Ultrasound diagnostic device and method for controlling the ultrasound diagnostic device

Abstract

To provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which can accurately specify an examination position of a subject by an examiner while ensuring a subject's privacy.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for allowing an examiner to perform an ultrasonic examination on measurement sites of a subject, which are arranged in a bilaterally symmetrical manner, by using an ultrasound probe (1), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: the apparatus includes a gel region detection part (42) for detecting a temporal change of a gel region applied to an inspection position of a subject, and an inspection position estimation part (25) for estimating the inspection position of the subject on the basis of a position where the temporal change of the gel region is detected by the gel region detection part (42).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for examining bilaterally symmetrical regions of a subject and a method for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, ultrasound examinations of subjects have been performed by capturing ultrasound images using so-called ultrasound diagnostic devices. In particular, when examining regions located approximately symmetrically on the left and right sides of a subject, such as the subject's breasts, kidneys, and lungs, so-called body marks indicating the examination positions are often set on the ultrasound images to easily determine whether the captured ultrasound image depicts the left or right region of the subject. Furthermore, such body marks are often set manually by the examiner.

[0003] It is usually difficult to determine whether an ultrasound image depicts the left or right side of a subject by checking the ultrasound image. Therefore, if an incorrect body mark is set, it is difficult to correctly reset the body mark by checking the ultrasound image after the examination. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, techniques for automatically identifying the subject's examination region have been disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for identifying the subject's examination region by performing image processing on an image of the subject taken by an optical camera or the like to detect the position and orientation of an ultrasound probe. Patent Document 2 also discloses a technique for detecting the treatment position by monitoring the temperature of the area heated by ultrasound when performing so-called HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) treatment, which necrotizes a lesion by irradiating it with concentrated thermal energy from ultrasound. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-175007 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-049558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, since the orientation of the ultrasound probe varies depending on how the examiner holds it, even if an attempt is made to detect the ultrasound probe by image processing as disclosed in Patent Document 1, detection may fail and the examination position may not be accurately identified. Also, when capturing an optical image of the subject, for example, an optical image that captures the subject's face or the like may be acquired, which causes a problem that the subject's privacy is not ensured. Also, the technology of Patent Document 2 has a problem that it cannot be applied to normal ultrasound examinations that do not involve HIFU therapy.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that enable an examiner to accurately identify an examination position on a subject while ensuring the privacy of the subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic device that allows an examiner to perform an ultrasonic examination on measurement sites that are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of a subject by using an ultrasonic probe, and is characterized by comprising: a gel area detection unit that detects changes over time in a gel area applied to the subject's examination position; and an examination position estimation unit that estimates the subject's examination position based on the position where the change over time in the gel area is detected by the gel area detection unit.

[0008] The measurement site can be any of the breast, kidney, and lung. In addition, when gel of a temperature different from the subject's body surface temperature is applied to the examination position of the subject, the gel area detection unit can include a temperature sensor that acquires the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface, and a temporal change detection unit that detects temporal changes in the gel area applied to the subject by analyzing the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor. The time change detection unit can detect the time change of the gel region from the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor, excluding the ultrasound probe and the examiner's hand.

[0009] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may include a notification unit that notifies the examiner. A gel having a temperature higher than the subject's body surface temperature is applied to the test position of the subject, and the alarm unit can issue a warning when the temperature of the gel area acquired by the temperature sensor drops below a predetermined first temperature. The notification unit can also issue a warning when the body surface temperature of the subject acquired by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined second temperature.

[0010] The alarm unit can also issue a warning when the gel area detection unit does not detect any change in the gel area over time, even though it detects that the ultrasound probe and the examiner's hand are located near the subject based on the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor.

[0011] When a gel of a color different from the color of the subject's body surface is applied to the test position on the subject, the gel area detection unit may also include a color sensor that acquires the color distribution on the subject's body surface, and a temporal change detection unit that detects changes over time in the gel area applied to the subject by analyzing the color distribution acquired by the color sensor.

[0012] The ultrasound diagnostic device may include an ultrasound probe, an image acquisition unit that acquires ultrasound images at an examination position of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams using the ultrasound probe, and a monitor that displays the ultrasound images. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may also include a body mark setting unit that displays a body mark on the monitor based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit.

[0013] The body mark setting unit can select one of a pair of body marks representing measurement sites arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the subject based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit, and display it on the monitor. The body mark setting unit can also display on the monitor a body mark on which a probe mark is drawn based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit.

[0014] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may also include a confirmation unit that displays a dialogue on the monitor to confirm whether the body mark displayed on the monitor is correct.

[0015] The control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is a control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that allows an examiner to perform an ultrasound examination on measurement sites that are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of a subject by using an ultrasound probe, and is characterized in that it detects changes over time in a gel area that has been applied to the examination position of the subject, and estimates the examination position of the subject based on the position where the changes over time in the gel area are detected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, an ultrasound diagnostic device is an ultrasound diagnostic device that allows an examiner to perform an ultrasound examination on measurement sites that are arranged symmetrically on the left and right sides of a subject using an ultrasound probe, and is equipped with a gel area detection unit that detects changes over time in a gel area applied to the examination position of the subject, and an examination position estimation unit that estimates the examination position of the subject based on the position where the change over time in the gel area is detected by the gel area detection unit, so that the examination position of the subject by the examiner can be accurately identified while ensuring the privacy of the subject. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmission / reception circuit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image generating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a body mark representing a left breast in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a body mark representing a right breast in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the components will be given based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In this specification, a numerical range expressed using "to" means a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the lower and upper limits. In this specification, the terms "same" and "identical" include a margin of error generally accepted in the technical field.

[0019] Embodiment 1 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe 1, an apparatus main body 2 connected to the ultrasound probe 1, and a temperature sensor 3 connected to the apparatus main body 2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is used to perform ultrasound examinations on measurement sites located symmetrically on the left and right sides of a subject, such as the subject's breasts, kidneys, and lungs.

[0020] The ultrasonic probe 1 has a transducer array 11. A transmitting / receiving circuit 12 is connected to the transducer array 11.

[0021] The device main body 2 has an image generation unit 21 connected to the transmission / reception circuit 12 of the ultrasound probe 1. A display control unit 22 and a monitor 23 are connected to the image generation unit 21, in that order. The device main body 2 also has a time change detection unit 24 connected to the temperature sensor 3. An examination position estimation unit 25 and a body mark setting unit 31 are connected to the time change detection unit 24, in that order. The body mark setting unit 31 is connected to the display control unit 22. An image memory 26 is also connected to the image generation unit 21 and the body mark setting unit 31. A measurement unit 27 is also connected to the image memory 26. A measurement result memory 28 and the display control unit 22 are also connected to the measurement unit 27.

[0022] A control unit 29 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, the image generating unit 21, the display control unit 22, the time change detecting unit 24, the inspection position estimating unit 25, the image memory 26, the measuring unit 27, the measurement result memory 28, and the body mark setting unit 31. An input device 30 is also connected to the control unit 29.

[0023] Additionally, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 of the ultrasound probe 1 and the image generating unit 21 of the device main body 2 constitute an image acquiring unit 41. The temperature sensor 3 and the time change detecting unit 24 of the device main body 2 constitute a gel region detecting unit 42. Additionally, the image generating unit 21, display control unit 22, time change detecting unit 24, examination position estimating unit 25, measurement unit 27, control unit 29, and body mark setting unit 31 of the device main body 2 constitute a processor 43 for the device main body 2.

[0024] The transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally. These ultrasonic transducers transmit ultrasonic waves in accordance with drive signals supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 12, receive ultrasonic echoes from the subject, and output signals based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is configured by forming electrodes on both ends of a piezoelectric element made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic typified by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element typified by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), or a piezoelectric single crystal typified by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate).

[0025] The transmission / reception circuit 12, under the control of the control unit 29, transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11 and generates sound ray signals based on reception signals acquired by the transducer array 11. As shown in Fig. 2, the transmission / reception circuit 12 has a pulser 51 connected to the transducer array 11, an amplifier 52, an AD (Analog to Digital) converter 53, and a beamformer 54, which are connected in series from the transducer array 11 in this order.

[0026] The pulser 51 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and adjusts the delay amount of each drive signal and supplies it to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11 so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasonic transducers form an ultrasonic beam based on a transmission delay pattern selected in response to a control signal from the control unit 29. In this way, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric material expands and contracts, and pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves are generated from each ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the composite wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0027] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected by an object such as a part of the subject, and propagates toward the transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the transducer array 11 in this manner is received by each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 expands and contracts upon receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, generating a received signal which is an electrical signal, and outputs this received signal to the amplifier unit 52.

[0028] The amplifier 52 amplifies the signals input from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 and transmits the amplified signals to the AD converter 53. The AD converter 53 converts the signals transmitted from the amplifier 52 into digital reception data. The beamformer 54 performs so-called reception focusing processing by delaying and adding each piece of reception data received from the AD converter 53. This reception focusing processing causes the reception data converted by the AD converter 53 to be phased and added, and a sound ray signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed is acquired.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the image generating unit 21 has a configuration in which a signal processing unit 55, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 56, and an image processing unit 57 are connected in series.

[0030] The signal processing unit 55 corrects the sound ray signals received from the transmission / reception circuit 12 for attenuation due to distance in accordance with the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position using the sound velocity value set by the control unit 29, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding the tissue within the subject.

[0031] The DSC 56 converts (raster converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 55 into an image signal that conforms to the scanning method of a normal television signal. The image processing unit 57 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 56, and then sends the B-mode image signal to the display control unit 22 and the image memory 26. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 57 will be referred to as an ultrasound image.

[0032] Under the control of the control unit 29, the display control unit 22 performs predetermined processing on the ultrasound image etc. generated by the image generation unit 21 and displays it on the monitor . The monitor 23 performs various displays under the control of the display control unit 22. The monitor 23 may include a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

[0033] Generally, when an ultrasound image of a subject is captured by transmitting ultrasound waves from an ultrasound probe into the subject while the ultrasound probe is in contact with the subject's body surface, a so-called gel is sometimes applied to the examination position on the subject's body surface. This gel is also called ultrasound jelly, for example. The gel fills the gap between the subject's body surface and the ultrasound probe, thereby suppressing the attenuation of ultrasound between the subject's body surface and the ultrasound probe, allowing for the acquisition of clear ultrasound images. Here, the examination position refers to the position where the ultrasound probe is in contact with the subject's body surface during ultrasound examination of the subject.

[0034] When gel with a temperature different from the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to the examination position on the subject, the gel region detection unit 42 detects changes over time in the gel region where the gel is applied to the examination position on the subject. The temperature sensor 3 and the time change detection unit 24 that make up the gel region detection unit 42 are described below.

[0035] The temperature sensor 3 is a sensor device that is configured by, for example, an infrared sensor, and acquires the temperature distribution of the body surface of the subject. The temperature sensor 3 can acquire the temperature distribution of the body surface of the subject as, for example, a so-called thermo image.

[0036] The temporal change detection unit 24 detects the gel area where gel has been applied and detects changes in that gel area over time by analyzing the temperature distribution on the subject's body surface acquired by the temperature sensor 3 from a point in the past, for example, one second before the current point in time or a predetermined number of frames of the thermo image, for example, 20 frames, back to the current point in time.

[0037] The temporal change in the gel area refers to the change in the spatial distribution of the gel area over a certain period of time, such as one second or 20 frames of a thermographic image, and also includes the temporal change in the area of ​​the gel applied to the subject's body surface before and after the application of the gel.

[0038] When a gel having a temperature higher than the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to the subject, the temperature of the area to which the gel is applied increases as a result of the application of the gel. On the other hand, when a gel having a temperature lower than the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to the subject, the temperature of the area to which the gel is applied decreases as a result of the application of the gel.

[0039] Therefore, the temporal change detection unit 24 stores in advance a temperature threshold value (higher temperature threshold value) in the range of, for example, 39°C to 40°C, which is higher than the body surface temperature of a typical subject, such as 35°C to 37°C, and can detect a region having a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature threshold value as a gel region. The temporal change detection unit 24 can also store in advance a temperature threshold value (lower temperature threshold value) in the range of, for example, 32°C to 33°C, which is lower than the body surface temperature of a typical subject, such as 35°C to 37°C, and can detect a region having a temperature equal to or lower than the temperature threshold value as a gel region. In this way, the time change detection unit 24 can detect, as a gel region, a region having a temperature difference of a certain level or more on the high-temperature side or the low-temperature side relative to a general body surface temperature of a subject, such as 35°C to 37°C.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, when the tip of the ultrasound probe 1 is applied with gel and the tip of the ultrasound probe 1 comes into contact with the body surface of the subject, the gel is applied to the body surface of the subject, and the spatial distribution of the gel area on the body surface of the subject changes before and after the gel is applied to the subject. Furthermore, when gel is applied to the examination position of the subject and the ultrasound probe 1 is placed on the gel and then moved over the body surface of the subject, the gel is spread on the body surface of the subject, and the spatial distribution of the gel area changes. Therefore, the temporal change detection unit 24 can detect a temporal change in the distribution of the gel area by, for example, detecting a change in the temperature on the body surface due to the application of gel to the body surface of the subject based on the temperature distribution of the body surface of the subject acquired by the temperature sensor 3. When a gel with a temperature higher than the body surface temperature of the subject is used, the temporal change detection unit 24 is preferably configured to detect a temperature change from the body surface temperature of the subject to a higher temperature. Furthermore, when using a gel that is colder than the body surface temperature of the subject, the time change detection unit 24 preferably has a configuration that detects a temperature change from the body surface temperature of the subject to a lower temperature.

[0041] Furthermore, depending on the position where the temperature sensor 3 is placed, the temperature distribution of the ultrasound probe 1 and the temperature distribution of the examiner's hand holding the ultrasound probe 1 may be acquired overlapping with the temperature distribution of the gel region. In this case, in order to accurately detect the temperature distribution of the gel region, the temporal change detection unit 24 can detect the temporal change of the gel region by excluding the temperature distributions of the ultrasound probe 1 and the examiner's hand from the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor 3.

[0042] The examination position estimation unit 25 estimates the examination position of the subject by the examiner based on the position where the temporal change of the gel region is detected by the temporal change detection unit 24.

[0043] When the ultrasound probe 1 moves over the body surface of the subject with gel attached to the tip of the ultrasound probe 1, the gel is stretched over the body surface of the subject. Therefore, the examination position estimation unit 25 can determine that the location where the temporal change detection unit 24 detects a temporal change in the distribution of the gel region arrangement is the position immediately after the ultrasound probe 1 moved over the body surface of the subject, and estimate this as the examination position.

[0044] The body mark setting unit 31 stores a plurality of body marks in advance, determines the measurement site based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25, and displays the body mark corresponding to the determined measurement site on the monitor 23. In this case, for example, when the examination position estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25 is any position on the subject's left breast, the body mark setting unit 31 can determine that the measurement site is the subject's left breast.

[0045] Here, a body mark is a figure that resembles a part of the subject, and is generally used to indicate an examination position. Known examples of body marks include a body mark 71L that indicates the left breast of the subject, and a body mark 71R that indicates the right breast of the subject, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0046] Body mark 71L is a schematic representation of the left breast seen from the front, and has a circular breast area BR and a roughly triangular axillary area 73 that represents the axilla and extends diagonally upward from breast area BR. Breast area BR is divided into four areas: an inner upper area A, an inner lower area B, an outer upper area C, and an outer lower area D, and axillary area 73 is connected to the upper left diagonal part of outer upper area C.

[0047] The body mark 71R is a schematic representation of the right breast as seen from the front, and is a left-right inversion of the body mark 71L representing the left breast.

[0048] Based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25, the body mark setting unit 31 can select one of a pair of body marks representing measurement sites arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the subject, such as the breasts, and display it on the monitor 23.

[0049] Furthermore, the body mark setting unit 31 can also display a body mark on which a so-called probe mark indicating the examination position is drawn, on the monitor 23, based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25. Although not shown, for example, when the examination position estimation unit 25 estimates a location corresponding to the upper inner region A of the left breast as the examination position, the probe mark can be placed in the upper inner region A of the body mark 71L simulating the left breast, and the body mark 71L can be displayed on the monitor 23.

[0050] Under the control of the control unit 29, the image memory 26 stores the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 21 and the body mark set by the body mark setting unit 31 in association with each other.

[0051] As the image memory 26, for example, a recording medium such as a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an FD (Flexible Disk), an MO disk (Magneto-Optical disk), an MT (Magnetic Tape), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an SD card (Secure Digital card), or a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory) can be used.

[0052] The measurement unit 27 reads out the ultrasound image stored in the image memory 26 under the control of the control unit 29, and measures the subject at the examination position corresponding to the ultrasound image based on the read ultrasound image. The measurement unit 27 can measure the dimensions of the anatomical structure shown in the ultrasound image based on, for example, an input operation by the examiner via the input device 30.

[0053] Measurement result memory 28 stores the results of measurement by measurement unit 27 in association with the ultrasound image used for the measurement, under the control of control unit 29. As measurement result memory 28, for example, a recording medium such as a flash memory, HDD, SSD, FD, MO disk, MT, RAM, CD, DVD, SD card, or USB memory can be used.

[0054] The input device 30 accepts input operations by the examiner and sends the input information to the control unit 29. The input device 30 is configured by devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, and a touch panel that allow the examiner to perform input operations.

[0055] The processor 43, which is composed of the image generation unit 21, display control unit 22, temporal change detection unit 24, inspection position estimation unit 25, measurement unit 27, control unit 29 and body mark setting unit 31 of the device main body 2, is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, but may also be composed using an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or a combination of these.

[0056] In addition, the image generation unit 21, display control unit 22, temporal change detection unit 24, examination position estimation unit 25, measurement unit 27, control unit 29 and body mark setting unit 31 of the processor 43 can be partially or entirely integrated into a single CPU or the like.

[0057] Next, an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 6. In the following description, it is assumed that an ultrasound examination is performed on measurement sites that are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of a subject, such as the subject's breasts, kidneys, or lungs.

[0058] First, in step S1, the temperature sensor 3 continuously acquires the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface, and the image acquisition unit 41 continuously acquires ultrasound images, which are tomographic images of the subject at the examination position. While the temperature sensor 3 acquires the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface, the examiner applies gel to the subject's body surface and then places the tip of the ultrasound probe 1 on the gel, or applies gel to the tip of the ultrasound probe 1 and then places the tip of the ultrasound probe 1 in contact with the subject's body surface. The transducer array 11 of the ultrasound probe 1 transmits ultrasound beams into the subject and receives ultrasound echoes from the subject, generating received signals. The transmission / reception circuit 12 of the image acquisition unit 41 performs so-called reception focusing processing on the received signals under the control of the control unit 29 to generate sound ray signals. The sound ray signals generated by the transmission / reception circuit 12 are sent to the image generation unit 21. The image generation unit 21 generates ultrasound images using the sound ray signals sent from the transmission / reception circuit 12.

[0059] Information on the temperature distribution on the body surface of the subject, continuously acquired by the temperature sensor 3, is sent to the time change detection unit 24. Furthermore, ultrasound images continuously acquired by the image acquisition unit 41 are sent to the display control unit 22 and the image memory 26. The ultrasound images continuously sent to the display control unit 22 are displayed sequentially on the monitor 23.

[0060] Next, in step S2, the temporal change detection unit 24 detects the gel applied to the subject based on the information on the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface continuously acquired in step S1, and detects temporal changes in the gel area on the subject. In this case, the temporal change detection unit 24 analyzes the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface continuously acquired from a time point going back a predetermined time, such as one second or a predetermined number of frames of the thermo image, such as 20 frames, from the current time point, i.e., the most recent time point at which the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface was acquired in step S1, to the most recent time point, and can detect areas above a pre-stored high-temperature threshold or below a pre-stored low-temperature threshold as gel areas.

[0061] The temporal change detection unit 24 can detect, as the temporal change in the gel region, a temporal change in the distribution of the arrangement of the gel region over a predetermined period of time, such as one second or 20 frames of a thermo image.

[0062] In step S3, the examination position estimation unit 25 estimates the examination position of the subject by the examiner based on the position where the temporal change in the gel region was detected in step S2. For example, the examination position estimation unit 25 can determine that the position where the temporal change detection unit 24 detected the temporal change in the distribution of the gel region placement in step S2 is the position immediately after the ultrasound probe 1 moved on the subject's body surface, and estimate it as the examination position.

[0063] In step S4, the body mark setting unit 31 determines the measurement site based on the examination position estimated in step S3. For example, if the estimated examination position is any position on the subject's left breast, the body mark setting unit 31 can determine that the measurement site is the subject's left breast.

[0064] In this way, the measurement site can be determined accurately by automatically determining the measurement site based on the time change of the gel area through the processing of steps S1 to S4. Furthermore, since the measurement site can be determined based on the temperature distribution on the subject's body surface without acquiring an optical image of the subject, for example, it is possible to ensure the subject's privacy without acquiring an optical image of the subject's face.

[0065] In step S5, the body mark setting unit 31 sets a body mark corresponding to the measurement site determined in step S4. For example, if the measurement site is determined to be the left breast in step S4, a body mark 71L imitating the left breast shown in FIG. 4 is set.

[0066] In step S6, the ultrasound images successively acquired in step S1 are sequentially displayed on the monitor 23, and the body marks set in step S5 are displayed together with the ultrasound images sequentially displayed on the monitor 23. At this time, the body marks set in step S5 and the ultrasound images acquired with the body marks set are linked to each other and stored in the image memory 26.

[0067] By checking the ultrasound image and body mark displayed on the monitor 23, the examiner can clearly grasp the current examination position and measurement site, allowing the ultrasound examination to be carried out smoothly. Furthermore, because the body mark and ultrasound image are linked to each other and automatically stored in the image memory 26, the examiner does not need to manually link the body mark and ultrasound image to each other, for example, and the ultrasound examination can be carried out smoothly. Furthermore, after the ultrasound examination, the doctor can check the body mark, which was accurately set corresponding to the measurement site, and the ultrasound image in association with each other, thereby improving the accuracy of the diagnosis.

[0068] In step S7, the control unit 29 determines whether or not to end the ultrasound examination. For example, the control unit 29 can determine to end the ultrasound examination when an instruction to end the ultrasound examination is input by the examiner via the input device 30. Furthermore, the control unit 29 can determine to continue the ultrasound examination when an instruction to end the ultrasound examination is not input by the examiner via the input device 30.

[0069] If it is determined in step S7 that the ultrasound examination should be continued, the process returns to step S1, and the processes of steps S1 to S7 are performed again. If it is determined in step S7 that the ultrasound examination should be ended, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the flowchart in Fig. 6 ends.

[0070] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of embodiment 1, the temporal change detection unit 24 detects temporal changes in the gel region based on the temperature distribution on the body surface of the subject acquired by the temperature sensor 3, and the examination position estimation unit 25 automatically estimates the examination position of the subject by the examiner based on the detected temporal change in the gel region, so that the examination position of the subject by the examiner can be accurately identified while ensuring the privacy of the subject.

[0071] Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of embodiment 1 estimates the examination position of the subject by the examiner based on the temperature distribution on the body surface of the subject acquired by the temperature sensor 3, and therefore does not require an expensive and complicated device configuration such as an optical camera or a magnetic sensor that detects the position of the ultrasound probe 1, and can easily and accurately estimate the examination position despite the inexpensive and simple device configuration.

[0072] Although the image generating unit 21 has been described as being provided in the device main body 2, it may also be provided in the ultrasound probe 1 instead of in the device main body 2.

[0073] Furthermore, the placement position of the temperature sensor 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where the temperature distribution of the examination position and gel area on the subject's body surface can be obtained. The temperature sensor 3 can be placed, for example, near the examination table on which the subject lies during the ultrasound examination, on the ceiling of the room where the ultrasound examination is performed, or attached to the head of the examiner.

[0074] Furthermore, in order to accurately detect changes in the gel region over time even when the subject moves during the ultrasound examination, the temporal change detection unit 24 can, for example, align the subject's body with the thermoimage acquired by the temperature sensor 3 before detecting the changes in the gel region over time. In this case, the temporal change detection unit 24 can perform alignment using known techniques, such as template matching, an alignment method based on optical flow, or an alignment method that detects the boundaries of the subject's body.

[0075] 6, a measurement process by the measurement unit 27 can also be added. For example, after the ultrasound image and body mark are displayed on the monitor 23 and stored in the image memory 26 in step S6, measurement by the measurement unit 27 can be performed. In this case, the measurement unit 27 can read out the ultrasound image saved in step S6 from the image memory 26 and measure the dimensions of the anatomical structure in the ultrasound image based on the input operation of the examiner via the input device 30. The measurement results obtained by the measurement unit 27 in this way are stored in the measurement result memory 28.

[0076] Furthermore, although it has been described that the ultrasound image generated by the image generating unit 21 and the body mark set by the body mark setting unit 31 are automatically stored in the image memory 26, the image memory 26 can also store the body mark and the frozen ultrasound image when, for example, the examiner issues a so-called freeze command via the input device 30. Here, freezing and freeze display refer to pausing the display of ultrasound images that are continuously displayed as moving images on the monitor 23 and displaying the most recent frame of ultrasound image as a still image. This allows only the ultrasound image desired by the examiner to be stored in the image memory 26.

[0077] At this time, the measurement unit 27 can perform measurements on the frozen displayed ultrasound image.

[0078] 6 illustrates that the measurement site is determined while the temperature distribution and ultrasound images of the subject's body surface are continuously acquired, but the determination of the measurement site can also be triggered, for example, by an instruction to freeze given by the examiner via the input device 30. In this case, the process for determining the measurement site is not performed continuously, but is performed only when an instruction to freeze is given, thereby reducing the calculation load on the processor 43 during the ultrasound examination.

[0079] As a result, even if the processing power of the CPU constituting the processor 43 is low, it is possible to smoothly perform processes that require the processor 43, such as processes for generating and displaying ultrasound images and processes for measuring anatomical structures in ultrasound images. It is also possible to reduce the power consumption of the processor 43.

[0080] Furthermore, information on the temperature distribution on the subject's body surface acquired by the temperature sensor 3 can be stored in the image memory 26, for example, linked to the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 21. When the temperature sensor 3 acquires a thermoimage of the temperature distribution on the subject's body surface, and when a thermoimage of the subject's face is acquired, the control unit 29 can, for example, detect the subject's face in the thermoimage and exclude the image of the detected part from the entire thermoimage. In this case, the control unit 29 can also, for example, black out the subject's face in the thermoimage to make the subject's face unrecognizable. This ensures the subject's privacy.

[0081] Although not shown, the ultrasonic probe 1 may also include a gel temperature control unit that maintains the temperature of the gel applied to the body surface of the subject at the tip of the ultrasonic probe 1 within a certain range. The gel temperature control unit may include, for example, a so-called heating wire or Peltier element, and can maintain the temperature of the gel within a certain range by heating or cooling the gel. This allows, for example, the temperature of the gel area in contact with the tip of the ultrasonic probe 1 to be higher or lower than the body surface temperature of the subject, allowing the time change detection unit 24 to more reliably detect the gel area near the tip of the ultrasonic probe 1 and the examination position estimation unit 25 to more accurately estimate the examination position.

[0082] Embodiment 2 When an ultrasound examination is performed with gel applied to the body surface of the subject, the temperature of the gel area approaches the body surface temperature of the subject over time, and the gel area may become unable to be detected from the temperature distribution information acquired by the temperature sensor 3. In such a case, the ultrasound diagnostic device can issue a warning to the examiner.

[0083] Figure 7 shows the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 2 includes a device main body 2A instead of the device main body 2 in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1. The device main body 2A is the same as the device main body 2 in embodiment 1 except that a notification unit 61 and a confirmation unit 62 are added, and a control unit 29A is provided instead of the control unit 29.

[0084] In the device main body 2A, a notification unit 61 is connected to the time change detection unit 24. The notification unit 61 is connected to the display control unit 22 and the control unit 29A. Furthermore, a confirmation unit 62 is connected to the body mark setting unit 31. The display control unit 22 and the control unit 29A are connected to the confirmation unit 62. Furthermore, the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the time change detection unit 24, the examination position estimation unit 25, the measurement unit 27, the control unit 29A, the body mark setting unit 31, the notification unit 61, and the confirmation unit 62 constitute a processor 43A for the device main body 2A.

[0085] The notification unit 61 notifies the examiner, for example, by displaying a message on the monitor 23. It is considered that the temperature of the gel gradually approaches the body surface temperature of the subject while the gel is applied. Therefore, the notification unit 61 can issue a warning to the examiner, for example, when gel with a temperature higher than the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to the examination position of the subject and the temperature of the gel area acquired by the temperature sensor 3 drops below a predetermined first temperature. When the temperature of the gel area approaches the body surface temperature of the subject, it may be difficult for the time change detection unit 24 to detect the gel area. However, by checking the warning, the examiner can easily understand that the temperature of the gel area has approached the body surface temperature of the subject and can reapply gel with a temperature higher than the body surface temperature of the subject to the examination position of the subject.

[0086] Furthermore, when gel with a temperature higher than the subject's body surface temperature is applied to the test position on the subject, if the subject's body surface temperature is high due to fever or other reasons, it may be difficult for the temporal change detection unit 24 to detect the gel area. Therefore, the notification unit 61 can issue a warning, for example, when the subject's body surface temperature acquired by the temperature sensor 3 is equal to or higher than a predetermined second temperature. This allows the examiner to easily understand that the gel area cannot be detected because the subject's body surface temperature is high. In this case, the examiner can take measures such as applying gel with a temperature lower than that of the subject's body surface to the subject's body surface.

[0087] Furthermore, the notification unit 61 can issue a warning to the examiner, for example, when gel with a temperature lower than the subject's body surface temperature is applied to the examination position on the subject and the temperature of the gel area acquired by the temperature sensor 3 rises to a predetermined third temperature or higher. By checking the warning, the examiner can easily understand that the temperature of the gel area has become close to the subject's body surface temperature, and can reapply gel with a temperature lower than the subject's body surface temperature to the examination position on the subject.

[0088] The notification unit 61 can also issue a warning to the examiner when the temporal change detection unit 24 does not detect a temporal change in the gel area even though it is detected that the ultrasound probe 1 and the examiner's hand are located near the subject based on the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface acquired by the temperature sensor 3. By checking the warning, the examiner can easily understand that the temperature of the gel area has become close to the subject's body surface temperature, and can re-apply gel with a temperature higher or lower than the subject's body surface temperature to the examination position.

[0089] Furthermore, if the temperature of the gel region is close to the body surface temperature of the subject and the time-varying detection unit 24 cannot detect the gel region, the examination position estimation unit 25 cannot accurately estimate the examination position, making it difficult for the body mark setting unit 31 to correctly set a body mark corresponding to the current examination position. Therefore, the confirmation unit 62 displays a dialog on the monitor 23 to confirm whether the body mark displayed on the monitor 23 is correct, i.e., whether it corresponds to the actual examination position. Even if an incorrect body mark has been set, the examiner can reset the correct body mark by checking the dialog.

[0090] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic device of the second embodiment, when the temperature of the gel region, which was higher than the body surface temperature of the subject, drops below a predetermined first temperature; when the temperature of the gel region, which was lower than the body surface temperature of the subject, rises above a predetermined third temperature; when the body surface temperature of the subject is above a predetermined second temperature; or when the ultrasound probe 1 and the examiner's hand are detected to be near the subject but no change in the gel region over time is detected, the notification unit 61 issues a warning, allowing the examiner to take appropriate measures, such as reapplying gel to the examination position so that the change in the gel region over time is correctly detected. Furthermore, the confirmation unit 62 displays a dialog on the monitor 23 to confirm whether the body mark displayed on the monitor 23 is correct. Therefore, even if an incorrect body mark has been set, the examiner can reset the body mark to the correct one.

[0091] The confirmation unit 62 can also determine whether the examination position estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25 is near the center line that separates the left and right sides of the subject when viewed from the front, and display the dialog on the monitor 23 only if it is determined that the examination position is near the center line. In this case, the confirmation unit 62 has, for example, a distance threshold value defined for the shortest distance between the examination position and the center line, and can determine that the examination position is near the center line when the shortest distance between the examination position and the center line is equal to or less than the distance threshold value. In this way, the examiner can set an accurate body mark more reliably by confirming the dialog when the examination position is located near the center line of the subject.

[0092] Embodiment 3 Although it has been described that temporal changes in the gel region are detected based on the temperature distribution on the subject's body surface, temporal changes in the gel region can also be detected, for example, by acquiring a specific color on the subject's body surface.

[0093] Figure 8 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 3 includes a device body 2B instead of the device body 2 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1, and a color sensor 4 instead of the temperature sensor 3. Device body 2B includes a time change detection unit 24B instead of the time change detection unit 24 of device body 2 according to embodiment 1, and a control unit 29B instead of the control unit 29.

[0094] In the device main body 2B, the time change detection unit 24 is connected to the color sensor 4. The color sensor 4 and the time change detection unit 24 form a gel region detection unit 42B. The image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the time change detection unit 24B, the examination position estimation unit 25, the measurement unit 27, the control unit 29B, and the body mark setting unit 31 form a processor 43B for the device main body 2B.

[0095] The color sensor 4 is a sensor device that acquires the color distribution on the body surface of the subject. The color sensor 4 includes a so-called optical sensor that detects specific colors such as red, blue, and green, and can acquire the color distribution on the body surface by detecting reflected light from the body surface of the subject.

[0096] When a gel of a color different from the color of the subject's body surface is applied to the test position of the subject, the temporal change detection unit 24B detects the gel area on the body surface by analyzing the color distribution of the subject's body surface acquired by the color sensor 4, and detects changes over time in the detected gel area.

[0097] The temporal change detection unit 24B can detect, as gel regions, regions of a different color from the subject's body surface by referring to the color distribution acquired by the color sensor 4 between a certain time point in the past, for example, one second or a predetermined number of frames of the thermo image, for example, 20 frames, and the present time. Furthermore, the temporal change detection unit 24B can detect temporal changes in the distribution of the placement of gel regions based on the color distribution of the subject's body surface acquired by the color sensor 4.

[0098] In this way, there is no need to use, for example, an optical camera to detect changes in the gel area over time, so there is no need to obtain optical images of the subject's face, and the subject's privacy can be ensured.

[0099] The examination position estimation unit 25 estimates the examination position of the subject by the examiner based on the change over time of the gel region detected by the time change detection unit 24B. The body mark setting unit 31 determines the measurement site based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25, and automatically sets a body mark corresponding to the determined measurement position.

[0100] As described above, when estimating the examination position of a subject based on the color distribution of the subject's body surface acquired by the color sensor 4, the temporal change detection unit 24B detects the temporal change in the gel area based on the color distribution of the subject's body surface acquired by the color sensor 4, and the examination position of the subject determined by the examiner is automatically estimated by the examination position estimation unit 25 based on the detected temporal change in the gel area.Therefore, as in the case of estimating the examination position of a subject based on the temperature distribution of the subject's body surface acquired by the temperature sensor 3, the examination position of the subject determined by the examiner can be accurately identified while ensuring the subject's privacy.

[0101] Although the contents of embodiment 3 have been described as being applied to embodiment 1, they can also be similarly applied to embodiment 2. That is, in the ultrasound diagnostic device of embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 7, a color sensor 4 can be provided instead of the temperature sensor 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 Ultrasound probe, 2, 2A, 2B Device body, 3 Temperature sensor, 4 Color sensor, 11 Transducer array, 12 Transmitting / receiving circuit, 21 Image generation unit, 22 Display control unit, 23 Monitor, 24, 24B Temporal change detection unit, 25 Examination position estimation unit, 26 Image memory, 27 Measurement unit, 28 Measurement result memory, 29, 29A, 29B Control unit, 30 Input device, 31 Body mark setting unit, 41 Image acquisition unit, 42, 42B Gel area detection unit, 43, 43A, 43B Processor, 51 Pulser, 52 Amplification unit, 53 AD conversion unit, 54 Beam former, 55 Signal processing unit, 56 DSC, 57 Image processing unit, 61 Notification unit, 62 Confirmation unit, 71L, 71R Body mark, 73 Axillary region, A Inner upper region, B Inner lower region, C Upper lateral area, D Lower lateral area.

Claims

1. An ultrasound diagnostic device that allows an examiner to perform an ultrasound examination on measurement sites that are arranged symmetrically on the left and right of a subject by using an ultrasound probe, a gel having a temperature different from the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to an examination position of the subject; a temperature sensor for acquiring a temperature distribution on the body surface of the subject; a time change detection unit that detects a time change in the gel area applied to the examination position of the subject by analyzing the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor; an examination position estimation unit that estimates the examination position of the subject based on the position at which the temporal change in the gel region is detected by the temporal change detection unit; An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising:

2. 2. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the temporal change detection unit detects the temporal change of the gel region by excluding the ultrasound probe and the examiner's hand from the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a notification unit for notifying the examiner.

4. the gel having a temperature higher than the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to the test position of the subject; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the notification unit issues a warning when the temperature of the gel region acquired by the temperature sensor drops below a predetermined first temperature.

5. 5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit issues a warning when the body surface temperature of the subject acquired by the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined second temperature.

6. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the notification unit issues a warning when the time change detection unit does not detect a time change in the gel region even though it is detected that the ultrasound probe and the examiner's hand are located near the subject based on the temperature distribution acquired by the temperature sensor.

7. An ultrasound diagnostic device that allows an examiner to perform an ultrasound examination on measurement sites that are arranged symmetrically on the left and right of a subject by using an ultrasound probe, A gel of a color different from the color of the body surface of the subject is applied to the test position of the subject; a color sensor for acquiring a color distribution on the body surface of the subject; a time change detection unit that detects a time change in color of the gel area applied to the test position of the subject by analyzing the color distribution acquired by the color sensor; an examination position estimation unit that estimates the examination position of the subject based on the position at which the temporal change in the gel region is detected by the temporal change detection unit; An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising:

8. An ultrasound diagnostic device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the measurement site is one of the breast, kidney, and lung.

9. an ultrasound probe; an image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasound image of the subject at the examination position by transmitting and receiving an ultrasound beam using the ultrasound probe; a monitor for displaying the ultrasound image; The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising a body mark setting unit that displays a body mark on the monitor based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit.

11. 11. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the body mark setting unit selects one of a pair of body marks representing the measurement sites arranged symmetrically on the left and right of the subject, based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit, and displays the selected one on the monitor.

12. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the body mark setting unit displays, on the monitor, a body mark on which a probe mark is drawn based on the examination position of the subject estimated by the examination position estimation unit.

13. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a confirmation unit that displays a dialogue on the monitor to confirm whether the body mark displayed on the monitor is correct.

14. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in which an examiner performs an ultrasound examination on measurement sites arranged symmetrically on the left and right of a subject by using an ultrasound probe, comprising: a gel having a temperature different from the body surface temperature of the subject is applied to an examination position of the subject; The temperature distribution on the body surface of the subject is acquired. detecting a change over time in the gel area applied to the test position of the subject by analyzing the temperature distribution; The test position of the subject is estimated based on the position where the temporal change of the gel region is detected. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic device.

15. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in which an examiner performs an ultrasound examination on measurement sites arranged symmetrically on the left and right of a subject by using an ultrasound probe, comprising: A gel of a color different from the color of the body surface of the subject is applied to the test position of the subject; obtaining a color distribution on the body surface of the subject; analyzing the color distribution to detect a change in color over time of the gel area applied to the test location on the subject; The test position of the subject is estimated based on the position where the temporal change of the gel region is detected. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic device.

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