Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of outputting support information adaptively according to operation skills of an examiner.SOLUTION: In a support information DB 32, comments as mutually different support information are associated with a plurality of mutually different examiner levels. An examiner level specification unit 36 specifies an examiner level of the examiner currently using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. An output unit 20 outputs support information with contents according to the examiner level of the examiner specified by the examiner level specification unit 36 on the basis of the support information DB 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses an improvement of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is a device that forms ultrasonic images and performs various examinations based on reflected waves from a subject obtained by irradiating the subject with ultrasonic waves. Conventionally, some ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are equipped with functions for assisting examiners (users) such as doctors and technicians.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a test protocol in which a series of test steps and the execution conditions of the test for each test step are set is stored. When an examiner selects a certain test protocol, the execution conditions are automatically set for each test step, and when the necessary test in a certain test step is completed, the apparatus automatically transitions to the next test step.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the course of examination (including measurement) using an ultrasound diagnostic device, it may be necessary to form an ultrasound tomographic image of an appropriate cross section depending on the purpose. In this specification, the appropriate cross section depending on the examination is called a target cross section. The target cross section is defined in information such as the examination protocol disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, or is input to the ultrasound diagnostic device by the examiner. In order to correctly form an ultrasound tomographic image of the target cross section, it is necessary to apply the ultrasound probe to the correct position of the subject in the correct orientation, and to correctly set the ultrasound diagnostic device. In this specification, the method of applying the ultrasound probe to the subject and the settings of the ultrasound diagnostic device are collectively called the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device (by the examiner).

[0006] Here, in order to assist in the formation of an ultrasonic tomographic image of a target cross section, it is considered to provide the examiner with support information regarding the operation of an ultrasonic diagnostic device. A simple method would be to provide the examiner with uniform support information according to the target cross section. However, there are cases where it is not appropriate to provide uniform support information to the examiner. For example, multiple examiners attempting to form an ultrasonic image of the same target cross section may require different support information depending on their proficiency in operating the ultrasonic diagnostic device (simply referred to as operation proficiency in this specification). In such cases, it is not appropriate to provide the same support information to both examiners.

[0007] An object of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disclosed in this specification is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of adaptively outputting support information in accordance with the level of skill of the examiner in operating the apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The ultrasound diagnostic device disclosed in the present specification is characterized in that it comprises an examiner level identification unit that identifies the examiner level indicating the examiner's level of proficiency in operating the ultrasound diagnostic device based on an examiner database in which an examiner ID that uniquely identifies an examiner is associated with the examiner level of the examiner, or based on input from the examiner, and an output unit that outputs support information having a content corresponding to the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit based on a support information database in which support information regarding the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device, the support information being for supporting the examiner in forming an ultrasound tomographic image, is associated with each of the examiner levels.

[0009] The system further includes a target cross section identification unit that identifies a target cross section, which is a cross section type of the ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed, and a matching rate calculation unit that calculates a matching rate between the cross section type of the target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed at the instruction of the examiner, by performing a cross section recognition process on the target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed at the instruction of the examiner, and in the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and the matching rate, and the output unit outputs support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit and the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit.

[0010] The possible numerical range of the match rate is divided into a plurality of match rate levels by one or more division thresholds, the support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and the match rate level in the support information database, and the division threshold is changed according to the inspector level of the inspector identified by an inspector level identification unit.

[0011] In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and a display mode of a target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed at the instruction of the examiner, and the output unit outputs support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit and the display mode of the target image.

[0012] In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and a measurement content using a target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed at the instruction of the examiner, and the output unit outputs support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level and measurement content of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit.

[0013] In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and an operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and the output unit outputs support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit and the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

[0014] In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and the attributes of the subject, and the output unit outputs support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit and the attributes of the subject.

[0015] In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level, a first cross-section type, and a second cross-section type other than the first cross-section type, and the output unit outputs support information having content corresponding to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit, the cross-section type of the target image which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed at the instruction of the examiner as the first cross-section type, and the target cross-section which is the cross-section type of the ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed as the second cross-section type.

[0016] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may further include a support information editing unit that edits the support information in response to an instruction from a user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

[0017] The matching rate calculation unit calculates the matching rate for the same target cross section again after the support information is output, and if the matching rate after the support information is output is higher than the matching rate before the support information is output, a priority flag is assigned to the support information in the support information database, and if a plurality of pieces of support information are associated with the examiner level in the support information database, the output unit outputs the support information with the priority flag assigned in priority to support information without the priority flag assigned.

[0018] The coincidence rate calculation unit calculates the coincidence rate for each inspection process during inspection along a plurality of inspection processes in which ultrasonic tomographic images of the target cross section, which differ from one another in each inspection process, and stores the coincidence rate in memory, and the output unit outputs the coincidence rate calculated for the inspection process that has been inspected during inspection along the plurality of inspection processes.

[0019] After multiple inspection processes for forming ultrasonic tomographic images of different target cross sections are completed in the inspection process, the output unit preferably outputs an inspection report including item values ​​for multiple items, including the support information output when attempting to form an ultrasonic tomographic image of a target cross section related to each of the multiple inspection processes, in which information on the items corresponding to the inspector level of the inspector is associated with each of the target cross sections. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus disclosed in this specification, it is possible to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of adaptively outputting support information in accordance with the examiner's level of operational proficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a first example of the contents of a support information DB. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a second example of the contents of the support information DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of a reference image as support information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second example of a reference image as support information. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a support information display screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection report. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is a medical device that is installed in a medical institution such as a hospital and used during ultrasonic examinations.

[0023] The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is a device that scans an ultrasonic beam on a subject and generates an ultrasonic image based on a received signal obtained by scanning the subject. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 has a plurality of operation modes, such as B mode, M mode, PW (Pulse Wave) Doppler mode, CW (Continuous Wave) Doppler mode, and color Doppler mode. For example, in B mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 forms an ultrasonic tomographic image (B mode image) in which the amplitude intensity of a reflected wave from a scanning surface is converted into brightness based on a received signal. Also, for example, in PW Doppler mode, CW Doppler mode, or color Doppler mode, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 forms a Doppler image showing the motion speed and blood flow speed of a part of the subject based on the difference in frequency between the transmitted ultrasonic wave and the received ultrasonic wave. The Doppler image shows the motion speed and blood flow speed of a part of the subject by color or the like, and is displayed superimposed on the ultrasonic tomographic image. The operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 can be set according to instructions from an examiner who uses the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to form ultrasonic images (including ultrasonic tomographic images or Doppler images) and perform an examination.

[0024] Although the details will be described later, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 is capable of providing the examiner with support information regarding the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10, for supporting the examiner in forming an ultrasound tomographic image.

[0025] The ultrasonic probe 12 is a device that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject. The ultrasonic probe 12 has a transducer array that includes a plurality of transducer elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the subject.

[0026] The transmitting / receiving unit 14 transmits a transmission signal to the ultrasonic probe 12 (more specifically, to each transducer element of the transducer element array) under the control of the control unit 26 (described later). As a result, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from each transducer element toward the subject. The transmitting / receiving unit 14 also receives a reception signal from each transducer element that has received a reflected wave from the subject. The transmitting / receiving unit 14 has an adder and a number of delay elements corresponding to each transducer element, and performs a phasing addition process in which the adder and the number of delay elements align and add the phases of the reception signals from each transducer element. As a result, a reception beam signal is formed in which information indicating the signal intensity of the reflected wave from the subject is aligned in the depth direction of the subject.

[0027] The signal processing unit 16 performs various signal processing including filtering to apply a bandpass filter and detection processing on the received beam signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 14. When the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 is the Doppler mode, the signal processing unit 16 generates Doppler data indicating the part of the subject or the blood flow velocity based on the received beam signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 14. Specifically, the signal processing unit 16 generates Doppler data by multiplying the received beam signal by a reference frequency (transmission frequency) and performing quadrature detection to extract Doppler shift through a low-pass filter, sample gate processing (in the case of PW Doppler mode) to extract only signals at the position of the sample volume, A / D conversion of the signal, and frequency analysis using the fast Fourier transform method (FFT method).

[0028] The image forming unit 18 forms an ultrasonic tomographic image (B-mode image) based on the received beam signal that has been signal-processed by the signal processing unit 16. First, the image forming unit 18 converts the received beam signal into data on the coordinate space of an ultrasonic image, and forms an ultrasonic tomographic image based on the coordinate conversion signal. When the operation mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is the Doppler mode, the image forming unit 18 forms a Doppler waveform or a color Doppler image based on the Doppler signal from the signal processing unit 16.

[0029] The output unit 20 controls display of ultrasonic images such as ultrasonic tomographic images and color Doppler images formed by the image forming unit 18 on a display 22. The display 22 is a display device constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0030] The output unit 20 can display ultrasound images (ultrasonic tomographic images, Doppler images, etc.) on the display 22 in either a real-time or frozen display mode. The display mode of the ultrasound images can be switched by an instruction from the examiner. When the display mode is real-time, the output unit 20 causes the display 22 to display in real time ultrasound images that are successively formed by the processing of the signal processing unit 16 and the image forming unit 18 in response to the reception signals successively received by the ultrasound probe 12. On the other hand, when the display mode is frozen, the output unit 20 causes the display 22 to display, as still images, ultrasound images that are formed at the timing in response to an instruction from the examiner.

[0031] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the output unit 20 displays the support information on the display 22. Instead of or in addition to displaying the support information on the display 22, the output unit 20 may output the support information by sound from a speaker (not shown).

[0032] The input interface 24 is configured with, for example, a button, a trackball, a touch panel, etc. The input interface 24 is used by a user such as an examiner to input commands to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10.

[0033] The control unit 26 includes at least one of a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) and a dedicated processor (e.g., a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a programmable logic device). The control unit 26 may not be a single processing device, but may be configured by the cooperation of multiple processing devices located at physically separate locations. The control unit 26 controls each part of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 according to an ultrasound diagnostic program stored in a memory 28 described later.

[0034] The memory 28 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an embedded multi media card (eMMC), a read only memory (ROM), or the like. An ultrasonic diagnostic program for operating each unit of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 is stored in the memory 28. The ultrasonic diagnostic program can also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory or a CD-ROM. The ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 can read and execute the ultrasonic diagnostic program from such a storage medium.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the memory 28 stores a learning model 30 and a support information DB (DataBase) 32.

[0036] The learning model 30 is, for example, a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), but may be any model as long as it exhibits the functions described below. The learning model 30 is trained to predict and output the cross-section type of an input ultrasonic tomographic image by using a combination of an ultrasonic tomographic image and a cross-section type (teacher cross-section type) of the ultrasonic tomographic image as training data. In this embodiment, the learning process of the learning model 30 is performed by a learning processing device different from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, and the learning model 30 that has been fully trained is stored in the memory 28. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 may have a learning processing unit (not shown in FIG. 1), and the learning processing unit may perform the learning process of the learning model 30. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 becomes the learning processing device.

[0037] Details of the learning process of the learning model 30 are as follows. The processor of the learning processing device inputs ultrasonic tomographic images as learning data to the learning model 30. The learning model 30 predicts and outputs the cross-section type of the input ultrasonic tomographic images. The processor of the learning processing device changes the parameters in the learning model 30 so that the difference between the output data of the learning model 30 and the teacher cross-section type included in the learning data becomes smaller. By repeating such processing, the learning model 30 learns. The learning model 30 that has been sufficiently learned becomes able to predict the cross-section type of the input ultrasonic tomographic images with high accuracy.

[0038] The learning model 30 according to this embodiment has an activation function such as a softmax function in its output layer, and outputs, as output data, multiple combinations of cross-section types and parameters indicating the likelihood that the input ultrasound tomographic image corresponds to the cross-section type.

[0039] The support information DB 32 is a database that stores support information related to the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10, which is provided to the examiner, and is used to support the examiner in forming an ultrasound tomographic image.

[0040] 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a first example of the contents of the support information DB 32. In the support information DB 32, different support information is associated with a plurality of different examiner levels indicating the degree of proficiency in operating the ultrasound diagnostic device 10. In the example of FIG. 2, comments are associated as support information with the examiner levels. In the example of FIG. 2, the examiner levels are categorized into "beginner", "intermediate", and "advanced", and comments are associated with each of the examiner levels "beginner", "intermediate", and "advanced".

[0041] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a second example of the contents of the support information DB32. In the support information DB32, support information may be associated with each combination of the examiner level and the matching rate. The matching rate is the matching rate between the cross-section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image (referred to as a target image in this specification) formed by transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject according to an instruction from an examiner, and a target cross-section, which is the cross-section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed by an examiner. For example, if the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section are the same, the matching rate is quite high, and if the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section are completely different cross-sections, the matching rate is quite low. If the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section are different but close (for example, the same part is shown but the cross-sections are slightly different), the matching rate is lower than when the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section are the same, and the matching rate is higher than when the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section are completely different cross-sections. It may be said that the matching rate indicates the possibility that the cross-section type of the target image is the target cross-section.

[0042] In this embodiment, in the support information DB32, the possible numerical range of the match rate is divided into a plurality of match rate levels by one or a plurality of division thresholds. In addition, in the support information DB32, support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and the match rate level. In the example of FIG. 3, the possible numerical range of the match rate is divided into a match rate level "high" (e.g., match rate of 70% or more), a match rate level "medium" (e.g., match rate of 50% or more and less than 70%), and a match rate level "small" (e.g., match rate of less than 50%). In this case, the match rates "70%" and "50%" are the division thresholds. In addition, different comments are associated as support information with each match rate level. In the support information DB32, a table as shown in FIG. 3 is provided for each inspector level. Since the table shown in FIG. 3 is a table for the inspector level "beginner", for example, a comment "After observing the long and short axes, save the maximum diameter of the long axis" is associated as support information with the combination of the inspector level "beginner" and the match rate level "high".

[0043] In the support information DB32, support information may be associated with each combination of the inspector level and the display mode of the target image. In particular, in the support information DB32, support information may be associated with each combination of the inspector level, the matching rate, and the display mode of the target image. In this embodiment, the display mode of the target image is real-time or freeze. In the example of FIG. 2, a comment is associated with each combination of the inspector level "beginner", each matching rate, and the display mode of the target image "real-time", and a comment is associated with each combination of the matching rate and the display mode of the target image "freeze".

[0044] In addition, in the support information DB 32, support information may be associated with each combination of the examiner level and the measurement content using the target image. In particular, in the support information DB 32, support information may be associated with each combination of the examiner level, the matching rate, and the measurement content using the target image. The measurement content is the content of various measurements using an ultrasound image, such as the long axis measurement of the heart. The measurement content may be specified by the examiner. In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 may store an examination protocol in which a series of examination steps and the execution conditions of the examination for each examination step are set, and in this case, the measurement content may be determined based on the examination protocol selected by the examiner and the progress of the examination protocol.

[0045] In addition, in the support information DB 32, support information may be associated with each combination of the examiner level and the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10. In particular, in the support information DB 32, support information may be associated with each combination of the examiner level, the coincidence rate, and the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10. As described above, the operation modes of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 include, but are not limited to, the B mode, PW Doppler mode, CW Doppler mode, and color Doppler mode.

[0046] Further, it is preferable that support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level and the subject's attribute in the support information DB 32. In particular, it is preferable that support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level, the coincidence rate, and the subject's attribute in the support information DB 32. The subject's attribute may be, for example, the subject's sex, gender, weight, medical condition, country or region, or the facility (hospital or university) where the subject is located, but is not limited thereto.

[0047] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, comments serving as support information are associated with combinations of the examiner level, the matching rate, the display mode of the target image, the measurement content using the target image, the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10, and the attributes of the subject. Note that the association between the examiner level, the matching rate, the display mode of the target image, the measurement content using the target image, the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10, the attributes of the subject, and the support information may be in any manner.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of a reference image as support information. In the examples of Figs. 2 and 3, a comment is shown as support information, but the support information stored in the support information DB 32 may be a reference image as shown in Fig. 4. The reference image is an image for supporting the formation of an ultrasonic image, and may be, for example, an ultrasonic tomographic image showing a target cross section, a schematic diagram, an illustration, a schematic diagram, a CT image, an MRI image, or an image (including an illustration) showing an appropriate position of the ultrasonic probe 12. In the reference image, as shown in Fig. 4, each part (pancreas, inferior vena cava, splenic vein, abdominal aorta, etc.) in the target cross section may be clearly indicated by characters, figures, etc.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of a reference image as support information. In the support information DB 32, a reference image as shown in FIG. 5 may be associated as support information with a combination of an examiner level, a first cross-section type, and a second cross-section type other than the first cross-section type. In particular, in the support information DB 32, support information may be associated with each combination of an examiner level, a matching rate, a first cross-section type, and a second cross-section type. In the reference image of FIG. 5, the left side of the arrow shows the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the first cross-section type, and the right side of the arrow shows the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the second cross-section type. Therefore, when an examiner wants to form an ultrasonic image of the second cross-section type as a target cross-section, and mistakenly forms an ultrasonic image of the first cross-section type (i.e., mistakenly applies the ultrasonic probe 12 as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5), by displaying such a reference image, the examiner can easily understand how to change the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 from the current position to an appropriate position. The reference image as shown in FIG. 5 may be a moving image that changes from the diagram on the left to the diagram on the right.

[0050] A method for using the support information DB 32 will be described later, as well as a priority flag associated with each piece of support information shown in FIG.

[0051] 1, the support information editing unit 34 edits the support information stored in the support information DB 32 in response to an instruction from a user, such as an examiner of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 or an instructor instructing the examiner, inputted from the input interface 24. For example, the support information editing unit 34 changes a comment serving as support information stored in the support information DB 32 in response to an instruction from the user. Alternatively, the support information editing unit 34 changes a reference image serving as support information stored in the support information DB 32 in response to an instruction from the user.

[0052] The examiner level specification unit 36 ​​specifies the examiner level of the examiner currently using the ultrasound diagnostic device 10. In this embodiment, an examiner DB in which an examiner ID that uniquely identifies an examiner is associated with the examiner level of the examiner is stored in a server communicably connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device 10. The examiner level specification unit 36 ​​specifies the examiner ID of the examiner currently using the ultrasound diagnostic device 10, for example, by inputting the examiner ID and a password or by reading an ID card in which the examiner ID is stored. Then, by referring to the examiner DB, the examiner level specification unit 36 ​​specifies the examiner level associated with the specified examiner ID as the examiner level of the examiner. The examiner level specification unit 36 ​​may also specify the examiner level of the examiner based on information input by the examiner from the input interface 24 by the examiner.

[0053] The target section specifying unit 38 specifies the type of section of the ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed by the examiner, that is, the target section. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned examination protocol is stored in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10, and the target section specifying unit 38 specifies the target section based on the examination protocol selected by the examiner and the progress of the examination protocol. For example, in the examination protocol, the first examination step is an examination performed using an ultrasonic image of section type A, and the second examination step is an examination performed using an ultrasonic image of section type B. In this case, the target section in the first examination step is section type A, and the target section in the second examination step is section type B. The target section specifying unit 38 may also specify the target section based on an instruction from the examiner inputted from the input interface 24. That is, the target section may be designated by the examiner.

[0054] The coincidence rate calculation unit 40 calculates the coincidence rate between the target image and the target cross-section specified by the target cross-section specifying unit 38 by executing cross-section recognition processing on the target image. Specifically, the coincidence rate calculation unit 40 inputs the target image to the learned learning model 30 that executes cross-section recognition processing. As a result, the learning model 30 predicts and outputs the cross-section type of the target image. As described above, the learning model 30 outputs the cross-section type and a parameter indicating the likelihood that the target image is of the cross-section type. For example, the cross-section type A is 80%, the cross-section type B is 15%, and the cross-section type C is 5%. In the present embodiment, the coincidence rate between the target image and the target cross-section adopts the parameters indicating the likelihood of each cross-section type output by the learning model 30. For example, when the output data of the learning model 30 is the above example, if the target cross-section is the cross-section type A, the coincidence rate between the target image and the target cross-section is 80%, if the target cross-section is the cross-section type B, the coincidence rate between the target image and the target cross-section is 15%, and if the target cross-section is the cross-section type C, the coincidence rate between the target image and the target cross-section is 5%.

[0055] Hereinafter, the details of the output process of the support information by the output unit 20 will be described.

[0056] The output unit 20 outputs support information having contents corresponding to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​based on the support information DB 32. For example, assuming that the contents of the support information DB 32 are those shown in FIG. 2, when the level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the examiner level "beginner" in the support information DB 32 (e.g., comments for understanding basic cross sections, comments for understanding anatomy, comments for depicting correct cross sections, or reference images). When the level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "intermediate", the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the examiner level "intermediate" in the support information DB 32 (e.g., comments for reducing oversights, comments for reducing errors between examiners, or reference images). In addition, when the level of the inspector identified by the inspector level identification unit 36 ​​is “advanced,” the output unit 20 outputs support information (e.g., comments or reference images) associated with the inspector level “advanced” in the support information DB 32.

[0057] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a support information display screen displayed on the display 22 by the output unit 20. In the example of Fig. 6, the support information output screen displays a comment CO as support information and a reference image REF as support information together with a target image USI.

[0058] As described above, according to the present embodiment, support information according to the inspection level of the inspector is provided to the inspector, so that support information that is particularly suitable for the inspector can be provided.

[0059] In the support information DB 32, when support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level and the matching rate (see FIG. 3), the output unit 20 may output support information whose contents correspond to the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​and the matching rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40. For example, when the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner" and the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40 is 80% (i.e., the matching rate level "high"), the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the matching rate level "high" in the support information DB 32 (for example, a comment "After observing the long and short axes, save the maximum diameter of the long axis", "Swelling: long diameter 12 cm or more / atrophy: long diameter less than 8 cm", or a reference image). In addition, when the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​is "beginner" and the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculating unit 40 is 60% (i.e., matching rate level "medium"), the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the matching rate level "medium" in the support information DB 32 (for example, a comment "be careful not to overlap the posterior liver segment with the right kidney as much as possible," "select a good cross section with cine search," or a reference image). In addition, when the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​is "beginner" and the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculating unit 40 is 20% (i.e., matching rate level "low"), the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the matching rate level "low" in the support information DB 32 (for example, a comment "try placing the probe between the ribs on the right anterior axillary line," "is there enough jelly? try getting it again," or a reference image).

[0060] When outputting support information based on the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​and the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40, the output unit 20 may display reference information I such as the matching rate between the cross section type of the target image calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40 and the target cross section identified by the target cross section identification unit 38 on the support information output screen, as shown in Figure 6.

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, the possible range of the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is divided into a plurality of match rate levels by a division threshold, and the output unit 20 may change the division threshold in accordance with the inspector level identified by the inspector level identification unit 36. Specifically, the division threshold can be set so that the higher the inspector level, the less likely the match rate level is to become high.

[0062] For example, when the inspector level specified by the inspector level specifying unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the output unit 20 sets the division thresholds to "70%" and "40%". That is, a match rate of 70% or more is set to a match rate level of "high", a match rate of 40% or more and less than 70% is set to a match rate level of "medium", and a match rate of less than 40% is set to a match rate level of "low". As a result, when the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is 71%, the output unit 20 determines that the match rate level is "high", and when the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is 45%, the output unit 20 determines that the match rate level is "medium". On the other hand, when the inspector level specified by the inspector level specifying unit 36 ​​is "intermediate", the output unit 20 sets the division thresholds to "80%" and "50%". That is, a matching rate of 80% or more is set to a matching rate level of "high," a matching rate of 50% or more and less than 80% is set to a matching rate level of "medium," and a matching rate of less than 50% is set to a matching rate level of "low." As a result, if the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40 is 71%, the output unit 20 determines that the matching rate level is "medium," and if the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40 is 45%, the output unit 20 determines that the matching rate level is "low."

[0063] As a result, the higher the inspector level, the less likely it is that the matching rate level will be high, so that appropriate support information can be output according to the combination of the inspector's level and the matching rate between the target image and the intended image.

[0064] When support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level and the display mode of the target image in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​and the display mode of the target image (i.e., real time or frozen) specified by the examiner. In particular, when support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level, the match rate, and the display mode of the target image in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36, the match rate calculated by the match rate calculating unit 40, and the display mode of the target image specified by the examiner. For example, if the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is 80% (i.e., the match rate level "high"), and the display mode of the target image is "real-time", the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the examiner level "beginner", the match rate level "high", and the display mode of the target image "real-time" in the support information DB32 (for example, a comment "After observing the long and short axes, save the maximum diameter of the long axis", or a reference image). In addition, if the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40 is 80% (i.e., "high"), and the display mode of the target image is "freeze", the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the examiner level "beginner", the matching rate level "high", and the display mode of the target image "freeze" in the support information DB32 (for example, a comment "swelling: long diameter 12 cm or more / atrophy: long diameter less than 8 cm", or a reference image).

[0065] When support information is associated with each combination of an examiner level and a measurement content using a target image in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​and the measurement content specified by the examiner designation or the examination protocol. In particular, when support information is associated with each combination of an examiner level, a match rate, and a measurement content using a target image in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36, the match rate calculated by the match rate calculating unit 40, and the measurement content specified by the examiner designation or the examination protocol. For example, if the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner," the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is 80% (i.e., the match rate level "high"), and the measurement content using the target image is "long axis measurement," the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the examiner level "beginner," the match rate level "high," and the measurement content "long axis measurement" in the support information DB 32 (for example, a comment "After observing the long and short axes, save the maximum diameter of the long axis," or a reference image).

[0066] When support information is associated in the support information DB 32 with each combination of the examiner level and the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​and the current operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10. In particular, when support information is associated in the support information DB 32 with each combination of the examiner level, the match rate, and the operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36, the match rate calculated by the match rate calculating unit 40, and the current operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10. For example, if the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is 80% (i.e., the match rate level "high"), and the current operating mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 10 is B mode, the output unit 20 outputs support information associated with the examiner level "high", the match rate level "high", and the operating mode "B mode" in the support information DB 32 (for example, a comment "After observing the long and short axes, save the maximum diameter of the long axis", "Swelling: long diameter 12 cm or more / atrophy: long diameter less than 8 cm", or a reference image).

[0067] In the support information DB 32, when support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level and the subject's attribute, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​and the subject's attribute. The subject's attribute corresponding to the target image may be input by the examiner to the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 or may be recorded in the above-mentioned examination protocol. In particular, in the support information DB 32, when support information is associated with each combination of the examiner level, the match rate, and the subject's attribute, the output unit 20 may output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36, the match rate calculated by the match rate calculating unit 40, and the subject's attribute. For example, if the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the match rate calculated by the match rate calculation unit 40 is 80% (i.e., the match rate level "high"), and the subject attribute is male, 90 years old, the output unit 20 outputs support information (e.g., a comment "After observing the long and short axes, save the maximum diameter of the long axis" or a reference image) associated with the examiner level "beginner", the match rate level "high", and the subject attribute "male, 90 years old" in the support information DB 32.

[0068] Furthermore, when the support information DB 32 associates support information (see FIG. 5 ) with a combination of an examiner level, a first cross-section type, and a second cross-section type, it is preferable to output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level, the cross-section type of the target image as the first cross-section type, and the target cross-section as the second cross-section type, which are identified by the examiner level identifying unit 36. In particular, when the support information DB 32 associates support information with each combination of an examiner level, a matching rate, and a first cross-section type and a second cross-section type, it is preferable for the output unit 20 to output support information whose content corresponds to the examiner level identified by the examiner level identifying unit 36, the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculating unit 40, the cross-section type of the target image as the first cross-section type, and the target cross-section as the second cross-section type. In detail, the output unit 20 identifies, from the support information DB 32, support information associated with a combination of the examiner level identified by the examiner level identifying unit 36, the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40, the cross section type of the target image as the first cross section type, and the target cross section identified by the target cross section identifying unit 38 as the second cross section type, and outputs the identified support information. The cross section type of the target image here means the cross section type with the highest matching probability among the multiple cross section types calculated by the matching rate calculation unit 40.

[0069] Specifically, it is assumed that a reference image as shown in Fig. 5 is associated as support information with a combination of an examiner level "beginner", a matching rate level "low", a first cross-section type "cross-section type A", and a second cross-section type "cross-section type B". That is, in the reference image in Fig. 5, the left side of the arrow is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the first cross-section type "cross-section type A", and the right side of the arrow is a diagram showing the position of the ultrasonic probe 12 when forming an ultrasonic image of the second cross-section type "cross-section type B". In this case, when the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​is "beginner", the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculating unit 40 is 20% (i.e., the matching rate level "low"), the cross-section type of the target image is cross-section type A, and the target cross-section is cross-section type B, the output unit 20 outputs the reference image shown in Fig. 5 as support information.

[0070] When the output unit 20 outputs the support information, the examiner changes the position of the ultrasound probe 12 or changes the settings of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 based on the output support information. This may improve the matching rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section. In that case, the output support information may be considered to be effective. On the other hand, even if the support information is output, the matching rate between the cross-section type of the target image and the target cross-section may not be improved. In that case, the output support information may be considered to be not very effective.

[0071] Therefore, after the support information is output by the output unit 20, the matching rate calculation unit 40 may again calculate the matching rate between the same target cross section and the cross section type of the target image. Then, if the matching rate after the support information is output is higher than the matching rate before the support information is output, a priority flag (see FIG. 3) may be attached to the support information in the support information DB 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the priority flag may be attached to a combination of the examiner level, the matching rate, and the support information, or may be attached to a combination of the examiner level and the support information. On the other hand, if the matching rate after the support information is output is the same as or lower than the matching rate before the support information is output, the matching rate calculation unit 40 does not attach a priority flag to the support information. This means that the support information to which the priority flag is attached is effective information, that is, information that can improve the matching rate between the cross section type of the target image and the target cross section.

[0072] In addition, when a plurality of pieces of support information are associated with the examiner level or the matching rate in the support information DB 32, the output unit 20 may output support information with a priority flag attached in preference to support information without a priority flag attached. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, among a plurality of pieces of support information associated with the matching rate level "low", a priority flag is attached to the comment "Place the probe between the ribs on the right anterior axillary line" and a priority flag is not attached to the comment "Is there enough jelly? Let's try to get some again". Here, when the examiner level specified by the examiner level specifying unit 36 ​​is "beginner" and the matching rate calculated by the matching rate calculating unit 40 is 20% (i.e., the matching rate level "low"), the output unit 20 outputs the comment "Place the probe between the ribs on the right anterior axillary line" which is the support information with a priority flag attached in preference to the support information associated with the examiner level "beginner" and the matching rate level "low" in the support information DB 32. This allows support information considered to be more effective to be output in preference.

[0073] Consider a case where an examination is performed in the ultrasonic diagnostic device 10 according to a plurality of examination steps in which ultrasonic tomographic images of different target sections are formed in each examination step. For example, an examination according to the above-mentioned examination protocol. In this case, the examiner proceeds with the examination while forming ultrasonic tomographic images of the target sections defined in each examination step. Each time the examiner forms an ultrasonic tomographic image (target image) in each examination step, the matching rate calculation unit 40 calculates a matching rate between the cross-section type of the target image formed in the examination step and the target section related to the examination step. That is, the matching rate is calculated for each examination step. Here, the matching rate calculation unit 40 stores the matching rate calculated in each examination step in the memory 28 in association with each examination step.

[0074] The output unit 20 may output the coincidence rate calculated for the already-examined examination steps during the examination along the multiple examination steps. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the output unit 20 may read the coincidence rate calculated for the already-examined examination steps from the memory 28 and display a list L of the coincidence rate for each examination step on the display 22. In the example of FIG. 5, the multiple examination steps form an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target section "left lobe of the liver" in the examination step 1, an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target section "tail of the pancreas" in the examination step 2, and an ultrasonic tomographic image of the target section "left kidney" in the examination step 3. According to the list L, the examiner can confirm that the coincidence rate between the section type of the target image and the target section in the examination steps 1 and 2 was "high" during the examination step 3.

[0075] Also, appropriate setting values ​​(proper setting values) for the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 for forming an ultrasound image of a target cross section may be prepared in advance for each examination process, and the output unit 20 may output a comment as support information when the setting value set by the examiner deviates from the proper setting value by a predetermined amount or more. For example, a comment such as "The gain is set to 40. Isn't that too low?" may be output.

[0076] The output unit 20 may output an inspection report after the multiple inspection steps are completed. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the inspection report R. The inspection report R may be output in a form displayed on the display 22, or may be output by being printed on a print medium such as paper. The inspection report R allows, for example, an instructor instructing a beginner to view after the fact the contents of the inspections performed by the beginner in the multiple inspection steps.

[0077] The inspection report R is composed of a plurality of item values ​​for a plurality of items for each of a plurality of inspection processes. In particular, the plurality of items in the inspection report R include support information that is output when attempting to form an ultrasonic tomographic image of a target cross section for the inspection process. The inspection report R shown in FIG. 6 has a plurality of items, such as "cross section number," "cross section type," "match level," "required time," "changed parameters," "falsely detected cross sections," "comments," and "images." The item "Section No." is a number that identifies an inspection process. The item "section type" indicates the target section in the inspection process. The item "match rate" is the match rate calculated by match rate calculation unit 40 in the corresponding inspection process. The item "required time" is the time required by the examiner to perform the examination in the examination process. Note that the time required for each examination process is automatically measured by the timing function of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10, for example, from the start of the examination process to the end of the examination process. The item "changed parameters" is the setting values ​​of the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 changed by the examiner in the examination process (particularly, the setting values ​​related to the formation of an ultrasound image or image quality correction). Examples of such setting values ​​include gain, depth, frame rate, velocity range, size of ROI, baseline, sample volume, angle, reliability of SWE / SWM / ATT, etc. The item “misdetected section” refers to the section type that the matching rate calculation unit 40 determines to have the highest matching rate with the section type of the target image in the inspection process, when that section type is other than the target section type of the inspection process. The item "comment" is a comment that is output as support information in the inspection process. The item "image" is a target image formed by an inspector in the inspection process.

[0078] In addition to the above information, the examination report R may include information for identifying the subject's attributes and the examiner who performed the examinations in the multiple examination steps (examiner ID, name, etc.). This information is input by the examiner to the ultrasound diagnostic device 10 prior to the examinations in the multiple examination steps.

[0079] In the inspection report R, item values ​​may not be associated with all items for each inspection process. In particular, the output unit 20 determines which items are to be associated with item values ​​according to the inspector's inspector level. In other words, the output unit 20 outputs the inspection report R in which item information according to the inspector's inspector level is associated with each target cross section. For example, when the inspector level is "beginner", the output unit 20 may include item values ​​for all of the above items in the inspection report R, and when the inspector level is "intermediate", the output unit 20 may not include item values ​​for at least one of the items "comment" and "falsely detected cross section" in the inspection report R (in that case, "-" or the like may be output in the corresponding column, or nothing may be displayed).

[0080] The output unit 20 may also determine an item to which an item value is associated for an inspection process according to the matching rate for the inspection process. In other words, the output unit 20 may output an inspection report R in which, for each target cross section, information on an item according to the matching rate corresponding to the target cross section is associated. For example, for an inspection process in which the matching rate level is "high" (e.g., the matching rate is 70% or more), the output unit 20 may not include an item value for at least one of the items "changed parameter" and "falsely detected cross section" in the inspection report R (in that case, the output unit 20 outputs "-" or the like in the corresponding column, or displays nothing). This is because these items are not very important when the matching rate is high. On the other hand, for an inspection process in which the matching rate level is "medium" (e.g., the matching rate is 50% or more and less than 70%) or the matching rate level is "low" (e.g., the matching rate is less than 50%), the output unit 20 may include an item value for at least one of the items "changed parameter" and "falsely detected cross section" in the inspection report R.

[0081] Furthermore, the output unit 20 may determine an item to which an item value is associated for an inspection process according to a combination of the inspector's inspector level and the agreement rate for the inspection process. In other words, the output unit 20 may output an inspection report R in which, for each target cross section, information on an item according to the inspector's inspector level and the agreement rate corresponding to the target cross section is associated. For example, the output unit 20 may include item values ​​for items other than the item "comment" or the item "falsely detected cross section" in the inspection report R for an inspection process in which the inspector level is "intermediate" and the agreement rate level is "high", while further including an item value for the item "changed parameter" in the inspection report R for an inspection process in which the inspector level is "intermediate" and the agreement rate level is "medium" or "low".

[0082] The outline of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to this embodiment is as described above. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to this embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0083] 1, the transmitting / receiving unit 14, the signal processing unit 16, the image forming unit 18, the output unit 20, the support information editing unit 34, the examiner level specifying unit 36, the target cross section specifying unit 38, and the matching rate calculation unit 40 are functional blocks representing functions realized by a processor. The processor includes at least one of a general-purpose processing unit (e.g., a CPU, etc.) and a dedicated processing unit (e.g., a GPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a programmable logic device, etc.). The processor may not be a single processing unit, but may be configured by the cooperation of multiple processing units located at physically separate locations. Furthermore, each of the above units may be realized by the cooperation of hardware such as a processor and software. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10 ultrasound diagnostic device, 12 ultrasound probe, 14 transmission / reception unit, 16 signal processing unit, 18 image formation unit, 20 output unit, 22 display, 24 input interface, 26 control unit, 28 memory, 30 learning model, 32 support information DB, 34 support information editing unit, 36 examiner level identification unit, 38 target cross section identification unit, 40 match rate calculation unit.

Claims

1. an examiner level specification unit that specifies an examiner level indicating an examiner's operation proficiency for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus based on an examiner database in which an examiner ID that uniquely identifies an examiner is associated with the examiner's level, or based on an input from the examiner; an output unit that outputs support information having contents corresponding to the examiner level identified by the examiner level identification unit based on a support information database in which support information for supporting the examiner in forming an ultrasonic tomographic image is associated with each of the examiner levels, the support information being related to the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:

2. a target slice specification unit that specifies a target slice, which is a slice type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed; a matching rate calculation unit that performs a slice recognition process on a target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed in response to an instruction from an examiner, to calculate a matching rate between a slice type of the target image and the target slice; Further equipped with the support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and the match rate in the support information database; the output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the inspector level identified by the inspector level identifying unit and the match rate calculated by the match rate calculating unit.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. a possible numerical range of the match rate is divided into a plurality of match rate levels by one or a plurality of division thresholds, and the support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and the match rate level in the support information database; the division threshold is changed in accordance with the inspector level of the inspector identified by an inspector level identification unit; 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2.

4. In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and a display mode of a target image, which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed in accordance with an instruction from the inspector; and the output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the inspector level of the inspector identified by the inspector level identification unit and a display mode of the target image.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the inspector level and a measurement content using a target image which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed in accordance with an instruction from the inspector, the output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the inspector level of the inspector identified by the inspector level identification unit and the measurement contents.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and an operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit and an operation mode of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level and the attribute of the subject, the output unit outputs support information having contents according to the examiner level of the examiner identified by the examiner level identification unit and the attribute of the subject.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

8. In the support information database, the support information is associated with a combination of the examiner level, a first cross-section type, and a second cross-section type other than the first cross-section type, the output unit outputs support information having contents corresponding to the inspector level of the inspector identified by the inspector level identification unit, a cross-section type of a target image which is an ultrasonic tomographic image formed according to an instruction from the inspector as the first cross-section type, and a target cross-section which is a cross-section type of an ultrasonic tomographic image to be formed as the second cross-section type.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

9. a support information editing unit that edits the support information in response to an instruction from a user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

10. the matching rate calculation unit calculates the matching rate for the same target cross section again after the support information is output, and when the matching rate after the support information is output is higher than the matching rate before the support information is output, attaches a priority flag to the support information in the support information database; when a plurality of pieces of support information are associated with the inspector level in the support information database, the output unit outputs the support information to which the priority flag is attached in preference to support information to which the priority flag is not attached.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2.

11. the coincidence rate calculation unit calculates the coincidence rate for each inspection step during inspection along a plurality of inspection steps in which ultrasonic tomographic images of the target cross section different from each other are formed in each inspection step, and stores the coincidence rate in a memory; the output unit outputs the coincidence rate calculated for the inspection process that has been inspected during the inspection along the plurality of inspection processes.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2.

12. the output unit outputs, after a plurality of inspection processes for forming ultrasonic tomographic images of mutually different target cross sections in an inspection process are completed, an inspection report including item values ​​for a plurality of items, including the support information output when attempting to form an ultrasonic tomographic image of a target cross section related to each of the plurality of inspection processes, in which information on the items corresponding to the inspector level of the inspector is associated with each of the target cross sections.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 .

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