Medical image generation device, medical image generation method, and program

Abstract

To provide a medical image generation device, a medical image generation method, and a program capable of improving operability when switching ultrasonic images whose image parameters are different from each other.SOLUTION: A medical image generation device includes: a storage unit for storing setting information on settings of making each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasonic image based on an ultrasonic signal received by an ultrasonic probe valid or invalid; an operation input unit for receiving an operation input for executing the selection of making each of the plurality of image parameters valid or invalid; a determination unit for determining an image parameter made valid when generating the ultrasonic image as a determined parameter on the basis of contents of the settings indicated by the setting information, a result of the selection executed by the operation input, and an exclusion condition determined among the plurality of image parameters beforehand; and an application unit for executing control to apply the determined parameter and generate the ultrasonic image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An ultrasound diagnostic device transmits ultrasound to a subject and performs various processes on the ultrasound reflected by the subject to generate ultrasound image data showing the state inside the subject. In generating ultrasound image data, various image parameters are set to give various effects on the generated ultrasound image data.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasound diagnostic device that generates an enhanced image in which a puncture needle is emphasized by steering a transmitted ultrasound wave at an appropriate angle while the puncture needle is inserted into a subject so that the reflected ultrasound from the puncture needle is stronger than other biological tissues. In Patent Document 1, the steering angle when generating the enhanced image is appropriately set as an image parameter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-100556 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In medical settings where ultrasound diagnostic devices are used, diagnosis is often made by switching between images to which various image parameters have been applied as needed. As an example, as in Patent Document 1, an ultrasound technician makes a diagnosis by appropriately switching between an enhanced image in which a puncture needle is enhanced by steering transmitted ultrasound and a biological tissue image obtained without steering transmitted ultrasound. In such cases, the ultrasound technician may have to perform various operations to change the image parameters, and there is a demand for improved operability.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a medical image generating device, a medical image generating method, and a program that can improve operability when switching between ultrasound images having different image parameters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The medical image generating device of the present disclosure includes a storage unit that stores setting information regarding settings for enabling or disabling each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal transmitted and received by an ultrasound probe; an operation input unit that accepts an operation input for selecting whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of image parameters; a determination unit that determines the image parameters to be enabled when generating the ultrasound image as determined parameters based on the contents of the setting indicated by the setting information, the result of the selection made by the operation input, and an exclusive condition that is predetermined among the plurality of image parameters; and an application unit that performs control for applying the determined parameters to generate an ultrasound image. the plurality of image parameters include a first parameter and a second parameter in which an exclusive relationship is set with respect to each other by the exclusive condition, and the first parameter includes a third parameter and a fourth parameter in which the exclusive relationship is not set with respect to each other by the exclusive condition, and the determination unit determines the determined parameter to be the third parameter and the fourth parameter instead of the second parameter when the operation input for enabling the third parameter or the operation input for enabling the fourth parameter is received in a state in which the third parameter and the fourth parameter are set to be valid in the setting information and the determined parameter is determined to be the second parameter. .

[0007] The medical image generating method of the present disclosure is a medical image generating method executed by an ultrasound diagnostic device in which setting information is preset regarding whether to enable or disable each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal transmitted and received by an ultrasound probe, the plurality of image parameters include a first parameter and a second parameter that are mutually exclusive according to a predetermined exclusive condition between the plurality of image parameters, and the first parameter includes a third parameter and a fourth parameter that are not mutually exclusive according to the exclusive condition; A control input is received for selecting whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of image parameters, and the content of the setting indicated by the setting information, the result of the selection made by the control input, and a Recording and exclusion Based on the other conditions, the image parameters to be enabled when generating the ultrasonic image are determined as decision parameters, and the ultrasonic image is generated by applying the decision parameters. and when determining the image parameter to be enabled as the determined parameter, if the third parameter and the fourth parameter are set to be enabled in the setting information and the determined parameter is determined to be the second parameter, and the operation input to enable the third parameter or the operation input to enable the fourth parameter is received, the determined parameter is determined to be the third parameter and the fourth parameter instead of the second parameter. .

[0008] The program of the present disclosure is a program executed by a computer of an ultrasound diagnostic device in which setting information regarding whether to enable or disable each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal transmitted and received by an ultrasound probe is preset, the plurality of image parameters include a first parameter and a second parameter that are mutually exclusive according to a predetermined exclusive condition between the plurality of image parameters, and the first parameter includes a third parameter and a fourth parameter that are not mutually exclusive according to the exclusive condition; a step of receiving an operation input for selecting whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of image parameters; a step of receiving the content of the setting indicated by the setting information, a result of the selection made by the operation input, and Recording and exclusion The computer executes a step of determining the image parameters to be enabled when generating the ultrasonic image as decision parameters based on other conditions, and a step of controlling the generation of the ultrasonic image by applying the decision parameters. In the determination step, when determining the image parameter to be enabled as the determined parameter, if the third parameter and the fourth parameter are set to be enabled in the setting information and the determined parameter is determined to be the second parameter, and the operation input to enable the third parameter or the operation input to enable the fourth parameter is received, the determined parameter is the third parameter and the fourth parameter instead of the second parameter. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve operability when switching between ultrasound images having different image parameters. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device. [Diagram 2] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical image generating device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block that a control unit has for centrally controlling the operation of each unit of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining trapezoidal scanning; [Diagram 5] Diagram to explain spatial compounding [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining steering scanning; [Figure 7] Flowchart for explaining an example of operation of a medical image generating apparatus [Figure 8] A flowchart for explaining the details of the process of determining new decision parameters in step S5 of FIG. 7. [Figure 9A] A diagram showing a display screen when the determined parameters are the parameter Pt for trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc for spatial compounding. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen when the determined parameter is the parameter Ps related to steering scanning. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used to designate components having the same functions and configurations, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 has a medical image generating device 1 and an ultrasound probe 2. The ultrasound probe 2 transmits ultrasound (transmitted ultrasound) into a subject such as a living body (not shown), and receives reflected waves of the ultrasound (reflected ultrasound) reflected within the subject.

[0013] The medical image generating device 1 is connected to an ultrasound probe 2 via a cable 3, and transmits an electrical drive signal to the ultrasound probe 2 to cause the ultrasound probe 2 to transmit ultrasound to the subject. Then, the internal state of the subject is visualized as an ultrasound image based on a received signal, which is an electrical signal generated by the ultrasound probe 2 in response to the reflected ultrasound from within the subject and received by the ultrasound probe 2.

[0014] The ultrasonic probe 2 has transducers 2a (see FIG. 2) each made of a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and the transducers 2a are arranged in a one-dimensional array in the azimuth direction (scanning direction), for example. The number of transducers 2a can be set arbitrarily.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the medical image generating device 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the medical image generating device 1 includes, for example, an operation input unit 11, a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, an image generating unit 14, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 15, an image processing unit 16, a display unit 17, a storage unit 18, and a control unit 19.

[0016] The operation input unit 11 is an operation device for accepting user operations such as inputting a command to start diagnosis, personal information of a subject, and other data. Specifically, the operation input unit 11 is various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel superimposed on the display unit 17, and the like. The operation input unit 11 outputs an operation signal based on the input operation to the control unit 19.

[0017] In particular, the operation input unit accepts an operation input for selecting whether to enable or disable each of various image parameters to be applied to the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 17. Details of the image parameters to be applied to the ultrasound image will be described later.

[0018] The transmitting unit 12 is a circuit that supplies a driving signal, which is an electric signal, to the ultrasonic probe 2 via the cable 3 under the control of the control unit 19, and causes the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate a transmission ultrasonic wave. The transmitting unit 12 has, for example, a clock generating circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulse generating circuit, which are not shown. The clock generating circuit is a circuit that generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the driving signal. The delay circuit is a circuit that sets a delay time for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a, and delays the transmission of the driving signal by the set delay time to focus the transmission beam formed by the transmission ultrasonic wave (transmission beam forming) and set the angle of the transmission beam (steering). The pulse generating circuit is a circuit that generates a pulse signal as a driving signal at a predetermined period.

[0019] The transmitting unit 12 configured as described above drives, for example, a continuous portion (e.g., several tens) of a plurality of transducers 2a (e.g., several hundred) arranged in the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate transmitted ultrasonic waves. Then, the transmitting unit 12 performs scanning by shifting the driven transducers 2a in the azimuth direction each time a transmitted ultrasonic wave is generated. Also, the transmitting unit 12 can receive a plurality of reflected signals at different angles by performing scanning while changing the angle of the transmitted beam. In this embodiment, scanning while changing the angle of the transmitted beam is referred to as steering scanning.

[0020] The receiving unit 13 is a circuit that receives a reception signal, which is an electric signal, from the ultrasonic probe 2 via the cable 3 under the control of the control unit 19. The receiving unit 13 has, for example, an amplifier, an A / D conversion circuit, and a phasing addition circuit. The amplifier is a circuit for amplifying the reception signal at a preset amplification factor for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a. The A / D conversion circuit is a circuit for analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion) of the amplified reception signal. The phasing addition circuit is a circuit for adjusting the time phase by giving a delay time to the A / D converted reception signal for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a, and adding these (phasing addition) to generate sound ray data. In other words, the phasing addition circuit performs reception beamforming on the reception signal for each transducer 2a to generate sound ray data.

[0021] The image generating unit 14 performs envelope detection processing, logarithmic compression, etc. on the sound ray data input from the receiving unit 13 under the control of the control unit 19, and performs luminance conversion by adjusting the dynamic range and gain to generate B-mode ultrasound image data. The B-mode ultrasound image data represents the strength of the received signal by luminance. In this embodiment, the image generating unit 14 may be capable of generating various ultrasound image data such as A-mode image (amplitude image) data, M-mode image (motion image) data, and color Doppler image data by the Doppler method in addition to B-mode image data.

[0022] The DSC 15 performs scanning frequency conversion on the multiple pieces of ultrasound image data generated by the image generating unit 14 under the control of the control unit 19, and outputs the converted data to the image processing unit 16.

[0023] The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing on the multiple ultrasound image data acquired from the DSC 15 under the control of the control unit 19. The image processing unit 16 also has a memory (not shown) and stores the ultrasound image data before and after the image processing in the memory for each frame. In the following description, the ultrasound image data for each frame may be referred to as frame image data.

[0024] The display unit 17 is a display device such as an LED (Light-Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, an organic EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, or a plasma display under the control of the control unit 19. The display unit 17 displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image data output from the image processing unit 16.

[0025] The storage unit 18 is configured by, for example, a large-capacity recording medium such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores ultrasound image data saved in association with patient information, setting information related to image parameters (described later), and the like.

[0026] The control unit 19 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), reads out various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and centrally controls the operation of each part of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 in accordance with the expanded programs.

[0027] The ROM is made up of non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores the system program corresponding to the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, various processing programs executable on the system program, and various data such as a gamma table. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program codes, and the CPU sequentially executes operations in accordance with the program codes. The RAM forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs.

[0028] 3 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks that the control unit 19 has for centrally controlling the operations of each unit of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 19 has a determination unit 191, an application unit 192, and a setting information generation unit 193 as functional blocks.

[0029] The determination unit 191 determines image parameters to be enabled when the medical image generating device 1 generates ultrasound image data. The image parameters are parameters for providing various effects to the ultrasound image data. The image parameters used in this embodiment include at least three types: a parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning, a parameter Pc related to spatial compounding, and a parameter Ps related to steering scanning.

[0030] The parameter Pt related to the trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding method are an example of a first parameter of the present disclosure. The parameter Ps related to the steering scanning is an example of a second parameter of the present disclosure. The parameter Pt related to the trapezoidal scanning is an example of a third parameter of the present disclosure. The parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding method is an example of a fourth parameter of the present disclosure.

[0031] Trapezoidal scanning is a scanning method that transmits ultrasonic waves in a trapezoidal (fan-shaped) shape to generate image data over a wide range. Ultrasound images generated by trapezoidal scanning are also called trapezoid images. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining trapezoidal scanning. Trapezoidal scanning allows a wider field of view than usual to be observed at once.

[0032] The spatial compounding method is an image processing method that generates one piece of ultrasound image data by synthesizing overlapping parts of a plurality of steered image data obtained by steering scans in a plurality of directions. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining spatial compounding. FIG. 5 shows an example in which a spatially compounded image (shaded part in FIG. 5) is generated by synthesizing an image generated by ultrasound transmitted in the front direction from the ultrasound probe 2 and an image steered to the left and right. By using the spatial compounding method, it is possible to generate ultrasound image data of higher image quality than usual. The spatial compounding method can be used in combination with the trapezoidal scanning described above.

[0033] As described above, steering scanning is a scanning method in which the transmission direction of the transmitted ultrasonic wave is deflected from the default transmission direction. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining steering scanning. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a state in which the transmitted ultrasonic wave is deflected by an angle θ with respect to the front direction of the ultrasonic probe 2 is shown. By using steering scanning, for example, it is possible to preferably receive reflected ultrasonic waves from a structure that exists diagonally with respect to the front direction of the ultrasonic probe 2, and the structure can be depicted with good image quality. Note that, when steering scanning is used in combination with the trapezoidal scanning and spatial compounding method described above, the advantage of steering scanning, that is, to preferably receive reflected ultrasonic waves from a structure that exists diagonally, may be lost, and therefore, steering scanning is often not used in combination.

[0034] In this embodiment, each image parameter has two values, active or inactive. For example, when a parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is active, an application unit 192 described below applies the parameter Pt to generate a trapezoidal image when controlling each component of the medical image generating device 1 to generate ultrasound image data. Also, for example, when a parameter Pc related to spatial compounding is inactive, the application unit 192 does not apply the parameter Pc when controlling each component of the medical image generating device 1 to generate ultrasound image data.

[0035] In this way, the medical image generating apparatus 1 can generate ultrasound image data by applying at least one of a plurality of image parameters relating to different scanning methods or image processing methods.

[0036] The determination unit 191 determines image parameters to be enabled when generating ultrasound image data from among the plurality of image parameters. Note that some of the plurality of image parameters have mutually exclusive conditions set.

[0037] For example, in the above example, the parameter Ps related to the steering scan and the parameter Pt related to the trapezoidal scan are set to be mutually exclusive. Also, the parameter Ps related to the steering scan and the parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding are set to be mutually exclusive. On the other hand, no exclusive condition is set between the parameter Pt related to the trapezoidal scan and the parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding.

[0038] For two mutually exclusive image parameters, when one is enabled, the other is automatically disabled, e.g., when the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is enabled, the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is automatically disabled.

[0039] The determination unit 191 determines image parameters to be applied when generating ultrasound image data, based on the selection of whether to enable or disable each image parameter performed by the user on the operation input unit 11, preset setting information, and exclusion conditions. In the following description, the image parameters determined by the determination unit 191 and actually applied to the generation of ultrasound image data are referred to as determined parameters.

[0040] The setting information is information that is set in advance (preset) and indicates which image parameters are enabled and which image parameters are disabled. In other words, the setting information is information that indicates initial settings, which are image parameters that are applied to the ultrasound image data to be displayed on the display unit 17 when the medical image generating apparatus 1 is started up. The setting information is generated by the setting information generating unit 193 at a predetermined timing and stored in the storage unit 18.

[0041] When an operation input to enable a certain image parameter is performed via the operation input unit 11, the determination unit 191 determines the image parameter as a determined parameter, regardless of whether the image parameter is set to be enabled in the setting information. Specifically, when a parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is set to be enabled in the setting information and a user selects to enable a parameter Ps related to steering scanning via the operation input unit 11, the determination unit 191 determines that the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is to be the determined parameter. In other words, as a criterion for the determination of the determined parameter by the determination unit 191, the operation input by the user via the operation input unit 11 has a higher priority than the setting information.

[0042] Even if the determination unit 191 determines the determination parameters, the setting information remains as initially set and is stored in the storage unit 18. That is, the setting information is held in the storage unit 18 until new setting information is generated by the setting information generation unit 193, regardless of the current determination parameters.

[0043] In addition, when one of the image parameters that are set to be mutually exclusive due to the exclusivity condition is set to be valid in the setting information and the other is determined to be the current determined parameter, the determination unit 191 determines the image parameter that is set to be valid in the setting information to be the new determined parameter when the operation input unit 11 receives a new user operation to invalidate the current determined parameter.

[0044] Specifically, when the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is set to be enabled in the setting information and the currently determined parameter is the parameter Ps related to steering scanning, and an operation to disable steering scanning is newly received via the operation input unit 11, the determination unit 191 sets the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning as the new determined parameter.

[0045] Therefore, when a second image parameter other than the first image parameter previously set to be valid in the setting information is the currently determined parameter, the user can set the first image parameter as a new determined parameter by only inputting an operation to disable the second image parameter without inputting an operation to enable the first image parameter. Therefore, when a second image parameter other than the first image parameter previously set to be valid in the setting information is the currently determined parameter, the first image parameter can be set as a new determined parameter by a simple operation input compared to a case in which both an operation input to enable the first image parameter and an operation input to disable the second image parameter must be performed. This simplifies the operation input required of the user, improving usability.

[0046] Note that the first image parameter and the first image parameter in the above example may each include a plurality of image parameters. Details of the determination process of the determination unit 191 for the determination parameters will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0047] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 3, the application unit 192 controls each unit of the medical image generating apparatus 1 so as to apply the determined parameters determined by the determination unit 191 to generate ultrasound image data.

[0048] For example, when the determined parameter is a parameter Ps related to a steering operation or a parameter Pt related to a trapezoidal scan, the application unit 192 controls the transmission unit 12 to change the direction of the transmitted ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 2.

[0049] In addition, when the decision parameter is a parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding method, the application unit 192 controls the transmission unit 12 to change the direction of the transmitted ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound probe 2, and controls the image processing unit 16 to generate multiple ultrasound image data based on reflected ultrasound obtained by the transmitted ultrasound in multiple directions, and to synthesize them to generate a single piece of ultrasound image data.

[0050] The setting information generating unit 193 generates setting information based on the determined parameters at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing when the user performs an operation on the operation input unit 11 to instruct the medical image generating device 1 to generate setting information, or the timing when the user ends diagnosis using the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 and turns off the power.

[0051] Since the new setting information generated by the setting information generating unit 193 is set with the determined parameters at that time, the old setting information at that time is not reflected at all in the new setting information. Therefore, it is possible to set setting information that is in line with the actual situation of the user using the ultrasound diagnostic device 100.

[0052] [Operation] Next, an example of the operation of the medical image generating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows an example of the operation when the medical image generating apparatus 1 in a power-off state or in a hibernation state is started up.

[0053] In step S1, the medical image generating apparatus 1 is started by a user operation. The user operation in step S1 is, for example, the user pressing the power button of the medical image generating apparatus 1, or performing some operation on the operation input unit 11 of the medical image generating apparatus 1 in a paused state.

[0054] In step S2, the medical image generating apparatus 1 reads the setting information stored in the storage unit .

[0055] In step S3, the medical image generating apparatus 1 sets the image parameters that are set to be valid in the setting information as determined parameters, generates ultrasound image data to which the determined parameters have been applied, and displays the data on the display unit 17.

[0056] In step S4, the medical image generating device 1 determines whether or not an operation to change the current determined parameters has been performed on the operation input unit 11. If the medical image generating device 1 determines that an operation to change the current determined parameters has been performed, the process proceeds to step S5; otherwise, the process of step S4 is repeated.

[0057] In step S5, the medical image generating apparatus 1 determines new determined parameters based on the operation for changing the current determined parameters, the setting information at that time point, and the exclusion condition. Details of the process in step S5 will be described later in FIG.

[0058] In step S6, the medical image generating apparatus 1 generates ultrasound image data by applying the new parameters determined in step S5, and causes the display unit 17 to display the data.

[0059] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the process of determining new decision parameters in step S5 of FIG. 7 will be described in detail.

[0060] In step S11, the medical image generating apparatus 1 acquires the content of an operation for changing the currently determined parameters.

[0061] In step S12, the medical image generating device 1 determines whether the new image parameters designated to be enabled acquired in step S11 and the currently determined parameters are in an exclusive relationship based on the exclusive condition. In the following description, the new image parameters designated to be enabled by the user's operation are referred to as designated parameters, and the currently determined parameters are referred to as current determined parameters.

[0062] In step S12, if the medical image generating apparatus 1 determines that the designated parameter and the currently determined parameter are in an exclusive relationship, it proceeds to step S13, and if not, it proceeds to step S16.

[0063] In step S13, the medical image generating apparatus 1 validates the designated parameters and invalidates the currently determined parameters in step S12, thereby determining the designated parameters as new determined parameters.

[0064] In step S14, the medical image generating device 1 determines whether an operation has been performed on the operation input unit 11 to invalidate the designated parameters determined in step S13 as new determined parameters, or to re-enable the original determined parameters, i.e., the current determined parameters in step S12.

[0065] In other words, the process of step S14 is a process for determining whether or not an operation for returning the new determined parameters determined in step S13 to the original determined parameters (the parameters determined in step S12) has been accepted.

[0066] In step S14, if the medical image generating apparatus 1 determines that an operation to return the newly determined parameters to their original state has been performed, the process proceeds to step S15; otherwise, the process in step S14 is repeated.

[0067] In step S15, the medical image generating apparatus 1 returns the determined parameters to the original determined parameters (the determined parameters in step S12).

[0068] By such an operation, when the original decision parameters that were originally used are changed by a user operation to other image parameters that are in an exclusive relationship with the original decision parameters, and then are returned to the original decision parameters by a user operation, the user only needs to perform one of the operations of disabling the other changed image parameters and newly activating the original decision parameters, and does not need to perform the other operation. Note that the operation of disabling the other changed image parameters is an operation performed when the user thinks "I want to return to a state in which the original decision parameters are applied," and the operation of newly activating the original decision parameters is an operation performed when the user thinks "I want to newly apply image parameters that correspond to the original decision parameters." Therefore, the image processing device of the present disclosure can provide an operation system that allows users with either way of thinking to intuitively return to the original decision parameters.

[0069] In an image processing device to which the present disclosure is not applied, in such a case, it is necessary to perform both an operation to disable the other changed image parameters and an operation to enable the original determined parameters in order to restore the determined parameters to the original determined parameters. Therefore, in the medical image generating device 1 of the present disclosure, the amount of operation required to restore the originally used determined parameters to the original determined parameters by a user operation after the original determined parameters have been changed to other image parameters that are in an exclusive relationship with the original determined parameters by a user operation can be reduced and simplified compared to a case to which the present disclosure is not applied.

[0070] In an image processing device to which the present disclosure is not applied, when one of a plurality of mutually exclusive image parameters is applied, an operation to enable the other image parameter may not be accepted. Specifically, the option corresponding to the other image parameter may not be displayed or may be displayed in a grayed-out state. However, in the medical image generating device 1 of the present disclosure, this is not necessary, and the user may intuitively operate the device to apply either image parameter.

[0071] Returning to the description of Fig. 8, in step S16, the medical image generating apparatus 1 validates both the designated parameters and the currently determined parameters in step S12, which are not mutually exclusive. As a result, both the designated parameters and the currently determined parameters in step S12 are determined as the determined parameters in step S16.

[0072] [effect] In the following, the effects brought about by the processing of the medical image generating apparatus 1 described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 will be described in detail with specific examples and examples of display screens.

[0073] In the following specific example, it is assumed that the setting information is set so that a parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is enabled, a parameter Pc related to spatial compounding is enabled, and a parameter Ps related to steering scanning is disabled.

[0074] As described above, the parameter Pt relating to the trapezoidal scanning is not mutually exclusive with the parameter Pc relating to the spatial compounding method, whereas the parameter Ps relating to the steering scanning is mutually exclusive with the parameter Pt relating to the trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc relating to the spatial compounding method.

[0075] At this time, when the user starts the medical image generating device 1 (corresponding to step S1 in Figure 7), the setting information is read (corresponding to step S2 in Figure 7), and the determined parameters are parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning and parameter Pc related to spatial compounding (corresponding to step S3 in Figure 7).

[0076] 9A shows a display screen 201 when the determined parameters are a parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning and a parameter Pc related to spatial compounding. The display screen 201 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 17.

[0077] The display screen 201 includes an area for displaying ultrasound image data and a display area for indicating whether image parameters are enabled or disabled, such as "STEER OFF," "TRAPEDOTIC SCAN ON," and "COMPOND ON." With such a display screen 201, the user can see at a glance that steering scanning is disabled and trapezoidal scanning and spatial compounding are enabled in the displayed ultrasound image data.

[0078] 9A is displayed, it is assumed that the user performs an operation to enable the parameter Ps related to steering scanning on the operation input unit 11. This operation corresponds to the operation accepted in step S11 in FIG.

[0079] An example of an operation for enabling the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is an operation for selecting a display area for "STEER OFF" by operating a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel as the operation input unit 11. In addition, an operation for disabling the parameter Ps related to steering scanning may include an operation for setting the direction and size of the transmitted ultrasonic waves deflected by the steering scanning.

[0080] As described above, the parameter Ps relating to the steering scan, the parameter Pt relating to the trapezoidal scan, and the parameter Pc relating to the spatial compounding method are mutually exclusive (corresponding to the case of YES in step S12 in FIG. 8).

[0081] Therefore, in response to an operation to enable the parameter Ps related to the steering scan, the medical image generating device 1 enables the parameter Ps related to the steering scan to set it as a new determined parameter, and disables the currently determined parameters, that is, the parameter Pt related to the trapezoidal scan and the parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding method (corresponding to step S13 in FIG. 8).

[0082] 9B shows the display screen 202 when the determined parameter is the parameter Ps related to the steering scan. The display screen 202 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 17.

[0083] The display screen 202 includes an area for displaying ultrasound image data, and a display area for indicating whether image parameters are valid or invalid, such as "STEER ON", "TRAPEZOIDAL SCAN OFF", and "COMPONDING OFF". Such a display screen 202 allows the user to see at a glance that, in the displayed ultrasound image data, the parameter Ps relating to steering scan is valid, and the parameter Pt relating to trapezoidal scan and the parameter Pc relating to spatial compounding are invalid.

[0084] Assume that the diagnosis using steering scanning has ended when the display screen 202 is displayed on the display unit 17. In this case, the user wants to return the screen displayed on the display unit 17 to the display screen 201 in which the parameter Ps related to the steering scanning is invalid and the parameter Pt related to the trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc related to the spatial compounding method are valid.

[0085] In this case, the user performs an operation on the operation input unit 11 to disable parameter Ps related to steering scanning, to enable parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning, or to enable parameter Pc related to spatial compounding (corresponding to YES in step S14 in Figure 8).

[0086] An example of an operation for invalidating the parameter Ps relating to steering scanning is an operation of operating the mouse, keyboard, or touch panel as the operation input unit 11 to select a display area for "STEER ON."

[0087] Furthermore, an example of an operation for enabling the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is an operation for selecting a display area for "trapezoidal scanning OFF" by operating the mouse, keyboard, or touch panel as the operation input unit 11. Similarly, an example of an operation for enabling the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding is an operation for selecting a display area for "spatial compounding OFF" by operating the mouse, keyboard, or touch panel as the operation input unit 11.

[0088] Here, when the user performs one of the following operations, which are to disable the parameter Ps related to steering scanning, to enable the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning, or to enable the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding, the medical image generating device 1 switches the display screen displayed on the display unit 17 to a display screen 201 in which the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is disabled, and the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding are enabled.

[0089] Therefore, without the user having to perform the three operations of disabling the parameter Ps related to steering scanning, enabling the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning, and enabling the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding, by simply performing any one of the operations, the medical image generating device 1 causes the display unit 17 to display a display screen 201 including ultrasound image data in which the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is disabled, the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning is enabled, and the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding is enabled.

[0090] Therefore, when the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is the currently determined parameter, the user can set the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding, which are exclusive to the parameter Ps, as new determined parameters simply by disabling the parameter Ps related to steering scanning, without performing an operation to enable the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding. Also, the user can set the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning and the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding as new determined parameters simply by performing either the operation to enable the parameter Pt related to trapezoidal scanning or the operation to enable the parameter Pc related to spatial compounding.

[0091] Such an effect of the medical image generating device 1 of the present disclosure can be achieved by pre-determining exclusion conditions between multiple image parameters and by continuously retaining setting information indicating the initial settings regardless of the currently determined parameters.

[0092] <Modification> The above describes the medical image generating device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the setting information is information indicating whether each of the multiple image parameters is enabled or disabled as an initial state, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the setting information may include various setting values ​​used when generating ultrasound image data to which the image parameters are applied. For example, the setting information regarding the parameter Ps related to the steering scan may include information regarding the direction and angle of the transmitted ultrasound deflected in the steering scan.

[0094] The setting information may also include values ​​indicating combinations of enabled and disabled states of multiple image parameters. For example, the setting information may include four values, "OFF," "1," "2," and "3," where "OFF" indicates that both of the two image parameters are disabled, "1" indicates that one of the two image parameters is enabled and the other is disabled, "2" indicates that one image parameter is disabled and the other is enabled, and "3" indicates that both image parameters are enabled.

[0095] 9A and 9B in the above embodiment, an example is shown in which "STEER ON" is displayed when the parameter Ps related to steering scanning is valid, and "STEER OFF" is displayed when the parameter Ps is invalid. However, for example, a display may be adopted that allows the viewer to see at a glance whether the steering direction of the currently displayed ultrasound image data is left or right.

[0096] Specifically, instead of displaying "STEER ON", left and right arrows may be displayed and one of them may be highlighted so that it is possible to see at a glance whether the currently displayed ultrasound image data is the result of a rightward steering scan or a leftward steering scan. In this case, when neither the left nor right arrow is highlighted, it indicates that the parameter Ps relating to the steering function is disabled.

[0097] When such a display form is adopted, when the parameter Ps related to the steering function is disabled, the user can flick either left or right on the touch panel serving as the operation input unit 11, and the operation input unit 11 can accept whether the parameter Ps related to the steering scan in the right or left direction should be enabled.

[0098] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the operation input unit 11 is various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc., but the operation input unit of the medical image generating device of the present disclosure is not limited to these. For example, a console on which a rotation key, buttons, etc. are arranged may be provided outside the medical image generating device or independent of the medical image generating device. In addition, the touch panel as the operation input unit may be provided on one display or on multiple displays. The touch panel as the operation input unit may support gesture input or multi-touch.

[0099] Also, the console or the like may be provided with a touch pad as an operation input unit. A foot panel or a foot switch operated by a user with a foot may be provided as an operation input unit. Also, a button, a switch, a touch panel, a touch pad, or the like may be provided on the ultrasound probe side as an operation input unit of the medical image generating device.

[0100] Furthermore, a microphone may be provided as the operation input unit so that the user can input operations by voice. Also, a camera may be provided as the operation input unit so as to detect the user's line of sight and accept operation input corresponding to the line of sight, or to detect the user's gestures and accept operation input corresponding to the gestures.

[0101] The operation input unit may be connected to the medical image generating apparatus by wire or wirelessly.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the operation of selecting an image parameter to be enabled or disabled is an operation of selecting a part of a display area indicating whether the image parameter is enabled or disabled using various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel as the operation input unit 11, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the operation input unit is a touchpad, an operation of touching a specific area on the touchpad may correspond to an operation of enabling or disabling any image parameter. Also, an operation of sliding a finger to the left or right on the touchpad may be an operation of enabling a parameter related to a steering function and an operation of specifying a steering direction to the left or right.

[0103] When the operation input unit is a microphone or a camera, the image parameter may be enabled or disabled when the user specifies an image parameter to be enabled or disabled by voice, line of sight, gesture, etc. Furthermore, an operation by the user to input a direction by voice, line of sight, gesture, etc. may be an operation to enable a parameter related to the steering function and also an operation to specify either the left or right steering direction. [Industrial Applicability]

[0104] The present invention is suitable for a medical image generating device that generates and displays ultrasound image data to which at least one of a plurality of image parameters is applied. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 100 Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 1 Medical image generating device 11 Operation input section 12 Transmitter 13 Receiving section 14 Image Generation Unit 15 DSC 16 Image processing section 17 Display 18 Memory section 19 Control section 191 Decision Section 192 Application section 193 Configuration information generation unit 2 Ultrasonic probe 2a Transducer 3 Cable

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores setting information regarding whether each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal transmitted and received by an ultrasound probe is enabled or disabled; an operation input unit that receives an operation input for selecting whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of image parameters; A determination unit that determines the image parameters to be enabled when generating the ultrasound image as determined parameters based on the content of the setting indicated by the setting information, the result of the selection made by the operation input, and a predetermined exclusion condition between the plurality of image parameters; and an application unit that applies the determined parameters to control the generation of the ultrasound image; Equipped with the plurality of image parameters include a first parameter and a second parameter that are mutually exclusive according to the exclusive condition; the first parameter includes a third parameter and a fourth parameter that are not mutually exclusive by the exclusive condition; when the operation input for enabling the third parameter or the operation input for enabling the fourth parameter is received in a state in which the third parameter and the fourth parameter are set to be valid in the setting information and the determined parameter is determined to be the second parameter, the determination unit determines the determined parameter to be the third parameter and the fourth parameter instead of the second parameter. Medical imaging equipment.

2. a setting information generating unit that generates the setting information based on the determined parameters; The medical image generating apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. when the operation input for invalidating the second parameter is received in a state in which the first parameter is set to be valid in the setting information and the second parameter is determined as the determined parameter, the determination unit determines the determined parameter to be the first parameter. The medical image generating apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. the second parameter is an image parameter related to steering scanning; the third parameter is an image parameter related to a trapezoidal scan; The fourth parameter is an image parameter related to spatial compounding. The medical image generating apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. A medical image generating method executed by an ultrasound diagnostic device in which setting information is preset regarding whether each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal transmitted and received by an ultrasound probe is enabled or disabled, the method comprising: the plurality of image parameters include a first parameter and a second parameter that are mutually exclusive according to a predetermined exclusive condition between the plurality of image parameters; the first parameter includes a third parameter and a fourth parameter that are not mutually exclusive by the exclusive condition; accepting an operation input for selecting whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of image parameters; determining, as a determined parameter, the image parameter to be enabled when generating the ultrasound image, based on the content of the setting indicated by the setting information, the result of the selection made by the operation input, and the exclusion condition; applying the determined parameters to generate the ultrasound image; when determining the image parameter to be enabled as the determined parameter, if the third parameter and the fourth parameter are set to be enabled in the setting information and the determined parameter is determined to be the second parameter, and the operation input to enable the third parameter or the operation input to enable the fourth parameter is received, the determined parameter is determined to be the third parameter and the fourth parameter instead of the second parameter. Medical image generation method.

6. A program executed by a computer of an ultrasound diagnostic device in which setting information is preset regarding whether to enable or disable each of a plurality of image parameters applied when generating an ultrasound image based on an ultrasound signal transmitted and received by an ultrasound probe, the plurality of image parameters include a first parameter and a second parameter that are mutually exclusive according to a predetermined exclusive condition between the plurality of image parameters; the first parameter includes a third parameter and a fourth parameter that are not mutually exclusive by the exclusive condition; receiving an operation input for selecting whether to enable or disable each of the plurality of image parameters; a step of determining, as a determined parameter, the image parameter to be enabled when generating the ultrasound image, based on the content of the setting indicated by the setting information, the result of the selection made by the operation input, and the exclusion condition; applying the determined parameters to generate the ultrasound image; causing the computer to execute in the determining step, when determining the image parameters to be enabled as the determined parameters, if the third parameter and the fourth parameter are set to be enabled in the setting information and the determined parameter is determined to be the second parameter, and the operation input to enable the third parameter or the operation input to enable the fourth parameter is received, the determined parameters are determined to be the third parameter and the fourth parameter instead of the second parameter. program.

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