FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“HYDROGEN PRODUCTION DEVICE”
PANASONIC CORPORATION, a Japanese Corporation of
1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner
in which it is to be performed.
2
[Document Name] Description
[Title of Invention] ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND
ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
[Technical Field]
[0001]
The present invention relates to an ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus having a function of displaying the
angle of an ultrasound probe at the time of diagnosing a
subject.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses are medical image
apparatuses for irradiating a subject with an ultrasound
wave and obtaining tomographic images (diagnosing images)
of a soft tissue based on a reflected wave from each
tissue in a living body. Because of their high safety,
the ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses are widely used for
various diagnoses.
[0003]
In the case of monitoring a lesion over time with
reference to diagnosing images acquired with an
ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, how the size of a
displayed tissue of the lesion and the shape of a
periphery of the lesion changed, or how the luminance of
the lesion region changed with respect to the surrounding
3
tissue can be determined by comparing a previously
acquired diagnosing image (past diagnosing image) with a
newly acquired diagnosing image (present diagnosing
image) of a same region in a same subject, so that
differential diagnosis of whether the lesion is taking a
change for the worse or the better can be implemented.
[0004]
In order to reliably perform the differential
diagnosis, it is necessary to acquire the past diagnosing
image and the present diagnosing image with the same
image quality (including the same position, direction and
luminance). It is required, therefore, that an angle of
the ultrasound probe in acquiring the past diagnosing
image should be identical to an angle of the ultrasound
probe in acquiring the present diagnosing image. The
angle of the ultrasound probe should preferably be
adjusted easily in a short period of time.
[0005]
Accordingly, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus has
conventionally been proposed which provides a guidance
display so that present position and posture of the probe
can coincide with the position and posture of the probe
in the past diagnosis (see, for example, Patent
Literature 1). The conventional ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus is structured to measure spatial position and
posture of the probe with use of a magnetic sensor
provided on the probe and a magnetism generator placed in
a bed and the like, to display a registered probe mark
4
based on the measurement data in the past diagnosis while
displaying a present probe mark based on the present
coordinate data, and to display proximity or coincidence
of the registered coordinates and the present coordinates
on the guidance display.
[0006]
For measurement of the spatial position and posture
of the probe in the conventional ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus, it is necessary not only to provide a magnetic
sensor on the probe but also to place a magnetism
generator in a bed and the like, i.e., it is necessary to
place a large-scale apparatus.
[0007]
However, in the ultrasound diagnosis, since the
ultrasound probe is used in the state of being in contact
with a subject, an operator can sensuously understand the
positional relation between the ultrasound probe and the
subject and does not need the use of such a large-scale
apparatus in most cases. For example, measurement of IMT
(Intima-Media Thickness) of the carotid artery in
arteriosclerosis diagnosis is one of these cases.
[0008]
Since diagnosis by IMT measurement is conducted by
putting an ultrasound probe on the neck surface in
advance, an operator can sensuously understand the
positional information on the ultrasound probe and the
subject and therefore does not need the use of a largescale
apparatus. What is important in the IMT
5
measurement is the angle information of the ultrasound
probe which is brought into contact with the subject.
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0009]
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent No. 4263579
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0010]
The present invention is invented under the abovementioned
circumstances. An object of the present
invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus which can obtain and display the angle of an
ultrasound probe at the time of diagnosing a subject
without the necessity of placing a large-scale apparatus
as in conventional cases.
[Solution to Problem]
[0011]
In order to accomplish the above object, an
ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention
is structured to include an ultrasound probe; a sensor
provided on the ultrasound probe for outputting sensor
information for use in obtaining an angle of the
ultrasound probe relative to a gravity direction at a
time of diagnosing a subject; an angle conversion section
6
for converting the sensor information into angle
information of the ultrasound probe; and a display
processing section for displaying the angle information
on the display section.
[0012]
As shown in the following description, the present
invention includes other aspects. Therefore, the
disclosure of the invention is intended to provide a part
of the aspects of the present invention, and is not
intended to limit the scope of the invention described
and claimed herein.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0013]
[Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus in a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[Figure 2] Figure 2 is an explanatory view of a display
screen at the time of IMT measurement.
[Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory view of the display
screen at the time of plaque search.
[Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory view of a workflow
button.
[Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory view of a guide
image.
[Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory view of the guide
image and the workflow button (in blinking state).
7
[Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory view of a reference
probe image.
[Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory view of an
animation picture.
[Figure 9] Figure 9 is a block diagram of an ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus in a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a folding
pillow (in use state).
[Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the
folding pillow (in stored state).
[Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic explanatory view of
the folding pillow in use state.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0014]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described
in detail. However, it should be understood that the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings
are not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention.
[0015]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention has structure to include: an ultrasound probe;
a sensor provided on the ultrasound probe for outputting
sensor information for use in obtaining an angle of the
ultrasound probe relative to a gravity direction at a
time of diagnosing a subject; an angle conversion section
8
for converting the sensor information into angle
information of the ultrasound probe; and a display
processing section for displaying the angle information
on a display section.
[0016]
The display processing section may have structure to
display on the display section angle information as an
angle of the ultrasound probe relative to the subject.
[0017]
Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may
have structure to include an image generation section for
generating a probe image indicating the ultrasound probe
as a schematic graphic and a subject image indicating the
subject as a schematic graphic, in which the display
processing section displays the subject image and the
probe image on the display section and places the probe
image at an angle corresponding to the angle information
in a region having a specified positional relation with
the subject image.
[0018]
Furthermore, the display processing section may have
structure to display an angle corresponding to the angle
information by a direction of the probe image.
[0019]
Moreover, the display processing section may have
structure to set the region over the subject image and to
display the probe image as if in contact with the subject
image on the display section.
9
[0020]
Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may
have structure to include a diagnostic mode selection
section for selecting a diagnostic mode for diagnosing
the subject with the ultrasound probe.
[0021]
With these structures, the sensor information
outputted from the sensor provided on the ultrasound
probe is converted into angle information, so that an
angle of the ultrasound probe at the time of diagnosing
the subject can be obtained and displayed on the display
section without the necessity of a large-scale apparatus
as in conventional cases (e.g., a magnetic field
generator which cannot be mounted on the probe and can
only be mounted on the bed). In the case of the present
invention, a subject image (body mark) corresponding to
the diagnostic mode selected by a user (such as doctors
and engineers) and a probe image (probe icon) placed at
an angle corresponding to the angle information with
respect to the subject image are displayed on the display
section where diagnosing images are displayed.
Accordingly, the user can sufficiently acquire
information required for diagnosis from these images
(images displayed on the display section).
[0022]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that the sensor is an
acceleration sensor for outputting acceleration
10
information of the ultrasound probe as information for
use in obtaining the angle of the ultrasound probe, and
the angle conversion section converts the acceleration
information into angle information of the ultrasound
probe.
[0023]
With this structure, the acceleration information
outputted from the acceleration sensor provided on the
ultrasound probe is converted into angle information, so
that an angle of the ultrasound probe at the time of
diagnosing the subject may be acquired. The acceleration
sensor is suitable to be mounted on the ultrasound probe
as it does not require a large-scale apparatus as in
conventional cases (e.g., a magnetic field generator
which cannot be mounted on the probe and can only be
mounted on the bed) and it is easy to downsize.
[0024]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that the display
processing section displays on the display section a
button image whose button name is changed in sequence in
dependence with diagnostic procedures of the subject.
[0025]
With this structure, the button name of the button
image (workflow button) displayed on the display section
is changed in sequence in accordance with the diagnostic
procedures of the subject, so that the user can implement
11
the diagnostic procedures easily and appropriately with
use of one button (workflow button).
[0026]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that once a diagnostic
procedure indicated by the button name is completed, the
display processing section displays on the display
section a button image representing a subsequent
diagnostic procedure in a blinking state.
[0027]
With this structure, once the diagnostic procedure
shown with the button image (workflow button) on the
display section is completed, the button (workflow
button) is changed to represent a subsequent diagnostic
procedure and is also displayed in a blinking state.
This makes it possible to guide the user to proceed to
the next diagnostic procedure.
[0028]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure to include: a storage
section for storing image data on a diagnosing image of
the subject; and a storage processing section for
associating, when the diagnostic mode of the subject
shifts to a subsequent diagnostic mode, image data on the
diagnosing image obtained in the diagnostic mode prior to
mode shift with the angle information and storing the
associated image data and angle information in the
storage section.
12
[0029]
With this structure, when one diagnostic mode shifts
to another diagnostic mode, the image data on the
diagnosing image obtained in the one diagnostic mode
(diagnostic mode prior to mode shift) is associated with
the angle information and this associated image data and
angle information are stored. Therefore, in the case of
referring to the past diagnosing image (diagnosing image
obtained in the diagnostic mode) such as in the case of
progress observation of the diagnostic region for example,
the angle information at the time when the diagnosing
image was obtained can be acquired together with the
image, and this allows contrast observation with use of
the images obtained under the same conditions (in the
same diagnostic mode and at the same angle).
[0030]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that when displaying the
probe image on the display section, the display
processing section displays a reference probe image in
distinction from the probe image, the reference probe
image being displayed at an angle corresponding to the
angle information of a past read from the storage section.
[0031]
With this structure, when the present probe image
(probe icon) is displayed and if the same diagnostic mode
has been used for diagnosis before, then a reference
probe image (reference probe icon) used for obtaining the
13
diagnosing image in the past diagnosis is displayed
together with the present probe image. In this case, the
reference probe image (reference probe icon) and the
present probe image (probe icon) are displayed with their
configurations different from each other (such as
different color and shape), so that the user can easily
distinguish one from the other. The user can conduct
diagnosis under the conditions same as the past diagnosis
(in the same diagnostic mode and at the same angle) by
making the reference probe image (reference probe icon)
and the present probe image (probe icon) coincide with
each other.
[0032]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that when past angle
information is not stored in the storage section, the
display processing section displays the reference probe
image on the display section at a recommended angle
preset corresponding to the diagnostic mode.
[0033]
With this structure, when a given subject has never
been diagnosed in the same diagnostic mode before, a
reference probe image (reference probe icon) is displayed
at a recommended angle preset corresponding to the
diagnostic mode (appropriate angle corresponding to the
diagnostic mode). Therefore, the user can conduct
diagnosis under appropriate conditions corresponding to
the diagnostic mode by making the reference probe image
14
(reference probe icon) and the present probe image (probe
icon) coincide with each other.
[0034]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that the display
processing section displays on the display section a
guide image indicating a direction to incline the
ultrasound probe in the diagnostic mode, and when past
angle information is stored in the storage section, the
guide image is generated based on the past angle
information read from the storage section and present
angle information converted from the sensor information,
whereas when the past angle information is not stored in
the storage section, the guide image is generated based
on a recommended angle preset corresponding to the
diagnostic mode and the present angle information
converted from the sensor information.
[0035]
With this structure, a guide image indicating a
direction to incline the ultrasound probe in the
diagnostic mode is displayed on the display section.
When the past angle information is stored in the storage
section, the guide image is appropriately generated based
on the past angle information and the present angle
information. Therefore, the user can easily conduct
diagnosis under the conditions same as the past diagnosis
(in the same diagnostic mode and at the same angle)
according to the guide image. When the past angle
15
information is not stored in the storage section, the
guide image is appropriately generated based on the
recommended angle preset corresponding to the diagnostic
mode (appropriate angle corresponding to the diagnostic
mode) and the present angle information. Therefore, the
user can easily conduct diagnosis under the appropriate
conditions corresponding to the diagnostic mode according
to the guide image.
[0036]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that the display
processing section displays on the display section an
animation picture for guiding a diagnostic procedure of
the subject in the diagnostic mode, and once the
diagnostic procedure guided with the animation picture is
completed, the display processing section displays an
animation picture for guiding a subsequent diagnostic
procedure.
[0037]
With this structure, an animation picture for
guiding a diagnostic procedure of the subject is
displayed on the display section. Once the diagnostic
procedure guided with the animation picture is completed,
an animation picture for guiding a subsequent diagnostic
procedure is displayed. The user can implement the
diagnostic procedures easily and appropriately according
to the animation picture.
[0038]
16
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that when displaying past
diagnosing image stored in the storage section, the
display processing section displays on the display
section past angle information stored in association with
the past diagnosing image.
[0039]
With this structure, when the past diagnosing image
(cine image) is displayed on the display section, the
past angle information stored in association with the
past diagnosing image is displayed. Therefore, the user
can see the angle information in the past diagnosis
together with the diagnosing image obtained at the time
of the past diagnosis.
[0040]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure to include a diagnostic mode
determination section for performing image analysis of
the diagnosing image to determine a diagnostic mode in
which the diagnosing image was obtained, in which the
display processing section displays on the display
section a probe image corresponding to the diagnostic
mode determined in the diagnostic mode determination
section.
[0041]
With this structure, through image analysis of the
diagnosing image, the diagnostic mode in which the
diagnosing image was obtained is automatically determined,
17
and an appropriate probe image (probe icon) corresponding
to the diagnostic mode is displayed on the display
section. For example, when it is determined as a result
of conducting image analysis of the diagnosing image that
the diagnostic mode is "plaque search", then the probe
image (probe icon) for "plaque search" is displayed.
When it is determined as a result of conducting image
analysis of the diagnosing image that the diagnostic mode
is "IMT (Intima-Media Thickness) measurement", then the
probe image (probe icon) for "IMT measurement" is
displayed.
[0042]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure to include a diagnostic mode
determination section for performing image analysis of
the diagnosing image to determine a diagnostic mode in
which the diagnosing image was obtained, in which the
storage section includes a storage area where image data
on the diagnosing image and the angle information are
stored per diagnostic mode of the subject, and the
storage processing section distributes and stores the
image data on the diagnosing image and the angle
information in the storage area corresponding to the
diagnostic mode determined in the diagnostic mode
determination section.
[0043]
With this structure, through the image analysis of
the diagnosing image, the diagnostic mode in which the
18
diagnosing image was obtained is automatically determined,
and the image data on the diagnosing image and the angle
information are distributed and stored in an appropriate
storage area corresponding to the diagnostic mode. For
example, when it is determined as a result of conducting
image analysis of the diagnosing image that the
diagnostic mode is "plaque search", then the image data
on the diagnosing image and the angle information are
stored in the storage area for "plaque search". Moreover,
when it is determined as a result of conducting image
analysis of the diagnosing image that the diagnostic mode
is "IMT measurement" for example, then the image data on
the diagnosing image and the angle information are stored
in the storage area for "IMT measurement".
[0044]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present
invention may have structure so that the display section
is a touch panel, and selection of the diagnostic mode is
achieved by touch operation on the touch panel.
[0045]
With this structure, the display section and the
diagnostic mode selection section are configured as a
touch panel, so that the operability in selecting
diagnostic mode is enhanced.
[0046]
An ultrasound diagnostic system of the present
invention has structure to include: an ultrasound probe;
a sensor provided on the ultrasound probe for outputting
19
sensor information for use in obtaining an angle of the
ultrasound probe at a time of diagnosing a subject; an
angle conversion section for converting the sensor
information into angle information of the ultrasound
probe; an image generation section for generating a probe
image indicating the ultrasound probe as a schematic
graphic and a subject image indicating the subject as a
schematic graphic; and a display processing section for
displaying the subject image and the probe image on a
display section and using the angle information as an
angle of the ultrasound probe with respect to the subject
to place the probe image at an angle corresponding to the
angle information in a region having a specified
positional relation with the subject image.
[0047]
According to the system, as in the above-stated
apparatus, an angle of the ultrasound probe at the time
of diagnosing the subject can be obtained and displayed
on the display section without the necessity of a largescale
apparatus as in conventional cases (e.g., a
magnetic field generator which cannot be mounted on the
probe and can only be mounted on the bed), and the user
can sufficiently acquire information required for
diagnosis from the images displayed on the display
section.
[0048]
The ultrasound diagnostic system of the present
invention may have structure to include an ultrasound
20
diagnostic apparatus; and a server apparatus communicably
connected with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, in
which the server apparatus includes a storage section for
storing image data on a diagnosing image of the subject,
and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a
storage processing section for associating, when a
diagnostic mode of the subject shifts to a subsequent
diagnostic mode, image data on the diagnosing image
obtained in the diagnostic mode prior to mode shift with
the angle information, transmitting the associated image
data and angle information to the server apparatus, and
storing the associated image data and angle information
in the storage section of the server apparatus.
[0049]
With this structure, when one diagnostic mode shifts
to another diagnostic mode, the image data on the
diagnosing image obtained in the one diagnostic mode
(diagnostic mode prior to mode shift) are associated with
the angle information, and this associated image data and
angle information are transmitted from the ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus to the server apparatus and stored
in the storage section of the server apparatus.
Therefore, in the case of referring to the past
diagnosing image (diagnosing image obtained in the
diagnostic mode) such as in the case of progress
observation of the diagnostic region for example, the
ultrasound diagnostic apparatus can acquire the angle
information at the time when the diagnosing image was
21
obtained together with the image from the storage section
of the server apparatus, and this allows contrast
observation with use of the images obtained under the
same conditions (in the same diagnostic mode and at the
same angle).
[0050]
The present invention makes it possible to obtain
and display the angle of an ultrasound probe at the time
of diagnosing the subject without the necessity of
placing a large-scale apparatus as in conventional cases.
[0051]
Hereinafter, the ultrasound diagnostic system in an
embodiment of the present invention will be described
with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the
case of the ultrasound diagnostic system for use in the
medical field is taken as an example.
[0052]
(First Embodiment)
The structure of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
in the first embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a
block diagram showing the structure of the ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown
in Figure 1, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1
includes an operation input section 2, an ultrasound
probe 3, and a monitor 4 (display section). The
operation input section 2 is a console including, for
example, a keyboard, a mouse, operation buttons, and a
22
trackball. The operation input section 2 is used for
performing operations such as various kinds of
information input and command input, and setting and
change of parameter information. The ultrasound probe 3
is an ultrasound probe which irradiates a subject with an
ultrasound pulse from an ultrasound transducer (not
shown), receives reflected ultrasound from each tissue in
the living body, and converts the reflected ultrasound
into an electrical signal. The ultrasound probe 3 is
equipped with an acceleration sensor 5 which outputs
acceleration information (information on gravitational
acceleration) of the ultrasound probe 3 at the time of
diagnosing the subject. A diagnosing image 6 of the
subject obtained with the ultrasound probe 3 is displayed
on the monitor 4 (see Figure 2 and other drawings). The
monitor 4 is constituted from a touch panel having a
function of selecting a diagnostic mode for diagnosing
the subject with the ultrasound probe 3 by touch
operation.
[0053]
The diagnostic mode includes, for example, "plaque
search (right neck)", "IMT measurement (right neck)",
"plaque search (left neck)", and "IMT measurement (left
neck)". As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, diagnostic
mode buttons 7 corresponding to respective diagnostic
modes are displayed at the left end of the display screen
of the monitor 4, and a user (such as doctors and
engineers) can select one (or a plurality) of these
23
buttons by touch operation. In a whole diagnostic mode
where all the diagnostic modes are performed, the
diagnostic modes of "plaque search (right neck)", "IMT
measurement (right neck)", "plaque search (left neck)",
and "IMT measurement (left neck)" are shifted in sequence
in this order.
[0054]
The diagnostic mode may automatically be judged
(determined) by conducting image analysis of the
diagnosing image 6. For example, when a diagnosing image
6 indicating the cross section in a longitudinal
direction of the carotid artery is obtained as shown in
Figure 2, the diagnostic mode is determined to be "IMT
measurement", whereas when a diagnosing image 6
indicating the cross section which looks like a round
slice of the carotid artery is obtained as shown in
Figure 3, the diagnostic mode is determined to be "plaque
search."
[0055]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 also includes
a transmission section 8 which transmits a transmission
signal to irradiate the ultrasound probe 3 with an
ultrasound pulse, a reception section 9 which receives a
reception signal (an electrical signal formed by
converting reflected ultrasound) outputted from the
ultrasound probe 3, and a signal processing section 10
which performs specified signal processing on the signal
outputted from the reception section 9. The ultrasound
24
diagnostic apparatus 1 also includes an angle conversion
section 11 which converts the acceleration information
outputted from the acceleration sensor 5 of the
ultrasound probe 3 into angle information of the
ultrasound probe 3 (information on a three-dimensional
angle of the ultrasound probe 3 at the time of diagnosing
the subject), and a display processing section 12 which
performs various processing steps (described later) for
displaying images on the monitor 4.
[0056]
It is to be noted that the conversion of the
acceleration information into the angle information is
achieved by calculating respective axial angles of a
triaxial acceleration sensor with respect to the
gravitational acceleration direction based on
acceleration data on respective axes with respect to the
gravitational acceleration to derive angle data of the
triaxial acceleration sensor and by adding the
information on a mounting position relation between the
triaxial acceleration sensor and the ultrasound probe 3
to the derived angle data, as a result of which the
acceleration information is converted into the angle
information of the ultrasound probe 3. The acceleration
information may be converted into the angle information
in the methods other than the method disclosed in this
embodiment, such as a method involving a gyroscope added
to the triaxial acceleration sensor and a method using a
six-axis sensor. The present embodiment is structured
25
with the triaxial acceleration sensor since the general
positional relation between the subject and the probe in
each diagnostic mode is assumable in the operation
therein.
[0057]
Further, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1
includes a storage section 13 constituted from a device
such as high-capacity HDDs and memories and a control
section 14 constituted from a device such as CPUs and
microcomputers. The image data on the diagnosing image 6
of the subject is stored in the storage section 13 in
association with the angle information. In the present
embodiment, when the diagnostic mode of the subject
shifts to a subsequent diagnostic mode, image data on the
diagnosing image 6 obtained in the diagnostic mode prior
to mode shift is associated with the angle information
and stored in the storage section 13. Each section of
the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 is controlled by
the control section 14. The control section 14 may
include functions of image analysis of the diagnosing
image 6 and diagnostic mode determination. The storage
section 13 may include a storage area where image data on
the diagnosing image 6 and the angle information are
stored per diagnostic mode of the subject, and the image
data on the diagnosing image 6 and the angle information
may automatically be distributed and stored in the
storage area corresponding to the diagnostic mode
26
determined in the image analysis of the diagnosing image
6.
[0058]
The display processing section 12 has a function of
generating a probe image 15 (probe icon 15) indicating
the ultrasound probe 3 as a schematic graphic and a
subject image 16 (body mark 16) indicating the subject as
a schematic graphic, and displaying the body mark 16 and
the probe icon 15 corresponding to the diagnostic mode on
the monitor 4. In this case, the body mark 16 is
displayed at a specified position on the monitor 4, while
the probe icon 15 is displayed within a display area 39
having a specified positional relation with the body mark
16. The angle of the ultrasound probe 3 calculated with
respect to the gravitational acceleration direction from
the angle conversion section 11 is regarded as an angle
of the ultrasound probe 3 with respect to the subject,
and the probe icon 15 is placed at an angle corresponding
to the angle information. In the first Embodiment, the
angle information is displayed by the position and
direction of the probe icon 15 placed within the display
area. Moreover, setting the display area 39 over or in
the vicinity of the body mark 16 and displaying the probe
icon 15 as if in contact with the body mark 16 on the
monitor 4 make it possible to provide the structure
enabling an operator to easily imagine the angle
information of the ultrasound probe 3.
[0059]
27
It is to be noted that the display processing
section 12 may display the body mark 16 and the probe
image corresponding to the diagnostic mode selected by
the user by touch operation, or may display the body mark
16 and the probe image corresponding to the diagnostic
mode determined by the image analysis of the diagnosing
image 6.
[0060]
For example, Figure 2 is a view showing an example
of the display screen of the monitor 4 at the time of IMT
measurement of the right neck. In this case, the display
area 39 is set around the vicinity of the head of the
body mark 16. As shown in Figure 2, displayed on the
display screen of the monitor 4 are the body mark 16
corresponding to the diagnostic mode of "IMT measurement
(right neck)" (body mark 16 indicating the subject with
his/her neck inclined to the left as seen from the
overhead), and the probe icon 15 corresponding to the
diagnostic mode of "IMT measurement (right neck)" (probe
icon 15 indicating the probe in the state of being
applied sideways along the carotid artery).
[0061]
Figure 3 is a view showing an example of the display
screen of the monitor 4 at the time of plaque search of
the left neck. As shown in Figure 3, displayed on the
display screen of the monitor 4 are the body mark 16
corresponding to the diagnostic mode of "plaque search
(left neck)" (body mark 16 indicating the subject with
28
his/her neck inclined to the right as seen from the
overhead), and the probe icon 15 corresponding to the
diagnostic mode of "plaque search (left neck)" (probe
icon 15 indicating the probe in the state of being
applied vertically with respect to the carotid artery).
[0062]
The display processing section 12 also has a
function of displaying on the monitor 4 a button image
(workflow button 17) whose button name is changed in
sequence in accordance with the diagnostic procedures of
the subject. An example of the workflow button 17 is
shown in Figure 4. Although the button indicating
"freeze" is displayed in the example of Figure 4, the
display is changed in sequence in accordance with the
diagnostic procedures. For example, when the whole
diagnostic mode is performed, the display of the workflow
button 17 is changed in order of "plaque search (right
neck)", "freeze", "IMT measurement (right neck)",
"freeze", "plaque search (left neck)", "freeze", "IMT
measurement (left neck)", and "freeze". Once the
diagnostic procedure (e.g., plaque search (right neck))
displayed in the workflow button 17 is completed, the
subsequent diagnostic procedure (e.g., freeze) is
displayed in the workflow button 17 and also the workflow
button 17 is put in a blinking state (see Figure 6).
[0063]
29
At this point, touching the workflow button 17 in
the blinking state makes it possible to proceed to the
subsequent diagnostic procedure.
[0064]
It is to be noted that whether or not the analysis
of the displayed diagnosing image is completed is
determined by comparing the displayed diagnosing image
with a diagnosing image acquired in the past or an image
stored as a reference image, i.e., if the displayed
diagnosing image is within an optionally set condition
range, the diagnostic procedure is determined to be
completed, and the apparatus is set to proceed to the
subsequent diagnostic procedure based on this
determination.
[0065]
Further, the display processing section 12 has a
function of displaying on the monitor 4 a guide image 18
indicating a direction to incline the ultrasound probe 3
in the diagnostic mode. When past angle information is
stored in the storage section 13, the guide image 18 is
generated based on the past angle information (past angle
information read from the storage section 13) and present
angle information (present angle information converted
from the acceleration information). When the past angle
information is not stored in the storage section, the
guide image is generated based on a recommended angle
preset corresponding to the diagnostic mode and the
30
present angle information (present angle information
converted from the acceleration information).
[0066]
An example of the guide image 18 is shown in Figure
5. In the example of Figure 5, the probe icon 15 is
displayed at an angle corresponding to the present angle
information, while the direction to incline the probe
icon 15 (ultrasound probe 3) is shown with an "arrow".
The direction of the "arrow" is determined based on the
past angle information (or preset recommended angle).
More specifically, the direction of the "arrow" is set so
that the present angle information coincides with the
past angle information (or preset recommended angle).
Further, the arrow may display not only the direction but
also the difference between the present angle information
and the past angle information, i.e., a longer or thicker
arrow may indicate a larger difference to provide
operational support for the user to recognize a degree of
the difference by intuition.
[0067]
For example, in the case of the guide image 18 in
Figure 5, the present angle (angle in a horizontal
direction) of the probe icon 15 (ultrasound probe 3) is
large, so that the "arrow" which instructs to incline the
probe icon 15 in the horizontal direction is displayed.
In this case, when the user inclines the ultrasound probe
3 in the horizontal direction according to the guide
image 18 so that the ultrasound probe 3 coincides with
31
the past angle information (or preset recommended angle),
then the "arrow" vanishes from the guide image 18 as
shown in Figure 6. At this point, the subsequent
diagnostic procedure (e.g., freeze) is displayed in the
workflow button 17, and the workflow button 17 is put in
the blinking state as described above.
[0068]
The display processing section 12 has a function of
displaying, when displaying the probe image on the
monitor 4, a reference probe image 19 (probe icon
displayed at an angle corresponding to the past angle
information, i.e., reference probe icon 19) read from the
storage section 13 with its configuration (such as color
and form) different from that of the probe icon 15
(present probe icon 15). For example, Figure 7 is a view
showing an example of the reference probe icon 19. In
the example of Figure 7, the reference probe icon 19 is
displayed in a color different from the present probe
icon. When the past angle information is not stored in
the storage section 13, the display processing section 12
may display on the monitor 4 the reference probe icon 19
at a recommended angle preset corresponding to the
diagnostic mode.
[0069]
The display processing section 12 also has a
function of displaying, when displaying the past
diagnosing image 6 (cine image) stored in the storage
section 13, the past angle information stored in
32
association with the past diagnosing image 6 (cine image)
by the probe icon 15 on the monitor 4.
[0070]
Further, the display processing section 12 may have
a function of displaying on the monitor 4 an animation
picture 20 for guiding a diagnostic procedure of the
subject in the diagnostic mode. A operation button 21 of
the animation picture 20 including "play/halt", "fast
forward", and "fast rewind" may be displayed on the lower
part of the animation picture 20 (see Figure 8). Once
the diagnostic procedure guided with the animation
picture 20 is completed, an animation picture 20 for
guiding the subsequent diagnostic procedure is displayed.
[0071]
Not only an uninterrupted image but also a plurality
of still pictures may be displayed as the animation
picture 20.
[0072]
According to such an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
1 of the first embodiment, the acceleration sensor 5
provided on the ultrasound probe 3 is used so that an
angle of the ultrasound probe 3 at the time of diagnosing
the subject can be obtained and displayed without the
necessity of placing a large-scale apparatus as in
conventional cases.
[0073]
More specifically, in the present embodiment, the
acceleration information outputted from the acceleration
33
sensor 5 provided on the ultrasound probe 3 is converted
into angle information, so that an angle of the
ultrasound probe 3 at the time of diagnosing the subject
can be obtained and displayed on the monitor 4 without
the necessity of a large-scale apparatus as in
conventional cases (e.g., a magnetic field generator
which cannot be mounted on the probe and can only be
mounted on the bed). The acceleration sensor 5 is
suitable to be mounted on the ultrasound probe 3 as it is
easy to downsize.
[0074]
In this case, as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3, a
subject image (body mark 16) corresponding to the
diagnostic mode selected by a user (such as doctors and
engineers) and a probe image (probe icon 15) placed at an
angle corresponding to the angle information with respect
to the subject image are displayed on the monitor 4 where
the diagnosing image 6 is displayed. Accordingly, the
user can sufficiently acquire information required for
diagnosis from these images (images displayed on the
monitor 4).
[0075]
In the present embodiment, the button name of the
button image (workflow button 17) displayed on the
monitor 4 is changed in sequence in accordance with the
diagnostic procedures of the subject as shown in Figure 4,
so that the user can implement the diagnostic procedures
easily and appropriately with one button (workflow button
34
17). As shown in Figure 6, once the diagnostic procedure
shown with the button image (workflow button 17) on the
monitor 4 is completed, the button (workflow button 17)
is changed to represent a subsequent diagnostic procedure
and is also displayed in the blinking state. This makes
it possible to guide the user to proceed to the next
diagnostic procedure.
[0076]
Although the workflow button 17 is "displayed in the
blinking state" in the case of indicating the subsequent
diagnostic procedure, the configuration of the workflow
button 17 is not limited thereto and any method such as
change in color and luminance and making sound in
combination with the color or luminance may be applicable
as long as user's attention can be called.
[0077]
In the present embodiment, when one diagnostic mode
shifts to another diagnostic mode, the image data on the
diagnosing image 6 obtained in the one diagnostic mode
(diagnostic mode prior to mode shift) is associated with
the angle information and this associated image data and
angle information are stored. Therefore, in the case of
referring to the past diagnosing image 6 (diagnosing
image 6 obtained in the diagnostic mode) such as in the
case of progress observation of the diagnostic region for
example, the angle information at the time when the
diagnosing image 6 was obtained can be acquired together
with the diagnosing image 6, and this allows contrast
35
observation with use of the images obtained under the
same conditions (in the same diagnostic mode and at the
same angle).
[0078]
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 7,
when the present probe image (probe icon 15) is displayed
and if the same diagnostic mode has been used for
diagnosis before, then a reference probe image (reference
probe icon 19) used for obtaining the diagnosing image 6
in the past diagnosis is displayed together with the
present probe image. In this case, the reference probe
image (reference probe icon 19) and the present probe
image (probe icon 15) are distinguishably displayed with
their configurations different from each other (such as
different color and shape), so that the user can easily
distinguish one from the other. The user can conduct
diagnosis under the conditions same as the past diagnosis
(in the same diagnostic mode and at the same angle) by
making the reference probe image (reference probe icon
19) and the present probe image (probe icon 15) coincide
with each other.
[0079]
In the present embodiment, when a given subject has
never been diagnosed in the same diagnostic mode before,
a reference probe image (reference probe icon 19) is
displayed at a recommended angle preset corresponding to
the diagnostic mode (appropriate angle corresponding to
the diagnostic mode). Therefore, the user can conduct
36
diagnosis under appropriate conditions corresponding to
the diagnostic mode by making the reference probe image
(reference probe icon 19) and the present probe image
(probe icon 15) coincide with each other.
[0080]
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 5 and
Figure 6, a guide image 18 indicating a direction to
incline the ultrasound probe 3 in the diagnostic mode is
displayed on the monitor 4. When the past angle
information is stored in the storage section 13, the
guide image 18 is appropriately generated based on the
past angle information and the present angle information.
Therefore, the user can easily conduct diagnosis under
the conditions same as the past diagnosis (in the same
diagnostic mode and at the same angle) according to the
guide image 18. When the past angle information is not
stored in the storage section 13, the guide image 18 is
appropriately generated based on the recommended angle
preset corresponding to the diagnostic mode (appropriate
angle corresponding to the diagnostic mode) and the
present angle information. Therefore, the user can
easily conduct diagnosis under the appropriate conditions
corresponding to the diagnostic mode according to the
guide image 18.
[0081]
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, an
animation picture 20 for guiding a diagnostic procedure
of the subject is displayed on the monitor 4. Once the
37
diagnostic procedure guided with the animation picture 20
is completed, an animation picture 20 for guiding a
subsequent diagnostic procedure is displayed. The user
can implement the diagnostic procedures easily and
appropriately according to the animation picture 20.
[0082]
In the present embodiment, when the past diagnosing
image 6 (cine image) is displayed on the monitor 4, the
past angle information stored in association with the
past diagnosing image 6 is displayed on the monitor 4.
Therefore, the user can see the angle information in the
past diagnosis together with the diagnosing image 6
obtained at the time of the past diagnosis.
[0083]
In the present embodiment, through image analysis of
the diagnosing image 6, the diagnostic mode in which the
diagnosing image 6 was obtained is automatically
determined, and an appropriate probe image (probe icon
15) corresponding to the diagnostic mode is displayed on
the monitor 4. For example, when it is determined as a
result of conducting image analysis of the diagnosing
image 6 that the diagnostic mode is "plaque search", then
the probe image (probe icon 15) for "plaque search" is
displayed as shown in Figure 3. Further, when it is
determined as a result of conducting image analysis of
the diagnosing image 6 that the diagnostic mode is "IMT
measurement", then the probe image (probe icon) for "IMT
measurement" is displayed as shown in Figure 2.
38
[0084]
In the present embodiment, through the image
analysis of the diagnosing image 6, the diagnostic mode
in which the diagnosing image 6 was obtained is
automatically determined, and the image data on the
diagnosing image 6 and the angle information are
distributed and stored in an appropriate storage area
corresponding to the diagnostic mode. For example, when
it is determined as a result of conducting image analysis
of the diagnosing image 6 that the diagnostic mode is
"plaque search", then the image data on the diagnosing
image 6 and the angle information are stored in the
storage area for "plaque search". Further, when it is
determined as a result of conducting image analysis of
the diagnosing image 6 that the diagnostic mode is, for
example, "IMT measurement", then the image data on the
diagnosing image 6 and the angle information are stored
in the storage area for "IMT measurement".
[0085]
In the present embodiment, the monitor 4 is
configured as a touch panel, so that the operability in
selecting diagnostic mode is enhanced.
[0086]
(Second Embodiment)
Hereinbelow, an ultrasound diagnostic system in a
second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. A description is mainly given of the
difference of the ultrasound diagnostic system of the
39
second embodiment from the first embodiment. Unless
otherwise stated, the structure and operation of the
present embodiment are similar to those of the first
embodiment.
[0087]
Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the structure of
the ultrasound diagnostic system of the present
embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, an ultrasound
diagnostic system 100 includes an ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus 1 and a server apparatus 30. The ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus 1 and the server apparatus 30 are
communicably connected with each other via a network 31.
In the present embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus 1 does not include a high-capacity storage
section 13. Instead, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
1 includes a communication section 32 which performs
communication with the server apparatus 30. The server
apparatus 30 includes a communication section 33 which
performs communication with the ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus 1, and a high-capacity storage section 34. In
the present embodiment, when the diagnostic mode of the
subject shifts to a subsequent diagnostic mode, image
data on the diagnosing image 6 obtained in the diagnostic
mode prior to mode shift are associated with the angle
information, and the associated image data and angle
information are transmitted to the server apparatus 30
and stored in the storage section 34 of the server
apparatus 30.
40
[0088]
In such an ultrasound diagnostic system 100 of the
second embodiment, the same operation effect as the first
embodiment may be implemented. That is, in the
ultrasound diagnostic system 100 as in the ultrasound
diagnostic apparatus 1 of first embodiment, an angle of
the ultrasound probe 3 at the time of diagnosing the
subject can be obtained and displayed on the monitor 4
without the necessity of a large-scale apparatus as in
conventional cases (e.g., a magnetic field generator
which cannot be mounted on the probe and can only be
mounted on the bed), and the user can sufficiently
acquire information required for diagnosis from the
images displayed on the monitor 4.
[0089]
Moreover, in the present embodiment, when one
diagnostic mode shifts to another diagnostic mode, the
image data on the diagnosing image 6 obtained in the one
diagnostic mode (diagnostic mode prior to mode shift) are
associated with the angle information, and this
associated image data and angle information are
transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to
the server apparatus 30 and stored in the storage section
34 of the server apparatus 30. Therefore, in the case of
referring to the past diagnosing image 6 (diagnosing
image 6 obtained in the diagnostic mode) such as in the
case of progress observation of the diagnostic region for
example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 can
41
acquire the angle information at the time when the
diagnosing image 6 was obtained together with the
diagnosing image 6 from the storage section 34 of the
server apparatus 30, and this allows contrast observation
with use of the images obtained under the same conditions
(in the same diagnostic mode and at the same angle).
[0090]
Since the carotid artery exists on both the side
surfaces of the neck, it is hard to apply the probe on
the subject who faces the front and stays on his/her back.
Moreover, if the angle of the head changes in every
diagnosing operation, it becomes difficult to reproduce
the diagnosing position at a precise angle. Accordingly,
the head of the subject needs to be inclined at a
constant angle, though it is not easy for the subject to
incline his/her head at a constant angle.
[0091]
Accordingly, to improve the operability and
reproducibility of diagnosis, it is effective for the
ultrasound diagnostic system 100 to use a folding pillow
35 which is to be put under the head of the subject
during implementation of diagnosis (see Figure 12).
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the folding
pillow 35 in use state (folded state), and Figure 11 is a
perspective view showing the folding pillow 35 in stored
state (extended state). As shown in Figure 10 and Figure
11, the folding pillow 35 is composed of a series of four
plate-like sections 36, the adjacent plate-like sections
42
36 being coupled to each other through an end portion 37
(coupled section). The folding pillow 35 is manufactured
from, for example, materials such as low foaming urethane.
[0092]
For putting the folding pillow 35 in use state, the
folding pillow 35 is folded so as to form a triangular
prism-shaped three-dimensional pillow section 38 with use
of three plate-like sections 36 as shown in Figure 10.
The subject puts his/her head on the remaining one platelike
section 36 while inclining his/her head so that one
side of the head is in contact with the three-dimensional
pillow section 38. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 12,
it becomes possible to easily keep the state of inclining
the head at a constant angle, and thereby the operability
and reproducibility of diagnosis can be enhanced. After
use, the folding pillow 35 is put in extended state as
shown in Figure 11. Thus, the folding pillow 35 can be
stored in a small storage space.
[0093]
Although the embodiments of the present invention
have been described above in an illustrative manner, it
should be understood that the scope of the present
invention is not limited to the embodiments described,
and modifications and variations depending on purposes
are possible within the scope stated in the claims.
[0094]
Although the preferable embodiments of the present
invention conceivable at the present moment have been
43
described above, it should be understood that various
modifications are possible for the embodiments disclosed
and unless departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, such modifications are intended to be embraced
in the scope of the appended claims.
[Industrial Applicability]
[0095]
As disclosed above, the ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus according to the present invention has an
effect that the angle of an ultrasound probe at the time
of diagnosing a subject can be obtained and displayed
without the necessity of placing a large-scale apparatus
as in conventional cases. The ultrasound diagnostic
apparatus according to the present invention is mainly
applicable to and useful in the medical field.
[Reference Signs List]
[0096]
1 Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
2 Operation input section
3 Ultrasound probe
4 Monitor
5 Acceleration sensor
6 Diagnosing image
7 Diagnostic mode button
8 Transmission section
9 Reception section
44
10 Signal processing section
11 Angle conversion section
12 Display processing section
13 Storage section
14 Control section
15 Probe icon
16 Body mark
17 Workflow button
18 Guide image
19 Reference probe icon
20 Animation picture
21 Operation button
30 Server apparatus
31 Network
32 Communication section
33 Communication section
34 Storage section
35 Folding pillow
36 Plate-like section
37 End portion
38 Three-dimensional pillow section
39 Display area
100 Ultrasound diagnostic system
45
[Document Name] Claims
[Claim 1]
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, comprising:
an ultrasound probe;
a sensor provided on the ultrasound probe which
outputs sensor information for use in obtaining an angle
of the ultrasound probe relative to a gravity direction
at a time of diagnosing a subject;
an angle conversion section which converts the
sensor information into angle information of the
ultrasound probe; and
a display processing section which displays the
angle information on a display section.
[Claim 2]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 1, wherein the display processing section displays
on the display section the angle information as an angle
of the ultrasound probe relative to the subject.
[Claim 3]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 2, further comprising
an image generation section which generates a probe
image indicating the ultrasound probe as a schematic
graphic and a subject image indicating the subject as a
schematic graphic, wherein
the display processing section displays the subject
image and the probe image on the display section and
46
places the probe image at an angle corresponding to the
angle information in a region having a specified
positional relation with the subject image.
[Claim 4]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 3, wherein
the display processing section displays the probe
image at an angle corresponding to the angle information
by a direction of the probe image.
[Claim 5]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 3 or claim 4, wherein
the display processing section sets the region over
the subject image and displays the probe image as if in
contact with the subject image on the display section.
[Claim 6]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
the sensor is an acceleration sensor which outputs
acceleration information of the ultrasound probe as
information for use in obtaining the angle of the
ultrasound probe, and
the angle conversion section converts the
acceleration information into angle information of the
ultrasound probe.
[Claim 7]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
47
the display processing section displays on the
display section a button image whose button name is
changed in sequence in dependence with procedures of the
subject.
[Claim 8]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 7, wherein
once a diagnostic procedure indicated by the button
name is completed, the display processing section
displays on the display section a button image
representing a subsequent diagnostic procedure in a
blinking state.
[Claim 9]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a diagnostic
mode selection section which selects a diagnostic mode
for diagnosing the subject with the ultrasound probe.
[Claim 10]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 9, further comprising:
a storage section which stores image data on an
diagnosing image of the subject; and
a storage processing section which associates, when
the diagnostic mode of the subject shifts to a subsequent
diagnostic mode, image data on the diagnosing image
obtained in the diagnostic mode prior to mode shift with
the angle information and storing the associated image
data and angle information in the storage section.
48
[Claim 11]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 10, wherein
when displaying the probe image on the display
section, the display processing section displays a
reference probe image in distinction from the probe image,
the reference probe image being displayed at an angle
corresponding to the angle information of a past read
from the storage section.
[Claim 12]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to
claim 11, wherein
when past angle information is not stored in the
storage section, the display processing section displays
the reference probe image on the display section at a
recommended angle preset corresponding to the diagnostic
mode.
[Claim 13]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 10 to 12, wherein
the display processing section displays on the
display section a guide image indicating a direction to
incline the ultrasound probe in the diagnostic mode, and
when past angle information is stored in the storage
section, the guide image is generated based on the past
angle information read from the storage section and
present angle information converted from the sensor
information, whereas
49
when the past angle information is not stored in the
storage section, the guide image is generated based on a
recommended angle preset corresponding to the diagnostic
mode and the present angle information converted from the
sensor information.
[Claim 14]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 1 to 13, wherein
the display processing section displays on the
display section an animation picture for guiding a
diagnostic procedure of the subject in the diagnostic
mode, and once the diagnostic procedure guided with the
animation picture is completed, the display processing
section displays an animation picture for guiding a
subsequent diagnostic procedure.
[Claim 15]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 10 to 14, wherein
when displaying past diagnosing image stored in the
storage section, the display processing section displays
on the display section past angle information stored in
association with the past diagnosing image.
[Claim 16]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising
a diagnostic mode determination section which
performs image analysis of the diagnosing image to
50
determine a diagnostic mode in which the diagnosing image
was obtained, wherein
the display processing section displays on the
display section a probe image corresponding to the
diagnostic mode determined in the diagnostic mode
determination section.
[Claim 17]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 10 to 16, further comprising
a diagnostic mode determination section which
performs image analysis of the diagnosing image to
determine a diagnostic mode in which the diagnosing image
was obtained, wherein
the storage section comprises a storage area where
image data on the diagnosing image and the angle
information are stored per diagnostic mode of the subject,
and
the storage processing section distributes and
stores the image data on the diagnosing image and the
angle information in the storage area corresponding to
the diagnostic mode determined in the diagnostic mode
determination section.
[Claim 18]
The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to any
one of claims 1 to 17, wherein
the display section is a touch panel, and selection
of the diagnostic mode is achieved by touch operation on
the touch panel.
51
[Claim 19]
An ultrasound diagnostic system, comprising:
an ultrasound probe;
a sensor provided on the ultrasound probe which
outputs sensor information for use in obtaining an angle
of the ultrasound probe at a time of diagnosing a
subject;
an angle conversion section which converts the
sensor information into angle information of the
ultrasound probe;
an image generation section which generates a probe
image indicating the ultrasound probe as a schematic
graphic and a subject image indicating the subject as a
schematic graphic; and
a display processing section displays the subject
image and the probe image on a display section and using
the angle information as an angle of the ultrasound probe
with respect to the subject to place the probe image at
an angle corresponding to the angle information in a
region having a specified positional relation with the
subject image.
[Claim 20]
The ultrasound diagnostic system according to claim
19, further comprising:
an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus; and
a server apparatus communicably connected with the
ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, wherein
52
the server apparatus comprises a storage section
which stores image data on a diagnosing image of the
subject, and
the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises a
storage processing section which associates, when a
diagnostic mode of the subject shifts to a subsequent
diagnostic mode, image data on the diagnosing image
obtained in the diagnostic mode prior to mode shift with
the angle information, transmitting the associated image
data and angle information to the server apparatus, and
storing the associated image data and angle information
in the storage section of the server apparatus.
53