Medical image processing equipment

Abstract

To achieve efficient maintenance.SOLUTION: A medical image processing device in an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, an estimation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires a notification that is based on states of multiple substrates for achieving each of multiple functions related to medical images. The estimation unit estimates a substrate in a specific state from among the multiple substrates on the basis of the acquired notification. The output unit outputs substrate information indicating the estimated substrate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in the present specification and drawings relate to a medical image processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is known as a medical image processing apparatus for processing medical images, and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has a function for performing maintenance remotely (hereinafter referred to as a remote maintenance function).

[0003] With this remote maintenance function, for example, if a malfunction occurs in an ultrasound diagnostic device, the logs output from the ultrasound diagnostic device can be collected remotely and the collected logs (operation history) can be analyzed to determine the status of the ultrasound diagnostic device. If the status (malfunction) detected by the remote maintenance function is caused by software (programs) running on the ultrasound diagnostic device, a solution can be implemented by installing a revised version of the software to resolve the malfunction in the ultrasound diagnostic device via a network (i.e., updating the software).

[0004] In other words, as described above, the remote maintenance function enables an administrator (hereinafter referred to as a service engineer) who provides services such as maintenance to perform maintenance without visiting the medical institution (e.g., a hospital) where the ultrasound diagnostic device is installed.

[0005] On the other hand, if the failure is caused by hardware such as a component inside the ultrasound diagnostic device, the service engineer must visit the medical institution in person and identify the board on-site on which the component causing the failure is located (hereinafter referred to as the defective board). Specifically, an ultrasound diagnostic device is equipped with multiple boards to realize various functions, and the service engineer checks the condition of the ultrasound diagnostic device while replacing each board with another board (board in normal condition) that the service engineer has brought with him, and identifies the defective board depending on whether the condition of the ultrasound diagnostic device improves after replacing the board.

[0006] As mentioned above, in the case of a problem caused by software, remote maintenance is possible, but in the case of a failure caused by hardware, maintenance cannot be carried out efficiently. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-235836 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings aim to solve is: When performing remote maintenance on an ultrasound diagnostic device, To achieve efficient maintenance 。 [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, an estimation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires notifications based on the states of multiple substrates for realizing each of multiple functions related to medical images. The estimation unit estimates a substrate among the multiple substrates that is in a specific state based on the acquired notifications. The output unit outputs substrate information indicating the estimated substrate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a maintenance mode processing unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of message information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a maintenance mode processing unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a maintenance mode processing unit in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment of a medical image processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment) First, a first embodiment will be described. The medical image processing device according to this embodiment is assumed to be a medical image diagnostic device (modality) such as an ultrasound diagnostic device, a magnetic resonance imaging device (MRI device), or a computed tomography device (X-ray CT device), but in the following description, the medical image processing device will be described as an ultrasound diagnostic device.

[0012] Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 includes an ultrasonic probe 10, a transmission / reception processing unit 20, a signal processing unit 30, a digital scan converter (DSC) 40, a display processing unit 50, an input unit 60, a control unit 70, a maintenance mode processing unit 80, and a communication unit 90.

[0013] The ultrasonic probe 10 has multiple piezoelectric transducers. Each of the multiple piezoelectric transducers receives a drive signal (pulse signal) from the transmission / reception processing unit 20 via a cable and converts the drive signal into mechanical vibrations. These mechanical vibrations are transmitted as ultrasound waves (pulses) to the inside of the subject (inside the living body). The ultrasound waves transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 10 (piezoelectric transducers) propagate through the living body of the subject and are reflected successively by surfaces of discontinuity in acoustic impedance. These reflected waves (reflected echoes) reach the piezoelectric transducers inside the ultrasonic probe 10, and the mechanical vibrations based on the reflected waves are converted into electrical signals by the piezoelectric transducers. The converted electrical signals are supplied to the transmission / reception processing unit 20 as reflected wave signals (echo signals). The amplitude of the reflected wave signal depends on the difference in acoustic impedance at the surface of the discontinuity from which the ultrasound is reflected. Furthermore, when an ultrasonic pulse is reflected by the surface of a moving blood flow, heart wall, or the like, the reflected wave signal undergoes a frequency shift due to the Doppler effect, depending on the velocity component of the moving object (the blood flow, heart wall, or the like) in the direction of ultrasound transmission.

[0014] The ultrasonic probe 10 further includes a matching layer provided on the piezoelectric transducer, a backing load material that suppresses the propagation of ultrasonic waves backward from the piezoelectric transducer, and the like.

[0015] The transmission / reception processing unit 20 includes a transmission processing unit 21 and a reception processing unit 22. The transmission processing unit 21 has a rate pulse generating circuit, a transmission delay circuit, a pulser circuit, etc. The rate pulse generating circuit repeatedly generates rate pulses for forming ultrasound waves at a predetermined rate frequency. The transmission delay circuit focuses the ultrasound waves into a beam and imparts a delay time to the rate pulses that pass through the transmission delay circuit, which is necessary to determine the transmission directivity of the ultrasound waves. A voltage is applied to the pulser in accordance with the delay time imparted to the rate pulse, thereby supplying a drive signal (drive pulse) to the ultrasound probe 10 at a timing based on the rate pulse.

[0016] The reception processing unit 22 includes a preamplifier, an A / D converter, an adder, and the like. As described above, the preamplifier amplifies the reflected wave signal supplied from the ultrasound probe 10 for each channel. The A / D converter A / D converts the amplified reflected wave signal and provides the A / D converted reflected wave signal (digital signal) with a delay time required to determine the reception directivity. The adder performs an addition process on the reflected wave signals processed by the A / D converter. This addition process emphasizes the reflected components from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity of the reflected wave signal. The reflected wave signal processed by the adder is transmitted (transmitted) to the signal processing unit 30.

[0017] As described above, the transmission / reception processing unit 20 controls the transmission directivity and reception directivity in transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and repeatedly transmits and receives ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic probe 10 .

[0018] The signal processing unit 30 includes a B-mode processing unit 31 , a color mode processing unit 32 , and a Doppler mode processing unit 33 .

[0019] The B-mode processing unit 31 receives the reflected wave signal transmitted from the reception processing unit 22 and visualizes the amplitude information of the reflected wave (echo) based on the reflected wave signal. Specifically, the B-mode processing unit 31 performs band-pass filtering on the reflected wave signal, detects the envelope, and performs compression processing using logarithmic transformation on the reflected wave signal whose envelope has been detected. As a result, the B-mode processing unit 31 generates B-mode image data (ultrasound raster data) that expresses the intensity of the reflected wave signal as brightness. The B-mode image data generated by the B-mode processing unit 31 is supplied to the DSC 40.

[0020] The color mode processing unit 32 receives the reflected wave signal transmitted from the reception processing unit 22 and visualizes information about the moving blood flow based on the reflected wave signal. Specifically, the color mode processing unit 32 performs quadrature detection on the reflected wave signal and performs frequency analysis of the quadrature-detected reflected wave signal using an autocorrelation method. Through this frequency analysis, the color mode processing unit 32 calculates the average velocity value and variance value of the blood flow at each sample point. As a result, the color mode processing unit 32 generates color Doppler mode image data (color ultrasound raster data) that expresses the calculated average velocity value and variance value of the blood flow in color. The color Doppler mode image data generated by the color mode processing unit 32 is supplied to the DSC 40.

[0021] The Doppler mode processing unit 33 receives the reflected wave signal transmitted from the reception processing unit 22, extracts Doppler shift frequency components from the reflected wave signal, and performs FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) processing and the like to generate data containing blood flow information (Doppler waveform data showing changes in flow velocity values ​​over time). The Doppler waveform data generated by the Doppler mode processing unit 33 is supplied to the DSC 40.

[0022] The DSC 40 performs coordinate conversion, interpolation, and other processes to display the ultrasound beam direction data supplied from the signal processing unit 30 as an image (medical image). Specifically, the DSC 40 converts the B-mode image data transmitted from the B-mode processing unit 31 into a displayable image. The DSC 40 converts the color Doppler mode image data transmitted from the color mode processing unit 32 into a displayable image. The DSC 40 converts the Doppler waveform data transmitted from the Doppler mode processing unit 33 into a displayable image. These images are output from the DSC 40 to the display processing unit 50.

[0023] The display processing unit 50 displays on a display device the image (ultrasound diagnostic image) output from the DSC 40. As the display device, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like can be used.

[0024] The input unit 60 inputs various commands (instructions) for controlling the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 in response to operations by an operator (a user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus) on an input device such as an operation panel or a touch command screen.

[0025] The control unit 70 functions as the central part of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and controls the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as a whole.

[0026] In the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 according to this embodiment, the above-mentioned transmission processing unit 21, reception processing unit 22, B-mode processing unit 31, color mode processing unit 32, Doppler mode processing unit 33 and DSC 40 (i.e., the multiple functions related to medical images possessed by the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1) are realized by multiple boards (processing circuits) attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1.

[0027] The maintenance mode processing unit 80 has a function for remotely performing maintenance on the multiple boards (i.e., the hardware of the ultrasound diagnostic device 1) attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 as described above, and estimates which of the multiple boards is in a specific state (e.g., a failed state).

[0028] Note that some or all of the control unit 70 and maintenance mode processing unit 80 described above are realized by a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, executing a predetermined program, i.e., by software.

[0029] The communication unit 90 performs wireless communication with a terminal device 2 used by a manager (hereinafter referred to as a service engineer) who provides services such as maintenance for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. It is assumed that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is connected to the terminal device 2 via a network 3 such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate with the terminal device 2.

[0030] 2, an example of the processing procedure of the maintenance mode processing unit 80 when performing maintenance on the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 remotely (i.e., during remote maintenance) as described above will be described. Here, the description will be made assuming that there is a board in a faulty state among the multiple boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1.

[0031] As described above, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 has the function of remotely performing maintenance on multiple boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. When performing such maintenance, a service engineer can operate the terminal device 2 to instruct the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to operate in an operating mode for performing such maintenance (hereinafter referred to as the maintenance mode).

[0032] When an instruction to operate in the maintenance mode is given, the instruction is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 via the network 3 and received by the communication unit 90 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In this case, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 turns on the maintenance mode of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in response to the instruction received by the communication unit 90 (step S1).

[0033] Here, it has been explained that the maintenance mode is turned on in response to instructions from a service engineer operating the terminal device 2, but the maintenance mode may also be turned on in response to instructions from, for example, an operator operating the ultrasound diagnostic device 1.

[0034] When the processing of step S1 is executed, the service engineer operates the terminal device 2 to specify one of the multiple boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In this case, board information indicating the board specified by the service engineer is transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 via the network 3 and received by the communication unit 90 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. In this case, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 determines the board indicated by the board information received by the communication unit 90 as the target board (step S2).

[0035] As described above, the board information transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 may be any information that can identify (understand) one of the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, and may be, for example, an identification number assigned to the board, or information regarding the function realized by the board (function name).

[0036] In addition, although the description here is given assuming that the board designated by the service engineer is determined as the target board, the board determined as the target board may be a board automatically selected from multiple boards, or may be designated by the operator operating the ultrasound diagnostic device 1.

[0037] Next, when operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 realizes (step S3) a state in which the target board determined in step S2 is virtually removed from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (a state in which the board is removed). Note that the "state in which the target board is virtually removed from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1" in this embodiment is realized by software.

[0038] Here, for example, when an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 equipped with a plurality of boards is operated, a value corresponding to the operation is output from each of the plurality of boards. The values ​​output from each of the plurality of boards (hereinafter referred to as output values ​​from the boards) are held, for example, in the internal memory of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (or the control unit 70, etc.). On the other hand, for example, when an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 without a specific board is operated, no value corresponding to the operation is output from the specific board, and therefore NA (value) is held in the internal memory of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 as the output value of the board.

[0039] When the above-mentioned step S3 is executed, a plurality of boards including the target board are actually attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1, and therefore, when the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is operated, the output values ​​from each of the plurality of boards are held in the above-mentioned internal memory. For this reason, in step S3, for example, the output value from the target board among the plurality of boards held in the internal memory in this way is rewritten (converted) to NA (value), thereby realizing a state in which the target board is virtually removed.

[0040] The processing described in step S3 is an example, and in step S3, it is sufficient if processing is executed by software so that the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 (e.g., the control unit 70, etc.) recognizes that the target board is not attached.

[0041] When the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is operated as described above, the control unit 70 outputs a message based on the operation (i.e., output values ​​from the multiple boards) of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1. The message output by the control unit 70 includes, for example, a notification based on the status of the multiple boards, and is displayed on a display device by the display processing unit 50, for example.

[0042] The maintenance mode processing unit 80 acquires the message output by the control unit 70 as described above (step S4). Here, since the state in which the target substrate is virtually removed is realized in step S3, the message acquired in step S4 includes, for example, a notification regarding the state in which the target substrate has been removed (i.e., the output value from the target substrate is NA).

[0043] Here, in this embodiment, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 is assumed to have previously stored information (hereinafter referred to as message information) that is used to estimate (determine) whether or not the target board is in a faulty state based on the message (hereinafter referred to as the target message) acquired in step S4.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the message information held in the maintenance mode processing unit 80. As shown in FIG.

[0045] In this embodiment, the message information indicates a message output by the control unit 70 when each of the multiple boards is in a normal state, when all of the multiple boards are attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, and when one of the multiple boards is removed from the ultrasound diagnostic device 1.

[0046] In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the multiple boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 are boards A to E.

[0047] 3, the message information indicates that the message output by the control unit 70 is "message 1" when all of the boards A to E are attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. Note that "message 1" is a message that includes, for example, that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is operating normally (that is, the output values ​​from each of the multiple boards are normal).

[0048] The message information also indicates that the message output by the control unit 70 is "message 2" when boards B to E are attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 and board A is removed from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 (i.e., board A is not present). Note that "message 2" is a message that includes, for example, that board A has been removed (i.e., the output value from board A is NA).

[0049] Here, we have explained the message output by the control unit 70 when board A is removed, but the same applies to the messages output by the control unit 70 when the other boards B to E are removed.

[0050] Returning to Figure 2, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 obtains the message (hereinafter referred to as the comparison message) output by the control unit 70 when the target board is removed from the above-mentioned message information, and determines whether the target message matches the comparison message (step S5).

[0051] Here, the target message (the message acquired in step S4) includes a notification based on the state in which the target board is virtually removed, and if a board other than the target board is in a faulty state, the target message should include a notification based on the faulty state in addition to the fact that the target board has been removed. On the other hand, the comparison message is a message output by the control unit 70 when a board other than the target board is in a normal state, and therefore does not include a notification based on the faulty state.

[0052] In view of this, if it is determined that the target message matches the comparison message (YES in step S5), it can be assumed that the boards other than the target board are in a normal state, and therefore the maintenance mode processing unit 80 can assume that the target board is in a faulty state (i.e., the target board is a defective board) (step S6).

[0053] When the processing of step S6 is executed, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 outputs board information indicating the target board (i.e., the board estimated to be in a faulty state in step S6) as an estimation result (step S7). In this case, the board information output by the maintenance mode processing unit 80 is transmitted to the terminal device 2, for example, via the communication unit 90. By displaying the transmitted board information in this manner on the terminal device 2 (on its display), the service engineer can understand that the board indicated by the board information is in a faulty state.

[0054] The board information indicating the board that is estimated to be in a faulty state may be displayed on a display device by the display processing unit 50 provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, for example.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined that the target message does not match the comparison message (NO in step S5), the maintenance mode processing unit 80 determines that a board other than the target board is in a faulty state and terminates the processing. In this case, it is not possible to estimate (identify) the board in a faulty state (defective board). However, the service engineer can operate the terminal device 2 to specify a board other than the target board, and the processing from step S2 onwards can be repeated with the specified board as the new target board, thereby diagnosing each (state) of the multiple boards and estimating the board in a faulty state. Furthermore, if it is determined that the target message does not match the comparison message as described above, board information indicating the target board may be output as an estimation result of a board in a normal state. In other words, in this embodiment, a configuration may be used to estimate a board in a normal state.

[0056] 2 is described on the assumption that a faulty board exists among the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. However, to simply confirm whether or not a faulty board exists among the multiple boards, a message output by the control unit 70 when all of the multiple boards are attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 can be acquired as a target message, a comparison message (i.e., "message 1") when all of the multiple boards are attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 can be acquired from the message information, and a process of determining whether or not the target message matches the comparison message can be performed. In this case, if it is determined that the target message does not match the comparison message, it can be assumed that a faulty board exists among the multiple boards. On the other hand, if it is determined that the target message matches the comparison message, it can be assumed that all of the multiple boards are in a normal state. The process of confirming whether or not a faulty board exists among the multiple boards described above may be performed as a preprocessing step of the process shown in FIG. 2.

[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, messages (notifications) based on the states of multiple boards for realizing each of the multiple functions (multiple functions related to medical images) possessed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 are acquired, and a board among the multiple boards that is in a specific state (for example, a failed state) is estimated based on the acquired messages, and board information indicating the estimated board is output. Note that in this embodiment, a message based on a state in which one of the multiple boards is virtually removed is acquired as the message based on the states of the multiple boards.

[0058] In this embodiment, the above-described configuration eliminates the need for a service engineer to replace each board with another board (a board in a normal state) one by one to identify a board in a faulty state (a defective board), thereby enabling efficient maintenance (e.g., identifying the location of the fault).

[0059] In this embodiment, one of the multiple boards is designated in a terminal device 2 that is communicatively connected to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. In this embodiment, board information indicating the board estimated as described above is transmitted to the terminal device 2.

[0060] In this embodiment, with this configuration, a service engineer can, for example, identify a board that is in a faulty state without visiting the medical institution where the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is installed (i.e., remotely), and can therefore perform maintenance of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 without bringing any boards other than the faulty board to the medical institution. That is, in this embodiment, by identifying a board that is in a faulty state (i.e., the state of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1) in advance during remote maintenance, it is possible to simplify the preparation work required for maintenance and shorten the time required to repair the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the time during which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 cannot be used.

[0061] In this embodiment, an ultrasound diagnostic device has been described as an example of a medical image processing device, but the medical image processing device may be any device having multiple functions related to medical images, and may be other medical image diagnostic devices such as a magnetic resonance imaging device, a computed tomography imaging device, etc. Furthermore, the medical image processing device according to this embodiment may be an information processing device such as a workstation communicably connected to a medical image diagnostic device having multiple boards for generating (capturing) medical images.

[0062] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, detailed description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. As in the first embodiment, the medical image processing device according to this embodiment will be described as an ultrasound diagnostic device. However, since the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device is the same as in the first embodiment, the description will be made with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.

[0063] In the first embodiment described above, a board in a faulty state is estimated by virtually realizing a state in which a board attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is removed from the ultrasound diagnostic device 1. However, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a board in a faulty state is estimated by virtually realizing a state in which another board is attached in place of the board attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 (i.e., the board is virtually replaced with a normal board).

[0064] An example of the processing procedure of the maintenance mode processing unit 80 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. Here, the description will be made assuming that there is a board in a faulty state among the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1.

[0065] First, the processes of steps S11 and S12, which correspond to the processes of steps S1 and S2 shown in FIG. 2, are executed.

[0066] Next, when operating the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 realizes a state in which another board is virtually attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 in place of the target board determined in step S12 (i.e., a state in which another board is inserted) (step S13). Note that the "another board" in this embodiment refers to a board that realizes the same function as the target board and is in a normal state (i.e., a board that is not in a faulty state). In addition, the "state in which another board is virtually attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1" in this embodiment is realized by software.

[0067] Specifically, in step S13, a process is executed in which software is used to emulate (simulate) the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 when the target board is in a normal state (i.e., the operation performed by the target board in a normal state).

[0068] The processing described in step S13 is an example, and in step S13, processing may be executed by software so that the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 (e.g., the control unit 70, etc.) recognizes that the target board is in a normal state.

[0069] When the process of step S13 is executed, the output value from the target board in a normal state is realized by software, and the output value is input to the control unit .

[0070] When the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is operated as described above, the control unit 70 outputs a message based on the operation (i.e., output values ​​from the multiple boards) of the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1. The maintenance mode processing unit 80 acquires the message output by the control unit 70 (step S14).

[0071] Here, if at least one of the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 is in a faulty state (i.e., a defective board), the message acquired in step S14 includes a notification about the faulty state. Hereinafter, for convenience, a message including a notification about the faulty state will be referred to as an error message.

[0072] In this case, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 determines whether the message acquired in step S14 (hereinafter referred to as the target message) is an error message (step S15). Whether the target message is an error message may be determined by analyzing the target message (the notification included in the target message), or by comparing the target message with a prepared message (for example, a message that does not include a notification regarding the failed state of multiple boards).

[0073] Here, the target message (the message acquired in step S14) includes a notification based on a state in which another board is virtually installed in place of the target board in the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, and if a board other than the target board is in a faulty state, the target message should include a notification about the faulty state. On the other hand, if (only) the target board is in a faulty state, the target message should not include a notification about the faulty state.

[0074] In view of this, if it is determined that the target message is not an error message (NO in step S15), it can be assumed that the boards other than the target board are in a normal state, and therefore the maintenance mode processing unit 80 can assume that the target board is in a faulty state (step S16).

[0075] After the process of step S16 is executed, the process of step S17, which corresponds to the process of step S7 shown in FIG. 2, is executed.

[0076] On the other hand, if it is determined that the target message is an error message (YES in step S15), the maintenance mode processing unit 80 determines that a board other than the target board is in a faulty state and terminates the processing. In this case, it is not possible to estimate (identify) the board in a faulty state (defective board), but the service engineer can operate the terminal device 2 to specify a board other than the target board, and by repeatedly executing the processing from step S12 onwards with the specified board as the new target board, it is possible to diagnose (the state of) each of the multiple boards and estimate the board in a faulty state. Furthermore, if it is determined that the target message is an error message as described above, board information indicating the target board may be output as an estimation result of a board in a normal state.

[0077] Note that, in FIG. 4, the explanation is given on the assumption that there is a board in a faulty state among the multiple boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1. However, the processing shown in FIG. 4 may also be executed when the message output from the control unit 70 when the ultrasonic diagnostic device 1 is operated with multiple boards attached (i.e., the message output by the control unit 70 before the processing of step S13 is executed) is an error message (i.e., there is a board in a faulty state among the multiple boards).

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, a message based on the state of multiple boards is acquired, which is a message based on a state in which another board (a normal board) is virtually installed in place of one of the multiple boards, and based on the acquired message, a board among the multiple boards that is in a specific state (for example, a faulty state) is estimated, and board information indicating the estimated board is output.

[0079] In this embodiment, the above-described configuration makes it possible to achieve efficient maintenance in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0080] In the first embodiment described above, a message is acquired simply including the fact that the output value from the board is NA, but in this embodiment, a message is acquired based on a state that reproduces the operation of a normal board, so there is a possibility that a more detailed state can be grasped compared to the first embodiment. Also, this embodiment has the advantage over the first embodiment described above that it is not necessary to prepare (store) message information in advance.

[0081] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, detailed description of the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and the description will mainly focus on the parts that are different from the first and second embodiments. As in the first and second embodiments, the medical image processing device according to this embodiment will be described as an ultrasound diagnostic device. However, since the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device is the same as that in the first and second embodiments, the description will be made with reference to FIG. 1 as appropriate.

[0082] In the first and second embodiments described above, it is assumed that, for example, a service engineer repeatedly operates the terminal device 2 to diagnose each of the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1 one by one. However, this embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that all of the multiple boards are automatically diagnosed with a single operation by the service engineer.

[0083] An example of the processing procedure of the maintenance mode processing unit 80 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. Here, as in the first and second embodiments described above, it is assumed that a board in a faulty state is present among the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1.

[0084] First, the process of step S21, which corresponds to the process of step S1 shown in FIG. 2, is executed.

[0085] In the first and second embodiments described above, the service engineer operates the terminal device 2 to specify one of the multiple boards attached to the ultrasound diagnostic device 1, but in this embodiment, one of the multiple boards (first board) is automatically determined as the target board (step S22).

[0086] Next, steps S23 and S24 are executed, which correspond to steps S3 and S4 shown in Fig. 2. The message acquired in step S24 is a message including a notification based on the state in which the target board has been virtually removed, and is referred to as a first message for convenience.

[0087] Furthermore, the processes of steps S25 and S26 are executed, which correspond to the processes of steps S13 and S14 shown in Fig. 4. The message acquired in step S26 is a message including a notification based on a state in which another board is virtually installed in place of the target board, and is referred to as a second message for convenience.

[0088] After the process of step S26 is executed, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 determines whether or not the processes of steps S22 to S26 have been executed for all the boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (step S27).

[0089] If it is determined that the processing has not been performed on all substrates (NO in step S27), the processing returns to step S22 and is repeated. In this case, in step S22, a substrate (second substrate) on which the processing in steps S22 to S26 has not been performed may be determined as the target substrate.

[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined that processing has been performed on all of the substrates (YES in step S27), the maintenance mode processing unit 80 outputs a diagnosis result (report) based on the first and second messages (step S28). Although a detailed explanation will be omitted, the diagnosis result output in step S28 includes, for example, the estimation result described in the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the first estimation result) and the estimation result described in the second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the second estimation result).

[0091] Although the diagnostic result has been described here as including the first and second estimation results, the diagnostic result may also include a single estimation result obtained by taking into account the first and second estimation results.

[0092] The diagnostic result may further include (a list of) the first and second messages obtained by repeating the processing of steps S22 to S26 described above for each board. With this configuration, the service engineer can verify the validity of the estimation result included in the diagnostic result (i.e., the board estimated to be in a faulty state) by referring to the first and second messages included in the diagnostic result.

[0093] In addition, when a service engineer determines which board is in a faulty state based on the first and second messages, the diagnosis result may include only a list of the first and second messages.

[0094] As described above, in this embodiment, for example, a first notification (including a first message) based on a state in which a first board has been virtually removed and a second notification (including a second message) based on a state in which another board has been virtually installed in place of the first board are obtained, a third notification (including a first message) based on a state in which a second board has been virtually removed and a fourth notification (including a second message) based on a state in which another board has been virtually installed in place of the second board are obtained, and the board (first or second board) in a faulty state is estimated based on the first and second messages (first to fourth notifications).

[0095] In this embodiment, with this configuration, it is possible to diagnose all of the boards attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 by simply instructing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 to operate in the maintenance mode as described above (i.e., by performing a single operation), thereby improving the convenience for service engineers when performing maintenance on the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

[0096] In this embodiment, the maintenance mode is turned on in response to an operation by a service engineer, but the maintenance mode may be turned on at a predetermined timing, for example. With this configuration, remote maintenance can be performed without waiting for instructions from a service engineer.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the processing in the first embodiment (the processing in steps S23 and S24 shown in FIG. 5) and the processing in the second embodiment (the processing in steps S25 and S26 shown in FIG. 5) are described as being executed. However, this embodiment may be configured so that a service engineer can select (instruct) one of an operation mode (virtual substrate OFF mode) in which only the processing in the first embodiment is executed and an operation mode (virtual substrate insertion mode) in which only the processing in the second embodiment is executed. Note that the virtual substrate OFF mode means realizing a state in which a substrate is virtually removed, as described in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the virtual substrate insertion mode means realizing a state in which another substrate is virtually attached (inserted) in place of the substrate, as described in the second embodiment.

[0098] In this case, for example, if the virtual substrate OFF mode is selected by a service engineer, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 operates to execute the processes of steps S22 and S23 but not execute the processes of steps S25 and S26. On the other hand, for example, if the virtual substrate insertion mode is selected by a service engineer, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 operates not to execute the processes of steps S22 and S23 but executes the processes of steps S25 and S26.

[0099] This configuration allows the service engineer to select between the virtual substrate OFF mode and the virtual substrate insertion mode, making it possible to omit some of the processing shown in Figure 5, thereby reducing the processing load on the maintenance mode processing unit 80.

[0100] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, efficient maintenance can be achieved.

[0101] Although the first to third embodiments have been described as performing maintenance on a board (i.e., estimating a board in a specific state), the first to third embodiments may also be applied to, for example, performing maintenance on an external device connected to a medical image processing apparatus (e.g., ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1, etc.). In this case, the maintenance mode processing unit 80 may operate to acquire a notification (a message including a notification) based on, for example, the states of multiple external devices (e.g., a state in which one external device is virtually disconnected or a state in which another external device is virtually connected in place of the one external device), estimate which of the multiple external devices is in a specific state (e.g., a failed state), and output device information indicating the estimated external device. Note that, as the external device, for example, a printer, a DVD recorder, and a medical image management system such as a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) are assumed, but other devices connected to the medical image processing apparatus may also be used.

[0102] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...ultrasound diagnostic device (medical image processing device), 2...terminal device, 3...network, 10...ultrasound probe, 20...transmission and reception processing unit, 21...transmission processing unit, 22...reception processing unit, 30...signal processing unit, 31...B-mode processing unit, 32...color mode processing unit, 33...Doppler mode processing unit, 40...DSC, 50...display processing unit, 60...input unit, 70...control unit, 80...maintenance mode processing unit, 90...communication unit.

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires notifications based on the normal and faulty states of a plurality of boards for realizing the functions of a transmission processing unit, a reception processing unit, a B-mode processing unit, a color mode processing unit, a Doppler mode processing unit, and a DSC related to ultrasound diagnostic images; an estimation unit that estimates which of the plurality of boards is in the normal state or the faulty state based on the acquired notification; an output unit that outputs substrate information indicating the estimated substrate; a maintenance mode processing unit for remotely performing maintenance on multiple boards; A medical image processing apparatus comprising: The maintenance mode processing unit Transforming the output value of one of the plurality of substrates to realize a virtual removal state of the one substrate; and / or A medical image processing apparatus that emulates the operation of the one board when it is in a normal state, thereby realizing a state in which another board is virtually installed in place of the one board.

2. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires a notification based on a state in which one of the plurality of boards has been virtually removed.

3. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit acquires a notification based on a state in which one of the plurality of boards is virtually replaced with another board.

4. 4. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one of the plurality of boards is designated by a terminal device communicably connected to the medical image processing apparatus.

5. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the output unit transmits the board information to the terminal device.

6. the plurality of substrates include a first substrate for realizing a first function and a second substrate for realizing a second function different from the first function; the acquisition unit acquires a first notification based on a state in which a first substrate of the plurality of substrates has been virtually removed and a second notification based on a state in which another substrate has been virtually attached in place of the first substrate of the plurality of substrates, acquires a third notification based on a state in which a second substrate of the plurality of substrates has been virtually removed and a fourth notification based on a state in which another substrate has been virtually attached in place of the second substrate of the plurality of substrates, The estimation unit estimates a first or second board among the plurality of boards that is in the normal state or the faulty state based on the acquired first to fourth notifications.

2. The medical image processing device according to claim 1.

7. 7. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the output unit further outputs the first to fourth notifications.

8. the acquisition unit acquires notifications based on the states of a plurality of externally connected devices; the estimation unit estimates which of the plurality of externally connected devices is in the normal state or the faulty state; the output unit outputs device information indicating the estimated externally connected device; 8. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of externally connected devices include at least two of a printer, a DVD recorder, and a medical image management system.

9. 9. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the plurality of substrates.

10. A medical image processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 8, which is communicatively connected to a medical image diagnostic device having the multiple substrates to generate medical images.

Images