Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for generating ultrasound image

摘要

For a three-dimensional region including a treatment target site of a patient, a puncture needle scanning region R1 having a slice thickness d1 is set with reference to a cross section (a puncture cross section) including an insertion direction of a puncture needle. Subsequently, in the y-direction substantially perpendicular to the puncture cross section, two treatment target scanning regions R2 (R21 and R22) each being adjacent to the puncture needle scanning region R1 and having a slice thickness d2 are set. Then, based on volume data in the puncture needle scanning region R1 acquired by first three-dimensional scan with ultrasound waves and volume data in the treatment target scanning regions R2 acquired by second three-dimensional scan performed at a lower volume rate than the first three-dimensional scan, image data is generated for the purpose of supporting puncture.

主权项

1. An ultrasound imaging apparatus that generates image data based on volume data acquired by three-dimensional scan with ultrasound waves on a target site for examination or treatment using a puncture needle, the ultrasound apparatus comprising: an ultrasound probe configured to scan the target site with ultrasound waves;
a scan controller configured to initially set, based on a first command, for one scan with the ultrasound waves, a first three-dimensional scanning region to include an insertion direction of the puncture needle into the target site and one or more second three-dimensional scanning regions adjacent to the first three-dimensional scanning region and to define the first three-dimensional scanning region according to the insertion direction of the puncture needle, and after the first three-dimensional scanning region and second three-dimensional scanning regions are set, to control, based on a second command, three-dimensional scans on the first three-dimensional scanning region and the second three-dimensional scanning regions; a volume data microprocessor configured to generate volume data based on received signals acquired from the first three-dimensional scanning region and the second three-dimensional scanning regions by the three-dimensional scan; an image data microprocessor configured to generate image data by processing the volume data; and a display configured to display the image data, wherein the scan controller executes control for three-dimensionally scanning the first three-dimensional scanning region at a higher scanning frequency or a higher scanning-line density than the second three-dimensional scanning regions.