Ultrasonic diagnostic device and storage medium

Abstract

To provide a technique that facilitates positioning of a probe.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device executes the steps of: after storing corresponding points B1, B2, B3 corresponding to points C1, C2, C3 of a transmission and reception region 60, displaying an indicator Id1 indicating a distance D1 between the point C1 of a real-time ultrasonic transmission and reception region and a corresponding point B1 on a display unit 8; displaying an indicator Id2 indicating a distance D2 between the point C2 of the real-time ultrasonic transmission and reception region 60 and the corresponding point B2 on the display unit 8 after the indicator Id1 changes to a display mode indicating that the distance D1 is zero; and displaying an indicator Id3 indicating a distance D3 between the point C3 of the real-time ultrasonic transmission and reception region 60 and the corresponding point B3 on the display unit 8 after the indicator Id2 changes to a display mode indicating that the distance D2 is zero.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic device that displays an indicator, and a storage medium that includes instructions that can be executed by the ultrasonic diagnostic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various medical devices such as ultrasound diagnostic devices, CT scans, and MRI scans can non-invasively examine subjects, and are therefore used in routine medical checkups and health screenings. During routine medical checkups and health screenings, 3D medical image data of the subject's examination area is acquired using the medical devices, and doctors perform image diagnosis of the subject based on the medical images. This image diagnosis may discover areas that are thought to be tumors or lesions in the subject. If such areas are discovered, doctors may use ultrasound diagnostic devices to insert a puncture needle into the patient to extract tissue or to insert a puncture needle into the patient to treat the patient.

[0003] When inserting a puncture needle into a patient for treatment or tissue sampling, it is necessary to insert the puncture needle into a target (e.g., a tumor) while avoiding bones, large blood vessels, etc. Therefore, before inserting the puncture needle, a preparation is performed in advance to identify an area suitable for the insertion path of the puncture needle while viewing an ultrasound image and to identify the insertion path. After the insertion path is determined in the preparation, the puncture operation is performed. In the puncture operation, the area identified in the preparation is displayed on the display unit, and the puncture is performed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-171559 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The puncture operation may be performed on a date and time different from that of the advance preparation. Also, the puncture operation may be performed by a person different from the worker who performed the advance preparation. In such a case, in the puncture operation, it is necessary to search for the area specified in the advance preparation and display the same area. However, when performing puncture, it is not easy to search for the same area as the area specified in the advance preparation. Therefore, a method for searching for the same area as the area specified in the advance preparation has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

[0006] In Patent Document 1, position information of corners C1', C2', C3', and C4' of an area specified in advance preparation is stored, and during a puncture operation, the area specified in advance preparation is searched for based on the position information of the corners C1', C2', C3', and C4'. Specifically, indicators Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4 representing distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 between the corners C1', C2', C3', and C4' of the area specified in advance preparation and the corners C1, C2, C3, and C4 of the transmission and reception area of ​​a real-time ultrasound image are displayed on a display unit. The indicators Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4 are represented by rectangles with areas corresponding to the distances D1, D2, D3, and D4. When the distance becomes shorter, the area of ​​the rectangle of the indicator becomes smaller, and when the distance becomes zero, the indicator changes to a "+" shape. Therefore, the user can search the area identified in advance by referring to the size of the area of ​​the rectangle represented by the indicator.

[0007] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, the user needs to operate the probe so that the area specified in the advance preparation is displayed while simultaneously checking the size of the rectangular areas of the four indicators Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4. Therefore, the user needs to operate the probe while simultaneously grasping how the rectangular areas of the four indicators Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4 are changing, which causes a problem that it takes time to align the probe.

[0008] Therefore, a technique is desired that allows for easy alignment of a probe when searching a pre-specified region. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention is a probe, the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception region of the probe including a first point, a second point different from the first point, and a third point different from the first and second points; A display unit; At least one processor and An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising: The at least one processor: storing position information of a first region of the subject corresponding to the transmitting / receiving region in a memory, the first region of the subject including a first corresponding point corresponding to the first point, a second corresponding point corresponding to the second point, and a third corresponding point corresponding to the third point, and storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point in a memory; displaying, on a display unit, a first indicator indicating a first distance between the first point and the first corresponding point in a real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception region after storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point; displaying, on a display unit, a second indicator indicating a second distance between the second point and the second corresponding point in a transmission / reception region of ultrasonic waves of the probe in real time after the first indicator has changed to a display mode indicating that the first distance is zero; After the second indicator is changed to a display mode indicating that the second distance is zero, a third indicator indicating a third distance between the third point and the third corresponding point in a real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception area is displayed on a display unit. This is an ultrasound diagnostic device that performs the following:

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention is a probe, the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception region of the probe including a first point, a second point different from the first point, and a third point different from the first and second points; A display unit; At least one processor and A storage medium included in an ultrasound diagnostic device, a first region corresponding to the transmission / reception region of the subject includes a first corresponding point corresponding to the first point, a second corresponding point corresponding to the second point, and a third corresponding point corresponding to the third point; The storage medium stores instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the instructions causing the at least one processor to: storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point in the storage medium or another storage medium; displaying, on a display unit, a first indicator indicating a first distance between the first point and the first corresponding point in a real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception region after storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point; displaying, on a display unit, a second indicator indicating a second distance between the second point and the second corresponding point in a transmission / reception region of ultrasonic waves of the probe in real time after the first indicator has changed to a display mode indicating that the first distance is zero; After the second indicator is changed to a display mode indicating that the second distance is zero, a third indicator indicating a third distance between the third point and the third corresponding point in a real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception area is displayed on a display unit. It is a storage medium that executes the above. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In the present invention, position information of a first region corresponding to the transmitting / receiving region of a subject is stored in a memory, the first region of the subject includes a first corresponding point corresponding to the first point, a second corresponding point corresponding to the second point, and a third corresponding point corresponding to the third point, and position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point is stored in a memory. Then, after storing the position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point in the memory, when a user performs an operation to display the first region of the subject on a display unit again, a first indicator is first displayed on the display unit. The first indicator represents a first distance between the first point and the first corresponding point. While watching the first indicator, the user operates the probe so that the first distance becomes zero. For example, the first indicator can be set so that the display mode of the first indicator changes according to the first distance. Therefore, by looking at the first indicator on the display unit, the user can easily visually recognize whether the first point is far away from or close to the first corresponding point. When the user operates the probe and the first indicator changes to a display mode indicating that "the first distance is zero", the user can visually recognize that the first point coincides with the first corresponding point. In other words, the user can know that the first point has been aligned with the first corresponding point. Then, after the first indicator changes to a display mode indicating that "the first distance is zero", the processor displays the next indicator, i.e., the second indicator, on the display unit.

[0012] The second indicator represents a second distance between the second point and the second corresponding point. The user operates the probe so that the second distance becomes zero while referring to the second indicator, while being careful not to displace the first point from the first corresponding point. The second indicator can be set, for example, so that the display mode of the second indicator changes according to the second distance. Therefore, the user can visually easily recognize whether the second point is far away from or close to the second corresponding point by looking at the second indicator on the display unit. When the user operates the probe and the second indicator changes to a display mode representing "the second distance is zero", the user can visually recognize that the second point has matched the second corresponding point. In other words, the user can know that the second point has been aligned with the second corresponding point. Then, after the second indicator changes to a display mode representing "the second distance is zero", the processor displays the next indicator, that is, the third indicator, on the display unit.

[0013] The third indicator represents a third distance between the third point and the third corresponding point. The user operates the probe so that the third distance becomes zero, referring to the third indicator, while being careful not to displace the first point from the first corresponding point and not to displace the second point from the second corresponding point. The third indicator can be set so that the display mode of the third indicator changes according to the third distance, for example. Therefore, the user can visually and easily recognize whether the third point is far away from or approaching the third corresponding point by looking at the third indicator on the display unit. When the user operates the probe and the display mode of the third indicator changes to one indicating that "the third distance is zero", the user can visually recognize that the third point has matched the third corresponding point. In other words, the user can recognize that the third point has been aligned with the third corresponding point.

[0014] Therefore, the first point, the second point, and the third point of the transmission / reception area of ​​the probe can be matched with the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point stored in the memory, so that the first area of ​​the subject can be displayed again on the display unit.

[0015] In addition, in the present invention, the first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator are not displayed on the display unit all at once, but the first indicator is displayed first. Therefore, the display unit displays the first indicator but not the second and third indicators, so that the user can concentrate only on aligning the first point. After the alignment of the first point is completed, the second indicator is displayed, so that the user can concentrate on aligning the second point by referring to the second indicator, while being careful not to cause the first point to deviate from the first corresponding point. Then, after the alignment of the second point is completed, the third indicator is displayed, and the user aligns the third point. In this way, in the present invention, the three indicators are not displayed all at once, but the first indicator is displayed, and when the alignment of the first point is completed, the second indicator is displayed, and when the alignment of the second point is completed, the third point indicator is displayed. Therefore, the user can focus on aligning the first point, aligning the second point, and aligning the third point, and therefore can easily align the first point, the second point, and the third point. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 13 is a flowchart of an operation for determining a puncture route of a puncture needle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step ST1. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step ST2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display unit 8 after the association of the coordinate systems has been completed. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step ST4. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram when storing position information of an area 61. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for storing position information of corresponding points. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a puncture operation. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the state immediately after the start of a search. [Figure 11] 1 is an explanatory diagram when a probe 2 is brought into contact with the body surface of a subject 110. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state after the user operates the probe 2. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step ST13. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which point C2 coincides with corresponding point B2. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step ST15. [Figure 16] 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method for operating the probe 2. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which point C3 coincides with corresponding point B3. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which points C1, C2, and C3 are set at different positions. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for determining a puncture route without using a reference medical image. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of step ST31. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for searching for a puncture route. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram showing an indicator Id1 displayed on a display unit 8. FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the indicator Id1 has changed to a display form of "+". [Figure 24] 13 is a diagram showing an indicator Id2 displayed on a display unit 8. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the indicator Id2 has changed to a display form of "+". [Figure 26]13 is a diagram showing an indicator Id3 displayed on a display unit 8. FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the indicator Id3 has changed to a display form of "+". DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the invention will be described, however, the present invention is not limited to the following mode.

[0018] (1) First embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic device 1 includes an ultrasound probe 2, a transmit beamformer 3, a transmitter 4, a receiver 5, a receive beamformer 6, a processor 7, a display unit 8, a memory 9, and a user interface 10.

[0019] The ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of transducer elements 2a arranged in an array. A transmit beamformer 3 and a transmitter 4 drive the plurality of transducer elements 2a arranged in the ultrasonic probe 2, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the transducer elements 2a.

[0020] The ultrasonic probe 2 is also provided with a magnetic sensor 12. The magnetic sensor 12 may include, for example, a Hall element. The magnetic sensor 12 detects the magnetism generated from the magnetic field generating unit 11. A detection signal detected by the magnetic sensor 12 is input to the processor 7 via wired communication or wireless communication.

[0021] Ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transducer elements 2a of the ultrasound probe 2 are reflected inside the subject, and the reflected echoes are received by the transducer elements 2a. The transducer elements 2a convert the received echoes into electrical signals and output the electrical signals as echo signals to the receiver 5. The receiver 5 performs a predetermined process on the echo signals and outputs them to the receive beamformer 6. The receive beamformer 6 performs receive beamforming on the signals received from the receiver 5 and outputs echo data.

[0022] The receive beamformer 6 may be a hardware beamformer or a software beamformer. If the receive beamformer 6 is a software beamformer, the receive beamformer 6 may comprise one or more processors including one or more of: i) a graphics processing unit (GPU); ii) a microprocessor; iii) a central processing unit (CPU); iv) a digital signal processor (DSP); v) other types of processors capable of performing logical operations. The processors constituting the receive beamformer 6 may be separate from the processor 7 or may be comprised in the processor 7.

[0023] The ultrasound probe 2 may include electrical circuitry for performing all or part of the transmit beamforming and / or receive beamforming. For example, the transmit beamformer 3, the transmitter 4, the receiver 5, and all or part of the receive beamformer 6 may be provided within the ultrasound probe 2.

[0024] The processor 7 controls the transmit beamformer 3, the transmitter 4, the receiver 5, and the receive beamformer 6. The processor 7 is also in electronic communication with the ultrasound probe 2. The processor 7 controls which of the transducer elements 2a are active and the shape of the ultrasound beam transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2. The processor 7 is also in electronic communication with the display 8. The processor 7 can process the echo data to generate an ultrasound image. The term "electronic communication" can be defined to include both wired and wireless communication. The processor 7 can include a central processing unit (CPU) according to one embodiment. According to other embodiments, the processor 7 can include one or more processors or other electronic components capable of performing processing functions, such as a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other types of processors. According to other embodiments, the processor 7 can include multiple electronic components capable of performing processing functions. For example, the processor 7 can include two or more electronic components selected from a list of electronic components including a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array, and a graphics processing unit.

[0025] The processor 7 also calculates information on the position and inclination of the ultrasonic probe 2 in a three-dimensional coordinate system with the magnetic field generating unit 11 as the origin based on the magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor 12. Furthermore, the processor 7 calculates position information of the echo signal in the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the position and inclination information of the probe. In the first embodiment, the three-dimensional coordinate system with the magnetic field generating unit 11 as the origin is referred to as the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image.

[0026] The processor 7 may also include a complex demodulator (not shown) for demodulating the RF data. In alternative embodiments, the demodulation may be performed earlier in the processing chain.

[0027] The processor 7 can also generate various ultrasound images (e.g., B-mode images, color Doppler images, M-mode images, color M-mode images, spectral Doppler images, elastography images, TVI images, strain images, strain velocity images, etc.) based on data obtained by processing by the receive beamformer 6. One or more modules can also generate these ultrasound images.

[0028] The image beams and / or image frames may be stored and timing information recorded indicating when the data was acquired in memory. The modules may include, for example, a scan conversion module that performs a scan conversion operation to convert the image frames from coordinate beam space to display space coordinates. A video processor module may be provided that reads the image frames from the memory and displays the image frames in real time while a procedure is being performed on the subject. The video processor module may store the image frames in an image memory, and the ultrasound images are read from the image memory and displayed on a display 8.

[0029] As used herein, the term "image" may refer broadly to both a visible image and data representing a visible image, and the term "data" may include raw data, which is ultrasound data before a scan conversion operation, and image data, which is data after a scan conversion operation. The above-mentioned processing tasks handled by the processor 7 may be executed by a plurality of processors.

[0030] Furthermore, when the receive beamformer 6 is a software beamformer, the processing executed by the beamformer may be executed by a single processor or may be executed by multiple processors.

[0031] The display unit 8 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display unit, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display unit. The display unit 8 may also be a combination of a monitor and a touch panel.

[0032] The memory 9 is any known data storage medium. In one example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a non-transient storage medium and a transient storage medium as the memory. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may also include a plurality of memories. The non-transient storage medium is, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a read only memory (ROM). The non-transient storage medium may include a portable storage medium such as a compact disk (CD) or a digital versatile disk (DVD). The program executed by the processor 7 is stored in the non-transient storage medium. The transient storage medium is a volatile storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM).

[0033] The memory 9 also stores three-dimensional (3D) medical image data (volume data) acquired by performing a preliminary examination of a subject with the medical imaging device 100. The 3D medical image data is an image used when a user performs a preparation operation for an echo-guided puncture, a puncture operation for an echo-guided puncture, etc. How the 3D medical image data is used in an echo-guided puncture will be described later.

[0034] The processor 7 may be configured to be connected to an external storage device via a wired or wireless connection. In this case, the instructions to be executed by the processor 7 may be stored in both the memory 9 and the external storage device in a distributed manner.

[0035] The user interface 10 can accept input from a user (e.g., a doctor, a technician, an operator). For example, the user interface 10 accepts input of instructions and information from the user. The user interface 10 includes a keyboard, hard keys, a trackball, a rotary control, soft keys, and the like. The user interface 10 may also include a touch screen that displays the soft keys, and the like. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is configured as described above.

[0036] The following describes an example of puncturing a subject using the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. Specifically, the first embodiment will be described by taking an example in which a user determines a puncture route for the subject and then inserts a puncture needle into the subject.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the process of determining the puncture route of the puncture needle. In step ST1, three-dimensional (3D) medical image data (volume data) acquired by the medical imaging device 100 (see FIG. 1) is stored in the memory 9 of the ultrasound diagnostic device.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of step ST1. A user (e.g., a doctor or an ultrasound diagnostic technician) connects the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 to the medical imaging device 100 (wired or wirelessly) and stores 3D medical image data (volume data) VD acquired by the medical imaging device 100 in the memory 9 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. This 3D medical image data VD is an image used when the user performs preparation work for echo-guided puncture, puncture work for echo-guided puncture, etc. The medical imaging device 100 is, for example, an MRI device, a CT device, a PET device, an ultrasound diagnostic device, etc. It should be noted that the 3D medical image data VD may be stored in an external storage device accessible by the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, instead of the memory 9. After the 3D medical image data VD is stored in the memory 9 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1, the process proceeds to step ST2.

[0039] In step ST2, the ultrasonic image and the reference medical image are displayed on the display unit 8. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of step ST2. In step ST2, the user brings the ultrasonic probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject to start transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. The upper half of FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the subject 110 and a cross section 111 of the subject 110. The region where the subject 110 is scanned by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves (hereinafter referred to as the "transmission and reception region") is indicated by the reference numeral 60. The processor 7 causes the display unit 8 to display an ultrasonic image UG created based on an echo signal obtained from the subject 110. The ultrasonic image UG is displayed in the image display region 8a. The ultrasonic image UG is, for example, a B-mode image. The processor 7 also causes the display unit 8 to display a reference medical image MG. The reference medical image MG is a cross section image created based on 3D medical image data VD (see FIG. 3) stored in the memory 9. The reference medical image MG is displayed in the image display region 8b. The ultrasonic image UG and the reference medical image MG are displayed side by side on the display unit 8. After the ultrasonic image UG and the reference medical image MG are displayed on the display unit 8, the process proceeds to step ST3.

[0040] In step ST3, the user performs a process of associating the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image UG with the coordinate system of the reference medical image MG. Specifically, the user adjusts the cross-sectional position of one or both of the images while visually comparing the ultrasonic image UG and the reference medical image MG displayed on the display unit 8, and displays the ultrasonic image UG and the reference medical image MG of the same cross-section. The cross-section of the ultrasonic image UG is moved by the user operating the ultrasonic probe 2. The cross-section of the reference medical image MG is moved by the user operating the user interface 10 to input an instruction to change the cross-section of the reference medical image.

[0041] Whether the cross section of the ultrasound image UG and the cross section of the reference medical image MG are the same is determined by the user, for example, based on a characteristic site. When the user determines that the ultrasound image UG and the reference medical image MG of the same cross section are displayed on the display unit 8, the user operates the user interface 10 to specify a point at an arbitrary location on the ultrasound image UG. The operator also specifies a location on the reference medical image MG that is thought to be in the same position as the point specified on the ultrasound image UG, and specifies a point at the specified location on the reference medical image MG. The user specifies such points for multiple locations on the ultrasound image and the reference medical image.

[0042] As described above, when a point is specified, the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image UG and the coordinate system of the reference medical image MG can be associated with each other. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform coordinate conversion between the coordinate system of the ultrasonic image UG and the coordinate system of the reference medical image MG. FIG. 5 shows the display unit 8 after the association of the coordinate systems is completed. The processor 7 controls the display unit 8 so that the real-time ultrasonic image UG is displayed in the image display area 8a. The processor 7 also controls the display unit 8 so that the image of the cross section corresponding to the real-time ultrasonic image UG is specified from the 3D medical image data VD and the image of the specified cross section is displayed in the image display area 8b as the reference medical image MG. The processor 7 can specify the cross section corresponding to the real-time ultrasonic image UG from the 3D medical image data VD by converting the position information of the coordinate system of the real-time ultrasonic image into the position information of the coordinate system of the reference medical image MG. The processor 7 also displays a contour line OL so as to overlap with the reference medical image MG. The area surrounded by the contour line OL is the area corresponding to the ultrasonic image UG. When the association of the coordinate systems is completed, proceed to step ST4.

[0043] In step ST4, the user searches for a puncture route (eg, a position and an insertion angle for inserting a puncture needle) for accessing a target (eg, a tumor) while scanning the inside of the body of the subject 110 with the ultrasound probe 2.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of step ST4. In step ST4, the user searches for a puncture route while viewing the real-time ultrasound image UG and the reference medical image MG of the same cross section of the subject 110, and adjusting the position of the ultrasound probe 2 and changing the angle of the probe 2 with respect to the body surface. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the user has found an optimal puncture route in a region 61 (highlighted in gray) of the subject 110 corresponding to the ultrasound transmission / reception region 60. When the user has been able to search for the region 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained, the user proceeds to step ST5.

[0045] In step ST5, the user operates the user interface 10 to input a command for storing the position information of the region 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained.

[0046] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram when storing the position information of the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained. For ease of explanation, FIG. 7 shows a transmitting / receiving area 60 and an area 61 where an optimal puncture route can be obtained separately. In the first embodiment, three points C1, C2, and C3 located on the contour of the transmission / reception area 60 are reference points for storing position information of the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained. Point C1 corresponds to the center 2c of the probe surface 2b of the probe 2. Point C2 corresponds to the longitudinal end 2d of the probe surface 2b. Point C3 corresponds to the deepest point of the transmission / reception area 60.

[0047] A region 61 in which the optimal puncture route can be obtained has a corresponding point B1 corresponding to point C1, a corresponding point B2 corresponding to point C2, and a corresponding point B3 corresponding to point C3. The processor 7 stores the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the region 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained (see FIG. 8).

[0048] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for storing the position information of the corresponding points. The processor stores the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the memory as position information in the coordinate system of the 3D medical image data VD. Specifically, when the user operates the user interface 10 to input a command to store the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3, the processor 7 stores the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the memory 9 as position information of the points b1, b2, and b3 in the coordinate system of the 3D medical image VD.

[0049] The position information of these corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 is used to enable the user to find again the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained when preparing for puncture, which will be described later. The procedure by which the user finds again the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained will be described later. When the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 is stored, the operation of determining the puncture route of the puncture needle is completed. After the operation of determining the puncture route of the puncture needle is completed, the user performs the puncture operation.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the puncture operation. In step ST20, the user manipulates the subject 110 with the probe 2 to again find the area 61 (see FIG. 8) where the optimal puncture route can be obtained. Incidentally, since step ST20 includes steps ST11 to ST16, steps ST11 to ST16 will be explained in order below.

[0051] In step ST11, the user starts the task of finding an area 61 where an optimal puncture route can be obtained. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram immediately after the start of a search. The upper left of FIG. 10 shows a view of the subject 110 seen from the z direction, the upper right of FIG. 10 shows a view of the subject seen from the x direction, and the lower half of FIG. 10 shows the display unit 8.

[0052] In addition, in Figure 10, to make it easier to understand the positional relationship between points C1, C2, and C3 in the real-time transmission / reception area 60 and corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the area 61 where the optimal puncture route is obtained, the area 61 (and corresponding points B1, B2, and B3) shown in Figure 8 is shown by dashed lines within the subject 110.

[0053] The image display area 8a of the display unit 8 is an area for displaying an ultrasound image, and the image display area 8b is an area for displaying a reference medical image corresponding to the ultrasound image. In Fig. 10, the probe 2 is away from the subject 110, and the probe 2 is shown in a state in which it is left in the air. Therefore, no image of the subject is displayed in the image display areas 8a and 8b.

[0054] The user operates the user interface 10 to input a command to display the indicator Id1 related to the point C1 of the transmission / reception area 60 on the display unit 8. When this command is input, the processor displays the indicator Id1 in the image display area 8b of the display unit 8. The indicator Id1 indicates the distance D1 between the point C1 of the transmission / reception area 60 of the real-time ultrasound and the corresponding point B1. In the first embodiment, the indicator Id1 is represented by an area of ​​a square (rectangle) according to the distance D1. The longer the distance D1, the larger the area of ​​the indicator Id1 becomes, and the shorter the distance D1, the smaller the area of ​​the indicator Id1 becomes. In addition, when the distance D1 is zero, the indicator Id1 is represented by a figure of "+". Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize the positional relationship between the point C1 and the corresponding point B1 by looking at the indicator Id1 displayed on the display unit 8. In FIG. 10, since the probe 2 is separated from the body surface of the subject 110, the ultrasonic image of the subject and the reference medical image are not displayed on the display unit 8, and the indicator Id1 is represented by a large rectangle.

[0055] Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize that point C1 of the transmission / reception area 60 is away from the corresponding point B1 by looking at the indicator Id1 on the display unit 8. After the indicator Id1 is displayed, the process proceeds to step ST12.

[0056] In step ST12, the user brings the probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject 110 in order to find a region 61 (see FIG. 6) where an optimal puncture route can be obtained.

[0057] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the probe 2 when it is brought into contact with the body surface of the subject 110. As shown in FIG. When the user brings the probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject 110, an ultrasound image 70 obtained by scanning in the transmission / reception area 60 is displayed in the image display area 8a of the display unit 8. In addition, in the image display area 8b of the display unit 8, an image of a cross section corresponding to the ultrasound image 70, out of the 3D medical image data VD, is displayed as a reference medical image 71. Furthermore, a contour line OL corresponding to the contour of the ultrasound image 70 is also displayed in the reference medical image 71. The area surrounded by the contour line OL is the area corresponding to the ultrasound image 70.

[0058] Also, an indicator Id1 is displayed in the image display region 8b. When the user brings the probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject 110, the distance D1 becomes shorter, and the processor 7 controls the display mode of the indicator Id1 so that the area of ​​the indicator Id1 becomes smaller by the amount of the shortened distance D1. Therefore, by looking at the indicator Id1 in the image display region 8b, the user can recognize that the point C1 in the transmission / reception region 60 is approaching the corresponding point B1.

[0059] While checking the images in the image display areas 8a and 8b, the user operates the probe 2 so that the point C1 of the transmission / reception area 60 coincides with the corresponding point B1 (see FIG. 12).

[0060] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state after the user operates the probe 2. As shown in FIG. When the user operates the probe 2, the point C1 in the transmission / reception area 60 coincides with the corresponding point B1 in the area 61 where the optimal puncture route is obtained, and the distance D1 becomes D1=0. When D1=0, the processor 7 changes the display mode of the indicator Id1 to indicate that the distance D1 is zero. Specifically, the processor changes the display mode of the indicator Id1 from "□ (rectangle)" to "+". The user can recognize that the point C1 coincides with the corresponding point B1 by confirming that the display mode of the indicator Id1 displayed in the image display area 8b changes from "□" to "+". In the first embodiment, when the value of the distance D1 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value TH (or less than the threshold value TH), the processor 7 determines that the distance D1 is zero (D1=0) and changes the display mode of the indicator Id1 from "□" to "+". Therefore, "distance D1 is zero" does not necessarily mean that D1 = 0 strictly, but should be interpreted as including the case where point C1 is located sufficiently close to corresponding point B1, so that distance D1 can be considered to be substantially zero. When the user confirms that the indicator Id1 has changed to "+", the process proceeds to step ST13.

[0061] In step ST13, the following indicators are displayed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of step ST13. In step ST13, the user inputs a command to display the next indicator Id2 by operating the user interface 10. When the user interface 10 accepts the user's input to display the next indicator Id2, the processor 7 causes the display unit 8 to display the next indicator Id2.

[0062] The indicator Id2 represents the distance D2 between the point C2 in the real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception region 60 and the corresponding point B2 of the point C2. In the first embodiment, the indicator Id2 is represented by the area of ​​a rectangle according to the distance D2. The longer the distance D2, the larger the area of ​​the indicator Id2 becomes, and the shorter the distance D2, the smaller the area of ​​the indicator Id2 becomes. In addition, when the distance D2 is zero, the indicator Id2 is represented by a "+" shape. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize the positional relationship between the point C2 and the corresponding point B2 by looking at the indicator Id2 displayed on the display unit 8. In FIG. 13, the point C2 is far from the corresponding point B2, so the indicator Id2 is represented by a rectangle on the display unit 8.

[0063] Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the point C2 is far away from the corresponding point B2. After the indicator Id2 is displayed, the process proceeds to step ST14.

[0064] In step ST14, while checking the indicator Id2 in the image display area 8b, the user operates the probe 2 so that the point C2 in the transmission / reception area 60 coincides with the corresponding point B2. Specifically, the user rotates the probe 2 clockwise (or counterclockwise) around the central axis 2e while pressing the probe 2 against the body surface of the subject 110 so that the point C1 does not deviate from the corresponding point B1.

[0065] When the user rotates the probe 2 around the central axis 2e while pressing the probe 2 against the body surface of the subject 110 so that the point C1 does not deviate from the corresponding point B1, the point C2 of the transmission / reception area 60 approaches the corresponding point B2. As the point C2 approaches the corresponding point B2, the distance D2 becomes shorter accordingly, and the area of ​​the rectangle of the indicator Id2 becomes smaller. Therefore, by rotating the probe 2, the user can visually recognize that the point C2 is approaching the corresponding point B2. While checking the size of the rectangle of the indicator Id2, the user adjusts the rotation angle of the probe 2 so that the point C2 overlaps the corresponding point B2 (see FIG. 14).

[0066] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which point C2 coincides with corresponding point B2. When the user adjusts the rotation angle θ of the probe 2 so that the point C2 in the transmission / reception area 60 coincides with the corresponding point B2 in the area 61 where the optimal puncture route is obtained, the distance D2 becomes D2=0. When D2=0, the processor 7 changes the display mode of the indicator Id2 to indicate that the distance D2 is zero. Specifically, the processor changes the display mode of the indicator Id2 from a square (rectangle) to a plus sign (+). The user can recognize that the point C2 coincides with the corresponding point B2 by confirming that the indicator Id2 displayed in the image display area 8b changes from a square to a plus sign (+). In the first embodiment, when the value of the distance D2 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value TH (or less than the threshold value TH), the processor 7 determines that the distance D2 is zero (D2=0) and changes the display mode of the indicator Id2 from a square to a plus sign (+). Therefore, "distance D2 is zero" does not necessarily require D2 = 0 strictly, but should be interpreted as including the case where point C2 is located sufficiently close to corresponding point B2, so that distance D2 can be considered to be substantially zero. When the user confirms that the indicator Id2 has changed to "+", the process proceeds to step ST15.

[0067] In step ST15, the following indicators are displayed: FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of step ST15. In step ST15, the user inputs a command to display the next indicator Id3 by operating the user interface 10. When the user interface 10 accepts the user's input to display the next indicator Id3, the processor 7 causes the display unit 8 to display the next indicator Id3.

[0068] The indicator Id3 represents a distance D3 between a point C3 in the real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception region 60 and a corresponding point B3 of the point C3. In the first embodiment, the indicator Id3 is represented by a rectangular area according to the distance D3. The longer the distance D3, the larger the area of ​​the indicator Id3 becomes, and the shorter the distance D3, the smaller the area of ​​the indicator Id3 becomes. In addition, when the distance D3 is zero, the indicator Id3 is represented by a "+" figure. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize the positional relationship between the point C3 and the corresponding point B3 by looking at the indicator Id3 displayed on the display unit 8. In FIG. 15, the point C3 is far from the corresponding point B3, so the indicator Id3 is represented by a rectangular shape on the display unit 8.

[0069] Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the point C3 is far from the corresponding point B3. After the indicator Id3 is displayed, the process proceeds to step ST16.

[0070] In step ST16, the user operates the probe 2 while checking the image in the image display area 8b so that the point C3 of the transmission / reception area 60 coincides with the corresponding point B3 (see FIG. 16).

[0071] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a method for operating the probe 2. As shown in FIG. The user tilts the probe 2 within a plane 62 that includes the central axis 2e and is perpendicular to the transmitting / receiving region 60 while pressing the probe 2 against the body surface of the subject 110 so that points C1 and C2 do not deviate from corresponding points B1 and B2, respectively.

[0072] By tilting the probe 2 in the direction of the arrow A within the vertical plane 62, the tilt angle δ of the probe 2 within the vertical plane 62 can be adjusted, so that point C3 of the transmission / reception area 60 can be brought closer to the corresponding point B3. As point C3 approaches the corresponding point B3, the distance D3 becomes shorter accordingly, and the area of ​​the rectangle of the indicator Id3 (see FIG. 15) becomes smaller. Therefore, while checking the size of the rectangle of the indicator Id3, the user adjusts the tilt angle δ of the probe 2 so that point C3 overlaps with the corresponding point B3 (see FIG. 17).

[0073] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state where point C3 coincides with corresponding point B3. When the user adjusts the tilt angle δ of the probe 2 so that the point C3 in the transmission / reception region 60 coincides with the corresponding point B3 in the region 61 where the optimal puncture route is obtained, the distance D3 becomes D3=0. When D3=0, the processor 7 changes the display mode of the indicator Id3 to indicate that the distance D3 is zero. Specifically, the processor changes the indicator Id3 from a square (rectangle) to a plus sign (+). The user can recognize that the point C3 coincides with the corresponding point B3 by checking that the indicator Id3 displayed in the image display region 8b changes from a square to a plus sign. In the first embodiment, when the value of the distance D3 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value TH (or less than the threshold value TH), the processor 7 determines that the distance D3 is zero (D3=0) and changes the display mode of the indicator Id3 from a square to a plus sign. Therefore, "distance D3 is zero" does not necessarily require D3 = 0 strictly, but should be interpreted as including the case where point C3 is located sufficiently close to corresponding point B3, so that distance D3 can be considered to be substantially zero.

[0074] In this way, the three points C1, C2, and C3 can be aligned with the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3. Therefore, the user can display again on the display unit 8 the region 61 of the subject 110 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained. After the region 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained is displayed on the display unit 8, the process proceeds to step ST21, where the user actually punctures the subject 110 while checking the ultrasound image 70 and the reference medical image 71 displayed on the display unit 8, and the flow ends.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the user first performs the task of determining the puncture route according to the flow shown in FIG. 2. When determining the puncture route, the user specifies an area 61 in the body of the subject 110 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained. The area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained includes corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 corresponding to points C1, C2, and C3 of the transmission / reception area 60. The position information of these corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 is stored in the memory 9. Then, after storing the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the memory 9, the user performs the puncture task. When performing the puncture task, the user performs the task of finding again the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained in step ST20. In step ST20, the user first displays an indicator Id1 on the display unit 8. The indicator Id1 indicates the distance D1 between the point C1 and the corresponding point B1. While watching the indicator Id1, the user operates the probe 2 so that the distance D1 becomes zero. The indicator Id1 represents the distance D1 (i.e., the distance between the point C1 and the corresponding point B1). The display mode of the indicator Id1 changes according to the distance D1. In the first embodiment, the distance D1 is represented by the area of ​​a square (rectangle), and when the point C1 matches the corresponding point B1, the indicator Id1 changes to "+". Therefore, by watching the indicator Id1 on the display unit 8, the user can visually easily recognize whether the point C1 is far away from the corresponding point B1 or is approaching it. When the user operates the probe 2 and the indicator Id1 changes to the display mode of "+" (i.e., D1=0), the user can visually recognize that the point C1 matches the corresponding point B1. In other words, the user can recognize that the point C1 has been aligned with the corresponding point B1. Then, after the indicator Id1 changes to a display mode indicating that "the distance D1 is zero", the user causes the display unit 8 to display the next indicator, that is, the indicator Id2.

[0076] The indicator Id2 represents the distance D2 (see FIG. 13) between the point C2 and the corresponding point B2. The user operates the probe 2 with reference to the indicator Id2, while being careful not to displace the point C1 from the corresponding point B1, so that the distance D2 becomes zero. In the first embodiment, the display mode of the indicator Id2 changes according to the distance D2, and the distance D2 is represented by the area of ​​a square (rectangle). When the point C2 matches the corresponding point B2, the indicator Id2 changes to "+". Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize whether the point C2 is far away from the corresponding point B2 or is approaching it by looking at the indicator Id2 on the display unit 8. When the user operates the probe 2 and the indicator Id2 changes to the display mode of "+" (i.e., D2=0) (see FIG. 14), the user can visually recognize that the point C2 matches the corresponding point B2. That is, the user can recognize that the point C2 has been aligned with the corresponding point B2. Then, after the indicator Id2 changes to a display mode of "+" (that is, D2=0), the user causes the display unit 8 to display the next indicator, that is, the indicator Id3.

[0077] The indicator Id3 represents the distance D3 (see FIG. 15) between the point C3 and the corresponding point B3. The user operates the probe 2 with reference to the indicator Id3 so that the distance D3 becomes zero, while being careful not to displace the point C1 from the corresponding point B1 and not to displace the point C2 from the corresponding point B2. In the first embodiment, the display mode of the indicator Id3 changes according to the distance D3, and the distance D3 is represented by the area of ​​a square (rectangle). When the point C3 matches the corresponding point B3, the indicator Id3 changes to "+". Therefore, the user can visually and easily recognize whether the point C3 is far away from the corresponding point B3 or is approaching it by looking at the indicator Id3 on the display unit 8. When the user operates the probe 2 and the indicator Id3 changes to the display mode of "+", the user can visually recognize that the point C3 matches the corresponding point B3. That is, the user can recognize that the point C3 has been aligned with the corresponding point B3.

[0078] Therefore, points C1, C2, and C3 of the transmission / reception area 60 of the probe 2 can be matched with corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 stored in the memory 9, allowing the user to again find the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the indicator Id1 is displayed first, instead of simultaneously displaying the indicator Id1, the indicator Id2, and the indicator Id3 on the display unit 8. Therefore, while the user is aligning the point C1, the indicator Id1 is displayed on the display unit 8 as shown in FIG. 11, but the indicators Id2 and Id3 are not displayed, so that the user can concentrate only on aligning the point C1. After the alignment of the point C1 is completed, the indicator Id2 is displayed (see FIG. 13), so that the user can concentrate on aligning the point C2 with reference to the indicator Id2, while being careful not to displace the point C1 from the corresponding point B1. After the alignment of the point C2 is completed (see FIG. 14), the indicator Id3 is displayed (see FIG. 15), and the user aligns the point C3. In this way, in the first embodiment, the three indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3 are not displayed all at once, but rather the indicator Id1 is displayed, and when the positioning of point C1 is completed, the indicator Id2 is displayed, and when the positioning of point C2 is completed, the indicator Id3 is displayed, etc. Therefore, the user can concentrate on the positioning of point C1, the positioning of point C2, and the positioning of point C3, and therefore the probe can be easily aligned.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the indicator Id1 of the three indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3 is displayed on the display unit 8 first, and the positioning of the point C1 is performed first. As shown in FIG. 7, the point C1 is a point corresponding to the center 2c of the probe surface 2b of the probe 2. Therefore, by performing the positioning of the point C1 first, the position of the center 2c of the probe surface 2b with respect to the body surface of the subject can be determined, and the remaining points C2 and C3 can be positioned by a simple operation of the probe 2. For example, in the first embodiment, by positioning the point C1 first, the point C2 can be positioned by simply rotating the probe 2 (see FIG. 14), and the point C3 can be positioned by simply tilting the probe 2 (see FIG. 17). Therefore, the region 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained can be easily found by a simple operation of the probe 2. In the first embodiment, the point C1 is set as a point corresponding to the center 2c of the probe surface 2b of the probe 2. However, point C1 does not necessarily have to be set as a point corresponding to the center 2c of the probe surface 2b, and can be set as a point corresponding to another part of the probe surface 2b. For example, point C1 can be set to correspond to the end 2f of the probe surface 2b (see FIG. 7). When point C1 is set as a point corresponding to the end 2f, the position of the end 2f of the probe surface 2b can be determined with respect to the body surface of the subject by positioning point C1, so that the remaining points C2 and C3 can be aligned by a simple operation of the probe 2.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3 are displayed on the display unit 8 in the order of the indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3. However, the order of displaying the indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3 is not limited to the order of the indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3, and the indicators Id1, Id2, and Id3 may be displayed in other orders. For example, the indicators may be displayed in the order of the indicators Id1, Id3, and Id2. In this case, after positioning the point C1, the user performs an operation of tilting the probe 2 to position the point C3 with the corresponding point B3. Therefore, before positioning the point C2, the positioning of the point C3 is performed. After positioning the point C3, the user performs an operation of rotating the probe 2 so that the points C1 and C3 do not deviate from each other, thereby positioning the point C2 with the corresponding point B2. Therefore, even when positioning is performed in the order of point C1, point C3, and point C2, by a simple operation of the probe 2, it is possible to easily find the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained.

[0082] In the first embodiment, among the points C1, C2, and C3, the point C1 is positioned first. However, instead of the point C1, the point C2 or the point C3 may be positioned first.

[0083] In the first embodiment, the point C1 of the transmission / reception region 60 corresponds to the center of the probe surface, the point C2 corresponds to the end of the probe surface, and the point C3 corresponds to the deep part of the transmission / reception region 60. However, the points C1, C2, and C3 may be set at different positions. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which the points C1, C2, and C3 are set at different positions. FIG. 18(a) shows an example in which the points C1, C2, and C3 are located at the corners of the transmission / reception region 60, and FIG. 18(b) shows an example in which the point C1 is located inside the transmission / reception region 60. In this way, the positions of the points C1, C2, and C3 can be set not only on the contour of the transmission / reception region 60, but also inside the transmission / reception region 60.

[0084] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, three indicators are used to find the region 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained, but four or more indicators may be used.

[0085] In addition, in the first embodiment, an example is described in which a sector-shaped ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 8, but the present invention is not limited to sector-shaped ultrasound images and can be applied to ultrasound images of any shape (e.g., a square ultrasound image).

[0086] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described, but the same points as those in the first embodiment will not be described.

[0087] In the second embodiment, an example of determining a puncture route without using a reference medical image will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0088] In step ST31, the user performs an operation of searching for an optimal puncture route while scanning the inside of the body of the subject 110 with the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0089] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of step ST31. In step S31, the user brings the ultrasonic probe 2 into contact with the body surface of the subject 110 to start transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. Then, the processor 7 causes the display unit 8 to display an ultrasonic image UG created based on the echo signal. The ultrasonic image UG is displayed in the image display area 8c. The ultrasonic image UG is, for example, a B-mode image. Next, the user searches for a puncture route (eg, a position and an insertion angle for inserting a puncture needle) for accessing a target (eg, a tumor) while scanning the inside of the body of the subject 110 with the ultrasound probe 2.

[0090] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for searching for a puncture route. The user operates the probe 2 to search for a puncture route. Fig. 21 shows an example in which the user has found an optimal puncture route in an area 61 (highlighted in gray) of the subject 110 corresponding to an ultrasonic transmission / reception area 60. When the user has been able to search for the area 61 where the optimal puncture route can be obtained, the process proceeds to step ST32.

[0091] In step ST32, the user operates the user interface 10 to input a command for storing position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the region 61 where the optimal puncture route is obtained. When this command is input, the processor 7 stores the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 as position information in the coordinate system of the ultrasound image UG.

[0092] That is, in the second embodiment, the processor 7 stores the position information of the points C1, C2, and C3 as position information in the coordinate system of the ultrasound image UG, not in the coordinate system of the volume data VD of the reference medical image.

[0093] After storing the position information of the corresponding points B1, B2, and B3 in the region 61 where the optimal puncture route is obtained, the user performs the puncture operation. The puncture operation will be described with reference to the flow in Fig. 9. In the second embodiment, it is assumed that the subject 110 does not move and remains in the same position from the time when the position and the insertion angle of the puncture needle are determined in step S32 until the puncture operation starts.

[0094] In step ST20, the user manipulates the subject 110 with the probe 2 to again find the area 61 (see FIG. 21) where the optimal puncture route can be obtained. Since step ST20 in the second embodiment is basically the same as in the first embodiment, step ST20 will be briefly described below.

[0095] In step ST11, the processor 7 causes the display unit 8 to display an indicator Id1. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the indicator Id1 displayed on the display unit 8. The indicator Id1 indicates the distance between points C1 and E1. In the first embodiment, the indicator Id1 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the reference medical image 71 (see FIG. 11), but in the second embodiment, the indicator Id1 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the ultrasound image 70. After the indicator Id1 is displayed, the process proceeds to step ST12.

[0096] In step ST12, the user aligns the point C1 while looking at the indicator Id1. When the indicator Id1 changes to a display form of "+" as shown in Fig. 23, the process proceeds to step ST13.

[0097] In step ST13, the next indicator Id2 is displayed. Fig. 24 is a diagram showing the indicator Id2 displayed on the display unit 8. The indicator Id2 indicates the distance between the point C2 and the point E2. After the indicator Id2 is displayed, the process proceeds to step ST14.

[0098] In step ST14, the user aligns the point C2 by rotating the probe 2 while watching the indicator Id2. When the indicator Id2 changes to a display form of "+" as shown in Fig. 25, the process proceeds to step ST15.

[0099] In step ST15, the next indicator Id3 is displayed. Fig. 26 is a diagram showing the indicator Id3 displayed on the display unit 8. The indicator Id3 indicates the distance between the point C3 and the point E3. After the indicator Id3 is displayed, the process proceeds to step ST16.

[0100] In step ST16, the user adjusts the tilt angle of the probe 2 while looking at the indicator Id3 to align the position of the point C3. When the indicator Id3 changes to a display form of "+" as shown in Fig. 27, the process proceeds to step ST21, where the user actually punctures the subject 110 while referring to the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 8, and the flow ends.

[0101] The ultrasound diagnostic device 1 of the second embodiment can also provide the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, position information in the coordinate system of the ultrasound image UG is stored instead of the volume data VD of the reference medical image, so that the task of associating the coordinate system of the reference medical image with the coordinate system of the ultrasound image is not required, and the workload of the user can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 2 Ultrasound probe 2a Vibration element 2b Probe surface 2c central part 2d, 2f end 2e center axis 3. Transmit Beamformer 4 Transmitter 5 Receiver 6 Receive beamformer 7 Processors 8 Display 8a, 8b, 8c Image display area 9. Memory 10 User Interface 11 Magnetic generator 12 Magnetic Sensor 60 Transmission and Reception Area 61 areas 62 Vertical plane 70 Ultrasound Images 71 Reference Medical Images 100 Medical imaging equipment 110 Subject 111 Section

Claims

1. A probe, the ultrasonic transmission / reception region of the probe including a first point, a second point different from the first point, and a third point different from the first and second points; A display unit; At least one processor; An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising: The at least one processor storing position information of a first region of the subject corresponding to the transmitting / receiving region in a memory, the first region of the subject including a first corresponding point corresponding to the first point, a second corresponding point corresponding to the second point, and a third corresponding point corresponding to the third point, and storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point in a memory; displaying, on a display unit, a first indicator indicating a first distance between the first point and the first corresponding point in a transmission / reception region of ultrasonic waves in real time, after storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point; displaying, on a display unit, a second indicator indicating a second distance between the second point and the second corresponding point in a transmission / reception region of ultrasonic waves of the probe in real time after the first indicator has changed to a display mode indicating that the first distance is zero; After the second indicator is changed to a display mode indicating that the second distance is zero, a third indicator indicating a third distance between the third point and the third corresponding point in a real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception region is displayed on a display unit. An ultrasound diagnostic device that performs the above steps.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point is stored as position information in a coordinate system of a 3D medical image.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the 3D medical image is an image acquired by a medical device other than the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point is stored as position information in a coordinate system of an ultrasonic image acquired by the ultrasonic imaging device.

5. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor causes the medical image to be displayed on a display unit.

6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first point corresponds to a first portion of the probe surface.

7. the second point corresponds to a second portion of the probe surface; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the third point corresponds to a deep portion of a transmitting / receiving region of the probe.

8. 8. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 7, wherein after the first indicator is displayed on the display unit, the probe is operated so that the first distance becomes zero, whereby the first indicator changes to a display state indicating that the first distance is zero.

9. 9. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 8, wherein after the second indicator is displayed on the display unit, the probe is operated to rotate around a central axis of the probe, whereby the second indicator changes to a display state indicating that the second distance is zero.

10. 10. The ultrasound diagnostic device of claim 9, wherein after the third indicator is displayed on the display unit, the probe is operated so that an inclination angle of the probe is adjusted within a plane that includes a central axis of the probe and is perpendicular to the transmission / reception area, and thereby the third indicator changes to a display state indicating that the third distance is zero.

11. the second point corresponds to a deep portion of a transmitting / receiving region of the probe; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the third point corresponds to a second portion of the probe surface.

12. 12. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 11, wherein after the first indicator is displayed on the display unit, the probe is operated so that the first distance becomes zero, whereby the first indicator changes to a display state indicating that the first distance is zero.

13. 13. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 12, wherein after the second indicator is displayed on the display unit, the probe is operated so that an inclination angle of the probe is adjusted within a plane that includes a central axis of the probe and is perpendicular to the transmission / reception area, and thereby the second indicator changes to a display state indicating that the second distance is zero.

14. 14. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 13, wherein after the third indicator is displayed on the display unit, the probe is operated to rotate around a central axis of the probe, whereby the third indicator changes to a display state indicating that the third distance is zero.

15. 15. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first portion of the probe is a central portion of the probe face, and the second portion of the probe is an end portion of the probe face.

16. A probe, the ultrasonic transmission / reception region of the probe including a first point, a second point different from the first point, and a third point different from the first and second points; A display unit; At least one processor; A storage medium included in an ultrasound diagnostic device, a first region corresponding to the transmission / reception region of the subject includes a first corresponding point corresponding to the first point, a second corresponding point corresponding to the second point, and a third corresponding point corresponding to the third point; The storage medium stores instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the instructions causing the at least one processor to: storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point in the storage medium or another storage medium; displaying, on a display unit, a first indicator indicating a first distance between the first point and the first corresponding point in a transmission / reception region of ultrasonic waves in real time, after storing position information of the first corresponding point, the second corresponding point, and the third corresponding point; displaying, on a display unit, a second indicator indicating a second distance between the second point and the second corresponding point in a transmission / reception region of ultrasonic waves of the probe in real time after the first indicator has changed to a display mode indicating that the first distance is zero; After the second indicator is changed to a display mode indicating that the second distance is zero, a third indicator indicating a third distance between the third point and the third corresponding point in a real-time ultrasonic transmission / reception region is displayed on a display unit. A storage medium that executes the above.

Images