Ultrasound diagnostic device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device capable of performing easily necessary examination; and to provide an operation method thereof.SOLUTION: A processor 20 of an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 acquires first ultrasonic image data of the hypogastrium of an analyte, derives the size of a bladder area included in the first ultrasonic image data based on the first ultrasonic image data, determines existence of an organ other than the bladder to be examined in the hypogastrium based on the size of the bladder area, and allows a display 15 to display first information on examination of the organ, when determining that there is an organ to be examined.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic device and a method for operating the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a system that includes a urination input unit that inputs a urination signal when the subject senses the urge to urinate, a measurement data recording unit that records the amount of urine in the bladder calculated by a calculation unit and the time of measurement, as well as the time of urination corresponding to the time the urination signal was input, a urination time recording unit that records the time the subject urinates, a urination volume calculation unit that calculates the amount of urine excreted at the time of urination based on changes in the amount of urine in the bladder, and a urine leakage recording unit that detects and records urination due to leakage.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a system that performs image processing using an ultrasound scanner system with initial position guidance control and learning functions to determine the examination position and the contact pressure between the scanner and the perineum, and calculates anatomical parameters before, during, and after urination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-127971 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-334578 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily perform the necessary tests. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a processor, the processor acquiring first ultrasound image data of a lower abdominal region of a subject, and calculating, based on the first ultrasound image data, Residual urine volume in the subject's bladder Derive the above Residual urine volume Based on this, it is determined whether or not there are any organs other than the bladder that should be examined in the lower abdomen, and if it is determined that there are any organs that should be examined, first information regarding the examination of the organs is output from the output device.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for operating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a processor of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus acquiring first ultrasound image data of a lower abdominal region of a subject, and performing the following steps based on the first ultrasound image data: Residual urine volume in the subject's bladder Derive the above Residual urine volume The ultrasound diagnostic device determines whether or not there are any organs other than the bladder that should be examined in the lower abdomen based on the above, and if it determines that there are any organs that should be examined, outputs first information regarding the examination of the organs from the output device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the necessary tests can be easily performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of a transmission / reception circuit 12 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing details of the ultrasonic image generating unit 13 shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the processor 20 when a lower abdomen examination mode is set. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 15 in the process of step S12 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display 15 in the process of step S12 in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 2 and a device main body 3 connected to the ultrasonic probe 2. The ultrasonic probe 2 includes a transducer array 11A connected to the device main body 3. The configuration of the transducer array 11A is not limited, but may be any of a so-called convex transducer array, a linear transducer array, a sector transducer array, or the like.

[0011] The device main body 3 includes a transmitter / receiver circuit 12 connected to the transducer array 11A, a processor 20, a display 15 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display), and an input device 18 including devices for a user to perform input operations such as buttons, switches, a touchpad, and a touch panel. The display 15 constitutes an output device capable of outputting information.

[0012] The processor 20 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) to perform various functions; a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture; or a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute specific processing. The processor 20 may be composed of a single processor or a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). When the processor 20 is composed of multiple processors, the processors do not need to be located in the same device but may be located in different locations connected via a network. The hardware structure of the processor 20 is, more specifically, an electrical circuit composed of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0013] The processor 20 executes the program to function as an ultrasound image generation unit 13, a display control unit 14, a device control unit 17, and a transmission / reception control unit 21. The transmission / reception circuit 12 and the transmission / reception control unit 21 constitute an ultrasound image data acquisition unit 19. Information is input to the device control unit 17 from an input device 18.

[0014] The transducer array 11A of the ultrasonic probe 2 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 reception 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).

[0015] The ultrasound image data acquisition unit 19 acquires ultrasound image data by transmitting and receiving ultrasound using the transducer array 11 A. The ultrasound image data is data obtained by performing so-called beamforming processing on reception signals generated by the transducer array 11 A receiving so-called ultrasound echoes.

[0016] The transmission / reception circuit 12, under the control of the transmission / reception control unit 21, transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11A and processes signals acquired by the transducer array 11A.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the transmission / reception circuit 12 shown in Fig. 1. The transmission / reception circuit 12 has a pulser 31 connected to the transducer array 11A. The transmission / reception circuit 12 has an amplifier 32, an AD (Analog to Digital) converter 33, and a beamformer 34, all connected to the transducer array 11A.

[0018] The pulser 31 includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and adjusts the delay amount of each drive signal to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11A so that 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 transmission / reception control unit 21. In this way, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11A, 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 a composite wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0019] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected by an object to be inspected (such as an internal organ) within a subject, such as a human or animal, and propagates toward the transducer array 11A. The ultrasonic echoes propagating toward the transducer array 11A are received by the respective ultrasonic transducers that make up the transducer array 11A. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer that makes up the transducer array 11A expands and contracts upon receiving the propagating ultrasonic echoes, generating received signals that are electrical signals, and outputting these received signals to the amplifier 32.

[0020] The amplifier 32 amplifies the signals input from the respective ultrasonic transducers that make up the transducer array 11A, and transmits the amplified signals to the AD converter 33.

[0021] The AD converter 33 converts the signal transmitted from the amplifier 32 into a digital format. The beam former 34 performs so-called reception focusing processing by delaying and adding each digital reception signal received from the AD converter 33. This reception focusing processing results in the phased addition of each reception signal converted by the AD converter 33, and ultrasonic image data is acquired, which is a reception signal in which the focus of the ultrasonic echo is narrowed.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing details of the ultrasonic image generating unit 13 shown in Fig. 1. The ultrasonic image generating unit 13 has a signal processing unit 35, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 36, and an image processing unit 37. The signal processing unit 35 performs correction for attenuation due to distance in accordance with the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasonic waves on the ultrasonic image data sent from the transmission / reception circuit 12, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding tissues within the subject.

[0023] The DSC 36 converts (raster converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 35 into an image signal that conforms to the scanning method of a normal television signal.

[0024] The image processing unit 37 performs various necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 36, and then sends the B-mode image signal to the display control unit 14 in response to a command from the device control unit 17.

[0025] Under the control of the device control unit 17, the display control unit 14 performs predetermined processing on the B-mode image signal etc. generated by the ultrasound image generation unit 13 and displays it on the display 15.

[0026] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the processor 20 when performing an examination of the lower abdomen of a subject such as a human or animal (hereinafter referred to as a lower abdomen examination) using the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. An examination using the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 refers to capturing an image of the area around an organ to be examined using the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, acquiring ultrasound image data (B-mode image signals) including the organ, and storing the ultrasound image data in a recording medium within the device main body 3 or in a database on a network.

[0027] The lower abdominal examination includes a bladder examination for examining the bladder, which is one of the organs located in the lower abdomen; a prostate examination for examining the prostate, which is one of the organs located in the lower abdomen; a right kidney examination for examining the right kidney, which is one of the organs located in the lower abdomen; and a left kidney examination for examining the left kidney, which is one of the organs located in the lower abdomen. The right kidney examination and the left kidney examination are collectively referred to as kidney examinations. The ultrasound diagnostic device 1 has, for example, a lower abdominal examination mode for performing a lower abdominal examination as an operating mode. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the processor 20 when the lower abdominal examination mode is set. When examining a subject in the lower abdominal examination mode, prior to the examination, identification information (such as name) identifying the subject is input to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. In response to this input, the device control unit 17 acquires subject information corresponding to the input identification information. The subject information will be described later.

[0028] First, the device control section 17 controls the display 15 to display information prompting the user to perform a bladder examination (for example, a text message or an icon corresponding to the bladder examination) (step S1).

[0029] Following the information displayed on the display 15, the examiner, such as a doctor or nurse, uses the ultrasound probe 2 to perform a bladder examination. Here, it is assumed that ultrasound image data of the longitudinal and transverse sections of the bladder are saved as a result of the bladder examination. When the examiner finishes the bladder examination, he or she operates the input device 18 to notify the device control unit 17 of the end of the examination. When the device control unit 17 detects the end of the bladder examination, it acquires the ultrasound image data (hereinafter referred to as first ultrasound image data) recorded on the recording medium during the bladder examination (step S2). Then, the device control unit 17 analyzes the acquired first ultrasound image data and derives the size (volume) of the bladder region included in the first ultrasound image data (step S3). The size of the bladder region derived here corresponds to the amount of urine (residual urine volume) stored in the bladder.

[0030] Next, the device control unit 17 determines whether there are any organs other than the bladder that should be additionally examined in the lower abdomen (hereinafter referred to as additional organs to be examined) based on the size of the bladder area (amount of residual urine) derived in step S3 (i.e., whether there are any additional organs to be examined). In other words, the device control unit 17 determines whether it is necessary to perform at least one of a prostate examination and a kidney examination based on the size of the bladder area.

[0031] Specifically, device control unit 17 determines whether the size of the bladder region derived in step S3 is equal to or greater than threshold value TH1 (step S4). If the determination in step S4 is NO, device control unit 17 determines that there are no additional organs to be examined (neither a prostate examination nor a kidney examination is necessary), and ends the lower abdomen examination mode. If the determination in step S4 is YES, device control unit 17 determines that there are additional organs to be examined (at least one of a prostate examination and a kidney examination is necessary), and performs the processes from step S5 onwards.

[0032] In step S5, the device controller 17 acquires subject information about the subject being examined. "Acquire" here means searching or examining subject information acquired from a database and stored internally before the start of the examination, and reading the relevant subject information. The subject information is information about the subject's medical record, including disease information about the subject's disease and attribute information such as the subject's age and gender. The disease information may include information about diseases currently being treated, past diseases for which treatment has been completed, and past examination history (information about which organs were examined). Note that, depending on the subject, the subject information may not include disease information. The subject information is registered in advance in a database by a medical management system or the like installed in the facility where the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is installed. For example, as described above, the device controller 17 acquires and stores the subject information from this database before the start of the examination. This subject information may be pre-recorded in a recording medium inside the device main body 3.

[0033] After step S5, the device control unit 17 determines whether the acquired subject information includes disease information including information about a specific organ (prostate, right kidney, or left kidney) in the lower abdomen excluding the bladder (hereinafter referred to as specific organ information) (step S6). This specific organ information is, for example, information indicating that treatment for a disease of the prostate, right kidney, or left kidney is underway, information indicating that treatment for a disease of the prostate, right kidney, or left kidney has been completed, or information indicating that an examination of the prostate, right kidney, or left kidney has been performed.

[0034] If the determination in step S6 is YES, the device control unit 17 identifies the organ included in the specific organ information as an organ to be additionally examined based on the specific organ information included in the disease information (step S7). For example, if the specific organ information indicates that treatment for the prostate has ended, the prostate is identified as an organ to be additionally examined. Alternatively, if the specific organ information indicates that treatment for the right kidney is currently being performed, the right kidney is identified as an organ to be additionally examined. Note that the specific organ information may also include information indicating that surgery to remove the prostate has been performed. In this case, in step S7, the device control unit 17 may identify organs other than the organ included in the specific organ information as organs to be additionally examined.

[0035] Note that the disease information may include multiple pieces of specific organ information for different organs. For example, the disease information may include information indicating that treatment for the right kidney is underway and information indicating that treatment for a prostate disease has been completed. In this case, the device control unit 17 identifies the organs included in each of these two pieces of specific organ information as organs to be additionally examined. That is, in this case, the right kidney and the prostate are each identified as organs to be additionally examined.

[0036] If the determination in step S6 is NO, the device control section 17 determines whether or not the test standard information is registered in the database described above (step S8).

[0037] The standard examination information defines the examination contents (examination type, order, etc.) of the organs to be examined after the bladder examination in the lower abdominal examination mode, and is registered in the database in advance by a person in charge at the facility where the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is used. Note that there may be cases where the standard examination information is not registered in the database.

[0038] The standard test information may be registered for each gender of the subject. For example, standard test information for men and standard test information for women may be registered in the database. Examples of standard test information for men include first standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a prostate test, second standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a prostate test and a kidney test in this order, third standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a kidney test, or fourth standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a kidney test and a prostate test in this order. Examples of standard test information for women include fifth standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a right kidney test, sixth standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a left kidney test, or seventh standard test information specifying that a bladder test be performed followed by a right kidney test and a left kidney test in any order.

[0039] The standard examination information is set arbitrarily by a person for each facility where the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is installed, for each department where the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is used, or for each ultrasound diagnostic device 1, but is not limited to this. For example, the device control unit 17 may be configured to recognize the most frequently performed examination content from the history of past examinations performed using the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, and to register this examination content in the database as standard examination information.

[0040] If the determination in step S8 is YES, the device control unit 17 acquires standard examination information from the database (step S10). If standard examination information for women and men is registered separately, in step S10, the device control unit 17 may acquire standard examination information corresponding to the gender of the subject based on the attribute information included in the subject information. Then, the device control unit 17 identifies the organ to be additionally examined based on the acquired standard examination information (step S11).

[0041] For example, when the device control unit 17 acquires the first standard examination information, it identifies the prostate as an organ to be additionally examined. When the device control unit 17 acquires the second or fourth standard examination information, it identifies the prostate, the right kidney, and the left kidney as organs to be additionally examined. When the device control unit 17 acquires the third standard examination information, it identifies the right kidney and the left kidney as organs to be additionally examined. When the device control unit 17 acquires the fifth standard examination information, it identifies the right kidney as an organ to be additionally examined. When the device control unit 17 acquires the sixth standard examination information, it identifies the left kidney as an organ to be additionally examined. When the device control unit 17 acquires the seventh standard examination information, it identifies the right kidney and the left kidney as organs to be additionally examined.

[0042] If the determination in step S8 is NO, the device control unit 17 identifies organs to be additionally examined based on the attribute information included in the subject information acquired in step S5 (step S9). Specifically, if the gender included in the attribute information is male, the device control unit 17 identifies at least the prostate, which is an organ unique to men, as an additionally examined organ. If the gender included in the attribute information is female, the device control unit 17 identifies organs other than the prostate, which is an organ unique to men, i.e., the right kidney and left kidney, as additionally examined organs.

[0043] Step S9 is a process performed when there is no standard examination information and when information on diseases of the lower abdominal organs is not obtained from the subject information. Therefore, in this step S9, it is preferable to consider all possibilities and specify the prostate, right kidney, and left kidney as organs to be additionally examined if the subject is male, and the right kidney and left kidney as organs to be additionally examined if the subject is female.

[0044] The gender of the subject, which is attribute information of the subject, can be determined by acquiring the subject information, but can also be determined by analyzing the first ultrasound image data. For example, if the device control unit 17 detects a prostate gland in the first ultrasound image data as a result of analyzing the first ultrasound image data, it may determine that the subject is male, and if the device control unit 17 does not detect a prostate gland in the first ultrasound image data, it may determine that the subject is female. In other words, the device control unit 17 may also acquire part of the subject's attribute information based on the first ultrasound image data.

[0045] After any of steps S7, S9, and S11, the device control unit 17 controls the display 15 to display information encouraging the examination of one or more additional organs to be examined that were identified in any of these steps (step S12).

[0046] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on display 15 in the processing of step S12 in Fig. 4. Fig. 5 shows screen 150A and screen 150B. Both screens include a first display area 151 in which ultrasound image data is displayed, and a second display area in which information on candidate examinations that require examination in addition to the bladder examination (specifically, the name of the organ to be additionally examined, etc.) is displayed.

[0047] For example, when the device control unit 17 identifies the prostate as the organ to be additionally examined, the device control unit 17 causes the display 15 to display screen 150A shown in FIG. 5. When the device control unit 17 identifies the prostate, the right kidney, and the left kidney as the organs to be additionally examined, the device control unit 17 causes the display 15 to display screen 150B shown in FIG. 5. In the process of step S12, which is performed after step S11 in which multiple organs to be additionally examined are identified, the device control unit 17 causes screen 150C shown in FIG. 6 to be displayed on the display 15. In this screen 150C, information indicating the additional examinations to be performed and their order is displayed in the second display area 152. Although only text is displayed in the second display area 152, a combination of text and images such as icons or only images may be displayed.

[0048] The examiner performs at least one of a prostate examination, a right kidney examination, and a left kidney examination according to the information in the second display area 152 of the screen as shown in Fig. 5 or 6. Then, when each examination is completed, the examiner notifies the device control unit 17 of the completion. When the device control unit 17 detects that all examinations have been completed, the device control unit 17 ends the lower abdomen examination mode.

[0049] As described above, with the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, when the lower abdomen mode is set and a bladder examination is completed, the details of additional examinations to be performed are displayed in the second display area 152 of the display 15. Therefore, even an inexperienced examiner can perform all the examinations necessary for diagnosis and in the appropriate order. For example, even in cases where a nurse uses the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 to perform an examination when a doctor is not present, such as in a home nursing situation, the examiner can be informed of the examinations necessary for diagnosis and their order based on the patient's disease condition and standard examination information previously determined by the doctor, etc., allowing for appropriate examinations.

[0050] A preferred example of the operation of processor 20 will now be described.

[0051] Multiple pieces of standard test information may be registered for each size of the bladder area. For example, if the threshold TH1 is set to 50 ml (milliliters), it is assumed that standard test information J1 registered corresponding to a bladder area size range of 50 ml or more and less than 100 ml, and standard test information J2 registered corresponding to a bladder area size range of 100 ml or more, are registered in the database. The standard test information J1 and the standard test information J2 include different numbers of test types. For example, the standard test information J1 is information specifying that a bladder test will be followed by a prostate test. The standard test information J2 is information specifying that a bladder test will be followed by a prostate test and a kidney test.

[0052] In this case, if the determination in step S8 is YES, the device control unit 17 acquires the standard examination information J1 and the standard examination information J2, and identifies the organ to be examined additionally based on the size of the bladder region derived in step S3 and the acquired standard examination information J1 and J2. Specifically, if the size of the bladder region is less than 100 ml, the device control unit 17 identifies the organ to be examined additionally based on the standard examination information J1, and if the size of the bladder region is 100 ml or more, the device control unit 17 identifies the organ to be examined additionally based on the standard examination information J2. In this way, appropriate examination candidates can be proposed for each facility, each department, or each ultrasound diagnostic device 1 where the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is installed.

[0053] The standard examination information may include threshold specification information that specifies the threshold used in the determination in step S4. In this case, when the device control unit 17 transitions to the lower abdominal examination mode, it first acquires the standard examination information and sets the threshold TH1 according to the threshold specification information included in the standard examination information. In this way, the threshold TH1 can be flexibly set for each facility, department, or ultrasound diagnostic device 1 where the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is installed. As a result, it is possible to propose appropriate examination candidates for each facility, department, or device.

[0054] Assume that multiple organs to be examined are identified in steps S7 and S9. In this case, in the subsequent step S12, the device control unit 17 may control the display 15 to display information urging the user to examine the multiple organs to be examined in order, starting with the organ closest to the bladder. With this configuration, the examinations can be performed in order according to the information displayed on the display 15, thereby enabling the examination of the organs to be examined efficiently. For example, since the bladder and the prostate are located close to each other, if the device control unit 17 identifies a prostate examination and a kidney examination as the organs to be examined in order, starting with the prostate examination, which is closest to the bladder, the device control unit 17 can smoothly switch from the bladder examination to the prostate examination.

[0055] Assume that multiple organs to be additionally examined are identified in step S7. In this case, in the subsequent step S12, the device control unit 17 may display information on the display 15 urging the user to prioritize the examination of organs for which the subject is receiving treatment over organs for which the subject is not receiving treatment. In this way, organs with a high risk of disease can be examined preferentially.

[0056] Assume that in step S7, an organ under treatment is identified as an organ to be examined for additional testing. In this case, in the subsequent step S12, the device control unit 17 may display information encouraging the examination of the organ to be examined for additional testing in a format that allows the examiner to recognize that the examination is for an organ related to the disease being treated. Specifically, the name of the organ to be examined for additional testing may be highlighted, or text information or an icon associated with the name of the organ to be examined may be added to indicate that the organ is being treated. This allows the examiner to easily recognize that the examination is for an organ related to the subject's current disease, allowing for appropriate measures, such as paying more attention to the examination of that organ.

[0057] Assume that multiple organs to be additionally examined are identified in step S11, and the standard examination information does not specify a particular order of examinations. In this case, in the subsequent step S12, the device control unit 17 may acquire information about the department in which the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is used, determine the priority of the examinations based on this information, and display information indicating the priority on the display 15.

[0058] For example, if the prostate and kidneys are identified as organs to be additionally examined in step S11, and the clinical department is a nephrology department, the device control unit 17 causes the display 15 to display information urging the examiner to examine the kidneys before the prostate, taking into account examination efficiency. On the other hand, if the clinical department is a pediatric department, the device control unit 17 causes the display 15 to display information urging the examiner to examine the prostate, which is closer to the bladder, before the kidneys, taking examination efficiency into consideration. The device control unit 17 can acquire information about the clinical department by including it in the subject information, for example. This can improve examination efficiency and assist in appropriate diagnosis.

[0059] Assume that in step S12, information urging the examiner to perform only a prostate examination is displayed on the display 15. In this case, after the subsequent prostate examination is completed, the device control unit 17 acquires ultrasound image data saved in the prostate examination. The device control unit 17 then analyzes the acquired ultrasound image data and determines, based on the analysis results, whether or not there is an additional organ in the lower abdomen that requires examination. If the device control unit 17 determines that there is an additional organ that requires examination, it may control the display 15 to display information urging the examiner to perform the examination of that organ. Specifically, if the device control unit 17 recognizes, as a result of analyzing the ultrasound image data, that there is an abnormality in the prostate (the size of the prostate is equal to or greater than a threshold (prostatic hyperplasia) and / or there is a malignant tumor in the prostate), it controls the display 15 to display information urging the examiner to perform additional right and left kidney examinations. Because prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer can cause hydronephrosis, notifying the examiner to perform additional kidney examinations enables more accurate diagnoses.

[0060] After step S12, when the examination of the additional examination target organ is completed, the device control unit 17 may control the display 15 not to display the additional examination target organ for which the examination has been completed, or may display the additional examination target organ for which the examination has been completed in the second display area 152 of the screen of the display 15 in a manner that makes it clear that the examination has been completed. For example, when the prostate examination is completed after the screen 150C shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, the device control unit 17 displays an icon 153 indicating that the examination has been completed next to the text "1. Prostate" that was displayed in the second display area 152, as shown in screen 150D of FIG. 6. Alternatively, the display color of this text may be lighter and grayed out. This allows the required examination type to be confirmed even after the examination has progressed, compared to when the examination candidate is no longer displayed upon completion of the examination. As a result, if a reexamination of the examination candidate organ is desired, the organ can be easily identified.

[0061] When the bladder examination and at least one of the prostate examination, right kidney examination, and left kidney examination are completed, the device control unit 17 may analyze the ultrasound image data saved from the completed examination, generate finding information based on the analysis results, and control the display 15 to display this finding information.

[0062] For example, the device control unit 17 may analyze ultrasound image data stored from a bladder examination to determine the presence or absence of bladder abnormalities such as bladder stones, bladder tumors, trabeculation, sediment, blood clots, and stones, or the presence or absence of abdominal gas, and include the determination result in the finding information. If the device control unit 17 determines that abdominal gas is present, the device control unit 17 may include in the finding information information information indicating that the analysis results are affected by gas or information urging the user to perform a retest when gas is not present. Furthermore, the device control unit 17 may analyze ultrasound image data stored from a bladder examination to determine the amount of prostate protrusion into the trigone of the bladder, and include the determination result in the finding information.

[0063] Furthermore, the device control unit 17 may analyze the ultrasound image data stored in the prostate examination to estimate the prostate volume, and include the estimation result and information on the severity based on the estimation result in the finding information. For example, the finding information may include a content such as "The prostate volume is 100 ml, and severe prostatic hyperplasia is suspected."

[0064] The device control unit 17 may also analyze ultrasound image data stored in a kidney examination, determine the grade of hydronephrosis based on the degree of urine retention in the kidney, and include the determination result in the findings information. For example, the findings information may include a content such as "urine retention equivalent to grade 1 in the left kidney and grade 3 in the right kidney is observed."

[0065] Furthermore, the device control unit 17 may compare the ultrasound image data stored in the right kidney examination with the ultrasound image data stored in the left kidney examination, and include the comparison result in the finding information. For example, the finding information may include a content such as "urinary retention is more pronounced in the right kidney than in the left kidney."

[0066] Furthermore, the device control unit 17 analyzes the ultrasound image data stored from the kidney examination to determine whether or not there is a hyperechoic area (a stone area) inside the kidney or a hypoechoic area below the hyperechoic area (an area where ultrasound is blocked by a stone and is not visualized). When the device control unit 17 detects a hyperechoic area and / or a hypoechoic area, the device control unit 17 may include information indicating that appropriate ultrasound image data has not been acquired in the finding information. For example, the finding information may include a statement such as "strong echoes accompanied by acoustic shadows were observed in the kidney, and hydronephrosis cannot be determined."

[0067] As shown on screen 150D in FIG. 6, the device control unit 17 may display an icon 153 corresponding to the examined organ each time an examination is completed. The device control unit 17 may analyze the ultrasound image data saved from the examination to determine whether reimaging (reexamination) is necessary. If it determines that reimaging is necessary, the device control unit 17 may display information to help determine whether reimaging is necessary, corresponding to the organ. For example, when the icon 153 is selected, a sentence such as "The echo is blocked by the pubic bone, and the right end of the prostate is not visualized" may be displayed. When the icon 153 is displayed corresponding to the right or left kidney, a sentence such as "The area from the renal pelvis and calyx to the ureter of the kidney is not within the imaging range" may be displayed. The device control unit 17 may also display an icon indicating that, for example, a bladder examination has been completed in the second display area 152. In this case, when the icon is selected, a sentence such as "Gas is detected in the abdominal cavity, and visualization of the organ is unclear" may be displayed. In this way, by displaying the information that is used to determine whether re-imaging is necessary on the display 15, the necessity of re-imaging can be recognized before the finding information is generated, and the examination can be carried out efficiently.

[0068] After the process of step S12, when the device control unit 17 receives an instruction from the examiner via the input device 18 to end the lower abdominal examination mode, if any of the identified additional organs to be examined have not yet been examined, the device control unit 17 may control the display 15 to display warning information urging the examiner to examine the incomplete organ. The device control unit 17 does not need to display the warning information for all of the incomplete organs. If at least one of the additional organs to be examined identified in step S7 has not yet been examined, which is related to the disease the subject is being treated for, the device control unit 17 may display the warning information urging the examiner to perform that examination. This prevents the lower abdominal examination from being terminated without performing an examination that may be necessary for diagnosis, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, even if the examination cannot be completed due to the subject's position, the warning information can suggest to the examiner to change the subject's position and perform the examination, preventing the examination from being left unperformed.

[0069] In the above description, the device control unit 17 controls the display 15 to display information encouraging the examination of additional organs to be examined, but a speaker may be provided instead of or in addition to the display 15, and the device control unit 17 may control the output of the information from the speaker. As a modified example, the device control unit 17 may transmit the information to an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal that can be connected to the device main body 3 by wire or wirelessly, and control the output of the information from an output device such as a display or speaker of the electronic device.

[0070] The overall configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 described so far can be modified in various ways. For example, a first configuration may be used in which the transmission / reception circuit 12 is included in the ultrasound probe 2. Alternatively, a second configuration may be used in which the transmission / reception circuit 12 and the ultrasound image generation unit 13 are included in the ultrasound probe 2. In the second configuration, the device main body 3 may not be a dedicated device, but may be a general-purpose device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal. In either of these configurations, the connection between the ultrasound probe 2 and the device main body 3 is not limited to a wired connection, and may be a wireless connection.

[0071] As explained above, this specification describes at least the following:

[0072] (1) An ultrasound diagnostic device having a processor, The processor is acquiring first ultrasound image data of the subject's lower abdomen; deriving a size of a bladder region included in the first ultrasound image data based on the first ultrasound image data; determining whether or not there are any organs other than the bladder to be examined in the lower abdomen based on the size of the bladder region; An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that, when it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, outputs first information relating to the examination of the organ from an output device.

[0073] (2) The ultrasound diagnostic device according to (1), The processor is acquiring subject information relating to the subject; If it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, a first organ to be examined among the organs in the lower abdomen is identified based on the subject information; an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that outputs information prompting the examination of the first organ from the output device as the first information.

[0074] (3) The ultrasound diagnostic device according to (2), The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein when the subject information includes information about a disease related to a specific organ in the lower abdomen other than the bladder, the processor identifies at least the specific organ as the first organ.

[0075] (4) The ultrasound diagnostic device according to (2) or (3), The ultrasound diagnostic device wherein, when a plurality of first organs are present, the processor outputs, as the first information, information encouraging preferential examination of an organ closest to the bladder.

[0076] (5) An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4), The processor is Obtain standard examination information that defines the examination contents for the organs that should be examined after the bladder examination, an ultrasound diagnostic device that identifies the first organ based on the standard examination information when information on a disease relating to an organ in the lower abdomen other than the bladder cannot be obtained from the subject information.

[0077] (6) (5) The ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present invention, The processor outputs, when there are multiple first organs, information as the first information that prompts the multiple first organs to be examined in an order based on information about the department in which the ultrasound diagnostic device is used.

[0078] (7) The ultrasound diagnostic device according to (5) or (6), The processor is Obtain multiple pieces of standard test information above, If the size of the bladder region is equal to or larger than a threshold value, it is determined that there is an organ other than the bladder that should be examined in the lower abdomen; When it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, the ultrasound diagnostic device identifies the first organ based on the size of the bladder region and the plurality of pieces of standard examination information.

[0079] (8) The ultrasound diagnostic device according to (5) or (6), The processor is If the size of the bladder region is equal to or larger than a threshold value, it is determined that there is an organ other than the bladder that should be examined in the lower abdomen; The ultrasound diagnostic device changes the threshold value based on the standard examination information.

[0080] (9) An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of (5) to (8), The processor is When the disease information cannot be acquired and the standard examination information cannot be acquired, the ultrasound diagnostic device identifies the first organ based on the first ultrasound image data or attribute information of the subject included in the subject information.

[0081] (10) An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of (1) to (9), the output device is a display; The ultrasound diagnostic device wherein, after displaying the first information on the display, if an examination of the organ to be examined is performed, the processor displays the first information distinguishably between organs for which examination has been completed and organs that have not yet been examined.

[0082] (11) An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of (1) to (10), The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein after outputting the first information, if an examination of the organ to be examined is performed, the processor analyzes ultrasound image data obtained in the examination and causes the output device to output information based on the results of the analysis.

[0083] (12) An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of (1) to (11), The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein after outputting the first information, if the examination of the organ to be examined is incomplete, the processor causes the output device to output information prompting the examination.

[0084] (13) An ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of (1) to (12), an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein after outputting the first information, if examinations of all of the organs to be examined have been performed, the processor generates finding information based on the first ultrasound image data and the ultrasound image data obtained by the examination, and outputs the finding information from the output device.

[0085] (14) The processor of the ultrasound diagnostic device acquiring first ultrasound image data of the subject's lower abdomen; deriving a size of a bladder region included in the first ultrasound image data based on the first ultrasound image data; determining whether or not there are any organs other than the bladder to be examined in the lower abdomen based on the size of the bladder region; A method for operating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, comprising the steps of: when it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, causing an output device to output first information relating to the examination of the organ. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Ultrasound diagnostic equipment 2 Ultrasound probes 3. Device body 11A Transducer Array 12 Transmitting and receiving circuit 13 Ultrasound image generation unit 14 Display control unit 15 Display 17 Device control section 18 Input Devices 19 Ultrasound image data acquisition unit 20 processors 21 Transmission and reception control section 31 Parsa 32 Amplification section 33 AD conversion section 34 Beamformer 35 Signal Processing Section 36 DSC 37 Image processing section 150A,150B,150C,150D screen 151 1st display area 152 2nd display area 153 icons

Claims

1. An ultrasound diagnostic device having a processor, The processor: acquiring first ultrasound image data of the subject's lower abdomen; deriving a residual urine volume in the bladder of the subject based on the first ultrasound image data; determining whether or not there are any organs other than the bladder to be examined in the lower abdomen based on the amount of residual urine; An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that, when it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, outputs first information related to the examination of the organ from an output device.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, The processor: acquiring subject information relating to the subject; If it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, a first organ to be examined among the organs in the lower abdomen is identified based on the subject information; an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that outputs, as the first information, information that prompts the examination of the first organ from the output device;

3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, When the subject information includes information about a disease related to a specific organ in the lower abdomen other than the bladder, the processor identifies at least the specific organ as the first organ.

4. 4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, The ultrasound diagnostic device, wherein the processor outputs, when a plurality of first organs are present, information encouraging the examination of organs closest to the bladder as the first information.

5. 5. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, The processor: Obtain standard examination information that defines the examination contents for the organs that should be examined after the bladder examination, When information on a disease relating to an organ in the lower abdomen other than the bladder cannot be acquired from the subject information, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus identifies the first organ based on the standard examination information.

6. 6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, When there are multiple first organs, the processor outputs, as the first information, information that prompts the user to examine the multiple first organs in an order based on information about the department in which the ultrasound diagnostic device is used.

7. 7. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, The processor: Acquire a plurality of pieces of standard test information; If the residual urine volume is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that there is an organ other than the bladder that should be examined in the lower abdomen; When it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, the ultrasound diagnostic device identifies the first organ based on the residual urine volume and the plurality of pieces of standard test information.

8. 7. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, The processor: If the residual urine volume is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that there is an organ other than the bladder that should be examined in the lower abdomen; The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus changes the threshold value based on the standard examination information.

9. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, The processor: When the disease information cannot be obtained and the standard examination information cannot be obtained, the ultrasound diagnostic device identifies the first organ based on the first ultrasound image data or attribute information of the subject included in the subject information.

10. 10. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, the output device is a display; The ultrasound diagnostic device wherein, after displaying the first information on the display, if an examination of the organ to be examined is performed, the processor displays the first information distinguishably between organs for which examination has been completed and organs that have not yet been examined.

11. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An ultrasound diagnostic device in which, after outputting the first information, if an examination of the organ to be examined is performed, the processor analyzes ultrasound image data obtained in the examination and outputs information based on the results of the analysis from the output device.

12. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein, after outputting the first information, if the examination of the organ to be examined is incomplete, the processor causes the output device to output information prompting the examination.

13. 13. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, an ultrasound diagnostic device, wherein after outputting the first information, if examinations of all of the organs to be examined have been performed, the processor generates finding information based on the first ultrasound image data and the ultrasound image data obtained by the examination, and outputs the finding information from the output device.

14. The processor of the ultrasound diagnostic device acquiring first ultrasound image data of the subject's lower abdomen; deriving a residual urine volume in the bladder of the subject based on the first ultrasound image data; determining whether or not there are any organs other than the bladder to be examined in the lower abdomen based on the amount of residual urine; A method for operating an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, comprising: when it is determined that there is an organ to be examined, causing an output device to output first information relating to the examination of the organ.

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