Device for examining a subject capable of marking a boundary range for insertion/retraction of an insertion/retraction member that is inserted in and retracted from the subject

A device for examining a subject, comprising:

• an image capture section capable of acquiring an image of a subject;
• a medical instrument whose relative position with respect to the image capture section is specified and that is capable of insertion/retraction action for performing a medical action on the subject;
• an image generating section that generates an image comprising an image of the subject and an image of the medical instrument to be displayed on a display;
• a marking section that marks an insertion/retraction boundary marker of the medical instrument on the display;
• and
• an insertion/retraction direction alteration section that alters the direction of insertion/retraction of the medical instrument,
• wherein the insertion/retraction boundary marker comprises an insertion/refraction direction boundary marker indicating the boundary of the direction of insertion/retraction of at least the medical instrument.

A device for examining a subject, comprising:

• an image capture section capable of acquiring an image of a subject;
• a medical instrument that is capable of performing a medical action on the subject;
• a holder that holds the medical instrument so as to enable insertion/retraction operation thereof and that defines the relative position of the medical instrument and the image capture section;
• an image generating section that generates an image comprising an image of the subject and an image of the medical instrument to be displayed on a display;
• and
• a marking section that marks an insertion/retraction boundary marker of the medical instrument on the display;
• and
• an insertion/retraction direction alteration section that alters the direction of insertion/retraction of the medical instrument,
• wherein the insertion/retraction boundary marker comprises at least an insertion/retraction direction boundary marker indicating the boundary of the direction of insertion/retraction of the medical instrument.

A device for examining a subject, comprising:

• an image capture section capable of acquiring an image of a subject;
• a medical instrument that is capable of insertion/retraction operation and that is capable of performing a medical action on the subject;
• an image generating section that generates an image comprising an image of the subject;
• an image of the medical instrument to be displayed on a display;
• a marking section that marks a region, which prohibits the medical instrument from being inserted into/retracted from, on the image;
• a calculating section that calculates the relative distance of the medical instrument and the region marked on the image;
• a stop provided on the medical instrument that prohibits the insertion/retraction action of the medical instrument in accordance with the results of the calculation by the calculating section;
• and
• an insertion/retraction direction alteration section that alters the direction of insertion/retraction of the medical instrument,
• wherein the region marked indicates a boundary of the direction of insertion/refraction of at least the medical instrument.

A method of examining a subject, comprising:

• displaying on a monitor an image obtained by the medical instrument;
• displaying on the monitor an image of an insertion/retraction member corresponding to an insertion/retraction member which has a desired positional relationship with the medical instrument and who can be freely inserted/retracted;
• calculating an insertion/retraction boundary position in accordance with the positional relationship of the medical instrument and the insertion/refraction member;
• and
• displaying on the monitor an insertion/refraction marker indicating the insertion/retraction boundary position of the insertion/retraction member;
• and
• altering the direction of insertion/retraction of the insertion/retraction member,
• wherein the insertion/retraction boundary marker comprises at least an insertion/retraction direction boundary marker indicating the boundary of the direction of insertion/retraction of the insertion/retraction member.

An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising:

• an ultrasound diagnostic image capture section that obtains an ultrasound diagnostic image by performing transmission/reception of ultrasound signals with respect to a subject within a body cavity;
• an insertion section that is inserted into the body cavity;
• a biopsy needle that pierces the subject by insertion of the insertion section;
• superimposition means that superimposes a boundary of advancement of the piercing direction of the biopsy needle on the ultrasound diagnostic image;
• and
• an insertion direction alteration section that alters the direction of insertion/retraction of the insertion section,
• wherein the boundary superimposed by the superimposition means indicates a boundary of the direction of insertion/retraction of the insertion section.

An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising:

• an ultrasound diagnostic image capture section that obtains an ultrasound diagnostic image by performing transmission/reception of ultrasound signals with respect to a subject within a body cavity;
• blood flow position detection means that detects the position of blood flow on the ultrasound diagnostic image;
• needle position detection means that detects the needle tip position of a biopsy needle on the ultrasound diagnostic image;
• and
• comparison means that compares the position of the needle tip from the needle position detection means with the blood flow position from the blood flow position detection means;
• wherein, when the comparison means determines that the blood flow position and the needle tip position are within a prescribed distance, a stop signal is output to a biopsy needle insertion/retraction section having means for preventing further advance of the biopsy needle upon receipt of the stop signal.