Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control method for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allow a user to appropriately depict a recommended cross section irrespectively of his or her skill level.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a position and attitude detection unit for detecting the position and attitude angle of an ultrasonic probe (1); an image acquisition unit (31) for acquiring an ultrasonic image; a recommended cross section recognition unit (25) for performing image analysis for the ultrasonic image and recognizing a recommended cross section; an examination determination unit (26) for referring to the detected position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe (1), and determining that an examination is inappropriate when a recommended cross section is not recognized in a position and angle range of the ultrasonic probe (1) corresponding to the recommended cross section; and an instruction unit (27) for instructing a user to change at least one of a respiration state of a subject, a pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe (1) against the subject, and the attitude of the subject when the examination is determined to be inappropriate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus used to examine the abdomen of a subject and a method for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an internal examination of a subject has been performed by capturing ultrasound images showing cross sections of the subject using a so-called ultrasound diagnostic device. In this case, a user of the ultrasound diagnostic device usually moves an ultrasound probe to a position on the subject where a target region can be imaged while checking the captured ultrasound image. However, a user who is not very skilled in examinations using an ultrasound diagnostic device may find it difficult to determine which part of the subject is being imaged even when checking the ultrasound image, and may therefore be unable to move the ultrasound probe to a position where a target region can be imaged.

[0003] Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a technology has been developed that analyzes ultrasound images to guide a user to the position of an ultrasound probe on a subject where a cross section for properly examining a target area can be captured. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-522956 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the shape of a subject's abdomen usually changes depending on the subject's respiratory state and posture, when examining the subject's abdomen using an ultrasound diagnostic device, the image pattern of the ultrasound image taken changes depending on the subject's respiratory state and posture, even if the position and angle of the ultrasound probe on the subject's body surface do not change. Furthermore, when examining the subject's abdomen using an ultrasound diagnostic device, ultrasound images may be taken while pressing the ultrasound probe against the subject's body surface to apply pressure, and the image pattern of the ultrasound image taken also changes depending on the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe. Users with low proficiency in examining the subject's abdomen, even using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, may be unable to properly manage the subject's respiratory state, the subject's posture, and the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe, and may therefore be unable to visualize the recommended cross-section for the examination.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and aims to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that allow a user to appropriately visualize a recommended cross section regardless of their level of skill. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object can be achieved by the following configuration. [1] An ultrasonic probe; a position and orientation detection unit that detects the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe; an image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasound image of the inside of a subject by transmitting and receiving an ultrasound beam using an ultrasound probe; a recommended cross-section recognition unit that recognizes a recommended cross-section determined for a region of the subject by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit; an examination determination unit that refers to the position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe detected by the position and attitude detection unit, and determines that the examination is inappropriate when the recommended cross section is not recognized by the recommended cross section recognition unit within a predetermined position and angle range that includes the recommended position and recommended attitude angle of the ultrasound probe corresponding to the recommended cross section; An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising an instruction unit that instructs a user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory condition, the amount of pressure of an ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture when the examination determination unit determines that the examination is inappropriate. [2] A cause identification unit is provided that identifies the cause of an inappropriate examination from the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture by analyzing the ultrasound image; The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory condition, the pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture, which have been identified as the cause by the cause identification unit. [3] The ultrasound diagnostic device according to [2], further comprising an appropriateness determination unit that calculates at least one of the level of the subject's current respiratory state, the current level of the ultrasound probe pressure, and the subject's current posture as an index related to the cause by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image, and determines the appropriateness of the calculated index. [4] The ultrasound diagnostic device according to [3], wherein the instruction unit instructs the user on at least one of the amount of change in the level of respiratory condition, the amount of change in the level of the pressure of the ultrasound probe, and the target posture of the subject, which are required for the examination to be judged to be appropriate, based on the index and appropriateness obtained by the appropriateness judgment unit. [5] An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the instruction unit instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture at the index position and index posture angle of the ultrasound probe for capturing an index cross section different from the recommended cross section. [6] Detecting the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe; An ultrasound image of the inside of the subject is obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams using an ultrasound probe; By analyzing the ultrasound image, the recommended cross section for the subject's area is recognized, referring to the detected position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe, and determining that the examination is inappropriate if the recommended cross section is not recognized within a predetermined position and angle range that includes the recommended position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the recommended cross section; A control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that, when an examination is determined to be inappropriate, instructs a user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of an ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasound probe; a position and orientation detection unit that detects the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe; an image acquisition unit that acquires ultrasound images inside the subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams using the ultrasound probe; a recommended cross section recognition unit that recognizes a predetermined recommended cross section for a part of the subject by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit; an examination determination unit that determines that the examination is inappropriate if the recommended cross section is not recognized by the recommended cross section recognition unit within a predetermined position and angle range that includes the recommended position and recommended orientation angle of the ultrasound probe corresponding to the recommended cross section, by referring to the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe detected by the position and orientation detection unit; and an instruction unit that instructs a user to change at least one of the respiratory state of the subject, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the orientation of the subject when the examination determination unit determines that the examination is inappropriate, thereby enabling a user to appropriately visualize the recommended cross section regardless of their level of skill. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmission / reception circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image generating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction to a user in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first example of an instruction to a user in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second example of an instruction to a user in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the components will be given based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits. In this specification, the terms "same" and "identical" include a margin of error generally accepted in the technical field.

[0011] Embodiment 1 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe 1 and a device main body 2 connected to the ultrasound probe 1. The ultrasound probe 1 and the device main body 2 are connected to each other via so-called wired communication or so-called wireless communication.

[0012] The ultrasonic probe 1 has a transducer array 11. A transmission / reception circuit 12 is connected to the transducer array 11. The ultrasonic probe 1 also has a position and orientation sensor 13. The position and orientation sensor 13 may be built into the ultrasonic probe 1 or attached to the housing of the ultrasonic probe 1. Furthermore, when a sensor device that measures the ultrasonic probe 1 from outside, such as a so-called optical sensor, is used as the position and orientation sensor 13, the position and orientation sensor 13 may be disposed at a position away from the ultrasonic probe 1.

[0013] The device main body 2 has an image generation unit 21 connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12 of the ultrasound probe 1. A display control unit 22 and a monitor 23 are connected to the image generation unit 21, in that order. The device main body 2 also has a sensor information analysis unit 24 connected to the position and orientation sensor 13 of the ultrasound probe 1. A recommended cross-section recognition unit 25 is connected to the image generation unit 21, and an examination determination unit 26 is connected to the sensor information analysis unit 24 and the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25. An instruction unit 27 is connected to the examination determination unit 26. The instruction unit 27 is connected to the display control unit 22. A main body control unit 29 is also connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12, the position and orientation sensor 13, image generation unit 21, display control unit 22, sensor information analysis unit 24, recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, examination determination unit 26, and instruction unit 27. An input device 30 is connected to the main body control unit 29.

[0014] The transmitting / receiving circuit 12 and the image generating unit 21 constitute an image acquiring unit 31. The image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the sensor information analyzing unit 24, the recommended cross-section recognizing unit 25, the examination determining unit 26, the instruction unit 27, and the main body control unit 29 constitute a processor 32 for the device main body 2.

[0015] The transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. These ultrasonic transducers transmit ultrasonic waves in accordance with drive signals supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 12, receive ultrasonic echoes from the subject, and output signals based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is configured by forming electrodes on both ends of a piezoelectric element made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic typified by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element typified by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), or a piezoelectric single crystal typified by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate).

[0016] The image acquisition unit 31, which is composed of the transmission / reception circuit 12 and the image generation unit 21, transmits and receives ultrasonic beams using the ultrasonic probe 1 to acquire an ultrasonic image of the inside of the subject.

[0017] The transmission / reception circuit 12, under the control of the main body control unit 29, transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11 and generates sound ray signals based on reception signals acquired by the transducer array 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the transmission / reception circuit 12 has a pulser 41 connected to the transducer array 11, and an amplifier 42, an AD (Analog to Digital) converter 43, and a beamformer 44, which are connected in series from the transducer array 11 in this order.

[0018] The pulser 41 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and adjusts the delay amount of each drive signal and supplies it to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11 so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers form an ultrasonic beam based on a transmission delay pattern selected in response to a control signal from the main body control unit 29. In this way, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric material expands and contracts, and pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from each ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the composite wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0019] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected by an object such as a part of the subject, and propagates toward the transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the transducer array 11 in this manner is received by each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 expands and contracts upon receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, generating received signals which are electrical signals, and outputs these received signals to the amplifier 42.

[0020] The amplifier 42 amplifies the signals input from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 and transmits the amplified signals to the AD converter 43. The AD converter 43 converts the signals transmitted from the amplifier 42 into digital reception data. The beamformer 44 performs so-called reception focusing processing by delaying and adding each piece of reception data received from the AD converter 43. This reception focusing processing causes the reception data converted by the AD converter 43 to be phased and added, and a sound ray signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is acquired.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the image generating unit 21 has a configuration in which a signal processing unit 45, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 46, and an image processing unit 47 are connected in series.

[0022] The signal processing unit 45 corrects the sound ray signals received from the transmission / reception circuit 12 for attenuation due to distance in accordance with the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position using the sound velocity value set by the main body control unit 29, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding the tissue within the subject.

[0023] The DSC 46 converts (raster converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 45 into an image signal that conforms to the scanning method of a normal television signal. The image processing unit 47 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 46, and then sends the B-mode image signal to the display control unit 22 and the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 47 will be referred to as an ultrasound image.

[0024] The position and orientation sensor 13 is a sensor device that acquires signals representing the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 under the control of the main body control unit 29. The position of the ultrasonic probe 1 refers to the position of the ultrasonic probe 1 in three-dimensional space. The attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 refers to the tilt angle and rotation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 in three-dimensional space. The position and orientation sensor 13 can include, for example, at least one of a so-called inertial sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or an optical camera. The inertial sensor can include, for example, at least one of a so-called acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

[0025] The sensor information analysis unit 24 analyzes the signals transmitted from the position and orientation sensor 13 to acquire information representing the position and orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1. The sensor information analysis unit 24 can acquire the information representing the position and orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1, for example, using a trained model in so-called machine learning, which has extensively trained the relationship between the signals obtained by the sensor devices constituting the position and orientation sensor 13 and the position and orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1. The sensor information analysis unit 24 can acquire, for example, coordinate values ​​of three components along three mutually orthogonal axes in a Cartesian coordinate system as information representing the position of the ultrasonic probe 1. The sensor information analysis unit 24 can also acquire, for example, so-called Euler angles defined in a Cartesian coordinate system as information representing the orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1.

[0026] The recommended cross section recognition unit 25 performs a process of recognizing a recommended cross section determined for a region of the subject by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 21. Here, the recommended cross section refers to a cross section that is determined in advance and is recommended for examination for a specific region of the subject. This recommended cross section can be determined, for example, for each hospital, each subject, or each user, or can be determined according to a manual established by a specialized academic society or the like.

[0027] The recommended cross section recognition unit 25 can recognize an image pattern representing a recommended cross section in an ultrasound image, for example, using a machine learning trained model that has learned the relationship between the image patterns of a large number of ultrasound images and the image patterns of recommended cross sections. A so-called convolutional neural network (CNN) can be used as a machine learning algorithm. The recommended cross section recognition unit 25 can also recognize an image pattern representing a recommended cross section in an ultrasound image by known image analysis using, for example, OpenCV (registered trademark). The recommended cross section recognition unit 25 also stores image patterns of recommended cross sections in advance, and can recognize an image pattern representing a recommended cross section in an ultrasound image by performing a so-called template matching process on the image patterns of the recommended cross sections and the image patterns of the acquired ultrasound images.

[0028] The examination determination unit 26 pre-stores the recommended position and recommended attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 corresponding to the recommended cross section, i.e., the recommended position and recommended attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 for capturing the recommended cross section, and a predetermined position and angle range including the recommended position and recommended attitude angle, and determines that the examination of the subject is inappropriate when the recommended cross section recognition unit 25 does not recognize the recommended cross section within the predetermined position and angle range, with reference to the position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 acquired by the sensor information analysis unit 24. Furthermore, the examination determination unit 26 determines that the examination of the subject is appropriate when the recommended cross section recognition unit 25 recognizes the recommended cross section within the predetermined position and angle range. Note that the examination determination unit 26 may not determine whether the examination is appropriate or inappropriate for ultrasound images captured outside the predetermined position and angle range.

[0029] Here, the position angle range is preferably set depending on the presence or absence of bones around the recommended cross section, the thickness of fat, the degree of influence of intestinal gas, etc. For example, if the axis perpendicular to the body surface of the subject is the Z axis and the two axes perpendicular to the Z axis are the X axis and the Y axis, the position angle range can be set to a range that includes a position range having a width of several centimeters along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis centered on the recommended position, and an angle range of 90 degrees centered on the recommended attitude angle.

[0030] However, since the shape of a subject's abdomen usually changes depending on the subject's respiratory state and posture, when examining the subject's abdomen using an ultrasound diagnostic device, the image pattern of the ultrasound image taken changes depending on the subject's respiratory state and posture, even if the position and angle of the ultrasound probe 1 on the subject's body surface do not change. Furthermore, when examining the subject's abdomen using an ultrasound diagnostic device, ultrasound images may be taken while pressing the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject's body surface to apply pressure to the abdomen, and the image pattern of the ultrasound image taken also changes depending on the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe 1. Users with low skill in examining the subject's abdomen may not be able to properly manage the subject's respiratory state, posture, and pressure applied by the ultrasound probe 1, and may not be able to properly depict the recommended cross section.

[0031] Therefore, when the examination determination unit 26 determines that the examination is inappropriate, the instructing unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture. The instructing unit 27 can instruct the user to appropriately visualize the recommended cross section by displaying a message M such as "Please change the respiratory state" on the monitor 23, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In the example of FIG. 4, the currently captured ultrasound image U and the message M are displayed together on the monitor 23. The instructing unit 27 can also display a message M such as "Please change the pressure of the probe" or "Please change the subject's posture" on the monitor 23.

[0032] By checking the instructions from the instruction unit 27, the user can understand that the reason the recommended cross section cannot be properly depicted is due to at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture, and by changing these, the recommended cross section can be properly, i.e., clearly, depicted regardless of the user's level of skill.

[0033] Under the control of the main body control unit 29, the display control unit 22 performs predetermined processing on the ultrasound image U sent from the image generation unit 21, information representing instructions to the user from the instruction unit 27, etc., and displays them on the monitor 23.

[0034] The monitor 23 displays the ultrasound image U and instructions to the user under the control of the display control unit 22, and has a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

[0035] The main body control unit 29 controls each part of the device main body 2, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the position and orientation sensor 13 based on a control program stored in advance.

[0036] The input device 30 is used by the user to perform input operations, and is configured by devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, and a touch sensor placed over the monitor 23, for example.

[0037] The processor 32 having the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the sensor information analysis unit 24, the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, the examination judgment unit 26, the instruction unit 27, and the main body control unit 29 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, but may also be composed of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or may be composed of a combination of these.

[0038] In addition, the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the sensor information analysis unit 24, the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, the examination judgment unit 26, the instruction unit 27, and the main body control unit 29 can be partially or entirely integrated into a single CPU or the like.

[0039] Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. The following describes a case where a specific organ in the abdomen of a subject is selected as an examination target of the subject, and the recommended cross section corresponding to the selected organ and the predetermined position angle range corresponding to the recommended cross section are stored by the examination determination unit 26. The organ to be examined can be selected by the user via the input device 30 before the start of the examination.

[0040] In step S1, the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 are detected. At this time, the position and attitude sensor 13 acquires signals representing the current position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the sensor information analysis unit 24 analyzes the signals acquired by the position and attitude sensor 13 to acquire information representing the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1. The information representing the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 acquired in this manner is sent to the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25 and the examination determination unit 26.

[0041] In step S2, the image generator 21 generates an ultrasound image U at the current position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1. At this time, under the control of the main body controller 29, transmission and reception of ultrasound waves is started from the multiple transducers of the transducer array 11 in accordance with a drive signal from the pulser 41 of the transmission and reception circuit 12 of the ultrasound probe 1, ultrasound echoes from inside the subject are received by the multiple transducers of the transducer array 11, and the received signals, which are analog signals, are output to the amplifier 42 and amplified, and then AD converted by the AD converter 43 to obtain received data.

[0042] The beamformer 44 performs receive focus processing on this received data, and the sound ray signals generated thereby are sent to the image generator 21 of the device main body 2, which generates an ultrasound image U representing tomographic image information of the subject. At this time, the signal processor 45 of the image generator 21 performs attenuation correction and envelope detection processing on the sound ray signals according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasound, and the DSC 46 converts them into image signals in accordance with the scanning method of ordinary television signals, and the image processor 47 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing. The ultrasound image U generated in this way in step S2 is displayed on the monitor 23 via the display controller 22 and sent to the recommended cross section recognizer 25.

[0043] In step S3, the examination determination unit 26 determines whether the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 detected in step S1 are within a predetermined position angle range corresponding to the recommended cross section selected before the examination. If it is determined that the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 detected in step S1 are outside the position angle range, the process returns to step S1, the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 are newly detected, an ultrasonic image U is acquired in step S2, and it is determined in step S3 whether the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 are within the predetermined position angle range. In this way, the processes of steps S1 to S3 are repeated as long as it is determined in step S3 that the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 are outside the position angle range corresponding to the recommended cross section.

[0044] If it is determined in step S3 that the position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 are within the position angle range corresponding to the recommended cross section, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the recommended cross section recognition unit 25 performs image analysis of the ultrasound image U acquired in the latest step S2, thereby recognizing the recommended cross section appearing in the ultrasound image U. The recommended cross section recognition unit 25 can recognize the recommended cross section appearing in the ultrasound image U using a trained model in machine learning that has learned the relationship between the image patterns of a large number of ultrasound images U and the image patterns of the recommended cross sections, constructed using, for example, CNN or the like. The recommended cross section recognition unit 25 can also recognize the recommended cross section appearing in the ultrasound image U by known image analysis using, for example, so-called OpenCV (registered trademark) or the like.

[0045] In step S5, the examination determination unit 26 determines whether the examination of the subject is inappropriate based on the determination in step S3 and the result of the recognition process of the recommended cross section in step S4. At this time, the examination determination unit 26 can determine that the examination of the subject is inappropriate if the recommended cross section is not recognized in step S4 within the predetermined position angle range corresponding to the recommended cross section. Furthermore, the examination determination unit 26 can determine that the examination of the subject is appropriate if the recommended cross section is recognized in step S4 within the predetermined position angle range corresponding to the recommended cross section.

[0046] If it is determined in step S5 that the examination on the subject is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the instruction unit 27 can instruct the user to appropriately visualize the recommended cross section by displaying a message M such as "Please change the respiratory state" on the monitor 23.

[0047] Generally, when examining the abdomen of a subject using an ultrasound diagnostic device, the image pattern depicted in the ultrasound image U changes depending on the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture. Therefore, in order to properly depict the recommended cross section, it is necessary to properly manage the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, or the subject's posture.

[0048] By checking the instructions given by the instruction unit 27 in step S6, the user can understand that the examination is inappropriate due to the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, or the subject's posture, and by changing at least one of these in accordance with the instructions, the recommended cross section can be properly depicted regardless of the user's level of proficiency.

[0049] When the process of step S6 is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S7. Also, if it is determined in step S5 that the test on the subject is appropriate, the process skips step S6 and proceeds to step S7.

[0050] In step S7, the main body control unit 29 determines whether or not to terminate the examination of the subject. The main body control unit 29 determines to terminate the examination when, for example, the user inputs an instruction to terminate the examination via the input device 30 because the examination was performed properly on the subject, and can determine to continue the examination when no instruction to terminate the examination is specifically input. If it is determined in step S7 that the examination is to be continued, the process returns to step S1, and then the subsequent processes of steps S2 to S7 are performed again. If it is determined in step S7 that the examination is to be terminated, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in accordance with the flowchart of FIG. 5 is completed.

[0051] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the first embodiment, the examination determination unit 26 refers to the position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 acquired by the sensor information analysis unit 24, and determines that the examination is inappropriate if the recommended cross section is not recognized by the recommended cross section recognition unit 25 within a predetermined position and angle range including the recommended position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 corresponding to the recommended cross section. When the examination determination unit 26 determines that the examination is inappropriate, the instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the pressure amount of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's attitude, thereby enabling the user to appropriately visualize the recommended cross section regardless of their level of proficiency.

[0052] Although the transmitting and receiving circuit 12 has been described as being provided in the ultrasonic probe 1, the transmitting and receiving circuit 12 may be provided in the device main body 2. Furthermore, although the image generating unit 21 has been described as being provided in the device main body 2, the image generating unit 21 may be provided in the ultrasound probe 1.

[0053] The device main body 2 may be a so-called stationary type, a portable type that is easy to carry, or a so-called handheld type that is configured by, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer. In this way, the type of device that configures the device main body 2 is not particularly limited.

[0054] Furthermore, although it has been described that the examination determination unit 26 stores the recommended cross section, if the ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with a memory (not shown), the image pattern of the recommended cross section, the recommended position and recommended attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 corresponding to the recommended cross section, and information on the defined position and angle range including the recommended position and recommended attitude angle can also be stored in the memory. The examination determination unit 26 can read out and use this information stored in the memory.

[0055] Examples of memory that can be used include flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), FD (Flexible Disk), MO disk (Magneto-Optical disk), MT (Magnetic Tape), RAM (Random Access Memory), CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), SD card (Secure Digital card), and USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory) and other recording media.

[0056] Although it has been described that the instruction unit 27 instructs the user by displaying the message M on the monitor 23, for example, if the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is equipped with a speaker (not shown), the instruction unit 27 can also instruct the user by voice via the speaker. In particular, when the instruction unit 27 instructs the subject by voice regarding the subject's respiratory state or posture, the subject can understand the action that he or she will perform, and therefore the instruction can serve as not only an instruction to the user but also an instruction to the subject.

[0057] Furthermore, a user with low skill in examining the abdomen of a subject using an ultrasound diagnostic device may find it difficult to determine from the ultrasound image U whether at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the pressure amount of the ultrasound probe 1, and the subject's posture has been appropriately changed, even if the user changes at least one of the position and posture angle of the ultrasound probe 1 that allows the recommended cross section to be captured near the recommended cross section. For this reason, the instructing unit 27 may store in advance, for example, an index cross section that captures a characteristic structure present near the recommended cross section, and an index position and index posture angle of the ultrasound probe 1 for capturing the index cross section, and may instruct the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the pressure amount of the ultrasound probe 1, and the subject's posture at the index position and index posture angle after guiding the ultrasound probe 1 to scan toward the index position and index posture angle.

[0058] Because the target cross section depicts a characteristic structure, it is easy to see changes in clarity depending on changes in the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe 1, and the subject's posture. Therefore, the user can appropriately change the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe 1, and the subject's posture while checking the depicted target cross section. In this way, the user can adjust at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe 1, and the subject's posture, and then depict the recommended cross section as is, thereby enabling the recommended cross section to be depicted appropriately.

[0059] It has also been explained that the user specifies the organ to be examined before the examination begins, but the specified organ is not limited to the name of the organ to be examined. For example, it is also possible to specify a part of the organ and the scanning location or scanning method thereof, such as scanning the so-called anterior-superior liver region below the right costal arch.

[0060] Instead of the user manually specifying the inspection object, the inspection object can also be identified by analyzing the ultrasound image U captured by the ultrasound diagnostic device. For example, the device main body 2 can be equipped with an inspection object identification unit (not shown) that identifies the inspection object from the ultrasound image U. The inspection object identification unit is connected to, for example, the image generation unit 21, the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, the inspection determination unit 26, and the main body control unit 29. The inspection object identification unit can detect structures in the ultrasound image U and identify the type of the structures using, for example, an image analysis technique that uses features such as a trained model in machine learning that has trained a large number of ultrasound images U of multiple inspection objects, template matching, AdaBoost, SVM (Support-Vector Machine), or SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform). In this case, for example, the main body control unit 29 can identify the inspection object based on the type of structure identified by the inspection object identification unit.

[0061] Furthermore, in the flowchart of FIG. 5, after determining in step S3 whether the position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 are within a predetermined position angle range, it is determined in step S5 whether the recommended cross section has been recognized, thereby determining whether the examination is inappropriate. However, after determining whether the recommended cross section has been recognized, it is also possible to determine whether the examination is inappropriate by determining whether the position and attitude angle of the ultrasound probe 1 are within a predetermined position angle range for the ultrasound image U in which the recommended cross section has been recognized.

[0062] Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the position and orientation sensor 13 and the sensor information analysis unit 24 constitute a position and orientation detection unit that detects the position and orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1. However, for example, the position and orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe 1 can also be detected by performing image analysis on the ultrasonic image U.

[0063] 6 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 2 includes an ultrasonic probe 1A instead of the ultrasonic probe 1 and an apparatus main body 2A instead of the apparatus main body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

[0064] The ultrasonic probe 1A in the second embodiment is the ultrasonic probe 1 in the first embodiment without the position and orientation sensor 13.

[0065] The device main body 2A in the second embodiment is the same as the device main body 2 in the second embodiment, except that it includes a position and orientation detection unit 51 instead of the sensor information analysis unit 24, and a main body control unit 29A instead of the main body control unit 29. In the device main body 2A, the position and orientation detection unit 51 is connected to the image generation unit 21. The position and orientation detection unit 51 is connected to the examination determination unit 26 and the main body control unit 29A. The image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, the examination determination unit 26, the instruction unit 27, the main body control unit 29A, and the position and orientation detection unit 51 form a processor 32A for the device main body 2A.

[0066] The position and orientation detection unit 51 performs image analysis on the ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit 21 to detect the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe 1A when the ultrasound image U was generated. The position and orientation detection unit 51 can detect the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe 1A, for example, using a trained model in machine learning that has learned the relationship between a large number of ultrasound images U inside the subject and the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe 1A when the images were captured. The position and orientation detection unit 51 can also detect the position and orientation angle of the ultrasound probe 1A by storing, as templates, multiple ultrasound images U inside the subject that are linked to the positions and orientation angles of the ultrasound probe 1A, and applying a template matching method to the multiple ultrasound images U stored in advance and an ultrasound image U newly generated by the image generation unit 21.

[0067] The position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1A detected by the position and attitude detection unit 51 in this way are sent to the examination determination unit 26 and used to determine whether the examination on the subject is inappropriate. If the examination determination unit 26 determines that the examination on the subject is inappropriate, the instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the pressure amount of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the subject's attitude.

[0068] As described above, even when the ultrasonic image U is analyzed to detect the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe 1A as in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the second embodiment, if the examination determination unit 26 determines that the examination is inappropriate, the instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the breathing state of the subject, the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the attitude of the subject, so that the user can appropriately depict the recommended cross section regardless of their level of proficiency.

[0069] Embodiment 3 In the first and second embodiments, it has been explained that the instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasonic probe 1, and the subject's posture. However, the ultrasonic diagnostic device can also identify the cause of the examination being determined to be inappropriate from among the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure applied by the ultrasonic probe 1, and the subject's posture.

[0070] Figure 7 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3 includes a device body 2B instead of the device body 2 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1. Device body 2B further includes a cause identification unit 52 in device body 2 according to embodiment 1, and includes a body control unit 29B instead of the body control unit 29.

[0071] In the device main body 2B, a cause identification unit 52 is connected to the image generation unit 21 and the examination determination unit 26. The cause identification unit 52 is connected to the instruction unit 27 and the main body control unit 29B. The image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the sensor information analysis unit 24, the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, the examination determination unit 26, the instruction unit 27, the main body control unit 29B, and the cause identification unit 52 form a processor 32B for the device main body 2B.

[0072] When the examination determination unit 26 determines that the examination on the subject is inappropriate, the cause identification unit 52 performs image analysis on the ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit 21 to identify the cause of the inappropriate examination from the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture. The cause identification unit 52 can identify the cause of the inappropriate examination, for example, by using a trained model in machine learning that has learned the relationship between a large number of ultrasound images U when the examination on the subject is inappropriate and the causes of the inappropriate examination.

[0073] The instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasonic probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture, which have been identified as causes of an inappropriate examination by the cause identification unit 52. The user can appropriately depict the recommended cross section by changing at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasonic probe 1 against the subject, and the subject's posture in accordance with the instructions of the instruction unit 27.

[0074] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the third embodiment, the cause identification unit 52 identifies the cause of an inappropriate examination of a subject, and the instruction unit 27 instructs the user to change at least one of the respiratory state of the subject, the pressure amount of the ultrasound probe 1 against the subject, and the posture of the subject, which has been identified as the cause of an inappropriate examination, so that the user can appropriately depict the recommended cross section regardless of their level of proficiency.

[0075] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of embodiment 3 has a configuration in which a cause identification unit 52 is added to the apparatus main body 2 of embodiment 1, but it can also have a configuration in which a cause identification unit 52 is added to the apparatus main body 2A of embodiment 2.

[0076] Embodiment 4 In the third embodiment, the cause of an inappropriate examination on a subject is identified, but the instruction unit 27 can also instruct the user on how to change the respiratory state of the subject, the pressure amount of the ultrasound probe 1, and the posture of the subject that have been identified as the cause of an inappropriate examination.

[0077] Figure 8 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 4 includes a device main body 2C instead of device main body 2B in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3 shown in Figure 7. Device main body 2C further includes an appropriateness determination unit 53 in device main body 2B according to embodiment 3, and includes a main body control unit 29C instead of main body control unit 29B.

[0078] In the device main body 2C, an appropriateness determination unit 53 is connected to the image generation unit 21 and the cause identification unit 52. The appropriateness determination unit 53 is connected to the instruction unit 27 and the main body control unit 29C. In addition, the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the sensor information analysis unit 24, the recommended cross-section recognition unit 25, the examination determination unit 26, the instruction unit 27, the main body control unit 29C, the cause identification unit 52, and the appropriateness determination unit 53 form a processor 32C for the device main body 2C.

[0079] The appropriateness determination unit 53 performs image analysis on the ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit 21 to calculate at least one of the current level of the subject's respiratory state, the current level of the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1, and the current posture of the subject as an index related to the cause of the subject's inappropriate examination identified by the cause identification unit 52, and determines the appropriateness of the calculated index. Here, the appropriateness of the index is an evaluation value of the current level of the subject's respiratory state, the current level of the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1, and the current posture of the subject relative to the level of the subject's respiratory state, the level of the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe 1, and the posture of the subject at which the examination of the subject can be determined to be appropriate, and indicates how far the current state is from the appropriate state.

[0080] The appropriateness determination unit 53 can calculate an index, for example, using a large number of ultrasound images U that can be determined to be inappropriate for the examination of the subject, and a trained model in machine learning that has learned the relationship between the level of the subject's respiratory condition, the level of pressure applied to the ultrasound probe 1, and the subject's posture.

[0081] The appropriateness determination unit 53 can calculate, for example, qualitative levels such as "breathing out deeply," "medium," and "breathing in deeply" as the level of the subject's current respiratory state, and can also calculate a numerical value representing the degree of the respiratory state. The appropriateness determination unit 53 can also calculate, for example, qualitative levels such as "weak," "medium," and "strong" as the level of the current amount of pressure applied by the ultrasound probe 1, and can also calculate a numerical value representing the amount of pressure applied.

[0082] The appropriateness determination unit 53 can calculate the appropriateness based on the index, for example, by using a machine learning trained model that has learned a large amount of information about the relationship between the index related to the cause of an inappropriate test on a subject and the appropriateness of the index. The appropriateness determination unit 53 can calculate, for example, qualitative degrees of appropriateness such as "excessive breathing in compared to the appropriate breathing state," "excessive breathing out compared to the appropriate breathing state," "less than the appropriate amount of pressure," "more than the appropriate amount of pressure," and "not appropriate posture," and can also calculate quantitative degrees such as the difference from the appropriate breathing amount and the difference from the appropriate amount of pressure.

[0083] Based on the index and appropriateness obtained by the appropriateness determination unit 53, the instruction unit 27 instructs the user on at least one of the amount of change in the level of the subject's respiratory condition, the amount of change in the level of the pressure of the ultrasound probe 1, and the target posture of the subject, which are necessary to determine that the examination of the subject is appropriate.

[0084] For example, when the appropriateness determined by the appropriateness determination unit 53 indicates that the subject is exhaling an excessive amount of breath compared to an appropriate breathing state, the instructing unit 27 can display a message M saying "Please take a breath" on the monitor 23 as shown in Fig. 9. The instructing unit 27 can also refer to the appropriateness and display messages M such as "Please exhale," "Please reduce the amount of probe pressure," "Please increase the amount of probe pressure," or "Please change the subject's posture to XX" on the monitor 23. In this way, the instructing unit 27 can display messages M on the monitor 23 according to the appropriateness.

[0085] Furthermore, the indicator 27 can also display on the monitor 23 the relationship between the current index and the index required to determine whether the examination is appropriate, based on the index and appropriateness obtained by the appropriateness determination unit 53. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the indicator 27 can display on the monitor 23 the current respiration level of the subject and the respiration level required to determine whether the examination is appropriate, using an indicator J. The indicator J is provided with a marker N that indicates the respiration level required to determine whether the examination is appropriate. Such an indicator J can also be used to indicate the relationship between the current level and the appropriate level regarding the amount of pressure applied to the ultrasound probe 1.

[0086] Furthermore, the indicator 27 can also indicate the relationship between the current level and the appropriate level using a graphic other than the indicator J, or can also indicate the relationship between the current level and the appropriate level using a numerical value.

[0087] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the fourth embodiment, the appropriateness determination unit 53 calculates at least one of the current level of the subject's respiratory state, the current level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the current posture of the subject as an index related to the cause of the subject's examination being inappropriate, and determines the appropriateness of the calculated index. The instruction unit 27 instructs the user on at least one of the amount of change in the level of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of change in the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the target posture of the subject, which are required to determine that the examination is appropriate, based on the index and the appropriateness. Therefore, the user can adjust the subject's respiratory state, the amount of change in the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the posture of the subject while checking at least one of the amount of change in the level of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of change in the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1, and the target posture of the subject, which are instructed by the instruction unit 27, to appropriately depict the recommended cross section.

[0088] It is described that the appropriateness determination unit 53 calculates the level of the subject's respiratory condition using a trained model in machine learning. It is generally known that the position of the subject's abdomen or chest rises when the subject inhales, and the position of the subject's abdomen or chest falls when the subject exhales. Therefore, for example, if the ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with a position sensor (not shown) attached to the subject's abdominal or chest surface, the appropriateness calculation unit 53 can also calculate the level of the subject's respiratory condition based on the change in the height of the subject's body surface detected by the position sensor. The position sensor may include, for example, at least one of an inertial sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or an optical camera.

[0089] Furthermore, although it has been described that the appropriateness determination unit 53 calculates the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1 using a trained model in machine learning, for example, if the ultrasonic probe 1 is equipped with a pressure sensor (not shown) for measuring the pressing pressure of the ultrasonic probe 1 against the subject, the appropriateness calculation unit 53 can also calculate the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1 based on the pressing pressure measured by this pressure sensor. Also, for example, if the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is equipped with a position sensor that detects changes in the height of the body surface of the subject against which the ultrasonic probe 1 is pressed, the appropriateness calculation unit 53 can also calculate the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe 1 based on the changes in the height of the body surface of the subject detected by this position sensor. The position sensor can include, for example, at least one of an inertial sensor, a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, or an optical camera. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Ultrasound probe, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C device main body, 11 transducer array, 12 transmitting / receiving circuit, 13 position and orientation sensor, 21 image generation unit, 22 display control unit, 23 monitor, 24 sensor information analysis unit, 25 recommended cross-section recognition unit, 26 examination judgment unit, 27 instruction unit, 29, 29A, 29B, 29C main body control unit, 30 input device, 31 image acquisition unit, 32, 32A, 32B, 32C processor, 41 pulser, 42 amplifier unit, 43 AD conversion unit, 44 beamformer, 45 signal processing unit, 46 DSC, 47 image processing unit, 51 position and orientation detection unit, 52 cause identification unit, 53 appropriateness judgment unit, J indicator, M message, N marker, U ultrasound image.

Claims

1. an ultrasound probe; a position and orientation detection unit that detects the position and orientation angle of the ultrasonic probe; an image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasound image of the inside of a subject by transmitting and receiving an ultrasound beam using the ultrasound probe; a recommended cross section recognition unit that recognizes a recommended cross section determined for a region of the subject by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image acquired by the image acquisition unit; an examination determination unit that, by referring to the position and the attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe detected by the position and attitude detection unit, determines that the examination is inappropriate when the recommended cross section is not recognized by the recommended cross section recognition unit within a predetermined position and angle range that includes the recommended position and recommended attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the recommended cross section; an instruction unit that instructs a user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture when the examination determination unit determines that the examination is inappropriate.

2. a cause identification unit that identifies a cause of an inappropriate examination from among a respiratory state of the subject, a pressing amount of the ultrasonic probe against the subject, and a posture of the subject by performing image analysis of the ultrasonic image; 2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit instructs the user to change at least one of the respiratory state of the subject, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the posture of the subject, which have been identified as the cause by the cause identification unit.

3. 3. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 2, further comprising an appropriateness determining unit that performs image analysis of the ultrasound image to calculate at least one of a current level of the subject's respiratory state, a current level of the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe, and a current posture of the subject as an index related to the cause, and determines the appropriateness of the calculated index.

4. 4. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 3, wherein the instructing unit instructs the user on at least one of an amount of change in the level of the respiratory state, an amount of change in the level of the pressing amount of the ultrasound probe, and a target posture of the subject, which are required for the examination to be determined to be appropriate, based on the index and the appropriateness obtained by the appropriateness determining unit.

5. 5. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit instructs the user to change at least one of a respiratory state of the subject, a pressing amount of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and a posture of the subject, in an index position and an index posture angle of the ultrasound probe for capturing an index cross section different from the recommended cross section.

6. Detecting the position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe; Acquiring an ultrasound image of the inside of a subject by transmitting and receiving an ultrasound beam using the ultrasound probe; Recognizing a recommended cross section determined for a region of the subject by performing image analysis on the ultrasound image; referring to the detected position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe, and determining that the examination is inappropriate if the recommended cross section is not recognized within a predetermined position and angle range that includes the recommended position and attitude angle of the ultrasonic probe corresponding to the recommended cross section; A control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, which, when the examination is determined to be inappropriate, instructs a user to change at least one of the subject's respiratory state, the amount of pressure of the ultrasound probe against the subject, and the subject's posture.

Images