Ultrasound diagnostic device and control method for ultrasound diagnostic device

Abstract

To provide a control method of an ultrasonic diagnostic device enabling a user to diagnose easily and accurately, and to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes a detection object detection part (24) for detecting at least one detection object imaged on an ultrasonogram, and a region-of-interest setting part (26) for setting a region of interest including a part of the detection object only to the part of the detection object in multiple detection objects, when the multiple detection objects are detected by the detection object detection part (24).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for setting a region of interest in an ultrasonic image and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an ultrasonic image representing a tomogram in a subject has been acquired using a so-called ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a diagnosis of the subject has been made by a user such as a doctor based on the acquired ultrasonic image. In order for the user to smoothly perform such an examination of the subject, a technique for automatically detecting an object such as an organ of the subject shown in the ultrasonic image is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a detection target is automatically detected by a machine learning model that has previously learned a large number of ultrasonic images of a detection target in a subject.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when automatically detecting a detection target as disclosed in Patent Document 1, depending on the ultrasonic image on which the detection process is performed, for example, in the short-axis image of feces and an empty rectum, a plurality of detection targets that should not be depicted together in the ultrasonic image may be detected together. In this case, a user such as a doctor cannot accurately grasp the detection target in the ultrasonic image, and it may be difficult to easily and accurately perform a diagnosis regarding the detection target.

[0005] Incidentally, based on ultrasound images, the so-called maxIMT, which is the thickest IMT (Intima-Media Thickness), can sometimes be measured. When plaque is present in a blood vessel, maxIMT is usually measured by measuring the IMT at the site where the plaque is located. For example, when attempting to automatically detect the maxIMT measurement location using a technology such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, both plaque and non-plaque areas (areas without plaque) were sometimes detected. In such cases, where areas other than the appropriate measurement location are detected, users may not be able to determine the correct measurement location, making it difficult to perform subsequent diagnoses easily and accurately.

[0006] This invention was made to solve the problems of the past, and aims to provide an ultrasound diagnostic device and a control method for the ultrasound diagnostic device that can perform diagnoses easily and accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above objective can be achieved with the following configuration. [1] A detection unit that detects at least one detection target captured in an ultrasound image, When the detection target detection unit detects multiple detection targets, the region of interest setting unit sets a region of interest that includes only some of the detection targets among the multiple detection targets. An ultrasound diagnostic device equipped with the following features. [2] The system includes a precision calculation unit that calculates the precision of at least one detection target detected by the detection target detection unit, The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to [1], wherein the region of interest setting unit determines some of the detection targets from a plurality of detection targets based on the accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit. [3] An input device that accepts user input operations, A weighting unit that weights the accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit based on user input operations via an input device. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus described in [2], comprising: [4] An ultrasound diagnostic device as described in any of [1] to [3], wherein the multiple detection targets are the rectum and feces. [5] An ultrasound diagnostic device as described in any of [1] to [3], wherein the multiple detection targets are the prostate and the uterus. [6] The ultrasound diagnostic device described in any of [1] to [3], wherein the multiple detection targets are plaque and non-plaque areas of blood vessels. [7] Equipped with a measurement unit that measures the intima-media thickness of blood vessels based on ultrasound images, The area of ​​interest setting unit sets an area of ​​interest for either a plaqued area or a non-plaqued area. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus described in [6], wherein the measurement unit measures the thickness of the intima-media complex of either the plaque or non-plaque area for which the region of interest has been set by the region of interest setting unit. [8] Ultrasound probe and, An image acquisition unit that acquires ultrasound images using an ultrasound probe, and An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of [1] to [7], comprising: [9] Detect at least one target object captured in the ultrasound image, When multiple targets are detected, a region of interest is set for only some of the targets, including those targets. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a detection target detection unit that detects at least one detection target captured in an ultrasound image, and a region of interest setting unit that, when multiple detection targets are detected by the detection target detection unit, sets a region of interest that includes only some of the detection targets among the multiple detection targets. Therefore, the user can perform a diagnosis easily and accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the transmission / reception circuit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image generation unit in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing the contour line of the detection target. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the image area including the detection target. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic image in which both feces and the empty rectum are detected. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of a region of interest set for feces shown in the ultrasonic image. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. The description of the constituent elements described below is made based on representative embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. In this specification, a numerical range represented by "~" means a range including the numerical values described before and after "~" as the lower limit value and the upper limit value. In this specification, "identical" and "the same" are assumed to include an error range generally acceptable in the technical field.

[0011] Embodiment 1 The configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1 and a device main body 2 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1.

[0012] The ultrasonic probe 1 has a transducer array 11. A transmitting and receiving circuit 12 is connected to the transducer array 11.

[0013] The main unit 2 of the device has an image generation unit 21 connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 1. The display control unit 22 and the monitor 23 are sequentially connected to the image generation unit 21. The detection target detection unit 24, the accuracy calculation unit 25 and the region of interest setting unit 26 are also sequentially connected to the image generation unit 21. The region of interest setting unit 26 is connected to the display control unit 22. The main unit control unit 27 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the detection target detection unit 24, the accuracy calculation unit 25 and the region of interest setting unit 26. The input device 28 is connected to the main unit control unit 27.

[0014] Furthermore, the image acquisition unit 31 is composed of the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 and the image generation unit 21. In addition, the processor 32 for the main unit 2 is composed of the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the detection target detection unit 24, the accuracy calculation unit 25, the region of interest setting unit 26, and the main unit control unit 27.

[0015] The transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1 has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in one or two dimensions. Each of these ultrasonic transducers transmits ultrasound according to a drive signal supplied from the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, and also receives ultrasonic echoes from the subject and outputs a signal based on the ultrasonic echoes. Each ultrasonic transducer is constructed by forming electrodes at both ends of a piezoelectric body made of, for example, a piezoelectric ceramic represented by PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), a polymer piezoelectric element represented by PVDF (Poly Vinylidene Di Fluoride), or a piezoelectric single crystal represented by PMN-PT (Lead Magnesium Niobate-Lead Titanate).

[0016] The transmitting / receiving circuit 12 transmits ultrasonic waves from the transducer array 11 and generates a sound line signal based on the received signal acquired by the transducer array 11, under the control of the main unit control 27. As shown in Figure 2, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 includes a pulser 41 connected to the transducer array 11, and an amplifier 42, an AD (Analog to Digital) converter 43, and a beamformer 44 connected sequentially in series from the transducer array 11.

[0017] The pulser 41 includes, for example, multiple pulse generators, and based on a transmission delay pattern selected according to a control signal from the main unit control 27, it supplies each drive signal to the multiple ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, adjusting the delay amount, so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the transducers form an ultrasonic beam. In this way, when a pulsed or continuous wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasonic transducers of the transducer array 11, the piezoelectric material expands and contracts, generating pulsed or continuous wave ultrasonic waves from each ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic beam is formed from the combined wave of these ultrasonic waves.

[0018] The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected from a target, such as a part of the subject, and propagates toward the transducer array 11 of the ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic echo propagating toward the transducer array 11 is received by each ultrasonic transducer that makes up the transducer array 11. At this time, each ultrasonic transducer that makes up the transducer array 11 expands and contracts upon receiving the propagating ultrasonic echo, generating a received signal which is an electrical signal, and outputs these received signals to the amplification unit 42.

[0019] The amplification unit 42 amplifies the signals input from each ultrasonic transducer constituting the transducer array 11 and transmits the amplified signals to the AD conversion unit 43. The AD conversion unit 43 converts the signals transmitted from the amplification unit 42 into digital received data. The beamformer 44 performs so-called receive focus processing by adding each received data received from the AD conversion unit 43 with a corresponding delay. Through this receive focus processing, each received data converted by the AD conversion unit 43 is phase-corrected and added together, and a sound ray signal with a focused ultrasonic echo is obtained.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the image generation unit 21 has a configuration in which a signal processing unit 45, a DSC (Digital Scan Converter) 46, and an image processing unit 47 are connected in series in sequence.

[0021] The signal processing unit 45 receives the sound line signal from the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, corrects for attenuation due to distance according to the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position using the sound velocity value set by the main unit control unit 27, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information of the tissue within the subject.

[0022] The DSC46 converts the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing unit 45 into an image signal that follows the scanning method of a normal television signal (raster conversion). The image processing unit 47 performs various necessary image processing, such as gradation processing, on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC 46, and then sends the B-mode image signal to the display control unit 22 and the detection target detection unit 24. Hereafter, the B-mode image signal processed by the image processing unit 47 will be referred to as an ultrasonic image.

[0023] The display control unit 22, under the control of the main unit control unit 27, performs predetermined processing on the ultrasound image etc. generated by the image generation unit 21 and displays it on the monitor 23. The monitor 23 displays various information under the control of the display control unit 22. The monitor 23 may include, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display).

[0024] The detection target detection unit 24 detects at least one detection target captured in the ultrasound image by analyzing the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 21. The detection target detection unit 24 stores, for example, multiple template images for each of multiple detection targets, and can detect the detection target by searching within the ultrasound image using a so-called template matching method with these multiple template images.

[0025] Furthermore, the detection target detection unit 24 has a machine learning model that has learned from a large number of ultrasound images in which each of multiple detection targets is visible, and can use this machine learning model to detect detection targets that appear in ultrasound images. In this case, the detection target detection unit 24 can output intermediate numerical data, commonly called features in the field of machine learning, for each detection target.

[0026] The detection target detection unit 24 can output the contour line C of the detection target A in the ultrasound image U as a detection result, for example, as shown in Figure 4.

[0027] Instead of outputting the contour line C of the target A as the detection result, the detection target detection unit 24 can also output a rectangular image region B containing the target A as the detection result, as shown in Figure 5, for example. In this case, in order to accurately determine the position of the target A in the depth direction, it is preferable that the length of the image region B in the depth direction is at least 1 and less than 2 times the length of the target A in the depth direction.

[0028] The accuracy calculation unit 25 calculates the accuracy of at least one detection target A detected by the detection target detection unit 24. Here, the accuracy of detection target A refers to an index that represents the degree of certainty of the detection result regarding detection target A, and can be calculated as a numerical value, for example. When the detection target detection unit 24 detects detection target A by template matching, the accuracy calculation unit 25 can calculate the accuracy of detection target A by, for example, the similarity between the portion of the ultrasound image U that is judged to represent detection target A and the template image. When the detection target detection unit 24 detects detection target A by a machine learning model, the accuracy calculation unit 25 can also calculate the accuracy of detection target A by, for example, the feature quantities output from the detection target detection unit 24 for each detection target A.

[0029] Incidentally, when detecting target A automatically, depending on the ultrasound image used for detection processing, multiple targets A that should not be depicted together in the ultrasound image, such as stool and a short-axis view of an empty rectum, may be detected together. In this case, users such as doctors may not be able to accurately identify target A in the ultrasound image, making it difficult to easily and accurately diagnose target A. Here, a short-axis view of the rectum refers to a cross-sectional view of the rectum along a direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of the rectum's course.

[0030] When the detection target detection unit 24 detects multiple detection targets A, the region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest that includes only some of the detection targets A, in order to allow users such as doctors to accurately understand the detection targets A.

[0031] The region of interest setting unit 26, for example, when the detection target detection unit 24 detects both stool A1 and an empty rectum A2 as detection target A, as shown in Figure 6, refers to the accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit 25 for stool A1 and rectum A2 respectively, and sets the region of interest R as shown in Figure 7 for the detection target A with the higher accuracy. In Figure 7, a rectangular region of interest R is set that includes only stool A1 among stool A1 and rectum A2.

[0032] When the detection target detection unit 24 outputs the contour line C of the detection target A, the region of interest setting unit 26 can set a region of interest R by, for example, setting a rectangular region that includes and circumscribes the contour line C, and then, while keeping the position of the centroid of the rectangular region fixed, enlarging the rectangular region by a magnification of 1x or more and less than 2x, for example, 1.2x.

[0033] Furthermore, the region of interest setting unit 26 can set the image region B containing the detection target A as the region of interest R when the detection target detection unit 24 outputs an image region B containing the detection target A instead of the contour line C of the detection target A.

[0034] In this way, the region of interest R set by the region of interest setting unit 26 can be displayed on the monitor 23, for example, by a closed frame line representing the edge of the region of interest R. By checking the region of interest R displayed on the monitor 23, the user, such as a physician, can confirm the detection target A that appears in the ultrasound image U.

[0035] The main unit control unit 27 controls each part of the main unit 2 and the ultrasonic probe 1 according to a pre-recorded program or the like. The input device 28 receives input operations from the inspector and sends the input information to the main unit control unit 27. The input device 28 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touchpad, and touch panel, or other devices for the inspector to perform input operations.

[0036] The processor 32, which includes an image generation unit 21, a display control unit 22, a detection target detection unit 24, an accuracy calculation unit 25, a region of interest setting unit 26, and a main unit control unit 27, is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes. However, it may also be composed of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or other ICs (Integrated Circuits), or a combination thereof.

[0037] Furthermore, the image generation unit 21, display control unit 22, detection target detection unit 24, accuracy calculation unit 25, region of interest setting unit 26, and main unit control unit 27 of the processor 32 can also be partially or entirely integrated into a single CPU or the like.

[0038] Next, an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 1 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 8.

[0039] First, in step S1, the image acquisition unit 31 acquires an ultrasound image U. At this time, the transducer array 11 of the ultrasound probe 1 transmits an ultrasound beam into the subject and an ultrasound echo is received from within the subject, generating a received signal. The transmitting / receiving circuit 12 of the image acquisition unit 31 performs a so-called received focus process on the received signal under the control of the main unit control 27 to generate an acoustic ray signal. The acoustic ray signal generated by the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 is sent to the image generation unit 21. The image generation unit 21 generates an ultrasound image U using the acoustic ray signal sent from the transmitting / receiving circuit 12.

[0040] Next, in step S2, the detection target detection unit 24 detects the detection target A that appears in the ultrasound image U by analyzing the ultrasound image U acquired in step S1. At this time, the detection target detection unit 24 can detect the detection target A by a template matching method, or it can detect the detection target A by a machine learning model that has been trained on a large number of ultrasound images U in which the detection target A appears.

[0041] In step S3, the main control unit 27 determines whether multiple detection targets A were detected in step S2. As shown in Figure 6, if it is determined in step S3 that multiple detection targets A, such as stool A1 and rectum A2, have been detected, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0042] In step S4, the accuracy calculation unit 25 calculates the accuracy of the multiple detection targets A detected in step S2. When detection targets A are detected by template matching in step S2, the accuracy calculation unit 25 can calculate the accuracy of detection target A by, for example, the similarity between the portion of the ultrasound image U that is determined to represent detection target A and the template image. Alternatively, when detection targets A are detected by a machine learning model in step S2, the accuracy calculation unit 25 can also calculate the accuracy of detection target A by, for example, the feature quantities output for each detection target A from the detection target detection unit 24.

[0043] In step S5, the region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest R for some of the multiple detection targets A detected in step S2. For example, if stool A1 and rectum A2 are detected as detection targets A in step S2 as shown in Figure 6, the region of interest setting unit 26 can refer to the accuracy calculated for stool A1 and rectum A2 respectively in step S3 and set a region of interest R for the detection target A with the higher accuracy among stool A1 and rectum A2. For example, if the accuracy of stool A1 is higher than the accuracy of rectum A2, the region of interest setting unit 26 can set a region of interest R for stool A1 as shown in Figure 7.

[0044] The region of interest R set in step S5 is sent to the display control unit 22 and can be displayed on the monitor 23, for example, by a closed frame representing the edge of the region of interest R.

[0045] In this way, the region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest R for only some of the multiple detection targets A detected in step S2. In particular, even if multiple detection targets A that should not normally appear together in the ultrasound image U, such as the short-axis view of stool A1 and rectum A2, are detected in step S2, the user can easily and accurately identify the detection targets A that appear in the ultrasound image U by checking the region of interest R.

[0046] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S3 that only one detection target A was detected in step S2, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest R for the one detection target A detected in step S2. The region of interest R set in step S6 can be displayed on the monitor 23 in the same way as the region of interest R set in step S5.

[0047] Once step S5 or step S6 is completed, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device shown in Figure 8 is complete.

[0048] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the detection target detection unit 24 detects at least one detection target A captured in the ultrasound image U, and the region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest R that includes only some of the detection targets A when multiple detection targets A are detected by the detection target detection unit 24. Therefore, users such as doctors can accurately grasp the detection targets A shown in the ultrasound image U and easily and accurately perform a diagnosis regarding the detection targets A.

[0049] Although it is explained that the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 is provided in the ultrasonic probe 1, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 may also be provided in the main body of the device 2. Furthermore, although it is explained that the image generation unit 21 is provided in the main body 2 of the device, the image generation unit 21 may also be provided in the ultrasonic probe 1.

[0050] Furthermore, the main unit 2 of the device may be a so-called stationary type, a portable type that is easy to carry, or a so-called handheld type, which may consist of a smartphone or tablet computer, for example. Thus, the type of equipment that makes up the main unit 2 is not particularly limited.

[0051] Furthermore, the main unit 2 of the device may also include an image memory (not shown) for storing the ultrasound images U generated by the image generation unit 21 for each examination. In this case, for example, based on user instructions via the input device 28, the processing of steps S2 to S6 in the flowchart of Figure 8 can be performed on ultrasound images U acquired in past examinations and stored in the image memory.

[0052] Furthermore, the main unit 2 of the device may also include an image input unit (not shown) for inputting an ultrasound image U from an external device (not shown). In this case, for example, based on user instructions via the input device 28, the ultrasound image U input from the external device via the image input unit can be processed according to steps S2 to S6 in the flowchart of Figure 8.

[0053] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the region of interest R set by the region of interest setting unit 26 is rectangular, it is not limited to a rectangle and can have any shape such as a circle or polygon.

[0054] Furthermore, while it has been explained that the region of interest R is displayed on the monitor 23 by a closed frame representing the edge of the region of interest R, the display method of the region of interest R is not particularly limited. For example, only a portion of the line representing the edge of the region of interest R may be displayed. For instance, if the region of interest R has a rectangular shape, only the four corner portions of the line representing the edge of the rectangle may be displayed.

[0055] Furthermore, the detection target detection unit 24 can also detect target A using a machine learning model constructed with a machine learning library known as TensorFlow or Keras. When detecting target A using such a machine learning model, the detection target detection unit 24 can also output a probability for each target A. In this case, the probability calculation unit 25 can send the probability output by the detection target detection unit 24 directly to the region of interest setting unit 26 without having to recalculate the probability again.

[0056] Furthermore, while feces A1 and rectum A2 are given as examples of multiple detection targets A detected by the detection target detection unit 24, the types of detection targets A are not particularly limited to these.

[0057] For example, the prostate and uterus are examples of multiple detection targets A detected by the detection target detection unit 24. Normally, the prostate is an organ located in the male body, and the uterus is an organ located in the female body, so the prostate and uterus do not appear together in the ultrasound image U. Even if both the prostate and the uterus are detected by the detection target detection unit 24, the region of interest setting unit 26 can set a region of interest R for either the prostate or the uterus based on the accuracy calculated by, for example, the accuracy calculation unit 25. By checking the set region of interest R, users such as doctors can accurately understand the type and location of the detection target A and easily and accurately diagnose the subject.

[0058] Here, an example is described in which the region of interest setting unit 26 sets the region of interest R for only one of the two detection targets A detected by the detection target detection unit 24. However, it is also possible to set the region of interest R for only some of the three or more detection targets A detected by the detection target detection unit 24.

[0059] For example, in this case, examples of multiple detection targets A detected by the detection target detection unit 24 include so-called plaques that occur within blood vessels and non-plaque areas within blood vessels where plaque does not occur. Generally, based on ultrasound images, the so-called maxIMT, which is the thickest IMT (Intima-Media Thickness), is sometimes measured. If plaque is present in the blood vessel, maxIMT is usually measured by measuring the IMT of the area where plaque is present. Multiple plaques and multiple non-plaque areas may appear together in the ultrasound image U. In this case, if multiple plaques and multiple non-plaque areas are detected, it may be difficult for the user to determine the appropriate measurement location.

[0060] The region of interest setting unit 26 can, for example, set a region of interest R for only certain plaques among the multiple detection targets A, which consist of multiple plaques and multiple non-plaque areas, when the detection target detection unit 24 detects multiple detection targets A. This allows the user to easily determine, for example, the appropriate measurement position for maxIMT, and to perform subsequent measurements and diagnoses easily and accurately.

[0061] Embodiment 2 The accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit 25 based on user input operations via the input device 28 can also be weighted.

[0062] Figure 9 shows the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 2 is equipped with a device body 2A in place of the device body 2 shown in Figure 1. The device body 2A is equipped with a weighting unit 51 in addition to the device body 2 in Embodiment 2, and a main unit control unit 27A in place of the main unit control unit 27.

[0063] In the main unit 2A of the device, a weighting unit 51 is connected to the accuracy calculation unit 25. The region of interest setting unit 26 and the main unit control unit 27A are connected to the weighting unit 51. Furthermore, the image generation unit 21, display control unit 22, detection target detection unit 24, accuracy calculation unit 25, region of interest setting unit 26, main unit control unit 27A, and weighting unit 51 constitute the processor 32A for the main unit 2A of the device.

[0064] The weighting unit 51 weights the accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit 25 based on the user's input operation via the input device 28. For example, if the user inputs information via the input device 28 indicating that a specific detection target A should be detected preferentially, the weighting unit 51 weights the accuracy of the specific detection target A input by the user so that it is greater than the original accuracy. More specifically, if the accuracy is calculated numerically, the weighting unit 51 can weight the accuracy of the specific detection target A input by the user by adding a predetermined positive number or by multiplying it by a predetermined number greater than 1.

[0065] As described above, in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 2, the weighting unit 51 weights the accuracy calculated by the accuracy calculation unit 25 based on the user's input operation via the input device 28, making it easier for the user to set the region of interest R to the detection target A that they want to detect as a priority. As a result, even if the detection accuracy for the detection target A decreases for some reason, such as when the clarity of the ultrasound image U is low, the user can easily identify the target A.

[0066] Furthermore, the weighting unit 51 can also weight the accuracy of a specific detection target A based on information about the subject input by the user via the input device 28. For example, if the user inputs the gender of the subject, the weighting unit 51 can weight the accuracy of the prostate if the input gender is male, and weight the accuracy of the uterus if the input gender is female. This allows for a more accurate setting of the region of interest R for the detection target A shown in the ultrasound image U.

[0067] Embodiment 3 If the detection target A detected by the detection target detection unit 24 is a plaque or non-plaque area of ​​a blood vessel, the IMT can also be automatically measured for the detected plaque or non-plaque area.

[0068] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 3. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 3 is equipped with a device body 2B in place of the device body 2 shown in Figure 1 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1. In the device body 2B, the accuracy calculation unit 25 is removed from the device body 2 of Embodiment 1, a measurement unit 52 is added, and a main unit control unit 27B is equipped in place of the main unit control unit 27.

[0069] In the main unit 2B of the device, the measurement unit 52 is connected to the image generation unit 21 and the region of interest setting unit 26. The display control unit 22 and the main unit control unit 27B are connected to the measurement unit 52. The image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the detection target detection unit 24, the region of interest setting unit 26, the main unit control unit 27B, and the measurement unit 52 constitute the processor 32B for the main unit 2B of the device.

[0070] The detection target detection unit 24 performs a process to detect plaque and non-plaque areas of blood vessels as detection target A.

[0071] The region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest R for either plaque or non-plaque areas of a blood vessel, according to the detection result of the detection target detection unit 24. In this case, the region of interest setting unit 26 can, for example, set a region of interest R for the detected plaque if plaque is detected by the detection target detection unit 24, and set a region of interest R for the detected non-plaque areas if only non-plaque areas are detected instead of plaque by the detection target detection unit 24. This allows the region of interest R to be automatically set to a location suitable for measuring the maxIMT of a blood vessel, for example.

[0072] The measurement unit 52 automatically measures the IMT of either the area of ​​the blood vessel where the plaque is located or the non-plaque area, based on the ultrasound image U, with the region of interest R set by the region of interest setting unit 26. The IMT measurement results from the measurement unit 52 are sent to the display control unit 22 and displayed on the monitor 23, for example, as a numerical value. This allows the user to easily check the max IMT of the blood vessel.

[0073] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 3, the region of interest setting unit 26 sets a region of interest R for either the plaque or non-plaque area of ​​a blood vessel according to the detection result in the detection target detection unit 24, and the measurement unit 52 automatically measures the IMT of either the area of ​​the blood vessel where the plaque, for which the region of interest R has been set by the region of interest setting unit 26, is located, or the non-plaque area, based on the ultrasound image U. Therefore, the user can easily confirm, for example, the max IMT of the blood vessel and easily perform a diagnosis of the subject.

[0074] Furthermore, in addition to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1 shown in Figure 1 and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 9, a measurement unit 52 can also be provided on the main body 2 and 2A of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, as in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 3. Even when the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has such an apparatus configuration, similar to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 3, the measurement unit 52 automatically measures the IMT of either the blood vessel area where the region of interest R is located and the non-plaque area, based on the ultrasound image U, as defined by the region of interest setting unit 26. Therefore, the user can easily confirm, for example, the maxIMT of the blood vessel and easily diagnose the subject. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Ultrasound probe, 2,2A,2B Main unit, 11 Transducer array, 12 Transmit / receive circuit, 21 Image generation unit, 22 Display control unit, 23 Monitor, 24 Detection target detection unit, 25 Accuracy calculation unit, 26 Region of interest setting unit, 27,27A,27B Main unit control unit, 28 Input device, 31 Image acquisition unit, 32,32A,32B Processor, 41 Pulsar, 42 Amplifier unit, 43 AD conversion unit, 44 Beamformer, 45 Signal processing unit, 46 DSC, 47 Image processing unit, 51 Weighting unit, 52 Measurement unit, A Detection target, A1 Stool, A2 Rectum, B Image region, C Contour line, R Region of interest, U Ultrasound image.

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects at least one detection target captured in an ultrasound image, A certainty calculation unit that calculates the certainty of at least one detection target detected by the detection target detection unit, When the detection target detection unit detects multiple detection targets, the weighting unit assigns different weights to each of the accuracy levels calculated by the accuracy calculation unit for the multiple detection targets based on the information of the subject. When the detection target detection unit detects multiple detection targets, the region of interest setting unit sets a region of interest that includes only some of the detection targets, based on the accuracy of the multiple detection targets after weighting by the weighting unit. An ultrasound diagnostic device equipped with the following features.

2. Equipped with an input device that accepts user input operations, The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subject information is input by the user via the input device.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of detection targets are the rectum and feces.

4. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of detection targets are the prostate and the uterus.

5. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of detection targets are plaque and non-plaque areas of blood vessels.

6. The system includes a measurement unit that measures the thickness of the intima-media complex of blood vessels based on the aforementioned ultrasound image, The area of ​​interest setting unit sets the area of ​​interest for either the plaque or the non-plaque area, The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the measurement unit measures the thickness of one of the intima-media composite regions of the plaque and the non-plaque region, for which the region of interest has been set by the region of interest setting unit.

7. Ultrasound probe and An image acquisition unit that acquires the ultrasound image using the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

8. Detect at least one target object captured in the ultrasound image, If multiple targets are detected, The accuracy of the multiple detection targets is calculated, Based on the information of the subject, different weights are assigned to the accuracy of each of the multiple detection targets. Based on the multiple probabilities after weighting, a region of interest is set for only some of the detection targets among the multiple detection targets, including those targets. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic device.

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