Image display device, ultrasonic image display method, and program

Abstract

To improve diagnosis efficiency when performing image quality adjustment.SOLUTION: An image display device includes a post-adjustment image acquisition unit and a display control unit. The post-adjustment image acquisition unit acquires a second ultrasonic image, which is an image after image quality adjustment is made for a first ultrasonic image of a subject. The display control unit displays a supplement image for supplementing attenuation information on an ultrasonic wave lost by the image quality adjustment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to an image display device, an ultrasonic image display method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays an ultrasonic image obtained by scanning a subject using an ultrasonic probe, brightness adjustment of the ultrasonic image may be performed before or after acquisition of the ultrasonic image. Brightness adjustment may be performed for the purpose of increasing the brightness of the ultrasonic image to such an extent that morphological diagnosis for diagnosing a structure is possible. For example, when the sound transmission of the subject is poor, the ultrasonic signal does not reach deep parts, and morphological diagnosis of the deep parts is difficult. In this case, brightness adjustment is performed to increase the brightness of the deep parts to such an extent that morphological diagnosis of the deep parts is possible. In order to perform brightness adjustment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a function called STC (Sensitivity Time Control, which may also be called TGC (Time Gain Control)). STC is a function capable of changing the brightness for each depth.

[0003] However, when the brightness of an ultrasonic image is adjusted for morphological diagnosis of deep parts as described above, it becomes difficult to perform property diagnosis for diagnosing attenuation due to brightness changes. That is, in a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, when brightness adjustment is performed, it has been difficult to perform efficient diagnosis that achieves both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis. Therefore, it is required to improve the diagnostic efficiency when performing image quality adjustment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to improve the diagnostic efficiency when performing image quality adjustment. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. The problems corresponding to the respective effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be regarded as other problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image display device according to the embodiment includes an adjusted image acquisition unit and a display control unit. The adjusted image acquisition unit acquires a second ultrasonic image, which is an image obtained by performing image quality adjustment on a first ultrasonic image of a subject. The display control unit displays a supplementary image that supplements the attenuation information of the ultrasonic waves missing due to the image quality adjustment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be made only when necessary. Hereinafter, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus will be described as an example of an image display apparatus, but the image display apparatus may be a display apparatus provided in a computer such as a workstation.

[0009] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 2, an input interface 3, an output interface 4, and a device main body 5. The ultrasonic probe 2, the input interface 3, and the output interface 4 are communicably connected to the device main body 5.

[0010] The ultrasonic probe 2 is a device that transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject and receives reflected waves (echoes) of ultrasonic waves from the subject in order to acquire an ultrasonic image of the subject.

[0011] The ultrasonic probe 2 has a plurality of vibrators. The plurality of vibrators generate ultrasonic waves based on a drive signal such as a voltage supplied from the apparatus main body 5. Further, the ultrasonic probe 2 receives a reflected wave from the subject and converts it into an electrical signal. That is, the ultrasonic probe 2 scans the subject with ultrasonic waves and receives the reflected wave from the subject. Electrodes for supplying the drive signal and inputting the electrical signal of the reflected wave are provided on the vibrators. The vibrator may be composed of, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate) and PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride). On the surface of the vibrator, for example, an acoustic matching layer and an acoustic lens are arranged. On the back surface of the vibrator, for example, a backing material is arranged. The acoustic matching layer, also called a λ / 4 layer, is a layer for efficiently transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves by reducing the impedance difference between the vibrator and the living body. The acoustic lens is a structure for reducing the friction with the body surface during inspection and converging the ultrasonic beam to improve the slice resolution. The backing material is a structure for absorbing the ultrasonic waves going backward and shortening the pulse width of the ultrasonic waves going forward. The ultrasonic probe 2 is detachably connected to the apparatus main body 5.

[0012] When ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2 to the subject, the transmitted ultrasonic waves are successively reflected at the discontinuous surfaces of the acoustic impedance in the body tissues of the subject and received by the plurality of vibrators included in the ultrasonic probe 2 as reflected wave signals. The amplitude of the received reflected wave signal depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the discontinuous surface where the ultrasonic wave is reflected. In addition, when the transmitted ultrasonic pulse is reflected at the surface of a moving blood flow, a heart wall, or the like, the reflected wave signal undergoes a frequency shift depending on the velocity component of the moving object with respect to the ultrasonic transmission direction due to the Doppler effect.

[0013] The ultrasonic probe 2 can be applied to a 1D array probe that scans the subject two-dimensionally, or a three-dimensional probe that scans the subject three-dimensionally, that is, a mechanical 4D probe or a 2D array probe.

[0014] The input interface 3 receives input operations of various instructions and information from the operator. Specifically, the input interface 3 converts the input operations received from the operator into electrical signals and outputs them to the device main body 5. For example, the input interface 3 is realized by a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad that performs an input operation by touching an operation surface, a touch screen in which a display screen and a touch pad are integrated, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, an audio input circuit, and the like. Note that the input interface 3 is not limited to those equipped with physical operation components such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs this electrical signal to a control circuit is also included in the example of the input interface 3.

[0015] The output interface 4 outputs various kinds of information. For example, the output interface 4 includes a display. The display converts the information and image data sent from the device main body 5 into electrical signals for display and outputs them. The display is realized by a liquid crystal monitor, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor, a touch panel, and the like. The output interface 4 may include a speaker. The speaker outputs a predetermined sound such as a beep sound to notify the operator of the processing status of the device main body 5.

[0016] The device main body 5 includes a transmission / reception circuit 51, a storage circuit 52, and a processing circuit 53.

[0017] The transmission / reception circuit 51 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2 under the control of the processing circuit 53. The transmission / reception circuit 51 is also a circuit that performs various processes on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate reflected wave data.

[0018] The transmission / reception circuit 51 has, for example, a pulse generator, a transmission delay unit, a pulsar, etc., in order to supply a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 2. The pulse generator repeatedly generates rate pulses for forming transmission ultrasonic waves at a predetermined rate frequency. Also, the transmission delay unit gives, to each rate pulse generated by the pulse generator, a delay time for each vibrator necessary for focusing the ultrasonic waves generated from the ultrasonic probe 2 into a beam shape and determining the transmission directivity. The pulsar applies a drive signal (drive pulse) to the ultrasonic probe 2 at a timing based on the rate pulse given the delay time. That is, the transmission delay unit arbitrarily adjusts the transmission direction of the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the vibrator surface by changing the delay time given to each rate pulse.

[0019] Also, the transmission / reception circuit 51 has, for example, a preamplifier, an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter, a reception delay unit, an adder, etc., in order to perform various processes on the reflected wave signal received by the ultrasonic probe 2 and generate reflected wave data. The preamplifier amplifies the reflected wave signal for each channel. The A / D converter performs A / D conversion on the amplified reflected wave signal. The reception delay unit gives a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity. The adder performs an addition process on the reflected wave signal processed by the reception delay unit to generate reflected wave data. By the addition process of the adder, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the reflected wave signal is emphasized, and an overall beam of ultrasonic wave transmission / reception is formed by the reception directivity and the transmission directivity. The form of the output signal from the transmission / reception circuit 51 can be selected in various forms, such as when it is a signal including phase information called an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, and when it is amplitude information after envelope detection processing.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception circuit 51 is arranged in the apparatus main body 5. The transmission / reception circuit 51 is not limited to being arranged in the apparatus main body 5, and at least a part of it may be arranged in the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0021] The memory circuit 52 is a non-volatile memory device that stores various information, such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an optical disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an integrated circuit memory device. The memory circuit 52 stores, for example, a control program for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and various data used for executing this control program. In addition to HDDs and SSDs, etc., the memory circuit 52 may also be a drive device that reads and writes various information to and from portable storage media such as CDs (Compact Discs), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and flash memories, or semiconductor memory elements such as RAMs (Random Access Memories).

[0022] The processing circuit 53 is a circuit that controls the operation of the entire ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in response to an electrical signal of an input operation input from the input interface 3. For example, the processing circuit 53 includes an image acquisition function 531, a display control function 532, an image quality adjustment function 533, an adjusted image acquisition function 534, and a supplementary image acquisition function 535. The display control function 532 is an example of a display control unit. The image quality adjustment function 533 is an example of an image quality adjustment unit. The adjusted image acquisition function 534 is an example of an adjusted image acquisition unit. The supplementary image acquisition function 535 is an example of a supplementary image acquisition unit.

[0023] Here, for example, each processing function executed by the image acquisition function 531, the display control function 532, the image quality adjustment function 533, the adjusted image acquisition function 534, and the supplementary image acquisition function 535, which are components of the processing circuit 53 shown in FIG. 1, is recorded in the memory circuit 52 in the form of a program executable by a computer. The processing circuit 53 is, for example, a processor. The processor constituting the processing circuit 53 reads out each program from the memory circuit 52 and realizes the function corresponding to each read program by executing it. In other words, the processing circuit 53 in the state of having read out each program has each function shown in the processing circuit 53 of FIG. 1. The processing circuit 53 may include a circuit other than the processor.

[0024] In FIG. 1, the case where each processing function of the image acquisition function 531, the display control function 532, the image quality adjustment function 533, the adjusted image acquisition function 534, and the supplementary image acquisition function 535 is realized by a single processing circuit 53 is shown, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the processing circuit 53 may be configured by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor may realize each processing function by executing each program. Further, each processing function of the processing circuit 53 may be appropriately distributed or integrated into a single or a plurality of processing circuits and realized.

[0025] The image acquisition function 531 acquires an ultrasonic image of a subject based on the reflected wave of ultrasonic waves from the subject. Specifically, the image acquisition function 531 receives a reflected wave signal from the ultrasonic probe 2 via the transmission / reception circuit 51 and generates an ultrasonic image based on the received reflected wave signal.

[0026] For example, the image acquisition function 531 receives reflected wave data from the transmission / reception circuit 51, performs logarithmic amplification, envelope detection processing, etc., and generates data (B-mode data) in which the signal intensity is expressed by the brightness of the luminance. Further, the image acquisition function 531 frequency-analyzes velocity information from the reflected wave data received from the transmission / reception circuit 51, extracts blood flow, tissue, and contrast agent echo components due to the Doppler effect, and extracts data (Doppler data) in which moving body information such as velocity, dispersion, and power is extracted at multiple points. Further, the image acquisition function 531 can process both two-dimensional reflected wave data and three-dimensional reflected wave data. That is, the image acquisition function 531 generates two-dimensional B-mode data from two-dimensional reflected wave data and generates three-dimensional B-mode data from three-dimensional reflected wave data. Further, the image acquisition function 531 generates two-dimensional Doppler data from two-dimensional reflected wave data and generates three-dimensional Doppler data from three-dimensional reflected wave data.

[0027] Then, the image acquisition function 531 generates an ultrasonic image from the generated data. For example, the image acquisition function 531 generates a two-dimensional B-mode image in which the intensity of the reflected wave is represented by luminance from the two-dimensional B-mode data. Also, for example, the image acquisition function 531 generates a two-dimensional Doppler image in which blood flow information is visualized from the two-dimensional Doppler data. The two-dimensional Doppler image is velocity image data representing the average velocity of blood flow, dispersion image data representing the dispersion value of blood flow, power image data representing the power of blood flow, or image data combining these. Also, the image acquisition function 531 generates a color Doppler image in which blood flow information such as the average velocity, dispersion value, and power of blood flow is displayed in color as a Doppler image, or generates a Doppler image in which one blood flow information is displayed in grayscale. Also, for example, the image acquisition function 531 can generate an M-mode image from the time-series data of the B-mode data on one scan line. Also, the image acquisition function 531 can generate a Doppler waveform in which the velocity information of blood flow and tissue is plotted along the time series from the Doppler data.

[0028] The display control function 532 displays the ultrasonic image generated by the image acquisition function 531 via the output interface 4. The ultrasonic image generated by the image acquisition function 531 is an ultrasonic image having the image quality before image quality adjustment by the image quality adjustment function 533 described later. Hereinafter, the ultrasonic image having the image quality before image quality adjustment by the image quality adjustment function 533 is also referred to as a pre-adjustment image. The pre-adjustment image is an example of the first ultrasonic image. The pre-adjustment image is not only acquired before image quality adjustment by the image acquisition function 535, but also acquired as a supplementary image after image quality adjustment by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 as described later.

[0029] The image quality adjustment function 533 adjusts the pre-adjustment image generated by the image acquisition function 531. The image quality adjustment function 533 adjusts the pre-adjustment image according to the input operation received by the input interface 3. For example, the image quality adjustment function 533 adjusts the brightness (i.e., gain) of the pre-adjustment image as the image quality of the pre-adjustment image. The image quality adjustment function 533 may adjust adjustment parameters other than brightness such as dynamic range as the image quality of the pre-adjustment image. The image quality adjustment function 533 may automatically adjust the image quality of the pre-adjustment image generated by the image acquisition function 531. For example, the image quality adjustment function 533 may adjust the brightness of the entire area of the pre-adjustment image generated by the image acquisition function 531 to the same brightness that enables morphological diagnosis.

[0030] The image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment of the pre-adjustment image in the depth direction according to the input operation received by the input interface 3. The image quality adjustment in the depth direction is, for example, brightness adjustment (STC) in the depth direction. More specifically, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment of the pre-adjustment image for each region divided into a plurality in the depth direction.

[0031] Also, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment of the pre-adjustment image in the azimuth direction according to the input operation received by the input interface 3. The image quality adjustment in the azimuth direction is, for example, brightness adjustment in the azimuth direction (LGC: Lateral Gain Control). More specifically, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment of the pre-adjustment image for each region divided into a plurality in the azimuth direction.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the input interface 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and an example of STC divided regions. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the input interface 3 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment and an example of LGC divided regions. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the input interface 3 for adjusting the brightness of the pre-adjustment image in the depth direction. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the input interface 3 for adjusting the brightness of the pre-adjustment image in the azimuth direction. The input interface 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can also be applied to image quality adjustment other than brightness adjustment.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the input interface 3 has a plurality of slider bars 31a to 31h and an STC switch 32. The slider bars 31a to 31h each have a knob portion 311 and a rail portion 312. The slider bars 31a to 31h and the STC switch 32 are, for example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that can be operated by an operator touching them manually or the like. The slider bars 31a to 31h receive an input operation for adjusting the luminance of each of a plurality of regions 101a to 101h obtained by dividing the pre-adjustment image 100 into a plurality in the depth direction. The slider bars 31a to 31h are respectively displayed at positions corresponding to the plurality of regions 101a to 101h of the pre-adjustment image 100 on the screen SC, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 2, when the operator moves the knob portion 311 of the slider bar 101a in the lateral direction d1 along the rail portion 312, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs luminance adjustment with an adjustment amount corresponding to the position of the moved knob portion 311 for the region 101a corresponding to the slider bar 101a. The STC switch 32 receives an input operation for instructing on or off of the luminance adjustment in the depth direction of the pre-adjustment image 100.

[0034] The display control function 532 may control the presence or absence of the display of the STC switch 32 according to the progress of the input operation received by the input interface 3. Further, the display control function 532 may control which input operation for instructing either on or off of the luminance adjustment in the depth direction by the STC switch 32 is received according to the progress of the input operation received by the input interface 3.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the input interface 3 has a plurality of slider bars 33a to 33h and an LGC switch 34. Each of the slider bars 33a to 33h has a knob portion 331 and a rail portion 332. The slider bars 33a to 33h and the LGC switch 32 are, for example, GUIs that can be operated by an operator touching them manually or the like. The input interface 3 shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed on the screen SC simultaneously with the input interface 3 shown in FIG. 2. The slider bars 33a to 33h receive input operations for adjusting the luminance of each of a plurality of regions 103a to 103h obtained by dividing the pre-adjustment image 100 into a plurality in the azimuth direction. The slider bars 33a to 33h are respectively displayed at positions corresponding to the plurality of regions 103a to 103h of the pre-adjustment image 100 on the screen SC, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the operator moves the knob portion 331 of the slider bar 33a in the vertical direction d2 along the rail portion 322, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs luminance adjustment with an adjustment amount corresponding to the position of the moved knob portion 331 for the region 103a corresponding to the slider bar 33a. The LGC switch 34 receives an input operation for instructing on or off of the luminance adjustment in the azimuth direction of the pre-adjustment image 100.

[0036] The display control function 532 may control the presence or absence of the display of the LGC switch 34 according to the progress of the input operation received by the input interface 3. Further, the display control function 532 may control which input operation for instructing either on or off of the luminance adjustment in the azimuth direction by the LGC switch 34 is received according to the progress of the input operation received by the input interface 3.

[0037] The post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 shown in FIG. 1 acquires a post-adjustment image which is an image obtained by performing image quality adjustment on the pre-adjustment image of the subject. The post-adjustment image is an example of a second ultrasonic image. The post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 acquires the post-adjustment image after image quality adjustment by the image quality adjustment function 533.

[0038] The display control function 532 displays the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 via the output interface 4.

[0039] The supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires a supplementary image that supplements the ultrasonic attenuation information lost due to image quality adjustment. In the first embodiment, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image as the supplementary image. For example, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image by changing the image quality of the live-displayed adjusted image (i.e., the adjustment parameter) from the image quality after image quality adjustment to the image quality before image quality adjustment.

[0040] The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 as a supplementary image via the output interface 4.

[0041] The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534. In the first embodiment, the display control function 532 switches between and displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534.

[0042] Next, an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the following operation example, the brightness adjustment in the depth direction will be described as an example of image quality adjustment. However, the operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is not limited to the brightness adjustment in the depth direction and may include other image quality adjustments such as the brightness adjustment in the azimuth direction.

[0043] First, as shown in FIG. 4, the image acquisition function 531 acquires a pre-adjustment image in response to the operator scanning the subject using the ultrasonic probe 2. The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the image acquisition function 531 (step S11). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the display process of the pre-adjustment image 100 in an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display control function 532 displays, on the screen SC, the pre-adjustment image 100 and slider bars 31a to 31h for receiving an input operation for brightness adjustment in the depth direction.

[0044] After the pre-adjustment image is displayed, as shown in FIG. 4, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment of the pre-adjustment image according to the input operation received by the input interface 3 (step S12). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs brightness adjustment in the depth direction on the pre-adjustment image according to the operation of the slider bars 31a to 31h.

[0045] After the image quality adjustment is performed, as shown in FIG. 4, the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 acquires the post-adjustment image generated by the image quality adjustment. The display control function 532 displays the post-adjustment image acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 (step S13). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display process of the post-adjustment image in an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the display control function 532 displays, on the screen SC, the post-adjustment image 101 after brightness adjustment in the depth direction by the operation of the slider bars 31a to 31h. At this time, the display control function 532 also displays, on the screen SC, an STC switch 32 for receiving an input operation instructing the turn-off of the brightness adjustment in the depth direction.

[0046] After the post-adjustment image is displayed, as shown in FIG. 4, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is received by the input interface 3 (step S14). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the brightness adjustment in the depth direction is received by the STC switch 32.

[0047] When an input operation instructing the turn-off of image quality adjustment is received (step S14 in FIG. 4: Yes), the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires a pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image that supplements the ultrasonic attenuation information lost due to the image quality adjustment. The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 (step S15). For example, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image by changing the image quality of the live-displayed post-adjustment image (that is, the image quality immediately before the turn-off of image quality adjustment) to the image quality before the image quality adjustment stored in the storage circuit 52. The image quality before the image quality adjustment is stored in the storage circuit 52 in advance as an initial value. When the pre-adjustment image is displayed, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 stores the image quality immediately before the turn-off of image quality adjustment in the storage circuit 52 in order to enable the re-display of the post-adjustment image (step S17) described later.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process of displaying a supplementary image in an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image 100 as a supplementary image by changing the luminance of the live-displayed post-adjustment image 101 to the luminance before the luminance adjustment (that is, the initial value of the luminance) stored in the storage circuit 52. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the luminance before the luminance adjustment is the luminance when the knob portions 311 of the slider bars 31a to 31h are positioned at the center of the rail portion 312. Also, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 stores the luminance immediately before the turn-off of the luminance adjustment instructed by the STC switch 32 in the storage circuit 52 in order to enable the re-display of the post-adjustment image 101. For example, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 may store the luminance immediately before the turn-off of the luminance adjustment in the storage circuit 52 by storing the position of the knob portion 311 immediately before the turn-off of the luminance adjustment in the storage circuit 52. The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image 100 acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535. Also, at this time, the display control function 532 displays the STC switch 32 that receives an input operation instructing the turn-on of the luminance adjustment in the depth direction on the screen SC.

[0049] After the adjusted image is displayed, the pre-adjustment image can be redisplayed as a supplementary image, so that the operator can perform both morphological diagnosis based on the adjusted image and property diagnosis based on the pre-adjustment image even after image quality adjustment.

[0050] Also, conventionally, when scanning another subject with the image quality setting (i.e., the position of the knob portion 311) unchanged after the adjusted image is displayed, there has been a concern that it may become impossible to appropriately perform property diagnosis of the other subject. For this reason, conventionally, when changing the subject, a complicated operation of positioning the knob portion 311 at either the center or both ends of the rail portion 312 has been required. However, according to the first embodiment, by performing a simple input operation for instructing the turn-off of image quality adjustment, an ultrasonic image having the pre-adjusted image quality can be displayed for the changed subject. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, even when the subject is changed, property diagnosis for the changed subject can be appropriately performed.

[0051] On the other hand, when an input operation for instructing the turn-off of image quality adjustment is not received (step S14 in FIG. 4: No), the supplementary image acquisition function 535 repeats the determination as to whether an input operation for turning off the image quality adjustment is received by the input interface 3 (step S14).

[0052] After the supplementary image is displayed, as shown in FIG. 4, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 determines whether an input operation for instructing the turn-on of image quality adjustment is received by the input interface 3 (step S16). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 determines whether an input operation for instructing the turn-on of brightness adjustment in the depth direction is received by the STC switch 32.

[0053] When an input operation instructing to turn on image quality adjustment is received (step S16 in FIG. 4: Yes), the adjusted image acquisition function 534 acquires an adjusted image having the image quality immediately before an input operation instructing to turn off image quality adjustment is received. For example, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 acquires an adjusted image by changing the image quality of the pre-adjustment image being live-displayed to the image quality immediately before the instruction to turn off image quality adjustment stored in the storage circuit 52. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 acquires an adjusted image by changing the luminance of the pre-adjustment image being live-displayed to the luminance immediately before the instruction to turn off luminance adjustment stored in the storage circuit 52. As shown in FIG. 4, the display control function 532 redisplays the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 (step S17).

[0054] Since it is possible to redisplay an adjusted image having the image quality immediately before an input operation instructing to turn off image quality adjustment is received, morphological diagnosis can be performed based on the adjusted image even after the pre-adjustment image has been redisplayed.

[0055] On the other hand, when an input operation instructing to turn on image quality adjustment has not been received (step S16: No), the adjusted image acquisition function 534 repeatedly determines whether an input operation instructing to turn on image quality adjustment has been received by the input interface 3 (step S16).

[0056] As described above, in the first embodiment, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 acquires an adjusted image that is an image obtained by performing image quality adjustment on the pre-adjustment image of the subject. Further, the display control function 532 displays a supplementary image that supplements the ultrasonic attenuation information lost due to image quality adjustment.

[0057] Thereby, even when an adjusted image is acquired, a supplementary image can be displayed, so that efficient diagnosis that enables both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis can be performed even after image quality adjustment. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the diagnostic efficiency when performing image quality adjustment can be improved.

[0058] Also, in the first embodiment, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image as the supplementary image. Further, the display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535.

[0059] Thereby, even when image quality adjustment is performed, it is possible to achieve both morphological diagnosis based on the post-adjustment image and property diagnosis based on the pre-adjustment image.

[0060] Also, in the first embodiment, the display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the post-adjustment image acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534. Specifically, the display control function 532 switches between and displays the post-adjustment image acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 and the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535.

[0061] Thereby, even after performing morphological diagnosis based on the post-adjustment image, it is possible to perform property diagnosis based on the pre-adjustment image.

[0062] Also, in the first embodiment, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment on the pre-adjustment image in the depth direction.

[0063] Thereby, even when performing image quality adjustment in the depth direction, it is possible to achieve both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis.

[0064] Also, in the first embodiment, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment on the pre-adjustment image for each region divided into a plurality in the depth direction.

[0065] Thereby, it is possible to perform high-precision image quality adjustment in the depth direction.

[0066] Also, in the first embodiment, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment on the pre-adjustment image in the azimuth direction.

[0067] Thereby, even when performing image quality adjustment in the azimuth direction, it is possible to achieve both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis.

[0068] Also, in the first embodiment, the image quality adjustment function 533 performs image quality adjustment of the pre-adjustment image for each region divided into a plurality in the azimuth direction.

[0069] Thereby, image quality adjustment in the azimuth direction can be performed with high precision.

[0070] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which the adjusted image and the pre-adjusted image are simultaneously displayed will be described centering on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the image quality adjustment (step S12) by the image quality adjustment function 533 is automatically performed to make the overall image quality (for example, luminance) of the pre-adjustment image acquired by the image acquisition function 535 uniform. Also, in the second embodiment, the input operation (step S14) for instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is performed as an input operation for instructing the turn-off of such automatic image quality adjustment. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, when an input operation for instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is received (step S14: Yes), the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image. The display control function 532 performs dual display for simultaneously displaying the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the adjusted image (step S21). That is, the display control function 532 switches and displays the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 and both the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a dual display process of a supplementary image and an adjusted image in an operation example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image 100 by changing the luminance of the live-displayed adjusted image 101 to the luminance before luminance adjustment stored in the storage circuit 52. The display control function 532 further displays the pre-adjustment image 100 acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 while continuing to display the adjusted image 101. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image 100 and the adjusted image 101 side by side in the horizontal direction d1. Note that the luminance of the adjusted image 101 shown in FIG. 9 is fixed to the luminance immediately before the automatic adjustment is turned off (step S14), and the automatic adjustment is stopped. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the display control function 532 displays an automatic adjustment switch 321 on the screen SC that receives an input operation for instructing the turn-on of the automatic luminance adjustment.

[0073] After the dual display (step S21) of the pre-adjustment image and the adjusted image is performed, in response to an input operation (step S16: Yes) instructing the turn-on of the image quality adjustment, the adjusted image is redisplayed (step S17). In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the image quality adjustment function 533 receives an instruction to turn on the automatic luminance adjustment by the automatic adjustment switch 321, the image quality adjustment function 533 resumes the automatic luminance adjustment for the adjusted image 101 for which the automatic luminance adjustment has been stopped. Then, the display control function 532 displays (i.e., single-display) the adjusted image 101 acquired by the resumed automatic luminance adjustment.

[0074] Note that the switching between the single display of the pre-adjustment image and the dual display of the pre-adjustment image and the adjusted image is not limited to the case where the image quality is automatically adjusted, and may also be applied when the image quality is adjusted in response to the operation of the slider bars 31a to 31h.

[0075] As described above, in the second embodiment, the display control function 532 switches and displays the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 and both the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image acquired by the pre-adjustment image and supplementary image acquisition function 535.

[0076] As a result, after image quality adjustment, the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image can be displayed simultaneously, so that morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis can be performed in parallel after image quality adjustment.

[0077] (First Modification Example of the Second Embodiment) Next, a first modification example of the second embodiment in which the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image are simultaneously displayed during image quality adjustment will be described centering on the differences from the above-described embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first modification example of the second embodiment.

[0078] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the display control function 532 switches and displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the image acquisition function 535 (that is, the image before image quality adjustment by the image quality adjustment function 533) and both the pre-adjustment image acquired by the pre-adjustment image and supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534.

[0079] Specifically, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 acquires the adjusted image generated by image quality adjustment after the image quality adjustment is performed. Further, the pre-adjustment image and supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image. The display control function 532 switches from the display of the pre-adjustment image acquired by the image acquisition function 535 to the dual display of the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 and the pre-adjustment image acquired as a supplementary image by the pre-adjustment image and supplementary image acquisition function 535 (step S31).

[0080] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a dual display process of an adjusted image and a supplementary image in an operation example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first modification of the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image 100 being live-displayed as the supplementary image as it is. The display control function 532 dual-displays the adjusted image 101 acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 and the pre-adjustment image 100 acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 side by side in the horizontal direction d1. Also, at this time, the display control function 532 displays an auto-adjustment switch 321 on the screen SC that accepts an input operation instructing the turn-off of the automatic adjustment of luminance.

[0081] After the dual display of the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image is performed, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control function 532 determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is accepted by the input interface 3 (step S14). In the example shown in FIG. 11, the display control function 532 determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the automatic adjustment of luminance is accepted by the auto-adjustment switch 321.

[0082] When an input operation instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is accepted (step S14: Yes in FIG. 10), the display control function 532 switches from the dual display of the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image to the single display of the pre-adjustment image (step S32).

[0083] On the other hand, when an input operation instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is not accepted (step S14: No), the display control function 532 repeats the determination of whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is accepted by the input interface 3 (step S14).

[0084] Note that the display control function 532 may switch from the single display of the pre-adjustment image to the dual display of the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image when an input operation instructing the turn-on of the image quality adjustment is accepted by the input interface 3 after the single display of the pre-adjustment image (step S32).

[0085] As described above, in the first modification of the second embodiment, the display control function 532 switches and displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the image acquisition function 535, both the pre-adjustment image acquired as a supplementary image by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the post-adjustment image acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534.

[0086] As a result, the post-adjustment image and the pre-adjustment image can be simultaneously displayed after image quality adjustment, so that morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis can be performed in parallel after image quality adjustment.

[0087] (Second modification of the second embodiment) Next, a second modification of the second embodiment in which the post-adjustment image is displayed after simultaneously displaying the post-adjustment image and the pre-adjustment image will be described centering on the differences from the above-described embodiments. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second modification of the second embodiment.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 12, after image quality adjustment (step S12) is performed, the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 acquires the post-adjustment image generated by the image quality adjustment. Further, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image. The display control function 532 switches from the display of the pre-adjustment image acquired by the image acquisition function 535 to the dual display of the post-adjustment image acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 and the pre-adjustment image acquired as a supplementary image by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 (step S31).

[0089] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a dual display process of the post-adjustment image and the supplementary image in the operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second modification of the second embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the display control function 532 performs dual display by arranging the post-adjustment image 101 acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 and the pre-adjustment image 100 acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 side by side in the horizontal direction d1. At this time, the display control function 532 also displays an off switch 35 for receiving an input operation for instructing the turn-off of the dual display on the screen SC.

[0090] After the dual display of the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image is performed, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control function 532 determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the dual display is received by the input interface 3 (step S41). In the example shown in FIG. 13, the display control function 532 determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the dual display is received by the off switch 35.

[0091] When an input operation instructing the turn-off of the dual display is received (step S41: Yes in FIG. 12), the display control function 532 switches from the dual display of the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image to the single display of the adjusted image (step S42).

[0092] On the other hand, when an input operation instructing the turn-off of the dual display is not received (step S41: No), the display control function 532 repeats the determination of whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the dual display is received by the input interface 3 (step S41).

[0093] As described above, also in the second modification of the second embodiment, similar to the first modification of the second embodiment, the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image can be simultaneously displayed after the image quality adjustment. Therefore, after performing the image quality adjustment, morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis can be performed in parallel.

[0094] (Third Modification of the Second Embodiment) Next, the third modification of the second embodiment will be described centering on the differences from the second modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the third modification of the second embodiment.

[0095] In the example shown in FIG. 14, after the supplementary image acquisition function 535 switches from the dual display of the adjusted image and the pre-adjustment image to the single display of the adjusted image (step S42), it determines whether an input operation instructing the turn-off of the image quality adjustment is received by the input interface 3 (step S14).

[0096] When the supplementary image acquisition function 535 receives an input operation instructing to turn off the image quality adjustment (step S14: Yes), it acquires the pre-adjustment image as the supplementary image. The display control function 532 performs dual display to simultaneously display the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 and the post-adjustment image (step S21). The display control function 532 switches and displays the post-adjustment image acquired by the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 and both the post-adjustment image and the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535.

[0097] On the other hand, when an input operation instructing to turn off the image quality adjustment has not been received (step S14: No), the display control function 532 repeatedly determines whether an input operation to turn off the image quality adjustment has been received by the input interface 3 (step S14).

[0098] As described above, also in the third modification of the second embodiment, similar to the first modification of the second embodiment, the post-adjustment image and the pre-adjustment image can be simultaneously displayed after the image quality adjustment. Therefore, after performing the image quality adjustment, morphological diagnosis and trait diagnosis can be performed in parallel. In addition, since the number of times of dual display can be increased, the opportunity to perform morphological diagnosis and trait diagnosis in parallel can be increased.

[0099] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of displaying a pre-adjustment image based on a past post-adjustment image will be described centering on the differences from the above-described embodiments. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0100] In the third embodiment, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 adds the image quality information before image quality adjustment to the adjusted image acquired. The image quality information before image quality adjustment may be luminance information. For example, when acquiring the adjusted image, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 also acquires the image quality information before image quality adjustment. Then, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 stores the acquired adjusted image and the image quality information before image quality adjustment in the storage circuit 52 in association with each other.

[0101] Also, in the third embodiment, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image based on the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 and the image quality information before image quality adjustment added to the adjusted image. Specifically, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the pre-adjustment image based on the past adjusted image stored in the storage circuit 52 and the image quality information before image quality adjustment added to the past adjusted image.

[0102] The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 based on the past adjusted image.

[0103] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, first, the adjusted image acquisition function 534 acquires the past adjusted image stored in the storage circuit 52 in response to the input operation received by the input interface 3. The display control function 532 displays the past adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 (step S51).

[0104] After the adjusted image is displayed, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 determines whether an input operation instructing to turn off the image quality adjustment is received by the input interface 3 (step S52).

[0105] When an input operation instructing to turn off the image quality adjustment is received (step S52: Yes), the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires the image quality information before image quality adjustment added to the past adjusted image from the storage circuit 52 (step S53).

[0106] On the other hand, when an input operation instructing to turn off the image quality adjustment is not received (step S52: No), the supplementary image acquisition function 535 repeats the determination of whether an input operation to turn off the image quality adjustment is received by the input interface 3 (step S52).

[0107] After acquiring the image quality information before image quality adjustment added to the past adjusted image, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 generates and acquires a pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image based on the acquired image quality information before image quality adjustment and the past adjusted image. The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 (step S54).

[0108] As described above, in the third embodiment, the image quality information before image quality adjustment is added to the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534. The supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires a pre-adjustment image as a supplementary image based on the adjusted image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition function 534 and the image quality information before image quality adjustment added to the adjusted image.

[0109] Thereby, even when image quality adjustment is performed in the past, it is possible to achieve both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis.

[0110] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment in which hue information is displayed as a supplementary image will be described centering on the differences from the above-described embodiments. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0111] In the fourth embodiment, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 (second supplementary image acquisition unit) acquires, as a supplementary image, hue information corresponding to the amount of image quality adjustment performed between the pre-adjustment image and the post-adjustment image. The hue information is, for example, a color map representing the difference in luminance between the pre-adjustment image and the post-adjustment image. The color map may be, for example, an image that represents regions with a large difference in luminance in a prominent color (e.g., red) and regions with a small difference in luminance in a non-prominent color (e.g., yellow). The display control function 532 displays the hue information acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535. The display control function 532 may display the hue information acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535 by superimposing it on either the pre-adjustment image or the post-adjustment image.

[0112] In the example shown in FIG. 17, the image acquisition function 535 acquires a pre-adjustment image 100 of the carotid artery by performing an ultrasonic scan of the carotid artery. The display control function 532 displays the pre-adjustment image 100 of the carotid artery acquired by the image acquisition function 535 (step S11 in FIG. 16).

[0113] In the example shown in FIG. 18, the post-adjustment image acquisition function 534 acquires a post-adjustment image in which brightness adjustment has been performed by the image quality adjustment function 533 to reduce the brightness inside the blood vessel. The brightness adjustment for reducing the brightness inside the blood vessel is performed for the purpose of reducing artifacts in the carotid artery. The display control function 532 displays the post-adjustment image 101 in which the brightness inside the blood vessel has been reduced (step S13 in FIG. 16). In the example shown in FIG. 18, the display control function 532 further displays a brightness adjustment switch 36 that receives an input operation for turning off the brightness adjustment by the image quality adjustment function 533.

[0114] When an input operation for turning off the image quality adjustment is received (step S14: Yes), the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires hue information as a supplementary image. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 acquires hue information when an input operation for turning off the brightness adjustment is received by the brightness adjustment switch 36.

[0115] After the hue information is acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535, the display control function 532 displays the acquired hue information (step S61). In the example shown in FIG. 19, the display control function 532 displays the color map CM as the hue information. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 19, the display control function 532 displays the color map CM superimposed on the adjusted image 101. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 19, the display control function 532 further displays a brightness adjustment switch 36 that receives an input operation for turning on the brightness adjustment by the image quality adjustment function 533.

[0116] After the display of the hue information (step S61) is performed, in response to an input operation for instructing the turn-on of the image quality adjustment (step S16: Yes), the adjusted image is redisplayed (step S17). In the example shown in FIG. 19, when an instruction to turn on the brightness adjustment is received by the brightness adjustment switch 36, the image quality adjustment function 533 resumes the brightness adjustment for the adjusted image 101 for which the brightness adjustment has been stopped. Then, the display control function 532 displays the adjusted image 101 acquired by the resumed brightness adjustment.

[0117] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 (the second supplementary image acquisition unit) acquires, as a supplementary image, the hue information corresponding to the adjustment amount of the image quality adjustment performed between the pre-adjustment image and the adjusted image. The display control function 532 displays the hue information acquired by the supplementary image acquisition function 535.

[0118] Thereby, even when the image quality adjustment is performed, it is possible to achieve both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis based on the hue information.

[0119] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment in which an attenuation image is displayed as a supplementary image will be described centering on the differences from the above-described embodiments. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a dual display of an adjusted image and an attenuation image in an operation example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 20, in the fifth embodiment, the supplementary image acquisition function 535 (third supplementary image acquisition unit) performs a process of extracting attenuation information from the pre-adjustment image and generates an attenuation image 103 indicating the extracted attenuation information. The display control function 532 displays the attenuation image 103 generated by the supplementary image acquisition function 535. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the display control function 532 performs dual display of the attenuation image 103 and the post-adjustment image 101. Note that the dual display of the attenuation image 103 and the post-adjustment image 101 in the fifth embodiment may be applied to the above-described embodiments in place of the dual display of the pre-adjustment image and the post-adjustment image described in the above-described embodiments.

[0121] According to the fifth embodiment, even when image quality adjustment is performed, it is possible to achieve both morphological diagnosis and property diagnosis based on the attenuation image.

[0122] Note that the term "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor realizes its functions by reading and executing a program stored in a storage circuit. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit, the program may be directly incorporated into the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the program incorporated into the circuit. Note that the processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit of the processor, and a plurality of independent circuits may be combined to be configured as one processor to realize its functions. Further, a plurality of components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one processor to realize its functions.

[0123] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the diagnostic efficiency when performing image quality adjustment can be improved.

[0124] Although several embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are presented only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel apparatuses and methods described in this specification can be implemented in various other forms. Also, various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made to the forms of the apparatuses and methods described in this specification without departing from the gist of the invention. The scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof are intended to include such forms and modifications included in the scope and gist of the invention.

Explanation of Symbols

[0125] 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 531 Adjusted image acquisition function 532 Display control function 533 Image quality adjustment function 534 Adjusted image acquisition function 535 Supplementary image acquisition function

Claims

1. An adjusted image acquisition unit that acquires a second ultrasonic image that is an image after image quality adjustment is performed on a first ultrasonic image of a subject; A display control unit that displays a supplementary image that supplements attenuation information of ultrasonic waves missing due to the image quality adjustment; and An image display device.

2. Further comprising a supplementary image acquisition unit that acquires the first ultrasonic image as the supplementary image; The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the first ultrasonic image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition unit.

3. The image display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the first ultrasonic image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition unit and the second ultrasonic image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition unit.

4. Further comprising an image quality adjustment unit that performs image quality adjustment on the first ultrasonic image; The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the adjusted image acquisition unit acquires the second ultrasonic image after image quality adjustment is performed by the image quality adjustment unit.

5. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein the image quality adjustment unit performs image quality adjustment on the first ultrasonic image in the depth direction.

6. The image display device according to claim 5, wherein the image quality adjustment unit performs image quality adjustment on the first ultrasonic image for each region divided into a plurality in the depth direction.

7. The image display device according to claim 4, wherein the image quality adjustment unit performs image quality adjustment on the first ultrasonic image in the azimuth direction.

8. The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the image quality adjustment unit performs image quality adjustment on the first ultrasonic image for each region divided into a plurality in the azimuth direction.

9. The display control unit switches and displays the second ultrasonic image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition unit and the first ultrasonic image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition unit, and the image display device according to claim 3.

10. The display control unit switches and displays either the first ultrasonic image before the image quality adjustment or the first ultrasonic image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition unit, and the second ultrasonic image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition unit, and the first ultrasonic image acquired by the supplementary image acquisition unit, and both the second ultrasonic images acquired by the adjusted image acquisition unit, and the image display device according to claim 3.

11. The second ultrasonic image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition unit has image quality information before image quality adjustment added thereto. The supplementary image acquisition unit acquires the first ultrasonic image based on the second ultrasonic image acquired by the adjusted image acquisition unit and the image quality information before image quality adjustment added to the second ultrasonic image, and the image display device according to claim 2.

12. The image display device further includes a second supplementary image acquisition unit that acquires hue information corresponding to the adjustment amount of the image quality adjustment performed between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image as the supplementary image. The display control unit displays the hue information acquired by the second supplementary image acquisition unit, and the image display device according to claim 1.

13. The display control unit superimposes and displays the hue information acquired by the second supplementary image acquisition unit on either the first ultrasonic image or the second ultrasonic image, and the image display device according to claim 12.

14. The image display device further includes a third supplementary image acquisition unit that generates an attenuation image by performing a process of extracting the attenuation information from the first ultrasonic image and acquires the attenuation image as the supplementary image. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the attenuation image acquired by the third supplementary image acquisition unit.

15. Obtain a second ultrasonic image that is an image after image quality adjustment is performed on a first ultrasonic image of a subject, Display a supplementary image that supplements the attenuation information of the ultrasonic waves missing due to the image quality adjustment. An ultrasonic image display method.

16. On a computer, A procedure for obtaining a second ultrasonic image that is an image after image quality adjustment is performed on a first ultrasonic image of a subject, and A procedure for displaying a supplementary image that supplements the attenuation information of the ultrasonic waves missing due to the image quality adjustment, A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

Images