Medical image acquisition device and image generation system

Abstract

To provide a medical image acquisition device and an image generation system which in a case of capturing a radiation image and an ultrasonic image of a breast compressed with a compression member, are capable of preventing an influence of a device for capturing one of the images on a device for capturing the other image.SOLUTION: A medical image acquisition device 10 captures a radiation image of a breast compressed with a compression member 40 by using a radiation image acquiring device, and captures an ultrasonic image by using an ultrasonic image acquiring device which transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The elements of the ultrasonic image acquiring device and those of the radiation image acquiring device are located so as not to overlap at least partially with respect to a radiation incident direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to medical image acquisition devices and image generation systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the main methods of detecting breast cancer are radiological mammography and ultrasound.

[0003] Due to differences in imaging principles, radiological mammography generally makes it easier to visualize calcified lesions, while ultrasound makes it easier to visualize the boundaries of soft tissues such as tumors. Therefore, attempts have been made to combine radiological mammography and ultrasound, but compared to radiological mammography alone, this improves sensitivity but reduces specificity. This is thought to be due to the introduction of false positives from both modalities, increasing the rate of further examination.

[0004] In combined radiological mammography and ultrasound examinations, diagnosis is made by comparing radiological images taken with the breast compressed with ultrasound images taken with the patient in a supine position.However, because the patient's position and breast shape are different when the images are taken, it is difficult to identify and compare the location of suspected lesions, and it is thought that this reduces specificity.

[0005] Therefore, it has been considered to improve specificity by performing ultrasound examinations without changing the patient's position during radiological mammography examinations, while compressing the breast, and acquiring ultrasound images through a compression device such as a compression plate. In such cases, the general procedure is to first perform radiography and then scan the suspicious area with ultrasound.

[0006] However, when using ultrasound imaging via a compression element, scanning is performed using ultrasound via a compression element, which causes attenuation and refraction of ultrasound, resulting in reduced sensitivity and resolution due to the compression element.Furthermore, it takes time to obtain an image of the entire breast, and the work is highly dependent on the individual.

[0007] As a technology that can be applied to solve these problems, Patent Document 1 discloses a medical imaging device that uses a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array to shorten the time required to obtain an ultrasonic image and also to obtain a good radiographic image even when radiography is performed with the array fixed.

[0008] This medical imaging device includes a radiation generating unit that generates radiation, a radiation detecting unit that detects radiation, an ultrasonic transducer array that includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged two-dimensionally and is arranged between the radiation generating unit and the radiation detecting unit, a radiological image data generating unit that generates radiological image data based on the detection results of the radiation detecting unit, and an image processing unit that performs image processing on the radiological image data generated based on the detection results of radiation that has been generated by the radiation generating unit and transmitted through the subject and the ultrasonic transducer array, thereby removing an image of the ultrasonic transducer array from the radiological image represented by the radiological image data.

[0009] Patent Document 2 also discloses a medical imaging device that uses radiation and ultrasound to image mammary glands and breasts, and aims to use ultrasound to image the process of the breast being compressed by a compression plate, and to shorten imaging time by performing ultrasound imaging simultaneously with radiation imaging.

[0010] This medical imaging device includes a radiation generating unit that generates radiation, an imaging table that has radiation detection means disposed therein that detects the radiation generated by the radiation generating unit and that has passed through a subject, an ultrasonic transducer array that is disposed between the radiation generating unit and the imaging table, that allows a portion of the radiation that has passed through the subject to pass through, that transmits ultrasonic waves toward the subject in accordance with a plurality of drive signals, that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by the subject, and that outputs a plurality of detection signals, and an ultrasonic examination unit that supplies a plurality of drive signals to the ultrasonic transducer array, and that generates an image signal based on the plurality of detection signals output from the ultrasonic transducer array. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-279111 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-173291 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are designed to acquire ultrasound images without using a compression member, and therefore can avoid the aforementioned reduction in sensitivity and resolution caused by the compression member. However, in these technologies, the device for acquiring ultrasound images (hereinafter referred to as the "ultrasound image acquisition device") is located closer to the breast than the device for acquiring radiological images (hereinafter referred to as the "radiological image acquisition device"). Therefore, in these technologies, the ultrasound image acquisition device physically affects the radiological images acquired by the radiological image acquisition device, resulting in a reduction in the quality of the radiological images.

[0013] In order to avoid this degradation in the quality of the radiographic image, it is possible to position the radiographic image acquisition device closer to the breast than the ultrasound image acquisition device, but in this case, the radiographic image acquisition device would physically affect the ultrasound image obtained by the ultrasound image acquisition device, resulting in a degradation in the quality of the ultrasound image.

[0014] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a medical image acquisition device and an image generation system that, when taking radiological images and ultrasound images of a breast compressed by a compression member, can avoid the influence of one device performing the imaging on the other device performing the imaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, a medical image acquisition apparatus of a first aspect of the present disclosure is a medical image acquisition apparatus that takes radiological images of a breast compressed by a compression member using a radiological image acquisition device, and takes ultrasonic images using an ultrasonic image acquisition device that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and is arranged so that the element group of the ultrasonic image acquisition device does not overlap with the element group of the radiological image acquisition device in at least a portion in the direction of incidence of radiation.

[0016] A medical image acquisition device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the medical image acquisition device according to the first aspect, wherein the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device and the element group of the radiation image acquisition device are arranged on the same substrate.

[0017] A medical image acquisition device of a third aspect of the present disclosure is a medical image acquisition device of the first or second aspect, in which the image acquisition area by the ultrasound image acquisition device is approximately the same area as the image acquisition area by the radiation image acquisition device.

[0018] A medical image acquisition apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure is the medical image acquisition apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the ultrasound image acquisition device is manufactured using a manufacturing process for silicon semiconductor devices.

[0019] A medical image acquisition apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the medical image acquisition apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the ultrasound image acquisition device transmits and receives ultrasound signals in a capacitive manner.

[0020] A medical image acquisition device of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is a medical image acquisition device of the first or second aspect, in which the ultrasound image acquisition device has elements that transmit and receive ultrasound arranged at a pitch calculated from the wavelength of the ultrasound and beam steering, which is equal to or less than a pitch that prevents reflection of virtual images in the ultrasound image obtained by imaging.

[0021] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure is a medical image acquisition apparatus in which, in the medical image acquisition apparatus of the sixth aspect, the ultrasound image acquisition device has elements that transmit and receive ultrasound arranged at a random placement density.

[0022] To achieve the above object, an image generation system according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes the medical image acquisition device of the present disclosure and a console that controls the medical image acquisition device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present disclosure, when radiological images and ultrasound images are taken of a breast compressed by a compression member, it is possible to avoid the influence of one device performing the imaging on the other device performing the imaging. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image generation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing an example of the appearance of a medical image acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A to 1C are three-view diagrams illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a compression member according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a schematic configuration of a conventional radiation detector using an indirect conversion method. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a partial configuration of an image detector according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a partial configuration of an image detector according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a partial configuration of an image detector according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image detector according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a console according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a console according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image display process according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] First, the configuration of an image generation system 1 to which the technology of the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the image generation system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0027] 1, the image generation system 1 includes a medical image acquisition device 10 and a console 50. The medical image acquisition device 10 and the console 50, and the console 50 and an external RIS (Radiology Information System) 6 are configured to be connectable via a wired or wireless network.

[0028] In the image generating system 1 according to this embodiment, the console 50 acquires imaging orders and the like from the RIS 6, and controls the medical image acquisition device 10 in accordance with the imaging orders and user instructions, etc. The medical image acquisition device 10 captures radiological images by irradiating radiation R onto a breast compressed between an imaging table 16 and a compression member 40, both of which will be described later. The medical image acquisition device 10 also captures ultrasound images of the breast compressed by the compression member 40.

[0029] Next, a schematic configuration of a medical image acquisition apparatus 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side view showing an example of the appearance of the medical image acquisition apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, as viewed from the right side of the subject. As shown in Fig. 2, the medical image acquisition apparatus 10 includes a radiation source 17R, an image detector 28, an imaging table 16 disposed between the radiation source 17R and the image detector 28, and a compression member 40 that compresses the breast between the imaging table 16 and the radiation source 17R. In the medical image acquisition apparatus 10, a user such as a doctor or technician positions the subject's breast on an imaging surface 16A of the imaging table 16.

[0030] The medical image acquisition device 10 includes an arm unit 12, a base 14, and a shaft unit 15. The arm unit 12 is held by the base 14 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z direction). The shaft unit 15 connects the arm unit 12 to the base 14. The arm unit 12 is rotatable relative to the base 14 around the shaft unit 15 as a rotation axis. Furthermore, the arm unit 12 may have an upper portion including a radiation irradiation unit 17 and a lower portion including an imaging table 16 that are rotatable relative to the base 14 around the shaft unit 15 as a rotation axis, separately.

[0031] The arm 12 includes a radiation irradiator 17 and an imaging table 16. The radiation irradiator 17 includes a radiation source 17R and is configured to be able to change the irradiation field of radiation (e.g., X-rays) irradiated from the radiation source 17R. The irradiation field may be changed, for example, by a user operating the operation unit 26, or may be changed by the control unit 20 depending on the type of compression member 40 attached.

[0032] The imaging stand 16 includes a control unit 20, a memory unit 22, an I / F (Interface) unit 24, an operation unit 26, and an image detector 28. The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of the medical image acquisition device 10 in accordance with the control of the console 50. The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown). The ROM stores various programs in advance, including programs executed by the CPU for controlling the generation of radiographic images and ultrasound images. The RAM temporarily stores various data.

[0033] Radiation image and ultrasound image data, various other information, etc. are stored in the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 is realized by a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory.

[0034] The I / F unit 24 communicates various types of information with the console 50 via wired or wireless communication. Specifically, the I / F unit 24 receives information related to the control of the medical image acquisition device 10 from the console 50. The I / F unit 24 also transmits radiographic image and ultrasound image data to the console 50.

[0035] The operation unit 26 is a part provided on the imaging stand 16 or the like that can be operated by the user with the hands or feet, and is, for example, a switch, a button, a touch panel, or the like.

[0036] A compression unit 48 is connected to the arm 12. A support part 46 that supports the compression member 40 is detachably attached to the compression unit 48. A drive part (not shown) provided in the compression unit 48 moves the support part 46 (compression member 40) in the up-down direction (Z direction).

[0037] The compression member 40 is disposed between the radiation source 17R and the imaging table 16, and compresses the breast by sandwiching it between the radiation source 17R and the imaging table 16. FIG. 3 shows three views of an example of the compression member 40. The three views in FIG. 3 include a top view of the compression member 40 seen from above (the radiation irradiation unit 17 side), a side view seen from the subject side, and a side view seen from the right side of the subject. As shown in FIG. 3, the compression member 40 includes a compression portion 42 and a support portion 46.

[0038] The support part 46 includes an attachment part 47 and an arm 49. The attachment part 47 attaches the compression member 40 to the medical image acquisition device 10, specifically to a drive part of a compression unit 48. The arm 49 supports the compression part 42.

[0039] The compression unit 42 has a generally flat bottom 43 surrounded by walls 44 of generally uniform height, and has a concave cross-sectional shape. The compression unit 42 is preferably made of an optically transparent or translucent material so that positioning and the compression state can be confirmed during breast compression. The compression unit 42 is also preferably made of a material that has excellent transparency to radiation R. The compression unit 42 is also preferably made of a material that has excellent strength, for example, drop strength and compression strength.

[0040] Examples of such materials that can be used include resins such as polymethylpentene (PMP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic, polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0041] Furthermore, the medical image acquisition device 10 may be configured to allow a plurality of different types of compression members 40 to be attached interchangeably. Specifically, compression members 40 of different materials, sizes, and shapes may be attached depending on the subject's physique (e.g., breast size), breast tissue composition (e.g., fat mass and mammary gland mass), and type of imaging (e.g., magnification imaging and spot imaging). For example, a compression member according to the size of the breast, a compression member for axillary imaging, a compression member for magnification imaging, and a compression member for so-called spot imaging, which captures a radiographic image of only the area where a lesion is present, may be used. In other words, the compression member 40 is not limited to one that compresses the entire breast, but may also be one that is smaller than the breast and compresses only a portion of the breast.

[0042] On the other hand, the medical image acquisition apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is configured to capture radiographic images of the breast compressed by the compression member 40 using a radiographic image acquisition device, and to capture ultrasound images using an ultrasound image acquisition device that transmits and receives ultrasound waves. In the medical image acquisition apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device is arranged so that there is at least a partial overlap with the element group of the radiographic image acquisition device in the incident direction of the radiation R.

[0043] In particular, in the medical image acquisition apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device and the element group of the radiation image acquisition device are arranged on the same substrate (in this embodiment, the substrate of the image detector 28). Note that the "same substrate" here is not limited to a substrate formed in a completely uniform state, but may be one that can be handled as a single substrate as a whole, and includes, for example, a substrate with steps on it or a substrate formed by joining multiple substrates together.

[0044] The image detector 28 according to this embodiment is disposed inside the imaging table 16, detects radiation R that has passed through the breast and the imaging table 16, generates a radiographic image based on the detected radiation R, and outputs image data representing the generated radiographic image. The image detector 28 according to this embodiment also irradiates the breast with ultrasound, receives reflected waves from the breast, generates an ultrasound image from the reflected waves, and outputs image data representing the generated ultrasound image.

[0045] For this reason, the image detector 28 of this embodiment is provided with, on the imaging surface, a group of elements of a radiological image acquisition device for detecting radiation R that has passed through the breast and the imaging table 16, and a group of elements of an ultrasonic image acquisition device (in this embodiment, ultrasonic transducers) for irradiating ultrasonic waves toward the breast and receiving reflected waves from the breast.

[0046] The type of radiographic image acquisition device in the image detector 28 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an indirect conversion type device that converts radiation R into light and then converts the converted light into electric charges, or a direct conversion type device that directly converts radiation R into electric charges. The following describes a case where an indirect conversion type device is used as the radiographic image acquisition device.

[0047] In this configuration, the ultrasonic imaging device is required to be free from cumulative damage caused by radiation. For this reason, as the ultrasonic transducer, which is an element constituting the ultrasonic imaging device, a cMUT (capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer), which is an ultrasonic element fabricated in the fabrication process of a silicon semiconductor device, is more suitable than a piezoelectric material for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals in a capacitive manner using an electrostatic material. Therefore, the image detector 28 according to this embodiment uses a cMUT as the ultrasonic transducer.

[0048] However, the ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic imaging device is not limited to the cMUT. For example, a bulk PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) type using a piezoelectric material, a pMUT (piezoelectric Micro-machined Ultrasound Transducer) using piezoelectric thin film displacement, or the like may be used as the ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic imaging device.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the schematic configuration of a conventional radiation detector using the indirect conversion method. As shown in Fig. 4, in the conventional radiation detector using the indirect conversion method, each element 60 has a PD (PhotoDiode) 62 and a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) switch 64, and the elements 60 are arranged in an array structure. In the image detector 28 according to this embodiment, part of the imaging region of this conventional radiation detector is changed to the region of the ultrasonic transducer, which is made into a cMUT.

[0050] The placement spacing of cMUTs is determined by the wavelength of the ultrasound waves they transmit and receive, which has a longer wavelength than radiation, etc. For example, if the device transmits and receives 7 MHz ultrasound, a pitch of 200 to 300 μm is sufficient, which is 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 or less of the placement pitch of the element group in the radiation image acquisition device.

[0051] In particular, in the ultrasound imaging device according to this embodiment, the elements are arranged at a pitch calculated from the wavelength of the ultrasound waves transmitted and received by the elements and beam steering, which is equal to or smaller than a pitch at which no virtual images are reflected in the ultrasound image obtained by imaging. This pitch is within a range from about half the wavelength of the ultrasound waves to one wavelength, and is equal to or smaller than a level at which no grating lobes are generated by the ultrasound waves.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a partial configuration of the image detector 28 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the image detector 28 according to this embodiment has a basic configuration in which three elements 60 of a radiation image acquisition device and one element 70 of an ultrasound image acquisition device are arranged for pixels in a 2 × 2 area in the imaging region of the image detector 28. As shown in Fig. 5, the element 70 has a cMUT 72 and a TFT switch 74 for the cMUT.

[0053] In the image detector 28 according to this embodiment, this basic configuration is arranged randomly compared to the array arrangement of elements 60 in conventional radiation detectors, thereby making it possible to suppress image unevenness in ultrasound images and radiation images.

[0054] The basic configuration is not limited to that shown in FIG. 5, and may be a configuration in which two elements 60 and two elements 70 are alternately arranged as shown in FIG. 6, or a configuration in which three elements 70 are arranged for one element 60 as shown in FIG. 7, etc.

[0055] 8, the arrangement density of the elements 70 may be changed for each partial region in the imaging region of the image detector 28. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the image acquisition region by the ultrasonic image acquisition device is set to be substantially the same region as the image acquisition region by the radiation image acquisition device.

[0056] The method of imaging the breast using the medical image acquisition device 10 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be craniocaudal (CC) imaging, mesolateral oblique (MLO) imaging, magnification imaging that images a portion of the breast, or spot imaging. CC imaging is a method of imaging the breast in a compressed state by sandwiching the breast between the imaging table 16 and the compression member 40 in the vertical direction (Z direction). MLO imaging is a method of imaging the breast in a compressed state, including the axillary region, by sandwiching the breast between the imaging table 16 and the compression member 40 while tilting the arm unit 12 so that the rotation angle with respect to the base 14 is equal to or greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, the medical image acquisition device 10 may be one that performs tomosynthesis imaging. In tomosynthesis imaging, radiation R is irradiated from the radiation source 17R toward the breast from multiple irradiation positions with different irradiation angles, and multiple radiation images of the breast are captured. That is, in tomosynthesis imaging, the angles of the imaging table 16, compression member 40, breast, etc. are kept fixed, and imaging is performed by changing the rotation angle of the radiation irradiator 17 relative to the base 14.

[0058] Furthermore, the medical image acquisition device 10 may be capable of positioning the subject's breasts not only when the subject is standing (standing position), but also when the subject is sitting in a chair, wheelchair, etc. (sitting position).

[0059] The console 50 sets an upper limit of the compression force that the compression members 40 apply to the breast depending on the type of compression members 40 attached to the medical image acquisition device 10. The console 50 also controls the medical image acquisition device 10 so that radiographic images and ultrasound images are acquired in accordance with the imaging order acquired from the RIS 6 and instructions from the user.

[0060] The medical image acquisition device 10 according to this embodiment can acquire both radiographic images and ultrasound images using a single image detector 28 while the breast is compressed by the compression members 40. This facilitates the alignment of these images, and by displaying both images superimposed, the ability to differentiate and diagnose lesions can be improved.

[0061] Next, the console 50 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0062] An example of the hardware configuration of the console 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the console 50 includes a CPU 51, a non-volatile storage unit 52, and a memory 53 serving as a temporary storage area. The console 50 also includes a display 54 such as a liquid crystal display, an operation unit 55 such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse, and an I / F unit 56. The I / F unit 56 communicates with the medical image acquisition device 10, the RIS 6, and other external devices via wired or wireless communication. The CPU 51, the storage unit 52, the memory 53, the display 54, the operation unit 55, and the I / F unit 56 are connected via a bus 58 such as a system bus and a control bus so as to be able to exchange various information with each other.

[0063] The storage unit 52 is realized by a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory. An image display program 57 is stored in the storage unit 52. The CPU 51 reads the image display program 57 from the storage unit 52, loads it into the memory 53, and executes the loaded image display program 57. For example, a personal computer, a server computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, or the like can be appropriately used as the console 50.

[0064] The storage unit 52 also stores image data of radiographic images and ultrasound images acquired by the medical image acquisition device 10, as well as various other information. The image data of radiographic images and ultrasound images may be stored in association with at least one of an imaging order and imaging information. The imaging information may be, for example, at least one of subject information and imaging type included in the imaging order, photographer information indicating the photographer who performed the imaging (e.g., a user such as a doctor or technician), and date and time information indicating the date and time when the imaging was performed.

[0065] An example of the functional configuration of the console 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, the console 50 includes a generation unit 80, a distortion correction unit 82, and a display control unit 84. The CPU 51 executes the image display program 57, causing the CPU 51 to function as the generation unit 80, the distortion correction unit 82, and the display control unit 84.

[0066] The generation unit 80 according to this embodiment generates a radiographic image and an ultrasound image of the breast while using the compression member 40. Then, the display control unit 84 according to this embodiment displays the ultrasound image and the radiation image generated by the generation unit 80 in an overlapping manner. In this manner, in this embodiment, the display control unit 84 displays the ultrasound image and the radiation image generated by the generation unit 80 in an overlapping manner, but this is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 84 may display the ultrasound image and the radiation image side by side.

[0067] On the other hand, when the display control unit 84 performs the above display, the distortion correction unit 82 according to this embodiment performs distortion correction on at least one of the ultrasound image and the radiological image (both in this embodiment).

[0068] That is, when compressing the breast, the compression section 42 of the compression member 40 generates distortion according to the compression force. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distortion correction section 82 performs distortion correction on both the ultrasound image and the radiographic image.

[0069] Next, the operation of the console 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In the console 50, the CPU 51 executes the image display program 57, thereby executing the image display process shown in Fig. 11. The image display process is executed, for example, when a user issues an instruction to start execution via the operation unit 55. Note that, in order to avoid confusion, the following description will be given of a case in which the subject's breast is positioned on the imaging surface 16A of the imaging table 16 by a user such as a doctor or technician, and is compressed by the compression member 40.

[0070] In step S10, the CPU 51 controls the medical image acquisition device 10 to capture a radiological image. In step S12, the CPU 51 controls the medical image acquisition device 10 to capture an ultrasonic image.

[0071] In step S14, the CPU 51 corrects distortion of the radiographic image and ultrasound image obtained by the above processing. In step S16, the CPU 51 controls the display 54 to superimpose the radiographic image and ultrasound image that have undergone the above processing, and in step S18, the CPU 51 waits until predetermined information is input. Hereinafter, this superimposed image is referred to as a "superimposed image." By referring to the superimposed image, the user can more easily grasp the presence or absence of a lesion in the breast and the state of the lesion.

[0072] After viewing the superimposed image, the user designates the end button displayed on the screen on which the superimposed image is displayed, using the operation unit 55. In response to this designation, a positive determination is made in step S18, and the image display process ends.

[0073] As described above, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the elements of the ultrasound image acquisition device are arranged so that they do not overlap with the elements of the radiographic image acquisition device at least partially in the direction of radiation incidence. Therefore, when radiographic images and ultrasound images are acquired of a breast compressed by a compression member, it is possible to avoid the influence of one device on the other device.

[0074] Furthermore, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device and the element group of the radiation image acquisition device are arranged on the same substrate, which makes it possible to more reliably prevent one device from imaging the other device from being affected, compared to when the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device and the element group of the radiation image acquisition device are arranged on different substrates.

[0075] Furthermore, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the image acquisition area by the ultrasound image acquisition device is substantially the same as the image acquisition area by the radiation image acquisition device, so that ultrasound images can be acquired more reliably for an area equivalent to the radiation image compared to when ultrasound images are acquired using an ultrasound probe.

[0076] Furthermore, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the ultrasound imaging device is manufactured using a process for manufacturing silicon semiconductor devices, which makes it possible to suppress accumulated damage to the ultrasound imaging device due to radiation irradiation, compared to when a process for manufacturing ultrasound elements by dividing piezoelectric ceramics or piezoelectric single crystals is used.

[0077] Furthermore, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the ultrasound image acquisition device transmits and receives ultrasound signals using a capacitance type, which can reduce cumulative damage to the ultrasound image acquisition device due to radiation irradiation compared to ultrasound signals transmitted and received using ultrasound elements made of piezoelectric ceramics or piezoelectric single crystals.

[0078] Furthermore, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the elements of the ultrasound image acquisition device that transmit and receive ultrasound waves are arranged at a pitch calculated from the wavelength of the ultrasound waves and beam steering, which is equal to or smaller than a pitch at which no virtual images are reflected in the ultrasound image obtained by imaging. Therefore, it is possible to prevent virtual images from being reflected in the ultrasound image.

[0079] Furthermore, in the medical image acquisition apparatus according to this embodiment, the elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound in the ultrasound image acquisition device are arranged at a random density, which makes it possible to suppress image unevenness more effectively than when the elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound are arranged at a regular density.

[0080] Furthermore, the image generation system according to this embodiment includes the above-described medical image acquisition device, and generates radiographic images and ultrasound images using the medical image acquisition device. Therefore, similar to the medical image acquisition device, when radiographic images and ultrasound images are captured of a breast compressed by a compression member, it is possible to avoid the influence of one imaging device on the other imaging device.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the case where the element group of the radiographic image acquisition device and the element group of the ultrasonic image acquisition device are arranged on the same substrate of the image detector 28 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the element group of the radiographic image acquisition device and the element group of the ultrasonic image acquisition device may be arranged on different substrates, and these substrates may be superimposed such that the element group of the ultrasonic image acquisition device does not overlap with the element group of the radiographic image acquisition device at least partially in the direction of incidence of radiation.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the following various processors can be used as the hardware structure of processing units that perform various processes, such as the generation unit 80, the distortion correction unit 82, and the display control unit 84. As described above, the various processors include a CPU, which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, as well as dedicated electrical circuits that are processors having a circuit configuration specifically designed to perform specific processes, such as a programmable logic device (PLD), a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0083] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be configured with a single processor.

[0084] Examples of configuring multiple processing units with a single processor include, first, a form in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units, as typified by computers such as client and server. Second, a form in which a processor is used to realize the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units with a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip, as typified by systems on chips (SoCs). In this way, various processing units are configured using one or more of the above-mentioned various processors as a hardware structure.

[0085] Furthermore, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors can be an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the image display program 57 is pre-stored (installed) in the storage unit 52 of the console 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image display program 57 may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The image display program 57 may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0087] From the above description, the invention described in the following appendix can be understood.

[0088] [Appendix 1] A medical image acquisition device for capturing radiographic images of a breast compressed by a compression member using a radiographic image acquisition device and capturing ultrasound images using an ultrasound image acquisition device that transmits and receives ultrasound waves, comprising: the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device is arranged so as not to overlap with the element group of the radiation image acquisition device at least partially in the direction of incidence of radiation; Medical image acquisition device. [Appendix 2] an element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device and an element group of the radiation image acquisition device are arranged on the same substrate; 2. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1. [Appendix 3] an image acquisition area by the ultrasound image acquisition device is substantially the same as an image acquisition area by the radiation image acquisition device; 10. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2. [Appendix 4] The ultrasound image acquisition device is manufactured by a silicon semiconductor device manufacturing process. 4. A medical image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [Appendix 5] The ultrasonic image acquisition device is a capacitive type that transmits and receives ultrasonic signals. 5. A medical image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [Appendix 6] In the ultrasound image acquisition device, elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves are arranged at a pitch calculated from the wavelength of the ultrasound waves and beam steering, which is equal to or smaller than a pitch at which no virtual image is reflected in the ultrasound image obtained by imaging. 6. A medical image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Appendix 7] The ultrasound image acquisition device has elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves arranged at a random arrangement density. 7. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 6. [Appendix 8] A medical image acquisition device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7; a console for controlling the medical image acquisition device; An image generation system comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Image generation system 6 RIS 10 Medical image acquisition device 12 Arm section 14 Foundation 15 Shaft 16. Photo stand 16A Shooting surface 17 Radiation Irradiation Unit 17R radiation source 20 Control Unit 22, 52 storage section 24, 56 I / F section 26, 55 Operation section 28 Image Detector 40 Compression member 42 Compression area 43 Bottom 43A Top 43B Contact surface 44 Wall 46 Support part 47 Mounting part 48 Compression Unit 49 Arms 50 console 51 CPU 53 Memory 54 Display 57 Image display program 58 Bus 60 elements 62PD 64 TFT switch for PD 70 elements 72 cMUT 74 cMUT TFT switch 80 Generation part 82 Distortion correction section 84 Display control unit R Radiation

Claims

1. A medical image acquisition device for capturing radiographic images of a breast compressed by a compression member using a radiographic image acquisition device and capturing ultrasound images using an ultrasound image acquisition device that transmits and receives ultrasound waves, comprising: the element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device is arranged so as not to overlap with the element group of the radiation image acquisition device at least partially in the direction of incidence of radiation; Medical image acquisition device.

2. an element group of the ultrasound image acquisition device and an element group of the radiation image acquisition device are arranged on the same substrate; The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1 .

3. an image acquisition area by the ultrasound image acquisition device is substantially the same as an image acquisition area by the radiation image acquisition device; 3. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1.

4. The ultrasound image acquisition device is manufactured by a silicon semiconductor device manufacturing process.

3. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1.

5. The ultrasonic image acquisition device is a capacitive type that transmits and receives ultrasonic signals.

3. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1.

6. In the ultrasound image acquisition device, elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves are arranged at a pitch calculated from the wavelength of the ultrasound waves and beam steering, which is equal to or smaller than a pitch at which no virtual image is reflected in the ultrasound image obtained by imaging.

3. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1.

7. The ultrasound image acquisition device has elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves arranged at a random arrangement density. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 6 .

8. The medical image acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2; a console for controlling the medical image acquisition device; An image generation system comprising:

Images