Patent Publication Number: US-2017360410-A1

Title: Ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus

Description:
The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-120542 filed on Jun. 17, 2016 including description, claims, drawings, and abstract are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In ultrasound diagnosis, heart beats and fetal movements are obtained as ultrasound images with high safety by simply putting an ultrasound probe on a body surface. Thus, examinations can be performed repeatedly. An ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, which is used for performing ultrasound diagnosis and generates and displays an ultrasound image, has been known. 
     In the field of orthopedic ultrasound, many user scenes exist where two images (two screens), a target part (affected part side) with pain (chief complaint) and the opposite part thereof (healthy part side) in a pair of parts such as hands, are displayed and compared. Whether to acquire an image from of the affected part side or to acquire an image from the healthy part side is case-by-case depending on the condition and state of a patient. In either case, the healthy part side and the affected part side are ultimately in a freeze state of fixed layout in which the healthy part side is on the left/upper side and the affected part side is on the right/lower side or vice versa. The left side part of the body is not displayed in the left image, and the order of arrangement of the healthy part side and the affected part side is preset. 
     Thus, flexible two-image operation is very important in terms of productivity improvement, and it is necessary to provide highly visible buttons related to the two-image operation so that a user can operate smoothly without confusion. 
     Moreover, an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, in which images and buttons are arranged so that the arrangement of the buttons for active (selecting state) setting in a two-image screen is intuitively easily understood, has been known (see JP 2014-147543 A). This apparatus aligns the buttons horizontally when the two images are horizontal and aligns the buttons vertically when the two images are vertical. 
     In the above conventional ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, the arrangement of the buttons and the screen layout after a transition match, and an active image after two-image display can be thus selected by intuitive operation. However, there has been a problem that a screen layout and which of the images becomes active are unclear upon a transition from a display screen with one ultrasound image into a display screen with two ultrasound images. Moreover, there has been a problem in productivity since a user cannot select which of the affected part side and the healthy part side to start scanning (cine-image data storage) and unnecessary steps increase when the screen layout upon pressing down the two-image buttons does not match the sense of the user. 
     Therefore, the flexibility of the two-image operation is very important in terms of productivity improvement, and it is necessary to provide highly visible buttons related to the two-image operation so that the user can operate smoothly without confusion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to easily designate an active ultrasound image in a display screen of a transition destination and retention of cine-image data before and after the transition upon a transition from a display screen having an ultrasound image into a display screen having more images. 
     To achieve the abovementioned object, according to an aspect, there is provided an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus which generates ultrasound image data based on a reception signal generated by an ultrasound probe, which transmits and receives ultrasound to and from a test subject, and displays an ultrasound image, and the apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention comprises:
         a cine-memory that stores cine-image data of the ultrasound image which is live;   a determiner that determines whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory before a transition from a display screen having the ultrasound image into a display screen having a predetermined number of more images, after the transition; and   a hardware processor that indicates, according to a determination result of the determiner, an arrangement of the ultrasound image, which is active, in a display screen transitioned next and a setting state of retention of the cine-image data in the cine-memory before and after the transition, generates a display screen including a first button for accepting an input of the transition into the display screen, and displays the display screen on a display.       

     According to an invention of Item. 2, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of Item. 1,
         the hardware processor preferably generates a display screen including a second button for accepting an input as to whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory before the transition, after transition and displays the display screen on the display, and   the determiner preferably determines, according to an input state of the second button, a setting as to whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory before the transition, after the transition.       

     According to an invention of Item. 3, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of Item. 2,
         the hardware processor preferably sets an input on the second button to be disabled after the transition into the display screen having the predetermined number of the images.       

     According to an invention of Item. 4, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of any one of Items. 1 to 3,
         the hardware processor preferably sets an input on the first button to be disabled for a transition into a display screen, where a same active image is arranged, after the transition into the display screen having the predetermined number of the images.       

     According to an invention of Item. 5, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of any one of Items. 1 to 4,
         the hardware processor preferably divides the cine-memory into a predetermined number of memory regions including a memory region storing last cine-image data before the transition when the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory before the transition is determined to be retained after the transition by the determiner.       

     According to an invention of Item. 6, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of any one of Items. 1 to 5,
         the predetermined number is preferably two.       

     According to an invention of Item. 7, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of Item. 6,
         the hardware processor preferably sets the first button as a button which accepts a transition into a display screen including the ultrasound image and a blank image and accepts an input as to whether to arrange the ultrasound image on a left or right side or on an upper or lower side when the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory before the transition is determined not to be retained after the transition by the determiner, and sets the first button as a button which accepts a transition into a display screen including two ultrasound images, an active ultrasound image and an inactive ultrasound image, and accepts an input as to whether to arrange the active ultrasound image on the left or right side or on the upper or lower side when the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory before the transition is determined to be retained after the transition by the determiner.       

     According to an invention of Item. 8, in the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus of Item. 6 or 7,
         the hardware processor preferably makes the display screen including the first button include a third button which accepts an input as to switch a display between the first button corresponding to the transition into the display screen in which two images are arranged horizontally and the first button corresponding to the transition into the display screen in which the two images are arranged vertically.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a screen transition between a first display screen and a second display screen; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a screen transition between a third display screen and a fourth display screen; 
         FIG. 5  is a view showing a screen transition between the first display screen and the third display screen; 
         FIG. 6  is a view showing a screen transition between the second display screen and the fourth display screen; 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing a screen transition between the first display screen and a fifth display screen; 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing a screen transition between the first display screen and a sixth display screen; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing a screen transition between the second display screen and a seventh display screen; 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing a screen transition between the second display screen and an eighth display screen; 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing a screen transition between the third display screen and a ninth display screen; 
         FIG. 12  is a view showing a screen transition between the third display screen and a tenth display screen; 
         FIG. 13  is a view showing a screen transition between the fourth display screen and an eleventh display screen; 
         FIG. 14  is a view showing a screen transition between the fourth display screen and a twelfth display screen; 
         FIG. 15  is a view showing a screen transition between the fifth display screen and the tenth display screen; 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing a screen transition between the sixth display screen and the ninth display screen; 
         FIG. 17  is a view showing a screen transition between the seventh display screen and the twelfth display screen; 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing a screen transition between the eighth display screen and the eleventh display screen; 
         FIG. 19  is a view showing a screen transition between the ninth display screen and the tenth display screen; 
         FIG. 20  is a view showing a screen transition between the eleventh display screen and the twelfth display screen; 
         FIG. 21  is a view showing a screen transition between the fifth display screen and the seventh display screen; 
         FIG. 22  is a view showing a screen transition between the sixth display screen and the eighth display screen; 
         FIG. 23  is a view showing a screen transition between the ninth display screen and the eleventh display screen; 
         FIG. 24  is a view showing a screen transition between the tenth display screen and the twelfth display screen; 
         FIG. 25  is a flowchart showing a horizontal two-image display process; and 
         FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing a vertical two-image display process. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. 
     First, a configuration of an apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  is an external view of an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  according to the embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  of the present embodiment includes an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus main body  1   a  and an ultrasound probe  1   b . The ultrasound probe  1   b  transmits ultrasound (transmission ultrasound) to a test subject such as an unillustrated living body as well as receives a reflected wave (reflected ultrasound: echo) of the ultrasound reflected on this test subject. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus main body  1   a  is connected to the ultrasound probe  1   b  through a cable  1   c  and transmits a driving signal, an electric signal, to the ultrasound probe  1   b  so that the ultrasound probe  1   b  transmits the transmission ultrasound to the test subject as well as images an inner state of the test subject as an ultrasound image based on a reception signal, an electric signal, generated by the ultrasound probe  1   b  according to the reflected ultrasound from the test subject received by the ultrasound probe  1   b.    
     The ultrasound probe  1   b  includes an oscillator constituted by piezoelectric elements, and this oscillator is, for example, aligned plurally in a one-dimensional array in an orientation direction. In the present embodiment, for example, the ultrasound probe  1   b  including  192  oscillators is used. Note that the oscillators maybe aligned in a two-dimensional array. Moreover, the number of oscillators can be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a linear scanning type electronic scanning probe is employed as the ultrasound probe  1   b . However, any one of an electronic scanning type or a mechanical scanning type can be employed, and any type among a linear scanning type, a sector scanning type or a convex scanning type can also be employed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus main body  1   a  includes, for example, an operation input unit  101 , a transmission unit  102 , a reception unit  103 , an image generation unit  104 , an image processing unit  105 , a digital scan converter (DSC)  106 , an operation display unit  107 , a controller  108  serving as a determiner and a control unit, a memory  109 , and a cine-memory  110  serving as a cine-storage unit. 
     The operation input unit  101  includes, for example, various switches, buttons, a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard and the like to input a command to instruct a start of diagnosis, data of personal information of the test subject, and the like, and outputs an operation signal to the controller  108 . 
     The transmission unit  102  is a circuit which supplies the driving signal, an electric signal, to the ultrasound probe  1   b  through the cable  1   c  according to control by the controller  108  so that the ultrasound probe  1   b generates the transmission ultrasound. Moreover, the transmission unit  102  includes, for example, a clock generation circuit, a delay circuit and a pulse generation circuit. The clock generation circuit is a circuit which generates a clock signal to determine the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the driving signal. The delay circuit is a circuit which sets a delay time for the transmission timing of the driving signal for each individual path corresponding to each oscillator and delays the transmission of the driving signal by the set delay time to focus the transmission beams constituted by the transmission ultrasound. The pulse generation circuit is a circuit which generates a pulse signal as the driving signal in a predetermined cycle. For example, the transmission unit  102  configured as described above drives some of the consecutive oscillators (e.g., 64 oscillators) among the plurality of the oscillators (e.g., 192 oscillators) aligned in the ultrasound probe  1   b  to generate the transmission ultrasound. Then, each time the transmission ultrasound is generated, the transmission unit  102  shifts the driving oscillators in the orientation direction to scan. 
     The reception unit  103  is a circuit which receives the reception signal, an electric signal, from the ultrasound probe  1   b  through the cable  1   c  according to control by the controller  108 . The reception unit  103  includes, for example, an amplifier, an A/D conversion circuit and a phase adding circuit. The amplifier is a circuit which amplifies the reception signal by a preset amplification factor for each individual path corresponding to each oscillator. The A/D conversion circuit is a circuit which performs A/D conversion on the amplified reception signal. The phase adding circuit is a circuit which provides a delay time for the A/D converted reception signal for each individual path corresponding to each oscillator to adjust the time phases, and adds these up (phase addition) to generate sound ray data. 
     The image generation unit  104  performs envelope detection processing and log compression on the sound ray data from the reception unit  103  and adjusts the dynamic range and gain to convert the luminance, thereby generating B-mode image data. In other words, the B-mode image data shows the intensity of the reception signal by the luminance. The image generation unit  104  may generate A-mode image data, M-mode image data and image data by the Doppler method, in addition to the B-mode image data. 
     The image processing unit  105  includes an image memory unit  105   a  configured with a semiconductor memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The image processing unit  105  stores the B-mode image data outputted from the image generation unit  104  in the unit of frames in the image memory unit  105   a.  The image data in the unit of frames may be called ultrasound image data or frame image data. The frame image data stored in the image memory unit  105   a  is transmitted to the DSC  106  according to control by the controller  108 . 
     The DSC  106  performs coordinate transformation and the like on the frame image data received from the image processing unit  105  to convert into an image signal for a display unit  107   a  and outputs the signal to the operation display unit  107 . 
     The operation display unit  107  includes the display unit  107   a  and a touch panel  107   b.  The display unit  107   a  can be a display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode-ray tube (CRT) display, an organic electronic luminescence (EL) display, an inorganic EL display or a plasma display. The display unit  107   a  displays an image on a display screen according to the image signal outputted from the DSC  106 . The touch panel  107   b  is a pressure sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel, in which transparent electrodes are arranged in grid, configured on the display screen of the display unit  107   a.  The touch panel  107   b  detects the XY coordinate of the point pressed with a finger on the screen by the voltage value and outputs the detected position signal as the operation signal to the controller  108 . Note that the touch panel is not limited to a pressure sensitive type and a type may be selected from various types such as an electrostatic capacitance type for use as appropriate. 
     The controller  108  is configured by including, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The controller  108  reads out various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM to expand in the RAM and centrally controls the operation of each unit of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  according to the expanded program. The ROM configured with a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor and the like and stores, for example, a system program compatible with the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1 , various processing programs which can be executed on the system program and execute processings such as image file generation processing, plural image control processing and the like, which will be described later, various data such as a gamma table, and the like. These programs are stored in a format of a program code readable by a computer, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program code. The RAM forms a work area which temporarily stores various programs executed by the CPU and the data related to these programs. 
     The memory  109  is configured with, for example, a large capacity recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) and stores ultrasound image data saved in association with patient information, and the like. 
     The cine-memory  110  is, for example, a first in first out (FIFO) memory which is configured with a RAM and the like and stores image data of a live moving image updated in real time as cine-image data according to control by the controller  108 . The cine-memory  110  has a memory region  110   a  for, for example, up to 500 frames of the cine-image data. Moreover, as the memory region of the cine-memory  110 , the memory region  110   a  can also be divided into two regions, a memory region  110   b  and a memory region  110   c,  which independently store, for example, up to 250 frames of the cine-image data. Note that the numbers of the frames in the memory regions  110   a,    110   b  and  110   c  are not limited to 500 and 250 each and may be different numbers of frames as long as the memory capacity allows. Furthermore, the cine-memory  110  may be configured with a part of the RAM of the controller  108 . 
     Next, the operations of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 26 . First, display screens displayed on the display unit  107   a  of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  and screen transitions will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 24 .  FIG. 3  is a view showing a screen transition between a display screen  210  and a display screen  220 .  FIG. 4  is a view showing a screen transition between a display screen  230  and a display screen  240 .  FIG. 5  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  210  and the display screen  230 .  FIG. 6  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  220  and the display screen  240 .  FIG. 7  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  210  and a display screen  250 .  FIG. 8  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  210  and a display screen  260 .  FIG. 9  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  220  and a display screen  270 .  FIG. 10  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  220  and a display screen  280 . 
       FIG. 11  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  230  and a display screen  290 .  FIG. 12  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  230  and a display screen  300 .  FIG. 13  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  240  and a display screen  310 .  FIG. 14  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  240  and a display screen  320 .  FIG. 15  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  250  and the display screen  300 .  FIG. 16  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  260  and the display screen  290 .  FIG. 17  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  270  and the display screen  320 .  FIG. 18  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  280  and the display screen  310 .  FIG. 19  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  290  and the display screen  300 .  FIG. 20  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  310  and the display screen  320 . 
       FIG. 21  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  250  and the display screen  270 .  FIG. 22  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  260  and the display screen  280 .  FIG. 23  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  290  and the display screen  310 .  FIG. 24  is a view showing a screen transition between the display screen  300  and the display screen  320 . 
     First, the configuration of the display screen of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display screen (e.g., the display screen  210 ) of the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  has an ultrasound image region  400  and a button region  500 . The ultrasound image region  400  is a display region of an ultrasound image and a display region of one ultrasound image or two horizontal or vertical images. The button region  500  is a display region of display buttons (icons) for transitioning the layout of the ultrasound image in the ultrasound image region  400  and the layout of the display buttons arranged in the button region  500 . 
     The display buttons in the button region  500  are described as ones accepting a touch input through the touch panel  107   b,  but are not limited thereto. The display buttons may be configured to accept a click input by moving a pointer on the display screen by the operation device of the operation input unit  101 . Thus, each of the display screens  210  to  320  has the ultrasound image region  400  and the button region  500 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the display screen  210  has a single ultrasound image region  410  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400 , a button  510  as a third button, a button  520  as a second button, and buttons  530  and  540  as first buttons, which are arranged in the button region  500 . The single ultrasound image region  410  is a display region of one ultrasound image, and, for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     The button  510  is a display button which accepts inputs as to change the layout of the display buttons in the button region  500  from horizontal to vertical in a single display screen having one ultrasound image region displayed in the ultrasound image region  400  or as to change the layout of the display buttons from vertical to horizontal, and as to change the layout of display images from horizontal to vertical in a dual display screen having two images (an ultrasound image, a blank image) or as to change the layout of the display images from vertical to horizontal. The button  520  is a display button which accepts an input of switching instruction as to whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen in the ultrasound image region  400 , after the transition (whether to divide one memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110  into the two memory regions  110   b  and  110   c  in advance before the transition). 
     The button  530  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having an active ultrasound image region on the left side and a blank image region on the right side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. The button  540  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having a blank image region on the left side and an active ultrasound image region on the right side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. 
     The display screen  220  has the single ultrasound image region  410  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400 , the buttons  510  and  520 , and buttons  550  and  560  as first buttons, which are arranged in the button region  500 . 
     The button  550  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having an active ultrasound image region on the upper side and a blank image region on the lower side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. The button  560  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having a blank image region on the upper side and an active ultrasound image region on the lower side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  210  is displayed, the display screen  210  is transitioned into the display screen  220 . Moreover, when a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  220  is displayed, the display screen  220  is transitioned into the display screen  210 . That is, only the button region  500  is changed in the screen transition in  FIG. 3 . Furthermore, while the display screens  210  and  220  are displayed, one memory region  110   a  is set in the cine-memory  110 , and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410  is automatically stored in the memory region  110   a . Since the data stored in the memory region  110   a  is cleared upon the transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen, the buttons  530  to  560  of the display screens  210  and  220  indicate that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is not retained after the transition. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the display screen  230  has the single ultrasound image region  410  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400 , the buttons  510  and  520 , and buttons  570  and  580  as first buttons, which are arranged in the button region  500 . 
     The button  570  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having an active ultrasound image region on the left side and an inactive ultrasound image region on the right side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. The button  580  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having an inactive ultrasound image region on the left side and an active ultrasound image region on the right side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. 
     The display screen  240  has the single ultrasound image region  410  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400 , the buttons  510  and  520 , and buttons  590  and  600  as first buttons, which are arranged in the button region  500 . The button  590  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having an active ultrasound image region on the upper side and an inactive ultrasound image region on the lower side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. The button  600  is a display button which indicates a transition into a dual display screen having an inactive ultrasound image region on the upper side and an active ultrasound image region on the lower side and accepts an input of the transition instruction. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  230  is displayed, the display screen  230  is transitioned into the display screen  240 . Moreover, when a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  240  is displayed, the display screen  240  is transitioned into the display screen  230 . That is, only the button region  500  is changed in the screen transition in  FIG. 4 . Furthermore, while the display screens  230  and  240  are displayed, the two memory regions  110   b  and  110   c,  each storing up to 250 frames, are set in the cine-memory  110 , and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410  is stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c.  Since the data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  is retained upon the transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen, the buttons  570  to  600  of the display screens  230  and  240  indicate that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is retained after the transition. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when a touch input is performed on the button  520  while the display screen  210  is displayed, the display screen  210  is transitioned into the display screen  230 . Moreover, when a touch input is performed on the button  520  while the display screen  230  is displayed, the display screen  230  is transitioned into the display screen  210 . That is, only the button region  500  is changed in the screen transition in  FIG. 5 . Thus, the button  520  accepts a switching input as to whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition from the single display screen to the dual display screen, after the transition. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , when a touch input is performed on the button  520  while the display screen  220  is displayed, the display screen  220  is transitioned into the display screen  240 . Moreover, when a touch input is performed on the button  520  while the display screen  240  is displayed, the display screen  240  is transitioned into the display screen  220 . That is, only the button region  500  is changed in the screen transition in  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the display screen  250  has a dual image region  420  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  570  and  580  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  570  of the display screen  250  are displayed as input disabled states (grayed out), and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  420  has two image regions, one active ultrasound image region  421  arranged on the left side and a blank image region  422  which is arranged on the right side and is blank where an ultrasound image is not displayed. In the ultrasound image region  421 , for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  530  while the display screen  210  is displayed, the display screen  210  is transitioned into the display screen  250 . For example, while the display screen  210  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  530 , the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110  is cleared as well as the memory region  110   a  is divided into the memory regions  110   b  and  110   c,  and the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  421  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   b.  The memory region  110   c  is kept empty, corresponding to the blank image region  422 . Thus, the button  530  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is not retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  421  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the memory region  110   b  may be empty, corresponding to the blank image region  422 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the display screen  260  has a dual image region  430  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  570  and  580  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  580  of the display screen  260  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  430  has two image regions, a blank image region  431  which is arranged on the left side and is blank where an ultrasound image is not displayed and one active ultrasound image region  432  arranged on the right side. In the ultrasound image region  432 , for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  540  while the display screen  210  is displayed, the display screen  210  is transitioned into the display screen  260 . For example, while the display screen  210  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  540 , the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110  is cleared as well as the memory region  110   a  is divided into the memory regions  110   b  and  110   c,  and the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  432  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c.  The memory region  110   b  is kept empty, corresponding to the blank image region  431 . Thus, the button  540  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is not retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  432  may be stored in the memory region  110   b  and the memory region  110   c  may be empty, corresponding to the blank image region  431 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the display screen  270  has a dual image region  440  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  590  and  600  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  590  of the display screen  270  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  440  has two image regions, one active ultrasound image region  441  arranged on the upper side and a blank image region  442  which is arranged on the lower side and is blank where an ultrasound image is not displayed. In the ultrasound image region  441 , for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  550  while the display screen  220  is displayed, the display screen  220  is transitioned into the display screen  270 . For example, while the display screen  220  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  550 , the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110  is cleared as well as the memory region  110   a  is divided into the memory regions  110   b  and  110   c,  and the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  441  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   b.  The memory region  110   c  is kept empty, corresponding to the blank image region  442 . Thus, the button  550  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is not retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  441  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the memory region  110   b  may be empty, corresponding to the blank image region  442 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the display screen  280  has a dual image region  450  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  590  and  600  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  600  of the display screen  280  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  450  has two image regions, a blank image region  451  which is arranged on the upper side and is blank where an ultrasound image is not displayed and one active ultrasound image region  452  arranged on the lower side. In the ultrasound image region  452 , for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  560  while the display screen  220  is displayed, the display screen  220  is transitioned into the display screen  280 . For example, while the display screen  220  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  560 , the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   a  of the cine-memory  110  is cleared as well as the memory region  110   a  is divided into the memory regions  110   b  and  110   c,  and the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  452  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c.  The memory region  110   b  is kept empty, corresponding to the blank image region  451 . Thus, the button  560  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is not retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  452  may be stored in the memory region  110   b  and the memory region  110   c  may be empty, corresponding to the blank image region  451 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the display screen  290  has a dual image region  460  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  570  and  580  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  570  of the display screen  290  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  460  has two image regions, one active ultrasound image region  461  arranged on the left side and one inactive ultrasound image region  462  arranged on the right side. In the ultrasound image region  461 , for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. In the ultrasound image region  462 , for example, a cine-image of cine-image data stored before a screen transition into the display screen  290  is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  570  while the display screen  230  is displayed, the display screen  230  is transitioned into the display screen  290 . For example, while the display screen  230  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  570 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . For example, in an initial state, a still image of the last frame of the cine-image data before a screen transition is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . Thus, the button  570  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the display screen  300  has a dual image region  470  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  570  and  580  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  580  of the display screen  300  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  470  has two image regions, one inactive ultrasound image region  471  arranged on the left side and one active ultrasound image region  472  arranged on the right side. In the ultrasound image region  471 , for example, a cine-image of cine-image data stored before a screen transition into the display screen  300  is displayed. In the ultrasound image region  472 , for example, alive image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  580  while the display screen  230  is displayed, the display screen  230  is transitioned into the display screen  300 . For example, while the display screen  230  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  580 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . For example, in an initial state, a still image of the last frame of the cine-image data before a screen transition is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . Thus, the button  580  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the display screen  310  has a dual image region  480  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  590  and  600  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  590  of the display screen  310  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  480  has two image regions, one active ultrasound image region  481  arranged on the upper side and one inactive ultrasound image region  482  arranged on the lower side. In the ultrasound image region  481 , for example, a live image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. In the ultrasound image region  482 , for example, a cine-image of cine-image data stored before a screen transition into the display screen  310  is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  590  while the display screen  240  is displayed, the display screen  240  is transitioned into the display screen  310 . For example, while the display screen  240  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  590 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . For example, in an initial state, a still image of the last frame of the cine-image data before a screen transition is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . Thus, the button  590  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the display screen  320  has a dual image region  490  arranged in the ultrasound image region  400  and the buttons  510 ,  520 ,  590  and  600  arranged in the button region  500 . However, the buttons  520  and  600  of the display screen  320  are displayed as input disabled states, and the touch input is disabled. 
     The dual image region  490  has two image regions, one inactive ultrasound image region  491  arranged on the upper side and one active ultrasound image region  492  arranged on the lower side. In the ultrasound image region  491 , for example, a cine-image of cine-image data stored before a screen transition into the display screen  320  is displayed. In the ultrasound image region  492 , for example, alive image as a real time ultrasound image is displayed. 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  600  while the display screen  240  is displayed, the display screen  240  is transitioned into the display screen  320 . For example, while the display screen  240  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  600 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . For example, in an initial state, a still image of the last frame of the cine-image data before a screen transition is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . Thus, the button  600  indicates that the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from the single display screen into the dual display screen is retained after the transition. Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the single ultrasound image region  410  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , when a touch input is performed on the button  580  while the display screen  250  is displayed, the display screen  250  is transitioned into the display screen  300 . For example, while the display screen  250  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  421 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  580 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  421  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , when a touch input is performed on the button  570  while the display screen  260  is displayed, the display screen  260  is transitioned into the display screen  290 . For example, while the display screen  260  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  432 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  570 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   b  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  432  may be stored in the memory region  110   b  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  may be stored in the memory region  110   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , when a touch input is performed on the button  600  while the display screen  270  is displayed, the display screen  270  is transitioned into the display screen  320 . For example, while the display screen  270  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  441 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  600 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   c  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  441  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , when a touch input is performed on the button  590  while the display screen  280  is displayed, the display screen  280  is transitioned into the display screen  310 . For example, while the display screen  280  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  452 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  590 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  is started to be stored in the memory region  110   b  which has been empty. The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  452  may be stored in the memory region  110   b  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  may be stored in the memory region  110   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , when a touch input is performed on the button  580  while the display screen  290  is displayed, the display screen  290  is transitioned into the display screen  300 . For example, while the display screen  290  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  461 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . When the touch input is performed on the button  580 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  is started to be stored in (overwriting) the memory region  110   c.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  570  while the display screen  300  is displayed, the display screen  300  is transitioned into the display screen  290 . For example, while the display screen  300  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  472 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . When the touch input is performed on the button  570 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  is started to be stored in (overwriting) the memory region  110   b.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , when a touch input is performed on the button  600  while the display screen  310  is displayed, the display screen  310  is transitioned into the display screen  320 . For example, while the display screen  310  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  481 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . When the touch input is performed on the button  600 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  is started to be stored in (overwriting) the memory region  110   c.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  590  while the display screen  320  is displayed, the display screen  320  is transitioned into the display screen  310 . For example, while the display screen  320  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  492 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . When the touch input is performed on the button  590 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  is started to be stored in (overwriting) the memory region  110   b.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  maybe stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , when a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  250  is displayed, the display screen  250  is transitioned into the display screen  270 . For example, while the display screen  250  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  421 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  441  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     When a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  270  is displayed, the display screen  270  is transitioned into the display screen  250 . For example, while the display screen  270  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  441 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  421  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   b.  Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  421  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  441  may be stored in the memory region  110   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , when a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  260  is displayed, the display screen  260  is transitioned into the display screen  280 . For example, while the display screen  260  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  432 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  452  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   c.    
     When a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  280  is displayed, the display screen  280  is transitioned into the display screen  260 . For example, while the display screen  280  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  452 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  432  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   c.  Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  432  may be stored in the memory region  110   b  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  452  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , when a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  290  is displayed, the display screen  290  is transitioned into the display screen  310 . For example, while the display screen  290  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  461 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   b.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  310  is displayed, the display screen  310  is transitioned into the display screen  290 . For example, while the display screen  310  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  481 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  482 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   b.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   c  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  462 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  461  may be stored in the memory region  110   c  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  481  may be stored in the memory region  110   c.    
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , when a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  300  is displayed, the display screen  300  is transitioned into the display screen  320 . For example, while the display screen  300  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  472 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   c.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . 
     When a touch input is performed on the button  510  while the display screen  320  is displayed, the display screen  320  is transitioned into the display screen  300 . For example, while the display screen  320  is displayed, the live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  492 , and the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   c  of the cine-memory  110 . The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  491 . When the touch input is performed on the button  510 , the cine-image data of the live image started to be displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  is continued to be stored in the memory region  110   c.  The cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  is displayed in the ultrasound image region  471 . Note that the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  472  may be stored in the memory region  110   b  and the cine-image data of the live image displayed in the ultrasound image region  492  may be stored in the memory region  110   b.    
     Next, a horizontal two-image display process using the screen transitions described above will be described with reference to  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  is a flowchart showing the horizontal two-image display process. As one example, the horizontal two-image display process is a process which generates ultrasound image data of a healthy part side and an affected part side of a test subject of a patient having the affected part in one of a pair of parts such as hands, arms or legs and displays the freeze images thereof as two horizontal images on the screen. 
     First, the controller  108  generates image data of the display screen  210 ,  220 ,  230  or  240 , displays the data on the display unit  107   a,  controls the transmission unit  102 , the reception unit  103 , the image generation unit  104 , the image processing unit  105 , the DSC  106  and the operation display unit  107  to sequentially generate real time ultrasound image data (B-mode image data) and displays the data as a live image in the single ultrasound image region  410  of the display screen of the display unit  107   a  as well as sequentially stores the generated B-mode image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   a,    110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  (step S 11 ). While the display screen  210  or  230  is displayed, the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   a . While the display screen  220  or  240  is displayed, the cine-image data of the live image is stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c.    
     Then, when the display screen being displayed is the display screen  210  or  230 , the controller  108  leaves the display screen as it is. When the display screen being displayed is the display screen  220  or  240 , the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  510  from an examiner through the touch panel  107   b  and, according to the touch input on the button  510 , transitions the display screen  220  being displayed into the display screen  210  or transitions the display screen  240  being displayed into the display screen  230  to display on the display unit  107   a  (step S 12 ). Moreover, in the step S 12 , the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  520  from the examiner and, according to the touch input, transitions the display screen  210  into the display screen  230  or transitions the display screen  230  into the display screen  210 . 
     Then, the controller  108  determines whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from a display screen having one ultrasound image into a display screen having two images, after the transition according to the buttons  530  to  580  of the display screen  210  or  230  being displayed (step S 13 ). When the display screen being displayed is the display screen  210  having the buttons  530  and  540 , the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined not to be retained after the transition. When the display screen being displayed is the display screen  230  having the buttons  570  and  580 , the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined to be retained after the transition. 
     When the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is not retained (step S 13 ; NO), the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  530  or  540  as a dual L/R button from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b,  transitions the display screen  210  into the display screen  250  or  260  according to the touch input button and clears the cine-memory  110  to be divided into the memory regions  110   b  and  110   c  (step S 14 ). The live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  421  in the display screen  250  or the ultrasound image region  432  in the display screen  260 . Herein, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a part of the test subject, which is scanned first. For example, to ultimately set the left side as the healthy part side and the right side as the affected part side, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  250  with the active ultrasound image region  421  on the left side is being displayed, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  260  with the active ultrasound image region  432  on the right side is being displayed. 
     Then, the controller  108  generates ultrasound image data of the site of the healthy part side or the affected part side, against which the ultrasound probe  1   b  is pressed in the step S 14 , displays the data as a live image in the ultrasound image region  421  or  432  and stores the ultrasound image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  (step S 15 ). 
     Then, the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  570  or  580 , which is a dual L/R button and not disabled, from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b,  transitions the display screen  250  or  260  into the display screen  300  or  290  according to the touch input button, starts to display the live ultrasound image data started to be newly scanned in the ultrasound image region  472  or  461  (opposite side of the live image display side until the step S 15 ), stops storing the new cine-image data in, for example, the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  which has last been storing the cine-image data, and starts to store the cine-image data of the live image in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  which has not last been storing the cine-image data (step S 16 ). 
     In the step S 16 , while the display screen  290  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 15  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  462 . Similarly, while the display screen  300  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 15  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  471 . Moreover, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a part of the test subject not scanned in the step S 15 . For example, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  290  with the active ultrasound image region  461  on the left side is being displayed, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  300  with the active ultrasound image region  472  on the right side is being displayed. 
     When the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is retained after the transition (step S 13 ; YES), the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  in advance against a part of the test subject, which is scanned first. For example, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  290  with the active ultrasound image region  461  on the left side is displayed next, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  300  with the active ultrasound image region  472  on the right side is displayed next. Herein, the controller  108  generates ultrasound image data of the site of the healthy part side or the affected part side, against which the ultrasound probe  1   b  is pressed, continues to display the data as a live image in the single ultrasound image region  410  and stores the ultrasound image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  (step S 17 ). 
     Then, the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  570  or  580  as a dual L/R button from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b,  transitions the display screen  230  into the display screen  290  or  300  according to the touch input button, starts to display the live image in the ultrasound image region  461  or  472 , and starts to store the cine-image data of the live image in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  (the memory region not storing the cine-image data in the step S 17 ) of the cine-memory  110  (step S 18 ). In the step S 18 , while the display screen  290  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 17  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  462 . Similarly, while the display screen  300  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 17  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  471 . Moreover, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a part of the test subject not scanned in the step S 17 . For example, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  290  with the active ultrasound image region  461  on the left side is being displayed, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  300  with the active ultrasound image region  472  on the right side is being displayed. 
     After the step S 16  or S 18 , the controller  108  generates ultrasound image data of the site of the healthy part side or the affected part side, against which the ultrasound probe  1   b  is pressed in the step S 16  or S 18 , displays the data as a live image in the ultrasound image region  461  or  472  and starts to store the ultrasound image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  (the memory region not storing the cine-image data in the step S 15  or S 17 ) of the cine-memory  110  (step S 19 ). Then, the controller  108  accepts a touch input on a freeze button (not illustrated) on the display screen from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b  (step S 20 ). 
     Then, the controller  108  stops scanning the ultrasound image and storing the cine-image data according the touch input on the freeze button in the step S 20 , displays a freeze image of the last frame of the cine-image data of the live image in the ultrasound image region  461  in the display screen  290  or the ultrasound image region  472  in the display screen  300  (step S 21 ) and ends the horizontal two-image display process. The image data of the freeze image is, for example, stored in the memory  109  by the controller  108  according to an instruction input from the examiner through the operation input unit  101 . 
     Next, a vertical two-image display process using the aforementioned screen transitions will be described with reference to  FIG. 26 .  FIG. 26  is a flowchart showing the vertical two-image display process. As one example, the vertical two-image display process is a process which generates ultrasound image data of a healthy part side and an affected part side of a test subject of a patient having the affected part in one of a pair of parts and displays the freeze images thereof as two vertical images on the screen. 
     First, a step S 31  is the same as the step S 11  in  FIG. 25 . Then, when the display screen being displayed is the display screen  220  or  240 , the controller  108  leaves the display screen as it is. When the display screen being displayed is the display screen  210  or  230 , the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  510  from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b  and, according the touch input on the button  510 , transitions the display screen  210  being displayed into the display screen  220  or transitions the display screen  230  being displayed into the display screen  240  to display on the display unit  107   a  (step S 32 ). Moreover, in the step S 32 , the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  520  from the examiner and, according the touch input, transitions the display screen  220  into the display screen  240  or transitions the display screen  240  into the display screen  220 . 
     Then, the controller  108  determines whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from a display screen having one ultrasound image into a display screen having two images, after the transition according to the buttons  550  to  600  of the display screen  220  or  240  being displayed (step S 33 ). When the display screen being displayed is the display screen  220  having the buttons  550  and  560 , the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined not to be retained after the transition. When the display screen being displayed is the display screen  240  having the buttons  590  and  600 , the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined to be retained after the transition. 
     When the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is not retained (step S 33 ; NO), the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  550  or  560  as a dual U/D button from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b,  transitions the display screen  220  into the display screen  270  or  280  according to the touch input button and clears the cine-memory  110  to be divided into the memory regions  110   b  and  110   c  (step S 34 ). The live image is displayed in the ultrasound image region  441  in the display screen  270  or the ultrasound image region  452  in the display screen  280 . Herein, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a part of the test subject, which is scanned first. For example, to ultimately set the upper side as the healthy part side and the lower side as the affected part side, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  270  with the active ultrasound image region  441  on the upper side is being displayed, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  280  with the active ultrasound image region  452  on the lower side is being displayed. 
     Then, the controller  108  generates ultrasound image data of the site of the healthy part side or the affected part side, against which the ultrasound probe  1   b  is pressed in the step S 34 , displays the data as a live image in the ultrasound image region  421  or  432  and stores the ultrasound image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  (step S 35 ). 
     Then, the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  590  or  600 , which is a dual U/D button and not disabled, from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b,  transitions the display screen  270  or  280  into the display screen  320  or  310  according to the touch input button, starts to display the live ultrasound image data started to be newly scanned in the ultrasound image region  492  or  481  (opposite side of the live image display side until the step S 35 ), stops storing the new cine-image data in, for example, the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  which has last been storing the cine-image data, and starts to store the cine-image data of the live image in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  which has not last been storing the cine-image data (step S 36 ). 
     In the step S 36 , while the display screen  310  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 35  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  482 . Similarly, while the display screen  320  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 35  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  491 . Moreover, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a part of the test subject not scanned in the step S 35 . For example, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  310  with the active ultrasound image region  461  on the upper side is being displayed, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  320  with the active ultrasound image region  492  on the lower side is being displayed. 
     When the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is retained after the transition (step S 33 ; YES), the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  in advance against a part of the test subject, which is scanned first. For example, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  310  with the active ultrasound image region  481  on the upper side is displayed next, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  320  with the active ultrasound image region  492  on the lower side is displayed next. Herein, the controller  108  generates ultrasound image data of the site of the healthy part side or the affected part side, against which the ultrasound probe  1   b  is pressed, continues to display the data as a live image in the single ultrasound image region  410  and stores the ultrasound image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  of the cine-memory  110  (step S 37 ). 
     Then, the controller  108  accepts a touch input on the button  590  or  600  as a dual U/D button from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b,  transitions the display screen  240  into the display screen  310  or  320  according to the touch input button, starts to display the live image in the ultrasound image region  481  or  492 , and starts to store the cine-image data of the live image in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  (the memory region not storing the cine-image data in the step S 37 ) of the cine-memory  110  (step S 38 ). In the step S 38 , while the display screen  310  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 37  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  482 . Similarly, while the display screen  320  is displayed, the last frame of the cine-image data stored in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  in the step S 37  is displayed as a freeze image in the ultrasound image region  491 . Moreover, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a part of the test subject not scanned in the step S 37 . For example, the examiner presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the healthy part side when the display screen  310  with the active ultrasound image region  481  on the upper side is being displayed, and presses the ultrasound probe  1   b  against a site of the affected part side when the display screen  320  with the active ultrasound image region  492  on the lower side is being displayed. 
     After the step S 36  or S 38 , the controller  108  generates ultrasound image data of the site of the healthy part side or the affected part side, against which the ultrasound probe  1   b  is pressed in the step S 36  or S 38 , displays the data as a live image in the ultrasound image region  481  or  492  and starts to store the ultrasound image data as cine-image data in the memory region  110   b  or  110   c  (the memory region not storing the cine-image data in the step S 35  or S 37 ) of the cine-memory  110  (step S 39 ). Then, the controller  108  accepts a touch input on a freeze button (not illustrated) on the display screen from the examiner through the touch panel  107   b  (step S 40 ). 
     Then, the controller  108  stops scanning the ultrasound image and storing the cine-image data according the touch input on the freeze button in the step S 40 , displays a freeze image of the last frame of the cine-image data of the live image in the ultrasound image region  481  in the display screen  310  or the ultrasound image region  492  in the display screen  320  (step S 41 ) and ends the vertical two-image display process. 
     As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  includes the cine-memory  110  which stores the cine-image data of the live ultrasound image, and the controller  108  which determines whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before a transition from a display screen having one ultrasound image into a display screen having two images, after the transition, indicates, according to the determination result, the arrangement of the active ultrasound image in a display screen transitioned next and a setting state of retention of the cine-image data in the cine-memory  110  before and after the transition, generates the display screens  210  to  240  including the buttons  530  to  600  for accepting an input of the transition into the display screen, and displays the display screens on the display unit  107   a.    
     Thus, by performing an input on the buttons  530  to  600  by the examiner with visual observation, the active ultrasound image (ultrasound image region) in the display screen of a transition destination and the retention of the cine-image data before and after the transition can be easily designated upon the transition from the display screen having one ultrasound image into the display screen having two images. Moreover, it is possible to easily and quickly scan the ultrasound image and enhance the productivity of the ultrasound image. 
     Also, the controller  108  generates a display screen including the button  520  for accepting an input as to whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition, after transition, displays the display screen on the display unit  107   a,  and determines, according to an input state of the button  520 , a setting as to whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition, after the transition. Therefore, it is possible to easily set and easily determine whether or not to retain the cine-image data, which is stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition, after the transition. 
     Furthermore, the controller  108  sets the input on the button  520  to be disabled after the transition into the display screens  250  to  320  having two images. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary button inputs and further enhance operability. 
     Moreover, the controller  108  sets the input on the buttons  530  to  600  to be disabled for a transition into a display screen, where the same active image is arranged, after the transition into the display screens  250  to  320  having two images. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary button inputs and further enhance operability. 
     In addition, the controller  108  divides the memory region of the cine-memory  110  into two memory regions including a memory region storing the last cine-image data before the transition when the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined to be retained after the transition. Therefore, it is possible to securely retain the cine-image data in one memory region as well as store new cine-image in the other memory region without preventing the retention. 
     Moreover, the controller  108  sets buttons for the transition to the buttons  530  to  560 , which accept a transition into the display screens  250  to  280  including the ultrasound image and the blank image and accept an input as to whether to arrange the ultrasound image on the left or right side or on the upper or lower side when the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined not to be retained after the transition. The controller  108  sets buttons for the transition to the buttons  570  to  600 , which accept a transition into the display screens  290  to  320  including two ultrasound images, the active ultrasound image and the inactive ultrasound image, and accept an input as to whether to arrange the active ultrasound image on the left or right side or on the upper or lower side when the cine-image data stored in the cine-memory  110  before the transition is determined to be retained after the transition. Therefore, to generate and display two ultrasound images, a healthy part side and an affected part side, the examiner can freely select an operation method which uses the display screens  250  to  280  and emphasizes the visibility of the ultrasound image by the blank image or an operation method which uses the display screens  290  to  320  and emphasizes a less number of operations. 
     Furthermore, the controller  108  make the display screens  210  to  240  including the buttons  530  to  600  include the button  510  which accepts an input as to switch the display between the buttons  530 ,  540 ,  570  and  580  corresponding to the transition into the display screen in which two images are arranged horizontally and the buttons  550 ,  560 ,  590  and  600  corresponding to the transition into the display screen in which two images are arranged vertically. Since the setting depth is shallow or deep depending on an observation subject, two vertical images may be appropriate in some cases, and two horizontal images maybe appropriate in other cases. Therefore, upon the transition into the display screen having two images, the horizontal or vertical arrangement of the ultrasound image can be freely designated. 
     Note that the descriptions in the above embodiments are examples of a preferred ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     For example, in the above embodiments, the configurations of displays of the buttons and the display screens upon the transitions from the display screens  210  to  240  having one ultrasound image into the display screens  250  to  320  having two images have been described, but are not limited thereto. For example, the configurations may be applied to displays of buttons and display screens upon a transition from a display screen having one ultrasound image into a display screen having three or more (e.g., four) images. In addition, the configurations may be applied to displays of buttons and display screens upon a transition from a display screen having a plurality of images including an ultrasound image into a display screen having more images than the plurality of the images. For example, the transition is a transition from a display screen having two images including an ultrasound image into a display screen having four images. 
     It is also possible to appropriately change the detailed configuration and the detailed operations of each unit constituting the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus  1  in the above embodiments within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrated and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by terms of the appended claims.