In separating water and fat with applying the Dixon method, peak intensities of fat with multiple peaks are individually calculated with a high degree of accuracy while reducing the number of variables to be estimated. Multiple images made up of signals acquired at different echo times (TEs) are used to solve a predetermined signal equation (signal model) expressing the relation between the pixel values (signal values) of the images and imaging parameters such as signal intensities of components and TE, thereby performing separation of signals for each component. For separating the signals, at least one of the variables (other than the signal intensity) included in the signal equation is subjected to a process (first estimation process) for refining a value roughly obtained, and then using thus refined value of the variable to estimate (second estimation process) other variables (including the signal intensity), the signals are separated.
G01R 33/485 - NMR imaging systems with selection of signal or spectra from particular regions of the volume, e.g. in vivo spectroscopy based on chemical shift information
G01R 33/50 - NMR imaging systems based on the determination of relaxation times
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
Provided are an X-ray CT apparatus and a control method of the same capable of reducing focal blur even in a case where an X-ray focal spot is moved.
Provided are an X-ray CT apparatus and a control method of the same capable of reducing focal blur even in a case where an X-ray focal spot is moved.
There is provided an X-ray CT apparatus including: an X-ray tube including a cathode that generates an electron beam and an anode that collides with the electron beam to radiate an X-ray; an X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray; a rotating plate configured to rotate the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector around a subject; and an image processing unit configured to generate a tomographic image of the subject based on projection data acquired by the X-ray detector during rotation of the rotating plate, in which the cathode, which has a plurality of electron sources that are arranged within a plane facing the anode and emit the electron beam, is configured such that a position of an electron source, from which an electron beam is to be emitted, is selectively controlled based on a target position of an X-ray focal spot in the anode.
Preventing blood flow artifacts from being increased in an imaging plane allows reduction of the blood flow artifacts in the cross section subsequently excited. In the imaging using a spin-echo (SE) pulse sequence, an excitation width of a 90° pulse is extended from an imaging plane to one side. This one side indicates a downstream side of the blood flow with respect to a vessel of interest. In imaging multiple slices, the order of measuring the multiple imaging slices is set along the direction in which the width is extended.
A lightweight X-ray tube assembly and X-ray CT equipment having the same. The X-ray tube assembly includes an X-ray tube and a tube housing. The X-ray tube includes: a cathode for generating an electron beam; an anode for radiating X rays by collision of the electron beam; an envelope for holding the cathode and the anode in a vacuum atmosphere; and an X-ray window provided in the envelope to irradiate some of X rays radiated from the anode toward a test subject. The tube housing encapsulates the X-ray tube together with an insulating oil. The X-ray tube assembly further includes a protective member that is provided at least around the X-ray window on an outer wall of the envelope and shields the X rays.
A guide wire is provided with a core shaft, a coil portion, a sound source, and wiring. The coil portion is coupled to a distal end portion of the core shaft and is helically wound around a periphery of the core shaft to the rearward. The coil portion includes an open portion in which an interval of element wires constituting the coil portion itself is larger than that in another portion. The sound source is provided in an inner side of the open portion. The wiring extends along an extending direction of the core shaft, and a distal end of the wiring is positioned at an inner side of the coil portion. The wiring supplies energy to the sound source.
A high-definition guide image for supporting a procedure that uses an X-ray fluoroscopic image is generated from 3D images taken in advance by a CT device and an MRI device, and the generated image is displayed. A parameter value is acquired from the parameters set in an X-ray imaging device upon taking the fluoroscopic image. After performing registration between the 3D CT image and the 3D MRI image, using the parameter value of the X-ray imaging device, the direction of light passage of the cone beam is set on each of the 3D CT image and the 3D MRI image, and 2D projected images are generated therefrom respectively. Then, the generated 2D projected images are superimposed and the superimposed image is displayed as the guide image.
A control unit executes examination history acquiring processing to acquire, from a database, one or more examination history information items for an examination that has been performed within a time range between a current time and a time traced back from the current time by a predetermined length of time, and inquiring processing to ask a user whether or not to resume the examination for each of the one or more examination history information items. The inquiring processing includes processing for displaying information that guides user operation. When the user performs operation to resume the examination in response to the inquiring processing, the control unit generates integral examination history information including an examination that has been performed prior to resumption and the resumed examination, as a series of examinations, and registers the integral examination history information in the database.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G16H 10/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
To suppress eddy current generation by a gradient magnetic field while an RF shield has a function of reducing magnetic coupling of an RF coil with a gradient magnetic coil, the RF shield must be formed of a conductive material of a tiled or slitted strip-shaped thin plate. On the other hand, cooling must be performed to suppress temperature rise due to heat generation by the eddy current. Furthermore, to enlarge an opening through which a patient is inserted, the gradient magnetic coil, the RF coil, and the RF shield, which are located in a static field magnet and have roughly concentrically cylindrical shapes, are required to be reduced in thickness. To solve the above problem, the present invention provides a structure, where an RF shield, which is obtained by forming a tiled or slitted thin-plate conductive material into a sheet, is adhered or attached to an inner cylindrical surface of the gradient magnetic coil, where the RF shield is configured to be adhered or attached to a region including the vicinity of each of turn centers of an X-gradient magnetic coil pattern and a Y-gradient magnetic coil pattern, or is adhered or attached along a pattern on or a slit in the thin plate conductive material of the RF shield.
An accuracy calculation unit receives an ultrasound image generated by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, and specifies an imaging scene by a plurality of types of specifying processing for specifying the imaging scene of the ultrasound image. Further, the accuracy calculation unit calculates accuracy of specifying the imaging scene for each specifying processing. The determination unit determines an examination action to be performed next on the basis of a result of calculation by the accuracy calculation unit.
A medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method that can reduce the noise bias of a corrected image in which high absorber artifacts included in a reconstructed image are corrected. The medical image processing apparatus has an arithmetic unit for correcting high absorber artifacts. The arithmetic unit comprises: a projection data generating section that generates projection data corresponding to a high absorber area in a reconstructed image with high absorber artifacts; a noise image generating section that generates a noise image using the projection data; and a weighted combining section that makes a weighted combining of the noise image with a corrected image in which high absorber artifacts are corrected.
To provide an ultrasonic transmission instrument that can uniformly transmit ultrasonic waves in each direction around the instrument, even when the instrument is made of a material through which the ultrasonic waves cannot be transmitted. In an ultrasonic transmission instrument according to the invention, a light transmission member is disposed at an emission end of an optical waveguide, and an outer peripheral member covers an outer periphery of the light transmission member and is made of a light absorbing material.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
B06B 1/04 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with electromagnetism
G10K 11/28 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
12.
PHOTOACOUSTIC SIGNAL MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT AND PHOTOACOUSTIC SIGNAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM
A beacon device is housed within a recess portion. The beacon device has a tip end to be housed in a tip end portion. A photoacoustic wave source is disposed at the tip end of the beacon device. The tip end portion contains an ultrasonic propagation medium such as water. With the beacon device housed within the recess portion, a light generating device is connected with a rear end of the beacon device to irradiate the photoacoustic wave source with laser light. A photoacoustic signal emitted from the photoacoustic wave source is received by an ultrasonic probe. Whether the beacon device and the light generating device are connected is determined based on the received signal.
Behind an electronic circuit, an auxiliary backing having a first thermal anisotropic property is provided. A main backing having a second thermal anisotropic property different from the first thermal anisotropic property is provided behind the auxiliary backing. In the main backing, each of two outer surfaces perpendicular to a Y direction functions as a heat output surface. Heat is transferred from these two outer surfaces to a shell, which is a heat absorbing member.
Behind an electronic circuit, a thermally anisotropic main backing is provided. The main backing has two outer surfaces (low thermal conductivity surfaces) perpendicular to an X direction. In a first gap located adjacent to one of the outer surfaces, an FPC and a first group of electric components are arranged. In a second gap located adjacent to the other one of the outer surfaces, the FPC and a second group of electric components are arranged.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
Behind an electronic circuit, a main backing is provided. The main backing has two outer surfaces (high thermal conductivity surfaces) perpendicular to a Y direction, and two outer surfaces (low thermal conductivity surfaces) perpendicular to an X direction. The two outer surfaces perpendicular to the Y direction are joined to a shell head, which is a heat absorbing member. A temperature sensor is provided on a specific one of the outer surfaces perpendicular to the Y direction. The shell head has a recess in which the temperature sensor is received.
Behind an electronic circuit, a backing member is provided. The backing member is composed of an auxiliary backing having a first thermal anisotropic property, and a main backing having a second thermal anisotropic property different from the first thermal anisotropic property. The auxiliary backing exhibits a heat diffusion effect in an X direction. The main backing exhibits a heat transfer effect in a Y direction.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
A delay processor includes a plurality of delay units and individually delays reception signals which are respectively output from a plurality of transducers. A signal combiner combines the delayed reception signals to generate a phase-aligned reception signal. An evaluation value computing unit finds a noise evaluation value for the phase-aligned reception signal based on the delayed reception signals. A noise reducing unit includes an adjustment unit which performs a smoothing operation using a morphological operation on the noise evaluation value to convert the noise the evaluation value into a weight, and multiplies the phase-aligned reception signal by the weight, to perform a noise reducing process. An image generator generates ultrasound image data based on reception signals obtained by performing the noise reducing process, and displays an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image data.
G06T 5/50 - Image enhancement or restoration by the use of more than one image, e.g. averaging, subtraction
G06T 5/20 - Image enhancement or restoration by the use of local operators
G01S 7/52 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
18.
BLOOD FLOW IMAGE FORMING DEVICE AND BLOOD FLOW IMAGE FORMING PROGRAM
The array of reception beam data sets obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a subject constitutes a two-dimensional data space. Based on the Doppler signals, a distribution data calculation unit calculates, for each of data elements in the two-dimensional data space, at least one of power of the Doppler signal, the velocity of tissue in the subject, and the velocity dispersion of tissue in the subject. A discrimination index map generation unit generates a discrimination index map indicating the likelihood of being a blood flow region A in the two-dimensional data space composed of the array of reception beam data sets, based on distribution data that are set for each of regions of interest in the two-dimensional data space. Based on the Doppler signal and the discrimination index map, a blood flow image forming unit forms a blood flow image with reduced blooming artifacts.
To provide a radiation imaging device which, even when a subpixel fails during operation of the photon counting detector, can correct an output signal of the pixel including the failed subpixel. A radiation imaging device that has a photon counting detector to count radiation photons and can correct an output signal of a pixel including a failed subpixel even if the subpixel fails during operation of the photon counting detector. The photon counting detector comprises: a pixel comprised of a plurality of subpixels; a data processing section that calculates an output signal of the pixel according to the number of radiation photons counted in each of the subpixels; and a failure detection section that detects a failure of the subpixel according to the number of radiation photons counted in the subpixel and outputs the position of the failed subpixel. The radiation imaging device further comprises a data correction section that generates correction data for the pixel including the failed subpixel according to the position of the failed subpixel.
A change amount information calculation unit calculates change amount information indicating an amount of change Vn between signal intensity of a target voxel and signal intensity of a neighboring voxel near the target voxel for each voxel forming ultrasound volume data. An opacity calculation unit calculates opacity α(Xn)*g(Vn) of each voxel such that opacity of the voxel is reduced with reduction in the amount of change Vn in the signal intensity from the neighboring voxel. A rendering processing unit performs volume rendering on the basis of signal intensity Xn of each voxel and the calculated opacity α(Xn)*g(Vn) of each voxel and forms a three-dimensional image.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a wireless communication unit and a control unit. The wireless communication unit is connected to a communication line via a wireless relay device, communicates with an information terminal via the communication line, and transmits ultrasonic image information to the information terminal. The control unit selects a shared group ID, which is one of a plurality of registered group IDs registered in advance, according to an operation of a user. The control unit, together with the wireless communication unit, transmits the shared group ID to the wireless relay device. The wireless relay device receives an affiliated group ID from the information terminal to establish wireless communication with the information terminal for which the affiliated group ID matching the shared group ID is received.
A laser beam is applied to a photoacoustic wave generation source multiple times in a reception period of ultrasound waves during photoacoustic imaging. As a result, a plurality of photoacoustic waves are generated from the photoacoustic wave generation source in the reception period and received by a reception unit of an ultrasound imaging apparatus. The positions of the plurality of photoacoustic waves on a time axis is adjusted, and the plurality of photoacoustic waves are averaged. A photoacoustic image is generated based on a signal obtained through the averaging.
A correlation matrix calculation unit calculates a correlation matrix Rzx for each data element of the frame data. A blood flow luminance image forming unit forms a blood flow extraction filter Pk,N on the basis of an eigenvalue λi of a rank equal to or lower than a first threshold rank, the eigenvalue being obtained by singular value decomposition on the correlation matrix Rzx, and an eigenvector wi, wiH corresponding to the eigenvalue λi and applies the blood flow extraction filter Pk,N to frame data F, therebyto forming a blood flow luminance image Uk,N. A tissue image forming unit forms a tissue image including tissue components on the basis of a signal value of each data element forming the plurality of pieces of the frame data. A blood flow extraction image forming unit subtracts the tissue image from the blood flow luminance image Uk, N, thereby forming a blood flow extraction image Uout.
X-ray equipment that can protect an operator moving around in an imaging room from X rays. The X-ray equipment includes: an X-ray source that irradiates a subject with X rays; a detector that acquires projection data of the subject; and an image generator that generates an X-ray image of the subject using the projection data. The equipment further includes: a position calculating section that calculates the position of the operator in the imaging room; and a control section that moves a protective plate for shielding against X rays to between the X-ray source and the operator according to the position of the operator.
A first beam scanning plane and a second beam scanning plane are formed alternately. For formation of the first beam scanning plane, transmission/reception control is performed so that the beam deflection angle increases continuously toward the negative side from a first end to a second end in the electronic scanning direction. For formation of the second beam scanning plane, transmission/reception control is performed so that the beam deflection angle increases continuously toward the positive side from the second end to the first end in the electronic scanning direction.
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a wireless communication unit connected to a communication line via a wireless relay device and configured to communicate with an information terminal via the communication line; and a control unit configured to control the wireless communication unit. The control unit reads a patient ID for specifying a patient, and transmits, together with the wireless communication unit, the patient ID to the wireless relay device. The wireless relay device receives a collation signal from the information terminal, and establishes wireless communication with the information terminal when the collation signal includes the patient ID. The control unit executes, together with the wireless communication unit, image transmission processing of transmitting ultrasonic image information, via the communication line, to the information terminal when the patient ID is in the collation signal transmitted from the information terminal to the wireless relay device.
A press button structure includes a substrate, a movable contact member, a guide member, and a cap member composed of an upper cap member and a lower cap member. The movable contact member includes a base, a protrusion having a lower face including a movable contact, and an elastic member connecting the base and the protrusion. The guide member is cylindrical and is disposed to surround a side of the protrusion. The lower cap member covers the side face of the protrusion and is located between the side wall of the protrusion and the guide member. More specifically, the lower cap member is disposed adjacent and opposite an inner side face of the guide member in a manner that the lower cap member is slidable upward and downward along the inner side face of the guide member.
By repeatedly performing ultrasound transmission and reception with respect to a single scan plane designated within a target subject's body, a temporally sequential target set of time series data is obtained in a reception unit, an image generation unit, a tracking processing unit, an elastography processing unit, or a Doppler processing unit. A feature prediction unit inputs the target set of time series data into a learner, and predicts a feature indicated by the target set of time series data based on output data output from the learner in response to the target set of time series data, wherein the learner is trained to predict and output, based on an input set of time series data, a feature indicated by that set of time series data. A display control unit notifies a result of prediction by the feature prediction unit to a user.
In an MRI apparatus, a dynamic range of an MR signal is extended without increasing the time for imaging nor manufacturing cost. The MRI apparatus is provided with a receiver 200 configured to perform the A/D conversion on two-system nuclear magnetic resonance signals according to a direct sampling method. The receiver 200 comprises a distributor 201 configured to divide each of the nuclear magnetic resonance signals into two-system signals, an attenuator 202 configured to attenuate an overflowed signal outputted from the distributor, and a switch 203 configured to switch between the signals having the same gain to output the switched signal. Also provided is a digital processing means having ADCs of the same number as that of the nuclear magnetic resonance signals to perform the AD conversion respectively for the two types of signals, restore the attenuated signals, and recombine the signals. After switching, the signals outputted with different gains are combined to increase the number of bits of digital data with respect to all the sampling points, thereby extending the dynamic range.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
30.
MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD
Provided is a means of easily presenting conditions for obtaining an image quality desired by a user, and this achieves savings in time and effort required for repetitive adjustment of the image quality. A medical image processing apparatus comprises a reception unit configured to receive image quality data reflecting a user's desire for an image quality of a medical image, a feature value calculation unit configured to calculate an image feature value with respect to the image quality data, and a parameter presentation unit configured to use a database associating adjustment parameters related to the image quality with the image feature value, to determine and present the adjustment parameters suitable for the image quality data received by the reception unit.
A technique for automatically setting an imaging position is provided, considering a respiratory motion of a subject, thereby reducing a user's burden and enabling robust imaging against variation of an organ position. Using a scout image acquired over at least one cycle of a periodic motion of the subject, the imaging position for a main imaging is determined according to imaging conditions. At this time, a predetermined tissue is extracted from the scout image, and multiple imaging ranges are calculated, including a minimum imaging range that embraces the tissue and a maximum imaging range that embraces a range where the tissue is displaced within the cycle of the periodic motion. Then, according to the imaging conditions, any of the imaging ranges is determined as the imaging position. When the periodic motion is a respiratory motion, the imaging conditions include a breathing method designated by the user, and the imaging range is selected based on thus designated breathing method, and the imaging position (slice position) is automatically set.
An information processing unit included in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus executes image transfer processing and display processing below. The image transfer processing is processing of successively transferring ultrasonic image data successively generated as time elapses, to an external processing apparatus. The display processing is processing of successively receiving as time elapses externally processed image data transmitted from the external processing apparatus, and causing a display apparatus to display a real-time image in accordance with the externally processed image data. The information processing unit acquires a processing burden value (information indicating a processing ability) of the external processing apparatus from the external processing apparatus, and sets a transfer rate in the image transfer processing in accordance with the processing ability.
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a control unit that transmits to an information processing apparatus ultrasonic diagnostic data generated by transmission and reception of ultrasound, and acquires from the information processing apparatus external processing data in which the ultrasonic diagnostic data have been subjected to processing. The control unit executes a diagnostic apparatus interface program as an interface program common to a plurality of applications installed to the information processing apparatus, and constructs a diagnostic apparatus interface. The diagnostic apparatus interface performs, when the information processing apparatus is caused to execute an execution application that is one of the plurality of the applications, transmission of the ultrasonic diagnostic data and reception of the external processing data with respect to the execution application.
Provided is an X-ray CT apparatus including a learned model generated by acquiring one or more learning data sets from one imaging without increasing exposure of a subject, and performing machine learning using the acquired learning set. The learned model is a model after learning in which a low-quality image is input data and a high-quality image is training data. The low-quality image and the high-quality image are obtained based on the same learning measurement data or learning projection data obtained by logarithmically converting the learning measurement data. The low-quality image is a CT image reconstructed from partial data obtained by dividing the learning measurement data or the learning projection data, and the high-quality image is a CT image obtained by reconstructing the learning projection data.
In a Doppler mode, a Doppler processing unit generates Doppler data as target time-series data on the basis of a received beam data sequence from a reception unit. In an M mode, a beam data processing unit generates a received beam data sequence subjected to various types of signal processing as the target time-series data. A disease prediction unit inputs target time-series data to a disease prediction learner trained to predict and output a disease indicated by the time-series data on the basis of the input time-series data, and predicts the disease indicated by the target time-series data on the basis of output data of the disease prediction learner for the target time-series data. A display control unit notifies a user of the result of the prediction by the disease prediction unit.
G16H 50/20 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
36.
ULTRASOUND TIME-SERIES DATA PROCESSING DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND TIME-SERIES DATA PROCESSING PROGRAM
A Doppler processing unit or a beam data processing unit generates target time-series data based on a received beam data sequence from a reception unit. An artifact prediction unit predicts the type of artifact to be caused by the target time-series data by inputting the target time-series data to a trained artifact prediction learner. An artifact reduction unit performs artifact reduction processing based on the predicted type of artifact. A display control unit notifies a user of a corrected ultrasound image subjected to the artist reduction processing or the result of the prediction by the artifact prediction unit.
In contrast-enhanced MRI, a visualization capability of a tissue which a contrast agent reaches is increased, and overall imaging time is shortened. An imaging unit of an MRI apparatus includes a gradient echo pulse sequence for acquiring a T1 weighted image including a fat saturation pulse, and a control unit performs control to generate images of a plurality of phases having different arrival positions of a contrast agent by repeating the pulse sequence for a predetermined time from administration of the contrast agent to the subject by the imaging unit. At this time, a preparation pulse that suppresses a signal from a contrast agent present outside a target tissue (cell) is added prior to a pulse sequence, in a phase immediately before reaching the target tissue.
Provided is an ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of automatically and stably optimizing an imaging parameter for each examination even in a situation where an original ultrasound signal and electrical noise or the like are mixed in a reception signal, and shortening examination time. A pilot ultrasound signal for detecting a feature of a subject is radiated from an ultrasound element to the subject. Based on a reception signal from the ultrasound element, a feature value, which is a value representing a mode of distribution in a depth direction of the subject or an energy value at a specific depth of energy of the pilot ultrasound signal, is calculated. A predetermined parameter value is determined based on the feature value. An imaging signal is transmitted to one or more ultrasound elements, and an imaging ultrasound signal is radiated from the ultrasound element to the subject. A reception signal that is output by the ultrasound element receiving the imaging ultrasound signal reflected by the subject is processed using the parameter value to generate an image.
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
G01S 7/52 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
When motion information of a subject during scanning is acquired from an image pair and motion-corrected image reconstruction is performed to generate a CT image, erroneous recognition and excessive smoothing of a motion component are prevented, and the accuracy of motion correction is improved. A filtering unit for reducing noise of the image pair is provided. The filtering unit acquires a relation between indicators for noise amounts acquired based on information that affects noise amounts of a first image and a second image constituting the image pair, and adjusts smoothness of each image using the relation between the indicators. The presence or absence of a motion is determined for the image pair subjected to noise reduction by filtering, normalization degrees of the two images are made different according to the presence or absence of the motion and the two images are normalized, and the magnitude and a direction of the motion are detected.
A region of interest is defined in a living body. A plurality of transmission beams are simultaneously formed along a transmission center axis in such a manner that a plurality of transmission focal points are formed at a plurality of positions shallower than the region of interest on the transmission center axis. As a rest, a composite transmission beam is generated in the living body. After the composite transmission beam is formed, a reception beam set is generated.
A plurality of amplifiers amplify a plurality of received signals in accordance with a gain function that varies with a depth. A maximum amplitude detector detects a maximum amplitude at each depth from among the plurality of received signals. A gain function corrector corrects the gain function based on the maximum amplitude at each depth. A corrected gain function is applied to the plurality of amplifiers. A compensator performs gain compensation with respect to beam data.
G01S 7/52 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
42.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSOR, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD
Provided is a means that uses a two-dimensional image to distinguish a small region from other regions within the image and to highlight the small region. On the basis of the two-dimensional image where an organ such as blood vessels or a lesion such as microbleeds (collectively referred to as a designated region) is visualized, the designated region is discriminated from other regions, using a shape feature of the designated region and spatial feature of the space where the designated region exists. The spatial feature includes at least one of the followings; a spatial tissue distribution (presence probability for each tissue) of the designated region, and a spatial brightness distribution of pixel values of the designated region.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
43.
ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND OPERATION CONDITION SETTING METHOD
A reception data array composed of a plurality of items of reception data corresponding to a plurality of transmission/reception conditions is generated. For each of the plurality of items of reception data, a plurality of units of data processing are applied to that item of reception data according to a plurality of data processing conditions. A blood flow data set is thereby generated from the reception data array. By evaluating the blood flow data set, an optimum transmission/reception condition and an optimum data processing condition are determined.
A definer defines heartbeat segments in an electrocardiac waveform. A primary determiner determines, from among the heartbeat segments, segments that satisfy a primary determination criterion as provisional stable segments. A secondary determiner determines a provisional stable segment as a stable segment when the provisional stable segment satisfies a secondary determination criterion. An end-diastole detector and an end-systole detector detect an end-diastole and an end-systole in a segment of interest. At the time of changing the segment of interest, a selection control unit controls selection of segment of interest such that the segment of interest after change corresponds to a stable segment.
In an MRI image, signals from plural metabolites are accurately separated. A signal separation unit generates, as a dictionary, plural signal patterns in which values of variables of substances are changed based on prior information, and performs signal separation of the substances by matching the dictionary with a measured signal. At this time, an order of signal intensities of the substances is used as the prior information, and selection of a most matched dictionary for each of the substances is repeated while changing a dictionary used for matching according to the order.
G01R 33/54 - Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences
G01R 33/50 - NMR imaging systems based on the determination of relaxation times
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
46.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSOR, AND IMAGE NOISE REDUCTION METHOD
In an image noise reduction process using a CNN, noise can be reduced effectively irrespective of signal levels and noise levels of the image. Noise information and signal level information are calculated from an image inputted in the CNN. Using the calculated information, a normalization factor suitable for the CNN is determined, and normalization of the input image is performed. The noise information is estimated from magnitude of background noise of the input image in the case where the input image is an MRI image. The signal information can be calculated, for example, as a mean value of pixel values of a subject region with respect to an image obtained by dividing the input image by the magnitude of the background noise.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A detector detects a lesion site contained in an ultrasound image while an examination protocol is running. A display processor (display controller) displays an option list in response to detection of the lesion site. A protocol modifying unit incorporates a specific option selected from the option list into the examination protocol being run. A protocol execution controller controls operations of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in accordance with a modified examination protocol in which the specific option is incorporated.
There is provided a PCCT apparatus capable of correcting a band artifact of one material decomposition image and a band artifact of another material decomposition image. The PCCT apparatus obtains projection data divided into plural energy bins by irradiating a subject with X-rays, and includes: a first correction unit that corrects a band artifact of a first material decomposition image among plural material decomposition images created on the basis of the projection data, and calculates a first correction amount that is a correction amount for the band artifact; an energy calculation unit that calculates an average energy of X-rays that transmit the subject; and a second correction unit that corrects the band artifact of a second material decomposition image using a second correction amount that is a correction amount calculated on the basis of the first correction amount and the average energy.
Receive signals generated by ultrasound waves propagating in completed manner in a depth direction of a subject, are efficiently subjected to delay-and-sum processing, whereby a higher resolution image is generated with reducing a circuit size. Receive signals outputted from multiple ultrasound probe elements are delayed by predetermined delay amounts in association with the depths of receive focal points, respectively, and the delayed receive signal is branched. The phase of the branched receive signal is shifted by a predetermined phase shift amount to generate a phase-compensated signal, and then the phase-compensated signal is added to the receive signal before branched, thereby generating a beamformed signal.
G01S 7/52 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
50.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE ANALYZER, AND FLUID ANALYSIS METHOD
Fluid parameters such as WSS and EL are accurately calculated, using flow velocity information obtained by diffusion tensor imaging. Dispersion of a flow velocity distribution of fluid is calculated, using a diffusion tensor image obtained with respect to an examination target containing fluid, and an estimation model is set for a distribution shape of intra-voxel flow velocity. Using the estimation model and the dispersion of the flow velocity distribution, a differential value of the flow velocity is calculated. Then, a fluid parameter representing a flow characteristic of the fluid is calculated.
An X-ray CT apparatus and a correction method of projection data that are capable of suppressing artifacts generated in the vicinity of an edge portion of a test subject are provided. The X-ray CT apparatus for photographing a test subject is characterized by comprising: a correction data creation unit that creates correction data using difference data between measurement projection data for each X-ray energy obtained by photographing a known phantom having a known composition, a known shape, and a size smaller than a photographing field of view of the X-ray CT apparatus and calculation projection data for each X-ray energy calculated on the basis of X-ray transmission lengths obtained from the shape of the known phantom; and a correction unit that corrects projection data for each X-ray energy of the test subject using the correction data.
A mark that identifies a lesion site is displayed on a tomographic image. A two-dimensional map and a graph are displayed regardless of whether or not the mark is displayed. The two-dimensional map represents lesion site probability distribution. The graph represents temporal change of lesion site probabilities.
Based on a set of preset data for setting operation conditions, which is selected prior to an ultrasonic examination, a transfer control unit determines an image attribute of an image obtained in the ultrasonic examination. The transfer control unit selects, from among a plurality of servers, a transfer destination server assigned a server attribute suitable for the image attribute. The transfer control unit transfers the image to the transfer destination server.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01S 7/00 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , ,
G16H 30/20 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
Image data acquired by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave are stored in a storage. A controller is configured to control, based on an available capacity of the storage and a performance capability of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus incorporating the controller, an optimization process to optimize the image data stored in the storage. The optimization process is, for example, a process to relocate the image data stored in the storage, or a process to delete data of an image from the storage. The controller may be configured to prompt a user to initiate the optimization process or automatically perform the optimization process.
Provided is a method for performing reconstruction and noise removal with high accuracy on various undersampling patterns including equidistant undersampling. An image processing unit that processes measurement data acquired by an MRI apparatus performs image reconstruction by using measurement data on respective channels measured in a predetermined undersampling pattern and sensitivity distributions of respective reception coils. At this time, denoising of a reconstructed image and a calculation for maintaining consistency between original measurement data and the measurement data on the respective channels created from denoised images are sequentially processed. Accordingly, image restoration and denoising with high accuracy are possible without depending on the undersampling pattern.
Super-resolution processing is performed on an MRI image by using an NMR signal as a point spread function (PSF). Image processing of increasing a resolution is performed on a reconstructed image by using the point spread function. The point spread function is a signal obtained by, after a phantom disposed in an imaging space is irradiated with a high-frequency magnetic field, acquiring a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from the phantom without applying frequency encoding and phase encoding, and performing Fourier transform on the acquired nuclear magnetic resonance signal.
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
57.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND CONTROL PROGRAM OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS
An object of the invention is to perform MRI imaging which is less likely to be affected by a body motion without prolonging an imaging time. The control unit takes in images captured by the camera at a predetermined frame rate. The imaging pulse sequence is divided into small sequences at a time width corresponding to the frame rate of the camera. The control unit, before causing the imaging unit to execute one small sequence, detects a displacement of the subject with respect to a predetermined reference position or a motion speed of the subject based on an image of the latest frame, and causes the imaging unit to execute the small sequence when a detection result is within a predetermined allowable range and waits until an image of a next frame is taken in according to the frame rate without causing the imaging unit to execute the small sequence when the detection result exceeds the allowable range.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
G01R 33/563 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques of moving material, e.g. flow-contrast angiography
58.
RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION DETECTOR
A radiographic imaging apparatus and a radiation detector are provided, which are capable of sufficiently reducing the sensitivity difference between pixels even if the incident photon rate is high. A radiographic imaging apparatus includes: a radiation source for irradiating an object with radiation; a plurality of detection element modules each having a semiconductor layer that generates electrical charges depending on photon energy of the radiation, and a photon counting circuit for counting the electrical charges for each pixel; and a collimator that is disposed between the radiation source and the semiconductor layer, and has a plurality of walls forming a plurality of passage holes through which the radiation passes. A plurality of subpixels is formed on the semiconductor layer, and when one or more subpixels defined by the walls of the collimator are grouped as a macro pixel, a plurality of macro pixels arranged from each end of each of the detection element modules is smaller in size than a macro pixel other than the plurality of macro pixels arranged from the end of the detection element module.
G01N 23/046 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
A61B 6/00 - Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
A photon counting circuit, a radiographic imaging apparatus, and a threshold setting method are provided, in which the photon counting circuit is capable of sufficiently reducing a difference between a target threshold value and a threshold value set for a pixel even if each pixel of a photon counting detector is divided into a plurality of subpixels. In the photon counting circuit for counting, for each pixel, electrical charges generated depending on photon energy of radiation applied to an object, a pixel is divided into a plurality of subpixels. When N is a natural number, a threshold value of each of the subpixels is selected from among top N discrete values of a plurality of discrete values arranged in order of proximity to a target threshold value corresponding to the photon energy so as to minimize a difference between the target threshold value and an average of the threshold values of the respective subpixels included in the pixel.
For a complex image to be complexly added, appropriate phase correction is executed by a simple method to prevent occurrence of an artifact in a signal region and to reduce noise in a background region. Two or more types of smoothing processing with different smoothing degrees are executed on a phase image of the complex image to obtain two or more types of smoothed phase images having different smoothing degrees. A weight for each of these smoothed phase images is calculated based on a signal value (SNR) of an intensity image, and addition is performed by a weight for each signal value to obtain a smoothed phase image for correction. After a phase of the complex image is corrected using the smoothed phase image, a phase-corrected complex image is complexly added. As a result, phase correction equivalent to phase correction in which a smoothing degree is weakened in the signal region and a smoothing degree is strengthened in the background region is realized.
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
Appropriate processing is executed in a method for excluding body motion data and image reconstruction according to a type and a characteristic of a body motion, so as to reduce an influence of the body motion, and prevent deterioration of image quality caused by exclusion of data generated during the body motion. An MRI apparatus includes a processing determination unit that collects k-space data and acquires body motion information from a sensor capable of detecting not only a respiratory motion but also general body motions, analyzes the body motion information obtained by the sensor, and branches and executes processing for subsequent data collection and image reconstruction according to the analysis result. The MRI apparatus determines, based on a temporal characteristic such as a duration and a frequency, and a spatial characteristic of the body motion, particularly a generation pattern in a k-space, body motion data to be excluded, and executes image reconstruction suitable for k-space data after exclusion of the body motion data.
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
62.
Magnetic resonance imaging device and control method thereof
Distortion generated in an image is effectively corrected in imaging using an EPI sequence such as DWI without extending an imaging time. After one excitation RF pulse of EPI is applied, a navigator scan in which the polarity of the phase encoding is opposite to that of the main scan is performed continuously to the main scan, and the distortion of the image by using the navigator scan data obtained by the navigator scan is corrected. In a case of multi-shot, phase information obtained from the navigator scan data for each shot is used to perform phase correction and multi-shot reconstruction on the main scan data of each shot.
The invention provides an ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of highly accurately extracting a blood flow in a fine blood vessel in a short time. N pieces of frame data is generated by receiving ultrasound waves reflected by a subject with a plurality of transducers. A correlation matrix is generated based on a vector in which data at a corresponding position of the frame data is arranged for N frames, and a singular value and a singular vector for each of N ranks are calculated. A first filter element is calculated based on a variance between data at a corresponding position zx among a plurality of blood flow component frame data obtained by multiplying a plurality of the frame data by singular vectors at a threshold rank k or more. The second filter element is calculated based on the tissue component frame data obtained by multiplying the frame data by a singular vector at a rank 1. The frame data is weighted by the first filter element and/or the second filter element to generate a clutter reducing image.
The invention provides a technique capable of effectively and appropriately removing noise from various kinds of images including noise and artifacts and images in which a noise pattern changes due to a difference in imaging conditions. Based on a noise removal technique using AI, noise characteristics including artifacts are analyzed for each image, the image is classified based on an analysis result, an optimal neural network for a noise processing is applied for each classification, and the noise and the artifacts are reduced.
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 10/22 - Image preprocessing by selection of a specific region containing or referencing a pattern; Locating or processing of specific regions to guide the detection or recognition
G06V 10/54 - Extraction of image or video features relating to texture
G06V 10/50 - Extraction of image or video features by summing image-intensity values; Projection analysis
G16H 30/20 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
65.
ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSOR, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD
Provided is an ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of reducing examination time with optimizing parameters on an examination basis. A subject is irradiated with an ultrasound wave, and a plurality of ultrasound transducers receives the ultrasound wave from the subject to obtain received signals. A feature value is calculated from the received signals, the feature value indicating a frequency-dependent characteristic of attenuation of the ultrasound wave, associated with propagation of the ultrasound wave through the subject. A predetermined processing is performed on the received signals using one or more received-signal processing parameters to generate an image. An image processing is performed on the generated image using one or more image processing parameters. Values of the received-signal processing parameter and the image processing parameter are determined based on the feature value.
A clutter signal mixed in a blood flow signal is reduced in a color Doppler, and blood flow visibility is improved. A combination of parameters that maximize a difference between a blood flow and a clutter (a signal other than the blood flow) is determined by analyzing a reception signal, a clutter estimated value (a value indicating a degree of being estimated as a clutter) is set based on the combination, and a reduction coefficient map (hereinafter, simply referred to as a reduction map) that reduces a clutter signal is generated based on the estimated value. The clutter signal is reduced by multiplying the reception signal (an IQ signal after quadrature detection) by the reduction map.
An X-ray tube device capable of preventing a holder holding a bearing from suffering damage, and an X-ray CT apparatus including the X-ray tube device are provided. The X-ray tube device includes: a cathode that produces an electron beam; an anode that produces X rays upon irradiation with the electron beam; a rotating portion that supports and rotates the anode; bearings that are placed at a predetermined distance from each other in a direction of a rotation axis of the rotating portion, each of the bearings having an outer ring and an inner ring between which rolling elements are sandwiched; and a holder that holds the outer rings. The holder has an inner wall that is spaced from an edge of the outer ring.
An MRI apparatus equipped with a magnetic shield structure to reduce flux leakage. The MRI apparatus includes: a pair of static magnetic magnets that are disposed on opposite sides of an imaging space; and a pair of gradient coils that are disposed on opposite sides of the imaging space. Each static magnetic magnet has a disk-shaped magnetic material pole 201 and a ring-shaped magnetic material pole 202. Each gradient coil has a first coil 204 that applies a magnetic field gradient in a Z axis direction in an imaging region, and a laminate 301 that shields the disk-shaped magnetic material pole from magnetic flux produced in the first coil. The laminate has a smaller thickness in the Z axis direction on the ring-shaped magnetic material pole side than that in a center portion of the imaging space. A vertical lowest portion of a laminate end portion on the ring-shaped magnetic material pole side of the laminate is in a higher position than a position of a lowest portion of a laminate central portion on the imaging region side of the laminate.
G01R 33/383 - Systems for generation, homogenisation or stabilisation of the main or gradient magnetic field using permanent magnets
G01R 33/38 - Systems for generation, homogenisation or stabilisation of the main or gradient magnetic field
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
69.
MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD
A medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method are provided which are capable of clearly presenting a distal end of a medical device in a tomosynthesis image of an object under examination into which the medical device is inserted. The medical image processing apparatus handles a tomosynthesis image generated using a plurality of projection images obtained by imaging an object under examination in an angle range of less than 180 degrees, and includes: a storage section for pre-storing blur data at individual imaging space coordinates; and a correction section for correcting the tomosynthesis image using the blur data.
In a target image generated by multi-resolution processing, a pixel of interest and a group of reference pixels are designated. In a corresponding image belonging to a level that is one level above, pixel value patterns are compared between a corresponding region of interest and corresponding reference regions so as to calculate weights. A modified pixel-of-interest value is determined by means of multiplying the reference pixel values by the weights.
The present invention is to perform appropriate noise reduction processing on an image having different signal levels or noise levels depending on an imaging condition or a reconstruction condition. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the invention includes: a measurement unit that receives a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated in a subject by a receiving coil; an image reconstruction unit that processes the nuclear magnetic resonance signal received by the receiving coil and reconstructs an image of the subject; an SNR spatial distribution calculation unit that calculates spatial distribution of a signal-to-noise ratio of the image using spatial distribution of a noise level and spatial distribution of the signal of the image; and a noise reduction unit that reduces noise from the image based on the spatial distribution of the signal-to-noise ratio.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/3415 - Constructional details, e.g. resonators comprising surface coils comprising arrays of sub-coils
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
There are provided a phantom capable of reducing the time required to acquire calibration data even if a radiation field is large, a radiographic imaging device, and a method for calibrating a photon counting detector. A phantom, which is used in acquisition of calibration data for a photon counting detector that outputs an electric signal based on photon energy of incident radiation, includes a first basis material and a second basis material that are known materials. The first basis material has a smaller attenuation coefficient for the radiation than that of the second basis material. The first basis material varies in thickness in a stepwise fashion in a direction perpendicular to a radiation field of the radiation and, in each step, the step decreases in thickness with distance from a center of the radiation field in a direction of arrangement of detection elements of the photon counting detector.
To provide a probe including a TGC circuit therein. The probe includes a plurality of receive circuits. Each receive circuit includes: an ultrasound transducer; a transmit/receive switch; a variable attenuator; a first capacitor; and an amplifier. The ultrasound transducer converts the receive signal into a ground level electric signal and outputs the ground level electric signal as a first output signal. The transmit/receive switch is connected to a first signal line, and switches depending on whether to output the first output signal output from the ultrasound transducer to the first signal line. The variable attenuator includes a control terminal and two terminals, and changes a resistance value between the two terminals other than the control terminal based on a control signal input to the control terminal. The amplifier has an input terminal connected to the first capacitor and includes at least an amplifier circuit configured to amplify an electric signal of the first signal line and output the amplified electric signal to a second signal line. In the variable attenuator, one of the two terminals other than the control terminal is connected to the first signal line, and the other terminal is connected to the ground via a second capacitor different from the first capacitor.
The present invention is to acquire a multiphase image while avoiding extension of imaging time and excluding an influence of displacement of an image of each multiphase due to a motion. A method for collecting measurement data is to repeat sampling such that low-frequency data and high-frequency data have different densities. At this time, a sampling interval is set shorter than a motion cycle. Motion information is acquired in parallel with imaging, and measurement data obtained in time series is divided into a plurality of time phases based on the motion information so as to obtain a multiphase image. Displacement correction between multiphase images is performed, and then the multiphase images are integrated. Alternatively, measurement data after the displacement correction is used to generate a time-series image.
A probe holder includes a casing and an elastic structure including an inner cover and a retainer unit. The retainer unit includes an enclosing wall, and a rib array protruding from an inner face of the enclosing wall. The rib array holds a cable end with a rear end of a probe head being supported by a support face of the inner cover.
An interpolation unit generates a vector array representing a movement destination of a representative point array. A smoothing unit smoothes a tangential component and a normal component of each vector of the vector array, to generate a smoothed vector array. An aligning unit generates a new representative point array based on the smoothed vector array. In this process, alignment is performed for each representative point sequence. A tracking image is created based on the new representative point array.
An image analyzer unit performs lesion site detection for each tomographic image. In response to a lesion site detection state, the image analyzer unit outputs a position data array and a size data array that represent temporal change in position and size of the lesion site. A rate of change calculator unit calculates a rate of change that represents a degree of temporal change in tomographic image content. A smoother unit smooths the position data array and the size data array in accordance with the rate of change. A mark is generated based on the smoothed position data array and the smoothed size data array.
A first synthesis unit generates a first synthetic image by applying a first weight distribution to a plurality of sub-images and then synthesizing the sub-images. A second synthesis unit generates a second synthetic image by applying a second weight distribution to the plurality of sub-images and then synthesizing the sub-images. A generation unit generates a display image based on the first synthetic image and the second synthetic image.
During obtaining a sensitivity distribution in a k-space, data based on which the sensitivity distribution is obtained is expanded with a mirror image to create an expanded image to prevent spectrum leakage, and the sensitivity distribution is stably calculated. During obtaining the sensitivity distribution in the k-space, image data based on which the sensitivity distribution is obtained is inverted as a mirror image to be made into the expanded image, the expanded image is transformed into k-space data, and a frequency component (frequency space data) of the sensitivity distribution is calculated. A region corresponding to the original image data is clipped from the calculated frequency space data, and the sensitivity distribution is obtained.
An image analysis unit has a reliability calculation unit that calculates the reliability indicating the possibility that a lesion candidate is a lesion. A mark display control unit displays a mark reporting the lesion candidate on an ultrasonic image. In a continuous detection state where the reliability continues to meet the candidate detection conditions, the mark is continued to be displayed. During the time, the form of the mark is fixed from the time point when the candidate detection conditions are first met until a fixed form period elapses. The form of the mark is then changed as the reliability varies.
A detection unit detects a lesion candidate contained in display frame data (a tomographic image), using a machine learned detection model. An exclusion processing unit collates a feature vector of the detected lesion candidate with feature vectors registered in an exclusion database to determine whether the detected lesion candidate is an exclusion target. When the detected lesion candidate is an exclusion target, a mark display control unit restricts display of a mark for indicating a lesion candidate.
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic probe are provided which are capable of reducing a leak current even in combined use of a low voltage transmission circuit and a high voltage transmission circuit including a buffer. The ultrasonic probe includes: a high voltage transmission circuit for transmitting a relatively high voltage; a low voltage transmission circuit for transmitting a relatively low voltage; and a transducer for selectively receiving a voltage transmitted from the high voltage transmission circuit and the low voltage transmission circuit. The high voltage transmission circuit includes: a current source for varying a current generated thereby and a current drawn thereby based on a set signal; a buffer for driving the transducer in accordance with the currents generated and drawn by the current source; and an impedance controller connected to an input terminal and an output terminal of the buffer.
Provided is an acoustic coupler for ultrasound imaging that can detect a posture of an ultrasound probe from an image. An acoustic coupler includes: a first layer in contact with an ultrasound probe of an ultrasound imaging device; a second layer in contact with an imaging target; and an intermediate layer made of a material having a high elastic modulus between the first layer and the second layer. The intermediate layer includes a plurality of markers made of a material that reflects an ultrasound wave, at different positions in an ultrasound wave propagation direction, for example, near a boundary between two adjacent layers. The ultrasound imaging device detects the posture of the ultrasound probe based on images of the markers included in an ultrasound image.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object - Details providing acoustic coupling
84.
ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD
A coherence indicator of received signals is calculated for pixels with a small amount of calculation, and a high-quality ultrasound image is obtained. A plurality of types of images in which a sound speed for beamforming is changed into a plurality of types are generated. By arranging, in order of the sound speed for beamforming, signal intensities of the pixels at corresponding positions between the plurality of types of images, a change in signal intensities in a direction of the sound speed for beamforming is obtained. A coherence indicator representing coherence of the received signals used for beamforming of the pixels is calculated based on the obtained change in the signal intensities.
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - 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 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
85.
ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS
When a basic mode is selected, a basic processing block in an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus operates in real time, to generate a first display image array, and the first display image array is displayed on a display. When an extended mode is selected, necessary information is transferred from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to an external information processing apparatus, and an extended processing block in the external information processing apparatus operates in real time, to generate a second display image array. The second display image array is displayed on the display.
A display frame data array is transferred from an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus to a diagnosis assisting server. The display frame data array is analyzed in the diagnosis assisting server, and a diagnosis assisting data array is generated. The diagnosis assisting data array is transferred from the diagnosis assisting server to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. A display processing unit combines the display frame data array and the diagnosis assisting data array while synchronizing the data arrays.
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
G16H 50/20 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
87.
ULTRASOUND PROBE POSITION REGISTRATION METHOD, ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM, ULTRASOUND PROBE POSITION REGISTRATION SYSTEM, ULTRASOUND PROBE POSITION REGISTRATION PHANTOM, AND ULTRASOUND PROBE POSITION REGISTRATION PROGRAM
To register a position and an angle of a scanning surface of an ultrasound probe easily and accurately. A phantom including two or more wires stretched in a non-parallel manner is disposed in a real space in which a position detection sensor is disposed. An ultrasound probe, to which a probe position detection marker is attached, is moved on the phantom in a parallel manner while keeping an orientation of a main plane of the ultrasound probe constant. Two or more ultrasound images of the phantom are acquired while detecting a position of the probe position detection marker in the real space with the position detection sensor. Positions of cross-sectional images of the two or more wires included in each of the two or more ultrasound images are obtained. A relation between the position of the probe position detection marker in the real space and orientations and positions of the captured ultrasound images in the real space is calculated based on a relation between the obtained positions of the cross-sectional images. The calculated relation as probe coordinate transformation information is registered in a storage unit.
A medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method are provided which are capable of reducing metal artifacts and preserving the image quality even in a region less affected by metal artifacts. The medical image processing apparatus includes an arithmetic section that reconstructs a tomographic image from projection data of an object under examination including a metal. The arithmetic section acquires a machine learning output image that is output when the tomographic image is input to a machine learning engine that machine-learns to reduce metal artifacts, and the arithmetic section composites the machine learning output image and the tomographic image to generate a composite image.
A backing includes a heat-conductive particle assemblage with irregular voids and a filler which fills the voids. A portion of ultrasound that propagates backward from a piezoelectric layer scatters and attenuates in the backing. Heat generated at the piezoelectric layer is conducted to a heat exhaust block via the particle assemblage.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
90.
Receiving coil device and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including the same
The receiving coil device includes one or a plurality of receiving coils configured to cover a head of a subject, a base portion on which the head of the subject is to be placed, a holder portion supported by the base portion, one of the receiving coils being fixed to the holder portion, a mechanism portion configured to bring the receiving coil fixed to the holder portion into close contact with a part of the head, and further, a detection unit configured to detect a physical quantity related to a displacement of the holder portion on the holder portion or the base portion. The physical quantity detected by the detection unit is sent to an MRI apparatus including the receiving coil device.
An MRI apparatus capable of correcting a static magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by application of a gradient magnetic field by a simple calculation, and a correction method of the MRI apparatus are provided. An image quality deterioration due to the static magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by application of a gradient magnetic field is estimated by a simple calculation using a shape of a pulse sequence for imaging. An amount of distortion to be generated in the image acquired by executing the pulse sequence is estimated based on the estimated static magnetic field inhomogeneity and the shape of the pulse sequence, and a distortion of a reconstructed image is corrected. Alternatively, an output of a compensation magnetic field canceling the estimated static magnetic field inhomogeneity is calculated, and is superimposed on a compensation current with an active shimming so as to be supplied to a shim coil.
A protocol corrector corrects standard protocol information, to generate specialized protocol information for a particular subject of examination. A specialized protocol execution controller controls execution of a sequence of processes of a specialized protocol based on the specialized protocol information. A reference image and a measurement value are associated with each process of the specialized protocol.
The present invention is directed to improving an insulating property of a backing in which a lead array is buried. The method includes a coating forming process, in which insulating coatings are formed with respect to at least a plurality of lead rows included in a plurality of lead frames; after the forming of the insulating coatings, a plate manufacturing process, in which a plurality of backing plates are manufactured by pouring a backing material towards a lead row in each of the plurality of lead frames so that the lead row and the backing material are integrated with each other; and a laminating process, in which the plurality of backing plates are laminated.
H10N 30/084 - Shaping or machining of piezoelectric or electrostrictive bodies by moulding or extrusion
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object - Details
94.
ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING METHOD
An image having high resolution in the short axis direction is obtained with a simple configuration. A first transmit aperture, and a second transmit aperture whose aperture size in the short axis direction is larger than the first transmit aperture, are sequentially set in a probe where transducers are arranged in each of the long axis direction and the short axis direction, and the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam are transmitted therefrom respectively. These transmissions generate the first received beam signal and the second received beam signal which are weighted in the depth direction and synthesized. In the first region with a shallow depth, the weight of the first received beam signal is increased, whereas in the second region deeper than the first region, the weight of the second received beam signal is increased.
To quickly and accurately register a surgical field image and a preoperative image with each other and display the surgical field image and the preoperative image. The invention extracts sulcus patterns included in the preoperative image, and extracts sulcus patterns included in the surgical field image of a brain of a patient during a surgical operation. The invention extracts, from the sulcus patterns of the preoperative image, a range that matches the sulcus patterns of the surgical field image, and calculates a conversion vector for converting the preoperative image to match the range with the surgical field image. The invention displaces the preoperative image by the conversion vector and displays the preoperative image on a connected display device.
A61B 34/20 - Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
A61B 34/10 - Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
An ultrasonic diagnostic device is provided in an examination room, and a remote device is provided in another room. The remote device has a conversion unit that converts advice (voice) from an advisor into a character string. Data indicating the character string are transmitted from the remote device to the ultrasonic diagnostic device. The character string is displayed on a display device of the ultrasonic diagnostic device. An advisor image is also displayed on the display device.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G16H 80/00 - ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
97.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD
To provide a technique of stably obtaining quantitative parameter maps by preventing influences of artifacts caused by flow or body motion when calculated images with a plurality of parameters are generated at the same time. When a calculated image of a subject parameter or an apparatus parameter is generated by using a plurality of images obtained by performing imaging under different imaging conditions, an imaging condition under which the artifacts are easy to occur is examined in advance, and an imaging parameter set for quantitative parameter map calculation is optimized by excluding the imaging condition under which the artifact is easy to occur.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
There are a medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method that are capable of maintaining the estimation accuracy of noise intensity even though a system noise ratio rises. A medical image processing apparatus includes a difference image generating unit that divides projection data obtained by applying radiation to an examinee to create a difference image between tomographic images reconstructed for every divided piece of projection data; a local variance computing unit that computes local variance in the difference image; and a noise estimation unit that corrects the local variance using a correction function found in advance to estimate noise intensity of a tomographic image of the examinee. The correction function includes system noise.
To generate a higher resolution image by efficiently performing delay-and-sum processing of receive signals generated by ultrasound waves transmitted from a plurality of ultrasound probe elements and propagating in a depth direction of a subject in a complicated manner. The receive signals are obtained by the plurality of ultrasound probe elements receiving ultrasound waves that reached an ultrasound element array from the subject that reflect the transmitted ultrasound waves. The receive signals are received. One or two or more beamformed signals are generated according to a depth range of the subject by delaying and adding the receive signals by delay times the number of which differs according to the depth range. Two or more beamformed signals are synthesized in a depth range where the two or more beamformed signals are generated.
A control unit cyclically sets a first transmission/reception condition for a close range and a second transmission/reception condition for a long range. A synthesizing unit generates an added frame sequence and an edge-enhanced frame sequence from a reception frame sequence, and generates a synthesized frame sequence from the added frame sequence and the edge-enhanced frame sequence. The first transmission/reception condition includes a first transmission frequency and a first transmission depth of focus. The second transmission/reception condition includes a second transmission frequency that is lower than the first transmission frequency and a second transmission depth of focus that is greater than the first transmission depth of focus.
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