JP4601756B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to organ parenchyma by administering an ultrasonic contrast agent mainly composed of microbubbles to a subject and detecting blood flow dynamics in the blood vessel or micro blood flow in the organ parenchyma (hereinafter referred to as perfusion). The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus having various image processing functions applied for the purpose of observation of level hemodynamics and quantitative evaluation thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus displays a tomographic image of a tissue by a non-invasive examination method, and is more real-time than other diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI, and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. It has features such as dynamic observation by display, small size and low cost, high safety without exposure to X-rays, and blood flow imaging by ultrasonic Doppler method. For this reason, ultrasonic diagnosis is widely performed in the circulatory organ (heart), abdomen (liver, kidney, etc.), mammary gland, thyroid gland, urinary organ, and gynecology department. In particular, you can obtain heart beats and fetal movements in real time by simply operating the ultrasound probe from the surface of the body, and because it is highly safe, it can be repeatedly examined and moved to the bedside. This makes it easy to perform inspections.
[0003]
One of the imaging methods of this ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus is a technique called contrast echo. This is intended to enhance the ultrasonic scattering echo by administering an ultrasonic contrast agent composed of microbubbles or the like into the blood vessel of the subject. For example, in the examination of the heart and abdominal organs, the purpose is to inject an ultrasonic contrast agent from a vein to enhance the blood flow signal and evaluate the blood flow dynamics.
[0004]
In recent years, many intravenous administration contrast agents have been commercialized. Unlike an arterial contrast-enhanced contrast echo performed using a catheter, injection of a contrast medium from a vein is less invasive, so the use of the contrast medium is becoming widespread. In many contrast agents, microbubbles are the reflection source. Therefore, if the injection amount / concentration is high, the contrast effect can be increased. However, it is also known that due to the nature of the delicate substrate, bubbles, the bubbles are broken by the irradiation of ultrasonic waves, and the contrast effect time is shortened. In recent years, persistent and pressure-resistant contrast agents have been developed, but the basic property of collapse phenomenon does not change because the main component is bubbles.
[0005]
The contrast echo method can be diagnosed more effectively by a technique called harmonic imaging. Harmonic imaging is a technique that separates and detects only nonlinear behaviors such as resonance and collapse caused by ultrasonic excitation of microbubbles. Since biological organs are relatively difficult to cause nonlinear behavior, contrast agents are good. It can be observed with a good contrast ratio. A specific nonlinear signal (harmonic signal) can be detected by blocking the fundamental wave component using a high-pass filter and re-synthesize the image using only the filtered harmonic component.
[0006]
By using such an intravenous contrast medium and imaging methods such as harmonic imaging, it is possible to visualize the micro blood flow (perfusion) of the organ, which has achieved great results in clinical practice.
[0007]
By the way, since the contrast echo method uses very delicate microbubbles, the transmission / reception conditions (mechanical) of a diagnostic apparatus that can optimally observe an ultrasound image depending on the diagnostic site, the type of contrast agent, the dose and administration method of the contrast agent, etc. -Index value, frame rate, dynamic range, gain).
[0008]
The conventional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus has values for each transmission / reception condition (hereinafter referred to as “recommended values”) that allow an ultrasonic image to be optimally observed according to the diagnostic site, the type of contrast medium, the contrast medium dose and administration method, and the like. Is stored in advance as a value recommended by the system, and the setting value of the transmission / reception condition is changed from the initial setting value according to the input of the diagnosis part or the like (see, for example, JP-A-7-59781). ). According to this ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus, when a certain contrast agent is used, each transmission / reception condition is automatically changed from an initial value to a recommended value. For example, the transmission sound pressure is automatically changed to 1/2 of the maximum value, and the display dynamic range is automatically changed to 40 dB in order to effectively display the dyeing effect. The operator can observe an ultrasonic image based on the recommended value, or change the desired condition further from the recommended value by manual operation or the like. The recommended value changed from the initial value or the set value after the change by manual operation is displayed on the display unit as an actual set value (absolute value).
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described configuration for displaying each transmission / reception condition as an actual set value (absolute value) is conventionally “recommended value” when the set value is changed from the recommended value (recommended by the system) by manual operation or the like. It was necessary to make a note of the initial value of how much it had changed. That is, when 62 is the recommended value and the operator sets 66, it is often more important that the number is +4 than the recommended value rather than the absolute value of this number. However, in the conventional configuration, since only 66 set by the operator is displayed, it is necessary to remember the original value of 62. Therefore, a great burden may be imposed on the operator.
[0010]
On the other hand, in the contrast echo method, various conditions such as a diagnostic site, the type of contrast agent to be used, and the administration method and dose of the contrast agent must be appropriately specified for each patient. Therefore, it is an important issue to prevent errors related to designation of these conditions.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and particularly in the contrast echo method, the setting values of each transmission / reception condition can be easily and quickly grasped, the convenience of management of the transmission / reception condition is improved, and appropriate diagnosis is always performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that enables the above.
[0012]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can prevent errors in the contrast echo method, in particular, can prevent accidents related to contrast agents, and always enables appropriate diagnosis.
[0013]
Therefore, the present invention has the following features.
[0014]
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for inputting information relating to diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium dose, and a contrast medium administration speed, an ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, and a pulse. Storage means for storing, for each piece of information related to the diagnosis, a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasound image for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range. A control unit that reads the corresponding recommended values from the storage unit based on the input information about the diagnosis, and performs control using the recommended values as set values for the transmission / reception conditions; and setting by the recommended values Changing means for manually changing the value to another set value, and said changing meansManual operation fromIf the set value by the recommended value is changed by the, the relative change amount between the changed set value and the recommended value isAs a numberAn ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: display means for displaying.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for optically reading and inputting information relating to a diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium dose, and a contrast medium administration speed, and ultrasonic transmission For each value of the diagnosis, a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasound image is stored for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range. A storage unit that reads out the corresponding recommended values from the storage unit based on the input information about the diagnosis, and a control unit that performs control using the recommended values as set values for the transmission / reception conditions; Changing means for changing the recommended setting value to another setting value by manual operation, and changing the recommended setting value by manual operation from the changing means Been the case, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus characterized by comprising display means for displaying the relative change amount between the recommended value and the set value after the change as a number, a.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input means for inputting information relating to a diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a contrast agent type, a contrast agent dosage, and a contrast agent administration speed from a connected contrast agent administration device. For each value of the transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range, a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasonic image is related to the diagnosis. Storage means for storing each information, and control for reading each recommended value corresponding from the storage means based on the input information relating to the diagnosis, and performing control using each recommended value as a set value for each transmission / reception condition Means for changing the set value by the recommended value to another set value by manual operation, and by the recommended value by manual operation from the change means. If the set value is changed, a display means for displaying the relative change amount between the recommended value and the set value after the change as a number, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus characterized by comprising.
The invention according to claim 4 includes at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast agent, a contrast agent dose, and a contrast agent administration speed by recognizing a shape of a lid of a container in which the contrast agent is sealed. Appropriate ultrasound images for each value of input / output conditions including at least one of ultrasound transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range Storage means for storing recommended values that can be observed for each piece of information about the diagnosis;
Control means for reading the corresponding recommended values from the storage means based on the inputted information on the diagnosis, and performing control using the recommended values as set values for the transmission / reception conditions, and set values by the recommended values If the setting value by the recommended value is changed by manual operation from the changing means, and the setting value after the change is relative to the recommended value, An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: display means for displaying a change amount as a numerical value.
The invention according to claim 5 relates to a diagnosis including at least one of a diagnosis area, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium dose, and a contrast medium administration speed by recognizing an ID by a predetermined magnetic card or ID key. Appropriately observe the ultrasound image for each value of the input means for inputting information and transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range. A storage unit that stores a recommended value to be obtained for each piece of information related to the diagnosis, and the corresponding recommended value is read from the storage unit based on the input information about the diagnosis, and the recommended value is set for each transmission / reception condition A control means for performing control as a value, a changing means for changing the setting value based on the recommended value to another setting value by manual operation, and from the changing means Display means for displaying, as a numerical value, a relative change amount between the changed set value and the recommended value when the set value by the recommended value is changed by a manual operation. This is a sound image diagnostic apparatus.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
By using an imaging method such as an intravenous contrast medium and harmonic imaging, it is possible to visualize a micro blood flow (perfusion) of an organ. However, since the contrast echo method uses very delicate microbubbles, for example, the following new precautions can be considered.
[0033]
(1) Sound pressure of transmission pulse: Generally, the output of the apparatus is proportional to the signal / noise ratio (S / N ratio) of the system. Therefore, at the time of conventional diagnosis, the transmission sound pressure level is not much concerned, and the maximum output setting of the apparatus is used. However, it has been found that under the administration of a contrast agent, the contrast agent bubbles are instantaneously collapsed by irradiating the maximum sound pressure, and a dyeing effect cannot be obtained. As a matter of course, at the minimum sound pressure, the diagnostic image itself cannot be sufficiently obtained due to the deterioration of the S / N ratio of the apparatus system. As a result, it can be said that there is a “recommended value” from the viewpoint of bubble collapse.
[0034]
(2) Types of contrast agents: As described above, various ultrasonic contrast agents are currently being developed or commercialized. It is also known that the acoustic behavior of these changes depending on the gas contained and the type of shell that encloses it. For example, one contrast agent may collapse approximately at a sound pressure of 400 Pascal, while another contrast agent may have a threshold of collapse of 800 Pascals. As a result, it can be said that the “recommended value” varies depending on the type of contrast medium used.
[0035]
(3) Dosage / administration method: Increasing the concentration of a single dose increases the amount of contrast medium flowing into a unit time, so the effect of disappearance of bubbles is expected to change. Recently, a so-called continuous administration method in which a minute amount is administered for a long time using a dedicated administration device (injector) may be used. Also in this case, it is necessary to change the device output level from the normal level.
[0036]
(4) Avoiding collapse of contrast agent bubbles: There are several possible means for avoiding collapse of contrast agent bubbles in addition to the transmission sound pressure. For example, decreasing the pulse repetition frequency (decreasing the frame rate) reduces the number of pulse irradiations per unit time, thus reducing the bubble collapse phenomenon. Further, the same effect can be obtained by increasing the density of the transmission scanning lines.
[0037]
As described above, the optimum condition setting of the diagnostic apparatus differs depending on the contrast medium type, administration method, and dose. In the first embodiment described below, setting conditions determined by the four parameters of the diagnostic site, the type of contrast agent, the administration method of the contrast agent, and the contrast agent dosage are defined as a diagnostic protocol. Then, the values of transmission / reception conditions (four conditions of mechanical index value, frame rate, dynamic range, and gain) that can be optimally observed for the ultrasound image registered in advance as values recommended by the system for each diagnostic protocol (hereinafter referred to as the four conditions) The first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0038]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.
[0039]
In FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 includes an ultrasonic probe 11 responsible for transmission / reception of an ultrasonic signal to / from a subject, and an apparatus main body that drives the ultrasonic probe and processes a reception signal of the ultrasonic probe 11. 20 and an operation panel 30 which is maintained in the apparatus main body and can input instruction information from the operator to the apparatus main body.
[0040]
The ultrasonic probe 11 is a probe (probe) for irradiating a subject (patient) with imaging ultrasonic waves, and is formed of a piezoelectric element.
[0041]
The apparatus main body 20 includes an ultrasonic transmission unit 12, an ultrasonic reception unit 13, a receiver unit 14, a B-mode DSC (digital scan converter) unit 15, a memory synthesis unit 16, a display unit 17, an image memory 18, an Doppler processing unit 19, A condition control circuit 21 and a memory 22 are provided.
[0042]
The ultrasonic transmission unit 12 includes a trigger generator, a delay circuit, and a pulsar circuit (not shown), and generates and scans pulsed ultrasonic waves. Usually, the time interval of this scan is performed at a constant pulse frequency (PRF: pulse repetition frequency).
[0043]
The ultrasonic wave receiving unit 13 scatters the ultrasonic wave irradiated from the probe 11 by the tissue in the subject and the contrast agent, and is received by the probe again as an echo signal. The echo signal received by the probe 11 is output to the ultrasonic receiving unit 3 for each channel. The echo signal captured by the ultrasonic receiver 3 is amplified by a preamplifier (not shown) for each channel, and given a delay time necessary for determining the reception directivity by the reception delay circuit after A / D conversion. Are added by an adder (not shown). By this addition, the reflection component from the direction corresponding to the reception directivity is emphasized. A comprehensive ultrasonic beam for transmission and reception is formed by the transmission directivity and the reception directivity.
[0044]
Although not shown, the receiver unit 14 includes a logarithmic amplifier, an envelope detection circuit, and a digital filter. When the harmonic imaging method is used, the digital filter is set with a high-pass filter characteristic that allows a large amount of two-dimensional harmonic components to pass with respect to the fundamental wave component of transmission. The output from the receiver unit 14 is sent to the B-mode DSC unit 15 or the Doppler processing unit 19.
[0045]
The DSC unit 15 converts the input raster signal string of the ultrasonic scan into a raster signal string of a video format. The DSC unit 15 displays the blood flow velocity in color using the Doppler method. The color Doppler method is sent to the Doppler processing unit 19 and is color-coded based on the speed / dispersion information. These signals are finally synthesized by the memory synthesizing unit 16 and, together with character information such as setting parameters and scales, etc., are outputted to the display unit 17 as video signals. Thus, a tomographic image representing the subject tissue shape is displayed.
[0046]
The image memory 18 includes a storage memory that stores tomographic images generated from signals from the B-mode DSC unit 15 and the Doppler processing unit 19. This information can be called by an operator after diagnosis, for example.
[0047]
The Doppler processing unit 19 executes color coding based on the speed / dispersion information of the signal received from the receiver unit 14, and sends the result to the memory synthesis unit 16.
[0048]
The condition control circuit 21 determines a corresponding diagnostic protocol based on the selection of the four parameters. Further, the condition control circuit 21 calls an optimum transmission / reception condition setting value (recommended value) corresponding to the diagnostic protocol from the database in the memory 22. Then, the condition control circuit 21 changes the initial value of each transmission / reception condition to the recommended value according to the information called from the memory. Thereafter, the recommended value is subsequently managed as a reference value, and control is performed to display the set value of each transmission / reception condition as a relative value from the recommended value.
[0049]
The memory 22 is a storage unit that stores transmission / reception conditions of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 that allows an ultrasonic image to be optimally observed for each diagnostic protocol to be described later. Although various transmission / reception conditions can be considered, in the present embodiment, four transmission / reception conditions of a mechanical index value (hereinafter referred to as MI value), a frame rate, a dynamic range, and a gain are taken as an example. As other conditions, smoothing, STC gain, and the like are conceivable.
[0050]
On the operation panel 30, a trackball 301, a keyboard 302, and the like are maintained or installed. These are used to set the apparatus conditions in the conventional diagnosis, but are also used to change the setting conditions of various parts of the present invention.
[0051]
Next, an operation in the case of performing a contrast echo inspection using the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, a case will be described in which blood flow dynamics are known from the degree of staining with a contrast medium flowing into the liver parenchyma or heart muscle, and an abnormal site is identified. The present invention can also be applied to all regions of interest when the blood flow state is observed depending on the degree.
[0052]
First, the operator inputs a diagnostic protocol from the operation panel 30 in contrast echo inspection. In the present embodiment, the diagnostic protocol is defined by four parameters: a diagnostic site, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium administration method, and a contrast medium dose. These four parameters are parameters that particularly affect ultrasonic transmission / reception conditions.
[0053]
The definition of the diagnostic protocol (parameter type, number, etc.) can be freely determined by the operator. As parameters other than the above four parameters, there are details of the diagnostic site. For example, when the diagnosis site is the heart, the diagnosis protocol may be determined by further specifying whether to diagnose cardiac muscle or cardiac sky.
[0054]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a diagnostic protocol input operation. In this embodiment, X1 = diagnosis site, X2 = contrast agent type, X3 = contrast agent administration method (Bolus: batch administration, Infusion: continuous administration), and X4 = contrast agent dosage {X1, X2, X3 , X4} is selected from a pre-registered selection list to determine the diagnostic protocol. Therefore, even if information relating to various contrast agents / administration methods and the like is stored in the memory 22, contrast agent names and administration methods that are not registered in advance in the selection list are not displayed in the list. This is for the purpose of simplifying the operation method, and from the viewpoint of safety management, the contrast agent and the administration method that are not normally used or have no experience of use are predetermined operations as described in the second embodiment. This is so that it cannot be used unless it is executed.
[0055]
The operator selects each item (each parameter) of FIG. 2 displayed on the display unit 17 in order. As a result, the parameters {X1, X2, X3, X4} for each item are selected and the diagnostic protocol is determined.
[0056]
The condition control circuit 21 sets four set transmission / reception conditions (MI value, frame rate, dynamic range, gain) (hereinafter, recommended) from which the ultrasound image corresponding to the diagnostic protocol can be optimally observed from the database in the memory 22. Value) and change the default value to the recommended value. Thereafter, the recommended value is managed as a reference value described later.
[0057]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the flow from the change of the initial setting value of the transmission / reception condition to the management with the recommended value as the reference value by the diagnosis protocol determination.
[0058]
In the figure, the initial set value 60 is changed to a recommended value 64 by the contrast echo diagnostic protocol decision 62. As a result, for example, the transmission sound pressure changes from 200 V to 60 V, and the display gain changes from 60 dB to 50 dB.
[0059]
Since the recommended value 64 is managed as a reference value, all transmission / reception conditions (MI value, frame rate, dynamic range, gain) are as shown in FIG. 307, such as a transmission sound pressure of 0 V, a display gain of 0 dB, and the like. It is displayed on the screen of the display unit 17. All subsequent changes of the transmission / reception condition setting values are displayed as relative changes from the recommended values.
[0060]
For example, when the display gain is increased by 6 dB after the recommended value is set, +6 dB is displayed (the actual set value, that is, the absolute value is equivalent to 86 dB), and when the display gain is decreased by 10 dB, −10 dB is displayed.
[0061]
As a result of such processing, when all of the displayed parameters are zero, it can be seen at a glance that the operator is not actively changing any parameter value. Furthermore, when the display gain or the like is changed as described above, the entire display value arrangement (vertical arrangement in 307 in FIG. 3) is, for example, 0, 0, 0, +6, 0, 0, 0, etc. And the increase / decrease value thereof can be discriminated at a glance.
[0062]
Thus, by displaying the relative change from the recommended value, there is an advantage that the grasp and management of the parameters become easy. Needless to say, the diagnostic protocol selection screen shown in FIG. 2 and the actual setting values of each transmission / reception condition (that is, not the reference value but the absolute value of the recommended value) can be called and displayed at any time. It can also be output to a printer or the like.
[0063]
Moreover, the display method of the setting value of each transmission / reception condition can be modified as follows.
[0064]
FIG. 4 shows an example in which the actual set value (absolute value) is displayed together with the relative value display from the recommended value.
[0065]
In FIG. 4, 31 indicates an MI value display corresponding to the transmission sound pressure. In this display example, after the initial value of each transmission / reception condition is changed to the recommended value, the display “0.2” indicating that the operator has increased the MI value by 0.2, and the actual value ( 0.6: That is, the optimum place 0.4 + the increase amount 0.2 = 0.6) is displayed at the same time. Reference numeral 32 denotes a frame rate, which is increased by 5 Hz from the recommended value. Reference numeral 33 denotes a display dynamic range, and reference numeral 34 denotes a display gain. Similarly, a relative value from a recommended value and an actual value are displayed.
[0066]
FIG. 5 shows an example in which recommended values as absolute values are displayed in parentheses, and the amount of change indicating how much the actual set value (absolute value) is displaced from the recommended values is simultaneously displayed as a relative value. Show. Therefore, the recommended value in parentheses does not change. 5 and 4 show the same set value for each transmission / reception condition.
[0067]
In FIG. 5, 41 indicates that the recommended value 0.4 is increased by 0.2. Therefore, the absolute value is 0.6, which coincides with the value in parentheses 31 in FIG. Similarly, it is shown that the frame rate of 42 is increased by 5 Hz from the recommended value of 35 Hz (that is, the absolute value is 40 Hz, which matches the parentheses of 32 in FIG. 4).
[0068]
The display unit 17 has a function of freely changing the display brightness, size, color, position in one frame, and the like of the set value or recommended value after changing each transmission / reception condition to be displayed. The operator can customize each value to a desired display form and obtain an easy-to-view image.
[0069]
According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0070]
First, the relative change from the recommended value can be determined at a glance by displaying the relative amount changed by the operator from the recommended value as the reference value registered in advance in the diagnostic apparatus. Therefore, there is an advantage that grasping and management of the parameters become simple. In particular, when the setting value of each transmission / reception condition is changed and then returned to the recommended value again, the operation can be executed easily and quickly.
[0071]
Second, the relative amount from the recommended value and the absolute value as the actual set value can be shown simultaneously. Therefore, the recommended value and the actual set value can be grasped easily and quickly, and parameter management is simplified.
[0072]
Thirdly, it is possible to display the actual set value as a relative amount from the recommended value and simultaneously display the absolute value of the recommended value. Therefore, the recommended value and the actual set value can be grasped easily and quickly, and parameter management is simplified.
[0073]
(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the setting value of each transmission / reception condition is represented by a relative value from the recommended value, and so on, so that the change from the actual setting value or the recommended value can be easily determined. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that realizes prevention of errors in the contrast echo method, particularly prevention of an accident related to a contrast agent will be described.
[0074]
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0075]
In FIG. 6, the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 includes an optical reader 51, a decoder 52, and an ID key device 53. In addition, an injector 101 for continuous administration of contrast medium is further provided outside the apparatus.
[0076]
The operation of each unit will be described with reference to FIG. The optical reader 51 is a so-called bar code reader, and is a reader that optically reads numbers or character information encoded in a linear form. This read information is converted into actual character information by the decoder 52. Alternatively, it may be configured to directly read letters and numbers written on paper or the like.
[0077]
According to such a configuration, unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary for the operator to input or select a contrast agent name, a dose, or the like in the diagnosis protocol, and the above information is stored on the outside of a barcode or the like. It is possible to read from the information source.
[0078]
The ID key device 53 is a circuit to which a so-called security function is added, which can be set in the condition control circuit for the first time by detecting the input of a specific key.
[0079]
The injector 101 is a device that administers a contrast agent used in the contrast echo method under various conditions (contrast agent concentration, administration speed, etc.).
[0080]
Next, the security function in the imaging | photography by the contrast echo method of the ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.
[0081]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a security function for preventing an error in recognizing information related to a contrast medium using a barcode.
[0082]
The barcode or character code information is printed on a contrast medium vial, instruction manual, package, or the like. The information contained therein includes not only the name of the contrast agent, but also the usage such as the dose of the contrast agent. If a bar code or the like is read by the optical reader 51, the operator need not input a contrast echo diagnostic protocol. Therefore, since the manual input operation is omitted, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the human input error can be eliminated.
[0083]
On the other hand, in the selection from the device information table, there is no way to prohibit the entry of the name of a contrast agent that is not actually used (that is, information on a contrast agent that is not owned by the hospital is stored in the database and used) When a name different from the contrast agent is input as a diagnostic protocol, there is no configuration capable of discriminating the error). In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of safety of diagnosis, the contrast agent that does not actually exist at the time of diagnosis has no bar code or symbol code, and therefore is prohibited from being input as a diagnosis protocol.
[0084]
According to such a security function, an operator's erroneous input can be prevented. Further, safety in diagnosis can be effectively improved.
[0085]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a security function for preventing an input error of a selection list to be registered in advance in parameter selection by reading information relating to contrast medium administration from the injector 101.
[0086]
The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus can also read information from the injector 101. The injector 101 inputs information such as contrast medium concentration and administration speed as described above, and transmits the information to the condition setting circuit 21 in the diagnostic apparatus using a communication protocol. If there is new information about the received contrast medium concentration or administration speed, the condition setting circuit 21 registers it in the corresponding parameter selection list.
[0087]
According to such a security function, information related to contrast medium administration can be input and registered from the connected injector 101. Therefore, since the manual input operation is omitted, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the human input error can be eliminated.
[0088]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a security function that enables input to a selection list registered in advance in parameter selection by using an ID key.
[0089]
The ID key device 53 is a circuit to which a so-called security function is added, which can be set in the condition control circuit for the first time by detecting the input of a specific key. This is provided to the user as a function that emphasizes security rather than the barcode input shown in FIG.
[0090]
In the example of FIG. 9, the shape of the lid of the contrast agent vial serves as an ID key, and when it is inserted into the diagnostic apparatus, it is recognized as the corresponding contrast agent, and the corresponding protocol is set. That is, an ID key based on the shape of the lid of the contrast agent vial and an appropriate diagnostic protocol are stored in the memory 22 in advance in association with each other. The condition control circuit unit 21 is configured to select a corresponding diagnostic protocol based on the shape of the lid of the contrast agent vial input to the ID key device 53. Therefore, it cannot be used for a contrast agent in which a diagnostic protocol associated in advance is not stored. Of course, if the corresponding contrast medium vial lid is not input to the ID key device 53, the diagnostic protocol stored in advance cannot be used. This is to prevent erroneously unrelated (inappropriate) diagnostic protocols from being selected.
[0091]
The above example is effective when a setting that is not used in normal ultrasound diagnosis is allowed only when the contrast agent is used. Take an example. The clinical application of a contrast agent with a drug delivery system that includes an anticancer agent in the contrast medium is under study. In this case, in addition to enhancing blood flow information of the diagnostic site as a contrast agent, the above-mentioned ultrasonic pulse is intended to simultaneously increase the efficacy of the anticancer drug by irradiating the diseased part (tumor, etc.) with a slightly stronger ultrasonic wave. Used for. In this case, since it also serves as a treatment, there may be a case where pulse irradiation with an intensity equal to or higher than the diagnostic regulation value within a limited time is allowed. In this case, it is also important to prevent the setting value from being erroneously set for purposes other than treatment at the same time, and the security of this embodiment is useful for achieving the purpose.
[0092]
In addition, when the diagnostic protocol corresponding to the input lid shape ID key is not stored in the memory 22 (for example, a newly developed contrast agent), it is related to the contrast agent from the viewpoint of safety management. It is preferable that the contrast agent can be used by installing a diagnostic protocol separately.
[0093]
As another example of the ID key, the ID key attached to the contrast agent vial is inserted into the diagnostic apparatus.
[0094]
The attached ID key may be a physical shape matching type key as shown in FIG. 10 or a magnetic card on which a character code is magnetically recorded. In any case, the ID key It is desirable to have a format that avoids simple duplication.
[0095]
According to such a security function, a diagnostic protocol is selected only when information relating to a contrast medium is input from the ID key device 53. Therefore, since the manual input operation is omitted, the burden on the operator can be reduced, and the human input error can be eliminated.
[0096]
Therefore, according to the configuration shown in the second embodiment, in order to obtain the recommended value presented by the apparatus, information on the contrast medium to be used and the information held by the injector is input to the diagnostic apparatus without manual operation. Therefore, not only is the complexity of inputting the parameters of the diagnostic protocol reduced by the operator, but it is also expected to avoid problems such as erroneous input or improve security. Furthermore, since an artificial input operation can be omitted, it is possible to save an operator's extra work and improve workability.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, particularly in the contrast echo method, an ultrasonic image diagnosis that makes it possible to easily and quickly grasp the set values of each transmission / reception condition, improve the convenience of management of the transmission / reception conditions, and always enable appropriate diagnosis An apparatus can be realized.
[0098]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus that can prevent an error in the contrast echo method, in particular, can prevent an accident related to a contrast medium and can always perform an appropriate diagnosis.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a parameter selection list for determining a diagnosis protocol.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a flow from changing an initial setting value of a transmission / reception condition to management using a recommended value as a reference value by determining a diagnosis protocol;
FIG. 4 shows an example in which an actual set value (absolute value) is displayed together with a relative value display from a recommended value.
FIG. 5 shows an example in which a recommended value as an absolute value is displayed in parentheses, and how much the actual set value (absolute value) is displaced from the recommended value is displayed as a relative value. .
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a security function for preventing an error in recognizing information related to a contrast medium using a barcode.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a security function for preventing an input error of a selection list to be registered in advance in parameter selection by reading information relating to contrast medium administration from the injector 101;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a security function that enables input to a selection list to be registered in advance in parameter selection by using an ID key.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a magnetic card on which a physical shape matching type key used as an ID key and a character code are magnetically recorded.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus
11 ... Ultrasonic probe
12 ... Ultrasonic transmitter
13 ... Ultrasonic receiver
14 ... Receiver unit
15 ... DSC
16: Memory composition unit
17 ... Display section
18 ... Image memory
19 ... Doppler processing section
20 ... Main unit
21 ... Condition control circuit
22 ... Memory
30 ... Operation panel
51. Optical reader
52. Decoder
53 ... ID key device
60: Initial setting value
62 ... Determination of diagnostic protocol
64 ... Recommended value
101 ... Injector
301 ... Trackball
302 ... Keyboard

Claims (9)

An input means for inputting information relating to diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium dose, and a contrast medium administration speed;
Information relating to the diagnosis with a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasonic image for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range Storage means for storing each,
Control means for reading the corresponding recommended values from the storage means based on the input information about the diagnosis, and performing control using the recommended values as the set values for the transmission / reception conditions;
Changing means for changing the set value by the recommended value to another set value by manual operation;
When the setting value by the recommended value is changed by manual operation from the changing means, a display means for displaying a relative change amount between the setting value after the change and the recommended value as a numerical value ;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: An input means for optically reading and inputting information relating to diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium dose, and a contrast medium administration speed;
Information relating to the diagnosis with a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasonic image for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range Storage means for storing each,
Control means for reading the corresponding recommended values from the storage means based on the input information about the diagnosis, and performing control using the recommended values as set values for the transmission / reception conditions;
Changing means for changing the set value by the recommended value to another set value by manual operation;
When the setting value by the recommended value is changed by manual operation from the changing means, a display means for displaying a relative change amount between the setting value after the change and the recommended value as a numerical value ;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: Input means for inputting information relating to diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast agent, a contrast agent dose, and a contrast agent administration speed from a connected contrast agent administration device;
Information relating to the diagnosis with a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasonic image for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range Storage means for storing each,
Control means for reading the corresponding recommended values from the storage means based on the input information about the diagnosis, and performing control using the recommended values as the set values for the transmission / reception conditions;
Changing means for changing the set value by the recommended value to another set value by manual operation;
When the setting value by the recommended value is changed by manual operation from the changing means, a display means for displaying a relative change amount between the setting value after the change and the recommended value as a numerical value ;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: An input means for inputting information relating to diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast agent, a contrast agent dosage, and a contrast agent administration speed by recognizing a shape of a lid of a container in which the contrast agent is enclosed; ,
Information relating to the diagnosis with a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasonic image for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range Storage means for storing each,
Control means for reading the corresponding recommended values from the storage means based on the input information about the diagnosis, and performing control using the recommended values as set values for the transmission / reception conditions;
Changing means for changing the set value by the recommended value to another set value by manual operation;
When the setting value by the recommended value is changed by manual operation from the changing means, a display means for displaying a relative change amount between the setting value after the change and the recommended value as a numerical value ;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: An input means for inputting information relating to diagnosis including at least one of a diagnostic region, a type of contrast medium, a contrast medium dose, and a contrast medium administration speed by recognizing an ID by a predetermined magnetic card or ID key;
Information relating to the diagnosis with a recommended value for appropriately observing an ultrasonic image for each value of transmission / reception conditions including at least one of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range Storage means for storing each,
Control means for reading the corresponding recommended values from the storage means based on the input information about the diagnosis, and performing control using the recommended values as set values for the transmission / reception conditions;
Changing means for changing the set value by the recommended value to another set value by manual operation;
When the setting value by the recommended value is changed by manual operation from the changing means, a display means for displaying a relative change amount between the setting value after the change and the recommended value as a numerical value ;
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising: The display means displays 0 as a numerical value indicating that there is no relative change amount from the recommended value when the setting value by the recommended value is not changed by the changing means. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 5. The display means simultaneously displays the recommended value and the relative change amount for each of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The display means simultaneously displays the changed set value and the relative change amount for each of ultrasonic transmission sound pressure, pulse transmission interval, scanning line density, display gain, and display dynamic range. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The display unit has a function of changing at least one of display luminance, size, color, and position in one frame of a set value or a recommended value after changing each of the transmission / reception conditions. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 8 .

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