Patent Description:
Conventionally, a technique is known for using a so-called ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to capture an ultrasound image of a blood vessel of a subject while compressing a body surface of the subject with an ultrasound probe, for example, in an examination for checking the presence or absence of so-called lower limb varicose veins, an examination for so-called deep vein thrombosis, and the like. In order to appropriately perform the examination performed while compressing the body surface of the subject with the ultrasound probe, a user of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus requires a certain proficiency level or higher in increasing and reducing a compression force applied by the ultrasound probe and the like. In that respect, in order to facilitate such an examination, for example, technologies disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>Ahave been developed.

<CIT> discloses a technology for determining whether or not a compression state is proper by detecting a compression force applied by an ultrasound probe with a sensor. <CIT> discloses a technology for measuring blood pressure using a compression force applied by an ultrasound probe in a case where a degree of deformation of a blood vessel inside a subject reaches a certain value. <CIT> discloses a technology for estimating a pressure on a body surface of a subject by an ultrasound probe by analyzing an ultrasound image using a so-called machine learning method, and then determining whether or not a blood vessel is narrowed in a case where a certain pressure is applied to the body surface of the subject. <CIT> discloses a technology for calculating an elastic modulus of a blood vessel based on a compression force in a case where a body surface of a subject is compressed using an ultrasound probe.

Meanwhile, it is known that in an examination performed while compressing a body surface of a subject with an ultrasound probe, there is an appropriate compression force applied by the ultrasound probe depending on a site of the subject. In particular, a user having a low proficiency level may not be able to compress the body surface of the subject with a compression force suitable for an examination site even in a case where the technologies disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> are used. In addition, in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has a plurality of examination modes, for example, it is conceivable to select an examination mode suitable for the examination site and then use the technologies disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. However, there may be difficulties in smoothly performing the examination, for example, due to an unintended movement of a hand holding the ultrasound probe when sequentially switching the examination modes during the examination, which hinders the capturing of the ultrasound image.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that enable a user to smoothly and appropriately perform an examination.

According to the following configuration, the above-described object can be achieved.

According to the present invention, there is provided an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that examines a blood vessel of a subject, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasound probe; an image acquisition unit that continuously acquires an ultrasound image of the blood vessel using the ultrasound probe; a blood vessel detection unit that detects the blood vessel from the ultrasound image; an examination site discrimination unit that discriminates an examination site; an examination mode setting unit that sets an examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated by the examination site discrimination unit; a compression detection unit that detects a compression motion on a body surface of the subject by the ultrasound probe; a compression motion determination unit that determines whether or not the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit is proper for the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit; and a notification unit that notifies a user of a determination result by the compression motion determination unit. Therefore, the user can smoothly and appropriately perform an examination.

The description of configuration requirements to be described below is made based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

In the present specification, a numerical range represented by "to" means a range including numerical values described before and after "to" as a lower limit value and an upper limit value, respectively.

In the present specification, "same" and "identical" include an error range generally allowed in the technical field.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment <NUM> of the present invention. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasound probe <NUM> and an apparatus main body <NUM> connected to the ultrasound probe <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention is used to examine a blood vessel of a subject while compressing a body surface of the subject with the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a transducer array <NUM>. A transmission and reception circuit <NUM> is connected to the transducer array <NUM>.

The apparatus main body <NUM> includes an image generation unit <NUM> connected to the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. A display controller <NUM> and a monitor <NUM> are sequentially connected to the image generation unit <NUM>. In addition, a blood vessel detection unit <NUM> is connected to the image generation unit <NUM>. A compression detection unit <NUM> is connected to the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>. Further, an examination site discrimination unit <NUM> is connected to the image generation unit <NUM>. An examination mode setting unit <NUM> is connected to the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>. Further, a compression motion determination unit <NUM> is connected to the compression detection unit <NUM> and the examination mode setting unit <NUM>. A notification unit <NUM> is connected to the compression motion determination unit <NUM>. The notification unit <NUM> is connected to the display controller <NUM>. Further, a main body controller <NUM> is connected to the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, and the notification unit <NUM>. An input device <NUM> is connected to the main body controller <NUM>.

In addition, the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> and the image generation unit <NUM> constitute an image acquisition unit <NUM>. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, and the main body controller <NUM> constitute a processor <NUM> for the apparatus main body <NUM>.

The transducer array <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> includes a plurality of ultrasound transducers one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally arranged. Each of these ultrasound transducers transmits an ultrasound wave in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> and receives an ultrasound echo from a subject to output a signal based on the ultrasound echo. For example, each ultrasound transducer is composed of a piezoelectric body consisting of a piezoelectric ceramic represented by lead zirconate titanate (PZT), a polymer piezoelectric element represented by poly vinylidene di fluoride (PVDF), a piezoelectric single crystal represented by lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT), or the like, and electrodes formed at both ends of the piezoelectric body.

The transmission and reception circuit <NUM> transmits the ultrasound wave from the transducer array <NUM> and generates a sound ray signal based on a reception signal acquired by the transducer array <NUM>, under the control of the main body controller <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> includes a pulsar <NUM> connected to the transducer array <NUM>, and an amplification section <NUM>, an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion section <NUM>, and a beam former <NUM> that are sequentially connected in series to the transducer array <NUM>.

The pulsar <NUM> includes, for example, a plurality of pulse generators, and adjusts an amount of delay of each of drive signals and supplies the drive signals to the plurality of ultrasound transducers such that ultrasound waves transmitted from the plurality of ultrasound transducers of the transducer array <NUM> form an ultrasound beam based on a transmission delay pattern selected according to a control signal from the main body controller <NUM>. In this way, in a case where a pulsed or continuous wave-like voltage is applied to the electrodes of the ultrasound transducer of the transducer array <NUM>, the piezoelectric body expands and contracts to generate a pulsed or continuous wave-like ultrasound wave from each of the ultrasound transducers, whereby an ultrasound beam is formed from the combined wave of these ultrasound waves.

The transmitted ultrasound beam is reflected in, for example, a target such as a site of the subject and propagates toward the transducer array <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. The ultrasound echo propagating toward the transducer array <NUM> in this way is received by each of the ultrasound transducers constituting the transducer array <NUM>. In this case, each of the ultrasound transducers constituting the transducer array <NUM> receives the propagating ultrasound echo to expand and contract to generate a reception signal, which is an electrical signal, and outputs these reception signals to the amplification section <NUM>.

The amplification section <NUM> amplifies the signal input from each of the ultrasound transducers constituting the transducer array <NUM> and transmits the amplified signal to the AD conversion section <NUM>. The AD conversion section <NUM> converts the signal transmitted from the amplification section <NUM> into digital reception data. The beam former <NUM> performs so-called reception focus processing by applying and adding a delay to each reception data received from the AD conversion section <NUM>. By this reception focus processing, each reception data converted by the AD conversion section <NUM> is phase-added, and a sound ray signal in which the focus of the ultrasound echo is narrowed down is acquired.

As shown in <FIG>, the image generation unit <NUM> has a configuration in which a signal processing section <NUM>, a digital scan converter (DSC) <NUM>, and an image processing section <NUM> are sequentially connected in series.

The signal processing section <NUM> generates a B-mode image signal, which is tomographic image information regarding tissues inside the subject, by performing, on the sound ray signal received from the transmission and reception circuit <NUM>, correction of the attenuation due to the distance according to the depth of the reflection position of the ultrasound wave using a sound velocity value set by the main body controller <NUM> and then performing envelope detection processing.

The DSC <NUM> converts (raster-converts) the B-mode image signal generated by the signal processing section <NUM> into an image signal in accordance with a normal television signal scanning method.

The image processing section <NUM> performs various types of necessary image processing such as gradation processing on the B-mode image signal input from the DSC <NUM> and then sends out the B-mode image signal to the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, and the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>. Hereinafter, the B-mode image signal that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing section <NUM> is referred to as an ultrasound image.

In the present invention, for example, as shown in <FIG>, an ultrasound image U showing a blood vessel B inside the subject is acquired. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the ultrasound image U showing a short-axis image of the blood vessel B is simply referred to as the ultrasound image U showing the blood vessel B. The short-axis image of the blood vessel B refers to a cross section of the blood vessel B perpendicular to a running direction of the blood vessel B.

The display controller <NUM> performs predetermined processing on the ultrasound image or the like generated by the image generation unit <NUM> and displays the ultrasound image or the like on the monitor <NUM>, under the control of the main body controller <NUM>.

The monitor <NUM> performs various kinds of display under the control of the display controller <NUM>. The monitor <NUM> can include, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display.

The main body controller <NUM> controls each unit of the apparatus main body <NUM> and the ultrasound probe <NUM> in accordance with a program recorded in advance, or the like.

The input device <NUM> accepts an input operation from an examiner and sends out input information to the main body controller <NUM>. The input device <NUM> is composed of, for example, a device for the examiner to perform an input operation, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, or a touch panel.

The blood vessel detection unit <NUM> detects the blood vessel B shown in the ultrasound image U by analyzing the ultrasound image U. The blood vessel detection unit <NUM> stores a plurality of template images related to the short-axis image of the blood vessel B, and can detect the blood vessel B using a so-called template matching method of searching the ultrasound image U using the plurality of template images. The blood vessel detection unit <NUM> can also detect the blood vessel B from the ultrasound image U using, for example, a trained model in so-called machine learning, which has been trained using a large number of ultrasound images U showing the short-axis image of the blood vessel B.

The compression detection unit <NUM> detects a compression motion on the body surface of the subject by the ultrasound probe <NUM>. Here, in a case where the body surface of the subject is compressed by the ultrasound probe <NUM>, the blood vessel B, particularly the vein, in the subject changes from a shape shown in <FIG> to a compressed shape in a depth direction as shown in <FIG>. In that respect, the compression detection unit <NUM> can detect the compression motion based on, for example, a change in the diameter in the depth direction of the blood vessel B detected by the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>.

In this case, the compression detection unit <NUM> can calculate, for example, a ratio R2/R1 between a diameter R1 in the depth direction of the blood vessel B in a state in which no compression is applied by the ultrasound probe <NUM> and a diameter R2 in the depth direction of the blood vessel B in a state in which compression is applied by the ultrasound probe <NUM> to detect the compression motion in a case where the ratio R2/R1 is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio threshold value. In addition, the compression detection unit <NUM> can send out, for example, the ratio R2/R1 to the compression motion determination unit <NUM> as a compression motion indicator representing the magnitude of the compression motion by the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The examination site discrimination unit <NUM> analyzes the ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit <NUM> to discriminate an examination site captured in the ultrasound image U, such as an upper limb, a lower limb, or a neck, for example. The examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can detect, for example, a target such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle shown in the ultrasound image U to discriminate the examination site based on the disposition position and the size of the detected target. In this case, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> stores a plurality of template images showing the target, such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle, and can detect the disposition position and the size of the target using a so-called template matching method of searching the inside of the ultrasound image U using these template images. The examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can further store in advance a plurality of combinations of the disposition position and the size of the target such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle, and the examination site to discriminate the examination site by fitting the disposition position and the size of the detected target to the stored combination.

In addition, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can also perform the detection of the target such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle, and the discrimination of the examination site by using a trained model in so-called machine learning, which has learned in advance a large number of ultrasound images U showing the target such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle, and a large number of combinations of the disposition position and the size of the target such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle, and the examination site.

In addition, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can analyze, for example, a plurality of continuous frames of ultrasound images U generated by the image generation unit <NUM> to detect organs shown in the plurality of frames of ultrasound images U, thereby discriminating the examination site based on the movement of the detected organs. In this case as well, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can discriminate the examination site using template matching or a trained model in machine learning.

Further, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can also discriminate the examination site based on, for example, text information, a so-called schema image, or the like input from a user via the input device <NUM>.

Further, in general, in a case where the subject is examined using the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a plurality of predetermined examination sites may be examined according to predetermined procedures in accordance with predetermined examination protocols. In such a case, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can also sequentially recognize the types of sites of the subject imaged in the ultrasound image U to discriminate the examination site based on the order of the recognized sites.

The examination mode setting unit <NUM> sets an examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated by the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>. Here, the examination mode corresponding to the examination site is, for example, a mode having imaging conditions such as a gain and a depth corresponding to the examination site in order to enable clear observation of the examination site.

For example, the examination mode setting unit <NUM> can set a vein search mode as the examination mode in a case where the examination site is discriminated to be the upper limb by the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>. In addition, the examination mode setting unit <NUM> can set, for example, a thrombosis determination mode as the examination mode in a case where the examination site is discriminated to be the lower limb by the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>. Further, the examination mode setting unit <NUM> can set an elastic modulus measurement mode as the examination mode in a case where the examination site is discriminated to be the neck by the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>.

Further, since an appropriate compression motion by the ultrasound probe <NUM> differs for each examination site such as the upper limb, the lower limb, and the neck, criteria for determining whether or not the compression motion is proper differ depending on the examination mode, as will be described below.

The compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit <NUM> is proper for the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit <NUM>. The compression motion determination unit <NUM> has a predetermined allowable range of the compression motion for each examination mode, and determines whether or not the compression motion is proper by comparing the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit <NUM> with the allowable range corresponding to the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit <NUM>. In this case, for example, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> receives the compression motion indicator representing the magnitude of the compression motion by the ultrasound probe <NUM> from the compression detection unit <NUM> to have a proper range of the compression motion indicator as the allowable range of the compression motion for each examination mode, and determines whether or not the compression motion is proper by comparing the compression motion indicator with the proper range thereof for the set examination mode.

Here, in general, the vein in the upper limb is often disposed at an extremely shallow position and thin. Therefore, in a case where the body surface of the subject is compressed by the ultrasound probe <NUM>, the vein is significantly compressed in the depth direction, which may make it difficult to confirm the vein on the ultrasound image U. In addition, the blood vessel B in the neck is often disposed at a shallow position just beneath the epidermis. Therefore, for example, in a case of measuring the elastic modulus of the blood vessel B, it is desirable to apply a weak compression force using the ultrasound probe <NUM>. Further, the blood vessel B in the lower limb is often disposed at a deep position where muscles and fats are present. Therefore, for example, in a case of examining whether or not thrombosis has occurred in the blood vessel B, it is desirable to apply a strong compression force using the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

Therefore, for example, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can set the allowable range of the compression motion in the vein search mode of the upper limb to be very small, can set the allowable range of the compression motion in the elastic modulus measurement mode of the neck to be larger than the allowable range of the compression motion in the vein search mode of the upper limb, and can set the allowable range of the compression motion in the thrombosis determination mode of the lower limb to be larger than the allowable range of the compression motion in the elastic modulus measurement mode of the neck.

As a specific example, in a case where the ratio R2/R1 is used as the compression motion indicator, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can set the allowable range of the compression motion indicator in the vein search mode of the upper limb to a range of values in the vicinity of <NUM>, can set the allowable range of the compression motion indicator in the elastic modulus measurement mode of the neck to a range smaller than the range of values in the vicinity of <NUM>, and can set the allowable range of the compression motion indicator in the thrombosis determination mode of the lower limb to an even smaller range.

The notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result by the compression motion determination unit <NUM>. In this case, the notification unit <NUM> can notify the user, for example, by displaying the determination result by the compression motion determination unit <NUM> on the monitor <NUM>.

The user can easily perform the compression motion suitable for the examination site by applying the compression to the body surface of the subject using the ultrasound probe <NUM> while confirming the determination result obtained through the notification from the notification unit <NUM>. In addition, since the examination mode is automatically set for the examination site automatically discriminated by the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the user can smoothly and appropriately perform the examination without the need to, for example, manually switch the examination modes during the examination.

Although the processor <NUM> including the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, and the main body controller <NUM> is composed of a central processing unit (CPU) and a control program for causing the CPU to perform various types of processing, the processor <NUM> may be composed of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other integrated circuits (ICs), or may be composed of a combination thereof.

In addition, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, and the main body controller <NUM> of the processor <NUM> can also be configured by being integrated partially or entirely into one CPU or the like.

Next, an example of the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described using the flowchart of <FIG>.

First, in step S1, continuous acquisition of the ultrasound images U showing the blood vessel B of the subject in a state in which the user disposes the ultrasound probe <NUM> on the body surface of the subject is started. In this case, the transducer array <NUM> of the ultrasound probe <NUM> transmits the ultrasound beam into the subject and receives the ultrasound echo from the inside of the subject, thereby generating the reception signal. The transmission and reception circuit <NUM> of the image acquisition unit <NUM> performs so-called reception focus processing on the reception signal to generate the sound ray signal, under the control of the main body controller <NUM>. The sound ray signal generated by the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> is sent out to the image generation unit <NUM>. The image generation unit <NUM> generates the ultrasound image U using the sound ray signal sent out from the transmission and reception circuit <NUM>.

Next, in step S2, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM> analyzes the ultrasound image U, for which the acquisition has been started in step S1, to detect the blood vessel B shown in the ultrasound image U. In this case, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM> can detect the blood vessel B using, for example, a template matching method and can also detect the blood vessel B using a trained model that has been trained using a large number of ultrasound images U showing the blood vessel B.

In step S3, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> analyzes the ultrasound image U, for which acquisition is started in step S1, to discriminate the examination site captured in the ultrasound image U, such as the upper limb, the lower limb, or the neck, for example.

In this case, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can detect, for example, a target such as the vein, the artery, the bone, and the muscle shown in the ultrasound image U to discriminate the examination site based on the disposition position and the size of the detected target. In addition, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can also analyze, for example, a plurality of continuous frames of ultrasound images U generated by the image generation unit <NUM> to detect organs shown in the plurality of frames of ultrasound images U, thereby discriminating the examination site based on the movement of the detected organs. Further, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can also discriminate the examination site based on, for example, text information, a so-called schema image, or the like input from a user via the input device <NUM>. Further, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can also sequentially recognize the types of sites of the subject captured in the ultrasound image U to discriminate the examination site based on the order of the recognized sites, for example, in a case where the subject is examined according to a predetermined examination protocol.

In step S4, the examination mode setting unit <NUM> sets the examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated in step S3. For example, the examination mode setting unit <NUM> can set the vein search mode as the examination mode in a case where the examination site is discriminated to be the upper limb, can set the thrombosis determination mode as the examination mode in a case where the examination site is discriminated to be the lower limb, and can set the elastic modulus measurement mode as the examination mode in a case where the examination site is discriminated to be the neck.

In step S5, the compression detection unit <NUM> detects the compression motion on the body surface of the subject by the ultrasound probe <NUM> based on, for example, the change in the diameter in the depth direction of the blood vessel B detected in step S2. In this case, the compression detection unit <NUM> can calculate, for example, the ratio R2/R1 between the diameter R1 in the depth direction of the blood vessel B in a state in which no compression is applied by the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the diameter R2 in the depth direction of the blood vessel B in a state in which compression is applied by the ultrasound probe <NUM> to detect the compression motion in a case where the ratio R2/R1 is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio threshold value.

In step S6, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion detected in step S5 is proper for the examination mode set in step S4. In this case, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> has, for example, a predetermined allowable range of the compression motion for each examination mode, and determines whether or not the compression motion is proper by comparing the compression motion detected in step S5 with the allowable range corresponding to the examination mode set in step S4. As a specific example, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can determine whether or not the compression motion is proper by using the ratio R2/R1 calculated in step S5 as the compression motion indicator representing the magnitude of the compression motion by the ultrasound probe <NUM> to compare the ratio R2/R1 with the predetermined proper range of values for each examination mode for the ratio R2/R1.

In step S7, the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result in step S7, for example, by displaying the determination result on the monitor <NUM>. The user can easily perform the compression motion suitable for the examination site by applying the compression to the body surface of the subject using the ultrasound probe <NUM> while confirming the determination result obtained through the notification in step S7.

In step S8, the main body controller <NUM> determines whether or not to end the examination. In this case, the main body controller <NUM> can determine to end the examination, for example, in a case where an instruction to end the examination is input from the user via the input device <NUM>. Further, the main body controller <NUM> can determine to continue the examination, for example, in a case where no instruction to end the examination is input from the user via the input device <NUM>.

In a case where it is determined in step S8 to continue the examination, the process returns to step S2, and processing of detecting the blood vessel B is performed on the continuously generated ultrasound images U. In a case where step S2 is completed, the examination site is newly discriminated in step S3. In subsequent step S4, in a case where the examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated in step S3 is different from the already set examination mode, the examination mode setting unit <NUM> sets a new examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated in step S3. Next, the compression motion by the ultrasound probe <NUM> is detected in step S5, it is determined in step S6 whether or not the compression motion is proper, and the user is notified of the determination result in step S7.

In this manner, the processing of steps S2 to S8 is repeated as long as it is determined in step S8 to continue the examination. In a case where the examination site is changed at this time, the examination mode corresponding to the new examination site is automatically set in step S4, and it is automatically determined in step S6 whether or not the compression motion by the ultrasound probe <NUM> is proper for this new examination mode. Therefore, the user can perform the compression motion suitable for the examination site while smoothly proceeding with the examination, for example, because there is no need to manually switch the examination modes even in a case where the examination site is changed in the middle of the examination.

In a case where it is determined in step S8 to end the examination, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to the flowchart of <FIG> is completed.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> automatically discriminates the examination site, the examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated by the examination mode setting unit <NUM> is automatically set, the compression detection unit <NUM> detects the compression motion on the body surface of the subject by the ultrasound probe <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper for the set examination mode, and the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result. Therefore, the user can easily perform the compression motion suitable for the examination site by applying the compression to the body surface of the subject using the ultrasound probe <NUM> while confirming the determination result obtained through the notification from the notification unit <NUM> without the need to manually switch the examination modes even in a case where the examination site is changed in the middle of the examination. As a result, the user can smoothly and appropriately perform the examination.

Although it has been described that the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> is provided in the ultrasound probe <NUM>, the transmission and reception circuit <NUM> may be provided in the apparatus main body <NUM>.

In addition, although it has been described that the image generation unit <NUM> is provided in the apparatus main body <NUM>, the image generation unit <NUM> may be provided in the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

Further, the apparatus main body <NUM> may be a so-called stationary type, a portable type that is easy to carry, or a so-called handheld type that is composed of, for example, a smartphone or a tablet type computer. As described above, the type of the device that constitutes the apparatus main body <NUM> is not particularly limited.

Further, although it has been described that the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user by displaying the determination result of the compression motion determination unit <NUM> on the monitor <NUM>, the method of notifying the user is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises a speaker (not shown), the notification unit <NUM> can also notify the user of the determination result of the compression motion determination unit <NUM> by sound via the speaker.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can also perform the detection of the compression motion and the discrimination of the examination site based on an optical image obtained by capturing the subject and the ultrasound probe <NUM> during the examination.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> further comprises an optical camera <NUM> and comprises an apparatus main body 2A instead of the apparatus main body <NUM>, with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body 2A further comprises an examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> and comprises a main body controller 30A instead of the main body controller <NUM>, with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM>, and the main body controller 30A are connected to the optical camera <NUM>. The examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> is connected to the compression motion determination unit <NUM> and the main body controller 30A. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, the main body controller 30A, and the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> constitute a processor 33A for the apparatus main body 2A.

The optical camera <NUM> includes, for example, an image sensor, such as a so-called charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a so-called complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and images the body surface of the subject and the ultrasound probe <NUM> disposed on the body surface of the subject to acquire an optical image. The optical camera <NUM> sends out the acquired optical image to the compression detection unit <NUM> and the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM>.

The compression detection unit <NUM> can analyze the optical image acquired by the optical camera <NUM> to detect the compression motion based on a degree of depression of the body surface of the subject in the optical image or a movement of the arm of the user holding the ultrasound probe <NUM> and to calculate the compression motion indicator representing the magnitude of the compression motion. In this case, the compression detection unit <NUM> can detect the compression motion using, for example, a trained model that has learned in advance a relationship between the degree of depression of the body surface of the subject in the optical image and the compression motion, or a relationship between the movement of the arm of the user holding the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the compression motion.

The examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can discriminate the examination site based on the optical image acquired by the optical camera <NUM>. In this case, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> can discriminate the examination site by using a trained model that has learned in advance a combination of a large number of optical images showing the body surface of the subject and the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the corresponding examination site.

The examination mode setting unit <NUM> sets the examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated based on the optical image by the examination site discrimination unit <NUM> in this manner.

The compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper based on the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit <NUM> based on the optical image, and the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit <NUM>.

The examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the thickness of the examination site by analyzing the optical image acquired by the optical camera <NUM>. In this case, the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> can recognize the thickness of the examination site by detecting, for example, the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the examination site shown in the optical image and by comparing the size of the ultrasound probe <NUM> and the size of the examination site with each other.

Here, in general, the thickness of the examination site is often proportional to the thickness of the blood vessel B at the examination site. In that respect, in a case of determining whether or not the compression motion is proper, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can adjust the allowable range of the compression motion according to the thickness of the examination site recognized by the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM>. In this case, the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> can set a larger allowable range of the compression motion as the examination site is thicker, and can set a smaller allowable range of the compression motion as the examination site is thinner. As a result, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can more accurately determine whether or not the compression motion is proper for the subject currently being examined.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper for the set examination mode, and the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result, in the same manner as a case where the detection of the compression motion and the discrimination of the examination site are performed based on the ultrasound image U as in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> even in a case where the detection of the compression motion and the discrimination of the examination site are performed based on the optical image. Therefore, the user can smoothly and appropriately perform the examination. In addition, since the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can adjust the allowable range of the compression motion according to the thickness of the examination site recognized by the examination site thickness recognition unit <NUM> to improve the accuracy of the determination as to whether the compression motion is proper, the user can more accurately perform the examination.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention can also detect the compression motion by projecting a so-called moire pattern onto the body surface of the subject.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> further comprises the optical camera <NUM> and a projection mapping device <NUM> and comprises an apparatus main body 2B instead of the apparatus main body <NUM>, with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body 2B comprises a main body controller 30B instead of the main body controller <NUM> with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM> and the main body controller 30B are connected to the optical camera <NUM>. The projection mapping device <NUM> is connected to the main body controller 30B. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, and the main body controller 30B constitute a processor 33B for the apparatus main body 2B.

The projection mapping device <NUM> is composed of a so-called projector and projects a moire pattern onto the body surface of the subject. In a case where the body surface of the subject is compressed by the ultrasound probe <NUM> in a state in which the moire pattern is projected onto the body surface of the subject in this manner, the shape of the moire pattern changes.

The optical camera <NUM> acquires the optical image showing the body surface of the subject on which the moire pattern is projected by the projection mapping device <NUM> and the ultrasound probe <NUM> disposed on the body surface of the subject.

The compression detection unit <NUM> can analyze a plurality of continuous frames of optical images acquired by the optical camera <NUM> to detect the compression motion based on the change in the moire pattern projected onto the body surface of the subject by the projection mapping device <NUM> and to calculate the compression motion indicator representing the magnitude of the compression motion. The compression detection unit <NUM> can detect the compression motion from the change in the moire pattern by using, for example, a trained model that has learned in advance a relationship between the change in the moire pattern projected onto the body surface of the subject and the compression motion.

The compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper based on the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit <NUM> based on the change in the moire pattern on the body surface of the subject in this manner, and the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit <NUM>.

The notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result by the compression motion determination unit <NUM>.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper, and the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result even in a case where the compression detection unit <NUM> detects the compression motion based on the change in the moire pattern projected onto the body surface of the subject. Therefore, the user can smoothly and appropriately perform the examination in the same manner as in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>.

Although the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> has a configuration in which the optical camera <NUM> and the projection mapping device <NUM> are added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, a configuration can also be employed in which the projection mapping device <NUM> is added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention can also detect the compression motion based on a change in an output value of a sensor attached to the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> further comprises a compression sensor <NUM> attached to the ultrasound probe <NUM> and comprises an apparatus main body 2C instead of the apparatus main body <NUM>, with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body 2C comprises a main body controller 30C instead of the main body controller <NUM> with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression sensor <NUM> is connected to the compression detection unit <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM>. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, and the main body controller 30C constitute a processor 33C for the apparatus main body 2C.

The compression sensor <NUM> is composed of a pressure sensor that detects a pressure applied to a tip part of the ultrasound probe <NUM> or a so-called acceleration sensor, and changes the output value according to the compression motion on the body surface of the subject by the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The compression detection unit <NUM> detects the compression motion based on the change in the output value of the compression sensor <NUM> and calculates the compression motion indicator representing the magnitude of the compression motion.

The compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper based on the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit <NUM> based on the change in the output value of the compression sensor <NUM>, and the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit <NUM>.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> determines whether or not the compression motion is proper, and the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the determination result even in a case where the compression detection unit <NUM> detects the compression motion based on the change in the output value of the compression sensor <NUM>. Therefore, the user can smoothly and appropriately perform the examination in the same manner as in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>.

Although the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> has a configuration in which the compression sensor <NUM> is added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, a configuration can also be employed in which the compression sensor <NUM> is added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention can also improve the accuracy of the examination by performing the processing corresponding to the specified subject and user.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> comprises an apparatus main body 2D instead of the apparatus main body <NUM> with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body 2D further comprises a subject specification unit <NUM> and a user specification unit <NUM> and comprises a main body controller 30D instead of the main body controller <NUM>, with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the apparatus main body 2D, the subject specification unit <NUM> is connected to the main body controller 30D. The subject specification unit <NUM> is connected to the compression motion determination unit <NUM>. In addition, the user specification unit <NUM> is connected to the main body controller 30D. The user specification unit <NUM> is connected to the notification unit <NUM>. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, the main body controller 30D, the subject specification unit <NUM>, and the user specification unit <NUM> constitute a processor 33D for the apparatus main body 2D.

The subject specification unit <NUM> stores identification information of a plurality of subjects and characteristics of each subject, such as the age and the sex, and specifies the subject based on the identification information of the subject input from the user via the input device <NUM>.

The compression motion determination unit <NUM> adjusts the allowable range of the compression motion according to the age, the sex, and the like of the subject specified by the subject specification unit <NUM>. Here, in general, as the muscle mass of the subject increases, a stronger force tends to be required in a case of compressing the body surface of the subject using the ultrasound probe <NUM>. In addition, in general, younger individuals tend to have more muscle mass than older individuals, and males tend to have more muscle mass than females. Therefore, for example, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can set a relatively large allowable range of the compression motion for the younger individuals and can set a relatively small allowable range of the compression motion for the older individuals. Further, for example, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can set a relatively large allowable range of the compression motion for the males and can set a relatively small allowable range of the compression motion for the females. As a result, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can improve the accuracy of determination as to whether or not the compression motion is proper.

The user specification unit <NUM> stores identification information of a plurality of users and characteristics of each user, such as the age, the sex, and the proficiency level, and specifies the user based on the identification information of the user input from the user via the input device <NUM>.

The notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of a message corresponding to the user specified by the user specification unit <NUM>. In general, older individuals tend to have weaker strength than younger individuals, and females tend to have weaker strength than males. Therefore, in a case where the user is an older individual or a female, the notification unit <NUM> can alert the user by displaying, for example, a message such as "Please apply a firm compression force" on the monitor <NUM>. In addition, the notification unit <NUM> can display such a message on the monitor <NUM> in a case where the proficiency level of the user is lower than a certain level, and can also stop displaying the message in a case where the proficiency level of the user is equal to or higher than a certain level.

The user can accurately perform the compression motion by confirming the message displayed by the notification unit <NUM> in this manner.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> adjusts the allowable range of the compression motion according to the age, the sex, and the like of the subject specified by the subject specification unit <NUM>. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination as to whether or not the compression motion is proper can be improved. In addition, since the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of a message corresponding to the user specified by the user specification unit <NUM>, the user can accurately perform the compression motion. In this manner, the accuracy of the examination can be improved.

Although the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> has a configuration in which the subject specification unit <NUM> and the user specification unit <NUM> are added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, a configuration can also be employed in which the subject specification unit <NUM> and the user specification unit <NUM> are added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses of Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>.

In many cases, users with a high proficiency level can determine whether or not the compression motion is proper on their own. In that respect, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention can perform or stop the determination as to whether or not the compression motion is proper according to the proficiency level of the user.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> comprises an apparatus main body 2E instead of the apparatus main body <NUM> with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body 2E further comprises a proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> and a determination operation stop unit <NUM> and comprises a main body controller 30E instead of the main body controller <NUM>, with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the apparatus main body 2E, the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> is connected to the image generation unit <NUM>. The determination operation stop unit <NUM> and the main body controller 30E are connected to the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM>. The determination operation stop unit <NUM> is connected to the compression motion determination unit <NUM> and the main body controller 30E. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, the main body controller 30E, the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM>, and the determination operation stop unit <NUM> constitute a processor 33E for the apparatus main body 2E.

The proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> discriminates the proficiency level of the user by analyzing a plurality of continuous frames of ultrasound images U generated by the image generation unit <NUM>. In a case where a user with a low proficiency level moves the ultrasound probe <NUM> to capture the ultrasound image U, for example, there may be occurrences such as obtaining an unclear image with an unstable cross section of the blood vessel B, and requiring a certain amount of time or longer for depicting the blood vessel B. Therefore, the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> can discriminate the proficiency level of the user based on, for example, the number of images clearly showing the blood vessel B among a certain number of continuous frames of ultrasound images U generated by the image generation unit <NUM>, the time taken from the start of the examination until obtaining the ultrasound image U clearly showing the blood vessel B, or the like.

The determination operation stop unit <NUM> stops the operation of the determination by the compression motion determination unit <NUM> based on the proficiency level of the user discriminated by the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM>. In this case, the determination operation stop unit <NUM> can stop the operation of the determination by the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, for example, in a case where the user is discriminated to have a certain proficiency level or higher by the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM>.

Here, in many cases, users with a high proficiency level can determine whether or not the compression motion is proper on their own. In this case, by stopping the operation of the determination by the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, it is possible to save the calculation load and the power required for the processing of the compression motion determination unit <NUM>.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> automatically discriminates the proficiency level of the user, the determination operation stop unit <NUM> stops the operation of the determination by the compression motion determination unit <NUM> according to the discriminated proficiency level of the user. Therefore, it is possible to save the calculation load and the power required for the processing of the compression motion determination unit <NUM> particularly in a case where a user with a high proficiency level performs the examination.

Although it has been described that the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> discriminates the proficiency level of the user based on a plurality of continuous frames of ultrasound images U, the method of discriminating the proficiency level of the user is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises the optical camera <NUM>, the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> can discriminate the proficiency level of the user by analyzing a plurality of continuous frames of optical images acquired by the optical camera <NUM> and recognizing the user's technique. In this case, the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> can discriminate the proficiency level of the user from the plurality of continuous frames of optical images by using, for example, a trained model that has learned in advance a relationship between the user's technique represented by the plurality of continuous frames of optical images and the proficiency level of the user.

Although the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> has a configuration in which the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> and the determination operation stop unit <NUM> are added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, a configuration can also be employed in which the proficiency level discrimination unit <NUM> and the determination operation stop unit <NUM> are added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses of Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>.

In general, as the muscle mass of the subject increases, a stronger force tends to be required in a case of compressing the body surface of the subject using the ultrasound probe <NUM>. In that respect, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention can also determine whether or not the compression motion is proper in consideration of the muscle mass of the subject.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> comprises an apparatus main body 2F instead of the apparatus main body <NUM> with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body 2F further comprises a muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> and comprises a main body controller 30F instead of the main body controller <NUM>, with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the apparatus main body 2F, the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> is connected to the image generation unit <NUM>. The muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> is connected to the compression motion determination unit <NUM> and the main body controller 30F. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, the main body controller 30F, and the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> constitute a processor 33F for the apparatus main body 2F.

The muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the muscle mass of the subject by analyzing the ultrasound image U generated by the image generation unit <NUM>. The muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> can recognize the muscle mass of the subject, for example, by detecting the muscle layer shown in the ultrasound image U using a template matching method or the like and measuring the thickness thereof. In addition, the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> can also recognize the muscle mass of the subject from the ultrasound image U by using a trained model that has learned in advance a relationship between a large number of ultrasound images U showing the muscle layer of the subject and the muscle mass of the subject.

The compression motion determination unit <NUM> adjusts the allowable range of the compression motion according to the muscle mass of the subject recognized by the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM>. In general, as the muscle mass of the subject increases, a stronger force is required in a case of compressing the body surface of the subject using the ultrasound probe <NUM>. Therefore, for example, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can set a larger allowable range of the compression motion as the muscle mass of the subject increases, and can set a smaller allowable range of the compression motion as the muscle mass of the subject decreases. As a result, the compression motion determination unit <NUM> can more accurately determine whether or not the compression motion is proper in consideration of the actual muscle mass of the subject.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> recognizes the muscle mass of the subject from the ultrasound image U, and the compression motion determination unit <NUM> adjusts the allowable range of the compression motion according to the muscle mass recognized by the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM>. Therefore, the accuracy of the determination as to whether or not the compression motion is proper can be improved, and the user can smoothly and appropriately perform the examination.

Although the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> has a configuration in which the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> is added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, a configuration can also be employed in which the muscle mass recognition unit <NUM> is added to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses of Embodiments <NUM> to <NUM>.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention can also guide the user on a recommended compression motion based on the determination result of the compression motion determination unit <NUM> in order to enable the user to more smoothly perform the examination.

<FIG> shows a configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> comprises an apparatus main body <NUM> instead of the apparatus main body <NUM> with respect to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The apparatus main body <NUM> further comprises a compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> and comprises a main body controller <NUM> instead of the main body controller <NUM>, with respect to the apparatus main body <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>.

In the apparatus main body <NUM>, the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> is connected to the compression motion determination unit <NUM>. The compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> is connected to the notification unit <NUM> and the main body controller <NUM>. Further, the image generation unit <NUM>, the display controller <NUM>, the blood vessel detection unit <NUM>, the compression detection unit <NUM>, the examination site discrimination unit <NUM>, the examination mode setting unit <NUM>, the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the notification unit <NUM>, the main body controller <NUM>, and the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> constitute a processor <NUM> for the apparatus main body <NUM>.

In a case where the compression motion is determined to be improper by the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> recommends adjusting the compression force of the ultrasound probe <NUM> on the body surface of the subject such that the compression motion falls within the allowable range. For example, in a case where the compression force by the ultrasound probe <NUM> exceeds the allowable range for the examination site and is strong, the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> can recommend reducing the compression force of the ultrasound probe <NUM>. In addition, for example, in a case where the compression force by the ultrasound probe <NUM> falls below the allowable range for the examination site, the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> can recommend increasing the compression force of the ultrasound probe <NUM>.

The notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the adjustment of the compression force recommended by the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM>. The user can perform a proper compression motion for the examination site of the subject by confirming the adjustment of the compression force obtained through the notification from the notification unit <NUM> in this manner.

From the above, with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Embodiment <NUM>, in a case where the compression motion is determined to be improper by the compression motion determination unit <NUM>, the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM> recommends adjusting the compression force of the ultrasound probe <NUM> on the body surface of the subject such that the compression motion falls within the allowable range, and the notification unit <NUM> notifies the user of the adjustment of the compression force recommended by the compression force adjustment recommendation unit <NUM>. Therefore, the user can improve the accuracy of the examination by performing a proper compression motion.

Claim 1:
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that examines a blood vessel of a subject, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
an ultrasound probe (<NUM>);
an image acquisition unit (<NUM>) configured to continuously acquire an ultrasound image of the blood vessel using the ultrasound probe (<NUM>);
a blood vessel detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect the blood vessel from the ultrasound image;
an examination site discrimination unit (<NUM>) configured to discriminate an examination site;
an examination mode setting unit (<NUM>) configured to set an examination mode corresponding to the examination site discriminated by the examination site discrimination unit (<NUM>);
a compression detection unit (<NUM>) configured to detect a compression motion on a body surface of the subject by the ultrasound probe (<NUM>);
a compression motion determination unit (<NUM>) configured to determine whether or not the compression motion detected by the compression detection unit (<NUM>) is proper for the examination mode set by the examination mode setting unit (<NUM>); and
a notification unit (<NUM>) configured to notify a user of a determination result by the compression motion determination unit (<NUM>).