Ultrasound diagnostic device and ultrasound image display method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9480457-B2
Application number	US-201214342430-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2012
Priority date	Sep 8, 2011
Publication date	Nov 1, 2016
Grant date	Nov 1, 2016

Abstract

An ultrasound image is displayed while clarifying a positional relationship with an ultrasound probe. An ultrasound diagnostic device is provided with an ultrasound probe, a first position detecting means for detecting a position of the ultrasound probe, an ultrasound image generating means for generating an ultrasound image by using a reflected echo signal, an ultrasound volume data generating means for generating three-dimensional ultrasound volume data by accumulating the ultrasound images, a reference image generating means for generating a ultrasound reference image of an arbitrary cross section by using the ultrasound volume data and displaying an ultrasound probe mark indicating the position of the ultrasound probe in a superimposed manner on a position in the ultrasound reference image, the position corresponding to the ultrasound probe position detected by the first position detecting means, and a display means for displaying the ultrasound image and the ultrasound reference image.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising,
an ultrasound probe which emits an ultrasound wave and receives a reflected wave of the ultrasound wave,
a first position detector which detects a position of the ultrasound probe,
an ultrasound image generator which generates an ultrasound image by using a reflected echo signal based on the reflected wave,
a reference image generator which generates plural reference images of an arbitrary cross section by using three-dimensional volume data of a test object and displays an ultrasound probe mark indicating the position of the ultrasound probe in a superimposed manner on the reference image, and
an image processor which displays the ultrasound image and the reference image on a display,
wherein the reference image generator:
indicates a position of another reference image by displaying a line on each of the plural reference images, and
draws an area representing a shape of the ultrasound probe when an ultrasound emitting plane of the ultrasound probe exists within a reference image of the plural reference images, and draws only an outline of the probe when the ultrasound emitting plane of the ultrasound probe does not exist within the reference image.

2. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , further comprising,
an ultrasound volume data generator which generates three-dimensional ultrasound volume data of the test object, based on the ultrasound image being more than one, wherein,
the reference image generator uses the ultrasound volume data being generated to generate the reference image.

3. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein,
the ultrasound probe mark is displayed by using an outline representing a shape that is obtained by projecting the ultrasound probe onto a cross section of the reference image.

4. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein,
the ultrasound probe mark is displayed using an area representing a cross-sectional shape at a cross section of the ultrasound probe.

5. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein,
the reference image generator generates multiple reference images made up of different cross sections, displays on one reference image, a mark indicating a slice pitch of another reference image in a superimposed manner, and highlights the mark indicating the slice pitch of another reference image that is displayed on the display.

6. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a first image processor displays a mark indicating a slice pitch of the reference image in a superimposed manner on the ultrasound image, and highlighting the mark indicating the slice pitch showing a cross-section position of the reference image that is displayed on the display means.

7. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , further comprising,
a second position detector which detects a position and posture of a puncture needle for puncturing the test object, and
a pathway calculator which calculates a position of an extension of a core line of the puncture needle based on the position and posture of the puncture needle being detected, wherein,
the reference image generator displays a mark indicating the extension of the core line of the puncture needle being calculated, in a superimposed manner on the reference image.

8. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 7 , wherein,
the reference image generator generates the reference image that includes the extension of the core line of the puncture needle and that is made up of a cross section being parallel to the extension.

9. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a second position detector which detects a position and posture of a puncture needle for puncturing the test object,
a pathway calculator which calculates a position of an extension of a core line of the puncture needle, based on the position and posture of the puncture needle being detected, and
a second image processor which displays a mark indicating the extension of the core line of the puncture needle being calculated, in a superimposed manner on the ultrasound image.

10. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein,
the reference image generator has a function for extracting an FOV of the ultrasound image, and reducing brightness of a region corresponding to an outside FOV in each of the reference images being orthogonal to one another.

11. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein,
the reference image generator has a function for extracting an FOV of the ultrasound image, and hiding a region corresponding to an outside FOV in each of the reference images being orthogonal to one another.

12. An ultrasound image display method, comprising,
a step of generating plural reference images of an arbitrary cross section by using three-dimensional volume data of a test object,
a step of displaying an ultrasound probe mark indicating a position of an ultrasound probe in a superimposed manner on reference image of the plural reference images, and
a step of displaying an ultrasound image based on a reflected wave received from the ultrasound probe, and the reference image,
wherein the step of generating plural reference images further comprises:
a step of indicating a position of another reference image by displaying a line on each of the plural reference images,
a step of drawing a region indicating a shape of the ultrasound probe when an ultrasound emitting plane of the ultrasound probe is included in the reference image, and
a step of drawing only an outline of the probe when the ultrasound emitting plane of the ultrasound probe is not included in the reference image.

Assignees

• Kondou Masanao
• Hitachi Medical Corp

Inventors

• Kondou Masanao

Classifications

• A61B8/5276

  due to motion · CPC title

• A61B8/4254

  using sensors mounted on the probe · CPC title

• A61B8/523

  for generating planar views from image data in a user selectable plane not corresponding to the acquisition plane · CPC title

• G01S7/52074

  Composite displays, e.g. split-screen displays; Combination of multiple images or of images and alphanumeric tabular information · CPC title

• G01S7/52073

  Production of cursor lines, markers or indicia by electronic means · CPC title