CN113679425A

CN113679425A - Ultrasonic elasticity detection method and system

Info

Publication number: CN113679425A
Application number: CN202111032586.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李双双; 王泽兵
Original assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd; Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd; Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-18
Filing date: 2018-10-18
Publication date: 2021-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-18
Also published as: CN110573088B; CN110573088A; WO2020077598A1; CN113679425B

Abstract

An ultrasonic elasticity detection system and an elasticity detection method are disclosed, the system comprises an ultrasonic probe, a transmitting and receiving sequence control module, a data processing module, a man-machine interaction module and a nonvolatile memory, the data processing module enters an elasticity acquisition preparation stage to carry out real-time ultrasonic imaging detection on target tissues based on a first instruction, then position information of an interested region is obtained on an ultrasonic image, and enters an elasticity scanning stage based on a second instruction, at least one elasticity detection is carried out on the interested region according to the position information of the interested region, and an elasticity detection result is output, and after the elasticity scanning stage is finished, the system is automatically switched to the elasticity acquisition preparation stage or is switched to the elasticity acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by a user. By adopting the method and the device, the interested area of the target tissue can be repeatedly measured for many times without restarting the elastic detection mode, so that the accuracy and the stability of the elastic detection are improved.

Description

Ultrasonic elasticity detection method and system

Technical Field

The invention relates to medical equipment, in particular to an ultrasonic elasticity detection method and a system thereof.

Background

Ultrasound diagnosis uses ultrasound to detect elasticity or hardness of biological tissue and output an elasticity detection result (e.g., an elasticity image), and is increasingly used in the fields of auxiliary detection of tissue cancer lesions, discrimination of benign and malignant states, and prognosis recovery evaluation.

Ultrasound elastography mainly images elasticity-related parameters in a region of interest, reflecting the softness and hardness of tissues. In recent years, different elastography methods have emerged, such as quasi-static elastography based on strain caused by the probe pressing the tissue, shear wave elastography or elastometry based on acoustic radiation force to generate shear waves, transient elastography based on external vibrations to generate shear waves, and the like.

In elastography, there are real-time imaging techniques as well as single-pass imaging techniques. In the real-time imaging technology, the system usually repeats ultrasonic scanning and imaging display in a rapid continuous cycle, and the image is refreshed in real time until a user applies a command for stopping imaging; in single imaging, the system usually performs only a single ultrasound scan and imaging display to obtain an image or a single calculation result.

In single imaging, more time can be obtained for imaging, and compared with real-time imaging, the method can be optimized in aspects of emission energy, emission rules and the like, can provide better image quality, and is widely applied to elastography. In the detection process, along with the movement of a human body or the movement of the probe, the target tissue and the probe are often moved relatively, so that a region of interest (ROI) is shifted, and the region scanned by the probe is not a region really interested by a doctor. The doctor needs to experience whether the region of interest drifts, and when the region of interest drifts are considered to occur, the doctor needs to perform the elastic detection again.

In addition, there is a need for historical data playback for analytical comparison of elasticity measurements over different time periods (e.g., pre-treatment, post-treatment, etc.).

The operation flow of the current elasticity detection is as follows: a user (such as a doctor) starts an elasticity detection mode through a specific button, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus firstly carries out ultrasonic imaging to form a B image or a C image, the user selects an interested region on an ultrasonic image while observing the ultrasonic image, then enters the elasticity imaging mode through another specific button to carry out elasticity detection on the interested region, and after the detection is finished, a frame of elasticity data or a frame of elasticity image can be obtained. If the user wants to measure the second time again, the user can only exit the elasticity detection mode for the first time, and then restart the elasticity detection mode, and repeat the above operations. But the elastic results and the ultrasound images, the ROI and the like obtained before can not be automatically cached. If the user wants to inquire the previous measurement result, the measurement result needs to be recorded in the form of an image or a measurement report when the measurement is completed. The results of multiple elastic detections performed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in the same time period cannot be stored in the same file, and then the user can only search and browse from all the stored measurement results or pictures corresponding to the patient when the user needs to inquire.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides an ultrasonic elastic detection method and system thereof, so that a user can conveniently measure a target tissue repeatedly for many times, and the accuracy of elastic detection is improved.

According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided an ultrasonic elasticity detection method, comprising:

receiving a first instruction input by a user, starting an elastic detection mode based on the first instruction, entering an elastic acquisition preparation stage, carrying out real-time ultrasonic imaging detection on a target tissue in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and outputting a real-time ultrasonic image to a display for displaying;

detecting an interesting area selected by a user on an ultrasonic image through an interesting area identification, and acquiring the position information of the interesting area;

receiving a second instruction input by a user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at the elastic scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest, and outputting an elastic detection result;

and after the elastic scanning stage is finished, automatically switching to an elastic acquisition preparation stage or switching to the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by a user.

According to a second aspect of the present application, there is provided an elastography system comprising:

the ultrasonic probe comprises a transducer consisting of a plurality of array elements, and the transducer is used for transmitting ultrasonic waves to target tissues and receiving echoes of the ultrasonic waves returned by the target tissues;

the device comprises a transmitting and receiving sequence control module, a receiving and transmitting sequence control module and a data processing module, wherein the transmitting and receiving sequence control module is used for outputting a first transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer in an elastic acquisition preparation stage, controlling the transducer to transmit a first ultrasonic wave and receive an echo of the first ultrasonic wave, outputting at least one second transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer after shear waves are generated in target tissues in an elastic scanning stage, controlling the transducer to transmit a second ultrasonic wave and receive an echo of the second ultrasonic wave, the first ultrasonic wave is used for carrying out real-time ultrasonic imaging on the target tissues, and the second ultrasonic wave is used for detecting the shear waves passing through an interested region in the target tissues;

a nonvolatile memory for storing programs and data;

the data processing module is used for receiving a first instruction which is input by a user and enters an elastic detection mode, starting the elastic detection mode based on the first instruction and entering an elastic acquisition preparation stage, controlling the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output a first transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, generating a real-time ultrasonic image according to an echo of the first ultrasonic wave, detecting an interested region which is selected by the user through an interested region identifier on the ultrasonic image, acquiring position information of the interested region, receiving a second instruction input by the user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the interested region according to the position information of the interested region in the elastic scanning stage, and controlling the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output at least one second transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer, detecting shear waves passing through an interested region in a target tissue, calculating an elasticity detection result of the interested region according to an echo of second ultrasonic waves, outputting the elasticity detection result, and automatically switching to an elasticity acquisition preparation stage after an elasticity scanning stage is finished or switching to the elasticity acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by a user;

and the human-computer interaction module comprises a display, and the display is used for displaying the ultrasonic image and the elastic result and adding and/or adjusting the region of interest identification on the ultrasonic image.

According to the scheme, the elasticity detection mode is divided into two stages of elasticity acquisition preparation and elasticity scanning, the elasticity measurement mode is not quitted after the elasticity scanning stage is finished, but the elasticity acquisition preparation stage can be returned again, and real-time ultrasonic imaging of the target tissue can be performed, so that a user can redisplay the real-time ultrasonic imaging of the target tissue without complex operation, and whether the region of interest drifts or is redetermined.

According to a third aspect of the present application, there is provided an elasticity detection method comprising:

and automatically storing the elasticity detection result and the acquired position information of the interested area in a file of the nonvolatile memory when the elasticity detection mode is exited. According to a fourth aspect of the present application, there is provided an elastography system, comprising:

a nonvolatile memory for storing programs and data;

the data processing module is used for receiving a first instruction which is input by a user and enters an elastic detection mode, entering an elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, controlling the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output a first transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, generating a real-time ultrasonic image according to an echo of the first ultrasonic wave, detecting an interested area which is selected by a user on the ultrasonic image through an interested area identifier, acquiring position information of the interested area, receiving a second instruction input by the user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the interested area according to the position information of the interested area in the elastic scanning stage, and controlling the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output at least one second transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer so as to detect shear waves passing through the interested area in target tissue, calculating an elasticity detection result of the region of interest according to the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, outputting the elasticity detection result, and automatically storing the elasticity detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest in a file of a nonvolatile memory when the elasticity detection mode exits;

According to the scheme, only the elastic detection result and the position information of the region of interest are stored after the elastic detection mode exits, and the real-time ultrasonic image is not stored, so that the amount of stored data is reduced, and the storage space is saved; on the other hand, only the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest need to be displayed during playback, so that the playback speed can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present application, there is provided an elasticity detection method, comprising:

performing real-time ultrasonic imaging detection on a target tissue in an elastic acquisition preparation stage, and outputting a real-time ultrasonic image to a display for displaying;

receiving a second instruction input by a user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, and performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at the elastic scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest;

and displaying the elastic detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest on a display interface at least once based on the playback instruction.

According to a sixth aspect of the present application, there is provided an elastography system, comprising:

the data processing module is used for receiving a first instruction which is input by a user and enters an elastic detection mode, entering an elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, controlling the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output a first transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, generating a real-time ultrasonic image according to an echo of the first ultrasonic wave, detecting an interested area which is selected by a user on the ultrasonic image through an interested area identifier, acquiring position information of the interested area, receiving a second instruction input by the user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the interested area according to the position information of the interested area in the elastic scanning stage, and controlling the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output at least one second transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer so as to detect shear waves passing through the interested area in target tissue, calculating an elasticity detection result of the region of interest according to the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, and outputting the elasticity detection result;

the human-computer interaction module comprises a display, and the display is used for displaying the ultrasonic image and the elastic result and adding and/or adjusting the region of interest mark on the ultrasonic image;

the buffer area is used for temporarily storing all detection data or selected part of detection data of at least one elastic acquisition preparation stage and one elastic scanning stage after entering the elastic detection mode;

a nonvolatile memory for storing the detection data; when the data processing module receives a playback instruction before exiting the elastic mode, reading data from the cache region based on the playback instruction and outputting the data to the display so as to display at least one elastic detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest on the display interface; when the data processing module receives a playback instruction after exiting the elastic mode, data are read from the nonvolatile memory based on the playback instruction and output to the display, so that at least one elastic detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest are displayed on the display interface.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an elastography system;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a resiliency detection process of an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of region of interest identification in one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound transmit sequence of an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display interface showing an elastic result according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a resiliency detection process of another embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a detection data buffering scheme;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a detection data buffering scheme according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detection data buffering scheme according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a resiliency detection process of another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating statistics on historical measurements according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of statistics on historical measurements according to another embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating statistics of historical measurements according to another embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Wherein like elements in different embodiments are numbered with like associated elements. In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some of the features may be omitted or replaced with other elements, materials, methods in different instances. In some instances, certain operations related to the present application have not been shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the core of the present application from excessive description, and it is not necessary for those skilled in the art to describe these operations in detail, so that they may be fully understood from the description in the specification and the general knowledge in the art.

Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. Also, the various steps or actions in the method descriptions may be transposed or transposed in order, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the various sequences in the specification and drawings are for the purpose of describing certain embodiments only and are not intended to imply a required sequence unless otherwise indicated where such sequence must be followed.

The numbering of the components as such, e.g., "first", "second", etc., is used herein only to distinguish the objects as described, and does not have any sequential or technical meaning. The term "connected" and "coupled" when used in this application, unless otherwise indicated, includes both direct and indirect connections (couplings).

In the embodiment of the invention, the elastic detection is divided into two stages, namely an elastic acquisition preparation stage and an elastic scanning stage, and ultrasonic imaging detection is carried out in the elastic acquisition preparation stage to generate an ultrasonic image, so that a user can select an interested area on the ultrasonic image and obtain the position information of the interested area. The position information of the region of interest refers to relative position information of the region of interest in the ultrasound image, and may refer to relative position coordinates of the region of interest in the ultrasound image, or refer to a frame of ultrasound image with the region of interest identifier, and the relative position of the region of interest in the ultrasound image may be obtained according to the frame of ultrasound image. And in the elastic scanning stage, performing elastic detection on the region of interest to obtain an elastic detection result. The use of the elasticity detection mode is divided into two phases, and different processes are performed in different embodiments, for example:

in one embodiment, instead of ending the measurement after the elastic scanning phase, the target tissue may be automatically or based on an instruction input by the user to return to the elastic acquisition preparation phase to perform real-time ultrasound imaging, so that the user can redisplay the real-time ultrasound imaging of the target tissue without complicated operations in order to observe whether the region of interest drifts or to redetermine the region of interest. By using the method, the user can adjust and retest the region of interest for many times, so that the drift of the region of interest is prevented, and the accuracy of elastic detection is improved.

In another embodiment, the elasticity detection mode is divided into two stages, and each stage obtains respective detection data, for example, the position information of the region of interest is obtained in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage, the elasticity detection result is obtained in the elasticity scanning stage, after the elasticity detection mode exits, only the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest acquired by the elasticity detection result are stored in the nonvolatile memory, but the real-time ultrasound image is not stored, and when the elasticity detection result is played back subsequently, the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest are synthesized into the same image frame for displaying, so that a user can conveniently view the elasticity detection result and the region of interest acquired by the elasticity detection result at the same time.

The following specifically describes each example.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasound device is used as the elasticity detection system, and referring to fig. 1, the elasticity detection system 100 includes an ultrasound probe 101, a transmission and reception sequence control module 102, a data processing module 103, a human-computer interaction module 104, a non-volatile memory 105, and a buffer 106. The ultrasonic probe 101 is in signal connection with a data processing module 103 through a transmitting and receiving sequence control module 102, and the data processing module 103 is further in signal connection with a human-computer interaction module 104, a nonvolatile memory 105 and a buffer 106 respectively.

The ultrasonic probe 101 includes a transducer (not shown in the drawings) composed of a plurality of array elements arranged in an array, the plurality of array elements are arranged in a row to form a linear array, or are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix to form an area array, and the plurality of array elements may also form a convex array. The array elements are used for transmitting ultrasonic waves according to the excitation electric signals or converting the received ultrasonic waves into electric signals. Each array element can thus be used to perform the interconversion between the electrical pulse signal and the ultrasound, and thus to perform the transmission of ultrasound to the target tissue (e.g. biological tissue in a human or animal body) 110 to be examined, and also to receive the ultrasound echoes reflected back through the tissue. When ultrasonic detection is carried out, which array elements are used for transmitting ultrasonic waves and which array elements are used for receiving the ultrasonic waves can be controlled through a transmitting sequence and a receiving sequence, or the time slots of the array elements are controlled to be used for transmitting the ultrasonic waves or receiving echoes of the ultrasonic waves. The array elements participating in ultrasonic wave transmission can be simultaneously excited by the electric signals, so that the ultrasonic waves are transmitted simultaneously; or the array elements participating in the transmission of the ultrasound beam may be excited by several electrical signals with certain time intervals so as to continuously transmit the ultrasound waves with certain time intervals.

In embodiments of the present invention, the transducer is used to transmit both ultrasound waves that generate an ultrasound image (e.g., a B image or a C image) and ultrasound waves that detect shear waves traveling through a region of interest in tissue.

The transmit receive sequence control module 102 is configured to generate a transmit sequence and a receive sequence, where the transmit sequence is configured to control some or all of the array elements to transmit ultrasonic waves to a target tissue, and parameters of the transmit sequence include a position of the array element for transmission, a number of the array elements, and ultrasonic transmit parameters (e.g., amplitude, frequency, number of times of wave transmission, transmit interval, angle of wave transmission, wave pattern, focus position, etc.). The receiving sequence is used for controlling part or all of a plurality of array elements to receive echoes after the ultrasonic waves are reflected by tissues, and the receiving sequence parameters comprise the positions of the array elements for receiving, the number of the array elements and the receiving parameters (such as receiving angles, receiving depths and the like) of the echoes. The ultrasonic echo is used for different purposes or different images generated according to the ultrasonic echo and different detection types, and the ultrasonic parameters in a transmitting sequence and the echo parameters in a receiving sequence are also different.

In this embodiment, the transmit receive sequence control module 102 is configured to output a first transmit/receive sequence to the transducer during the elastic acquisition preparation phase, control the transducer to transmit a first ultrasonic wave and receive an echo of the first ultrasonic wave, where the first ultrasonic wave is used for real-time ultrasonic imaging of the target tissue. After generating shear waves in the target tissue during the elastic scanning phase, the transmit-receive sequence control module 102 is configured to output at least one second transmit/receive sequence to the transducer, control the transducer to transmit a second ultrasonic wave and receive an echo of the second ultrasonic wave, where the second ultrasonic wave is used to detect the shear waves traveling through the region of interest in the target tissue. In the first and second transmitting sequences, the position and the number of array elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves and transmitting parameters are respectively defined; in the first and second receiving sequences, the position and number of array elements of the received echo and the receiving parameter are defined respectively.

The data processing module 103 is configured to receive a first instruction input by a user to enter an elastic detection mode, enter an elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, control the transmit/receive sequence control module to output a first transmit/receive sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, generate a real-time ultrasound image according to an echo of the first ultrasound wave, detect a region of interest selected by a user on the ultrasound image through a region of interest identifier, acquire position information of the region of interest, receive a second instruction input by the user, enter an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, perform at least one elastic detection on the region of interest according to the position information of the region of interest in the elastic scanning stage, control the transmit/receive sequence control module to output at least one second transmit/receive sequence to the transducer to detect shear waves traveling through the region of interest in a target tissue, and calculating an elasticity detection result of the region of interest according to the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, outputting the elasticity detection result, and automatically switching to an elasticity acquisition preparation stage after the elasticity scanning stage is finished or switching to the elasticity acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by a user. In some embodiments, the data processing module detects the third instruction input by the user in real time during the elastic scanning phase, and switches to the elastic acquisition preparation phase once the third instruction input by the user is detected whether the elastic detection is completed or not.

After receiving the echo of the ultrasonic wave, the data processing module 103 processes the ultrasonic echo, for example, filters, amplifies, and beam-synthesizes the ultrasonic echo, where the ultrasonic echo of the present embodiment includes both the ultrasonic echo for elasticity detection and the ultrasonic echo for ultrasonic imaging detection. The data processing module 103 includes an elasticity detection module 113 and an ultrasonic imaging detection module 123, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic imaging detection module 123 receives an echo signal for ultrasonic imaging detection after echo processing, and converts the echo signal into an ultrasonic image through a corresponding algorithm; the elasticity detection module 113 receives the echo signal for elasticity detection after the echo processing, and obtains an elasticity result of the desired region of interest by using a correlation algorithm, where the elasticity result may be, for example, a strain value, a shear wave elasticity parameter or a shear wave trajectory, and a calculation parameter or an image derived from the above result, and the like, where the shear wave elasticity parameter includes at least one of a shear wave propagation speed, a young's modulus value or a shear modulus value.

In some embodiments, the data processing module 103 further includes an echo processing module, which performs echo processing such as filtering, amplification, beam forming, etc. on the ultrasonic echo, and the echo processing module can process the ultrasonic echo detected by elasticity detection and the ultrasonic echo detected by ultrasonic imaging detection.

In some embodiments, the data processing module 103 alternately performs ultrasound imaging detection of the target tissue and elasticity detection of the region of interest in the elasticity scanning stage, adds the region of interest identifier to the ultrasound image according to the position information of the region of interest obtained in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage, combines ultrasound imaging detection and elasticity detection adjacent to each other at the detection time into a combination, combines the ultrasound image and the elasticity detection result in each combination into a frame of image, and outputs the combined frame of image data to the display in real time, so as to simultaneously display the ultrasound image and the elasticity detection result on the display interface. In another embodiment, the data processing module continuously performs elastic detection on the region of interest in the elastic scanning stage, synthesizes the ultrasound image with the region of interest identifier and the elastic detection result obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage into a frame image, and outputs the synthesized frame image data to the display in real time, so that the ultrasound image with the region of interest identifier and the elastic detection result are simultaneously displayed on the display interface.

The human-machine interaction module 104 serves as an interaction interface between the user and the elastography system 100, and in one embodiment, the human-machine interaction module 104 comprises a display 114 for displaying the real-time ultrasound image and the region of interest identification added on the ultrasound image during the elastography preparation phase; the display is used for displaying the elastic result or the image frame synthesized by the ultrasonic image and the elastic result in the elastic scanning stage; or based on the playback instruction, the display is used for displaying the elasticity detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest. In some embodiments, the human-computer interaction module 104 further includes an input module, such as a keyboard, operation buttons (including switches), a mouse, a trackball, etc., or a touch screen integrated with the display 114. When the input module is a keyboard or an operation button, a user can directly input operation information or an operation instruction through the input module; when the input module is a mouse, a trackball or a touch screen, the user can combine the input module with a soft keyboard, operation icons, tabs, menu options and the like on the display interface to complete the input of operation information or operation instructions, and can complete the input of operation information through marks, framing and the like made on the display interface. The operation instruction may be a first instruction for entering the elasticity detection mode, or a second instruction for entering the elasticity scanning phase, or a third instruction for switching to the elasticity acquisition preparation phase after the elasticity scanning phase is ended, or may be a saving instruction for saving data or a playback instruction for playing back a detection result. In one embodiment, the display 114 and the input module cooperate to enable selection of a region of interest, for example, the display 114 is used to display an ultrasound image on the display interface, and the input module is used to select the region of interest on the ultrasound image according to the detected user operation.

The buffer 106 is used for temporarily storing the ultrasound images and the elasticity test results, and when the elasticity test mode is exited or the computer is turned off, the temporarily stored data in the buffer 106 will be lost.

The non-volatile memory 105 is used for storing the elasticity detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest, and the stored data can be frame image data generated in the elasticity scanning stage stored in a predetermined sequence, or the elasticity detection result generated in the elasticity scanning stage stored in the predetermined sequence and the ultrasound image of the selected region of interest in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage.

As shown in fig. 2, an elasticity detection workflow chart of the elasticity imaging system according to the embodiment specifically includes the following steps:

step 201, when a user needs to perform elasticity detection, the user may input a first instruction through an input module or a display, where the first instruction is used to start an elasticity detection mode and enter an elasticity acquisition preparation stage. Based on the response to the first instruction, the elastic detection system enters an elastic acquisition preparation stage, in which a data processing module controls a transmitting/receiving sequence control module to output a first transmitting/receiving sequence to a transducer, an ultrasonic probe transmits a first ultrasonic wave to a target tissue and receives an echo of the first ultrasonic wave according to the first transmitting/receiving sequence, the data processing module processes the first ultrasonic echo, including amplification, ADC, beam forming, image processing and the like, to finally form a visual ultrasonic image for displaying a tissue morphological structure, and outputs a real-time ultrasonic image to a display for displaying, a user can observe the ultrasonic image in real time, and adjust the range of examination, the angle of placement of the probe and the like as required.

The ultrasound image includes a B image or a C image, or an B, C superimposed image. The C image is mainly a color image reflecting blood flow, and blood flow can be viewed through the C image. The B image is an image that mainly reflects the anatomical structure of the tissue, and is usually represented by gray scale, and may also be represented by pseudo color, and the condition of the tissue can be checked through the B image, for example, whether the tissue has a lesion or not, or the position of a blood vessel is checked. B. The C-superimposed image is an image obtained by combining the tissue in the B image and the blood flow in the C image after strictly corresponding to the physical position, for example, when the blood flow is just inside the blood vessel region, the position of the blood vessel can be determined by B, C superimposed images. The field of view of the ultrasonic image can be various shapes according to the shape of the probe, for example, a linear array probe corresponds to a rectangular image, a convex array probe corresponds to a convex image, a phased array probe corresponds to a sector image, and the like. In this embodiment, a rectangular B image is taken as an example, and as shown in fig. 3, the ultrasound image 300 is displayed on the display interface 314 of the display, and the ultrasound image 300 mainly reflects the anatomical structure of the target tissue.

Step 202, detecting a region of interest selected by the user through the region of interest identifier on the ultrasound image, and acquiring the position information of the region of interest. In the present embodiment, the user is allowed to mark the region of interest on the B image, the region of interest identifier may be a rectangle, or may be a circle, an ellipse, a sector, or the like, as shown in fig. 3, in a specific example, when the ultrasound image 300 is displayed on the display interface 314, an editable selection box 301 is simultaneously displayed on the ultrasound image 300, the selection box 301 allows the user to adjust the height, the width, and the position through a mouse, a touch screen, or the like, and the selection box 301 is the region of interest. After the user completes the adjustment of the size and the position of the selection box 301, the position information of the region of interest is determined. In another embodiment, the user may determine the position information of the region of interest by drawing a selection box 301 on the B image through an input device such as a mouse or a touch screen.

The position information of the region of interest may be an ultrasound image including the selected box, or data information including the position of the target tissue and the position of the selected box in the target tissue, or data information including only the position of the selected box, or other data information that can determine the position of the selected box. The display transmits the coordinate information of the region of interest selected by the user to the data processing module, and the data processing module can determine the position of the region of interest in the tissue according to the coordinate information of the region of interest. In some embodiments, the region of interest may be selected by other means, for example, a predetermined distance below a certain position of the default ultrasound probe is set as the region of interest, and the user may adjust the region of interest by moving the ultrasound probe according to the displayed ultrasound image, so as to change the position of the elasticity detection.

Step 203, after the position information of the region of interest is determined, the user may input a second instruction to enter an elastic scanning stage through the input module or the display, and based on a response to the second instruction, the elastic detection system enters the elastic scanning stage, at which the region of interest determined in step 202 is elastically detected. The process of elasticity detection differs depending on the way the shear wave is generated. Based on the response of the second instruction, the target tissue is deformed in a pressing, vibrating or sound radiation mode, then shear waves are generated in the region of interest in the target tissue, then the data processing module controls the transmitting and receiving sequence control module to output a second transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer, the ultrasonic probe transmits second ultrasonic waves to the determined region of interest according to the second transmitting/receiving sequence and receives echoes of the second ultrasonic waves, and in order to detect the shear waves, the ultrasonic probe is required to be capable of transmitting the ultrasonic waves into the tissue and receiving echo signals for a period of time. The data processing module calculates an elasticity detection result of the region of interest according to the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, and the elasticity detection result can be, for example, a strain value, a shear wave elasticity parameter or a shear wave track, and a calculation parameter or an image derived according to the result, wherein the shear wave elasticity parameter includes at least one of a shear wave propagation speed, a young modulus value or a shear modulus value. For example, the elasticity test result can be calculated by the following method:

the data processing module can calculate the displacement of a certain point on the shear wave propagation path according to the received echo signal, and when the displacement of the point is maximum, the shear wave is considered to reach the point. The propagation path or propagation track of the shear wave can be positioned by the time of the shear wave reaching each point, so that a shear wave track graph can be drawn, the slope of each point on the shear wave propagation path can be obtained according to the track line of the shear wave, and the slope is the propagation speed of the shear wave.

For isotropic elastomers, the shear wave propagation velocity has the following approximate relationship with young's modulus and shear modulus:

E＝3ρc²＝3G

where c represents the shear wave velocity, ρ represents the tissue density, E represents the young's modulus value of the tissue, and G represents the shear modulus of the tissue. In general, ρ is the density value of water, so that after the propagation velocity of the shear wave is obtained, other elasticity-related parameters, such as young's modulus, shear modulus, etc., can be further calculated.

In one embodiment, in the elastic scanning stage, when the region of interest is elastically detected, only one elastic detection may be performed on the region of interest, or multiple elastic detections may be performed consecutively, where the number of consecutive detections and the time interval between the multiple elastic detections may be set by the system or by a user through the input module or the display. For example, when the single detection is set, the system performs one elastic detection, outputs one elastic result, and then the elastic scanning stage is finished; when the 4 detections are set, the system continuously performs 4 elastic detections, outputs 4 elastic results or outputs statistics of the 4 elastic results, such as average or median, and the like, and then the elastic scanning phase ends. Therefore, if the user has skillful operation skills, the alignment area of the ultrasonic probe can be effectively ensured not to change in the elasticity detection process, the continuous detection times can be increased, and a plurality of elasticity results can be obtained at one time; if the user is difficult to ensure the stability of the alignment area of the ultrasonic probe in the elastic detection process, the continuous detection times can be reduced, the elastic scanning stage is ended after each detection, then the elastic acquisition preparation stage is switched to, the imaging section and the interested area are readjusted, and the elastic detection is started. In another embodiment, the ultrasound imaging detection of the target tissue and the elasticity detection of the region of interest are performed alternately in the elasticity scanning stage, and the alternation may be performed once or continuously for a plurality of times. The ultrasound imaging detection and the elasticity detection (for example, alternate at a time) adjacent to each other in the detection time are combined into one combination, and in each combination, the ultrasound imaging detection may be the ultrasound detection for generating the B image, the ultrasound detection for generating the C image, or the detection of one frame of the B image and the detection of one frame of the C image are performed, as shown in fig. 7 to 9. In each combination, elasticity detection may include generation once or multiple times. For example, in this embodiment, before generating the shear wave, the data processing module controls the transmit-receive sequence control module to output a third transmit/receive sequence to the transducer, the ultrasound probe transmits a third ultrasound wave to the target tissue and receives an echo of the third ultrasound wave according to the third transmit/receive sequence, and the data processing module processes the third ultrasound echo, including amplification, ADC, beam synthesis, image processing, etc., to form a visualized ultrasound image, and then performs elastic detection. The transmitting and receiving sequence control module controls the transmission and the reception of the ultrasonic signals according to the elastic detection requirement and the sequence preset by a system or input by a user according to the time sequence. For example, when duplex scanning of B image (referred to as B) and elastic detection (referred to as E) is required in the elastic scanning stage, and cyclic detection is required for 2 times, the transmission sequence is as shown in fig. 4, and the ultrasound probe sequentially transmits B sequence frame-E sequence frame-B sequence frame-E sequence frame under the control of the transmission and reception sequence control module, or vice versa.

And step 204, displaying the elasticity detection result. The method specifically comprises the following steps: and synthesizing the ultrasonic image with the interesting region mark and the elastic detection result into a frame of image, and synthesizing the ultrasonic image with the interesting region mark and the elastic detection result obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage into a frame of image when only the interesting region is subjected to elastic detection for one time or continuously for multiple times. When the ultrasonic imaging detection of the target tissue and the elasticity detection of the region of interest are alternately carried out in the elasticity scanning stage, the region of interest identifier is added to the ultrasonic image generated in real time in the elasticity scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest obtained in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage, the ultrasonic imaging detection and the elasticity detection adjacent to the detection time form a combination, and the ultrasonic image added with the region of interest identifier and the elasticity detection result in each combination are synthesized into a frame of image. And then outputting the synthesized frame image data to a display in real time so as to simultaneously display the ultrasonic image with the interesting area identification and the elastic detection result on a display interface. And the elastic detection result is displayed in a mode of parameters, a progress bar or an elastic distribution graph.

Referring to fig. 5, the adjacent ultrasound images and the elasticity result are combined into a frame of image and displayed on the display interface 514 of the display, the selection box 501 is the region of interest identifier added to the ultrasound image 500 according to the position information of the region of interest determined in the preparation phase of the elasticity acquisition, the elasticity result is presented in the distribution image 502, and in the distribution image 502, tissues with different properties and hardness can be identified by different colors, grays or filling modes. And the ultrasonic image and the elastic result are displayed simultaneously, so that the position information of the elastic detection can be recorded more accurately.

In another embodiment, the elasticity detection result may be displayed separately without displaying the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest on the same screen.

Step 205, determining whether the elastic scanning phase is finished, and after the elastic scanning phase is finished, executing step 206, and if not, executing step 207.

And step 206, automatically switching to an elastic acquisition preparation stage or waiting for a third instruction input by the user, wherein the third instruction is used for switching to the elastic acquisition preparation stage. And when the user inputs a third instruction, the system is switched to an elastic acquisition preparation stage.

When the system is switched to the elastic acquisition preparation stage, ultrasonic detection can be carried out on the target tissue to generate a morphological structure image of the target tissue, and a user can judge whether the target tissue and the probe move relatively or not and whether the region of interest drifts or not by observing the image. As the region of interest drifts, the position of the region of interest marker can be adjusted at this stage.

And step 207, detecting a third instruction input by the user in real time, and switching to an elastic acquisition preparation stage once the third instruction input by the user is detected. In the elastic scanning stage, if the user finds that the target tissue and the probe move relatively, the user does not need to wait for the elastic scanning stage to end, a third instruction can be input to immediately switch to the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and the step 201 is shifted to be executed, so that the elastic acquisition preparation stage and the elastic scanning stage are freely switched.

In this embodiment, after the elastic scanning stage is finished, the system does not exit the elastic detection mode, but automatically switches to the elastic acquisition preparation stage or switches to the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by the user, so that when the user needs to reposition the region of interest, the user does not need complicated operations, at most, only needs one-key operation to return to the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and does not need to exit the current elastic detection mode and then restart the elastic detection mode.

In addition, in step 204, the ultrasound image with the region of interest identifier and the elastic detection result are simultaneously displayed on the display interface, so that the user can check whether the region of interest drifts in real time, and the missing judgment and the erroneous judgment of the user due to the judgment according to experience are reduced.

As shown in fig. 6, the data saving process of the elastography system according to this embodiment includes the following steps:

step 601, the data processing module receives a first instruction input by a user, enters an elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, performs real-time ultrasonic imaging detection on a target tissue in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and outputs a real-time ultrasonic image to the display for displaying.

Step 602, detecting a region of interest selected by the user on the ultrasound image through the region of interest identifier, and acquiring the position information of the region of interest.

Step 603, receiving a second instruction input by the user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at the elastic scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest, and outputting an elastic result. In this embodiment, the ultrasound imaging detection of the target tissue and the elasticity detection of the region of interest may also be performed alternately in the elasticity scanning stage, adjacent ultrasound imaging detection and elasticity detection form a combination, the ultrasound image and the elasticity result in each combination are synthesized into one frame of image and output to the display, so that the ultrasound image and the elasticity result are displayed on the display interface simultaneously, and the region of interest identifier is added to the ultrasound image according to the position information of the region of interest.

And step 604, automatically storing the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest in a nonvolatile memory when the elasticity detection mode is exited. In one embodiment, when the ultrasound image with the region of interest identifier and the elasticity detection result are synthesized into one frame image, only the frame image data can be saved in the nonvolatile memory, and the real-time ultrasound image data generated in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage is not saved; in one embodiment, the elasticity detection results generated during the elasticity scan phase and the ultrasound image of the selected region of interest during the elasticity acquisition preparation phase may also be saved in non-volatile memory without saving other real-time ultrasound image data generated during the elasticity acquisition preparation phase.

After the elastic detection mode is exited, only the elastic detection result and a small amount of information of the region of interest are stored, so that the storage of real-time ultrasonic images is reduced, only the elastic detection result and the position information of the region of interest need to be displayed during playback, and the current ultrasonic images do not need to be displayed, so that the playback speed can be improved.

In a preferred embodiment, when performing the detection of the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase, the data is first stored in the buffer area, and since the current elastic detection mode does not need to be exited when the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase are switched, the data in the buffer area is not lost due to exiting the current elastic detection mode, so that the data generated by the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase for multiple times can be temporarily stored in the buffer area, which is beneficial to storing all or part of the data in the buffer area in one file of the nonvolatile memory when exiting the current elastic detection mode.

Referring to fig. 7, in one embodiment, the buffer 106 includes a first buffer 716 for temporarily storing the detection data generated in the elastic acquisition preparation stage and the elastic scanning stage in time sequence. The detection data comprises real-time ultrasonic image data generated by an elastic acquisition preparation stage and including the position information of the region of interest and frame image data generated by an elastic scanning stage, wherein the frame image data generated by the elastic scanning stage is temporarily stored in a buffer area containing E, and the real-time ultrasonic image data generated by the elastic acquisition preparation stage and including the position information of the region of interest is temporarily stored in a buffer area containing B, C or B and C. Marking data generated in the elastic scanning stage in the first buffer 716, for example, the data marked as "elastic scanning" in fig. 7, and then reading the data with the mark from the first buffer based on a playback instruction before exiting the elastic detection mode, and outputting the data to a display interface of a display for display; or reading the data with the marks from the first cache area based on the saving instruction and saving the data in a file of the nonvolatile memory.

In some embodiments, please refer to fig. 8, the buffer areas include a first buffer area 816 and a second buffer area 826, the detection data generated by the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase are temporarily stored in the first buffer area 816 according to a time sequence, then the data generated by the elastic scanning phase in the first buffer area 816 is temporarily stored in the second buffer area 826 according to a predetermined sequence, and then the data is read from the second buffer area 826 based on a playback instruction before exiting the elastic detection mode, and is output to a display interface of a display for displaying; or save the data in the second cache region 826 in a non-volatile memory based on the save instruction; or after the elastic detection mode is exited, reading the data generated in the elastic scanning stage from the nonvolatile memory based on the playback instruction, and outputting the data or the statistical result of the data to a display interface of a display for displaying.

In another embodiment, referring to fig. 9, the buffer area includes a third buffer area 936 and a second buffer area 926, the real-time ultrasound image data generated in the elastic acquisition preparation phase is temporarily stored in the third buffer area 936, and the data generated in the elastic scanning phase is temporarily stored in the second buffer area 926 according to a predetermined sequence. The predetermined sequence includes a time sequence or a sequence set according to a predetermined parameter, and the time sequence may be arranged according to the sequence that the earliest detection data is arranged before and the latest detection data is arranged after; or the latest detection data are arranged in the front and the earliest detection data are arranged in the back; or other chronological arrangement. The predetermined parameter setting order is a predetermined order according to a user input or a predetermined order by a system, and for example, the young's modulus or the shear modulus may be arranged in order from a large value to a small value. Before exiting the elasticity detection mode, when a playback instruction input by a user is received, directly reading data from the second buffer 926 based on the playback instruction, and outputting the data to a display interface of a display for displaying; when a save instruction input by a user is received, the data in the second cache region 926 is saved in the non-volatile memory based on the save instruction. After exiting the elasticity detection mode, when a playback instruction input by a user is received, reading the data generated in the elasticity scanning stage from the nonvolatile memory based on the playback instruction, and outputting the data or the statistical result of the data to a display interface of a display for displaying.

In the detection process, the switching between the elastic acquisition preparation stage and the elastic scanning stage does not need to exit the elastic detection mode, so that all detection data or selected part of detection data generated in each elastic acquisition preparation stage and each elastic scanning stage can be temporarily stored in the buffer area, when the elastic detection mode exits, all or part of data in the buffer area can be stored in one file of the nonvolatile memory, and when the detection result of the current time is played back subsequently, the elastic detection results which are carried out for multiple times in the same time period can be seen only by playing back one file.

As shown in fig. 10, the elasticity result playback process of the elasticity imaging system of the present embodiment specifically includes the following steps:

step 1001, a data processing module receives a first instruction input by a user, enters an elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, performs real-time ultrasonic imaging detection on a target tissue in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and outputs a real-time ultrasonic image to a display for displaying.

Step 1002, detecting a region of interest selected by a user on an ultrasound image through a region of interest identifier, and acquiring position information of the region of interest.

Step 1003, receiving a second instruction input by the user, entering an elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at the elastic scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest, and outputting an elastic result.

And 1004, displaying the elastic detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest on a display interface at least once based on the playback instruction. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the ultrasound image 500 with the region of interest identification box 501 and the elastic result 502 are displayed in the display interface 514 at the same time. In some embodiments, only the right block diagram in fig. 5 may be displayed, and the elastic result 502 and the ultrasound image 500 with the position information of the region of interest are displayed in the display interface 514, and the position information of the region of interest is identified by the identification box 502.

Reading the data with the marks from the first buffer area based on a playback instruction before exiting the elastic detection mode, and outputting the data to a display for displaying; or reading the data from the second buffer area based on the playback instruction and outputting the data to the display for displaying. The data viewed based on the playback instruction before exiting the elasticity detection mode is only the data generated at this time of entering the elasticity detection mode, and can be viewed by clicking a forward/backward button or icon, or can be selected by a tab or menu item due to the limited amount of data. Because the temporary storage in the buffer area is the multiple elastic measurement results in the elastic detection mode, the multiple elastic detection results detected in the same time interval can be played back.

After exiting the elasticity detection mode, reading the data generated in the elasticity scanning stage from the nonvolatile memory based on the playback instruction, and outputting the data or the statistical result of the data to a display for displaying. Since the elastic detection may be repeated for the same target tissue in different time periods, in order to monitor the development process or treatment status of the target tissue, the historical data needs to be played back, and at this time, the detection mode needs to be exited and then a playback instruction needs to be input. For example, the detection user may play back data a year ago, data a month ago, data of the current day, etc., and the system may select to sort the recalled history data in chronological order, or in different examination periods, or in different user-adjusted parameters, etc., as desired. Because the data in the same time interval are stored in the same file, when the data in different time intervals are played back, only one file needs to be read for the data in each time interval, and the multiple elastic detection results in the detection time interval can be seen.

When the data needing to be played back is more, the detection user needs to check and analyze the retrieved elastic results one by one, the workload is larger at this time, and especially when the retrieved elastic results are smaller in difference, the development process or treatment condition of the target tissue disease is difficult to analyze only through sequential single analysis. To solve this problem, in some embodiments, the data processing module has a function of statistical analysis to display the statistical result or image of the playback history data on the display interface, for example, the analysis may be performed by using a data list, a curve, a histogram, a statistical chart, or the like.

Referring to fig. 11, in some embodiments, the elasticity results of different times in the region of interest are displayed in a bar chart 1102, the abscissa of the bar chart 1102 is time, the ordinate represents the shear wave propagation velocity c, the bar chart shows that 10 historical test data are retrieved during playback, and the later 8 dark bars represent that 8 historical test data are selected from the 10 historical data for statistical analysis. The elasticity result of the region of interest obtained by the statistical analysis may include a maximum elasticity result value, a minimum elasticity result value, an average elasticity result value, a standard deviation elasticity result value, a median elasticity result value, and the like in the region. The user can select the needed elastic result from the elastic statistical chart to draw the elastic statistical chart. On the elastic statistical chart, a user can visually observe the repeatability and stability of multiple elastic result measurements, and certainly can calculate and display a statistical index 1101 reflecting the repeatability and stability of the results, such as calculating the Median, quartile IQR, IQR/Median value and the detection Depth value Depth of 8 elastic results. In other embodiments, as shown in fig. 12, a histogram 1202 displays and replays 10 pieces of historical detection data, 5 pieces of data are selected from the 10 pieces of historical detection data for statistical analysis, the ordinate of the histogram represents the young modulus E, the selected young moduli obtained by 5 times of measurement in the region of interest are averaged or smoothed to obtain a new primary region of interest elasticity detection result matrix, and statistical indexes 1201 in the new data matrix are calculated, including an average value Mean, a maximum value Max, a minimum value Min, a standard deviation SD and a detection Depth value Depth.

In some embodiments, it can also be shown by the method of fig. 13 that the elasticity results of different times in the region of interest are plotted on the coordinate axis in a point manner and recorded in a list manner, in fig. 13, the ordinate of the coordinate axis 1302 is the young modulus E, the abscissa represents 10 pieces of historical detection data, and the list 1301 records the young modulus value of each time of the elasticity results.

In the statistical chart, when the user selects to browse each frame result of the historical data, the system can synchronously refresh and display the image corresponding to each frame result, including the synchronous elastic image, the synchronous ultrasonic image (such as a B image, a C image and the like), and the synchronous position and size of the region of interest. The system may also add a synchronization icon to the statistical chart, so as to facilitate positioning the arrangement position of the currently displayed image in all data (such as a small triangle on the time coordinate axis of fig. 11), or highlight the image representing the current frame with a special color, etc.

The elastography system that this application is related to is applicable to in addition to elasticity detection mode, but also can be applicable to other supersound imaging mode that need carry out region of interest setting or carry out synchronous monitoring to target tissue. For example, in the blood flow pulse doppler imaging mode, the detection user may need to observe the target tissue and select a region of interest for blood flow measurement on the one hand and to perform blood flow measurement on the other hand. If the system of the invention is used, the blood flow measuring process is more convenient and accurate, the blood flow data measured for many times in history can be fully utilized, and the system is convenient for a user to carry out disease course monitoring, treatment prognosis evaluation and the like.

The functions referred to in the present application can be implemented by the program described in the above embodiments, or by hardware, for example, by building a gate circuit into an asic. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various programs of the above embodiments may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, which may include: a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic or optical disk, etc., and the data processor may implement the above functions by executing programs.

Reference is made herein to various exemplary embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope hereof. For example, the various operational steps, as well as the components used to perform the operational steps, may be implemented in differing ways depending upon the particular application or consideration of any number of cost functions associated with operation of the system (e.g., one or more steps may be deleted, modified or incorporated into other steps).

Additionally, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the principles herein may be reflected in a computer program product on a computer readable storage medium, which is pre-loaded with computer readable program code. Any tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be used, including magnetic storage devices (hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), optical storage devices (CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu Ray disks, etc.), flash memory, and/or the like. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including means for implementing the function specified. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified.

While the principles herein have been illustrated in various embodiments, many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, elements, materials, and components particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements may be employed without departing from the principles and scope of the present disclosure. The above modifications and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this document.

The foregoing detailed description has been described with reference to various embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is to be considered in an illustrative and not a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Also, advantages, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any element(s) to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the term "coupled," and any other variation thereof, as used herein, refers to a physical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, a communicative connection, a functional connection, and/or any other connection.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined only by the following claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic elasticity detection method, characterized by comprising:

receiving a first instruction input by a user, starting an elastic detection mode based on the first instruction and entering an elastic acquisition preparation stage, wherein the elastic detection mode is divided into the elastic acquisition preparation stage and an elastic scanning stage; in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, real-time ultrasonic imaging detection is carried out on target tissues based on a first transmitting/receiving sequence, and real-time ultrasonic images are output to a display for displaying;

detecting an interesting area selected by a user on an ultrasonic image through an interesting area identification, and acquiring the position information of the interesting area; wherein the region of interest identifier comprises one of a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, and a sector;

receiving a second instruction input by a user, entering an elastic scanning stage from the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the second instruction, and performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at least according to the position information of the region of interest based on a second transmitting/receiving sequence and outputting an elastic detection result in the elastic scanning stage, wherein the second transmitting/receiving sequence and the first transmitting/receiving sequence are different sequences, and the performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at least according to the position information of the region of interest comprises at least one of the following steps: performing elastic detection on the region of interest for one or more continuous times; alternately carrying out ultrasonic imaging detection on target tissues and elasticity detection on an interested region in an elasticity scanning stage;

after the elastic scanning stage is finished, automatically switching from the elastic scanning stage to an elastic acquisition preparation stage or switching from the elastic scanning stage to the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by a user;

when elastic detection is carried out on the region of interest for one time or a plurality of times continuously, the elastic detection result generated in the elastic scanning stage and the ultrasonic image of the region of interest selected in the elastic acquisition preparation stage are saved, and other real-time ultrasonic image data generated in the elastic acquisition preparation stage are not saved; when the ultrasonic imaging detection of the target tissue and the elasticity detection of the region of interest are alternately carried out in the elasticity scanning stage, the ultrasonic image with the region of interest identifier and the elasticity detection result generated in the elasticity scanning stage are saved, and the real-time ultrasonic image data generated in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage is not saved.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a third command input by the user in real time during the elastic scanning phase, and switching to the elastic acquisition preparation phase upon detecting the third command input by the user.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an elasticity detection result display step, specifically comprising: and synthesizing the ultrasonic image with the interesting area mark and the elastic detection result into a frame of image, and outputting the synthesized frame of image data to a display in real time so as to simultaneously display the ultrasonic image with the interesting area mark and the elastic detection result on a display interface, wherein the ultrasonic image comprises a B image, a C image or an image formed by overlapping the B image and the C image.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein when only one or more consecutive elastic detections are performed on the region of interest, the synthesizing the ultrasound image with the region of interest identification and the elastic detection result into one frame of image comprises: and synthesizing the ultrasonic image with the interesting region mark and the elastic detection result obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage into a frame of image.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein when the ultrasound imaging examination of the target tissue and the elastography examination of the region of interest are performed alternately in an elastography phase, the synthesizing of the ultrasound image with the region of interest identification and the elastography examination result into one frame of image comprises: adding the region of interest identifier to the ultrasonic image generated in real time in the elastic scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, forming a combination of ultrasonic imaging detection and elastic detection adjacent to the detection time, and synthesizing the ultrasonic image added with the region of interest identifier and the elastic detection result in each combination into a frame of image.

6. An ultrasonic elasticity detection method, characterized by comprising:

receiving a first instruction input by a user, starting an elastic detection mode based on the first instruction and entering an elastic acquisition preparation stage, wherein the elastic detection mode is divided into the elastic acquisition preparation stage and an elastic scanning stage; in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, real-time ultrasonic imaging detection is carried out on target tissues based on a first transmitting/receiving sequence, and real-time ultrasonic images are output to a display for displaying; detecting an interesting area selected by a user on an ultrasonic image through an interesting area identification, and acquiring the position information of the interesting area;

receiving a second instruction input by a user, entering an elastic scanning stage from the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the second instruction, performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at least according to the position information of the region of interest based on a second transmitting/receiving sequence in the elastic scanning stage, and outputting an elastic detection result, wherein the second transmitting/receiving sequence and the first transmitting/receiving sequence are different sequences; after the elastic scanning stage is finished, the elastic scanning stage is automatically switched to the elastic acquisition preparation stage or the elastic scanning stage is switched to the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on a third instruction input by a user without finishing the elastic detection mode.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising an elasticity detection result display step, specifically comprising: synthesizing the ultrasonic image with the interesting area mark and the elastic detection result into a frame of image, and outputting the synthesized frame of image data to a display in real time so as to simultaneously display the ultrasonic image with the interesting area mark and the elastic detection result on a display interface, wherein the ultrasonic image comprises a B image, a C image or an image formed by overlapping the B image and the C image; alternatively, the elasticity detection result is displayed separately.

8. An ultrasonic elasticity detection method, characterized by comprising:

in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, real-time ultrasonic imaging detection is carried out on target tissues based on a first transmitting/receiving sequence, and real-time ultrasonic images are output to a display for displaying; detecting an interesting area selected by a user on an ultrasonic image through an interesting area identification, and acquiring the position information of the interesting area; wherein the detecting a selected region of interest on the ultrasound image by the user through the region of interest identification comprises: detecting adjustment of the size and the position of a region of interest identifier by a user to select a region of interest, wherein the region of interest identifier comprises one of a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse and a fan;

receiving a second instruction input by a user, entering an elastic scanning stage from the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the second instruction, and performing at least one elastic detection on the region of interest at least according to the position information of the region of interest based on a second transmitting/receiving sequence in the elastic scanning stage, wherein the second transmitting/receiving sequence and the first transmitting/receiving sequence are different sequences;

and displaying the at least one elastic detection result and the acquired position information of the region of interest on a display interface or displaying the at least one elastic detection result on the display interface.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the position information of the region of interest displayed on the display interface is presented by an ultrasound image added with a region of interest identifier, wherein the ultrasound image comprises a B image, a C image, or an image in which the B image and the C image are superimposed.

10. An ultrasonic elasticity test system, comprising:

a transmitting and receiving sequence control module, configured to output a first transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer in an elastic acquisition preparation phase, control the transducer to transmit a first ultrasonic wave and receive an echo of the first ultrasonic wave, output at least one second transmitting/receiving sequence to the transducer after generating a shear wave in a target tissue in an elastic scanning phase, and control the transducer to transmit a second ultrasonic wave and receive an echo of the second ultrasonic wave, where the second transmitting/receiving sequence and the first transmitting/receiving sequence are different sequences, the first ultrasonic wave is used to perform real-time ultrasonic imaging on the target tissue, and the second ultrasonic wave is used to detect the shear wave traveling through a region of interest in the target tissue;

a nonvolatile memory for storing programs and data;

a data processing module for executing a program to implement the method of any one of claims 1-9;

the human-computer interaction module comprises a display, and the display is used for displaying an ultrasonic image and an elastic result and adding and/or adjusting an interested area mark on the ultrasonic image, wherein the ultrasonic image comprises a B image, a C image or an image formed by overlapping the B image and the C image.