JP5653045B2 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image display method for displaying a three-dimensional elastic image indicating the hardness or softness of a living tissue of a subject using ultrasonic waves.

The ultrasound diagnostic device transmits ultrasonic waves inside the subject using an ultrasonic probe, and obtains and displays 3D tomographic images and 3D elastic images based on received signals received from living tissue inside the subject. can do.
When displaying a 3D elastic image superimposed on a 3D tomographic image, the opacity of the 3D tomographic image is set so that the shape and volume of the hard or soft part of the 3D elastic image can be recognized. ing. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-259605 A

Patent Document 1 discloses setting the opacity of a three-dimensional tomographic image, but discloses that each or at least one volume rendering is performed by separating elastic volume data based on elastic values. It has not been. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, for example, a hard part and a soft part are mixed and volume-rendered to form a three-dimensional elastic image. Therefore, when the operator wants to observe a hard part, the hard part may be hidden behind the soft part, and the spread of the hard part may not be grasped.
An object of the present invention is to perform volume rendering by separating elastic volume data into a hard part and a soft part, and a three-dimensional elastic image of one part (soft part) is converted into a three-dimensional elastic image of the other part (hard part). It is to construct a three-dimensional elastic image that does not interfere with observation .

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe having a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, a transmitter for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a subject via the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe A receiving unit that amplifies the reflected echo signal from the subject received by the toucher with a predetermined gain to generate an RF signal, and controls the phase of the RF signal, and the ultrasonic beam is applied to one or more convergence points. A phasing / adding unit that generates RF signal frame data and a data storage unit that stores the RF signal frame data, and a two-dimensional tomographic image based on the RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit A two-dimensional tomographic image forming unit, a tomographic volume data generating unit that performs three-dimensional coordinate conversion on the two-dimensional tomographic image based on the acquisition position of the two-dimensional tomographic image, and generates tomographic volume data; and the tomographic volume Day Volume rendering is performed based on the brightness and opacity of the data, and a 3D tomographic image forming unit that forms a 3D tomographic image, and a 2D elastic image based on a plurality of RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit A two-dimensional elastic image forming unit that forms a three-dimensional coordinate transformation of the two-dimensional elastic image based on a two-dimensional elastic image acquisition position to generate elastic volume data; and the elastic volume data Volume rendering based on the elasticity value and opacity of the three-dimensional elasticity image constituting unit that constitutes a three-dimensional elasticity image, synthesis of the two-dimensional tomographic image and the two-dimensional elasticity image, the three-dimensional tomographic image, A synthesis processing unit configured to generate a synthesized image by synthesizing with the three-dimensional elastic image; the synthesized image; the two-dimensional tomographic image; the two-dimensional elastic image; An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays a tomographic image and the three-dimensional elasticity image; a control unit that controls the transmission unit or the display unit; and an operation unit that performs various inputs to the control unit. The elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part is colored to the first color based on the predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data, the elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part is colored to the second color, An elastic volume data separation unit that separates the elastic volume data colored in the first color and the elastic volume data colored in the second color, and the control unit volume the elastic volume data of the first color. Rendering to construct a three-dimensional elastic image of the first color, and volume rendering the elastic volume data of the second color to convert the three-dimensional elastic image of the second color into the third order An elastic image forming unit configured to generate a combined three-dimensional elastic image by combining the three-dimensional elastic image of the first color and the three-dimensional elastic image of the second color in the combining processing unit; A three-dimensional elasticity image is displayed on the display unit .

According to the present invention, 3 Utame volume rendering row separates the elastic volume data in a hard portion and soft portion, the 3-dimensional elastic image of one site does not interfere with the observation of 3-dimensional elastic image of the other site A dimensional elastic image can be constructed.

The figure which shows the block diagram of the whole structure of this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional elasticity image construction unit 118 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the elastic volume data separation part 200 of this invention. The figure which shows the one display form of the display part 120 of this invention. The figure which shows the one display form of the display part 120 of this invention. The figure which shows the one display form of the display part 120 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional elasticity image construction unit 118 in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

(Example 1)
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 102 that is used in contact with the subject 101, and a fixed time interval for the subject 101 via the ultrasonic probe 102. A transmission unit 105 that repeatedly transmits ultrasonic waves, a reception unit 106 that receives a reflected echo signal reflected from the subject 101, a transmission / reception control unit 107 that controls the transmission unit 105 and the reception unit 106, and a reception unit 106 A phasing addition unit 108 for phasing and adding the received reflected echo is provided.
The ultrasonic probe 102 is formed by arranging a plurality of transducers, and has a function of transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves to / from the subject 101 via the transducers. The ultrasonic probe 102 is composed of a plurality of rectangular or fan-shaped transducers, and mechanically swings the transducers in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of transducers, and can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in three dimensions. it can. Note that the ultrasonic probe 102 may be one in which a plurality of transducers are two-dimensionally arranged and the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves can be electronically controlled.
The transmission unit 105 generates a transmission pulse for driving the transducer of the ultrasonic probe 102 to generate an ultrasonic wave. The transmission unit 105 has a function of setting a convergence point of transmitted ultrasonic waves to a certain depth. The receiving unit 106 amplifies the reflected echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe 102 with a predetermined gain to generate an RF signal, that is, a received signal. The ultrasonic transmission / reception control unit 107 is for controlling the transmission unit 105 and the reception unit 106.
The phasing and adding unit 108 controls the phase of the RF signal amplified by the receiving unit 106 and forms an ultrasonic beam at one or more convergence points to generate RF signal frame data (equivalent to RAW data) To do.
Furthermore, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a data storage unit 109 that stores the RF signal frame data generated by the phasing addition unit 108, and a two-dimensional slice based on the RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit 109. The two-dimensional tomographic image forming unit 113 constituting the image and the two-dimensional tomographic image formed by the two-dimensional tomographic image forming unit 113 are subjected to three-dimensional coordinate conversion based on the acquisition position of the two-dimensional tomographic image, and tomographic volume data A tomographic volume data generation unit 114 for generating
Volume rendering is performed based on the luminance and opacity of the tomographic volume data, and 2 based on a plurality of RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit 109 and a three-dimensional tomographic image construction unit 115 that forms a three-dimensional tomographic image. The 2D elasticity image composition unit 116 constituting the 2D elasticity image and the 2D elasticity image constituted by the 2D elasticity image construction unit 116 are subjected to 3D coordinate conversion based on the acquisition position of the 2D elasticity image, An elastic volume data generation unit 117 that generates volume data, a 3D elastic image configuration unit 118 that performs volume rendering based on the elasticity value and opacity of the elastic volume data, and forms a 3D elastic image; and a 2D tomographic image And a two-dimensional elasticity image, a three-dimensional tomographic image and a three-dimensional elasticity image, and a composite image synthesized by the synthesis processing unit 119 And a display unit 120 for displaying an image, a two-dimensional tomographic image, and the like.
Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a control unit 103 that controls each of the above-described components and an operation unit 104 that performs various inputs to the control unit 103. The operation unit 104 includes a keyboard, a trackball, and the like.
Based on the setting conditions in the control unit 103, the two-dimensional tomographic image configuration unit 113 inputs the RF signal frame data output from the data storage unit 109, and performs gain correction, log compression, detection, contour enhancement, filter processing, etc. Signal processing is performed to construct a two-dimensional tomographic image.

The ultrasonic probe 2 can measure the transmission / reception direction (θ, φ) simultaneously with the transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave, and the tomographic volume data generation unit 114 transmits / receives the transmission / reception direction (θ , Φ), three-dimensional conversion is performed on a plurality of two-dimensional tomographic images to generate tomographic volume data.
The three-dimensional tomographic image construction unit 115 performs volume rendering using the following equations (1) to (3) that compose a three-dimensional tomographic image from the tomographic volume data.

C(i)は作成される2次元投影面上のある点から3次元断層画像を見た場合、視線上i番目に存在するボクセルの輝度値である。Cout(i)は、出力されるピクセル値である。例えば、視線上にNボクセルの輝度値が並んだとき、i=0〜N-1までを積算した輝度値Cout(N-1)が最終的に出力されるピクセル値となる。Cout(i-1)はi-1番目までの積算値を示す。

C (i) is the luminance value of the i-th voxel existing on the line of sight when a 3D tomographic image is viewed from a certain point on the created 2D projection plane. Cout (i) is an output pixel value. For example, when N voxel luminance values are arranged on the line of sight, a luminance value Cout (N−1) obtained by integrating i = 0 to N−1 is a pixel value to be finally output. Cout (i-1) indicates the integrated value up to the i-1th.

  A (i) is the opacity of the i-th luminance value existing on the line of sight, and is a tomographic opacity table (fault opacity table) that takes values from 0 to 1.0 as shown in (3) above. The tomographic opacity table determines the contribution rate on the output two-dimensional projection plane (three-dimensional tomographic image) by referring to the opacity from the luminance value.

  S (i) is a weight component for shading calculated from the luminance C (i) and the gradient obtained from the surrounding pixel values. For example, the normal of the surface centered on the light source and voxel i matches. In this case, 1.0 is given for the strongest reflection, and 0.0 is given when the light source and the normal line are orthogonal to each other.

Cout (i) _and Aout (i) both have an initial value of 0. As shown in (2) above, Aout (i) is integrated and converges to 1.0 each time it passes through the voxel. Therefore, as shown in (1) above, when the integrated value Aout (i-1) of the opacity up to the (i-1) th is about 1.0, the luminance value C (i) after the ith is included in the output image. Not reflected.

  The two-dimensional elasticity image construction unit 116 measures displacement from a plurality of RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit 109. Then, the two-dimensional elasticity image construction unit 116 computes an elasticity value based on the measured displacement to construct a two-dimensional elasticity image. The elastic value is any elastic information such as strain, elastic modulus, displacement, viscosity, and strain ratio.

  The elastic volume data generation unit 117 performs three-dimensional conversion on a plurality of two-dimensional elastic images based on the transmission / reception direction (θ, φ) corresponding to the acquisition position of the two-dimensional elastic image, and generates elastic volume data.

  The three-dimensional elastic image construction unit 118 separates the elastic volume data into a plurality of pieces based on the elastic value, performs volume rendering on the separated elastic volume data, and forms a three-dimensional elastic image. Specifically, the three-dimensional elasticity image construction unit 118 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The three-dimensional elasticity image constructing unit 118 includes an elastic volume data separating unit 200 that separates elastic volume data into a plurality of elastic volume data based on elasticity values, and one elastic volume data separated by the elastic volume data separating unit 200. A first elastic volume data storage unit 201 for storing, a first elastic rendering operation unit 202 for performing volume rendering on the elastic volume data stored in the first volume data storage unit 201 and forming a three-dimensional elastic image; and an elastic volume A second elastic volume data storage unit 205 that stores the other elastic volume data separated by the data separation unit 200, and volume rendering is performed on the elastic volume data stored in the second volume data storage unit 205, and a three-dimensional elastic image A second elastic rendering computing unit 206 and a first elastic lens It comprises a dulling calculation unit 202 and a three-dimensional elasticity image synthesis unit 207 that synthesizes a plurality of three-dimensional elasticity images output from the second elasticity rendering calculation unit 206.

  The elastic volume data separation unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. The elastic volume data separation unit 200 separates the elastic volume data using the separation method shown in FIG. 3 (a) or FIG. 3 (b).

  FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) show a histogram showing the relationship between the elastic value and frequency such as strain and elastic modulus in the elastic volume data output from the elastic volume data generating unit 117, and elastic volume data. A line for separation is shown.

  First, the elastic volume data separation method shown in FIG. 3 (a) will be described. A curve 300 is a histogram showing the relationship between the elasticity value of the elastic volume data and the frequency. A line 302 is a mark indicating the hardest elastic value in the elastic volume data. A line 304 is a mark indicating a predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data. A line 306 is a mark indicating the softest elasticity value in the elastic volume data. A color bar 308 indicates that the color bar 308 is color-coded into blue and red based on a predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data. The color bar 308 is a black and white drawing, so the gradation is not clear.For example, in the elastic value that is color-coded blue (red), the higher the elastic value, the darker the blue (red), and the lower the elastic value, the blue (Red) is set to lighten.

  The elastic volume data separation unit 200 separates the elastic volume data into two parts, a hard part and a soft part, based on a predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data. The predetermined reference value is, for example, any one of an average value, a median value, a mode value, etc. of the elastic volume data. The average value of the elastic volume data is a value obtained by adding all the elastic values of the elastic volume data and dividing by the total number of elastic volume data. The median value of the elastic volume data is a value located at the center of the hardest elastic value and the softest elastic value in the elastic value of the elastic volume data. The mode value of the elastic volume data is a value located at the highest frequency in the histogram indicated by the curve 300.

  The operator controls the elastic volume data separation unit 200 by controlling the control unit 103 based on the operation of the operation unit 104, which of the average value, median value, mode value, etc. Whether the value is a predetermined reference value can be selected, and the reference value is set based on the selected value. The elastic volume data separation unit 200 separates the elastic volume data based on the set reference value. In the initial setting, since the coloring widths of the elasticity values of blue and red are the same, the median value of the elasticity volume data is set in the elasticity volume data separation unit 200.

  Further, the elastic volume data separation unit 200 uses the line 304 indicating the predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data set as described above as a reference, and converts the elastic volume data on the left corresponding to the hard part to blue and soft parts. The corresponding right elastic volume data is set to be colored red. As described above, the separated elastic volume data is given a color value (blue, red) according to the elastic value.

  The elastic volume data separation method shown in FIG. 3 (b) will be described. The difference from the separation method in FIG. 3 (a) is that the elastic volume data separation unit 200 uses a position that changes from a color other than blue to blue and a position that changes from a color other than red to red as a reference value, and a hard part and a soft part. The point is that the elastic volume data is separated into two.

  The curve 300, the line 302, the line 304, and the line 306 are the same as those in FIG. A line 310 is a mark indicating a position where the elastic volume data changes from a color other than blue to blue. A line 312 is a mark indicating a position in the elastic volume data where the color other than red is changed to red. A color bar 314 indicates that the color is divided into blue, red, and green based on a predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data. The color bar 314 is a black and white drawing, so the gradation is not clear. It is set that blue (red, green) becomes lighter as the value is lower.

  In this embodiment, the position of the elasticity value that is soft by a predetermined value (for example, 20%) from the hardest elasticity value is set to a position that changes from a color other than blue to blue. Further, the position of the elasticity value that is harder than the softest elasticity value by a predetermined value (for example, 20%) is set as a position that changes from a color other than red to red.

  The elastic volume data separation unit 200 separates elastic volume data having an elasticity value harder than the elasticity value of the reference value with reference to the reference value that is the position of the elasticity value that is soft by a predetermined value from the hardest elasticity value. Then, the elastic volume data separating unit 200 gives blue color to the separated elastic volume data. That is, blue is given to the elastic volume data of the elastic value of the hard part (elastic value between the line 302 and the line 310).

  The elastic volume data separation unit 200 separates elastic volume data having an elasticity value softer than the elasticity value of the reference value with reference to the reference value that is the position of the elasticity value that is hard by a predetermined value from the softest elasticity value. Then, the elastic volume data separation unit 200 gives red color to the separated elastic volume data. That is, red is given to the elastic volume data of the elastic value of the soft part (elastic value between the line 312 and the line 306).

  The color other than blue or the color other than red is green. The part given green is a part having average hardness in the elastic volume data.

  In the above description, the elastic volume data separation unit 200 adds color information to the separated elastic volume data, but the elastic volume data generation unit 117 adds color information according to the elastic value when generating elastic volume data. May be. The elastic volume data separation unit 200 can also separate the elastic volume data based on the color information (RGB values) given by the elastic volume data generation unit 117.

  The first elastic volume data storage unit 201 stores elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part (blue) separated by the elastic volume data separation unit 200 with reference to a predetermined reference value.

  The first elastic rendering operation unit 202 performs volume rendering on the elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part (blue) using the following equations (4) to (6), and generates a three-dimensional elastic image of the hard part (blue). create.

E(i)は作成される2次元投影面上のある点から3次元弾性画像を見た場合の視線上i番目に存在する弾性値である。Eout(i)は、出力されるピクセル値である。例えば、視線上にNボクセルの弾性値が並んだとき、i=0〜N-1まで弾性値を積算した積算値Eout(N-1)が最終的に出力されるピクセル値となる。Eout(i-1)はi-1番目までの積算値を示す。また、A(i)は視線上i番目に存在する弾性値の不透明度であり、式(6)に示す弾性不透明度テーブルである。なお、硬い部位(青色)に相当する弾性ボリュームデータにおいて、弾性値が存在しないところについては、弾性値が積算されない。

E (i) is the i-th elasticity value on the line of sight when a 3D elasticity image is viewed from a certain point on the created 2D projection plane. Eout (i) is an output pixel value. For example, when the elasticity values of N voxels are arranged on the line of sight, an integrated value Eout (N−1) obtained by integrating the elasticity values from i = 0 to N−1 is a pixel value that is finally output. Eout (i-1) indicates the integrated value up to the (i-1) th. A (i) is the opacity of the i-th elastic value existing on the line of sight, and is an elastic opacity table shown in Expression (6). It should be noted that in the elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part (blue), the elastic value is not integrated where there is no elastic value.

  S (i) is a weight component for shading calculated from the elastic value E (i) and the gradient obtained from the surrounding elastic values. For example, the normal of the surface centered on the light source and voxel i matches. In this case, 1.0 is given for the strongest reflection, and 0.0 is given when the light source and the normal line are orthogonal to each other.

Eout (i) _and Aout (i) both have an initial value of 0, and Aout (i) is integrated and converges to 1.0 each time it passes through a voxel as shown in equation (5). Therefore, as shown in equation (4), when the integrated value Aout (i-1) of the opacity of the voxels up to i-1 is about 1.0, the i-th and subsequent voxel values E (i) are output. Not reflected in the image.

  The second elastic volume data storage unit 205 stores elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part (red) separated by the elastic volume data separation unit 200 with reference to a predetermined reference value.

  The second elasticity rendering calculation unit 206 performs volume rendering on the elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part (red) using the above formulas (4) to (6), and generates a three-dimensional elastic image of the soft part (red). create.

  The three-dimensional elasticity image combining unit 207 combines a plurality of three-dimensional elasticity images output from the first elasticity rendering calculating unit 202 and the second elasticity rendering calculating unit 206. The synthesis processing unit 119 synthesizes the synthesized 3D elasticity image and the 3D tomographic image. Specifically, the three-dimensional elastic image composition unit 207 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the 3D elastic image composition unit 207 displays a 3D elastic image 400 of a hard part (blue) and a 3D elastic image 402 of a soft part (red) on the display unit 120 in parallel. Can be synthesized as follows. Therefore, the operator can confirm by comparing the three-dimensional elasticity image 400 of the hard part (blue) and the three-dimensional elasticity image 402 of the soft part (red).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the three-dimensional elasticity image composition unit 207 superimposes and displays a hard part (blue) three-dimensional elasticity image 400 and a soft part (red) three-dimensional elasticity image 402 for each display pixel. They can be combined so as to be displayed on the part 120. In the display unit 120, in addition to the synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image, priority display for preferentially displaying either the hard part (blue) three-dimensional elasticity image 400 or the soft part (red) three-dimensional elasticity image 402 The setting unit 500 is displayed.

  The priority display setting unit 500 displays a selection mark 502 indicating that a hard part (blue) and a soft part (red) are selected. In FIG. 5, the three-dimensional elasticity image 400 of the hard part (blue) is set to be displayed with priority.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the 3D elastic image 400 of the hard part (blue) is set to be displayed preferentially, the 3D elastic image composition unit 207 displays the 3D elastic image 402 of the soft part (red). A three-dimensional elastic image 400 of a hard part (blue) is displayed on the back side and displayed on the front side. That is, the hard part (blue) three-dimensional elasticity image 400 is overwritten and displayed on the soft part (red) three-dimensional elasticity image 402. Therefore, the operator can always confirm the hard part (blue) even if the three-dimensional elastic image 400 of the hard part (blue) and the three-dimensional elastic image 402 of the soft part (red) are combined.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the three-dimensional elasticity image composition unit 207 adds a hard part (blue) three-dimensional elasticity image 400 and a soft part (red) three-dimensional elasticity image 402 for each display pixel. It can be combined to be displayed.

  The three-dimensional elasticity image composition unit 207 adds the three-dimensional elasticity image 400 of the hard part (blue) and the three-dimensional elasticity image 402 of the soft part (red) for each display pixel by the set ratio α, and the following expression is obtained. To synthesize. The setting ratio α is for setting the translucency (transparency) of the three-dimensional elasticity image 400 of the hard part (blue) and the three-dimensional elasticity image 402 of the soft part (red). It is arbitrarily set by the control of the control unit 103 based on the above. The setting ratio α is 0 or more and 1 or less.

よって、操作者は、硬い部位(青色)の3次元弾性画像400における硬さ情報と、軟らかい部位(赤色)の3次元弾性画像402における硬さ情報とを相互に確認することができる。

Therefore, the operator can mutually confirm the hardness information in the three-dimensional elastic image 400 of the hard part (blue) and the hardness information in the three-dimensional elastic image 402 of the soft part (red).

  In FIG. 6, a ratio setting unit 600 for setting the setting ratio α and a ratio setting bar 602 for changing the setting ratio are displayed. When the ratio setting bar 602 is moved to the left side from the center, the 3D elastic image composition unit is such that the 3D elastic image 400 of the hard part (blue) is emphasized with respect to the 3D elastic image 402 of the soft part (red). 207 decreases the value of α. When the ratio setting bar 602 is moved from the center to the right side, the three-dimensional elastic image composition unit is such that the three-dimensional elastic image 402 of the soft part (red) is emphasized with respect to the three-dimensional elastic image 400 of the hard part (blue) 207 increases the value of α.

  For example, when the ratio setting bar 602 is set to the center, the value of α becomes 0.5, and the hard part (blue) three-dimensional elastic image 400 and the soft part (red) three-dimensional elastic image 402 are displayed in a translucent manner. . When the ratio setting bar 602 is at the left end, the value of α is 0, and only the three-dimensional elastic image 400 of the hard part (blue) is displayed. When the ratio setting bar 602 is at the right end, the value of α is 1, and only the soft part (red) three-dimensional elasticity image 402 is displayed.

  Although not shown, the synthesis processing unit 119 includes a 3D elastic image 400 of a hard part (blue) and a 3D elastic image 402 of a soft part (red) that are combined in parallel, superimposed, or added, and a 3D tomographic image. Images can be combined and displayed for each display pixel. The synthesis of the 3D elasticity image 400 and the 3D elasticity image 402 and the 3D tomographic image includes, for example, displaying the 3D elasticity image 400 and the 3D elasticity image 402 on the 3D tomographic image in a translucent manner. This means that the hardness information in the three-dimensional elasticity image 400 and the three-dimensional elasticity image 402 and the tissue information in the three-dimensional tomographic image are displayed so that they can be mutually confirmed.

  4 to 6 can be switched under the control of the control unit 103 based on the operation of the operation unit 104.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to separate the elastic volume data and perform volume rendering to form a three-dimensional elastic image, and the operator can grasp the hard part and the soft part mutually. Can do.

(Example 2)
Here, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference from Example 1 is that, based on a predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data, the elastic volume data for the hard part (blue) and the soft part (red) as well as the part having the average hardness (green) Are separated, and volume rendering is performed on the separated elastic volume data to form a three-dimensional elastic image. Specifically, the three-dimensional elasticity image construction unit 118 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The three-dimensional elasticity image constructing unit 118 is an elasticity that separates the elastic volume data into a hard part (blue), a soft part (red), and a part having an average hardness (green) based on the elasticity value. Volume data separation unit 700, first elastic volume data storage unit 201 for storing elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part (blue) separated by elastic volume data separation unit 700, and storage in first volume data storage unit 201 The volume rendering is performed on the elastic volume data, and the elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part (red) separated by the first elastic rendering calculation unit 202 and the elastic volume data separation unit 700, which form a three-dimensional elastic image, is stored. The second elastic volume data storage unit 205 and the elastic volume data stored in the second volume data storage unit 205. The volume rendering is performed, and the elastic volume data corresponding to the portion having the average hardness (green) separated by the second elastic rendering calculation unit 206 and the elastic volume data separation unit 700 that constitutes a three-dimensional elastic image. A third elastic volume data storage unit 701 to store, a third elastic rendering operation unit 702 for performing volume rendering on the elastic volume data stored in the third volume data storage unit 701, and constituting a three-dimensional elastic image; The elastic rendering calculating unit 202, the second elastic rendering calculating unit 206, and a three-dimensional elastic image combining unit 703 that combines a plurality of three-dimensional elastic images output from the third elastic rendering calculating unit 702.

  The elastic volume data separation unit 700 separates the elastic volume data using the elastic volume data separation method shown in FIG. The elastic volume data separation unit 700 uses the position where the color other than blue changes to blue and the position where the color other than red changes to red as a reference value, and the elastic volume data separation unit 700 has an elastic volume for the hard part, the soft part and the part having average hardness. Separate the data into three.

  Since the first elastic volume data storage unit 201, the first elastic rendering operation unit 202, the second elastic volume data storage unit 205, and the second elastic rendering operation unit 206 have been described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  The elastic volume data separating unit 700 calculates a first reference value that is a position of a soft elasticity value by a predetermined value from the hardest elasticity value, and a second reference value that is a position of a elasticity value that is hard by a predetermined value from the softest elasticity value. As a reference, elastic volume data of a portion having an average hardness corresponding to the first reference value and the second reference value is separated. Then, the elastic volume data separation unit 700 gives green color to the separated elastic volume data. That is, green is given to the elastic volume data of the elastic value (elastic value between the line 310 and the line 312) of the portion having the average hardness.

  The third elastic volume data storage unit 701 stores elastic volume data corresponding to a portion (green) having an average hardness separated by the elastic volume data separation unit 701 with reference to a predetermined reference value.

  The third elastic rendering operation unit 703 performs volume rendering using the above equations (4) to (6) for the elastic volume data corresponding to the portion having the average hardness (green), and the average hardness Create a 3D elastic image of the part (green) with

  The three-dimensional elasticity image synthesis unit 703 synthesizes a plurality of three-dimensional elasticity images output from the first elasticity rendering calculation unit 202, the second elasticity rendering calculation unit 206, and the third elasticity rendering calculation unit 702. A specific example is the same as the display forms of FIGS. 4 to 6, and only the two image composition parameters are replaced with three image composition parameters, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to separate the elastic volume data and perform volume rendering to construct a three-dimensional elastic image, and the operator can select a hard part, a soft part, and an average hardness. It is possible to grasp each other's parts.

  In the first embodiment, the elastic volume data is separated into two, and in the second embodiment, the elastic volume data is separated into three. However, the elastic volume data may be separated into four or more.

  100 ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, 102 ultrasonic probe, 103 control unit, 104 operation unit, 105 transmission unit, 106 reception unit, 107 transmission / reception control unit, 108 phasing addition unit, 109 data storage unit, 113 two-dimensional tomographic image Configuration unit, 114 Tomographic volume data generation unit, 115 3D tomographic image configuration unit, 116 2D elastic image configuration unit, 117 Elastic volume data generation unit, 118 3D elastic image configuration unit, 119 Composite processing unit, 120 Display unit

Claims (10)

An ultrasound probe having a transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasound; and
A transmitter that transmits ultrasonic waves to the subject via the ultrasonic probe;
A receiving unit for amplifying a reflected echo signal from the subject received by the ultrasonic probe with a predetermined gain to generate an RF signal;
A phasing adder that controls the phase of the RF signal and generates an RF signal frame data by forming an ultrasonic beam at one or more convergence points;
A data storage unit that stores the RF signal frame data; a two-dimensional tomographic image configuration unit that forms a two-dimensional tomographic image based on the RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit;
A tomographic volume data generating unit that performs three-dimensional coordinate conversion on the two-dimensional tomographic image based on an acquisition position of the two-dimensional tomographic image and generates tomographic volume data;
A volume rendering is performed based on the luminance and opacity of the tomographic volume data, and a three-dimensional tomographic image constructing unit that constructs a three-dimensional tomographic image;
A two-dimensional elastic image constructing unit that constructs a two-dimensional elastic image based on a plurality of RF signal frame data stored in the data storage unit;
An elastic volume data generating unit that performs three-dimensional coordinate transformation on the two-dimensional elastic image based on the acquisition position of the two-dimensional elastic image and generates elastic volume data;
A volume rendering is performed based on the elasticity value and opacity of the elasticity volume data, and a 3D elasticity image constructing unit for constructing a 3D elasticity image;
A synthesis processing unit configured to generate a composite image by combining the two-dimensional tomographic image and the two-dimensional elastic image, and combining the three-dimensional tomographic image and the three-dimensional elastic image;
A display unit that displays the composite image, the two-dimensional tomographic image, the two-dimensional elastic image, the three-dimensional tomographic image, and the three-dimensional elastic image;
A control unit for controlling the transmission unit or the display unit;
An operation unit for performing various inputs to the control unit;
The elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part is colored in the first color based on the predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data, and the elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part is An elastic volume data separation unit that colors the first color and separates the elastic volume data colored to the first color and the elastic volume data colored to the second color;
The control unit performs volume rendering on the elastic volume data of the first color to form a three-dimensional elastic image of the first color, and performs volume rendering on the elastic volume data of the second color to generate a second color. The three-dimensional elasticity image is configured in the three-dimensional elasticity image construction unit,
Combining the three-dimensional elasticity image of the first color and the three-dimensional elasticity image of the second color with the synthesis processing unit to generate a synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, wherein the combined three-dimensional elasticity image is displayed on the display unit.   2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic volume data separation unit colors the elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part in blue and the elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part in red.   The elastic volume data separation unit is harder than the elastic value of the first reference value with reference to a first reference value that is a position of an elastic value that is soft by a predetermined value from the hardest elastic value in the elastic volume data. With reference to an elastic volume data having an elastic value and a second reference value that is a position of an elastic value that is hard by a predetermined value from the softest elastic value in the elastic volume data, the elastic value is larger than the elastic value of the second reference value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is separated into elastic volume data having a soft elasticity value. The elastic volume data separation unit uses the predetermined reference value of the elastic volume data as a reference, and the elastic volume data colored to the first color corresponding to the hard part and the first corresponding to the soft part. The elastic volume data colored to the color of 2 and the elastic volume data colored to the third color corresponding to a portion having an average hardness between the hard portion and the soft portion. Isolate
The three-dimensional elasticity image constructing unit performs volume rendering of the elasticity volume data of the part having the average hardness of the third color, and renders the three-dimensional elasticity image of the part having the average hardness of the third color. The three-dimensional elasticity image of the hard part of the first color, the three-dimensional elasticity image of the soft part of the second color, and the three-dimensional elasticity of the part having the average hardness of the third color The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synthesized three-dimensional elasticity image is constructed by synthesizing images.   The elastic volume data separation unit converts the elastic volume data corresponding to the hard part to blue, the elastic volume data corresponding to the soft part to red, and the elastic volume data corresponding to the part having the average hardness to green. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is set to be colored. A priority display setting unit for selecting to preferentially display either the three-dimensional elastic image of the first color portion or the three-dimensional elastic image of the second color portion;
The compositing processing unit arranges one of the three-dimensional elastic images of the first color or the second color part for which priority display is selected on the front surface and the other one on which no priority display is selected on the back surface. The composite three-dimensional elastic image is constructed by overwriting one of the hard color of the first color or the soft part of the second color arranged on the back of the three-dimensional elastic image on the other side and the one arranged on the front surface. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   The ultrasonic wave according to claim 6, wherein the display unit displays a selection mark indicating selection of a three-dimensional elastic image of the portion of the first color or the second color for which priority display is selected. Diagnostic device. The synthesis processing unit adds and synthesizes the three-dimensional elasticity image of the first color part and the three-dimensional elasticity image of the second color part for each display pixel to form the synthesis three-dimensional elasticity image. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. A setting ratio setting unit that sets a setting ratio indicating the translucency of each of the three-dimensional elasticity image of the first color part and the three-dimensional elasticity image of the second color part at the time of the addition synthesis,
The synthesis processing unit adds and synthesizes a three-dimensional elastic image of the first color portion and a three-dimensional elastic image of the second color portion for each display pixel based on the set ratio. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 8.   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the setting ratio setting unit sets the setting ratio in a ratio setting bar displayed on the display unit.

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