Abstract: In tomographic image data, a reference region-setting unit (30) sets a body reference region for the body of a fetus and sets a cardiac reference region for the heart of the fetus. A body shift analysis unit (50) analyzes the movement of the fetus' body in the tomographic image data using the body reference region and obtains body shift information. A cardiac motion analysis unit (60) analyzes the movement of the fetus' heart in the tomographic image data using the cardiac reference region and obtains cardiac motion information. Once body shift information and cardiac motion information are obtained in this manner, a pulse information-processing unit (70) obtains fetal pulse information on the basis of the cardiac motion information from which the body shift information has been subtracted. The pulse information obtained by the pulse information-processing unit (70) is displayed on the display unit (80).

Abstract: A pre-memory 14 stores a plurality of sets of tomographic image data in a time-series order. A virtual period setting unit 22 calculates a virtual period relating to an object based on the tomographic image data stored in the pre-memory 14. A base image searching unit 24 searches for base images from the tomographic image data using the virtual period. A division basis setting unit 26 sets division bases according to the base images within an image string constituted of tomographic image data. A reconfiguration processing unit 20 uses the respective base images as boundaries for the division to divide the tomographic image data stored in the pre-memory 14 into a plurality of image groups. Then, data blocks of tomographic images which correspond to one another on a periodic basis are sequentially extracted from the respective image groups, and are stored in a post-memory 28.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus generates Doppler waveform images whose visibility is improved appropriately in accordance with changes in measurement conditions. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a frequency-analyzing unit that generates frequency spectrum data on Doppler shift frequency components of ultrasonic waves that are received after being transmitted towards a subject and reflected in the subject, and a line data generating unit for generating line data, wherein arrays of multiple pixels are stipulated according to the corresponding frequencies and each pixel value represents the magnitude of the Doppler shift frequency component, based on the frequency spectrum data. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus determines whether or not each pixel of line data at a previously appointed time point is a noise pixel, and the values of pixels that are determined to be noise pixels are adjusted by multiplying the pixel value with a weighting factor (w) of 0 to less than 1.

Abstract: An acoustic matching device has a water bag (64) that contains water and a water bag support frame (66) that sandwiches and supports the water bag on the left and right sides of the knee and curves along the knee cap. The water bag becomes a plate shape curved along the shape of the water bag support frame, which touches the knee cap and fits the unevenness of the knee. When an ultrasonic probe is moved along the knee cap, the acoustic matching between the knee cap and the ultrasonic probe is obtained.

Abstract: A mounting unit (16) is aligned by using a mounting unit frame (58) touching the thigh and a knee-contacting portion (62) touching the knee, with the knee being bent. The mounting unit is also equipped with a probe support frame (60) used for moving an ultrasonic probe along the knee cap. The probe support frame moves rotationally about the mechanical center of the knee joint, thereby allowing the ultrasonic probe (78) to move along the knee cap while facing toward the mechanical center of the knee joint and to perform scanning of an ultrasonic beam.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of extracting an object tissue within a living body with high precision is provided. A row of reference cross sections is set with regard to volume data. The row of reference cross sections includes a plurality of manual tracing reference cross sections and the remaining sections, i.e. a plurality of automatic tracing reference cross sections. With regard to the manual tracing reference cross sections, manual tracing processing and automatic correction processing is applied. With regard to the automatic tracing reference cross sections, automatic generation processing and automatic correction processing for interpolation tracing lines is applied. Finally, the object tissue is extracted or the volume thereof is calculated based on a plurality of tracing lines. When the similarity between shapes of adjacent manual tracing lines is small, one or a plurality of manual tracing lines may be additionally provided between these tracing lines.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which forms a three-dimensional bloodstream image by reference to volume data obtained from a three-dimensional space within a living organism. Binarization processing and three-dimensional labeling processing are applied to velocity volume data, to thereby generate three-dimensional mask data. At this time, because a bloodstream object has a larger volume size than a noise object, this difference in volume size is utilized to discriminate between a bloodstream portion and a noise portion. Bloodstream volume data are then generated from the velocity volume data and by reference to the three-dimensional mask data. Then, a three-dimensional bloodstream image is formed by reference to the bloodstream volume data.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasound image processing apparatus which displays an ultrasonic image with a higher resolution. For each pixel of interest on a previous frame, a pattern matching process is applied between the previous frame and a current frame, to calculate, for each pixel of interest, a mapping address to the current frame as a movement destination or a two-dimensional movement vector. The mapping address includes an integer value and a fractional value. The current frame is re-constructed into a high-density frame including a plurality of interpolation lines based on an original group of pixels of the current frame and an additional group of pixels defined by a pixel value and the mapping address of each pixel of interest on the previous frame. In generation of the mapping address, a sub-pixel process is applied.

Abstract: There is provided an ultrasound image processing apparatus which displays an ultrasonic image with a higher resolution. In a received frame, a first pixel array, a second pixel array, and a third pixel array are defined in depths different from each other. For each pixel of interest on the first pixel array, a pattern matching process is applied between the first pixel array and the second pixel array, to calculate a mapping address on the second pixel array for the pixel of interest. In addition, for each pixel of interest on the third pixel array, a pattern matching process is applied between the third pixel array and the second pixel array, to calculate a mapping address on the second pixel array for each pixel of interest. The second pixel array is re-constructed into a high-density pixel array using pixel values and mapping addresses of a plurality of pixels of interest.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, an original image in the form of a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is generated from volume data based on the volume rendering method. Directional interpolation processing is then applied to the original image. More specifically, a corresponding point corresponding to a noted pixel in the display image is first determined on the original image. Then, on the original image, a plurality of candidate directions extending through the corresponding point are set, and a dispersion value is computed for each of the candidate directions. Further, a normal direction with the maximum dispersion value is specified among the candidate directions, and a reference direction along the contour of a tissue is determined in the direction orthogonal to the specified normal line. Alternatively, the reference direction is determined as a direction with the minimum dispersion value among the plurality of candidate directions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which can measure a time difference of motion between a plurality of sites of a cardiac muscle for the heart of a fetus is provided. On a tomographic image of the heart, a user sets a plurality of observation points. Each observation point is tracked, and a plurality of displacement waveforms representing a temporal displacement of the plurality of observation points are generated. A time difference between a plurality of representative points is calculated between the plurality of displacement waveforms. Such a time difference is displayed as a numerical value or as a graph. The representative point is a peak point, a zero-cross point, an inflection point, or the like. The plurality of observation points are set along conduction pathways in the heart for the electric signal.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus which performs ultrasonic diagnosis with respect of a fetal heart. An area change measurement section calculates an area of a specific heart chamber (left ventricle) in the fetal heart in frame units. Further, the area change measurement section generates a graph representing the area which is calculated in frame units. The maximum value and the minimum value are specified in the graph to thereby specify end-diastole and end-systole. Based on this information, a heart rate and a cardiac cycle with regard to the fetal heart are calculated. Further, an ejection fraction is also calculated from an end-diastolic area and an end-systolic area.

Abstract: A mounting unit (16) is aligned by using a mounting unit frame (58) touching the thigh and a knee-contacting portion (62) touching the knee, with the knee being bent. The mounting unit is also equipped with a probe support frame (60) used for moving an ultrasonic probe along the knee cap. The probe support frame moves rotationally about the mechanical center of the knee joint, thereby allowing the ultrasonic probe (78) to move along the knee cap while facing toward the mechanical center of the knee joint and to perform scanning of an ultrasonic beam.

Abstract: An acoustic matching device has a water bag (64) that contains water and a water bag support frame (66) that sandwiches and supports the water bag on the left and right sides of the knee and curves along the knee cap. The water bag becomes a plate shape curved along the shape of the water bag support frame, which touches the knee cap and fits the unevenness of the knee. When an ultrasonic probe is moved along the knee cap, the acoustic matching between the knee cap and the ultrasonic probe is obtained.

Abstract: A free-moving piece (jellyfish sign) having a high probability of separation in the near future in an unstable plaque is clearly displayed. Ultrasonic tomographic images (25) of a cross section including an axis of the carotid artery are successively obtained. Using a threshold value which sets a surface (48) of the unstable plaque as a boundary between brightness and darkness, the plurality of ultrasonic tomographic images (25) are binarized. A difference is calculated between corresponding pixels of two binarized ultrasonic tomographic images so that a free-moving piece (52) is extracted and displayed overlapped over the ultrasonic tomographic image (25).

Abstract: A pre-memory 14 stores a plurality of sets of tomographic image data in a time-series order. A virtual period setting unit 22 calculates a virtual period relating to an object based on the tomographic image data stored in the pre-memory 14. A base image searching unit 24 searches for base images from the tomographic image data using the virtual period. A division basis setting unit 26 sets division bases according to the base images within an image string constituted of tomographic image data. A reconfiguration processing unit 20 uses the respective base images as boundaries for the division to divide the tomographic image data stored in the pre-memory 14 into a plurality of image groups. Then, data blocks of tomographic images which correspond to one another on a periodic basis are sequentially extracted from the respective image groups, and are stored in a post-memory 28.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which forms a three-dimensional bloodstream image by reference to volume data obtained from a three-dimensional space within a living organism. A modified maximum value detection method is applied along each ray. Search of a maximum value is sequentially executed from a search start point, and at a time point when a predetermined termination condition is satisfied, a maximum value which is being detected at this time point is regarded as a specific maximum value. The specific maximum value is then converted into a pixel value. The specific maximum value is a first peak and is specified even if a higher peak exists after the first peak. A three-dimensional bloodstream image is formed by a plurality of pixel values. In a portion of the three-dimensional bloodstream image in which two bloodstreams cross each other, a bloodstream located on the front side is preferentially displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which forms a three-dimensional bloodstream image by reference to volume data obtained from a three-dimensional space within a living organism. Binarization processing and three-dimensional labeling processing are applied to velocity volume data, to thereby generate three-dimensional mask data. At this time, because a bloodstream object has a larger volume size than a noise object, this difference in volume size is utilized to discriminate between a bloodstream portion and a noise portion. Bloodstream volume data are then generated from the velocity volume data and by reference to the three-dimensional mask data. Then, a three-dimensional bloodstream image is formed by reference to the bloodstream volume data.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of extracting an object tissue within a living body with high precision is provided. A row of reference cross sections is set with regard to volume data. The row of reference cross sections includes a plurality of manual tracing reference cross sections and the remaining sections, i.e. a plurality of automatic tracing reference cross sections. With regard to the manual tracing reference cross sections, manual tracing processing and automatic correction processing is applied. With regard to the automatic tracing reference cross sections, automatic generation processing and automatic correction processing for interpolation tracing lines is applied. Finally, the object tissue is extracted or the volume thereof is calculated based on a plurality of tracing lines. When the similarity between shapes of adjacent manual tracing lines is small, one or a plurality of manual tracing lines may be additionally provided between these tracing lines.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus which performs ultrasonic diagnosis with respect of a fetal heart. An area change measurement section calculates an area of a specific heart chamber (left ventricle) in the fetal heart in frame units. Further, the area change measurement section generates a graph representing the area which is calculated in frame units. The maximum value and the minimum value are specified in the graph to thereby specify end-diastole and end-systole. Based on this information, a heart rate and a cardiac cycle with regard to the fetal heart are calculated. Further, an ejection fraction is also calculated from an end-diastolic area and an end-systolic area.