JP2005058533A - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus Download PDF

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JP2005058533A
JP2005058533A JP2003293548A JP2003293548A JP2005058533A JP 2005058533 A JP2005058533 A JP 2005058533A JP 2003293548 A JP2003293548 A JP 2003293548A JP 2003293548 A JP2003293548 A JP 2003293548A JP 2005058533 A JP2005058533 A JP 2005058533A
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tissue
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diagnostic apparatus
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Takao Suzuki
隆夫 鈴木
Takashi Hagiwara
尚 萩原
Yoshinao Sorinaka
由直 反中
Yoshinobu Watanabe
良信 渡辺
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Panasonic Holdings Corp
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
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    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
    • G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
    • G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
    • G01S7/52042—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation determining elastic properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52053—Display arrangements
    • G01S7/52057—Cathode ray tube displays
    • G01S7/52071—Multicolour displays; using colour coding; Optimising colour or information content in displays, e.g. parametric imaging

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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of tracking a subject tissue accurately without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of a subject. <P>SOLUTION: A frequency analyzing part 123 analyzes the frequency characteristic of a received signal to obtain a center frequency. An orthogonal detection part 114 obtains the phase characteristic of the received signal with the center frequency of the received signal as a reference frequency. A tissue tracking part 115 detects the movement of the subject tissue based on the center frequency of the received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing part 123 and the phase characteristic found by the orthogonal detection part 114, and tracks the position of the subject tissue. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、被検体組織の弾性率、歪み量、歪み率、粘性率などの物理的特性を表す組織特性画像を表示する超音波診断装置に関する。   The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that displays a tissue characteristic image representing physical characteristics such as elastic modulus, strain amount, strain rate, and viscosity of a subject tissue.

従来の超音波診断装置は、超音波を被検体に照射し、その反射エコー信号の強度を対応する画素の輝度に変換することで、被検体の構造を断層画像として得るものであった。また、近年、反射エコー信号の位相を解析することで、被検体の動きを精密に測定し、そこから被検体の弾性率を求めるという試みがある。   A conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus irradiates a subject with ultrasonic waves and converts the intensity of the reflected echo signal into the luminance of a corresponding pixel, thereby obtaining the structure of the subject as a tomographic image. In recent years, there has been an attempt to precisely measure the movement of the subject by analyzing the phase of the reflected echo signal and obtain the elastic modulus of the subject therefrom.

例えば、反射エコー信号の検波出力信号の振幅と位相の両者を用いて、被検体の瞬間的な位置を決定することによって高精度に組織の追跡を行ない、拍動による大振幅変位運動上の微小振動を捕らえる方法が提案されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。   For example, tissue tracking is performed with high accuracy by determining the instantaneous position of the subject using both the amplitude and phase of the detection output signal of the reflected echo signal, and the minute amplitude on the large-amplitude displacement motion due to pulsation A method for capturing vibration has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

また、上記の方法をさらに発展させ、心拍による血管壁の内面および外面の各大振幅変位運動を精密に追跡し、大振幅変位運動に重畳されている微小振動の運動速度を求め、その差から血管壁の局所弾性率を求める方法や、弾性率の空間分布を断層画像に重畳表示する装置が提案されている（例えば、特許文献２参照）。   In addition, the above method is further developed to accurately track the large amplitude displacement motions of the inner and outer surfaces of the blood vessel wall due to heartbeats, determine the motion speed of micro vibrations superimposed on the large amplitude displacement motion, and based on the difference A method for obtaining a local elastic modulus of a blood vessel wall and an apparatus that superimposes and displays a spatial distribution of elastic modulus on a tomographic image have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

以下では、図６を参照して、特許文献１に記載された方法について説明する。被検体の同一方向に対して、ΔＴ周期で送信された超音波パルスの受信信号をｙ（ｔ）とｙ（ｔ＋ΔＴ）とする。ここで、ｔは時刻を表す。一定深度ｘ１からの受信信号の受信時刻ｔ１は、パルス送信時刻をｔ＝０とすると、ｔ１＝ｘ１／（Ｃ／２）となる。ただし、Ｃは音速である。このとき、ｙ（ｔ１）とｙ（ｔ１＋ΔＴ）との間の位相変位をΔθ、時刻ｔ１付近での超音波の中心周波数をｆとすると、この期間ΔＴにおけるｘ１の移動量Δｘは
Δｘ＝−Ｃ・Δθ／４πｆ …（式１）
となる。これをｘ１に加算することで、ΔＴ秒後のｘ１の位置ｘ１’は
ｘ１’＝ｘ１＋Δｘ …（式２）
のように求めることができ、これを繰り返すことで、被検体の同一部位ｘ１を追跡していくことができる。
特開平１０−５２２６号公報 特開２０００−２２９０７８号公報 Below, with reference to FIG. 6, the method described in patent document 1 is demonstrated. It is assumed that reception signals of ultrasonic pulses transmitted at a ΔT period with respect to the same direction of the subject are y (t) and y (t + ΔT). Here, t represents time. The reception time t1 of the reception signal from the constant depth x1 is t1 = x1 / (C / 2), where the pulse transmission time is t = 0. Where C is the speed of sound. At this time, if the phase displacement between y (t1) and y (t1 + ΔT) is Δθ and the center frequency of the ultrasonic wave near the time t1 is f, the movement amount Δx of x1 in this period ΔT is Δx = −C Δθ / 4πf (Formula 1)
It becomes. By adding this to x1, the position x1 ′ of x1 after ΔT seconds becomes x1 ′ = x1 + Δx (Expression 2)
By repeating this, the same part x1 of the subject can be tracked.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-5226 JP 2000-229078 A

しかしながら、被検体組織の追跡を正確に行なうためには、受信信号の超音波の中心周波数ｆを正確に与える必要があるが、上記特許文献１に記載の組織追跡方法では、送信周波数または直交検波の参照周波数を使用していた。また、超音波パルスは帯域を持っており、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けて、受信信号の中心周波数が深さに応じて低下し、これによって追跡精度が低下するという問題があった。   However, in order to accurately track the subject tissue, it is necessary to accurately give the center frequency f of the ultrasonic wave of the received signal. However, in the tissue tracking method described in Patent Document 1, the transmission frequency or quadrature detection is performed. The reference frequency was used. In addition, since the ultrasonic pulse has a band, the center frequency of the received signal is lowered according to the depth due to the influence of the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject, thereby causing a problem that the tracking accuracy is lowered. .

本発明は、上記従来の問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的は、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を補正し、より正確に被検体組織を追跡することができ、さらに被検体組織の物理的特性を表す組織特性をより正確に表示できる超音波診断装置を提供することにある。   The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and its purpose is to correct the influence of the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject, and to trace the subject tissue more accurately. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can more accurately display tissue characteristics representing the physical characteristics of each other.

前記の目的を達成するため、本発明に係る第１の超音波診断装置は、被検体に対して超音波を送受信する超音波送受信手段と、受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求める周波数解析手段と、受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求める直交検波手段と、直交検波手段によって得られた受信信号の位相特性に基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、被検体組織の位置を追跡する組織追跡手段と、周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数が所望の値となるように送信周波数を制御する制御部とを備えたものである。   To achieve the above object, a first ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention obtains a center frequency by analyzing an ultrasonic transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving an ultrasonic wave to / from a subject and a frequency characteristic of a received signal. Based on the frequency analysis means, the quadrature detection means for obtaining the phase characteristic of the received signal by quadrature detection of the received signal, the movement of the subject tissue is detected based on the phase characteristic of the received signal obtained by the quadrature detection means, The apparatus includes a tissue tracking unit that tracks the position of the sample tissue, and a control unit that controls the transmission frequency so that the center frequency of the reception signal obtained by the frequency analysis unit becomes a desired value.

この構成によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けず、正確に被検体組織を追跡することができる。   According to this configuration, the subject tissue can be accurately tracked without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject.

前記の目的を達成するため、本発明に係る第２の超音波診断装置は、被検体に対して超音波を送受信する超音波送受信手段と、受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求める周波数解析手段と、受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求める直交検波手段と、周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数と、直交検波手段によって得られた受信信号の位相特性とに基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、被検体組織の位置を追跡する組織追跡手段とを備えたものである。   In order to achieve the above object, a second ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention obtains a center frequency by analyzing an ultrasonic transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving an ultrasonic wave to / from a subject and a frequency characteristic of a received signal. Frequency analysis means, quadrature detection means for obtaining a phase characteristic of the received signal by quadrature detection of the received signal, a center frequency of the received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing means, and a phase characteristic of the received signal obtained by the quadrature detection means And a tissue tracking means for detecting the movement of the subject tissue and tracking the position of the subject tissue.

この構成によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けず、正確に被検体組織を追跡することができる。   According to this configuration, the subject tissue can be accurately tracked without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject.

前記の目的を達成するため、本発明に係る第３の超音波診断装置は、被検体に対して超音波を送受信する超音波送受信手段と、受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求める周波数解析手段と、周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数を参照周波数として受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求める直交検波手段と、周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数と、直交検波手段によって得られた受信信号の位相特性とに基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、被検体組織の位置を追跡する組織追跡手段とを備えたものである。   In order to achieve the above object, a third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention obtains a center frequency by analyzing an ultrasonic transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving an ultrasonic wave to / from a subject and a frequency characteristic of a received signal. A frequency analysis means, a quadrature detection means for obtaining a phase characteristic of the received signal by quadrature detection of the received signal using the center frequency of the received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing means as a reference frequency, and a received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing means Based on the center frequency and the phase characteristic of the received signal obtained by the orthogonal detection means, a tissue tracking means for detecting the movement of the subject tissue and tracking the position of the subject tissue is provided.

この構成によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けず、正確に被検体組織を追跡することができる。   According to this configuration, the subject tissue can be accurately tracked without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject.

第１から第３の超音波診断装置において、周波数解析手段は、直交検波後の複素信号を周波数解析することが好ましい。これにより、サンプリング周波数を低くすることができ、処理量を減少させることができる。   In the first to third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, the frequency analysis means preferably performs frequency analysis on the complex signal after quadrature detection. As a result, the sampling frequency can be lowered and the amount of processing can be reduced.

また、第１から第３の超音波診断装置はさらに、組織追跡手段によって得られた複数の被検体組織の動きから被検体の組織の物理的特性を表す組織特性量を計算する手段を備えることが好ましい。これにより、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けず、正確な組織特性量を得ることができる。   The first to third ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses further include means for calculating a tissue characteristic amount representing a physical characteristic of the subject tissue from the movements of the plurality of subject tissues obtained by the tissue tracking means. Is preferred. Thereby, an accurate tissue characteristic amount can be obtained without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject.

この場合、組織特性量は弾性率、歪み量または歪み率、粘性率である。   In this case, the tissue characteristic amount is an elastic modulus, a strain amount or strain rate, and a viscosity.

本発明によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けず、正確に被検体組織を追跡することができ、それにより弾性率、歪み量または歪み率、粘性率などの組織特性量を正確に得ることのできる優れた超音波診断装置を提供することが可能になる、という格別な効果を奏する。   According to the present invention, the subject tissue can be accurately tracked without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject, whereby the tissue characteristic amount such as the elastic modulus, the strain amount or the strain rate, and the viscosity rate can be accurately measured. It is possible to provide an excellent ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can be obtained easily.

以下、本発明の好適な実施形態について、図面を参照しながら詳細に説明する。なお、以下の各実施形態では、組織特性量として弾性率を例に挙げて説明する。   DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the elastic modulus is taken as an example of the tissue characteristic amount.

（第１の実施の形態）
図１Ａおよび図１Ｂは、それぞれ、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例およびより具体的構成例を示す機能ブロック図である。図１Ａおよび図１Ｂにおいて、制御部１００は、超音波診断装置全体を制御する。送信部１０２は、制御部１００からパルス幅、タイミング、パルスの数等の指示を受けて、探触子１０１を駆動するための高圧パルスを発生する。探触子１０１は、送信部１０２からの送信パルスを超音波に変換して被検体に照射するとともに、被検体内部から反射してきた超音波エコーを電気信号に変換する。受信部１０３は、受信信号を増幅するとともに、定められた位置および方向からの超音波のみを検出する。断層画像処理部１０４は、被検体の内部構造を画像化する。 (First embodiment)
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are functional block diagrams respectively showing a configuration example and a more specific configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B, the control unit 100 controls the entire ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. In response to an instruction from the control unit 100 such as a pulse width, timing, and the number of pulses, the transmission unit 102 generates a high-voltage pulse for driving the probe 101. The probe 101 converts a transmission pulse from the transmission unit 102 into an ultrasonic wave and irradiates the subject, and converts an ultrasonic echo reflected from the inside of the subject into an electric signal. The receiving unit 103 amplifies the received signal and detects only ultrasonic waves from a predetermined position and direction. The tomographic image processing unit 104 images the internal structure of the subject.

直交検波部１１４は、受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求め、組織追跡部１１５は、受信信号の位相特性を解析し、受信信号の位相特性と音速から（式１）（式２）を用いて、組織の動きを検出し被検体組織の位置を追跡する。   The quadrature detection unit 114 performs quadrature detection on the received signal to obtain the phase characteristic of the received signal, and the tissue tracking unit 115 analyzes the phase characteristic of the received signal, and calculates (Equation 1) (Equation 1) from the phase characteristic and sound velocity of the received signal. 2) is used to detect the movement of the tissue and track the position of the subject tissue.

周波数解析部１２３は、受信信号の周波数依存減衰の影響を解析して中心周波数を求めて補正値を送信部１０２に与え、補正後の中心周波数が所望の周波数となるように、制御部１００は送信部１０２を制御してパルスの幅を変えることで送信周波数を変化させる。   The frequency analysis unit 123 analyzes the influence of the frequency-dependent attenuation of the received signal, obtains the center frequency, gives a correction value to the transmission unit 102, and the control unit 100 sets the corrected center frequency to a desired frequency. The transmission frequency is changed by controlling the transmission unit 102 to change the pulse width.

以上のように、本実施の形態によれば、組織追跡演算に用いる中心周波数を所望の周波数とすることができ、被検体の周波数依存減衰特性がいかなる特性であっても、より正確に被検体組織を追跡することができる。   As described above, according to the present embodiment, the center frequency used for the tissue tracking calculation can be set to a desired frequency, and the subject can be more accurately measured regardless of the frequency-dependent attenuation characteristic of the subject. The organization can be tracked.

さらに、この追跡データをもとに、被検体組織の物理的特性を表す組織特性をより正確に表示できる。   Furthermore, based on this tracking data, tissue characteristics representing physical characteristics of the subject tissue can be displayed more accurately.

図１Ｂに示すように、弾性率画像処理部１０５は、直交検波部１１４と、組織追跡部１１５と、図１Ａに示す組織特性演算処理部１２０としての弾性率計算部１１６および弾性率画像作成部１１７とからなり、被検体の弾性率の２次元分布を画像化する。   As shown in FIG. 1B, the elastic modulus image processing unit 105 includes an orthogonal detection unit 114, a tissue tracking unit 115, an elastic modulus calculation unit 116 and an elastic modulus image creation unit as the tissue characteristic calculation processing unit 120 shown in FIG. 1A. 117, and the two-dimensional distribution of the elastic modulus of the subject is imaged.

弾性率計算部１１６は、直交検波部１１４により追跡された複数の組織の動きから組織の歪み量を計算し、血圧測定部１０８で測定した血圧値と歪み量から組織の局所弾性率を計算する。弾性率画像作成部１１７は、弾性率の２次元分布を画像化した弾性率画像を作成する。   The elastic modulus calculation unit 116 calculates the amount of tissue strain from the movements of a plurality of tissues tracked by the orthogonal detection unit 114, and calculates the local elastic modulus of the tissue from the blood pressure value and the amount of strain measured by the blood pressure measurement unit 108. . The elastic modulus image creation unit 117 creates an elastic modulus image obtained by imaging a two-dimensional distribution of elastic modulus.

心電測定部１０９は、心電図を測定し、Ｒ波によって、組織追跡部１１５および弾性率計算部１１６の初期化を行なう。周波数解析部１２３は、受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求めて送信部１０２に与え、制御部１００は、送信部１０２に与えられる中心周波数を制御する。   The electrocardiogram measurement unit 109 measures the electrocardiogram, and initializes the tissue tracking unit 115 and the elastic modulus calculation unit 116 with the R wave. The frequency analysis unit 123 analyzes the frequency characteristics of the received signal to obtain a center frequency and gives it to the transmission unit 102, and the control unit 100 controls the center frequency given to the transmission unit 102.

画像合成部１０６は、断層画像と弾性率画像、さらに心電波形などを合成し、モニタ１０７上に表示する。また、断層画像メモリ１１０は断層画像を、弾性率画像メモリ１１１は弾性率画像を、波形メモリ１１２は心電波形をそれぞれ記録する。   The image synthesis unit 106 synthesizes a tomographic image and an elastic modulus image, and an electrocardiographic waveform, and displays them on the monitor 107. The tomographic image memory 110 records a tomographic image, the elastic modulus image memory 111 records an elastic modulus image, and the waveform memory 112 records an electrocardiographic waveform.

図２は、モニタ１０７の表示画面の一例を示す図である。モニタ画面には、断層画像２００上に弾性率画像２０１が重畳表示されるほか、断層画像の反射強度と画面上の輝度との対応を示す断層画像用の反射強度スケール２０２や、弾性率と画面上の色調または輝度との対応を示す弾性率画像用の弾性率スケール２０３、心電波形２０４などが表示される。図２の断層画像２００および弾性率画像２０１は、一例として、粥腫３０１のある血管の長軸断面３０２を示している。   FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display screen of the monitor 107. On the monitor screen, the elastic modulus image 201 is superimposed and displayed on the tomographic image 200, the reflection intensity scale 202 for the tomographic image showing the correspondence between the reflection intensity of the tomographic image and the luminance on the screen, the elastic modulus and the screen. An elastic modulus scale 203 for an elastic modulus image, an electrocardiogram waveform 204, and the like showing the correspondence with the upper color tone or luminance are displayed. The tomographic image 200 and the elastic modulus image 201 in FIG. 2 show a long-axis cross section 302 of a blood vessel with an atheroma 301 as an example.

このように、本実施の形態によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を補正し、より正確に被検体組織を追跡することができ、さらに被検体組織の物理的特性を表す組織特性をより正確に表示できる超音波診断装置を提供することが可能になる。   As described above, according to the present embodiment, the influence of the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject can be corrected, the subject tissue can be traced more accurately, and the tissue characteristics representing the physical characteristics of the subject tissue can be obtained. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can display more accurately.

（第２の実施の形態）
図３は、本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例を示す機能ブロック図である。図３に示す本実施の形態では、周波数解析部１２３は、受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求め、組織追跡部１１５は、周波数解析部１２３によって得られた中心周波数と、直交検波部１１４によって得られた位相特性とに基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、その位置を追跡する。 (Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the frequency analysis unit 123 analyzes the frequency characteristics of the received signal to obtain the center frequency, and the tissue tracking unit 115 performs orthogonal detection with the center frequency obtained by the frequency analysis unit 123. Based on the phase characteristics obtained by the unit 114, the movement of the subject tissue is detected and its position is tracked.

以上のように、本実施の形態によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰特性がいかなる特性であっても、正確に被検体組織を追跡することができる。   As described above, according to the present embodiment, the subject tissue can be accurately tracked regardless of the frequency-dependent attenuation characteristic of the subject.

（第３の実施の形態）
図４は、本発明の第３の実施の形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例を示す機能ブロック図である。図４に示す本実施の形態では、周波数解析部１２３は、受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求め、直交検波部１１４は、周波数解析部１２３によって得られた中心周波数を参照周波数として直交検波を行い、受信信号の位相特性を求める。組織追跡部１１５は、周波数解析部１２３によって得られた中心周波数と、直交検波部１１４によって得られた位相特性とに基づいて、被検体組織の動き検出し、その位置を追跡する。 (Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the frequency analysis unit 123 analyzes the frequency characteristics of the received signal to obtain the center frequency, and the quadrature detection unit 114 uses the center frequency obtained by the frequency analysis unit 123 as a reference frequency. Quadrature detection is performed to obtain the phase characteristics of the received signal. The tissue tracking unit 115 detects the movement of the subject tissue based on the center frequency obtained by the frequency analysis unit 123 and the phase characteristics obtained by the quadrature detection unit 114, and tracks its position.

以上のように、本実施の形態によれば、被検体の周波数依存減衰特性がいかなる特性であっても、さらに正確に被検体組織を追跡することができる。   As described above, according to the present embodiment, the subject tissue can be traced more accurately regardless of the frequency-dependent attenuation characteristic of the subject.

（第４の実施の形態）
なお、上記各実施形態では、周波数解析を行なう受信信号は直交検波前の信号を用いたが、図５に示すように、スイッチ１２４を設け、可動切片をａ接点側に切り換えることで、直交検波後の複素信号を用いることもできる。この構成によれば、サンプリング周波数を低くすることができ、処理量を減少させることができるというメリットがある。 (Fourth embodiment)
In each of the above embodiments, the received signal for performing the frequency analysis is a signal before quadrature detection. However, as shown in FIG. 5, by providing a switch 124 and switching the movable segment to the a contact side, quadrature detection is performed. Later complex signals can also be used. According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the sampling frequency can be lowered and the processing amount can be reduced.

なお、上記各実施の形態では、被検体組織の追跡波形を用いて局所弾性率を求め、その２次元分布を画像化する超音波診断装置について説明したが、本発明の趣旨は追跡波形の精度を向上させることにあり、追跡波形を用いて、歪み量や、粘性率、脈波速度などを求める超音波診断装置はすべて本発明に含まれるものである。   In each of the above-described embodiments, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for obtaining the local elastic modulus using the tracking waveform of the subject tissue and imaging the two-dimensional distribution has been described. However, the gist of the present invention is the accuracy of the tracking waveform. Any ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that uses a tracking waveform to obtain a distortion amount, a viscosity, a pulse wave velocity, and the like is included in the present invention.

本発明に係る超音波診断装置は、被検体の周波数依存減衰の影響を受けず、正確に被検体組織を追跡することができ、それにより弾性率、歪み量または歪み率、粘性率などの組織特性量を正確に得ることのできるという利点を有し、医療等の用途に適用できる。   The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention can accurately track a subject tissue without being affected by the frequency-dependent attenuation of the subject, and thereby a tissue such as elastic modulus, strain amount or strain rate, viscosity rate, and the like. It has the advantage that the characteristic amount can be obtained accurately, and can be applied to medical uses.

本発明の第１の実施形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例を示す機能ブロック図1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１の実施形態に係る超音波診断装置のより具体的構成例を示す機能ブロック図FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a more specific configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. モニタの表示画面の一例を示す図The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a monitor 本発明の第２の実施形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例を示す機能ブロック図Functional block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention 本発明の第３の実施形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例を示す機能ブロック図Functional block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention 本発明の第４の実施形態に係る超音波診断装置の一構成例を示す機能ブロック図Functional block diagram showing a configuration example of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention 従来の超音波診断装置における被検体組織の追跡方法を説明するための図The figure for demonstrating the tracking method of the target tissue in the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１００ 制御部
１０１ 探触子
１０２ 送信部
１０３ 受信部
１０４ 断層画像処理部
１０５ 弾性率画像処理部
１０６ 画像合成部
１０７ モニタ
１０８ 血圧測定部
１０９ 心電測定部
１１０ 断層画像メモリ
１１１ 弾性率画像メモリ
１１２ 波形メモリ
１１４ 直交検波部
１１５ 組織追跡部
１１６ 弾性率計算部
１１７ 弾性率画像作成部
１２０ 組織特性演算処理部
１２３ 周波数解析部
１２４ スイッチ
２００ 断層画像
２０１ 弾性率画像
２０２ 断層画像用の反射強度スケール
２０３ 弾性率画像用の弾性率スケール
２０４ 心電波形
３０１ 粥種
３０２ 血管の長軸断面 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control part 101 Probe 102 Transmitting part 103 Receiving part 104 Tomographic image processing part 105 Elastic modulus image processing part 106 Image composition part 107 Monitor 108 Blood pressure measuring part 109 ECG measuring part 110 Tomographic image memory 111 Elastic modulus image memory 112 Waveform Memory 114 Orthogonal detection unit 115 Tissue tracking unit 116 Elastic modulus calculation unit 117 Elastic modulus image creation unit 120 Tissue characteristic calculation processing unit 123 Frequency analysis unit 124 Switch 200 Tomographic image 201 Elastic modulus image 202 Reflection intensity scale for tomographic image 203 Elastic modulus Elasticity scale for images 204 ECG waveform 301 Species 302 Long-axis cross section of blood vessel

Claims (8)

被検体に対して超音波を送受信する超音波送受信手段と、
受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求める周波数解析手段と、
受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求める直交検波手段と、
前記直交検波手段によって得られた前記受信信号の位相特性に基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、被検体組織の位置を追跡する組織追跡手段と、
前記周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数が所望の値となるように送信周波数を制御する制御部とを備えた超音波診断装置。 Ultrasound transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from the subject;
A frequency analysis means for analyzing the frequency characteristics of the received signal to obtain a center frequency;
A quadrature detection means for quadrature detection of the received signal to obtain a phase characteristic of the received signal;
Tissue tracking means for detecting the movement of the subject tissue based on the phase characteristics of the received signal obtained by the orthogonal detection means, and tracking the position of the subject tissue;
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a transmission frequency so that a center frequency of a reception signal obtained by the frequency analysis unit becomes a desired value. 被検体に対して超音波を送受信する超音波送受信手段と、
受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求める周波数解析手段と、
受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求める直交検波手段と、
前記周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数と、前記直交検波手段によって得られた受信信号の位相特性とに基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、被検体組織の位置を追跡する組織追跡手段とを備えた超音波診断装置。 Ultrasound transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from the subject;
A frequency analysis means for analyzing the frequency characteristics of the received signal to obtain a center frequency;
A quadrature detection means for quadrature detection of the received signal to obtain a phase characteristic of the received signal;
Based on the center frequency of the received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing means and the phase characteristic of the received signal obtained by the quadrature detecting means, the movement of the subject tissue is detected and the position of the subject tissue is tracked. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a tissue tracking means. 被検体に対して超音波を送受信する超音波送受信手段と、
受信信号の周波数特性を解析して中心周波数を求める周波数解析手段と、
前記周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数を参照周波数として受信信号を直交検波して受信信号の位相特性を求める直交検波手段と、
前記周波数解析手段によって得られた受信信号の中心周波数と、前記直交検波手段によって得られた受信信号の位相特性とに基づいて、被検体組織の動きを検出し、被検体組織の位置を追跡する組織追跡手段とを備えた超音波診断装置。 Ultrasound transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from the subject;
A frequency analysis means for analyzing the frequency characteristics of the received signal to obtain a center frequency;
Quadrature detection means for obtaining a phase characteristic of the received signal by performing quadrature detection of the received signal using the center frequency of the received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing means as a reference frequency;
Based on the center frequency of the received signal obtained by the frequency analyzing means and the phase characteristic of the received signal obtained by the quadrature detecting means, the movement of the subject tissue is detected and the position of the subject tissue is tracked. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising a tissue tracking means. 前記周波数解析手段は、直交検波後の複素信号を周波数解析する請求項１から３のいずれかに記載の超音波診断装置。 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frequency analysis unit performs frequency analysis on a complex signal after quadrature detection. 前記超音波診断装置はさらに、
前記組織追跡手段によって得られた複数の被検体組織の動きから被検体の組織の物理的特性を表す組織特性量を計算する手段を備えた請求項１から４のいずれかに記載の超音波診断装置。 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes
The ultrasonic diagnosis according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for calculating a tissue characteristic amount representing a physical characteristic of a tissue of a subject from movements of a plurality of subject tissues obtained by the tissue tracking means. apparatus. 前記組織特性量は弾性率である請求項５記載の超音波診断装置。 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tissue characteristic amount is an elastic modulus. 前記組織特性量は歪み量または歪み率である請求項５記載の超音波診断装置。 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tissue characteristic amount is a strain amount or a strain rate. 前記組織特性量は粘性率である請求項５記載の超音波診断装置。 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the tissue characteristic amount is a viscosity.
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006132203A1 (en) * 2005-06-07 2006-12-14 Hitachi Medical Corporation Ultrasonographic device and ultrasonic elastic image acquisition method
KR100932472B1 (en) 2005-12-28 2009-12-18 주식회사 메디슨 Ultrasound Diagnostic System for Detecting Lesions
US8021302B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2011-09-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Ultrasonic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic method
JP2015024132A (en) * 2013-06-18 2015-02-05 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Ultrasonic diagnostic device, ultrasonic diagnostic method and program
CN111035410A (en) * 2018-10-11 2020-04-21 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 Ultrasound system, method of generating image data, and storage medium

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006132203A1 (en) * 2005-06-07 2006-12-14 Hitachi Medical Corporation Ultrasonographic device and ultrasonic elastic image acquisition method
JP5258291B2 (en) * 2005-06-07 2013-08-07 株式会社日立メディコ Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic elastic image acquisition method
KR100932472B1 (en) 2005-12-28 2009-12-18 주식회사 메디슨 Ultrasound Diagnostic System for Detecting Lesions
US8021302B2 (en) 2007-03-07 2011-09-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Ultrasonic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic method
JP2015024132A (en) * 2013-06-18 2015-02-05 コニカミノルタ株式会社 Ultrasonic diagnostic device, ultrasonic diagnostic method and program
CN111035410A (en) * 2018-10-11 2020-04-21 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 Ultrasound system, method of generating image data, and storage medium
CN111035410B (en) * 2018-10-11 2023-11-07 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 Ultrasound system, method of generating image data, and storage medium

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