Acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus and control method of acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an image memory, an operation unit, a measurement item designation receiving unit for receiving a designation of a measurement item, a detection measurement algorithm setting unit that sets a detection measurement algorithm, a frame designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a frame to be used for the measurement among a plurality of frames in the image memory, a measurement position designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a position of a measurement target on a first measurement frame received by the frame designation receiving unit, a measurement position setting unit that sets the position of the measurement target on a frame other than the first measurement frame, a measurement unit that detects the measurement target on the plurality of frames to calculate the measurement value, and a final measurement value calculation unit that calculates a final measurement value.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus and a control method of an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus and in particular, to an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus and a control method of an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus for measuring a part on an acoustic wave image.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a medical acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus generally has a measurement function of measuring a length, an area, and the like of a measurement target such as a part included in an acquired acoustic wave image. In a case of measuring a measurement target using such an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus, a user sometimes performs a measurement on acoustic wave images of a plurality of frames in accordance with diagnostic contents. In this case, in general, since the user manually performs a measurement operation for each of the plurality of frames, a burden on the user is increased as compared with a case of performing a measurement on one frame. Therefore, in order to reduce the burden on the user in a case of performing a measurement on acoustic wave images of a plurality of frames, various attempts to automate operations performed by the user are made.

For example, in JP2004-121835A, there is disclosed an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that automatically sets a region of interest for a plurality of frames by causing the region of interest to sequentially follow to a frame adjacent in time series from a frame in which the user has set the region of interest, in a case where the user sets the region of interest for one frame among a plurality of frames continuous in time series. Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of JP2004-121835A calculates an index value such as an average value of luminance in a region of interest imparted with respect to a plurality of frames to obtain a highly reliable index value even in a case where a tissue of a subject has been moved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By the way, in the measurement using an ultrasound image, a measurement method may differ depending on a measurement target, for example, a measurement of a length and a measurement of an area of the measurement target. Since the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus disclosed in JP2004-121835A cannot automatically determine a measurement method corresponding to a measurement target, in a case where a measurement is performed on the measurement target, the user sometimes determines a measurement method corresponding to a measurement target, which causes an increase in a burden on a user.

Further, in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus disclosed in JP2004-121835A, in a case of calculating a final measurement value based on a plurality of measurement values in a plurality of frames, the user sometimes determines a measurement method corresponding to the measurement target and performs measurement operations for each of the plurality of frames, which is a problem in that the burden on the user is further increased.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus capable of reducing a burden on a user and easily obtaining a final measurement value and a control method of an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: an image memory that stores acoustic wave images of a plurality of frames continuous in time series; a display unit that displays the acoustic wave images; an operation unit for a user to perform an input operation; a measurement item designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a measurement item related to a measurement target from the user through the operation unit; a detection measurement algorithm setting unit that sets a detection measurement algorithm based on the measurement item received by the measurement item designation receiving unit; a frame designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a measurement frame to be used for a measurement among the plurality of frames stored in the image memory from the user through the operation unit; a measurement position designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a position of the measurement target on an acoustic wave image of a first measurement frame received by the frame designation receiving unit and displayed on the display unit; a measurement position setting unit that calculates a movement amount of the acoustic wave images between the plurality of frames, and sets the position of the measurement target in a frame other than the first measurement frame among the plurality of frames based on the movement amount and the position of the measurement target received by the measurement position designation receiving unit; a measurement unit that detects the measurement target from the acoustic wave image for each of the plurality of frames based on the position of the measurement target received by the measurement position designation receiving unit, the position of the measurement target set by the measurement position setting unit and the detection measurement algorithm set by the detection measurement algorithm setting unit, and measures the detected measurement target and displays a plurality of measurement values in the plurality of frames on the display unit; and a final measurement value calculation unit that calculates a final measurement value from a first measurement value calculated by the measurement unit for the first measurement frame and a second measurement value in a second measurement frame set based on the plurality of measurement values for the plurality of frames, among the plurality of measurement values.

An acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention can further comprise a reliability calculation unit that calculates a reliability of the measurement value in each of the plurality of frames and displays the calculated reliability on the display unit.

In the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention, the second measurement frame can be designated by the user through the operation unit and can be received by the frame designation receiving unit.

In addition, the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention can further comprise a second measurement frame setting unit that automatically sets the second measurement frame from among the plurality of frames based on the measurement value acquired by the measurement unit and the reliability calculated by the reliability calculation unit.

Further, in the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention, in a case where the measurement value in the first measurement frame is a value obtained by measuring one of a maximum value and a minimum value, the second measurement frame setting unit can set a frame which is the other of the maximum value and the minimum value from a plurality of measurement values in the plurality of frames as the second measurement frame.

Further, in the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention, the measurement position setting unit sequentially detects positions of a follow-up region of interest set on the acoustic wave images with respect to adjacent frames to calculate the movement amount of the acoustic wave images between the plurality of frames.

Further, the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention can further comprise a measurement frame selection unit that selects a part of frames for detecting and measuring the measurement target by the measurement unit from among the plurality of frames.

Further, in the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention, the measurement frame selection unit can select a frame group from the first measurement frame to a newest frame among the plurality of frames as the part of frames in a case where the first measurement frame is positioned in a first half of the plurality of frames in time series, and select a frame group from an oldest frame among the plurality of frames to the first measurement frame as the part of frames in a case where the first measurement frame is positioned in a second half of the plurality of frames in time series.

Furthermore, in the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the measurement position setting unit sets the position of the measurement target only for the part of frames selected by the measurement frame selection unit.

Further, in the acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to the other aspect of the present invention, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit determines whether the measurement item received by the measurement item designation receiving unit requests only measurement for a single frame or requests a measurement for a plurality of frames, and in the case of requesting only measurement for the single frame, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit can cause the measurement unit to display a measurement value for the first measurement frame on the display unit, and then end the detection and measurement of the measurement target.

A control method of an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: storing acoustic wave images of a plurality of frames continuous in time series; displaying the acoustic wave images; receiving a designation of a measurement item related to a measurement target from a user through an operation unit; setting a detection measurement algorithm based on the received measurement item; receiving a designation of a first measurement frame to be used for a measurement among the plurality of stored frames from the user through the operation unit; receiving a designation of a position of the measurement target on the displayed acoustic wave image of the first measurement frame; receiving a designation of a position of the measurement target on a displayed acoustic wave image of a first measurement frame; calculating a movement amount of the acoustic wave images between the plurality of frames, and setting a position of the measuring target in a frame other than the first measurement frame among the measurement frames based on the position of the measurement target in the received first measurement frame and the movement amount; detecting the measurement target from the acoustic wave image for each of the plurality of frames based on the position of the measurement target in the received first measurement frame, the position of the measurement target in the frame other than the set first measurement frame, and the set detection measurement algorithm; measuring the detected measurement target and displaying a plurality of measurement values in the plurality of frames; setting a second measurement frame based on the plurality of measurement values for the plurality of frames; and calculating a final measurement value from a first measurement value in the first measurement frame and a second measurement value in the second measurement frame among the plurality of measurement values.

According to the present invention, since an acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus comprises a measurement unit that detects a measurement target from an acoustic wave image for each of a plurality of frames and measures the detected measurement target to display a plurality of measurement values in the plurality of frames on a display unit based on a position of the measurement target received by a measurement position designation receiving unit, a position of the measurement target set by a measurement position setting unit, and a detection measurement algorithm set by a detection measurement algorithm setting unit, and a final measurement value calculation unit that calculates a final measurement value from a first measurement value calculated by the measurement unit in the first measurement frame and a second measurement value in a second measurement frame set based on the plurality of measurement values in the plurality of frames, among the plurality of measurement values, it is possible to easily obtain a final measurement value while reducing a burden on a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG. 1shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1comprises a transducer array2, and a transmission unit3and a reception unit4are connected to the transducer array2. An analog digital (AD) converter5, an image generation unit6, a display controller7, and a display unit8are sequentially connected to the reception unit4. Further, an image memory9is connected to the image generation unit6, and a measurement position setting unit10is connected to the image memory9. Further, a measurement unit11is connected to the image memory9and the measurement position setting unit10, and a detection measurement algorithm setting unit12and a final measurement value calculation unit13are connected to the measurement unit11, respectively.

Further, the device controller14is connected to the transmission unit3, the reception unit4, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, and the final measurement value calculation unit13. Further, a measurement item designation receiving unit15, a measurement position designation receiving unit16, a frame designation receiving unit17, an operation unit18, and a storage unit19are connected to the device controller14. The measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, and the frame designation receiving unit17are connected to the operation unit18, respectively.

Note that, the image memory9and the measurement unit11, and the device controller14and the storage unit19are connected to each other so that information can be transmitted and received bidirectionally.

Further, an ultrasound probe21is configured by the transducer array2, the transmission unit3, and the reception unit4. Further, the processor22is configured by the AD converter5, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, the final measurement value calculation unit13, the device controller14, the measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, and the frame designation receiving unit17.

The transducer array2of the ultrasound probe21shown inFIG. 1has a plurality of elements (ultrasound transducers) arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional manner. According to a driving signal supplied from the transmission unit3, each of the elements transmits an ultrasound wave and receives a reflected wave from a subject and outputs a reception signal. For example, each element is formed by using a transducer in which electrodes are formed at both ends of a piezoelectric body formed of piezoelectric ceramic represented by lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a polymer piezoelectric element represented by poly vinylidene di fluoride (PVDF), piezoelectric single crystal represented by lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT), or the like.

The transmission unit3of the ultrasound probe21includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators. Based on a transmission delay pattern selected according to the control signal from the device controller14, the transmission unit3adjusts the amount of delay of each driving signal so that ultrasound waves transmitted from the plurality of elements of the transducer array2form an ultrasound beam, and supplies it to the plurality of elements. Thus, in a case where a pulsed or continuous-wave voltage is applied to the electrodes of the elements of the transducer array2, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts to generate pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound waves from each transducer. From the combined wave of these ultrasound waves, an ultrasound beam is formed.

The transmitted ultrasound beam is reflected by a target, for example, a part of the subject, and propagates toward the transducer array2of the ultrasound probe21. The ultrasound waves propagating toward the transducer array2in this manner are received by the respective elements configuring the transducer array2. In this case, the respective transducers configuring the transducer array2expand and contract by receiving the propagating ultrasound waves, thereby generating electric signals. These electric signals are output, as reception signals of the ultrasound waves, from each transducer to the reception unit4. Although not shown, the reception unit4has an amplification unit for amplifying an ultrasound reception signal input from each transducer. In a case where the amplified signal is converted into digitized element data by the AD converter5, the element data is output to the image generation unit6.

As shown inFIG. 2, the image generation unit6of the processor22has a configuration in which a signal processing unit23, a digital scan converter (DSC)24, and an image processing unit25are connected in series to each other. Based on a reception delay pattern selected according to the control signal from the device controller14, the signal processing unit23performs reception focusing processing in which delays are given to respective pieces of element data according to the set sound speed and addition (phasing addition) is performed. Through the reception focusing processing, a sound ray signal with narrowed focus of the ultrasound echo is generated. Further, the signal processing unit23generates a B mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding tissues inside the subject, by correcting the attenuation of the generated sound ray signal due to the propagation distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasound wave and then performing envelope detection processing. The B mode image signal generated as described above is output to the DSC24.

The DSC24raster-converts the B mode image signal into an image signal according to the normal television signal scanning method. The image processing unit25performs various kinds of necessary image processing, such as brightness correction, gradation correction, sharpness correction, and color correction, on the image data obtained in the DSC24, and then outputs the B mode image signal to the display controller7and the image memory9under the control of the device controller14. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal is referred to as an ultrasound image.

The image memory9of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1is for storing an ultrasound image and recording media, such as a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO), a magnetic tape (MT), a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), and a universal serial bus memory (USB memory), or a server can be used. The image memory9can store an ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit6and can also store an ultrasound image input from an external device (not shown).

The measurement item designation receiving unit15of the processor22receives a designation of a measurement item relevant to the measurement target from the user through the operation unit18. Here, the measurement item relevant to the measurement target is an item that can indicate at least one of the measurement target or the measurement content, and the measurement target can include a name of a target part such as an organ, a name of a lesion such as a tumor, a cyst, and a hemorrhage, and an item relevant to abnormalities. Therefore, for example, the measurement item can include any one of only the name of a measurement target, only the name of a lesion, only the item relevant to abnormalities, the name of a measurement target and its measurement content, the name of a lesion and its measurement content, or an item relevant to abnormalities and its measurement content. In a case where the measurement item includes only the measurement target, for example, the measurement content, such as whether the length is to be measured or the size is to be measured for the measurement target designated by the user through the operation unit18, is associated therewith. Specifically, for example, a table in which the measurement target and the measurement content are associated with each other is stored in the storage unit19, an external memory (not shown), or the like, and the measurement content corresponding to the measurement target is selected based on this table.

The measurement position designation receiving unit16of the processor22receives a designation of the position of the measurement target on the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit8from the user through the operation unit18.

The frame designation receiving unit17of the processor22receives a designation of a measurement frame to be used for the measurement among a plurality of frames stored in the image memory9from the user through the operation unit18.

The detection measurement algorithm setting unit12of the processor22sets an algorithm for detecting the measurement target and an algorithm for measuring the measurement target based on the measurement item that the measurement item designation receiving unit15has received from the user through the operation unit18. The detection measurement algorithm setting unit12stores an algorithm corresponding to each measurement target and an algorithm corresponding to each measurement content as an association table, and sets a detection measurement algorithm with reference to the association table in a case where the measurement item designation receiving unit15receives a measurement item from the user through the operation unit18.

Here, generally, different measurement rules exist for each measurement target. The measurement rule is a rule on, which part is measured and how it is measured for a specific measurement target. For example, in a case where the measurement target is an inferior vena cava diameter, there is a measurement rule of determining a line segment whose end points are two points on the inner wall of the inferior vena cava as a measurement line so as to be perpendicular to the traveling direction of the inferior vena cava, and measuring the determined length of the line segment. Further, for example, in a case where the measurement target is a kidney, there is a measuring rule of measuring a length between two points at which a distance becomes maximum among two points on a boundary of a kidney region included in the ultrasound image. The detection measurement algorithm defines calculation means for executing such a measurement rule, and differs for each measurement target.

Further, the algorithm defines calculation means for achieving the purpose, such as detection and measurement. For example, the algorithm is implemented as a software program in an apparatus and is executed by a central processing unit (CPU). As the detection measurement algorithm set by the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, a known algorithm that is generally used can be used.

For example, for the algorithm for detecting the measurement target, there is a method in which typical pattern data is stored in advance as a template, a pattern data similarity is calculated while searching for an image with a template, and it is considered that a measurement target is present in a place where the similarity is equal to or greater than a threshold value and is the maximum. For the calculation of the similarity, in addition to simple template matching, for example, a machine learning method described in Csurka et al.: Visual Categorization with Bags of Keypoints, Proc. of ECCV Workshop on Statistical Learning in Computer Vision, pp. 59-74 (2004) or a general image recognition method using deep learning described in Krizhevsk et al.: ImageNet Classification with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 25, pp. 1106-1114 (2012) can be used.

The measurement position setting unit10of the processor22sets the position of the measurement target with respect to the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames continuous in time series stored in the image memory9. In this case, the measurement position setting unit10calculates a movement amount of the ultrasound images between the plurality of frames, and sets the position of the measurement target in the plurality of frames based on the calculated movement amount and the position of the measurement target received by the measurement position designation receiving unit16. In this case, the measurement position setting unit10can set, for example, a region of interest with respect to the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames continuous in time series, and calculate the movement amount of the ultrasound images between the plurality of frames by sequentially detecting the set positions of the region of interest with respect to the frames adjacent in time series. A specific operation of setting the position of the measurement target by the measurement position setting unit10will be described later in detail.

The measurement unit11of the processor22detects a measurement target from the ultrasound image for each of the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9, performs a measurement of the detected measurement target, and displays a plurality of measurement values in a plurality of frames on the display unit8through the display controller7. At this time, the measurement unit11detects the measurement target from the ultrasound image based on the position of the measurement target received by the measurement position designation receiving unit16, the position of the measurement target set by the measurement position setting unit10, and the detection measurement algorithm set by the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12. For example, specifically, the measurement unit11determines the position of the detection range for detecting the measurement target based on the position designated by the user through the operation unit18and the position of the measurement target set by the measurement position setting unit10and detects the measurement target within the determined detection range. The size of the detection range can be set in advance, and the setting can be changed by the user through the operation unit18.

The final measurement value calculation unit13of the processor22calculates a final measurement value based on the plurality of measurement values calculated by the measurement unit11. For example, in general, in a case where a diagnosis of heart failure is made, a value obtained by dividing the diameter of the inferior vena cava in the expiratory state by the diameter of the inferior vena cava in the inspiratory state is used as the final measurement value. Therefore, for example, in a case where the inferior vena cava diameter is selected as a measurement item by the user through the operation unit18, the measurement unit11can calculate a value obtained by dividing the first measurement value by the second measurement value as a final measurement value from the measurement value in the first measurement frame of which measurement position is designated by the user through the operation unit18and the second measurement value in a second measurement frame set based on a plurality of measurement values for a plurality of frames.

The display controller7of the processor22causes the display unit8to display the ultrasound image generated by the image generation unit6, the measurement value calculated by the measurement unit11, the final measurement value calculated by the final measurement value calculation unit13, and the like under the control of the device controller14.

The display unit8of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1includes, for example, a display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), and displays data such as an ultrasound image output from the display controller7.

The device controller14of the processor22controls each unit of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1based on a command input by the user through the operation unit18.

The operation unit18of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1is for the user to perform an input operation, and can be configured by comprising a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, a touch panel, and the like.

The storage unit19of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1is for storing an operation program and the like of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1and recording media, such as: a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a magnetic tape (MT), a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), and a universal serial bus memory (USB memory), or a server can be used.

The processor22including the AD converter5, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, the final measurement value calculation unit13, the device controller14, the measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, and the frame designation receiving unit17is configured by a CPU and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various processes, but may be configured by using a digital circuit. Further, the AD converter5, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, the final measurement value calculation unit13, the device controller14, the measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, and the frame designation receiving unit17can also be integrated partially or entirely into one CPU.

Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 3.

First, in step S1, the measurement item designation receiving unit15receives a measurement item designated by the user through the operation unit18. For example, although not shown, a list of measurement items can be displayed on the display unit8, and one of the plurality of measurement items displayed in the list can be selected by the user through the operation unit18. As described above, in a case where the designation of the measurement item is received, a detection measurement algorithm is set by the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12according to the designated measurement item.

Next, in step S2, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1starts acquiring an ultrasound image in accordance with an instruction from the user through the operation unit18. In this case, the ultrasound probe21is brought into contact with the subject by the user, and the ultrasound beams are sequentially transmitted from the transmission unit3to the subject. The reception unit4of the ultrasound probe21receives the ultrasound echo emitted from the subject and converts it into a reception signal, and the reception signal is processed by the AD converter5and the image generation unit6to sequentially acquire ultrasound images.

In step S3, an input for starting the storage of the acquired ultrasound image is received from the user through the operation unit18. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, an input for starting the storage of the ultrasound images sequentially acquired in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1is received by causing a storage start button B1to be displayed on the display unit8and operating the storage start button B1by the user. In the example shown inFIG. 4, the inferior vena cava diameter is selected by the user from a plurality of measurement items displayed as a list N, and in a case where the user operates the storage start button B1, the start of the storage of an ultrasound image U representing the inferior vena cava is received.

In step S4, the sequentially acquired ultrasound images are stored in the image memory9. In this way, the ultrasound images of a plurality of frames continuous in time series are stored in the image memory9. Further, in a case where the storage of the ultrasound images is started in step S4, for example, as shown inFIG. 5, a storage end button B2is displayed on the display unit8and it is possible to receive the end of the storage of the ultrasound images by operating the storage end button B2by the user.

In the following step S5, it is determined whether the end of the storage of the acquired ultrasound images has been received from the user through the operation unit18. Until the end of the storage of the ultrasound images is received from the user through the operation unit18, the storage of the ultrasound image in step S4is continued. Further, in a case where the end of the storage of the ultrasound images is received by the user through the operation unit18, the process proceeds to step S6, and the storage of the ultrasound images is stopped.

In the following step S7, a measurement frame to be used for a measurement among the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9during steps S3to S6is selected by the user through the operation unit18, and the selected frame is received by the frame designation receiving unit17as a first measurement frame. For example, in a case where the measurement item designated by the user through the operation unit18in step S1is the inferior vena cava diameter, and the purpose is to calculate a variation rate of the inferior vena cava diameter as the final measurement value, it is desirable that a frame representing the inferior vena cava in the expiratory state or a frame representing the inferior vena cava in the inspiratory state is designated as the first measurement frame.

In this case, for example, the display unit8displays as shown inFIG. 6. In the example shown inFIG. 6, ultrasound images U1, U2, U3, and U4that are reduced and displayed as a list in time series, a scroll bar SB for scrolling and displaying the list of the ultrasound images, and a setting button B3for setting the ultrasound image selected by the user through the operation unit18as the first measurement frame are displayed on the display unit8. In this case, for example, one frame among the ultrasound images U1, U2, U3, and U4displayed as a list is selected by the user through the operation unit18. At this time, it is possible to cause the selected ultrasound image U2to be enlarged and displayed above the ultrasound images U1, U2, U3, and U4displayed as a list so that the user can easily grasp the selected ultrasound image.

Further, the frame designation receiving unit17receives the ultrasound image selected by the user through the operation unit18as a first measurement frame to be used for the measurement. For example, in the display example shown inFIG. 6, in a state where the ultrasound image U2is selected by the user through the operation unit18, the frame designation receiving unit17receives the ultrasound image U2as a first measurement frame by operating the setting button B3by the user.

In the following step S8, the measurement position designation receiving unit16receives a designation of the position of the measurement target on the first measurement frame from the user through the operation unit18. In a case of designating the position of the measurement target in the first measurement frame, for example, the user may designate one approximate point in a region representing the measurement target. For example, in a case where the display unit8and the operation unit18are configured by a touch panel, as shown inFIG. 7, the user may touch one point in an area representing a measurement target with a finger E in the first measurement frame F1. In a case where the designation of the position of the measurement target is received as described above, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the measurement unit11performs an automatic measurement with respect to the first measurement frame based on the detection measurement algorithm set by the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12in step S1and the position of the measurement target designated by the user in step S8.

First, the measurement unit11detects the measurement target with the recognition based on image processing, based on the detection measurement algorithm and the position of the measurement target designated by the user. For example, in a case where the measurement item designated by the user in step S1is an inferior vena cava diameter, the measurement unit11sets a detection range for the first measurement frame based on the position designated by the user in step S8and the detection measurement algorithm, and detects an image of the inferior vena cava based on the set detection range.

In this case, the measurement unit11determines the size of the detection range of the measurement target according to the measurement item designated by the user in step S1, and determines the position of the detection range according to the position of the measurement target designated by the user in step S8. In addition, the measurement unit11determines a detection order of the measurement target based on the measurement item and the position designated by the user in step S8. For example, although not shown, in a case where the measurement item is relevant to a round cross-section such as the short axis diameter of the gallbladder and the short axis diameter of the abdominal aorta, in order to reduce the time required for the detection of the measurement target, the measurement unit11can sequentially perform the detection of the measurement target along a spiral scanning line extending outward from the center with the position designated by the user as the center. Further, for example, in a case where the measurement item is not relevant to a round cross-section, but relevant to a cross-section extending substantially along one direction such as an inferior vena cava diameter and a common bile duct, the measurement unit11can search the ultrasound image including the measurement target in the horizontal direction, that is, left and right first, and then search the ultrasound image in the vertical direction, that is, up and down, thereby detecting the measurement target. Further, the search direction defined for each measurement item can be stored in the storage unit19or an external memory (not shown) in advance. In this case, the measurement unit11reads out the search direction according to the measurement item, searches the ultrasound image in the search direction corresponding to the measurement item, and then searches in a direction orthogonal to the search direction, thereby detecting the measurement target.

The measurement line to be used for the measurement of the detected measurement target is determined based on a rule determined according to the measurement item by the detection measurement algorithm. For example, in a case where the measurement item is the inferior vena cava diameter, the measurement unit11extracts the largest one among the line segments perpendicular to the traveling direction of the inferior vena cava and having two points on the inner wall of the inferior vena cava as end points, as a measurement line.

Finally, the measurement unit11calculates a measurement value based on the determined measurement line. In this case, the measurement unit11can store the calculated measurement value in a data memory or the like (not shown).

In a case where the automatic measurement is completed by the measurement unit11as described above, the process proceeds to step S10, and it is determined whether the automatic measurement is completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6by the device controller14. Here, in a case where the device controller14cannot determine that the automatic measurement has been completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the measurement position setting unit10sets a follow-up region of interest R1for a current frame, that is, the first measurement frame F1, as shown inFIG. 8. The follow-up region of interest R1is a region of interest for calculating the movement amount between ultrasound images adjacent in time series. For example, the measurement position setting unit10can set a region around the position of the measurement target designated by the user through the operation unit18in step S8as the follow-up region of interest R1. Here, the movement amount between the ultrasound images adjacent in time series is the movement distance and the movement direction between the ultrasound images adjacent in time series.

Although the shape of the follow-up region of interest R1is not particularly limited, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the shape of the follow-up region of interest R1is a square.

In the following step S12, as shown inFIG. 9, the measurement position setting unit10sets a search region of interest R2on the next frame, that is, the frame F2that is adjacent to the first measurement frame in time series among the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9. The search region of interest R2is a region where a search for detecting the follow-up region of interest R1is performed, and has a region larger than the follow-up region of interest R1.

Although the shape of the search region of interest R2is not particularly limited similarly to the shape of the follow-up region of interest R1, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the shape of the search region of interest R2is a square.

In the following step S13, the measurement position setting unit10detects the follow-up region of interest R1within the search region of interest R2set for the next frame F2. In this case, the measurement position setting unit10can analyze the search region of interest R2by using a known technique such as so-called template matching, optical flow analysis, and feature point matching, and detect the follow-up region of interest R1in the next frame by recognizing an image corresponding to the image in the follow-up region of interest R1set in the first measurement frame F1.

In a case where the follow-up region of interest R1is detected in the next frame F2, the measurement position setting unit10calculates the movement amount of the follow-up region of interest R1detected in the next frame F2with respect to the follow-up region of interest R1set in the current frame, that is, the first measurement frame F1, that is, the movement amount of the ultrasound images between the first measurement frame F1and the next frame F2.

In a case where the movement amount of the ultrasound images between the first measurement frame F1and the next frame F2is calculated in this way, the measurement position setting unit10sets the position of the measurement target in the next frame F2in step S14based on the calculated movement amount. More specifically, the measurement position setting unit10sets a point where the position of the measurement target in the first measurement frame F1received by the measurement position designation receiving unit16is moved by the calculated movement amount as the position of the measurement target in the next frame F2.

In a case where the position of the measurement target is set in the next frame F2, the measurement unit11updates the next frame F2to the current frame in step S15, and returns to step S9. In step S9, the automatic measurement is performed on the frame F2updated as the current frame in step S15. In this case, the measurement unit11can store the calculated measurement value in a data memory or the like (not shown).

In the following step S10, the device controller14determines whether the automatic measurement has been completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9, and in a case where the device controller14cannot determine that the automatic measurement has been completed for all the frames, the process proceeds to step S11and the follow-up region of interest R1is set in the current frame F2. In step S12, the search region of interest R2and the follow-up region of interest R1are set for the next frame that is not the first measurement frame F1and that is adjacent to the current frame F2in time series. Then, the movement amount of the follow-up region of interest R1between the current frame F2and the next frame is calculated in step S13, and in a case where the position of the measurement target with respect to the next frame is set in step S14, the frame is updated in step S15and the process returns to step S9.

In this way, the position of the measurement target in a frame other than the first measurement frame among the plurality of frames stored in an image memory9is set by the measurement position setting unit10, and steps S9to S15are repeated until the automatic measurement is performed by the measurement unit11for each frame. As a result, in a case where the device controller14determines that the automatic measurement has been completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in step S10, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the measurement unit11displays the measurement values on the display unit8for all the frames stored in the image memory9obtained by repeating steps S9to S15, as shown inFIG. 10. In the example shown inFIG. 10, a plurality of measurement values are displayed on the display unit8as a measurement value graph A1in which the measurement values, that is, the lengths of the inferior vena cava are plotted in the order of the frames corresponding to the measurement values.

In the following step S17, one frame is selected from the all frames stored in the image memory9by the user through the operation unit18, and the frame selected by the user is received as a second measurement frame to be used for calculating the final measurement value by the frame designation receiving unit17.

Here, for example, in a case where the inferior vena cava diameter is selected as the measurement item by the user through the operation unit18in step S1, the variation rate of the inferior vena cava diameter is often calculated as the final measurement value. In that case, in a case where the user selects one frame from the plurality of frames, for example, in a case where a frame representing the inferior vena cava in the expiratory state, that is, a frame with the maximum diameter of the inferior vena cava is selected as the first measurement frame F1, the user desirably selects a frame representing the inferior vena cava in the inspiratory state, that is a frame with the minimum diameter of the inferior vena cava as the second measurement frame. Further, for example, in a case where the frame representing the inferior vena cava in the inspiratory state is selected as the first measurement frame F1, the user desirably selects a frame representing the inferior vena cava in the expiratory state as the second measurement frame.

In the example shown inFIG. 10, among the ultrasound images U101, U102, U103, and U104displayed as a list, the ultrasound image U103having the minimum measurement value is selected as the second measurement frame by the user, and the ultrasound image U103selected by the user is enlarged and displayed above the ultrasound images U101, U102, U103, and U104displayed as a list. Further, in the example shown inFIG. 10, the setting button B4is displayed so as to be superimposed on the ultrasound image U103displayed in an enlarged manner, and in a state where the ultrasound image U103is selected by the user, the frame designation receiving unit17receives the ultrasound image U103as a second measurement frame by the operation of the setting button B4by the user.

In a case where the second measurement frame is received by the frame designation receiving unit17in this way, in step S18, the final measurement value calculation unit13calculates a final measurement value based on the measurement value in the first measurement frame F1and the measurement value in the second measurement frame. For example, in a case where the inferior vena cava diameter is designated as the measurement item by the user through the operation unit18in step S1, the final measurement value calculation unit13can calculate a value obtained by dividing a measurement value having a smaller value by a measurement value having a larger value among the measurement value in the first measurement frame and the measurement value in the second measurement frame as a final measurement value in order to calculate the variation rate of the inferior vena cava diameter.

In the following step S19, the final measurement value calculation unit13displays the calculated final measurement value on the display unit8. In this way, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1according to the first embodiment ends.

As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1of the first embodiment, since an approximate position of the measurement target is set for a frame other than the first measurement frame F1, and the measurement target is detected for all the frames stored in the image memory9and the measurement is automatically performed based on the detection measurement algorithm by simply selecting the first measurement frame F1from the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9and designating the approximate position of the measurement target with respect to the first measurement frame F1by the user, it is not necessary for the user to perform the measurement operation for each of the plurality of frames. Thereby, the user may select the second measurement frame by referring to the measurement value which is already automatically calculated, and can easily obtain the final measurement value.

In addition, since the measurement unit11displays all the calculated measurement values on the display unit8as the measurement value graph A1, it is easy for the user to visually grasp the measurement values, and the burden of selecting the second measurement frame can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, the acquisition of the ultrasound image is started in step S2after the measurement item designated by the user through the operation unit18is received in step S1, but the designation of the measurement item can be received after the acquisition of the ultrasound image is started. For example, as shown inFIG. 11, in a case where the acquisition of the ultrasound image is started, the ultrasound image U is displayed on the display unit8and the list N of measurement items can be superimposed and displayed on the ultrasound image U. In this example, the abdominal aorta diameter, the inferior vena cava diameter, and the kidney are respectively displayed as the measurement items N1to N3in the list N, and the user can designate the measurement item by selecting one of the plurality of measurement items included in the list N through the operation unit18.

Further, in step S11, the measurement position setting unit10sets the follow-up region of interest R1such that the position of the measurement target designated by the user through the operation unit18in step S8is the center of the follow-up region of interest R1with respect to the first measurement frame F1, but, in a case where the movement amount between the frames adjacent in time series can be calculated and the measurement value can be calculated with high accuracy in the frame adjacent in time series with respect to the first measurement frame F1, the method of setting the follow-up region of interest R1is not limited to this.

For example, in a case where the measurement line set for the measurement target by the measurement unit11is a line segment for calculating a distance, the measurement position setting unit10can set the follow-up region of interest R1for the first measurement frame F1so that the center of this line segment is the center of the follow-up region of interest R1. Further, for example, in a case where the measurement line set for the measurement target by the measurement unit11is a closed curve for calculating the area, the measurement position setting unit10can set the follow-up region of interest R1for the first measurement frame F1so that the center of gravity of the closed curve is the center of the follow-up region of interest R1.

Also, the size of the follow-up region of interest R1set for the current frame in step S11can be determined based on the measurement line set by the measurement unit11for the current frame. For example, in a case where the measurement line is a line segment and the follow-up region of interest R1is a square, the measurement position setting unit10can set the follow-up region of interest R1by setting the length of one side of the follow-up region of interest R1to a value obtained by multiplying the linear measurement line by a predetermined ratio. Further, for example, in a case where the measurement line is a closed curve, the measurement position setting unit10can set the follow-up region of interest R1so that the area of the region surrounded by the follow-up region of interest R1is a value obtained by multiplying the area of the region surrounded by the closed curve by a predetermined ratio.

Further, the size of the follow-up region of interest R1can be fixed to a predetermined size or can be set by the user through the operation unit18.

Further, the size of the search region of interest R2set for the next frame in step S12can be set based on the size of the follow-up region of interest R1set for the current frame in step S11. For example, in a case where both the follow-up region of interest R1and the search region of interest R2are square, the measurement position setting unit10can set the search region of interest R2so that the length of one side of the search region of interest R2is a value obtained by adding a determined length to the length of one side of the follow-up region of interest R1.

Further, the size of the search region of interest R2can be fixed to a predetermined size or can be set by the user through the operation unit18.

Although not shown, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1may further comprise a final measurement value determination unit that determines the final measurement value calculated by the final measurement value calculation unit13in step S18. For example, in a case where the final measurement value exceeds a predetermined value, the final measurement value determination unit can display a message indicating that fact on the display unit8through the display controller7. Further, the final measurement value determination unit can also issue a message indicating that the final measurement value has exceeded a predetermined value as a voice. Thereby, since the user can be urged to pay attention to the value of the final measurement value, the user can perform a more accurate diagnosis.

Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, although the measurement of the measurement target is performed by using the ultrasound image, the measurement can be performed on the acoustic wave image other than the ultrasound image. For example, in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1comprises a device that emits and receives laser light in addition to the ultrasound probe21, the measurement target can also be measured on a photoacoustic wave image and a composite image in which an ultrasound image and a photoacoustic wave image are superimposed.

Second Embodiment

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1according to the first embodiment, although the second measurement frame is set by causing the user to refer to the measurement values in the plurality of frames calculated by the measurement unit11, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to a second embodiment can further calculate the reliabilities with respect to the measurement values in the plurality of frames and cause the user to further refer to the calculated reliabilities.

FIG. 12shows a configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to a second embodiment. In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the second embodiment, a reliability calculation unit26is connected to the measurement unit11, and the display controller7and the device controller14are connected to the reliability calculation unit26, respectively. Further, a processor22A is configured by the AD converter5, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, the final measurement value calculation unit13, the device controller14, the measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, the frame designation receiving unit17, and the reliability calculation unit26.

Here, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A of the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1, except that the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A comprises the reliability calculation unit26.

The reliability calculation unit26of the processor22A calculates the reliabilities of the measurement values calculated by the measurement unit11with respect to the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9, and displays the calculated reliabilities on the display unit8. Here, the reliability of the measurement value is an index indicating the certainty of the measurement value, and the measurement value having higher reliability can be determined to be more accurate. For example, in a case where the measurement line at the time of calculating the measurement value is a line segment for measuring the length between two points, the reliability calculation unit26can calculate the reliability of the measurement value based on the edge strength of the ultrasound image at the end points of the line segment. The edge strength indicates the contour likeness in the target part on the image, and the reliability based on the edge strength of the image at the target point can be calculated by image recognition using, for example, the contrast between the target point and surrounding points.

Further, in a case of calculating the reliability with respect to the measurement value, the reliability calculation unit26can store the calculated reliability in a data memory (not shown) or the like.

Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 13.

Steps S1to S9in the flowchart shown inFIG. 13are the same as steps S1to S9of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 3. That is, first, in a case where the measurement item designated by the user through the operation unit18is received, acquisition of the ultrasound image is started. Next, the ultrasound image acquired from the time when the instruction to start storing the ultrasound image is given by the user through the operation unit18to the time when the instruction to end storing the ultrasound image is given is stored in the image memory9. In a case where the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames are stored in the image memory9, one frame among the stored plurality of frames is selected as the first measurement frame F1by the user through the operation unit18. In a case where the user designates an approximate position of the measurement target with respect to the first measurement frame F1, the automatic measurement of the measurement target is performed on the first measurement frame F1by the measurement unit11.

In a case where the automatic measurement is performed on the first measurement frame F1in step S9, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the reliability calculation unit26calculates the reliability with respect to the measurement value calculated in step S9. For example, in a case where the measurement line used for the measurement in step S9is a line segment for measuring the length, the reliability calculation unit26calculates the reliability of the measurement value based on the edge strength of the ultrasound image at the end points of the measurement line.

In the following step S10, the device controller14determines whether the calculation of the measurement values and the reliabilities has been completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6. Here, in a case where the device controller14cannot determine that the calculation of the measurement values and the reliabilities has been completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6, the process proceeds to step S11.

Steps S11to S15are the same as steps S11to S15in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 3. That is, the measurement position setting unit10sets the follow-up region of interest R1for the first measurement frame F1, which is the current frame, and sets the search region of interest R2for the next frame F2. Next, the measurement position setting unit10detects the follow-up region of interest R1in the next frame F2by performing the image analysis or the like on the search region of interest R2in the next frame F2, and calculates the movement amount of the follow-up region of interest R1. The position of the measurement target is set for the next frame F2based on the calculated movement amount of the follow-up region of interest R1, and the frame is updated.

In a case where the frame is updated in step S15, that is, in a case where the frame F2is updated as the current frame, the process returns to step S9, and the automatic measurement on the frame F2is performed by the measurement unit11. In a case where the reliability with respect to the measurement value in the frame F2is calculated by the reliability calculation unit26in step S20, the process proceeds to step S10.

As described above, in a case where it is determined in step S10that the calculation of the measurement values and the reliabilities in all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6is completed as a result of repeating the processes of steps S9, S20and steps S10to S15, the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the measurement unit11and the reliability calculation unit26display the measurement values and the reliabilities in all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6on the display unit8, as shown inFIG. 14. In the example shown inFIG. 14, a measurement value graph A1in which the measurement values, that is, the lengths of the diameters of the inferior vena cava are plotted in the order of the frames corresponding to the measurement values and a reliability graph A2in which the reliabilities with respect to each measurement value are plotted in the order of the frames corresponding to the measurement values are displayed on the display unit8.

In the following step S17, one frame is selected from all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6by the user through the operation unit18, and the frame selected by the user is received by the frame designation receiving unit17as the second measurement frame to be used for calculating the final measurement value. In this case, in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A of the second embodiment, as shown inFIG. 14, in addition to the plurality of measurement values, the reliabilities with respect to these measurement values are displayed on the display unit8, so that the user can select the second measurement frame by referring to the reliability in addition to the measurement value. Since the reliability is an index indicating the certainty of the measurement value, for example, the user can select a frame having a measurement value of which the reliability with respect to the measurement value is equal to or more than a certain value as the second measurement frame.

In the example shown inFIG. 14, the ultrasound image U103is selected by the user from the ultrasound images U101, U102, U103, and U104displayed as a list. In a case where the setting button B4is operated by the user through the operation unit18in this state, the ultrasound image U103selected by the user is set as the second measurement frame.

Subsequent steps S18and S19are the same as steps S18and S19in the first embodiment shown inFIG. 3. That is, the final measurement value calculation unit13calculates the final measurement value from the measurement value in the first measurement frame and the measurement value in the second measurement frame, and displays the calculated final measurement value on the display unit8. In this way, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the second embodiment ends.

As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A of the second embodiment, since the reliabilities are automatically calculated with respect to the measurement values in all the frames stored in the image memory9to be displayed on the display unit8together with the measurement values by performing a designation of the measurement position with respect to the first measurement frame by the user, the user can easily select the second measurement frame having a value appropriate for the calculation of the final measured value.

In the second embodiment, although a case where the reliability calculation unit26calculates the reliability of the measurement value based on the edge strength of the ultrasound image at the end points of the measurement line in a case where the measurement line used for calculating the measurement value is a line segment for measuring the length between two points has been exemplified, but the method of calculating the reliability is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the measurement line used for calculating the measurement value is a line segment, the reliability calculation unit26can calculate the reliability of the measurement value based on the angle between the edge in the ultrasound image and the measurement line. In this case, the reliability can be calculated so that, for example, the value increases as the angle between the edge in the ultrasound image and the measurement line is closer to a right angle.

Further, for example, in a case where the measurement line used for calculating the measurement value is a closed curve for calculating the area, the reliability can be calculated based on the circularity of the contour of the measurement line, the average value of the edge strengths of the ultrasound image on the contour of the measurement line, and the like. For example, in a case where the measurement item is relevant to a measurement target having a substantially circular shape, such as the short axis diameter of the gallbladder and the short axis diameter of the abdominal aorta, the measurement unit11determines that the contour of the measurement target can be extracted more accurately as the circularity of the measurement line is larger, and can calculate the reliability higher. In addition, for example, the measurement unit11determines that the contour of the measurement target can be extracted more accurately as the average value of the edge strengths of the ultrasound image on the contour of the measurement line is larger, and the reliability can be calculated higher.

Third Embodiment

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1according to the first embodiment and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the second embodiment, the user selects the second measurement frame to be used for calculating the final measurement value, but an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B according to a third embodiment can automatically set the second measurement frame.

FIG. 15shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B according to a third embodiment. In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B of the third embodiment, a second measurement frame setting unit27is connected to the reliability calculation unit26, and the measurement unit11and the device controller14are respectively connected to the second measurement frame setting unit27. In addition, a processor22B is configured by the AD converter5, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, the device controller14, the measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, the frame designation receiving unit17, the reliability calculation unit26, and the second measurement frame setting unit27.

Here, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the second embodiment shown inFIG. 12except that the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B comprises a second measurement frame setting unit27.

The second measurement frame setting unit27of the processor22B automatically sets a second measurement frame from a plurality of frames stored in the image memory9based on the measurement value calculated by the measurement unit11or both the measurement value calculated by the measurement unit11and the reliability calculated by the reliability calculation unit26.

For example, as shown inFIG. 16, in a case where a measurement value MV1in the first measurement frame F1is the maximum value MV1max, the second measurement frame setting unit27can set the frame having the minimum value MV1min among the plurality of measurement values MV1in the plurality of frames as the second measurement frame F3.

Also, for example, although not shown, in a case where the measurement value MV1in the first measurement frame F1is the minimum value MV1min, the second measurement frame setting unit27can set the frame having the maximum value MV1max among the plurality of measurement values MV1in the plurality of frames as the second measurement frame F3.

Further, the second measurement frame setting unit27can also set the second measurement frame F3with reference to a reliability DR. For example, as shown inFIG. 17, in a case where a measurement value MV2in the first measurement frame F1is a maximum value MV2max, the second measurement frame setting unit27can set a frame having a minimum value MV2min among the plurality of measurement values MV2in the plurality of frames as the second measurement frame F3after excluding the frames included in a range S where the reliability DR is equal to or less than a certain value DRth from the targets to be set as the second measurement frame F3.

Although not shown, the second measurement frame setting unit27can set the frame having the maximum value MV2max among the plurality of measurement values MV2in the plurality of frames as the second measurement frame F3after excluding the frames included in the range S in which the reliability DR is equal to or less than the certain value DRth from the targets to be set as the second measurement frame, similarly in a case where the measurement value MV2in the first measurement frame F1is the minimum value MV2min.

As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B of the third embodiment, since the second measurement frame F3is automatically set based on the measurement value calculated by the measurement unit11and the reliability calculated by the reliability calculation unit26, there is no need for the user to select the second measurement frame F3with reference to the ultrasound image, the measurement value, and the reliability, thereby the final measurement value can be calculated while further reducing the burden on the user.

In addition, since the second measurement frame F3can be automatically set with reference to the measurement value V1having higher reliability by excluding a frame in a range where the reliability is equal to or less than a certain value from a target to be selected as the second measurement frame F3, the accuracy in calculating the final measurement value can be improved.

Fourth Embodiment

In the first to third embodiments, the measurement values are calculated for all the frames stored in the image memory9, but an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C according to a fourth embodiment can limit the frames in which the measurement values are calculated.

FIG. 18shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C according to a fourth embodiment. In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C, a measurement frame selection unit28is connected to the image memory9, and the measurement unit11and the device controller14are respectively connected to the measurement frame selection unit28.

In addition, a processor22C is configured by the AD converter5, the image generation unit6, the display controller7, the measurement position setting unit10, the measurement unit11, the detection measurement algorithm setting unit12, the final measurement value calculation unit13, the device controller14, the measurement item designation receiving unit15, the measurement position designation receiving unit16, the frame designation receiving unit17, the reliability calculation unit26, the second measurement frame setting unit27, and the measurement frame selection unit28.

Here, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1B according to the third embodiment shown inFIG. 15except that the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C comprises the measurement frame selection unit28.

The measurement frame selection unit28of the processor22C selects a part of frames from among the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9for detecting and measuring the measurement target by the measurement unit11.

For example, in a case where a frame, among the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9, positioned in the first half of the plurality of frames in time series is set as the first measurement frame F1by the user through the operation unit18, the measurement frame selection unit28selects a frame group from the first measurement frame F1to the newest frame among the plurality of frames as a frame group for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR.FIG. 19is a conceptual diagram showing a frame group selected in this way. InFIG. 19, the measurement value MV and the reliability DR corresponding to each frame are plotted in the order of the frames arranged in time series. In this case, the automatic measurement is performed on each frame of the frame group selected by the measurement frame selection unit28in a time series order along the direction D1.

Further, for example, in a case where a frame, among the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames stored in the image memory9, positioned in the second half of the plurality of frames in time series is set as a first measurement frame F1by the user through the operation unit18, the measurement frame selection unit28selects a frame group from the oldest frame among the plurality of frames to the first measurement frame F1as a frame group for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR.FIG. 20is a conceptual diagram showing a frame group selected in this way. InFIG. 20, similarly toFIG. 19, the measurement value MV and the reliability DR corresponding to each frame are plotted in the order of the frames arranged in time series. In this case, the automatic measurement is performed on each frame of the frame group selected by the measurement frame selection unit28in the order of going back in time along the direction D2.

As described above, in a case where the automatic measurement is performed on the frame group selected by the measurement frame selection unit28, the measurement position setting unit10sets the position of the measurement target only for the frame group selected by the measurement frame selection unit28, and the automatic measurement is performed by the measurement unit11with respect to the frame to which the position of the measurement target is set. As a result, the measurement values in the first measurement frame F1and the second measurement frame F3are calculated, and the final measurement value is calculated based on these measurement values.

As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C of the fourth embodiment, since a frame group for which the measurement value MV and the reliability DR are calculated can be selected from a plurality of frames stored in the image memory9, the burden on the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C can be reduced, and the final measurement value can be obtained more quickly.

In the example of the fourth embodiment shown inFIGS. 19 and 20, in a case where a first measurement frame F1is set by the user through the operation unit18, the measurement frame selection unit28selects a frame group from the first measurement frame F1to the newest frame or the oldest frame as frames for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR, but, in addition to designation of the first measurement frame F1, the user can designate a measurement end frame for ending the automatic measurement, and the measurement frame selection unit28can also select a frame group between the first measurement frame F1and the measurement end frame as frames for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR.

For example, as shown inFIG. 21, in a case where the measurement end frame F4for ending the automatic measurement is designated by the user through the operation unit18, the measurement frame selection unit28can select a frame group from the first measurement frame F1to the measurement end frame F4designated by the user as the frame group for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR. At this time, although not shown, the user can designate the measurement end frame F4through the operation unit18while referring to the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames displayed in a time series order on the display unit8, for example, as shown inFIG. 6.

In a case where the frame group for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR is selected in this way, the automatic measurement is performed on the selected frame group in a time series order along the direction D1. In the example shown inFIG. 21, although a newer frame than the first measurement frame F1in time series is designated as the measurement end frame F4for ending the automatic measurement, as the measurement end frame F4, an older frame than the first measurement frame F1in time series may be designated. In that case, the automatic measurement is performed on the selected frame group in the order of going back in time along the direction D2.

As described above, since the frames for performing the automatic measurement can be limited by selecting the measurement end frame F4for ending the automatic measurement, a burden on the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C is further reduced, and the final measurement value can be obtained more quickly.

Further, in the process of performing the automatic measurement for the frame group selected by the measurement frame selection unit28, the second measurement frame F3can be set. For example, as shown inFIG. 22, in a case where the measurement value MV in the first measurement frame F1is the maximum value and the automatic measurement is performed for each frame in a time series order in the direction D1, at the time when the measurement value MV becomes the minimum value in the process of performing the automatic measurement, the second measurement frame setting unit27can set the frame in which the measurement value MV becomes the minimum value as the second measurement frame F3. Further, at this time, the measurement unit11determines that subsequent automatic measurement is unnecessary, and can stop the automatic measurement for each frame in the frame group selected by the measurement frame selection unit28.

Further, even in a case where the frame group for calculating the measurement value MV and the reliability DR is not selected by the measurement frame selection unit28, the second measurement frame F3can be set in the process of performing the automatic measurement for the plurality of frames.

As described above, by setting the second measurement frame F3in the process of performing the automatic measurement for the plurality of frames, the frame on which the automatic measurement is performed can be omitted, thereby the burden on the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1C is further reduced, and the final measurement value can be obtained more quickly.

Fifth Embodiment

In the first to fourth embodiments, although the measurement target is measured for the measurement item that requires a plurality of measurement values V1for calculating the final measurement value, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment can use the measurement value in a single frame as the final measurement value depending on the measurement item. Therefore, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the fifth embodiment can set whether to calculate the measurement value V1only for a single frame or to calculate the measurement values V1in a plurality of frames according to the measurement item.

Here, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A of the second embodiment shown inFIG. 12. Therefore, the fifth embodiment will be described by using the same reference numerals as those of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A shown inFIG. 12.

FIG. 23is a flowchart showing an operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the fifth embodiment.

Steps S1to S9inFIG. 23are the same as steps S1to S9in the second embodiment shown inFIG. 13. That is, first, in a case where the measurement item designated by the user through the operation unit18is received, acquisition of the ultrasound image is started. Next, the ultrasound image acquired from the time when the instruction to start storing the ultrasound image is given by the user through the operation unit18to the time when the instruction to end storing the ultrasound image is given is stored in the image memory9. In a case where the ultrasound images of the plurality of frames are stored in the image memory9, one frame among the stored plurality of frames is selected as the first measurement frame F1by the user through the operation unit18. In a case where the user designates an approximate position of the measurement target with respect to the first measurement frame F1, the automatic measurement of the measurement target is performed on the first measurement frame F1by the measurement unit11.

In a case where the automatic measurement for the first measurement frame F1is performed in step S9, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the device controller14determines whether the automatic measurement in the plurality of frames is necessary based on the measurement item designated by the user in step S1. At this time, in a case where the measurement item designated by the user in step S1is a measurement item that requires the calculation of the final measurement value based on the measurement values V1in the plurality of frames, such as the inferior vena cava diameter, the process proceeds to step S20.

In this case, the same processing as in step S20, steps S10to S15, and step S9in the second embodiment shown inFIG. 13is performed. That is, in a case where the reliability V2with respect to the measurement value V1is calculated in step S20, the processing of steps S10to S15, step S9, step S22, and step S20is repeated until the calculation of the measurement value V1and the reliability V2is completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6. As a result, in a case where it is determined in step S10that the calculation of the measurement value V1and the reliability V2has been completed for all the frames stored in the image memory9in steps S3to S6, and the process proceeds to step S21.

Subsequent steps S21and S17to S19are the same as steps S21and S17to S19in the second embodiment shown inFIG. 13, and all the calculated measurement value V1and reliability V2are displayed on the display unit8, and the final measurement value is calculated, thereby the calculated final measured value is displayed on the display unit8.

On the other hand, in a case where the measurement item designated by the user in step S1is a measurement item that requires only measurement in a single frame, such as the kidney and abdominal aorta diameter, in step S22, the device controller14determines that the calculation of the reliability V2and the automatic measurement in a plurality of frames are not necessary, and the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the measurement value V1calculated in step S9is displayed as the final measurement value. In this way, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A according to the fifth embodiment ends.

As described above, according to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus1A of the fifth embodiment, since measurement is performed by automatically determining whether to perform the automatic measurement only for a single frame or to perform the automatic measurement for the plurality of frames according to the measurement item designated by the user, a result suitable for the measurement item can be presented to the user.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

1: ultrasound diagnostic apparatus

3: transmission unit

4: reception unit

5: AD converter

6: image generation unit

7: display controller

8: display unit

9: image memory

10: measurement position setting unit

11: measurement unit

12: detection measurement algorithm setting unit

13: final measurement value calculation unit

14: device controller

15: measurement item designation receiving unit

16: measurement position designation receiving unit

17: frame designation receiving unit

18: operation unit

19: storage unit

23: signal processing unit

25: image processing unit

26: reliability calculation unit

27: second measurement frame setting unit

28: measurement frame selection unit

A1: measurement value graph

B1: storage start button

B2: storage end button

DRth: certain value

F1: first measurement frame

F3: second measurement frame

F4: measurement end frame

R1: follow-up region of interest

R2: search region of interest

SB: scroll bar