JP4812372B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and ultrasonic image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that provides information useful for medical diagnosis by estimating the velocity of a living tissue such as a myocardium, processing the estimated velocity information, and outputting local motion information of the tissue. The present invention relates to a sonic image processing apparatus and an ultrasonic image processing program.

  An objective and quantitative evaluation of the function of a living tissue such as the myocardium is very important for diagnosis of the tissue. In particular, various quantitative evaluation methods have been attempted mainly using the heart as an example. In recent years, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an image processing method that provide a quantitative evaluation method using local wall motion indices such as strain and displacement using tissue velocity have been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this, by setting the virtual contraction center in the short-axis image of the heart, it becomes possible to evaluate the expansion / contraction component of the wall, which is motion information in the wall thickness direction.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional virtual contraction center position setting screen.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in order for the user to set the virtual contraction center position, the virtual contraction center position is arbitrarily set by operating the mark (x) superimposed and displayed on the short axis image on the screen.

Moreover, although the calculation method of the distortion | strain and displacement of a biological tissue differs, the apparatus and method which calculate and display the real time of a tissue deformation | transformation are disclosed (for example, refer patent document 2).
JP 2003-175041 A JP 2001-70303 A

  However, the conventional technique has a problem that it is difficult to set the virtual contraction center because only the cross mark is displayed when manually setting the contraction center position for the short-axis image of the heart. Therefore, it takes time to get used to setting the virtual contraction center position. Also, different virtual contraction centers may be set for the same image data if the operator is different.

  Further, when obtaining strain and displacement from the tissue velocity, temporal integration processing is required. Here, the motion information memory such as strain and displacement is cleared in the integration start phase. Therefore, when the heart is the target, this memory is cleared at a predetermined time phase for each heartbeat in the time phase synchronized with the R wave of the electrocardiogram. However, in such a configuration, there is a problem in that the movement information memory is not cleared until the next heartbeat and the transition image is displayed during the movement of the x mark by the operator.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and can shorten the time until the user gets used to the setting of the position of the virtual contraction center. An object is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and an ultrasonic image processing program that can be easily set.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and an ultrasonic image processing program that do not display a transient image during transition.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention transmits an ultrasonic wave to a region including a tissue, thereby generating an ultrasonic image, and a circular marker. Display control means for displaying the image superimposed on the image; input means for setting the position of the marker with respect to the ultrasonic image based on an input operation; and setting the center of the marker as a virtual contraction center; An acquisition means for acquiring a motion information image of a component accompanying contraction and expansion of the tissue, and the input means can change the position of the set marker based on an input operation, display control means, said one of motion information image and the superimposed an ultrasonic image display, during change in the position of the marker by the input means to hide the display of the superimposed motion information image It was further be configured.

Ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to the present invention, in order to solve the problems described above, the display control means for displaying by overlapping the circular marker in the ultrasonic image, with respect to the ultrasound image based on the input operation marker And an acquisition means for setting the center of the marker as a virtual contraction center and acquiring a motion information image of a component accompanying contraction / expansion of the tissue based on the virtual contraction center. The input means can change the position of the set marker , and the display control means superimposes and displays the motion information image and the ultrasonic image, while the marker by the input means During the change of the position, the display of the superimposed motion information image is changed to non-display.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an ultrasound image processing program according to the present invention has a function of causing a computer to display a circular marker superimposed on an ultrasound image, and the ultrasound image processing program based on an input operation. A function for setting the position of the marker , a function for setting the center of the marker as a virtual contraction center, and acquiring a motion information image of a component accompanying contraction and expansion of the tissue based on the virtual contraction center, and an input operation The function of changing the position of the set marker based on the display and the motion information image and the ultrasonic image are superimposed and displayed, while the superimposed motion information image is displayed during the change of the marker position. And the function of changing the display to non-display.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and the ultrasonic image processing program according to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time until the user gets used to the setting of the position of the virtual contraction center, and even different users It makes it easy to set the position of the same virtual contraction center.

  Moreover, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and ultrasonic image processing program according to the present embodiment, it is possible to hide a transitional image during transition.

  Embodiments of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasound image processing apparatus, and an ultrasound image processing program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and an ultrasonic image processing program according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, which includes an electrocardiograph (ECG: Electro Cardio Gram) 11, an ultrasonic probe 12, an ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13, a display apparatus 14, and an input apparatus. 15 is composed. Hereinafter, each component will be described.

  The electrocardiograph 11 measures a graph that records temporal changes in electrical phenomena of the heart of a subject (not shown), that is, an electrocardiogram. The electrocardiographic waveform signal detected by the electrocardiograph 11 is sent to the ultrasonic image processing device 13.

  The ultrasonic probe 12 includes an ultrasonic transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers that convert electrical signals into ultrasonic waves are arranged, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from a subject using the ultrasonic transducer array. Here, it is assumed that the ultrasonic probe 12 is a sector probe intended for the heart of the subject.

  The display device 14 includes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a plasma display, and the like, and displays a display screen generated by the ultrasonic image processing device 13.

  The input device 15 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated by the user. Then, the input device 15 supplies a signal corresponding to a user operation or the like to the ultrasonic image processing device 13.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13 is configured based on a computer, and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a read only memory (ROM) 22, and a random access memory (RAM) 23 as an internal memory. And basic hardware such as an HD (Hard Disk) 24 as an external memory. The CPU 21 is interconnected to each hardware component constituting the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13 via a bus B as a common signal transmission path. Note that the ultrasonic image processing device 13 may include a communication control device 27 and a drive 28.

  The CPU 21 executes a program stored in the ROM 22 when an instruction is input by operating the input device 15 (shown in FIG. 1) by the user. Alternatively, the CPU 21 may be a program stored in the HD 24, a program transferred from the network N and received by the communication control device 27 and installed in the HD 24, or a flexible disk mounted on the drive 28, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read A program that is read from a removable recording medium 28a such as an only memory (MO) disk, an MO (Magneto Optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor memory and installed in the HD 24 is loaded into the RAM 23 and executed. To do. A program for using a graphical user interface (GUI) that uses graphics on the display screen and can perform basic operations by the input device 15 is provided.

  The ROM 22 reads an OS (Operating System) from the HD 24, expands it into the RAM 23, and performs an IPL (Initial Program Loading) function for starting up, and a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) for controlling peripheral devices such as the input device 15 and the drive 28. And a non-volatile storage device for storing data.

  The RAM 23 is a volatile storage device used for work memory and temporary storage of the CPU 21. The ROM 22 may be a rewritable type PROM (Programmable ROM) even if it is a rewritable mask ROM.

  The HD 24 stores a program installed in the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13 (including an application program, an OS, and the like), an ultrasonic image processing program 100, and data necessary for the CPU 21 to perform processing. Device.

  The communication control device 27 is a communication composed of, for example, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 port, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a LAN (Local Area Network) connection NIC (Network Interface Card), or the like. I / F (InterFace), which performs communication control according to each standard. In addition, the communication control device 27 can be connected to a network N that is the Internet through a telephone line such as an analog modem, TA (Terminal Adapter) and DSU (Digital Service Unit), or ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem. Thus, the ultrasonic image processing device 13 can be connected to the network N from the communication control device 27.

  The drive 28 is detachable from the recording medium 28a, reads out data (including programs such as the ultrasonic image processing program 100) recorded on the recording medium 28a, outputs the data on the bus B, and Data supplied via the bus B is written to the recording medium 28a.

  In the computer as the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13 configured as described above, the CPU 21 executes the ultrasonic image processing program 100 installed in the computer, so that as shown in FIG. 102, B mode processing means 103, tissue Doppler processing means 104, motion information processing means 105, electrocardiogram signal amplification means 106, motion information recording means 107, and display control means 108. Note that the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13 may be configured by providing a specific circuit without depending on the ultrasonic image processing program 100.

  The transmission means 101 shown in FIG. 3 generates a drive signal for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer array of the ultrasonic probe 12, and forms an ultrasonic beam toward a predetermined scan line. Thus, each of the vibrators has a function of generating a drive signal having a predetermined delay characteristic.

  The receiving means 102 has a function of performing a delay addition process on the ultrasonic echo signals received by each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transducer array and generating an ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to a predetermined scan line. Have.

  The B-mode processing unit 103 has a function of generating a B-mode signal corresponding to the amplitude intensity of the ultrasonic echo by performing an envelope detection process on the ultrasonic echo signal subjected to the delay addition process. The B-mode processing means 103 has a function of generating a B-mode ultrasonic image representing a two-dimensional distribution over a predetermined section of the B-mode signal.

  The tissue Doppler processing means 104 performs orthogonal detection processing, autocorrelation processing, and the like, and based on the Doppler shift component of the ultrasonic echo signal subjected to delay addition processing, the velocity, dispersion, and It has a function to obtain a tissue Doppler signal corresponding to power. The tissue Doppler processing unit 104 has a function of generating a tissue Doppler ultrasound image representing a two-dimensional distribution of a predetermined section of velocity, dispersion, and power value.

  The motion information processing unit 105 has a function of executing each process for acquiring a motion information image based on the B mode ultrasound image and the Doppler ultrasound image output from the B mode processing unit 103 and the tissue Doppler processing unit 104. Have. Further, the exercise information processing means 105 has a function of setting a calculation section. For a series of tissue Doppler moving images, a time phase t = 0 (initial time phase t0) at which integration is started from the images stored in the HD 24 is set. Further, the exercise information processing means 105 clears not only the initial time phase t0 but also the storage (memory) of exercise information during the alignment of the virtual contraction center by the user.

  The electrocardiogram signal amplification means 106 amplifies the electrocardiogram signal detected by the electrocardiograph 12.

  The motion information recording means 107 records a velocity distribution image corresponding to each time phase based on the outputs of the motion information processing means 105 and the electrocardiogram signal amplifying means 106 in the HD 24 (RAM 23).

  The display control unit 108 has a function of generating a display image based on the B-mode ultrasonic image, the Doppler ultrasonic image, and the motion information image and displaying the display image on the display device 14. Examples of the display image include a superimposed image of a B-mode ultrasound image and a tissue Doppler ultrasound image, a superimposed image of a B-mode ultrasound image and a two-dimensional distribution image of displacement or distortion, and the like.

  Here, the program executed by the CPU 21 can be recorded in advance in the HD 15 or the ROM 12 as a recording medium built in the computer. Alternatively, the program can be stored (recorded) in the recording medium 28a temporarily or permanently. Such a recording medium 28a can be provided as so-called package software.

  Next, the operations of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13, and the ultrasonic image processing program 100 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing steps that describe the ultrasound image processing program 100 that causes the ultrasound image processing apparatus 13 to perform various processes do not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the flowcharts, but in parallel. Or the process (for example, parallel processing or the process by an object) performed separately is also included. Further, the ultrasonic image processing program 100 may be processed by one CPU, or may be distributedly processed by a plurality of CPUs. Furthermore, the ultrasonic image processing program 100 may be transferred to a remote CPU and executed.

  The present invention is applied to a case where a subject's heart is used as a target, a sector probe is used, 2D images are used for local motion of myocardial tissue, tissue velocity information is obtained by tissue Doppler method, and motion information is evaluated. The application will be described.

  When the CPU 21 executes the ultrasonic image processing program 100 installed in the computer, the transmission unit 101 generates a drive signal for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer array of the ultrasonic probe 12. A drive signal having a predetermined delay characteristic is generated for each transducer so that an ultrasonic beam is formed toward a predetermined scan line (step S1).

  In the ultrasonic probe 12, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to and received from the subject by the ultrasonic transducer array.

  In the receiving means 102, an ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to a predetermined scan line is generated by performing a delay addition process on the ultrasonic echo signal received by each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic transducer array ( Step S2).

  The B-mode processing unit 103 generates an B-mode signal corresponding to the amplitude intensity of the ultrasonic echo by performing an envelope detection process on the ultrasonic echo signal subjected to the delay addition process. Further, the B-mode processing unit 103 generates a B-mode ultrasonic image representing a two-dimensional distribution over a predetermined section of the B-mode signal (step S3).

  The tissue Doppler processing means 104 performs orthogonal detection processing, autocorrelation processing, and the like, and based on the Doppler shift component of the ultrasonic echo signal subjected to delay addition processing, the velocity, dispersion, and A tissue Doppler signal corresponding to the power is required. In addition, the tissue Doppler processing unit 104 generates a tissue Doppler ultrasound image representing a two-dimensional distribution relating to a predetermined section of velocity, variance, and power value (step S4).

  The motion information processing unit 105 acquires a motion information image based on the B-mode ultrasound image and the Doppler ultrasound image output from the B-mode processing unit 103 and the tissue Doppler processing unit 104 (step S5).

  Next, processing contents of the exercise information processing means 105 will be described.

  First, the motion information processing means 105 obtains a spatiotemporal distribution image (two-dimensional distribution image for each time phase) of the velocity in the motion direction defined by the motion field.

  5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams for the definition of the playground.

  5A shows a motion field called a raster motion field, and FIG. 5B shows a motion field called a contraction motion field. In each figure, the crosses are points where the movement is directed, and the arrows are directions where the movement is directed.

The raster motion field in FIG. 5A is a motion field along each ultrasonic beam direction of the ultrasonic scan, and the sign of the velocity at this time is positive when it approaches the ultrasonic probe 12 and apart from it. Is negative. In such a raster motion field, the observation speed estimated by the tissue Doppler method is, as is well known, the angle (Doppler angle) formed between the actual motion direction and the velocity component in the ultrasonic beam direction as θ. ,
[Equation 1]
(Observation speed) = cosθ x (actual motion speed)
(0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °)
It is expressed as

  The motion state of the tissue in the heart is very complex, and it is difficult to assume everything in a raster motion field. In particular, when evaluating a short-axis image optimal for evaluating contraction and expansion in the thickness direction of the myocardium, the 12 o'clock direction of the clock (directly above) is viewed from the contraction center where the ultrasonic beam direction matches the motion direction. The direction of motion matches only in a very narrow range. In the 6 o'clock direction (directly downward direction) as viewed from the contraction center, the direction of the ultrasonic beam is parallel to the direction of motion, but the direction is opposite.

  Therefore, in order to evaluate the motion of the myocardium in the direction of contraction and expansion along the short axis, a motion field called a contraction motion field as shown in FIG. 5B is defined, and the direction of the motion field is assumed to be the actual motion direction. Thus, it is preferable to obtain the correction speed. In the contraction motion field, the virtual contraction center of the heart wall is set in the image, and the direction toward the virtual contraction center is defined as a motion field.

In the contraction motion field,
[Equation 2]
(Correction speed) = (observation speed) / cos θ
(0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °)
Thus, a velocity component toward the virtual contraction center is obtained. The sign of velocity is positive when approaching the virtual contraction center and negative when moving away from the virtual contraction center. A two-dimensional distribution image of the correction speed obtained corresponding to such a contraction motion field is obtained. Note that a two-dimensional distribution image of the correction speed may be displayed on the display device 14 as necessary.

  Here, the setting of the virtual contraction center position in the contraction motion field is performed by the user using the input device 15.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a radar chart guide for setting the virtual contraction center position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a short-axis image of the heart and a marker composed of a concentric circle (circle) and a ten-time line having the center thereof as an intersection are superimposed on the display screen (step S5a). The user can set the center of the concentric circle as the virtual contraction center by aligning one of the concentric circles as the marker with the contour of the anatomically circular intima and outer membrane. Therefore, the user can easily set the position of the virtual contraction center by relying on the guide, and the virtual contraction center can be easily set at the same position in a short time without depending on the user. And the velocity component which goes to the set virtual contraction center is acquired, and a motion information image is acquired (step S5b).

  While the electrocardiogram is referred to by the user, the motion information processing means 105 sets a time phase t = 0 (initial time phase t0) for starting integration from the images stored in the HD 24 for a series of tissue Doppler moving images. Is set. In this case, it is preferable that not only the integration start time phase but also the integration end time phase t_end can be selected. Thereby, the section of the interested time phase of the evaluation with respect to the cardiac cycle can be set to the user-desired section.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining calculation interval setting.

  A predetermined time phase triggered by the R wave of the electrocardiogram shown in FIG. 7 (the time phase of the R wave is tR, the time phase of tR + t_delay. T_delay is controllable, and the case where t_delay = 0 is called R wave synchronization. .) May be automatically set as t0 (that is, t0 = tR + t_delay). In this case, the end time phase of the process is preferably determined as an interval corresponding to one cardiac cycle as the timing when the next trigger occurs, but a predetermined time interval (t_int) is set in advance from the start time phase. By setting the time phase of t0 + t_int as the end time phase, it is possible to set the section of the time phase of interest for evaluation with respect to the cardiac cycle as a desired section.

  Further, in the exercise information processing means 105, not only the initial time phase t0 but also the exercise information storage is cleared to zero during the positioning of the virtual contraction center by the user (step S5c). By setting the calculation interval in this way, it is possible to hide a transitional image during transition.

  The electrocardiogram signal amplifying means 106 amplifies the electrocardiogram signal detected by the electrocardiograph 12 (step S6), and the motion information recording means 107 records the electrocardiogram signal together with the motion information image on the HD 24. In addition, you may make it display an electrocardiogram signal on the display apparatus 14 as needed.

  The display control unit 108 displays based on the B-mode ultrasound image generated by the B-mode processing unit 103, the tissue Doppler ultrasound image generated by the tissue Doppler processing unit 104, and the strain and displacement images acquired by the motion information processing unit 105. An image is generated (step S8). The distortion and displacement image may be stored in the HD 24. The display device 14 displays a superimposed image of the B-mode ultrasound image and the tissue Doppler ultrasound image, a superimposed image of the B-mode ultrasound image and the strain and displacement image, and the like.

  When displaying a display image in which exercise information that is color-coded is superimposed on a B-mode image, the exercise information processing unit 105 may clear the storage of exercise information only for the initial time phase t0. In that case, during the positioning of the virtual contraction center by the user, the transition image during transition can be hidden by causing the display control means 108 to erase the color of the exercise information and display the display screen.

  Further, although an example of application to the heart has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the present invention can also be applied to diagnosis of motion information for a vascular system such as a carotid artery. Furthermore, the introduced series of processing procedures may be performed separately from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 and the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13 by a computer such as a workstation connected via the network N.

  According to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13, and the ultrasonic image processing program 100 according to the present embodiment, it becomes easy for the user to set the position of the virtual contraction center, and until the user gets used to the setting of the position of the virtual contraction center. In addition, the same virtual contraction center position can be easily set even by different users.

  Further, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 13, and the ultrasonic image processing program 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to hide a transitional image during transition.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and an ultrasonic image processing program according to the present invention. The block diagram of the hardware of an ultrasonic image processing apparatus. The figure for demonstrating execution of an ultrasonic image processing program. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of an ultrasonic diagnosing device, an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, and an ultrasonic image processing program. (A), (b) Explanatory drawing about the definition of a playground. The schematic diagram which shows the radar chart-like guide for setting the virtual contraction center position. The figure for demonstrating the setting of a calculation area. The schematic diagram which shows the setting screen of the conventional virtual contraction center position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 Electrocardiograph 12 Ultrasonic probe 13 Ultrasonic image treatment apparatus 14 Display apparatus 15 Input apparatus 100 Ultrasonic image processing program 101 Transmission means 102 Reception means 103 B-mode processing means 104 Tissue Doppler processing means 105 Exercise information Processing means 106 Electrocardiogram signal amplifying means 107 Motion information recording means 108 Display control means

Claims (15)

Image generating means for generating an ultrasound image by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to a region including the tissue;
Display control means for displaying a circular marker superimposed on the ultrasound image;
Input means for setting a position of the marker with respect to the ultrasonic image based on an input operation;
An acquisition means for setting a center of the marker as a virtual contraction center, and acquiring a motion information image of a component accompanying contraction expansion of the tissue based on the virtual contraction center;
The input means can change the position of the set marker based on an input operation,
The display control means superimposes and displays the motion information image and the ultrasonic image, while changing the display of the superimposed motion information image to non-display while changing the position of the marker by the input means. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus characterized in that it is configured to perform. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit comprises the marker by concentric circles . It said display control means, said marker, concentric and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that configured by the crosshairs to the intersection of the center of the concentric circles. 2. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit clears the motion information memory of the motion information image to zero and hides the motion information image while changing the position of the marker. Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment. When the display control means displays a display image obtained by superimposing a color-coded motion information image on a B-mode image, the display image is displayed with the color of the motion information image being erased while the marker position is being changed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Display control means for displaying a circular marker superimposed on the ultrasonic image;
Input means for setting a position of the marker with respect to the ultrasonic image based on an input operation;
An acquisition means for setting a center of the marker as a virtual contraction center, and acquiring a motion information image of a component accompanying contraction expansion of the tissue based on the virtual contraction center;
The input means can change the position of the set marker ,
The display control means superimposes and displays the motion information image and the ultrasonic image, while changing the display of the superimposed motion information image to non-display while changing the position of the marker by the input means. An ultrasonic image processing apparatus, characterized in that: The ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit comprises the marker by concentric circles . Said display control means, said marker, concentric and ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that configured by the crosshairs to the intersection of the center of the concentric circles. 7. The super control unit according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit clears the motion information memory of the motion information image to zero while the position of the marker is being changed, so that the motion information image is not displayed. Sonic image processing device. When the display control means displays a display image obtained by superimposing a color-coded motion information image on a B-mode image, the display image is displayed with the color of the motion information image being erased while the marker position is being changed. The ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: On the computer,
A function to display a circular marker superimposed on the ultrasound image;
A function of setting the position of the marker with respect to the ultrasonic image based on an input operation;
A function of setting a center of the marker as a virtual contraction center, and acquiring a motion information image of a component accompanying contraction and expansion of the tissue based on the virtual contraction center;
A function of changing the position of the set marker based on an input operation;
The motion information image and the ultrasound image are superimposed and displayed, and the function of changing the display of the superimposed motion information image to non-display during the change of the position of the marker is realized. An ultrasonic image processing program. Before SL computer, an ultrasonic image processing program according to claim 11, characterized in that to realize the function of the marker is composed of concentric circles. Before SL computer, the marker, concentric and ultrasonic image processing program according to claim 11, characterized in that to realize the function of constituting by a crosshairs around the intersection of the concentric circles. 12. The computer is configured to realize a function of clearing the exercise information memory of the exercise information image to hide the exercise information image while changing the position of the marker. Ultrasound image processing program. When displaying a display image obtained by superimposing a color-coded motion information image on a B-mode image, the computer displays the display image with the color of the motion information image erased while the marker position is being changed. The ultrasonic image processing program according to claim 11, wherein:

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