction area setting unit that sets a correction area on an ultrasound image based on a position designated by a user; a threshold value modification unit that modifies the score threshold value according to a user's specification regarding addition or deletion of a vascular region; Equipped with The vascular region specifying unit is an ultrasound diagnostic device that performs a process of specifying a vascular region for the correction region set by the correction region setting unit, based on the score threshold corrected by the threshold correction unit. [2] the threshold correction unit, when the specified content specifies the addition of a vascular region, lowers the score threshold until the vascular region within the correction region is identified; The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the vascular region identification unit performs a process of identifying the vascular region for the next frame by inheriting the score threshold value used when the vascular region was identified. [3] the threshold correction unit, when the specified content specifies deletion of the vascular region, increases the score threshold until the vascular region in the correction region is no longer identified; The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the vascular region identifying unit performs a process of identifying the vascular region for the next frame by inheriting the score threshold value used when the vascular region is no longer identified. [4] The ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the correction area setting unit sets a correction area that surrounds a position designated by a user and has a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. [5] The ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the correction area setting unit sets a correction area that surrounds a position specified by a user via an input device and has a range specified by the user. [6] A Doppler measurement unit for performing Doppler measurement, An ultrasound diagnostic device as described in [2] or [4], wherein when the specified content specifies the addition of a vascular region, the correction region setting unit sets a correction region in a range in which blood flow is recognized based on Doppler measurement by the Doppler measurement unit around the position specified by the user. [7] An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of [2], [4], [5] and [6], wherein when a vascular region is not identified even after the score threshold is lowered by the threshold correction unit, the vascular region identification unit uses the score threshold before the lowering to identify the vascular region for the next frame. [8] An ultrasound diagnostic device according to [2], [4], [5], [6] or [7], wherein the vascular region identification unit stops adding the vascular region if the vascular region is not identified over a specified number of frames. [9] The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to any one of claims [1] to [8], further comprising a correction region tracking unit that tracks the correction region in accordance with movement of ultrasonic images between frames.

[10] The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to any one of [1] to [8], further comprising a vascular region tracking unit that tracks a vascular region in association with movement of ultrasonic images between frames.

[11] The ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , further comprising a memory for storing a vascular region that is a target of correction of the score threshold by the threshold correction unit and the correction content.

[12] Identifying a vascular region from multiple frames of ultrasound images acquired in time series based on a score threshold; The ultrasound image and the identified blood vessel area are displayed on a monitor. Accepting a user's designation of a position and designation regarding addition or deletion of a vascular region; setting a correction region on the ultrasound image based on a position specified by a user; modifying the score threshold in response to a user's specification of adding or removing vascular regions; A method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs processing to identify a vascular region based on a modified score threshold value for a set modified region. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a vascular region identification unit that identifies a vascular region based on a score threshold from a plurality of frames of ultrasound images acquired in time series, a monitor that displays the ultrasound images and the identified vascular region, an input device that accepts a user's designation of a position and designation regarding the addition or deletion of a vascular region, a correction region setting unit that sets a correction region on the ultrasound image based on the position designated by the user, and a threshold correction unit that corrects the score threshold in accordance with the user's designation regarding the addition or deletion of a vascular region. Since the vascular region identification unit performs a process of identifying a vascular region from an ultrasound image within the correction region set by the correction region setting unit based on the score threshold corrected by the threshold correction unit, a user can intuitively and easily correct the identification result of the vascular region. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmission / reception circuit in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image generating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic example of blood vessels identified in an ultrasound image. [Diagram 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a set correction region. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a set correction region. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of correcting a score threshold in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing another operation of correcting the score threshold in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a Doppler measurement unit in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the components will be given based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits. In this specification, the terms "same" and "identical" include a generally acceptable margin of error in the technical field.

[0010] First embodiment 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1 and an apparatus main body 2 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1.

[0011] The ultrasonic probe 1 has a transducer array 11. A transmission / reception circuit 12 is connected to the transducer array 11.

[0012] The device main body 2 has an image generating section 21 connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 1. A display control section 22 and a monitor 23 are connected to the image generating section 21, in that order. An image memory 24 is also connected to the image generating section 21. A vascular region specifying section 25 and a correction region setting section 26 are connected to the image memory 24. The correction region setting section 26 is connected to the vascular region specifying section 25. A threshold correction section 27, a correction content memory 28, and a display control section 22 are also connected to the vascular region specifying section 25. A main body control section 29 is also connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12, the image generating section 21, the display control section 22, the image memory 24, the vascular region specifying section 25, the correction region setting section 26, the threshold correction section 27, and the correction content memory 28. An input device 30 is connected to the main body control section 29.

[0013] The transmitting / receiving circuit 12 and the image generating unit 21 constitute an image acquiring unit 31. The image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the vascular region identifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26, the threshold correction unit 27, and the main body control unit 29 constitute a processor 32 for the device main body 2.

[0014] The transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. Each of these ultrasonic transducers transmits ultrasonic waves according to a drive signal supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 12, receives ultrasonic echoes from the subject, and outputs a signal based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is configured by forming electrodes on both ends of a piezoelectric body made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymeric piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), or a piezoelectric single crystal represented by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate).

[0015] The transmission / reception circuit 12, under the control of the main body control unit 29, transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11 and generates sound ray signals based on reception signals acquired by the transducer array 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the transmission / reception circuit 12 has a pulser 13 connected to the transducer array 11, and an amplifier unit 14, an AD (Analog to Digital) converter unit 15, and a beamformer 16 that are connected in series from the transducer array 11 in sequence.

[0016] The pulser 13 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and adjusts the delay amount of each drive signal and supplies it to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11 so that ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers form ultrasonic beams based on a transmission delay pattern selected in response to a control signal from the main body control unit 29. In this way, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts, and each ultrasonic transducer generates a pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic wave, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the composite wave of those ultrasonic waves.

[0017] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected by an object such as a part of the subject, and propagates toward the transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the transducer array 11 in this manner is received by each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 expands and contracts upon receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, generating received signals which are electrical signals, and outputs these received signals to the amplifier 14.

[0018] The amplifier 14 amplifies signals input from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 and transmits the amplified signals to the AD converter 15. The AD converter 15 converts the signals transmitted from the amplifier 14 into digital reception data. The beamformer 16 performs so-called reception focusing processing by delaying and adding each piece of reception data received from the AD converter 15. Through this reception focusing processing, each piece of reception data converted by the AD converter 15 is phased and added, and a sound ray signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is acquired.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the image generating unit 21 has a configuration in which a signal processing unit 41, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 42, and an image processing unit 43 are connected in series.

[0020] The signal processing unit 41 performs correction for attenuation due to distance on the sound ray signals received from the transmission / reception circuit 12 using the sound velocity value set by the main body control unit 29 in accordance with the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding the tissue in the subject.

[0021] The DSC 42 converts (raster converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processor 41 into an image signal conforming to a normal television signal scanning method. The image processing unit 43 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 42, and then sends the B-mode image signal to the display control unit 22. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 43 will be referred to as an ultrasound image.

[0022] Under the control of the main body control unit 29, the display control unit 22 performs predetermined processing on the ultrasound image etc. generated by the image generating unit 21 and displays it on the monitor 23. The monitor 23 performs various displays under the control of the display control unit 22. The monitor 23 may include a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

[0023] The image memory 24 is a memory that stores ultrasonic images generated by the image generating unit 21 under the control of the main body control unit 29. As the image memory 24, for example, a recording medium such as a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an FD (Flexible Disk), an MO disk (Magneto-Optical disk), an MT (Magnetic Tape), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an SD card (Secure Digital card), or a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory) can be used.

[0024] The vascular region identifying unit 25 reads out the ultrasound image generated by the image generating unit 21 and stored in the image memory 24, and performs a process of identifying a vascular region appearing in the ultrasound image based on a score threshold. Here, the score threshold is a threshold for a score representing the vascular-likeness of a structure appearing in the ultrasound image. The score representing the vascular-likeness of a structure appearing in the ultrasound image can be calculated by referring to, for example, brightness information in the ultrasound image, shape information of a structure resembling a vascular region appearing in the ultrasound image, and position information of a structure resembling a vascular region appearing in the ultrasound image. The position information of a structure resembling a vascular region appearing in the ultrasound image includes information representing the positional relationship between the structure resembling a vascular region and the anatomical structure surrounding it.

[0025] The vascular region identifying unit 25 can perform a process of identifying a vascular region using a so-called machine learning trained model that has been trained using a large number of ultrasound images that include vascular regions. In this case, the trained model calculates a score of vascularity for a structure based on at least one of the brightness information, shape information, and arrangement information of the structure in the input ultrasound image, and identifies the structure as a blood vessel when the calculated score exceeds a score threshold, and does not identify the structure as a blood vessel when the calculated score is equal to or less than the score threshold. The vascular region identifying unit 25 can use a predetermined score threshold as the initial value of the score threshold.

[0026] The vascular region specifying unit 25 can also perform processing to specify blood vessels using methods other than the method using a trained model. For example, the vascular region specifying unit 25 can calculate a score of blood vessel-likeness using an image analysis technique that uses a feature amount such as template matching, AdaBoost (Adaptive Boosting), SVM (Support Vector Machine), or SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform), and perform processing to specify blood vessels based on the calculated score and a score threshold value.

[0027] The input device 30 accepts input operations by the user and sends the input information to the main body control unit 29. For example, via the input device 30, the user can specify a position on the ultrasound image and specify addition or deletion of a vascular region to the ultrasound image after the vascular region specifying unit 25 has performed processing to specify blood vessels.

[0028] The main body control unit 29 controls each unit of the device main body 2 and the ultrasonic probe 1 according to a prerecorded program or the like. The main body control unit 29 can receive, for example, a user's specification of a position on an ultrasonic image via the input device 30, and a specification regarding addition or deletion of a vascular region to an ultrasonic image after the vascular region specifying unit 25 has performed processing to specify blood vessels.

[0029] The correction region setting unit 26 sets a correction region on the ultrasound image based on a position on the ultrasound image specified by the user via the input device 30. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, when a vascular region B1 is specified on an ultrasound image U by the vascular region specifying unit 25 but a vascular region B2 is not specified, and the user specifies the addition of a vascular region B2 that has not yet been specified and specifies the position of the vascular region B2, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R surrounding the vascular region B2 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0030] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when vascular regions B1 and B2 are identified by the vascular region identification unit 25 but the identification result of vascular region B2 is incorrect, the user specifies the deletion of the already identified vascular region B2 and specifies the position of vascular region B2, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R surrounding vascular region B2.

[0031] The correction region setting unit 26 can, for example, set a correction region R that surrounds a position specified by the user and has a defined shape and a defined size. Here, the user can manually set a position on the ultrasound image U and a range surrounding that position via the input device 30. In this case, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R that surrounds a position specified by the user and has a range specified by the user.

[0032] Furthermore, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R based on a user's designation for a plurality of frames of ultrasound images U that are acquired in time series by the image generating unit 21 and have undergone processing for identifying a vascular region by the vascular region identifying unit 25. At this time, the correction region setting unit 26 can set, for example, the correction region R set for one frame of ultrasound image U also for the other frames of ultrasound images U.

[0033] The threshold correction unit 27 corrects the score threshold in accordance with the user's designation regarding addition or deletion of the vascular region B2. The vascular region identification unit 25 performs processing to identify the vascular region B2 from the ultrasound image U within the correction region R set by the correction region setting unit 26, based on the score threshold corrected by the threshold correction unit 27.

[0034] For example, when the user's instruction specifies the addition of the vascular region B2, the threshold correction unit 27 can lower the score threshold until the vascular region is identified by the vascular region specifying unit 25 within the correction region R set by the correction region setting unit 26. The user's instruction to add the vascular region B2 to the identification result by the vascular region specifying unit 25 is achieved by the vascular region specifying unit 25 identifying the vascular region B2 using the score threshold finally obtained in this manner, i.e., the score threshold when the vascular region B2 is identified.

[0035] For example, when the user's instruction specifies the deletion of the vascular region B2, the threshold correction unit 27 can increase the score threshold until the vascular region is no longer identified by the vascular region specifying unit 25 within the correction region R set by the correction region setting unit 26. When the vascular region specifying unit 25 performs a process of specifying the vascular region B2 using the score threshold finally obtained in this manner, that is, the score threshold when the vascular region B2 is no longer identified, the vascular region B2 is not identified, and therefore the user's instruction to delete the vascular region B2 from the identification result by the vascular region specifying unit 25 is achieved.

[0036] In this manner, the user modifies the result of the vascular region identification by the vascular region identifying unit 25 by specifying the addition or deletion of the vascular region and specifying the position on the ultrasound image U. Therefore, the user can intuitively and easily modify the result of the vascular region identification by the vascular region identifying unit 25.

[0037] Furthermore, when the image generating unit 21 acquires a plurality of frames of ultrasound images U in time series, the vascular region identifying unit 25 performs processing for identifying a vascular region in the plurality of frames of ultrasound images U, and the correction region setting unit 26 sets a correction region R for the plurality of frames of ultrasound images U, the vascular region identifying unit 25 can take over the score threshold corrected by the threshold correction unit 27 in the one frame of ultrasound image U whose position is specified by the user, and perform processing for identifying a vascular region in the other frames of ultrasound images U. As a result, the identification result of the vascular region specified by the user is corrected for each of the plurality of frames of ultrasound images U.

[0038] In this way, even when a process for identifying vascular regions is performed on multiple frames of ultrasound images U acquired in chronological order, the user can intuitively and easily correct the results of identifying vascular regions in multiple frames of ultrasound images U by specifying the addition or deletion of a vascular region and its position on the ultrasound image U in one of the multiple frames of ultrasound image U.

[0039] The correction content memory 28 is a memory that stores the vascular region that is the target of the score threshold correction by the threshold correction unit 27 and the correction content under the control of the main body control unit 29. As the correction content memory 28, for example, a recording medium such as a flash memory, HDD, SSD, FD, MO disk, MT, RAM, CD, DVD, SD card, or USB memory can be used.

[0040] When the vascular region specifying unit 25 uses a trained model, the trained model can additionally learn the vascular region and the correction content stored in the correction content memory 28. This allows the trained model to improve the accuracy of specifying the vascular region.

[0041] The processor 32 having the image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the vascular region identifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26, the threshold correction unit 27 and the main body control unit 29 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, but may be composed of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or may be composed of a combination of these.

[0042] In addition, the image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the vascular region identifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26, the threshold correction unit 27 and the main body control unit 29 of the processor 32 can be configured as a single CPU or the like, either partially or entirely integrated.

[0043] Next, an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0044] First, in step S1, the user places the ultrasonic probe 1 on the abdomen of the subject, and the image acquisition unit 31 acquires an ultrasonic image U. At this time, the transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1 transmits an ultrasonic beam into the subject, and receives an ultrasonic echo from within the subject, generating a reception signal. The transmission / reception circuit 12 of the image acquisition unit 31 performs so-called reception focus processing on the reception signal under the control of the main body control unit 29 to generate a sound ray signal. The sound ray signal generated by the transmission / reception circuit 12 is sent to the image generation unit 21. The image generation unit 21 generates an ultrasonic image U using the sound ray signal sent from the transmission / reception circuit 12. The ultrasonic image U generated here is sent to the display control unit 22 and displayed on the monitor 23.

[0045] In step S2, the image memory 24 stores the ultrasound image U acquired in step S1 under the control of the main body control unit 29.

[0046] In step S3, the main body control unit 29 determines whether or not to end the capturing of the ultrasonic image U. The main body control unit 29 determines to continue capturing the ultrasonic image U when, for example, the user does not particularly specify via the input device 30 that the capturing of the ultrasonic image U is to be ended. In this case, the process returns to step S1, and a new ultrasonic image U is acquired. Thereafter, the processes of steps S1 and S2 are repeated until the main body control unit 29 determines to end the capturing of the ultrasonic image U, and a plurality of frames of ultrasonic images U acquired in chronological order are stored in the image memory 24.

[0047] For example, when the user issues a command to end the capturing of the ultrasound image U via the input device 30, the main body control unit 29 determines to end the capturing of the ultrasound image U and causes the transmission / reception circuit 12 and the image generating unit 21 to stop transmitting and receiving the ultrasound beam and generating the ultrasound image U. In this case, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0048] In step S4, the vascular region specifying unit 25 performs a process of specifying a vascular region on the ultrasound image U of multiple frames stored in the image memory 24 by repeating steps S1 and S2, based on a predetermined score threshold. At this time, the vascular region specifying unit 25 can calculate a score of a structure appearing in the ultrasound image U using a machine learning method or an image analysis algorithm using a feature amount such as template matching, AdaBoost, SVM, or SIFT, and perform a process of specifying the vascular region based on the calculated score and the score threshold. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a vascular region B1 is specified on the ultrasound image U of multiple frames.

[0049] In step S5, the display control unit 22 displays one frame of ultrasound image U among the multiple frames of ultrasound image U stored in the image memory 24 on the monitor 23. At this time, the display control unit 22 can display on the monitor 23 one frame of ultrasound image U selected by the user via the input device 30, for example.

[0050] In step S6, the main body control unit 29 receives a position designated by the user via the input device 30 on the ultrasound image U displayed on the monitor 23 in step S5, and a designation regarding addition or deletion of a vascular region.

[0051] In step S7, the correction region setting unit 26 sets a correction region R on the ultrasound image U based on the position specified by the user in step S6. For example, when the user's designation is to add the vascular region B2 not specified in step S4 to the identification result of the vascular region specifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R surrounding the vascular region B2 not yet specified as shown in Fig. 5 based on the position specified by the user. Also, for example, when the user's designation is to delete the vascular region B2 specified in step S4 from the identification result of the vascular region specifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R surrounding the vascular region B2 already specified as shown in Fig. 6 based on the position specified by the user.

[0052] In step S8, the threshold modification unit 27 modifies the score threshold used in the process of identifying the vascular region within the modified region R set in step S7, depending on the content regarding the addition or deletion of the vascular region specified by the user in step S6.

[0053] For example, when the specification in step S6 specifies the addition of the vascular region B2, the threshold correction unit 27 can lower the score threshold until the vascular region B2 is identified in the correction region R. At this time, the score threshold is corrected, for example, as shown in the flowchart in FIG.

[0054] First, in step S21, threshold value correction unit 27 performs a process of lowering the current score threshold value by a fixed value.

[0055] Next, in step S22, the vascular region specifying unit 25 performs processing for specifying the vascular region B2 within the correction region R set in step S7, using the score threshold value after being lowered by a certain value in step S21.

[0056] In the next step S23, the threshold correction unit 27 judges whether or not the vascular region B2 has been specified in step S22. If it is judged that the vascular region B2 has not been specified, the threshold correction unit 27 returns to step S21 and performs processing to further reduce the score threshold by a certain value.

[0057] Then, in step S22, the vascular region identification unit 25 performs a process of identifying a vascular region B2 within the correction region R based on the score threshold value obtained in the immediately preceding step S21, and in step S23, the threshold correction unit 27 determines whether or not the vascular region B2 has been identified.

[0058] In this manner, the processes of steps S21 to S23 are repeated until it is determined in step S23 that the vascular region B2 has been identified. When it is determined in step S23 that the vascular region B2 has been identified, the score threshold value obtained in the latest step S21 is determined as the final corrected score threshold value. As a result, the score threshold value is corrected so that the vascular region B2 can be identified within the corrected region R.

[0059] Also, for example, when the designation content in step S6 designates the deletion of the vascular region B2, the threshold correction unit 27 can increase the score threshold until the vascular region B2 is no longer specified in the correction region R. At this time, the score threshold is corrected, for example, as shown in the flowchart in FIG.

[0060] First, in step S24, threshold value correction unit 27 performs a process of increasing the current score threshold value by a fixed value.

[0061] Next, in step S22, the vascular region specifying unit 25 performs processing for specifying the vascular region B2 within the correction region R set in step S7, using the score threshold value increased by a certain value in step S24.

[0062] In the next step S23, the threshold correction unit 27 determines whether or not the vascular region B2 has been identified in step S22. If it is determined that the vascular region B2 has been identified, the threshold correction unit 27 returns to step S24 and performs processing to further increase the score threshold by a certain value.

[0063] Then, in step S22, the vascular region identification unit 25 performs a process of identifying a vascular region B2 within the correction region R based on the score threshold obtained in the immediately preceding step S24, and in step S23, the threshold correction unit 27 determines whether or not the vascular region B2 has been identified.

[0064] In this manner, the processes of steps S24, S22, and S23 are repeated until it is determined in step S23 that the vascular region B2 has not been specified. If it is determined in step S23 that the vascular region B2 has not been specified, the score threshold value obtained in the latest step S24 is determined as the final corrected score threshold value. This causes the score threshold value to be corrected so that the vascular region B2 cannot be specified within the corrected region R.

[0065] In step S9 following step S8, the vascular region identifying unit 25 performs a process of identifying the vascular region B2 within the correction region R set in step S7. When the score threshold is corrected in step S8 so that the vascular region B2 is identified, the vascular region B2 within the correction region R is identified in step S9, and the vascular region B2 is added to the identification result of the vascular region. Also, when the score threshold is corrected in step S8 so that the vascular region B2 is not identified, the vascular region B2 within the correction region R is not identified in step S9, and the vascular region B2 is deleted from the identification result of the vascular region.

[0066] In this way, when the user specifies the position and correction content on the ultrasound image U in step S6, the correction content specified by the user is achieved by the processes of steps S7 to S9. Therefore, the user can intuitively and easily correct the identification result of the vascular region.

[0067] In step S10, the main body control unit 29 determines whether or not there is a next ultrasound image U, that is, an ultrasound image U in which the identification result of the vascular region has not been corrected, among the multiple frames of ultrasound images U acquired by repeating steps S1 and S2. If it is determined that there is a next ultrasound image U, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0068] In step S11, the main body control unit 29 reads the next ultrasound image U from the image memory 24, thereby changing the ultrasound image U for correcting the vascular region identification result to the next ultrasound image U. In this ultrasound image U, the correction content designated by the user in step S6 is not reflected.

[0069] In step S12, the correction region setting unit 26 sets, within the current ultrasound image U, the correction region R that was set for the previous ultrasound image U in step S7.

[0070] In step S13, the vascular region specifying unit 25 performs a process of specifying the vascular region B2 using the score threshold value after correction in step S8 within the correction region R set in step S12 for the current ultrasound image U. When the score threshold value is corrected in step S8 so that the vascular region B2 is specified, the vascular region B2 within the correction region R is specified in step S13, and the vascular region B2 is added to the specified result of the vascular region. Also, when the score threshold value is corrected in step S8 so that the vascular region B2 is not specified, the vascular region B2 within the correction region R is not specified in step S13, and the vascular region B2 is deleted from the specified result of the vascular region.

[0071] When the process of step S13 is completed, the process returns to step S10 to determine whether or not there is a next ultrasound image U. In this manner, the processes of steps S10 to S13 are repeated as long as it is determined that there is a next ultrasound image U, that is, an ultrasound image U in which the identification result of the vascular region has not been corrected, among the ultrasound images U of the multiple frames acquired by repeating steps S1 and S2. By repeating the processes of steps S10 to S13, the correction content designated by the user in step S6 is reflected in each of the ultrasound images U of the multiple frames.

[0072] If it is determined in step S10 that the next ultrasound image U does not exist, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is completed.

[0073] From the above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, the correction region setting unit 26 sets a correction region R on the ultrasonic image U based on a position designated by the user, and the threshold correction unit 27 However, the score threshold is modified according to the user's specifications regarding the addition or deletion of a vascular region, and the vascular region identification unit 25 performs processing to identify the vascular region based on the modified score threshold from the ultrasound image U within the modified region R, so that the user can intuitively and easily modify the vascular region identification result.

[0074] Furthermore, when correcting the results of identifying vascular regions in multiple frames of ultrasound images U acquired in chronological order, the user can intuitively and easily correct the results of identifying vascular regions in multiple frames of ultrasound images U by specifying the addition or deletion of a vascular region and its position on the ultrasound image U in one of the multiple frames of ultrasound image U.

[0075] Although the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 has been described as being provided in the ultrasonic probe 1, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 may be provided in the device body 2. Further, although the image generating unit 21 is described as being provided in the device body 2, the image generating unit 21 may be provided in the ultrasound probe 1.

[0076] The device body 2 may be a so-called stationary type, a portable type that is easy to carry, or a so-called handheld type that is configured by, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer. In this way, the type of device that configures the device body 2 is not particularly limited.

[0077] Further, although the ultrasonic probe 1 and the device body 2 are described as being connected to each other by wire, the ultrasonic probe 1 and the device body 2 may be connected to each other wirelessly.

[0078] Furthermore, when a vascular region is added to the result of identifying the vascular region in the ultrasound images U of multiple frames, and the vascular region is not identified even if the score threshold is lowered by the threshold correction unit 27, the vascular region identification unit 25 determines that the vascular region does not exist at the position specified by the user, and can identify the vascular region for the next frame by inheriting the score threshold before the lowering, i.e., the initial value of the score threshold. This makes it possible to prevent an anatomical structure other than the vascular region from being erroneously identified as the vascular region due to the lowered score threshold in any of the ultrasound images U of multiple frames, and improve the accuracy of the result of identifying the vascular region.

[0079] Furthermore, when a correction is made to add a vascular region to the vascular region identification result in the ultrasound image U of multiple frames, and the vascular region is not identified in the corrected region R over a set number of frames, the vascular region identification unit 25 determines that the vascular region does not exist in the position specified by the user, and can stop adding the vascular region. This makes it possible to prevent the vascular region from being added erroneously, and improve the accuracy of the vascular region identification result.

[0080] In addition, although not shown, the ultrasound diagnostic device may also have a correction suggestion unit that proposes correction of the identification result of the vascular region based on the vascular region to be corrected for the score threshold and the correction content stored in the correction content memory 28 in the past examination. For example, the correction suggestion unit compares a blood vessel-like structure shown in the ultrasound image U of multiple frames on which the process for identifying the vascular region has been performed with the vascular region stored in the correction content memory 28 in the past examination, and when the blood vessel-like structure shown in the ultrasound image U of multiple frames is similar to the vascular region stored in the correction content memory 28 in the past examination, it can propose to execute the correction content related to the similar vascular region. The user can improve the accuracy of the final identification result of the vascular region by correcting the identification result of the vascular region with reference to the proposed correction content.

[0081] It has also been described that the vascular region identification unit 25 performs processing for identifying a vascular region from the entire ultrasound image U for multiple frames of ultrasound image U. However, for example, when a user sets a region of interest for searching for a vascular region in the ultrasound image U via the input device 30, the vascular region identification unit 25 can also identify the vascular region in that region of interest.

[0082] Also, although it has been described that the process of identifying a vascular region for the ultrasound image U generated by the image generating unit 21 and the process of correcting the identified result of the vascular region are performed, the ultrasound diagnostic device can also perform the process of identifying a vascular region for an ultrasound image U previously stored in the image memory 24 and the process of correcting the identified result of the vascular region. Here, the ultrasound image U previously stored in the image memory 24 includes, for example, an ultrasound image U acquired in a past examination and stored in the image memory 24, and an ultrasound image U transmitted from an external device (not shown) and stored in the image memory 24.

[0083] Furthermore, the ultrasound image U stored in advance in the image memory 24 may include an ultrasound image U in which a vascular region has already been identified and stored in association with the identification result. In this case, the ultrasound diagnostic device can correct the identification result of the vascular region for that ultrasound image U.

[0084] 5 and 6 show a rectangular correction region R, the shape of the correction region R is not limited to a rectangle. The correction region R may have, for example, a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or any other shape.

[0085] 7, the process of identifying the vascular region is performed collectively in step S4 for a plurality of frames of ultrasound images U acquired by repeating steps S1 and S2, but for example, immediately after the ultrasound image U is acquired in step S1, the process of identifying the vascular region for that ultrasound image U can also be performed. In this case, the vascular region identifying unit 25 can, for example, store the identification result of the vascular region for one frame of ultrasound image U in the image memory 24 by linking it to that ultrasound image U.

[0086] In addition, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, steps S10 to S13 are repeated to set correction areas R for multiple frames of ultrasound images U, but the correction area setting unit 26 can also set correction areas R for all of the remaining ultrasound images U at any timing after setting correction area R for the first frame of ultrasound image U in step S7.

[0087] Embodiment 2 When the user designates the addition of a blood vessel region, the correction region setting unit 26 can set the correction region R in a range in which blood flow is recognized by so-called Doppler measurement.

[0088] Fig. 10 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 2 includes an apparatus body 2A instead of the apparatus body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1. The apparatus body 2A further includes a Doppler measurement unit 51 in the apparatus body 2 in embodiment 1, and includes a body control unit 29A instead of the body control unit 29.

[0089] In the device main body 2A, a Doppler measurement unit 51 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12. The Doppler measurement unit 51 is connected to the image memory 24 and the main body control unit 29A. The image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the correction region setting unit 26, the threshold correction unit 27, the main body control unit 29A, and the Doppler measurement unit 51 constitute a processor 32A for the device main body 2A.

[0090] The Doppler measurement unit 51 is a section that performs so-called Doppler measurement, and has, for example, a quadrature detection unit 52, a high-pass filter 53, a fast Fourier transform unit 54, a Doppler data generation unit 55, and a complex data memory 56, as shown in Fig. 11. In the Doppler measurement unit 51, the quadrature detection unit 52 is connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12, and the quadrature detection unit 52 is sequentially connected to the high-pass filter 53, the fast Fourier transform unit 54, and the Doppler data generation unit 55. In addition, the complex data memory 56 is connected to the quadrature detection unit 52.

[0091] The quadrature detection unit 52 mixes the sound ray signals generated by the transmission / reception circuit 12 with a carrier signal of a reference frequency, thereby performing quadrature detection on the sound ray signals and converting them into complex data. The high-pass filter 53 functions as a so-called wall filter, and removes frequency components derived from the movement of the subject's internal tissue from the complex data generated by the quadrature detection unit 52 .

[0092] The fast Fourier transform unit 54 performs frequency analysis by Fourier transforming the complex data of the multiple sample points to obtain the blood flow velocity and generate a spectrum signal. The Doppler data generating unit 55 generates Doppler data indicating the distribution of blood flow in a cross-sectional plane of the subject corresponding to the ultrasound image U, based on the spectral signal generated by the fast Fourier transform unit 54. The complex data memory 56 stores the complex data converted from the acoustic ray signals by the quadrature detection unit 52 .

[0093] The Doppler measurement unit 51 associates the Doppler data generated in this manner with the ultrasound image U and stores it in the image memory 24.

[0094] When the user specifies the addition of a vascular region, the correction region setting unit 26 can set a correction region R in the range in which blood flow can be recognized based on Doppler data obtained by Doppler measurement by the Doppler measurement unit 51 around the position specified by the user.

[0095] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment, the Doppler measurement unit 51 performs Doppler measurement, and the correction region setting unit 26 sets the correction region R in a range in which blood flow can be recognized based on the Doppler measurement by the Doppler measurement unit 51 around the position specified by the user, so that the correction region R can be set more accurately at a position where the vascular region exists, thereby improving the accuracy of the vascular region identification result.

[0096] Third embodiment When acquiring multiple frames of ultrasound images U in time series, the entire image may move in the multiple frames of ultrasound images U due to, for example, a movement in the position of the ultrasound probe 1. Therefore, when setting a correction region R for multiple frames of ultrasound images U, the ultrasound diagnostic device can track the correction region R in accordance with the movement of the ultrasound images U between frames.

[0097] Fig. 12 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3 includes an apparatus body 2B instead of the apparatus body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1. The apparatus body 2B further includes a correction region tracking unit 57 in the apparatus body 2 in embodiment 1, and includes a body control unit 29B instead of the body control unit 29.

[0098] In the device main body 2B, a correction region tracking unit 57 is connected to the image memory 24 and the correction region setting unit 26. The correction region tracking unit 57 is connected to the vascular region specifying unit 25 and the main body control unit 29B. The image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the vascular region specifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26, the threshold correction unit 27, the main body control unit 29B, and the correction region tracking unit 57 configure a processor 32B for the device main body 2B.

[0099] When setting a correction area R for ultrasonic images U of multiple frames, the correction area tracking unit 57 sets a correction area R for ultrasonic images U of the remaining frames by tracking the correction area R initially set by the correction area setting unit 26 in accordance with the movement of the ultrasonic images U between frames caused by the movement of the ultrasonic probe 1, etc., when acquiring ultrasonic images U of multiple frames.

[0100] The correction area tracking unit 57 can track the correction area R by calculating the movement direction and movement amount of the entire image from the difference of the ultrasound image U between frames using an algorithm such as so-called optical flow, and moving the correction area R between frames by the calculated movement amount along the calculated movement direction. The correction area tracking unit 57 can set the correction area R in the ultrasound image U of the remaining frames by sequentially tracking the correction area R set in the ultrasound image U whose position is specified by the user, for example, in the previous frame and the subsequent frame in the time series stored in the image memory 24.

[0101] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic device of the third embodiment, the correction area tracking unit 57 tracks the correction area R in association with the movement of the ultrasound image U between frames, so that the correction area R surrounding a structure existing at a position designated by the user can be set more reliably, and the results of identifying the vascular area for the ultrasound images U of multiple frames can be accurately corrected.

[0102] Although it has been described that the modified area tracking unit 57 tracks the modified area R by optical flow, the algorithm used to track the modified area R is not particularly limited to this. For example, the modified area tracking unit 57 can search the ultrasound image U using a search area (not shown) having the same size and shape as the modified area R, and set the modified area R to the area having the highest similarity to the image in the modified area R set for the previous ultrasound image U in the time series.

[0103] Also, it has been described that the correction region tracking unit 57 tracks the correction region R using an algorithm such as optical flow, but when the ultrasonic diagnostic device is equipped with a sensor device that detects the movement or tilt of the ultrasonic probe 1, the correction region tracking unit 57 can also track the correction region R based on information from the sensor. As a sensor device that detects the movement or tilt of the ultrasonic probe 1, for example, a so-called gyro sensor, acceleration sensor, magnetic sensor, GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, etc. can be used.

[0104] In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment has a configuration in which a correction region tracking unit 57 is added to the device body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, but it can also have a configuration in which a correction region tracking unit 57 is added to the device body 2A in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0105] Fourth embodiment Although the third embodiment has been described as tracking the correction region R, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can also track a blood vessel region in the ultrasonic image U between frames.

[0106] Fig. 13 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 4 includes an apparatus body 2C instead of the apparatus body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 1. The apparatus body 2C further includes a vascular region tracking unit 58 in the apparatus body 2 in embodiment 1, and includes a body control unit 29C instead of the body control unit 29.

[0107] In the device main body 2C, a vascular region tracking unit 58 is connected to the image memory 24 and the vascular region specifying unit 25. The vascular region tracking unit 58 is connected to the correction region setting unit 26 and the main body control unit 29C. In addition, the image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the vascular region specifying unit 25, the correction region setting unit 26, the threshold correction unit 27, the main body control unit 29C, and the vascular region tracking unit 58 configure a processor 32C for the device main body 2C.

[0108] When setting a correction region R for multiple frames of ultrasound images U, the vascular region tracking unit 58 tracks the vascular region already identified by the vascular region identifying unit 25 in accordance with the movement of the ultrasound images U between frames or the movement of the vascular region caused by the movement of the ultrasound probe 1 or the arrangement of blood vessels in the subject when the multiple frames of ultrasound images U are acquired.

[0109] The vascular region tracking unit 58 can track the vascular region in the ultrasound image U between frames, for example, in the same manner as the correction region tracking unit 57 in the third embodiment tracks the correction region R. When multiple vascular regions are identified in the ultrasound image U, the vascular region tracking unit 58 can track the multiple vascular regions after assigning unique vascular names to each of the multiple vascular regions in order to distinguish the multiple vascular regions from one another.

[0110] When the user specifies that a vascular region is to be deleted from the identification result and the user specifies the position of the vascular region to be deleted, the correction region setting unit 26 sets a correction region R surrounding the vascular region to be deleted that has been tracked by the vascular region tracking unit 58 in multiple frames of ultrasound images U.

[0111] As described above, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic device of the fourth embodiment, the vascular region tracking unit 58 tracks the vascular region in association with the movement of the ultrasonic image U between frames, so that, for example, the correction region setting unit 26 can reliably set the correction region R for the vascular region to be deleted even when multiple vascular regions are identified in the ultrasonic image U. This allows the user's designation to delete the vascular region to be reliably reflected in the ultrasonic images U of multiple frames.

[0112] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which the vascular region tracking unit 58 is added to the apparatus body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, but may also have a configuration in which the vascular region tracking unit 58 is added to the apparatus body 2A in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment, or may have a configuration in which the vascular region tracking unit 58 is added to the apparatus body 2B in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 Ultrasonic probe, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Device body, 11 Transducer array, 12 Transmitting / receiving circuit, 13 Pulser, 14 Amplification unit, 15 AD conversion unit, 16 Beamformer, 21 Image generation unit, 22 Display control unit, 23 Monitor, 24 Image memory, 25 Blood vessel region identification unit, 26 Correction region setting unit, 27 Threshold correction unit, 28 Correction content memory, 29, 29A, 29B, 29C Main body control unit, 30 Input device, 31 Image acquisition unit, 32, 32A, 32B, 32C Processor, 41 Signal processing unit, 42 DSC, 43 Image processing unit, 51 Doppler measurement unit, 52 Quadrature detection unit, 53 High-pass filter, 54 Fast Fourier transform unit, 55 Doppler data generation unit, 56 Complex data memory, 57 Correction region tracking unit, 58 Blood vessel area tracking unit, B1, B2 blood vessel areas, R correction area, U ultrasound image.

Claims

1. a vascular region identifying unit that identifies a vascular region based on a score threshold from a plurality of frames of ultrasound images acquired in time series; a monitor for displaying the ultrasound image and the identified vascular region; an input device that accepts a user's designation of a position and a designation regarding addition or deletion of the vascular region; a correction area setting unit that sets a correction area on the ultrasound image based on a position designated by the user; a threshold value modification unit that modifies the score threshold value in response to a specification by the user regarding addition or deletion of the vascular region; Equipped with The vascular region identifying unit performs processing for identifying the vascular region for the correction region set by the correction region setting unit, based on the score threshold corrected by the threshold correction unit.

2. the threshold value modification unit, when the specified content specifies the addition of the vascular region, lowers the score threshold value until the vascular region within the modified region is identified; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the vascular region specifying unit performs processing for specifying the vascular region for a next frame by inheriting the score threshold value used when the vascular region was specified.

3. the threshold correction unit, when the specified content specifies deletion of the vascular region, increases the score threshold until the vascular region in the correction region is no longer identified; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the vascular region specifying unit performs processing for specifying the vascular region for a next frame by taking over the score threshold value when the vascular region is no longer specified.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the correction region setting section sets the correction region to a range that surrounds the position designated by the user and has a predetermined shape and a predetermined size.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the correction region setting section sets the correction region to surround a position specified by the user via the input device and to have a range specified by the user.

6. A Doppler measurement unit is provided for performing Doppler measurement.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the specified content specifies the addition of the vascular region, the correction region setting unit sets the correction region in a range in which blood flow can be recognized based on Doppler measurement by the Doppler measurement unit around the position specified by the user.

7. 3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, when the vascular region is not identified even after the score threshold is lowered by the threshold correction unit, the vascular region identification unit uses the score threshold before being lowered to identify the vascular region for a next frame.

8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the vascular region specifying unit stops adding the vascular region when the vascular region is not specified over a predetermined number of frames.

9. 9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction region tracking unit that tracks the correction region in accordance with movement of the ultrasonic image between frames.

10. 9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vascular region tracking unit that tracks the vascular region in association with movement of the ultrasonic images between frames.

11. 9. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing the vascular region that is the target of the score threshold correction by the threshold correction unit and the correction content.

12. A blood vessel region is identified based on a score threshold value from a plurality of frames of ultrasound images acquired in time series; displaying the ultrasound image and the identified vascular region on a monitor; accepting a user's designation of a position and a designation regarding addition or deletion of the vascular region; setting a correction region on the ultrasound image based on a position specified by the user; modifying the score threshold in response to a user's designation regarding the addition or deletion of the vascular region; A method for controlling an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, comprising the steps of: identifying the vascular region based on the modified score threshold value for the set modified region;

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