Ultrasound diagnostic device and control method for ultrasound diagnostic device

Abstract

To provide a control method of an ultrasonic diagnostic device that enables a user to check a detection result easily without displaying a detailed detection result of feces on a screen, and to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic device.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: an ultrasonic probe (1); an image acquisition unit (31) for acquiring an ultrasonic image of a subject using the ultrasonic probe (1); a monitor (23) for displaying the ultrasonic image; a feces detection unit (24) for detecting feces from the ultrasonic image; a selection button displayed on the monitor (23), by which a user selects whether or not to display a detection result by the feces detection unit (24); and a display control unit (22) for displaying the selection button on the monitor (23) by a display mode according to the detection result by the feces detection unit (24).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for detecting a specific object from an ultrasonic image and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an examination of feces present in a subject has been performed using a so-called ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. At this time, a user of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, such as a doctor, often determines the presence or absence of feces in the subject and the properties of the feces by checking the ultrasonic image. However, usually, a user requires a certain level of proficiency to check the ultrasonic image to determine the presence or absence of feces and the properties of the feces. Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technique for automatically detecting feces in a subject and evaluating the properties of the detected feces has been developed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since detailed detection results of feces are always displayed, for some users, the display of detailed detection results may interfere with the examination.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control method for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that allow a user to easily confirm detection results without displaying detailed detection results of feces on a screen.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The above objective can be achieved with the following configuration. [1] Ultrasound probe and An image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasound image of a subject using an ultrasound probe, A monitor that displays ultrasound images, A stool detection unit that detects stool from ultrasound images, A selection button allows the user to choose whether or not to display the detection results from the stool detection unit on the monitor, A display control unit that displays selection buttons on the monitor in a display manner corresponding to the detection result by the stool detection unit. An ultrasound diagnostic device equipped with the following features. [2] Equipped with a stool properties determination unit that determines the properties of the stool detected by the stool detection unit, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to [1], wherein the display control unit changes the display mode of the selection buttons according to the characteristics of the stool determined by the stool characteristics determination unit. [3] The stool detection unit detects the presence or absence of stool in the deep region of the high-intensity area on the ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the display control unit changes the display mode of the selection button according to the presence or absence of stool in the deeper region detected by the stool detection unit. [4] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to [3], wherein the display control unit changes the range of change in the display mode of the selection button according to the range of presence of stool in the deep region detected by the stool detection unit. [5] The display control unit displays the area where stool is present, as detected by the stool detection unit, on the monitor with a frame. This is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4]. [6] The display control unit displays on the monitor that no stool has been detected when the stool detection unit does not detect stool, as described in any of [1] to [5]. [7] A control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasound probe, an image acquisition unit, a monitor, a stool detection unit, a selection button, and a display control unit, The image acquisition unit uses an ultrasound probe to acquire an ultrasound image of the subject. Display the ultrasound image on the monitor. The stool detection unit detects stool from the ultrasound image. The display control unit displays a selection button on the monitor, allowing the user to choose whether or not to display the stool detection results, in a display mode corresponding to the stool detection results. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnostic device comprising an ultrasound probe, an image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasound image of a subject using the ultrasound probe, a monitor that displays the ultrasound image, a stool detection unit that detects stool from the ultrasound image, a selection button that is displayed on the monitor and allows the user to select whether or not to display the detection result by the stool detection unit, and a display control unit that displays the selection button on the monitor in a display mode corresponding to the detection result by the stool detection unit. As a result, the user can easily confirm the detection result without displaying detailed stool detection results on the screen. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [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 transmitting and receiving 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 figure shows an example of a selection button when the detection process is not activated in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a selection button in Embodiment 1 of the present invention when no stool is detected. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a selection button when stool is detected in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 8]This is a diagram showing an example of a selection button when feces are detected in a modification of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing an example of a selection button when feces are detected in another modification of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] 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 typical 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" shall include the generally acceptable error range in the technical field.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe 1 and a device main body 2 connected to the ultrasonic probe 1. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is used to examine feces present in a subject.

[0011] The ultrasonic probe 1 has a transducer array 11. A transmission / reception circuit 12 is connected to the transducer array 11.

[0012] The main body of the device 2 has an image generation unit 21 connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 of the ultrasonic probe 1. A display control unit 22 and a monitor 23 are sequentially connected to the image generation unit 21. A stool detection unit 24 is also connected to the image generation unit 21. The stool detection unit 24 is connected to the display control unit 22. The main body of the device 2 also has a selection button generation unit 25. The selection button generation unit 25 is connected to the display control unit 22. A main body control unit 26 is connected to the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the stool detection unit 24, and the selection button generation unit 25. An input device 27 is connected to the main body control unit 26. The image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the stool detection unit 24, the selection button generation unit 25, and the main body control unit 26 constitute a processor 32 for the main body of the device 2.

[0013] 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).

[0014] 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 26. As shown in Figure 2, the transmitting / receiving circuit 12 has 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.

[0015] 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 26, 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] The signal processing unit 45 receives the sound line signal from the transmitting / receiving circuit 12, applies a sound velocity value set by the main unit control unit 26 to correct for attenuation due to distance according to the depth of the ultrasonic reflection position, and then performs envelope detection processing to generate a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information of the tissue within the subject.

[0020] 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 grayscale 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 stool detection unit 24. Hereafter, the B-mode image signal processed by the image processing unit 47 will be referred to as the ultrasonic image.

[0021] The main unit control unit 26 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 27 receives input operations from the user and sends the input information to the main unit control unit 26. The input device 27 is composed of, for example, devices for the user to perform input operations, such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touchpad, and touch panel.

[0022] The stool detection unit 24 performs the process of detecting stool in the subject that is visible in the ultrasound image by analyzing the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit 21. The stool detection unit 24 can store multiple template images related to stool in the subject, for example, and can detect stool by a so-called template matching method, which searches the ultrasound image using multiple template images. The stool detection unit 24 can also detect stool from the ultrasound image using a so-called machine learning model that has been trained on a large number of ultrasound images showing stool in the subject, for example.

[0023] The selection button generation unit 25 generates selection buttons, which are a user interface that is displayed on the monitor 23 and allows the user to select via the input device 27 whether or not to activate the stool detection unit 24 and whether or not to display the stool detection result by the stool detection unit 24 on the monitor 23.

[0024] The display control unit 22, under the control of the main unit control unit 26, performs predetermined processing on the ultrasound image etc. generated by the image generation unit 21 and displays it on the monitor 23.

[0025] Furthermore, the display control unit 22, under the control of the main unit control unit 26, displays the selection buttons generated by the selection button generation unit 25 on the monitor 23. The display control unit 22 can display the selection button B1 for activating the stool detection unit 24 on the monitor 23 together with the ultrasonic image U generated by the image generation unit 21, as shown in Figure 4, for example. In the example in Figure 4, the selection button B1 with the text "Detect" is placed on the monitor 23. When the user selects the selection button B1 via the input device 27, the stool detection unit 24 can start the process of detecting stool from the ultrasonic image U.

[0026] Furthermore, when the stool detection unit 24 is performing the process of detecting stool, the display control unit 22 displays selection buttons on the monitor 23 in a display mode corresponding to the detection result by the stool detection unit 24.

[0027] If the stool detection unit 24 does not detect stool, the display control unit 22 can display a selection button B2 with the text "Display Results" on the monitor 23, for example, as shown in Figure 5. When the user selects selection button B2 via the input device 27, the display control unit 22 can display a message on the monitor 23 indicating that no stool has been detected. In this case, the display control unit 22 can remove the message indicating that no stool has been detected from the monitor 23, triggered by the user selecting selection button B2 again. Furthermore, if the stool detection unit 24 does not detect stool, the display control unit 22 may choose not to display any information regarding the detection results on the monitor 23 even if selection button B1 is selected.

[0028] Furthermore, when stool is detected by the stool detection unit 24, the display control unit 22 can display selection button B3 on the monitor 23 in a different display manner than selection button B2 when stool is not detected, as shown in Figure 6, for example. The different display manner includes, for example, a different color, shape, size, border, and blinking state than selection button B2. When the user selects selection button B3 via the input device 27, the display control unit 22 can display the detection result of the stool detection unit 24 on the monitor 23, for example, by enclosing the area where stool A exists in the ultrasound image U with a border L1. At this time, the display control unit 22 can delete the border L1 from the monitor 23, triggered by the user selecting selection button B3 again. The border L1 can be composed of, for example, multiple curved lines enclosing the area where stool A exists, as shown in Figure 6, or it can be composed of a closed line. The shape of the border L1 is not particularly limited.

[0029] In this way, the user can easily understand the detection result of stool A by the stool detection unit 24 by checking the display of selection button B2 or B3, and can easily check the detection result of stool A in detail by selecting selection button B2 or B3.

[0030] 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).

[0031] The processor 32, which includes an image generation unit 21, a display control unit 22, a stool detection unit 24, a selection button generation unit 25, and a main unit control unit 26, 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.

[0032] Furthermore, the image generation unit 21, display control unit 22, stool detection unit 24, selection button generation unit 25, and main unit control unit 26 of the processor 32 can be partially or entirely integrated into a single CPU or the like.

[0033] Next, an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to the embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 7.

[0034] First, in step S1, with the user placing the ultrasound probe 1 on the subject's body surface, the image acquisition unit 31 acquires an ultrasound image U of the subject's large intestine. 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 33 performs a so-called received focus processing on the received signal under the control of the main unit control 26 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.

[0035] In this process, the display control unit 22 displays the acquired ultrasonic image U and the selection button B1, which is a user interface for activating the stool detection unit 24, on the monitor 23, for example, as shown in Figure 4.

[0036] Next, the main control unit 26 determines whether or not the user has given an instruction to detect feces A. The main control unit 26 can determine that the user has given an instruction to detect feces A if, for example, the selection button B1 displayed on the monitor 23 is selected by the user via the input device 27. The main control unit 26 can also determine that the user has not given an instruction to detect feces A if, for example, the selection button B1 displayed on the monitor 23 is not specifically selected by the user.

[0037] If it is determined in step S2 that the user has not given an instruction to detect stool A, the process returns to step S1 and a new ultrasound image U is acquired. In this way, as long as it is determined in step S2 that the user has not given an instruction to detect stool A, the processes of steps S1 and S2 are repeated.

[0038] If it is determined in step S2 that the user has given an instruction to detect stool A, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the image acquisition unit 31 acquires an ultrasound image U of the subject's large intestine in the same manner as in step S1.

[0039] In the subsequent step S4, the stool detection unit 24 analyzes the ultrasound image U acquired in step S3 and performs the process of detecting stool A from the ultrasound image U. At this time, the stool detection unit 24 can perform the process of detecting stool A from the ultrasound image U by, for example, a template matching method or a method using a machine learning model.

[0040] In step S5, the main control unit 26 determines whether or not feces A was detected in the feces detection process in step S4. If feces A is detected in the feces detection process in step S4, for example, information indicating that feces A has been detected is transmitted from the feces detection unit 24 to the main control unit 26, and the main control unit 26 can determine that feces A has been detected based on this information. If feces A is not detected in the feces detection process in step S4, for example, information indicating that feces A was not detected is transmitted from the feces detection unit 24 to the main control unit 26, and the main control unit 26 can determine that feces A was not detected based on this information.

[0041] If it is determined in step S5 that stool A was not detected, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the display control unit 22, under the control of the main unit control unit 26, displays a selection button B2 on the monitor 23 in a first manner, which is a user interface for displaying the detection result in step S4 on the monitor 23, as shown in Figure 5, for example. When the user selects the selection button B2 via the input device 27, the display control unit 22 can display a message on the monitor 23 indicating, for example, that stool A was not detected. Also, if the user selects the selection button B2 again, for example, the display control unit 22 can remove the message from the monitor 23.

[0042] If it is determined in step S5 that stool A has been detected, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the display control unit 22, under the control of the main unit control unit 26, displays the selection button B3, which is a user interface for displaying the detection result in step S4 on the monitor 23, in a second display mode different from the first display mode, as shown in Figure 6. When the user selects the selection button B3 via the input device 27, the display control unit 22 can display, for example, a frame line L1 on the monitor 23 that encloses the area where stool A is present. Also, for example, when the user selects the selection button B3 again, the display control unit 22 can remove the frame line L1 from the monitor 23.

[0043] In this way, the display control unit 22 displays selection buttons B2 and B3 on the monitor 23 in different display modes depending on whether or not feces A has been detected. Therefore, the user can easily understand the detection result of feces A by checking the display mode of selection buttons B2 and B3.

[0044] In step S8, following steps S6 and S7, the main unit control 26 determines whether or not to terminate the inspection. The main unit control 26 can determine to terminate the inspection if, for example, a command to terminate the inspection is input from the user via the input device 27. Alternatively, the main unit control 26 can determine to continue the inspection if, for example, no specific command to terminate the inspection is input from the user via the input device 27.

[0045] If it is determined in step S8 to continue the examination, the process returns to step S3, and a new ultrasound image U of the subject's colon is acquired. In the following step S4, a process is executed to detect stool A on the ultrasound image U acquired in step S3, and it is determined in step S5 whether or not stool A was detected. If it is determined in step S5 that stool A was not detected, the selection button B2 is displayed on the monitor 23 in the first manner in step S6. If it is determined in step S5 that stool A was detected, the selection button B3 is displayed on the monitor 23 in the second manner in step S7. In this way, the process from steps S3 to S8 is repeated as long as it is determined in step S8 to continue the examination.

[0046] If it is determined in step S8 that the examination is complete, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to the flowchart in Figure 7 is completed.

[0047] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1, the stool detection unit 24 performs a process to detect stool A from the ultrasound image U, the selection button generation unit 25 generates selection buttons B2 and B3 for the user to select whether or not to display the detection result of stool A by the stool detection unit 24, and the display control unit 22 displays the selection buttons B2 and B3 on the monitor 23 in a display mode corresponding to the detection result of stool A by the stool detection unit 24. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the detection result without displaying the detailed detection result of stool A on the screen of the monitor 23.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] Furthermore, the main unit control 26 can be controlled to stop the stool detection unit 24 when the user selects selection button B2 or B3 in a predetermined manner, for example, by continuously selecting selection button B2 or B3 for a predetermined time or longer. This allows for power saving of the ultrasound diagnostic device in situations where the detection process for stool A is not required.

[0051] Furthermore, generally speaking, when stool A is hard, ultrasound waves have difficulty passing through stool A. As shown in Figure 8, the ultrasound image U shows that the area where stool A is present has a high-intensity region A1 located at the shallow end of stool A, and a low-intensity region A2 located at the deeper end.

[0052] The stool detection unit 24 can detect the presence or absence of stool A in the deep region A2 of the high-brightness area A1 of stool A on the ultrasound image U, for example, by a template matching method or a method using a machine learning model. In this case, the display control unit 22 can change the display mode of the selection button B3 according to the presence or absence of stool A in the deep region A2 detected by the stool detection unit 24, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0053] Figures 8 and 9 show that the range of change in the display of the selection button B3 changes depending on the presence or absence of stool A in the deeper region A2 detected by the stool detection unit 24. In the example in Figure 8, since stool A is not detected in the deeper region A2 of the high-brightness area A1, the upper half of the selection button B3 is colored and displayed on the monitor 23. In the example in Figure 9, since stool A is detected in the deeper region A2 of the high-brightness area A1, the entire selection button B3 is colored and displayed on the monitor 23.

[0054] In this way, the display of the selection button B3 changes according to the range of stool A, allowing the user to easily and more clearly understand the detection results of stool A.

[0055] Furthermore, although it is explained that the display control unit 22 displays one selection button B1, B2, or B3 on the monitor 23, for example, a selection button B1 for selecting whether or not to activate the stool detection unit 24 and a selection button B2 or B3 for selecting whether or not to display the detection results from the stool detection unit 24 can also be displayed together on the monitor 23.

[0056] Furthermore, it is explained that if the stool detection unit 24 does not detect stool A and the selection button B2 is selected, a message indicating that stool A has not been detected will be displayed on the monitor 23. However, if the stool detection unit 24 detects stool in this state, the display control unit 22 will highlight the detected stool A on the monitor 23 and display the selection button B3 shown in Figure 6 on the monitor in a different display mode than the selection button B2 shown in Figure 5. Thus, in this invention, regardless of whether the selection button B2 or B3 is selected or not, the stool detection unit 24 will perform the stool A detection process in real time, and the display of selection buttons B2 and B3 according to the detection result can also be switched in real time.

[0057] Furthermore, if the selection button B2 is selected while the stool detection unit 24 has not detected stool A, the display control unit 22 can indicate that stool A was not detected not by not displaying the border line L1, instead of displaying a message on the monitor 23 indicating that stool A was not detected.

[0058] Embodiment 2 The ultrasound diagnostic device of the present invention can also automatically determine the characteristics of the detected stool sample A.

[0059] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of 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 of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 1. The device body 2A is equipped with a stool consistency determination unit 51 in addition to the device body 2 of Embodiment 1, and is equipped with a device control unit 26 in place of the main body control unit 26.

[0060] In the main unit 2A of the device, the stool detection unit 24 and the main unit control unit 26A are connected to the stool consistency determination unit 51. The stool consistency determination unit 51 is connected to the display control unit 22. Furthermore, the image generation unit 21, the display control unit 22, the stool detection unit 24, the selection button generation unit 25, the main unit control unit 26A, and the stool consistency determination unit 51 constitute the processor 32A for the main unit 2A of the device.

[0061] The stool consistency determination unit 51 determines the characteristics of the stool A detected by the stool detection unit 24. Generally, in the case of hard stool, ultrasound does not easily pass through the stool A, and most of the ultrasound is reflected at the shallow part of the stool A, so it appears in the ultrasound image U as a so-called crescent-shaped high-brightness region. In the case of normal stool, ultrasound passes through more easily than in hard stool, so it appears in the ultrasound image U as a so-called half-moon-shaped high-brightness region. In the case of soft stool, ultrasound passes through the stool A easily, so it appears in the ultrasound image U as a so-called omnidirectional low-brightness region. Thus, the way stool A appears in the ultrasound image U differs depending on the characteristics of stool A. The stool consistency determination unit 51 can obtain the characteristics of stool A by, for example, a template matching method. The stool consistency determination unit 51 can also obtain the characteristics of stool A by, for example, using a machine learning model that has learned information on a large number of ultrasound images U in which stool A is visible and the characteristics of those stools.

[0062] The stool consistency determination unit 51 can also determine the characteristics of stool A according to the so-called Bristol Stool Scale. The Bristol Stool Scale classifies the characteristics of stool A into seven states: "hard stool" which is hard and pellet-like like rabbit droppings; "hard stool" which is sausage-shaped but hard; "slightly hard stool" which is sausage-shaped with cracks on the surface; "normal stool" which is smooth and soft and sausage-shaped or coiled like a snake; "slightly soft stool" which is soft and semi-solid with distinct wrinkles; "muddy stool" which is irregularly shaped small pieces of stool or muddy stool with loose boundaries; and "watery stool" which is liquid stool that does not contain any solid matter.

[0063] The display control unit 22 stores predetermined display modes for the selection button B3 for multiple properties of stool A, and can change the display mode of the selection button B3 according to the properties of stool A determined by the stool properties determination unit 51. For example, the display control unit 22 can display the selection button B3 in red when the stool properties determination unit 51 determines that stool A is hard stool, display the selection button B3 in blue when the stool properties determination unit 51 determines that stool A is normal stool, and display the selection button B3 in green when the stool properties determination unit 51 determines that stool A is soft stool.

[0064] As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment 2, the stool properties determination unit 51 automatically determines the properties of the stool A detected by the stool detection unit 24, and the display control unit 22 changes the display mode of the selection button B3 according to the properties of the stool A determined by the stool properties determination unit 51. Therefore, by checking the display mode of the selection button B3, the user can easily grasp not only whether or not stool A has been detected, but also the properties of the stool A shown in the ultrasound image U. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 Ultrasonic probe, 2,2A Main unit, 11 Transducer array, 12 Transmit / receive circuit, 21 Image generation unit, 22 Display control unit, 23 Monitor, 24 Stool detection unit, 25 Selection button generation unit, 26,26A Main unit control unit, 27 Input device, 31 Image acquisition unit, 32,32A Processor, 41 Pulsar, 42 Amplifier unit, 43 AD conversion unit, 44 Beamformer, 45 Signal processing unit, 46 DSC, 47 Image processing unit, A Stool, A1 High brightness area, A2 Area, B1~B3 Selection buttons, L Frame line, U Ultrasonic image.

Claims

1. Ultrasound probe and An image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasound image of a subject using the aforementioned ultrasound probe, A monitor that displays the ultrasound image, A stool detection unit that detects stool from the aforementioned ultrasound image, A selection button on the monitor allows the user to choose whether or not to display the detection results from the stool detection unit, A display control unit that displays the selection button on the monitor in a display manner corresponding to the detection result by the stool detection unit. An ultrasound diagnostic device equipped with the following features.

2. The system includes a stool properties determination unit that determines the properties of the stool detected by the stool detection unit, The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes the display mode of the selection button according to the characteristics of the stool determined by the stool characteristics determination unit.

3. The stool detection unit detects the presence or absence of stool in the deep region of the high-brightness area on the ultrasound image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit changes the display mode of the selection button according to the presence or absence of stool in the deep region detected by the stool detection unit.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit changes the range of change in the display mode of the selection button according to the range of presence of stool in the deep region detected by the stool detection unit.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit encloses the area where stool is present, as detected by the stool detection unit, with a frame and displays it on the monitor.

6. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays on the monitor that no stool has been detected when no stool has been detected by the stool detection unit.

7. A control method for an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising an ultrasound probe, an image acquisition unit, a monitor, a stool detection unit, a selection button, and a display control unit, The image acquisition unit is instructed to acquire an ultrasound image of the subject using the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound image is displayed on the monitor. The stool detection unit is instructed to detect stool from the ultrasonic image. The display control unit is configured to display the selection button on the monitor, which allows the user to choose whether or not to display the stool detection result, in a display mode corresponding to the stool detection result. A method for controlling an ultrasound diagnostic device.

Images