Image diagnosis apparatus and image diagnosis method

Abstract

This invention provides a technique to dynamically set an imaging parameter appropriate for observing a region of interest on an object to generate a high-quality echogram while maintaining the operability to change the position and orientation of a probe. A region-of-interest acquisition unit ( 1010 ) acquires region information that defines the region of interest. A position and orientation acquisition unit ( 1020 ) acquires position and orientation information representing the position and orientation of a probe. A parameter deciding unit ( 1022 ) obtains an imaging parameter based on the positional relationship between an imaging range decided based on the position and orientation information and the region of interest defined by the region information, and outputs the obtained imaging parameter to an imaging unit ( 1100 ).

1 . An image diagnosis apparatus connected to an imaging apparatus for obtaining an image of an object, comprising:
 a first acquisition unit that acquires region information that defines a region of interest on the object;   a second acquisition unit that acquires position and orientation information representing a position and orientation of a probe provided in the imaging apparatus;   a calculation unit that obtains an imaging parameter of the imaging apparatus based on a positional relationship between an imaging range of the imaging apparatus decided based on the position and orientation information and the region of interest defined by the region information; and   an output unit that outputs the imaging parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said first acquisition unit acquires the region information that defines the region of interest on a reference coordinate system, and   said second acquisition unit acquires the position and orientation information representing the position and orientation of the probe on the reference coordinate system.   
     
     
         3 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 said calculation unit comprises:   a first unit that obtains an intersection region between the imaging range and the region of interest defined by the region information using the region information and the position and orientation information; and   a second unit that obtains the imaging parameter based on the intersection region.   
     
     
         4 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said first unit obtains, as the intersection region, a cross section, in the imaging range, of the region of interest defined by the region information. 
     
     
         5 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the imaging parameter is a focus position, and   said second unit obtains a neighborhood of the intersection region as the focus position.   
     
     
         6 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the imaging parameter is a focus position, and   said second unit obtains one of an interior and a boundary of the intersection region as the focus position.   
     
     
         7 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the imaging parameter is a focus position, and   said calculation unit obtains, as the focus position, a position of one point closest to the region of interest represented by the region information within the imaging range.   
     
     
         8 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said output unit outputs the imaging parameter to the imaging apparatus so as to set the imaging parameter in the imaging apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an unit that acquires an echogram obtained by the imaging apparatus in which the imaging parameter output from said output unit has been set, and generates a three-dimensional echogram using the acquired echogram. 
     
     
         10 . The image diagnosis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first acquisition unit acquires the region information for a region designated on a slice selected from a plurality of tomograms. 
     
     
         11 . An image diagnosis method performed by an image diagnosis apparatus connected to an imaging apparatus for obtaining an image of an object, comprising:
 a first acquisition step of acquiring region information that defines a region of interest on the object;   a second acquisition step of acquiring position and orientation information representing a position and orientation of a probe provided in the imaging apparatus;   a calculation step of obtaining an imaging parameter of the imaging apparatus based on a positional relationship between an imaging range of the imaging apparatus decided based on the position and orientation information and the region of interest defined by the region information; and   an output step of outputting the imaging parameter.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program which causes a computer to function as the image diagnosis apparatus of  claim 1 .