JP7563288B2 - Ultrasound diagnostic device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic device and a program.

Conventionally, ultrasound diagnostic devices have been widely used to examine the inside of a test object by irradiating the inside of the object with ultrasound and receiving and analyzing the reflected waves. Because ultrasound diagnostic devices can examine a test object non-destructively and non-invasively, they are widely used for a variety of purposes, including medical examinations and the inspection of the inside of building structures.

Measurement items displayed in the menu of an ultrasound diagnostic device include flow velocity tracing in pulse Doppler mode, and linear distance measurement, area measurement, and volume measurement of the measurement object in B (Brightness) mode. Flow velocity tracing is a measurement item that traces one heartbeat section of the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) waveform of the subject's blood flow. Measurement objects include the subject's organs and tumors.

In addition, even for the same measurement item, there are multiple measurement methods that are different from each other. For example, the measurement item of flow velocity tracing measurement has three measurement methods: auto, semi-auto, and manual. Auto is a measurement method in which the ultrasound diagnostic device fully automatically traces one FFT waveform. Semi-auto is a measurement method in which, in response to a user's input of a range designation operation, the device automatically traces one FFT waveform within that range. Manual is a measurement method in which one FFT waveform is traced in response to a user's manual input of a range tracing one FFT waveform.

An ultrasound diagnostic device is also known that displays multiple measurement switches that belong to a tab in the hierarchical display that has been touched near that tab (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-074941 A

When it is difficult to display all measurement items and methods on one page, one possible method of displaying measurement items and their measurement methods in one menu (column) is to divide the menu into multiple pages, allowing switching between each page, and displaying the measurement items and their measurement methods on each page in a selectable manner. However, with this method, switching between pages is tedious, and when there are multiple similar measurement items or methods, it becomes cluttered and difficult to distinguish visually.

As a method for displaying measurement items and their measurement methods in one menu, a setting screen for setting one corresponding measurement method for measurement items that have multiple measurement methods can be displayed together with the menu. However, this method requires settings to change the measurement method, making the operation for setting the measurement method cumbersome, making it difficult to easily use different measurement methods depending on the situation, and the setting screen takes up a large display area, which may hide other displayed information such as ultrasound images.

As another method for displaying measurement items and their measurement methods as one menu, a method such as that described in Patent Document 1 in which the measurement items are displayed and measurement switches for multiple measurement methods corresponding to the selected measurement item are displayed can be considered. However, this method requires the measurement switches to be displayed and then touched, making the operation complicated, and there is a risk that other displayed information may be hidden by the multiple measurement switches.

The objective of the present invention is to easily select a measurement method that corresponds to the same measurement item.

In order to solve the above problems, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
The display unit displays an operation element for selecting one measurement item corresponding to a plurality of measurement methods, and a control unit selects the measurement item and measurement method corresponding to the operation element and the first operation content based on a plurality of different first operation contents that are pre-assigned to each of the plurality of measurement methods for each measurement item, in response to an operation input of the first operation content to the operation element via an operation unit that accepts operation input.

The invention according to claim 2 provides the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The control unit executes the measurement of the selected measurement item and measurement technique.

The invention according to claim 3 provides the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit sets a plurality of first operation contents different from each other and associated with a plurality of measurement techniques of the measurement item, respectively, in response to an operation input of the operation unit.

The invention according to claim 4 provides the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A storage unit is provided for storing the measurement item and the measurement method that were most recently performed,
The control unit selects the measurement item and measurement method corresponding to the stored operation element in response to an operation input of the second operation content to the operation element via the operation unit, based on a second operation content that is pre-associated with the most recently performed measurement for each measurement item.

The invention according to claim 5 provides the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4,
The control unit sets a second operation content that is associated in advance with the execution of the most recently executed measurement in response to an operation input from the operation unit.

The invention described in claim 6 is the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit displays, on the display unit, list information of multiple measurement methods for the measurement items corresponding to the operation element and the third operation content in response to operation input of the third operation content to the operation element via the operation unit, based on a third operation content that is pre-assigned to the display of list information of the first operation content for each measurement item.

The invention according to claim 7 provides the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6,
The control unit sets a third operation content associated with display of list information of the first operation content for each of the measurement items in response to an operation input on the operation unit.

The invention according to claim 8 provides the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The control unit displays, on the display unit, operation elements for measurement items corresponding to a plurality of measurement techniques, among all operation elements for measurement items, in an expression that is distinguishable from other operation elements.

The program of the invention according to claim 9,
The ultrasound diagnostic equipment computer
a control unit that displays an operation element for selecting one measurement item corresponding to a plurality of measurement techniques on a display unit, and selects a measurement item and a measurement technique corresponding to the operation element and the first operation content in response to an operation input of the first operation content to the operation element via an operation unit that accepts operation input, based on a plurality of first operation contents different from each other and previously associated with each of the plurality of measurement techniques for each of the measurement items;
Function as.

The present invention according to claim 10 provides the program according to claim 9,
The control unit executes the measurement of the selected measurement item and measurement technique.

The present invention according to claim 11 provides the program according to claim 9 or 10,
The control unit sets a plurality of first operation contents different from each other and associated with a plurality of measurement techniques of the measurement item, respectively, in response to an operation input of the operation unit.

The present invention according to claim 12 provides a program according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
The control unit selects, based on a second operation content that is pre-associated with the most recently performed measurement for each of the measurement items, a measurement item and a measurement method corresponding to the operation element stored in a memory unit that stores the measurement item and measurement method for which a measurement was most recently performed, in response to an operation input of the second operation content to the operation element via the operation unit.

The present invention as set forth in claim 13 provides the program as set forth in claim 12,
The control unit sets a second operation content that is associated in advance with the execution of the most recently executed measurement in response to an operation input from the operation unit.

The invention described in claim 14 is a program according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
The control unit displays, on the display unit, list information of multiple measurement methods for the measurement items corresponding to the operation element and the third operation content in response to operation input of the third operation content to the operation element via the operation unit, based on a third operation content that is pre-assigned to the display of list information of the first operation content for each measurement item.

The invention described in claim 15 provides the program described in claim 14,
The control unit sets a third operation content associated with display of list information of the first operation content for each of the measurement items in response to an operation input on the operation unit.

The present invention according to claim 16 provides a program according to any one of claims 9 to 15,
The control unit displays, on the display unit, operation elements for measurement items corresponding to a plurality of measurement techniques, among all operation elements for measurement items, in an expression that is distinguishable from other operation elements.

According to the present invention, it is easy to select a measurement method that corresponds to the same measurement item.

1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a Doppler processing unit. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a setting table for flow velocity tracing measurement according to the first embodiment, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a setting table for volume measurement according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a general setting table. 1A is a diagram showing the transition of an FFT waveform image in automatic flow velocity tracing, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the transition of an FFT waveform image in semi-automatic flow velocity tracing, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the transition of an FFT waveform image in manual flow velocity tracing. 13 is a flowchart showing a setting process. FIG. 2 illustrates a setting screen according to the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a first measurement process. FIG. 4 illustrates a measurement menu according to the first embodiment. 13A is a diagram showing a setting table for flow velocity tracing measurement according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a setting table for volume measurement according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 illustrates a setting screen according to the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a second measurement process. 13A is a diagram showing a setting table for flow velocity tracing measurement according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a setting table for volume measurement according to the third embodiment; FIG. 13 illustrates a setting screen according to the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a third measurement process. FIG. 13 illustrates a measurement menu according to the third embodiment.

The first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in order with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. First, the device configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a Doppler processing unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of this embodiment is installed in an examination room or the like of a medical facility such as a hospital, and is operated by a user such as a doctor or technician.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes an ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 and an ultrasound probe 2. The ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 is connected to the ultrasound probe 2. The ultrasound probe 2 transmits ultrasound (transmitted ultrasound) into a subject such as a patient's living body, and receives reflected waves of the ultrasound reflected within the subject (reflected ultrasound: echo). The ultrasound probe 2 has an ultrasound probe main body 2A, a cable 2B, and a connector 2C. The ultrasound probe main body 2A is a header part of the ultrasound probe 2 that transmits and receives ultrasound. The cable 2B is connected between the ultrasound probe main body 2A and the connector 2C, and is a cable through which a drive signal for the ultrasound probe main body 2A and a reception signal of ultrasound flow. The connector 2C is a plug connector for connecting to a receptacle connector (not shown) of the ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1.

The ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 is connected to the ultrasound probe main body 2A via a connector 2C and a cable 2B, and transmits an electrical drive signal to the ultrasound probe main body 2A to cause the ultrasound probe main body 2A to transmit ultrasound to the subject, and also visualizes the internal state of the subject as ultrasound image data based on a received signal, which is an electrical signal generated by the ultrasound probe 2 in response to reflected ultrasound from within the subject and received by the ultrasound probe main body 2A.

The ultrasonic probe body 2A has a transducer 2a (see FIG. 2) at the tip side, and the transducers 2a are arranged in a one-dimensional array in the azimuth direction (scanning direction), for example. The transducers 2a may be arranged in a two-dimensional array. The number of transducers 2a can be set arbitrarily. In this embodiment, a linear scanning electronic scan probe is used as the ultrasonic probe 2, but either an electronic scanning method or a mechanical scanning method may be used, and either a linear scanning method, a sector scanning method, or a convex scanning method may be used. The communication between the ultrasonic diagnostic device body 1 and the ultrasonic probe 2 (ultrasonic probe body 2A) may be performed by wireless communication such as UWB (Ultra Wide Band) instead of wired communication via the cable 2B.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 has an operation input unit 11 and an operation display unit 17. The operation input unit 11 accepts operation input from a user. The operation input unit 11 may be a push button, an encoder (rotary knob), a lever switch, a joystick, a trackball, a keyboard, a touch pad, or a multifunction switch that combines these.

The operation display unit 17 accepts touch input from the user and displays various display information. The operation display unit 17 has a display unit 17a and a touch panel 17b as an operation unit. The display unit 17a has a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or an inorganic EL display, and displays various display information on the display screen of the display panel.

The touch panel 17b is a resistive pressure touch panel that is integrally provided on the display surface of the display unit 17a and accepts touch input from the user. The touch panel 17b is not limited to the resistive pressure type, and may be appropriately selected from various types such as a capacitance type.

Next, the functional configuration of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasound diagnostic device main body 1 includes, for example, an operation input unit 11, a transmission unit 12, a reception unit 13, a B-mode image generation unit 14, a Doppler processing unit 15, a display control unit 16, an operation display unit 17, a control unit 18, a storage unit 19, and a communication unit 20.

The operation input unit 11 accepts various operation inputs from the user and outputs the operation information to the control unit 18.

The transmitting unit 12 is a circuit that supplies a drive signal, which is an electric signal, to the ultrasonic probe 2 under the control of the control unit 18 to cause the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate a transmission ultrasonic wave. The transmitting unit 12 also includes, for example, a clock generating circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulse generating circuit. The clock generating circuit is a circuit that generates a clock signal that determines the transmission timing and transmission frequency of the drive signal. The delay circuit is a circuit that sets a delay time for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a, delays the transmission of the drive signal by the set delay time, and focuses the transmission beam formed by the transmission ultrasonic wave. The pulse generating circuit is a circuit that generates a pulse signal as a drive signal at a predetermined period. The transmitting unit 12 configured as described above drives, for example, a continuous part (for example, 64) of the multiple (for example, 192) transducers 2a arranged in the ultrasonic probe 2 to generate a transmission ultrasonic wave. The transmitting unit 12 performs scanning by shifting the driven transducer 2a in the azimuth direction (scanning direction) each time a transmission ultrasonic wave is generated.

The receiving unit 13 is a circuit that receives a received signal, which is an electrical signal, from the ultrasound probe 2 under the control of the control unit 18. The receiving unit 13 includes, for example, an amplifier, an A/D conversion circuit, and a phasing and summing circuit. The amplifier is a circuit for amplifying the received signal at a preset amplification factor for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a. The A/D conversion circuit is a circuit for analog-to-digital conversion (A/D conversion) of the amplified received signal. The phasing and summing circuit is a circuit for adjusting the time phase by giving a delay time to the A/D converted received signal for each individual path corresponding to each transducer 2a, and adding these (phasing and summing) to generate sound ray data.

The B-mode image generating unit 14, under the control of the control unit 18, performs envelope detection processing, logarithmic compression, and the like on the sound ray data from the receiving unit 13, adjusts the dynamic range and gain, and converts the luminance, thereby generating B-mode image data made up of pixels having luminance values representing the received energy. In other words, the B-mode image data represents the strength of the received signal by luminance.

The ultrasound diagnostic device 100 can set the image mode to at least B mode and pulse Doppler mode. In B mode, B mode image data is generated by the B mode image generation unit 14 and displayed on the display unit 17a as a B mode image. In pulse Doppler mode, B mode image data is generated by the B mode image generation unit 14 and displayed on the display unit 17a as a B mode image together with a sample gate (sample volume), and the sample gate on the B mode image is moved to an arbitrary blood flow position according to an input from the user via the operation input unit 11, and the Doppler processing unit 15 generates FFT waveform (Doppler waveform) image data showing the blood flow velocity corresponding to the position of the sample gate and displays it as an FFT waveform image. The B mode image generation unit 14 may be configured to generate image data of other image modes than B mode, such as M (Motion) mode, color Doppler mode, and 3D mode.

The Doppler processing unit 15 acquires a reception signal from the receiving unit 13 during pulse Doppler mode operation and detects the Doppler shift frequency of the ultrasound echo from the sample gate position set on the B-mode image. The Doppler processing unit 15 then generates the temporal change in the detected Doppler shift frequency as FFT waveform image data.

When the ultrasound probe 2 transmits a pulsed ultrasound beam at regular intervals according to the pulse repetition frequency, the Doppler processing unit 15 samples the received signal related to the ultrasound echo in synchronization with the pulse repetition frequency. Then, the Doppler processing unit 15 detects the Doppler shift frequency based on the phase difference between the ultrasound echo related to the nth ultrasound beam and the ultrasound echo related to the n+1th ultrasound beam from the same sample gate position, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the Doppler processing unit 15 includes, for example, a band pass filter (BPF) 151, quadrature detection units 152 and 153, a low pass filter (LPF) 154, a range gate 155, an integration circuit 156, a wall motion filter 157, and an FFT analysis unit 158. The band pass filter 151 removes unnecessary frequency components from the received signal input from the receiving unit 13.

The quadrature detection units 152 and 153 mix the received signal output from the bandpass filter 151 with a reference signal in phase with the transmitted ultrasonic beam and a reference signal whose phase differs by π/2 from the transmitted ultrasonic beam to generate quadrature detection signals I and Q. The lowpass filter 154 removes high-frequency components from the quadrature detection signals I and Q output from the quadrature detection units 152 and 153 to generate a received signal related to the Doppler shift frequency. The range gate 155 acquires only ultrasonic echo components from the sample gate position from the received signal output from the bandpass filter 151. The integration circuit 156 integrates the received signal output from the range gate 155. The wall motion filter 157 performs low-frequency removal on the received signal output from the integration circuit 156 to remove clutter components (ultrasonic echo components from tissue). The FFT analysis unit 158 performs frequency analysis on the Doppler shift frequency components of the received signal output from the wall motion filter 157, and generates and outputs FFT waveform image data.

In addition, the Doppler processing unit 15 may generate a Doppler waveform in which the Doppler shift frequency is converted into blood flow velocity, as shown in the following equation (1), taking into account the intersection angle between the beam direction of the ultrasound beam and the blood flow direction at the sample gate position.
V=c/2cosθ×Fd/F0…(1)
(where V is blood flow velocity, F0 is the transmission frequency of the ultrasonic beam, Fd is the Doppler shift frequency, c is the speed of sound in the body, and θ is the intersection angle (angle correction value).)

The display control unit 16 converts at least one of the B-mode image data generated by the B-mode image generation unit 14 and the FFT waveform image data generated by the Doppler processing unit 15 into an image signal for display according to the control of the control unit 18, and outputs it to the operation display unit 17.

The display unit 17a of the operation display unit 17 displays an ultrasound image on the display screen according to the image signal output from the display control unit 16 under the control of the control unit 18, and also displays various display information from the control unit 18. The touch panel 17b of the operation display unit 17 accepts touch input from the user and outputs the touch operation information to the control unit 18.

The control unit 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), reads out various processing programs such as a system program stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and controls the operation of each part of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 in cooperation with the expanded programs and the CPU. The ROM is composed of non-volatile memory such as a semiconductor, and stores the system program corresponding to the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, various processing programs that can be executed on the system program, and various data such as a gamma table. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program code, and the CPU sequentially executes operations according to the program code. The RAM forms a work area that temporarily stores various programs executed by the CPU and data related to these programs. In particular, the ROM of the control unit 18 stores a setting program for executing a setting process described later and a first measurement program for executing a first measurement process described later.

The storage unit 19 is a storage unit such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores information such as ultrasound image data in a writable and readable manner.

The communication unit 20 is connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 20 includes a LAN adapter, a router, etc., and transmits and receives data to and from external devices connected via the communication network in accordance with the control of the control unit 18. External devices such as a RIS (Radiological Information System), a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), and a client terminal (all not shown) are connected to the communication network.

For each part of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, some or all of the functions of each functional block can be realized as a hardware circuit such as an integrated circuit. An integrated circuit is, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration), and an LSI may be called an IC (Integrated Circuit), a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. In addition, the method of integration is not limited to an LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor, or may use a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI. In addition, some or all of the functions of each functional block may be executed by software. In this case, the software is stored in one or more storage media such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk, and the software is executed by a processor.

Next, the information stored in the memory unit 19 will be described with reference to Figs. 4(a) to 5(c). Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing a setting table 210 for flow velocity tracing measurement. Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing a setting table 220 for volume measurement. Fig. 4(c) is a diagram showing a general setting table 230. Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing the transition of an FFT waveform image in automatic flow velocity tracing measurement. Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing the transition of an FFT waveform image in semi-automatic flow velocity tracing measurement. Fig. 5(c) is a diagram showing the transition of an FFT waveform image in manual flow velocity tracing measurement.

The storage unit 19 stores various setting information related to the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, such as measurement, examination management, ultrasound images, and networks, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 4(a) to 4(c), the setting information stored in the storage unit 19 includes a flow velocity tracing measurement setting table 210, a volume measurement setting table 220, and a general setting table 230, as setting information related to measurement.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the setting table 210 has items of a measurement item 211, a measurement method 212, and an operation content 213. The measurement item 211 is information indicating the measurement item, which is flow velocity tracing measurement in this case. The measurement method 212 is a measurement method included in the measurement item (flow velocity tracing measurement) of the measurement item 211, and there are three types: auto, semi-auto, and manual.

Now, with reference to Figures 5(a) to 5(c), we will explain each measurement method of the measurement method 212 for flow velocity tracing. First, with reference to Figure 5(a), we will explain the automatic measurement method for flow velocity tracing. It is assumed that the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is set to pulse Doppler mode in advance, blood flow at an arbitrary position in the subject is measured using the ultrasound probe 2, and an FFT waveform image 301 is generated and displayed on the display unit 17a.

More specifically, in the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, a live B-mode image based on a B-mode image including a sample gate generated by the B-mode image generating unit 14 and a live FFT waveform image based on FFT waveform image data at the position of the sample gate generated by the Doppler processing unit 15 are displayed on the display unit 17a, while the B-mode image data and FFT waveform image data of a predetermined number of frames immediately before are stored in a cine memory (not shown). Then, when a freeze operation is input by the user via the operation input unit 11 or the touch panel 17b, an FFT waveform image 301 of the FFT waveform image data of a certain frame as a cine stored in the cine memory is displayed on the display unit 17a. The horizontal axis of the FFT waveform image 301 indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the blood flow velocity.

When the flow velocity tracing measurement method is set to automatic while the FFT waveform image 301 is displayed, the control unit 18 automatically detects one heartbeat section of the blood flow, and automatically traces the flow velocity waveform of the detected heartbeat section to obtain a trace line T1, as shown in the FFT waveform image 302.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when the semi-automatic measurement method of the flow velocity tracing measurement is executed while the FFT waveform image 301 is displayed, the start point s1 and end point e1 of the heart rate section to be measured are touch-inputted by the user's hand H1 via the touch panel 17b, as shown in the FFT waveform image 303. Then, as shown in the FFT waveform image 304, the control unit 18 automatically traces the flow velocity waveform in the range between the start point s1 and the end point e1 to obtain the trace line T2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5(c), when the flow velocity tracing measurement method is manual while the FFT waveform image 301 is displayed, a trace line T3 is touch-inputted by the user's hand H1 via the touch panel 17b so as to trace the waveform of the measurement target, as shown in the FFT waveform image 305, and when the touch input is completed, the trace line T3 is obtained, as shown in the FFT waveform image 306.

The trace line obtained by the flow velocity tracing measurement is used by the control unit 18 to calculate items such as PSV (Peak-Systolic Velocity: maximum systolic blood velocity), EDV (End-Diastolic Velocity: end-diastolic blood velocity), Vmean (mean blood velocity), PI (Pulsatility Index: pulsatility index), and RI (Resistance Index: resistance index). In clinical practice, these items are used as a guide to determine whether there is an abnormality or whether further examination is necessary by comparing the results obtained from the measurement with the reference range of each item.

Returning to FIG. 4(a), operation content 213 is the touch operation content of touch panel 17b for performing measurement corresponding to each measurement method of measurement method 212. For example, two-finger tap, three-finger tap, and double tap are set for auto, semi-auto, and manual of measurement method 212, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the setting table 220 has items of measurement item 221, measurement method 222, and operation content 223. Measurement item 221 is information indicating the measurement item, which is volume measurement in this case. Measurement method 222 is a measurement method included in the measurement item (volume measurement) of measurement item 221, and there are three types: 1 cross section, 2 distances, 2 cross sections, 3 distances, and 2 cross sections, 2 ellipses.

1-section 2-distance is a measurement technique that calculates the volume of a measurement object, such as an organ or tumor of a subject, from the length of two perpendicular straight lines within the contour of the measurement object in one cross section of the object. 2-section 3-distance is a measurement technique that calculates the volume of a measurement object from the length of two perpendicular straight lines within the contour of the measurement object in one cross section of the object, and the length of one straight line within the contour of the measurement object in another cross section perpendicular to the first cross section. 2-section 2-ellipse is a measurement technique that calculates the volume of a measurement object from an ellipse corresponding to the contour of the measurement object in one cross section of the object, and an ellipse corresponding to the contour of the measurement object in another cross section perpendicular to the first cross section.

Operation content 223 is the touch operation content of touch panel 17b for performing a measurement corresponding to each measurement method of measurement method 222. For example, two-finger tap, long press 3s (3 seconds), and right flick are set for 1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, and 2 cross section 2 ellipse of measurement method 222, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4(c), the setting table 230 is a table of setting information for the entire measurement independent of each measurement item, and has items of type 231, setting item 232, and setting content 233. Type 231 is information indicating the type of setting related to the measurement, which is general (measurement) in this case. Setting item 232 is a setting item for the entire measurement, for example, the cursor position when measurement is started and the measurement cursor shape. Setting content 233 is setting content information corresponding to each setting item of setting item 232, and for example, the center of the screen is set corresponding to the cursor position when measurement is started, and the "x" type is set corresponding to the measurement cursor shape.

The memory unit 19 stores setting tables 210, 220, and 230 as setting information for measurement as a functional category, and also stores setting information for the functional categories of examination management, ultrasound images, and network, which will be described later. Combining all of these, the memory unit 19 stores setting information for multiple functional categories, such as measurement.

Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the setting process. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the setting screen 400. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the first measurement process. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the measurement menu 500.

First, the setting process executed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The setting process is a process for setting setting information for each function category including measurement. In the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, when an instruction to execute the setting process is input by the user via, for example, the touch panel 17b or the operation input unit 11, the control unit 18 executes the setting process according to a setting program stored in the ROM.

As shown in FIG. 6, first, the control unit 18 generates setting screen data and displays it as a setting screen on the display unit 17a (step S11). In step S11, for example, the setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

The setting screen 400 is a screen that accepts input of setting information for multiple functional categories. The setting screen 400 has a measurement tab 401, an examination management tab 402, an ultrasound image tab 403, a network tab 404, and a setting completion button 405. The measurement tab 401 is an operation element for switching and displaying the measurement setting field 4011. The measurement setting field 4011 is a display field that accepts input of various setting information related to measurement as a functional category.

The examination management tab 402 is an operation element for switching between the display of an examination management setting field (not shown) that accepts input of various setting information related to examination management (such as management of patient information and management of acquired images) as a functional category. The ultrasound image tab 403 is an operation element for switching between the display of an ultrasound image setting field (not shown) that accepts input of various setting information related to ultrasound images (image modes (at least B-mode and pulsed Doppler mode, and may include other image modes such as M-mode, color Doppler mode, and 3D mode)) as a functional category.

The network tab 404 is an operation element for switching between displaying a network setting field (not shown) that accepts input of various setting information related to the network (network communication of the communication unit 20) as a functional category. The setting completion button 405 is a display button that accepts touch input from the user via the touch panel 17b to indicate completion of the setting process.

In FIG. 7, for example, when the user touches the measurement tab 401 out of the measurement tabs 401 to the network tab 404 via the touch panel 17b, the measurement setting field 4011 is displayed and the input of each measurement setting information is accepted. The measurement setting field 4011 has a flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410, a volume measurement setting field 420, and a general setting field 430.

The flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410 is a display field that accepts the setting input of the touch operation content of the touch panel 17b for performing the measurement of the three measurement methods (auto, semi-auto, manual) corresponding to the flow velocity tracing measurement of the measurement item. The flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410 has a drop-down list 411. The drop-down list 411 is an operation element that accepts the selection input of one operation content for each of the three measurement methods of the flow velocity tracing measurement from among multiple operation contents of the touch panel 17b.

The volume measurement setting field 420 is a display field that accepts the setting input of the touch operation content of the touch panel 17b for performing the measurement of the three measurement methods (1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross sections 3 distance, 2 cross sections 2 ellipse) corresponding to the volume measurement of the measurement item. The volume measurement setting field 420 has a drop-down list 421. The drop-down list 421 is an operation element that accepts the selection input of one operation content for each of the three volume measurement methods from among multiple operation contents of the touch panel 17b.

The general settings field 430 is a display field that accepts input of settings for two setting items (cursor position when measurement is started, and measurement cursor shape) that correspond to measurement in general. The general settings field 430 has a drop-down list 431 that accepts the selection input of one setting item for each of the two setting items that correspond to measurement in general.

Then, the control unit 18 reads out the setting information stored in the memory unit 19 and loads it into the RAM (step S12). The setting information read out in step S12 is setting information for each function category, such as measurement, that was updated in the previous execution of the setting process, and includes the setting tables 210, 220, and 230.

Then, the control unit 18 determines whether or not there is an operation input for setting the setting information from the user via the touch panel 17b (step S13). If there is an operation input for setting (step S13; YES), the control unit 18 updates the setting information deployed in the RAM in accordance with the operation input for setting in step S13 (step S14). In step S13, for example, when various operation inputs for setting the measurement are made through the measurement setting field 4011, in step S14, the setting tables 210, 220, and 230 among the setting information deployed in the RAM are updated. More specifically, for example, in accordance with the selection input of the drop-down list 411 of the flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410 of the setting screen 400 in step S13, the operation content 213 of the setting table 210 of the setting information deployed in the RAM is updated in step S14. Also, in response to the selection input from the drop-down list 421 in the volume measurement setting field 420 in step S13, the operation content 223 of the setting table 220 of the setting information expanded in the RAM is updated in step S14.

Then, the control unit 18 determines whether or not there is an operation input for completing the settings based on a touch input from the user to the setting completion button 405 via the touch panel 17b (step S15). If there is no operation input for setting (step S13; NO), the process proceeds to step S15. If there is no operation input for completing the settings (step S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S13.

If an operation input to complete the setting is received (step S15; YES), the control unit 18 overwrites the setting information updated in step S14 in the storage unit 19 (step S16) and ends the setting process.

Next, the first measurement process executed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. The first measurement process is a process of selecting a measurement item and a measurement method and performing a measurement. In advance, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is set to pulse Doppler mode or B mode, the subject is scanned using the ultrasound probe 2, live ultrasound images (B mode images and FFT waveform images in pulse Doppler mode, and B mode images in B mode) are displayed on the display unit 17a, and a cine ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 17a in response to a freeze operation input from the user via the touch panel 17b.

For example, when a user inputs an instruction to execute the first measurement process via the touch panel 17b or the operation input unit 11, the control unit 18 executes the first measurement process according to the first measurement program stored in the ROM.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, the control unit 18 generates measurement menu (measurement menu field) data and displays it as a measurement menu on the display unit 17a (step S21). In step S21, for example, the measurement menu 500 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

The measurement menu 500 has a flow velocity trace button 510, a straight-line distance button 520, an area button 530, and a volume button 540 as selection buttons for measurement items. The flow velocity trace button 510 is a display button that accepts touch input to perform a flow velocity trace measurement as a measurement item. The straight-line distance button 520 is a display button that accepts touch input to perform a straight-line distance measurement as a measurement item. The area button 530 is a display button that accepts touch input to perform an area measurement as a measurement item. The volume button 540 is a display button that accepts touch input to perform a volume measurement as a measurement item.

Of all the selection buttons for measurement items in the measurement menu 500, the selection buttons for measurement items for which multiple measurement methods are associated with one measurement item and for which a measurement method can be selected (flow velocity trace button 510, volume button 540) are displayed in a identifiable manner compared to the selection buttons for other normal measurement items (one measurement method is associated with one measurement item and no measurement method selection is required) (straight line distance button 520, area button 530). This identifiable representation is, for example, a double-lined frame, a color change, or a blinking display. In FIG. 9, the straight line distance button 520 and area button 530 as selection buttons for normal measurement items are displayed in a single-lined frame, and the flow velocity trace button 510 and volume button 540 as selection buttons for measurement items for which a measurement method can be selected are displayed in a double-lined frame.

Then, the control unit 18 reads out the setting tables 210, 220, and 230 stored in the memory unit 19 as setting information related to measurement in the function category, and expands them in the RAM (step S22). The control unit 18 then determines whether or not the user has touched a measurement item via the touch panel 17b (step S23). In step S23, for example, one of the flow velocity trace button 510, linear distance button 520, area button 530, and volume button 540 is touched. If no measurement item is touched (step S23; NO), the process proceeds to step S23.

If a measurement item is touched (step S23; YES), the control unit 18 refers to the measurement setting information expanded in the RAM and determines whether the measurement item selected by touch in step S23 has multiple measurement methods (whether the measurement method can be selected) (step S24). In step S24, it is determined that the measurement item selected by touch has multiple measurement methods if it is flow velocity tracing measurement or volume measurement, based on the measurement method 212 in the setting table 210 and the measurement method 222 in the setting table 220.

If the touched measurement item has multiple measurement methods (step S24; YES), the control unit 18 determines the measurement method of the selected and input measurement item according to the measurement setting information expanded in the RAM and the operation content of the touch operation in step S23 (step S25). For example, if the flow velocity trace button 510 is input by double tapping with the user's hand H1 in step S23, in step S25, manual flow velocity trace measurement is determined according to the measurement method 212 corresponding to the double tap in the operation content 213 of the flow velocity trace measurement setting table 210.

Then, the control unit 18 executes the measurement corresponding to the measurement method of the measurement item determined in step S25 when there are multiple measurement methods for the measurement item, or the measurement method of the measurement item when there is only one measurement method for the measurement item (step S26), and ends the first measurement process. If the touched measurement item does not have multiple measurement methods (step S24; NO), the process proceeds to step S26.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes a control unit 18 that displays the flow velocity trace button 510 and the volume button 540 as operation elements for selecting one measurement item (flow velocity trace measurement corresponding to auto, semi-auto, and manual) (volume measurement corresponding to 1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, and 2 cross section 2 ellipse) corresponding to a plurality of measurement methods on the display unit 17a. The control unit 18 selects the measurement item and measurement method corresponding to the operation element and the first operation content in response to the operation input of the first operation content to the flow velocity trace button 510 or the volume button 540 via the touch panel 17b as an operation unit that accepts operation input, based on a plurality of different first operation contents (two-finger tap, three-finger tap, and double tap corresponding to auto, semi-auto, and manual, respectively) (two-finger tap, long press 3s, and right flick corresponding to 1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, and 2 cross section 2 ellipse, respectively) that are previously associated with each of the plurality of measurement methods for each measurement item.

As a result, submenus are not displayed, preventing other displayed information, such as images on the screen, from being obscured, and the operation of selecting a different measurement method for the same measurement item can be performed simply and intuitively, making it easy to select a measurement method that corresponds to the same measurement item, and allowing different measurement methods to be used freely depending on the situation, even for the same measurement item.

The control unit 18 also performs measurements for the selected measurement items and measurement methods. This allows multiple measurement methods corresponding to the measurement items to be easily selected and measurements to be performed.

In addition, the control unit 18 stores and sets a plurality of different first operation contents associated with each of a plurality of measurement methods of the measurement items as setting tables 210, 220 in the storage unit 19 in response to an operation input on the touch panel 17b. This allows the user to freely set the first operation contents of the user's preferred operation contents (operation actions) for each measurement method to be selected.

The control unit 18 also displays on the display unit 17a, among all the operation elements of the measurement items (flow velocity trace button 510, linear distance button 520, area button 530, volume button 540), the operation elements of the measurement items corresponding to multiple measurement methods (flow velocity trace button 510, volume button 540) in a double-lined frame as an expression that can be distinguished from the other operation elements. Therefore, the measurement items (operation elements (flow velocity trace button 510, volume button 540)) corresponding to multiple measurement methods (multiple first operation contents) and the measurement items (operation elements (linear distance button 520, area button 530)) corresponding to one measurement method (simple touch input as one operation content) can be easily distinguished visually.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 10(a) to 12. Figure 10(a) is a diagram showing a setting table 210A for flow velocity tracing measurement. Figure 10(b) is a diagram showing a setting table 220A for volume measurement. Figure 11 is a diagram showing a setting screen 400A. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing a second measurement process.

In the first embodiment, the configuration was such that operation inputs for executing measurements using each measurement method for a measurement item were accepted using predetermined operation content that had been set in advance, but in the present embodiment, the configuration is further such that operation inputs for executing measurements using the same measurement method as the measurement method most recently selected (selected and input for the last measurement executed) (the last measurement method) are accepted using predetermined operation content that had been set in advance.

As the device configuration of this embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of the first embodiment is used. However, instead of the first measurement program, a second measurement program for executing a second measurement process described below is stored in the ROM of the control unit 18 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. Also, instead of setting information including the setting tables 210, 220, 230, the storage unit 19 is stored with setting information including setting tables 210A, 220A, 230 described below. Also, parts similar to those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted, and mainly parts different from the first embodiment are described.

Next, the information stored in the storage unit 19 will be described with reference to Figs. 10(a) and 10(b). The storage unit 19 stores setting information including a flow velocity tracing measurement setting table 210A shown in Fig. 10(a) as setting information for the measurement function category, a volume measurement setting table 220A shown in Fig. 10(b), a general setting table 230 (Fig. 4(c)), and setting information for other function categories.

The flow velocity tracing measurement settings table 210A has the items of measurement item 211, measurement method 212, most recent selection 214, and operation content 213. Most recent selection 214 is flag information indicating whether (=1) or not (=0) an operation input for performing measurement of the most recently selected measurement method of flow velocity tracing measurement is accepted.

Operation content 213 is the touch operation content of touch panel 17b for performing measurements corresponding to each measurement method of measurement method 212 and the measurement method of last selection 214 (=1). For example, two-finger tap, three-finger tap, and double tap are set for operation content 213 corresponding to auto, semi-auto, and manual of measurement method 212, respectively, and single tap is set for operation content 213 corresponding to the measurement method of last selection 214 (=1).

The volume measurement setting table 220A has the items of measurement item 221, measurement method 222, most recent selection 224, and operation content 223. Most recent selection 224 is flag information indicating whether (=1) or not (=0) the operation input of the most recently selected measurement method for volume measurement is accepted.

The operation content 223 is the touch operation content of the touch panel 17b for performing measurements corresponding to each measurement method of the measurement method 222 and the measurement method of the most recent selection 224 (=1). For example, the operation content 223 corresponding to the measurement method 222, 1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, and 2 cross section 2 ellipse are set to two-finger tap, long press 3s, and right flick, respectively, and the operation content 223 corresponding to the measurement method of the most recent selection 224 is set to single tap.

Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. First, in the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, as in the first embodiment, the control unit 18 executes the setting process according to the setting program stored in the ROM.

However, in step S11, instead of the setting screen 400 of the first embodiment, a setting screen 400A shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. The setting screen 400A has a measurement tab 401A, an examination management tab 402, an ultrasound image tab 403, a network tab 404, and a setting completion button 405. The measurement tab 401A is an operation element for switching and displaying the measurement setting field 4011A. The measurement setting field 4011A is a display field that accepts input of various setting information related to measurement as a functional category.

The measurement setting field 4011A has a flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410A, a volume measurement setting field 420A, and a general setting field 430. The flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410A is a display field that accepts setting input of touch operation contents of the touch panel 17b for performing measurement of three measurement methods (auto, semi-auto, manual) corresponding to the flow velocity tracing measurement of the measurement item and the most recently selected measurement method. The flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410A has drop-down lists 411 and 412. The drop-down list 412 is an operation element that accepts the selection input of one operation content for performing measurement of the most recently selected measurement method of flow velocity tracing measurement from among multiple operation contents of the touch panel 17b.

The volume measurement setting field 420A is a display field that accepts the setting input of the touch operation content of the touch panel 17b for performing the measurement of the three measurement methods (1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, 2 cross section 2 ellipse) corresponding to the volume measurement of the measurement item and the most recently selected measurement method. The volume measurement setting field 420A has drop-down lists 421 and 422. The drop-down list 422 is an operation element that accepts the selection input of one operation content for performing the measurement of the most recently selected measurement method of volume measurement from among multiple operation contents of the touch panel 17b.

In addition, in step S12, the setting information including the setting tables 210A, 220A, and 230 is read from the memory unit 19 and expanded into the RAM.

In addition, when various operation inputs for measurement settings are made in the measurement setting field 4011A in step S13, the setting tables 210A, 220A, and 230 of the setting information expanded in RAM are updated in step S14. More specifically, for example, in response to the selection input of the drop-down lists 411 and 412 of the flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410A of the setting screen 400A in step S13, the operation contents 213 (operation contents of the measurement method 212, operation contents of the most recent selection 214 (=1)) of the setting information table 210A expanded in RAM are updated in step S14. In addition, in response to the selection input of the drop-down lists 421 and 422 of the volume measurement setting field 420A in step S13, the operation contents 223 (operation contents of the measurement method 222, operation contents of the most recent selection 224 (=1)) of the setting information table 220A expanded in RAM are updated in step S14.

Next, the second measurement process executed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. As in the first measurement process, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is set in advance to pulse Doppler mode or B mode, the subject is scanned using the ultrasound probe 2, live ultrasound images (B mode images and FFT waveform images in pulse Doppler mode, and B mode images in B mode) are displayed on the display unit 17a, and a cine ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 17a in response to a freeze operation input from the user via the touch panel 17b.

In addition, in the flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410A, an operation element such as a radio button for selecting and setting the most recent selection 214 in the setting table 210A to 1 or 0 may be displayed, making it possible to update the most recent selection 214. Similarly, in the volume measurement setting field 420A, an operation element such as a radio button for selecting and setting the most recent selection 224 in the setting table 220A to 1 or 0 may be displayed, making it possible to update the most recent selection 224.

The memory unit 19 also stores, for each measurement item, most recent method information including the most recently selected measurement method used to perform the most recent measurement. However, if the second measurement process has never been performed, it stores pre-set default most recent method information (e.g., flow velocity tracing measurement: auto, volume measurement: 1 cross section 2 distance).

For example, when a command to execute the second measurement process is input by the user via the touch panel 17b or the operation input unit 11, the control unit 18 executes the second measurement process according to the second measurement program stored in the ROM.

Steps S31 to S35 of the second measurement process are similar to steps S21 to S25 of the first measurement process in FIG. 8. However, in step S32, setting tables 210A, 220A, and 230 are read from memory unit 19 as measurement setting information and expanded in the RAM of control unit 18.

For example, in step S33, if the flow velocity trace button 510 in the measurement menu 500 is double-tapped by the user's hand H1, then in step S35, the flow velocity trace measurement is determined to be manual in accordance with the measurement method 212 corresponding to the double tap in the operation content 213 of the flow velocity trace measurement setting table 210. For example, in step S33, if the flow velocity trace button 510 is single-tapped by the user's hand H1, then in step S35, the flow velocity trace measurement is determined to be the most recently selected measurement method in accordance with the most recent selection 214 (=1) corresponding to the single tap in the operation content 213 of the flow velocity trace measurement setting table 210A.

Then, the control unit 18 determines whether the measurement method determined in step S35 is the most recently selected measurement method (step S36). If it is not the most recently selected measurement method (step S36; NO), the control unit 18 updates the most recent method information stored in the memory unit 19 with the measurement method of the measurement item determined in step S35 (step S37). In step S37, for example, if it is determined in step S35 that the flow velocity tracing measurement is manual, the most recent method information (e.g., auto) stored in the memory unit 19 is updated with the determined manual.

If it is the most recently selected measurement method (step S36; YES), the control unit 18 reads out the most recent method information for the measurement item determined in step S35 from the memory unit 19 (step S38). In step S38, for example, the most recent method information (e.g., auto) for the flow velocity tracing measurement stored in the memory unit 19 is read out.

Then, the control unit 18 executes the measurement corresponding to the measurement method of the measurement item determined in step S35 when the measurement item has multiple measurement methods, or the measurement method of the measurement item when the measurement item has one measurement method, or the measurement method of the measurement item of the most recent method information read out in step S38 (step S39), and ends the second measurement process. If the touched measurement item does not have multiple measurement methods (step S34; NO), the process proceeds to step S39.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 includes a memory unit 19 that stores the measurement item and measurement method for which a measurement was most recently performed as most recent method information. Based on the second operation content (single tap) that is pre-associated with the most recently performed measurement for each measurement item, the control unit 18 selects the measurement item and measurement method corresponding to the stored operation element in response to the operation input of the second operation content to the operation element (flow velocity trace button 510, volume button 540) via the touch panel 17b, and performs the measurement. Therefore, the measurement item and measurement method for which a measurement was most recently performed can be easily selected and a measurement can be performed.

In addition, the control unit 18 stores and sets the second operation content, which is pre-associated with the execution of the most recently performed measurement, in the storage unit 19 as setting tables 210A and 220A in response to the operation input on the touch panel 17b. This allows the second operation content of the user's preferred operation content (operation action) of the measurement item to be freely set in order to perform the most recently performed measurement item and measurement method.

Third Embodiment
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13(a) to Fig. 16. Fig. 13(a) is a diagram showing a setting table 210B for flow velocity tracing measurement. Fig. 13(b) is a diagram showing a setting table 220B for volume measurement. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a setting screen 400B. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the third measurement process. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a measurement menu 500B.

In the first embodiment, the operation input for executing the measurement of each measurement method for the measurement item was accepted using predetermined operation content that was set in advance, but in the present embodiment, the configuration further includes displaying guidance on the predetermined operation content.

As the device configuration of this embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of the first embodiment is used. However, instead of the first measurement program, a third measurement program for executing a third measurement process described below is stored in the ROM of the control unit 18 of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100. Also, instead of the setting information including the setting tables 210, 220, 230, the storage unit 19 is stored with setting information including setting tables 210B, 220B, 230 described below. Also, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment, and their description is omitted, and mainly the parts different from the first embodiment are described.

Next, the information stored in the storage unit 19 will be described with reference to Figs. 13(a) and 13(b). The storage unit 19 stores setting information including a flow velocity tracing measurement setting table 210B shown in Fig. 13(a) as setting information for the measurement function category, a volume measurement setting table 220B shown in Fig. 13(b), a general setting table 230 (Fig. 4(c)), and setting information for other function categories.

The flow velocity tracing measurement setting table 210B has the items of measurement item 211, measurement method 212, guidance display 215, and operation content 213. Guidance display 215 is flag information indicating whether guidance is displayed (=1) or not (=0) for the operation content 213 of the measurement method 212 of the flow velocity tracing measurement.

Operation content 213 is the touch operation content of touch panel 17b for performing measurements corresponding to each measurement method of measurement method 212 and for displaying guidance of guidance display 215 (=1). For example, two-finger tap, three-finger tap, and double tap are set for operation content 213 corresponding to auto, semi-auto, and manual of measurement method 212, respectively, and long press for 2s (two seconds) is set for operation content 213 corresponding to displaying guidance of 1 (display guidance) of guidance display 215.

The volume measurement setting table 220B has the items of measurement item 221, measurement method 222, guidance display 225, and operation content 223. Guidance display 225 is flag information indicating whether guidance is displayed (=1) or not (=0) for the operation content 213 of the measurement method 212 for volume measurement.

The operation contents 223 are touch operation contents of the touch panel 17b for performing measurements corresponding to each measurement method of the measurement method 222 and for displaying guidance of the guidance display 225 (=1). For example, two-finger tap, long press for 3 seconds, and right flick are set for the operation contents 223 corresponding to the measurement method 222, 1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, and 2 cross section 2 ellipse, respectively, and nothing is set for the operation contents 223 corresponding to the guidance display execution of the guidance display 225, 0 (no guidance display).

Next, the operation of the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 to 16. First, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, in the ultrasound diagnostic device 100, the control unit 18 executes the setting process according to the setting program stored in the ROM.

However, in step S11, instead of the setting screen 400 of the first embodiment, a setting screen 400B shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. The setting screen 400B has a measurement tab 401B, an examination management tab 402, an ultrasound image tab 403, a network tab 404, and a setting completion button 405. The measurement tab 401B is an operation element for switching and displaying the measurement setting field 4011B. The measurement setting field 4011B is a display field that accepts input of various setting information related to measurement as a functional category.

The measurement setting field 4011B has a flow velocity trace measurement setting field 410B, a volume measurement setting field 420B, and a general setting field 430. The flow velocity trace measurement setting field 410B is a display field that accepts setting inputs of the operation contents of the touch panel 17b for performing the measurement of the three measurement methods (auto, semi-auto, manual) corresponding to the flow velocity trace measurement of the measurement item, and the operation contents of the touch panel 17b for displaying the guidance and executing the guidance display. The flow velocity trace measurement setting field 410B has a drop-down list 411, a radio button 413, and a drop-down list 414. The radio button 413 is an operation element that accepts a selection input of whether or not to display guidance for the operation contents of the three measurement methods of the flow velocity trace measurement. The drop-down list 414 is an operation element that accepts a selection input of one operation content for executing the guidance display of the operation contents of the three measurement methods of the flow velocity trace measurement from among multiple operation contents of the touch panel 17b.

The volume measurement setting field 420B is a display field that accepts setting inputs of the operation contents of the touch panel 17b for the three measurement methods (1 cross section 2 distance, 2 cross section 3 distance, 2 cross section 2 ellipse) corresponding to the volume measurement of the measurement item, and the operation contents of the touch panel 17b for whether or not to display guidance and for executing the guidance display. The volume measurement setting field 420B has a drop-down list 421, a radio button 423, and a drop-down list 424. The radio button 423 is an operation element that accepts a selection input of whether or not to display guidance for the operation contents of the three measurement methods of volume measurement. The drop-down list 424 is an operation element that accepts a selection input of one operation content for executing the guidance display of the three measurement methods of volume measurement from among multiple operation contents of the touch panel 17b.

In addition, in step S12, the setting information including the setting tables 210B, 220B, and 230 is read from the memory unit 19 and expanded into the RAM.

In addition, when various operation inputs for setting the measurement are made in the measurement setting field 4011B in step S13, the setting tables 210B, 220B, and 230 are updated in the setting information expanded in RAM in step S14. More specifically, for example, in response to the selection input of the radio button 413 (ON/OFF) and the drop-down lists 411 and 414 in the flow velocity tracing measurement setting field 410B of the setting screen 400B in step S13, the guidance display 215 (=1/0) and operation content 213 (operation content of the measurement method 212, operation content of the guidance display 215 (=1)) in the setting table 210B of the setting information expanded in RAM are updated in step S14. Also, in step S14, depending on the selection input of the radio button 423 (ON/OFF) and the drop-down lists 421 and 424 in the volume measurement setting field 420B in step S13, the guidance display 225 (=1/0) and operation content 223 (operation content of the measurement method 222, operation content of the guidance display 225 (=1)) in the setting table 220B of the setting information expanded in the RAM are updated.

Next, the third measurement process executed by the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 16. As in the first measurement process, the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 is set in advance to pulse Doppler mode or B mode, the subject is scanned using the ultrasound probe 2, live ultrasound images (B mode images and FFT waveform images in pulse Doppler mode, and B mode images in B mode) are displayed on the display unit 17a, and a cine ultrasound image is displayed on the display unit 17a in response to a freeze operation input from the user via the touch panel 17b.

For example, when a user inputs an instruction to execute the third measurement process via the touch panel 17b or the operation input unit 11, the control unit 18 executes the third measurement process according to the third measurement program stored in the ROM.

Steps S41 to S44 of the third measurement process are the same as steps S21 to S24 of the first measurement process in FIG. 8. However, in step S41, the measurement menu 500B shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit 17a. At the time of step S41, the measurement menu 500B has a flow velocity trace button 510, a straight distance button 520, an area button 530, and a volume button 540, similar to the measurement menu 500 in the first embodiment. Also, in step S42, the setting tables 210B, 220B, and 230 are read from the memory unit 19 as measurement setting information, and are expanded in the RAM of the control unit 18.

If the touched measurement item has multiple measurement methods (step S44; YES), the control unit 18 determines the measurement method or guidance display of the selected and input measurement item according to the measurement setting information expanded in the RAM and the touch operation of step S43 (step S45). For example, if the flow velocity trace button 510 is input by double tapping with the user's hand H1 in step S43, in step S45, it is determined that the flow velocity trace measurement is manual according to the measurement method 212 corresponding to the double tap in the operation content 213 of the flow velocity trace measurement setting table 210B. Also, for example, if the flow velocity trace button 510 is input by long pressing for 2s with the user's hand H1 in step S43, in step S45, it is determined that the guidance display of the flow velocity trace measurement is displayed according to the guidance display 215 (=1) corresponding to the long pressing for 2s in the operation content 213 of the flow velocity trace measurement setting table 210B.

Then, the control unit 18 determines whether the operation content of the touch operation in step S43 in step S45 is a guidance display for the measurement item (step S46). If it is a guidance display for the measurement item (step S46; YES), the control unit 18 generates guidance data having a list of multiple measurement methods for the measurement item determined in step S45 based on the setting information expanded in the RAM, and displays the generated guidance data as guidance at a position corresponding to the button touched in step S43 in the measurement menu displayed on the display unit 17a (step S47). For example, as shown in the measurement menu 500B of FIG. 16, if the user's hand H1 touches the flow velocity trace button 510 for a long press of 2 seconds in step S43, guidance data is generated in step S47 that contains all the measurement methods 212 (auto, semi-auto, manual) and their operation details 213 (two-finger tap, three-finger tap, double tap) in the flow velocity trace measurement setting table 210B expanded in RAM, and the guidance data is displayed as guidance 511 on the flow velocity trace button 510.

Then, the control unit 18 determines whether or not to erase the guidance being displayed in step S47 (step S48). In step S48, for example, whether or not to erase the guidance being displayed is determined depending on whether a preset predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the guidance display in step S47. Also, in step S48, for example, whether or not to erase the guidance being displayed is determined depending on whether or not another operation input (touch input on the display screen, movement of the cursor pointer using the trackball of the operation input unit 11, etc.) has been performed by the user via the operation input unit 11 or touch panel 17b after the start of the guidance display in step S47.

If the guidance is not to be erased (step S48; NO), the process proceeds to step S48. If the guidance is to be erased (step S48; YES), the control unit 18 erases the guidance being displayed on the display unit 17a (step S49) and proceeds to step S43.

If the guidance display for the measurement item is not displayed (step S46; NO), the measurement method of the measurement item is determined in step S45, and the control unit 18 executes the measurement corresponding to the measurement item touched in step S43 and the measurement method determined in step S45 if the measurement item has multiple measurement methods, or the measurement method if the measurement item has one measurement method (step S50), and ends the third measurement process. If the measurement item touched does not have multiple measurement methods (step S44; NO), the process proceeds to step S50.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the control unit 18 displays guidance 511 on the display unit 17a as list information of multiple measurement methods for the measurement items corresponding to the operation elements and the third operation content in response to the operation input of the third operation content to the operation elements (flow velocity trace button 510, volume button 540) via the touch panel 17b based on the third operation content (long press 2s) previously associated with the display of list information of the first operation content for each measurement item. Therefore, by inputting the operation of the third operation content to select multiple measurement methods for a measurement item, it is possible to easily check by visually checking the guidance 511, which is displayed only when necessary and when there is an operation input of the third operation content, what multiple measurement methods are assigned to the same measurement item.

In addition, the control unit 18 stores and sets the third operation content associated with the display of the guidance 511 for each measurement item in the storage unit 19 as setting tables 210B and 220B in response to the operation input on the touch panel 17b. This allows the user to freely set the third operation content of the user's preferred operation content (operation action) for the measurement item for displaying the guidance 511.

In the above explanation, an example has been disclosed in which a ROM is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but this is not limiting. As other computer-readable media, non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and portable recording media such as a CD-ROM can be applied. In addition, a carrier wave can also be applied to the present invention as a medium for providing data for the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

The description in the above embodiment is an example of a suitable ultrasound diagnostic device and program according to the present invention, and is not limited to this. For example, at least two of the first to third embodiments may be appropriately combined.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the selection and input of multiple measurement methods for measurement items is performed by touch input via the touch panel 17b as an operation unit, but this is not limited to the above. The selection and input of multiple measurement methods for measurement items may be performed by at least one of the operation input unit 11 and the touch panel 17b as an operation unit, and the operation contents 213 and 223 of the setting tables 210, 210A, 210B, 220, 220A, and 220B may be the operation contents of at least one of the operation input unit 11 and the touch panel 17b.

In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the measurement menu 500, 500B is configured to simultaneously display the selection button for the measurement item in pulse Doppler mode (flow velocity trace button 510) and the selection button for the measurement item in B mode (straight-line distance button 520, area button 530, volume button 540), but this is not limited to this. For example, when an operation input is made to select or activate the displayed ultrasound image, when the measurement menu is displayed, only the selection button for the measurement item corresponding to the image mode of the selected or activated ultrasound image may be displayed in the measurement menu. For example, when an operation input is made to activate the displayed FFT waveform image, when the measurement menu is displayed, only the selection button for the measurement item corresponding to the image mode (pulse Doppler mode) of the activated ultrasound image may be displayed in the measurement menu.

The configurations of the display unit, control unit, operation unit (operation input unit 11, touch panel 17b), storage unit, etc. of each of the above embodiments may be configured to be applied to a medical image display device that displays medical images such as ultrasound images, or a display device.

In addition, the detailed configurations and detailed operations of each part constituting the ultrasound diagnostic device 100 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

100 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 Operation input unit 12 Transmission unit 13 Reception unit 14 B-mode image generation unit 15 Doppler processing unit 151 Band pass filter 152, 153 Quadrature detection unit 154 Low pass filter 155 Range gate 156 Integration circuit 157 Wall motion filter 158 FFT analysis unit 16 Display control unit 17 Operation display unit 17a Display unit 17b Touch panel 18 Control unit 19 Memory unit 2 Ultrasonic probe 2A Ultrasonic probe main body 2a Transducer 2B Cable 2C Connector

Claims (16)

An ultrasound diagnostic device having a control unit that displays an operation element for selecting one measurement item corresponding to a plurality of measurement methods on a display unit, and selects a measurement item and a measurement method corresponding to the operation element and the first operation content in response to an operation input of the first operation content to the operation element via an operation unit that accepts operation input, based on a plurality of different first operation contents that are pre-associated with each of the plurality of measurement methods for each measurement item. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs measurements of the selected measurement items and measurement methods. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit sets a plurality of first operation contents different from each other and associated with a plurality of measurement methods of the measurement items in response to an operation input of the operation unit. A storage unit is provided for storing the measurement item and the measurement method that were most recently performed,
4. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a measurement item and a measurement method corresponding to the stored operation element in response to an operation input of a second operation content to the operation element via the operation unit, based on a second operation content previously associated with the most recently performed measurement for each measurement item. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit sets a second operation content that is pre-associated with the execution of the most recently performed measurement in response to an operation input from the operation unit. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit displays, on the display unit, list information of a plurality of measurement methods for the measurement items corresponding to the operation element and the third operation content in response to an operation input of the third operation content to the operation element via the operation unit, based on a third operation content previously associated with the display of the list information of the first operation content for each of the measurement items. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit sets a third operation content associated with displaying list information of the first operation content for each measurement item in response to an operation input of the operation unit. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit operation elements for measurement items corresponding to multiple measurement techniques among all operation elements for measurement items in a manner that makes them identifiable from other operation elements. The ultrasound diagnostic equipment computer
a control unit that displays an operation element for selecting one measurement item corresponding to a plurality of measurement techniques on a display unit, and selects a measurement item and a measurement technique corresponding to the operation element and the first operation content in response to an operation input of the first operation content to the operation element via an operation unit that accepts operation input, based on a plurality of first operation contents different from each other and previously associated with each of the plurality of measurement techniques for each of the measurement items;
A program to function as a The program according to claim 9, wherein the control unit executes measurements of the selected measurement items and measurement techniques. The program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control unit sets a plurality of first operation contents different from each other and associated with a plurality of measurement methods of the measurement items in response to an operation input of the operation unit. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control unit, based on a second operation content previously associated with the most recently performed measurement for each of the measurement items, selects a measurement item and a measurement method corresponding to the most recently performed measurement element stored in a storage unit that stores the measurement item and measurement method in response to an operation input of the second operation content to the operation element via the operation unit. The program according to claim 12, wherein the control unit sets a second operation content that is pre-associated with the most recently performed measurement in response to an operation input from the operation unit. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the control unit displays, on the display unit, list information of a plurality of measurement methods for the measurement items corresponding to the operation element and the third operation content in response to an operation input of the third operation content to the operation element via the operation unit, based on a third operation content previously associated with the display of the list information of the first operation content for each of the measurement items. The program according to claim 14, wherein the control unit sets a third operation content associated with displaying list information of the first operation content for each of the measurement items in response to an operation input of the operation unit. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit operation elements of measurement items corresponding to multiple measurement techniques among all operation elements of measurement items in a manner that makes them identifiable from other operation elements.

Images