KR102270721B1 - Method and apparatus for generating ultrasonic image - Google Patents

Abstract

The ultrasound imaging apparatus stores ultrasound echo signals corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object, determines a focal point on a cross-section of interest with respect to the object, and obtains phase information from the ultrasound echo signals By performing beamforming using the first channel data including to generate second beam focusing data for a focal point, synthesizing the first beam focusing data and the second beam focusing data to generate composite beam focusing data, and using the composite beam focusing data to correspond to a cross-section of interest A method is disclosed for generating an ultrasound image.

Description

Ultrasound imaging device and ultrasound image generation method {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ULTRASONIC IMAGE}

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and an ultrasound image generating method, and more particularly, to an ultrasound image processing apparatus and method for improving the quality of a 3D ultrasound image.

An ultrasound imaging apparatus irradiates an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe to an object, receives information on an echo signal reflected from the object, and obtains an image of a region inside the object. In particular, the ultrasound imaging apparatus is used for medical purposes, such as observing the inside of an object, detecting a foreign substance, and measuring an injury. Such an ultrasound imaging apparatus is widely used together with other imaging apparatuses because it has high stability compared to a diagnostic apparatus using X-rays, can display images in real time, and is safe because there is no radiation exposure.

The ultrasound system provides a 3D ultrasound image including clinical information such as spatial information and anatomical information that cannot be provided in a 2D ultrasound image. That is, the ultrasound system continuously transmits an ultrasound signal to a living body, receives an ultrasound signal reflected from the living body (ie, an ultrasound echo signal), forms volume data, and renders the volume data to form a 3D ultrasound image.

An ultrasound echo signal corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a three-dimensional ultrasound image of an object is stored, beamforming is performed on a focal point on a cross-section of interest for the object, and beam focusing data for the focal point is generated, Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus for generating an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-section of interest and a method for generating an ultrasound image.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for generating an ultrasound image, the method comprising: storing ultrasound echo signals corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object; determining a focal point on the cross-section of interest for the object; By performing beamforming using first channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal, first beam focusing data for the focal point is generated, and phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal is generated. performing beamforming using the included second channel data to generate second beam focusing data for the focal point; generating synthesized beam focusing data by synthesizing the first beam focusing data and the second beam focusing data; and generating an ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest by using the combined beam focusing data, wherein the second channel data is acquired at a different point in time and at a different location than the first channel data. .

In addition, the first channel data includes at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to a first frame among the plurality of frames, and the second channel data includes a second frame among the plurality of frames. It may include at least two channel data obtained from the ultrasound echo signal corresponding to .

In addition, the first channel data may include at least two channel data that form a scan line closest to the focal point among a plurality of channel data including the phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal.

The method may further include displaying the ultrasound image.

Also, the displaying may include displaying an enlarged image of an image corresponding to the region of interest included in the ROI.

The displaying may include: displaying a 3D ultrasound image of the object; and overlapping the enlarged image on a region corresponding to the region of interest of the 3D ultrasound image and displaying the overlapped image.

The displaying may include: displaying a 3D ultrasound image of the object; and overlapping and displaying at least one of an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image.

In addition, receiving a user input for setting at least one of a cross-section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound echo signal, a region of interest included in the cross-section, a size of the region of interest, and a magnification ratio of the region of interest It may further include the step of

According to an aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound imaging apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store ultrasound echo signals corresponding to a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object; Determining a focal point on a cross-section of interest for the object, and performing beam forming using first channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to generate first beam focusing data for the focal point, , by performing beamforming using second channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to generate second beam focusing data for a focal point, the first beam focusing data and the second beam a beam forming unit that synthesizes focused data to generate combined beam focused data; and an image generator that generates an ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest by using the combined beam focusing data, wherein the second channel data is acquired at a different point in time and at a different location from the first channel data. do.

In addition, the first channel data includes at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to a first frame among the plurality of frames, and the second channel data includes a second frame among the plurality of frames. It may include at least two channel data obtained from the ultrasound echo signal corresponding to .

Also, the first channel data may include at least two channel data that form a scan line closest to the focal point among channel data including the phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal.

In addition, the display unit for displaying the ultrasound image may be further included.

Also, the display unit may display an enlarged image obtained by magnifying an image corresponding to the region of interest included in the cross-section of interest.

Also, the display unit may display a 3D ultrasound image of the object and overlap the enlarged image on a region corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image.

In addition, the display unit may display a 3D ultrasound image of the object and overlap at least one of an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image. have.

In addition, receiving a user input for setting at least one of a cross-section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound echo signal, a region of interest included in the cross-section, a size of the region of interest, and a magnification ratio of the region of interest It may further include a user input unit.

It is possible to improve the image quality of an arbitrary section of a 3D ultrasound image.

When the 3D ultrasound image is enlarged, it is possible to improve the quality degradation problem.

The magnified image of the magnified region of interest is displayed overlaid on the region in which the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image is located, so that the position of the magnified region may be intuitively determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention can be easily understood by the following detailed description and combination of the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals mean structural elements.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart of a method for generating an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary diagram for explaining generating an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary view for explaining beam focusing for generating a 3D ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary view illustrating an ultrasound image display according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an exemplary view illustrating an ultrasound image display according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a display of an ROI of an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
10 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Terms used in this specification will be briefly described, and the present invention will be described in detail.

The terms used in the present invention have been selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but these may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in specific cases, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

When a part "includes" a certain element throughout the specification, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. Also, as used herein, the term “unit” refers to a hardware component such as software, FPGA, or ASIC, and “unit” performs certain roles. However, 'part' is not limited to software or hardware. The 'unit' may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium or may be configured to refresh one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, “part” includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays and variables. The functionality provided within components and “parts” may be combined into a smaller number of components and “parts” or further divided into additional components and “parts”.

Throughout the specification, "image" may refer to multi-dimensional data composed of discrete image elements (eg, pixels in a 2D image and voxels in a 3D image).

Throughout the specification, the term “ultrasound image” refers to an image of an object obtained using ultrasound. Also, a subject may include a human or animal, or a part of a human or animal. For example, the object may include organs such as liver, heart, uterus, brain, breast, abdomen, or blood vessels. Also, the object may include a phantom, and the phantom may mean a material having a volume very close to the density and effective atomic number of an organism.

Throughout the specification, "subject" may include a human or animal, or a part of a human or animal. For example, the object may include organs such as liver, heart, uterus, brain, breast, abdomen, or blood vessels. Also, the “object” may include a phantom. The phantom refers to a material having a volume very close to the density and effective atomic number of an organism, and may include a spherical phantom having properties similar to that of a body.

Throughout the specification, a "user" may be a medical professional, such as a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or a technician repairing a medical device, but is not limited thereto.

Throughout the specification, the term “intersection of interest” refers to a cross-section of an object to be displayed in a 3D ultrasound image of the object.

Throughout the specification, a “region of interest” refers to a region to which additional image processing is to be applied in an ultrasound image. The additional image processing may include, for example, enlargement, reduction, image quality improvement, movement, and transformation, but is not limited thereto. For example, the ROI may be determined on a 3D ultrasound image. As another example, the region of interest may be determined on a cross-section of interest.

Throughout the specification, “channel data” refers to data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal before beamforming including phase information. The channel data may be used to perform beamforming. The type of channel data before beamforming may include RF data and I/Q data, but is not limited thereto.

Throughout the specification, “beam-focused data” refers to beam-focused data obtained as a result of beamforming using at least two channel data. The beam focusing data may be used to generate an ultrasound image.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily carry out the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment includes a probe 20 , an ultrasound transceiver 100 , an image processing unit 200 , a communication unit 300 , a storage unit 400 , a user input unit 500 , and a control unit ( 600 , and the various components described above may be connected to each other through the bus 700 .

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may be implemented not only as a cart type but also as a portable type. Examples of the portable ultrasound imaging apparatus may include, but are not limited to, a fax viewer, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

The probe 20 transmits an ultrasound signal to the object 10 according to a driving signal applied from the ultrasound transceiver 100 , and receives an echo signal reflected from the object 10 . The probe 20 includes a plurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers vibrate according to the transmitted electrical signal and generate ultrasonic waves, which are acoustic energy. Also, the probe 20 may be connected to the main body of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 by wire or wirelessly, and the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may include a plurality of probes 20 according to an implementation form.

The transmitter 110 supplies a driving signal to the probe 20 , and includes a pulse generator 112 , a transmission delay unit 114 , and a pulser 116 . The pulse generator 112 generates a pulse for forming a transmission ultrasound according to a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delay unit 114 determines transmission directionality. A delay time is applied to the pulse. Each pulse to which the delay time is applied corresponds to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe 20 , respectively. The pulser 116 applies a driving signal (or a driving pulse) to the probe 20 at a timing corresponding to each pulse to which a delay time is applied.

The receiver 120 generates ultrasonic data by processing the echo signal received from the probe 20 , an amplifier 122 , an analog digital converter (ADC) 124 , a reception delay unit 126 , and A summation unit 128 may be included. The amplifier 122 amplifies the echo signal for each channel, and the ADC 124 analog-digitizes the amplified echo signal. The reception delay unit 126 applies a delay time for determining reception directionality to the digitally converted echo signal, and the summing unit 128 sums the echo signals processed by the reception delay unit 166. Generate ultrasound data. On the other hand, the receiver 120 may not include the amplifier 122 according to its implementation form. That is, when the sensitivity of the probe 20 is improved or the number of processing bits of the ADC 124 is improved, the amplifier 122 may be omitted.

The image processing unit 200 generates and displays an ultrasound image through a scan conversion process on the ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transceiver 100 . On the other hand, the ultrasound image is a gray scale image obtained by scanning an object in A mode (amplitude mode), B mode (brightness mode), and M mode (motion mode) as well as a Doppler effect. It may include a Doppler image representing a moving object using the . The Doppler image may include a blood flow Doppler image (or also referred to as a color Doppler image) indicating blood flow, a tissue Doppler image indicating tissue movement, and a spectral Doppler image indicating the movement speed of an object as a waveform. have.

The B-mode processing unit 212 extracts and processes the B-mode component from the ultrasound data. The image generator 220 may generate an ultrasound image in which signal intensity is expressed as brightness based on the B mode component extracted by the B mode processor 212 .

Similarly, the Doppler processor 214 may extract a Doppler component from the ultrasound data, and the image generator 220 may generate a Doppler image expressing the motion of the object as a color or a waveform based on the extracted Doppler component.

The image generating unit 220 according to an embodiment may generate a 3D ultrasound image through a volume rendering process for volume data, and may generate an elastic image obtained by imaging the degree of deformation of the object 10 according to pressure. may be Furthermore, the image generator 220 may express various types of additional information as text or graphics on the ultrasound image. Meanwhile, the generated ultrasound image may be stored in the storage unit 400 .

The display 230 displays and outputs the generated ultrasound image. The display unit 230 may display and output not only the ultrasound image but also various information processed by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 on the screen through a graphic user interface (GUI). Meanwhile, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may include two or more display units 230 according to an implementation form.

The communication unit 300 is connected to the network 30 by wire or wirelessly to communicate with an external device or server. The communication unit 300 may exchange data with a hospital server connected through a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) or other medical devices in the hospital. Also, the communication unit 300 may perform data communication according to a digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) standard.

The communication unit 300 may transmit/receive data related to diagnosis of the object, such as an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, and Doppler data, of the object 10 through the network 30 , and may be photographed by other medical devices such as CT, MRI, and X-ray. A medical image can also be transmitted and received. Furthermore, the communication unit 300 may receive information about a patient's diagnosis history or treatment schedule from the server and use it for diagnosis of the object 10 . Furthermore, the communication unit 300 may perform data communication with a portable terminal of a doctor or a patient as well as a server or medical device in a hospital.

The communication unit 300 may be connected to the network 30 by wire or wirelessly to exchange data with the server 32 , the medical device 34 , or the portable terminal 36 . The communication unit 300 may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device, and may include, for example, a short-range communication module 310 , a wired communication module 320 , and a mobile communication module 330 . can

The short-range communication module 310 refers to a module for short-range communication within a predetermined distance. Short-distance communication technology according to an embodiment of the present invention includes wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared communication ( IrDA, infrared Data Association), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. may be included, but is not limited thereto.

The wired communication module 320 means a module for communication using an electrical signal or an optical signal, and in wired communication technology according to an embodiment, a pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, an Ethernet cable, etc. may be included.

The mobile communication module 330 transmits/receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission/reception of a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text/multimedia message.

The storage unit 400 stores various pieces of information processed by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 . For example, the storage unit 400 may store medical data related to diagnosis of an object, such as input/output ultrasound data and ultrasound images, and may store an algorithm or program executed in the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 .

The storage unit 400 may be implemented with various types of storage media, such as a flash memory, a hard disk, and an EEPROM. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may operate a web storage or a cloud server that performs a storage function of the storage unit 400 on the web.

The user input unit 500 refers to a means for receiving data for controlling the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 from a user. The user input unit 500 may include, but is not limited to, hardware components such as a keypad, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen, a track ball, and a jog switch, and is not limited thereto, and an electrocardiogram measurement module, a respiration measurement module, a voice recognition sensor, a gesture recognition sensor , a fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, a distance sensor, etc. may further include various input means.

The controller 600 generally controls the operation of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 . That is, the control unit 600 controls the operation between the probe 20 , the ultrasound transceiver 100 , the image processing unit 200 , the communication unit 300 , the storage unit 400 , and the user input unit 500 shown in FIG. 1 . can be controlled

Some or all of the probe 20 , the ultrasound transceiver 100 , the image processing unit 200 , the communication unit 300 , the storage unit 400 , the user input unit 500 , and the control unit 600 may be operated by a software module. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and some of the above-described configurations may be operated by hardware. In addition, at least some of the ultrasound transceiver 100 , the image processing unit 200 , and the communication unit 300 may be included in the control unit 600 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless probe 2000 related to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless probe 2000 includes a plurality of transducers as described with reference to FIG. 1 , and may include some or all of the configuration of the ultrasound transceiver 100 of FIG. 1 according to an implementation form.

The wireless probe 2000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a transmitter 2100 , a transducer 2200 , and a receiver 2300 , and since each configuration has been described in 1, a detailed description is omitted. do. Meanwhile, the wireless probe 2000 may selectively include a reception delay unit 2330 and a summation unit 2340 according to an implementation form thereof.

The wireless probe 2000 may transmit an ultrasound signal to the object 10 , receive an echo signal, generate ultrasound data, and wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data to the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 of FIG. 1 .

3 is a flowchart of a method for generating an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In operation 310, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 stores ultrasound echo signals corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may transmit an ultrasound signal to an object, receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object, and store it. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may acquire channel data before beamforming from the stored echo signal. In this case, the channel data before beamforming includes phase information. The type of channel data before beamforming may include RF data and I/Q data, but is not limited thereto.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses an ultrasound echo signal to directly beam a focal point between cross-sections of an object corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image. Foaming can be performed. That is, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may obtain a voxel value for a focal point on a cross-section of interest different from cross-sections of an object, corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image.

In operation 320 , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 determines a focal point on a cross-section of interest with respect to the object.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention performs beamforming on a focal point between cross-sections of an object corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image, thereby performing 3D ultrasound. A voxel value for a focal point on a cross-section of interest that is different from cross-sections of the object, corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming an image, may be obtained. Accordingly, the image quality of an arbitrary cross-section of a 3D ultrasound image of an object may be improved. In addition, it is possible to improve the problem of image quality degradation when magnifying an image of an arbitrary cross-section of a 3D ultrasound image of an object.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as the cross-section of interest is changed, the focal point may also be changed.

In step 330, beamforming is performed using first channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to generate first beam focusing data for a focal point, and phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal By performing beamforming using the second channel data including The second channel data is characterized in that it is obtained at a different time and at a different location than the first channel data.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses at least two channel data that form a scan line closest to a focal point among channel data including phase information obtained from an echo signal, Beamforming may be performed for . Accuracy of beam focusing data may be improved by using channel data that forms a scan line closest to the focal point.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first channel data may include at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to the first frame among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object. . The second channel data may include at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to the second frame among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of the object. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate an echo signal corresponding to each of the two cross-sections closest to the focal point among the plurality of cross-sections of the object corresponding to each of the plurality of frames forming the 3D ultrasound image. By using this, beamforming for a focal point may be performed. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate beam focusing data by performing beam forming on a focal point using at least two channel data including phase information obtained from each echo signal.

In operation 350 , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 generates combined beam focusing data by synthesizing the first beam focusing data and the second beam focusing data.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate composite beam focusing data by applying different weights to each beam focusing data and synthesizing them. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may appropriately adjust a weight in order to improve the quality of an ultrasound image.

In operation 350, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 generates an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-section of interest by using the composite beam focusing data.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display an ultrasound image generated by using the composite beam focusing data. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-section of interest. As another example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display an enlarged image of an image corresponding to the ROI included in the ROI.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display a 3D ultrasound image of the object by using the ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display the ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest by overlapping the ultrasound image corresponding to the region of interest of the 3D ultrasound image. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display the enlarged image of the ROI on the region corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display an enlarged image of an image corresponding to the region of interest included in the ROI on the region corresponding to the region of interest of the 3D ultrasound image. Accordingly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention enables intuitive recognition of a relative position of an enlarged region or a cross-section of interest in a 3D ultrasound image.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention may overlap and display an image to which a display effect is applied to an image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image. For example, the display effect may include, but is not limited to, an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image of a cross-section or region of interest.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention may display a user interface for setting a mode related to display of an ultrasound image based on a user input. For example, the mode related to the display of the ultrasound image may include at least one of a cross-section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image, a region of interest included in the cross-section, a display effect applied to the region of interest, a size of the region of interest, and an enlargement ratio of the region of interest. may include, but is not limited to.

4 is an exemplary diagram for explaining generating an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is an exemplary diagram for explaining a process in which an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-section of interest is displayed in a 3D ultrasound image of an object.

Referring to FIG. 4A , a plurality of cross-sections included in an object are shown. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate a 3D ultrasound image from frames corresponding to each of a plurality of cross-sections forming the 3D ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate a 3D ultrasound image by using the volume data. The volume data consists of a plurality of frames and includes voxels having a brightness value. Each of the plurality of voxels has three-dimensional geometry information. The 3D geometry information includes, but is not limited to, 3D coordinate values.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate a 2D ultrasound image for one cross-section of the 3D ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may improve ultrasound image quality when generating a 2D ultrasound image of a cross section different from a plurality of cross sections forming a 3D ultrasound image. Also, it is possible to improve the resolution degradation problem of an enlarged image obtained by magnifying an arbitrary cross-section of interest.

4B illustrates channel data including phase information obtained from an echo signal corresponding to one of a plurality of cross-sections included in an object by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. is used to generate beam focusing data.

In FIG. 4B , an axial direction 430 indicates a traveling direction of an ultrasound signal with respect to the conversion element of the probe 20 , and a lateral direction 425 indicates movement of a scanline. direction, and the elevation direction 420 is a depth direction of the 3D ultrasound image and indicates a scanning direction of a frame (ie, a scan surface).

For example, the focal point 490 is between cross-sections of the object corresponding to each of the plurality of frames forming the 3D ultrasound image, that is, on the cross-section of interest different from the plurality of cross-sections forming the 3D ultrasound image. can be located in

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 includes at least two pieces including phase information obtained from an echo signal corresponding to a first frame 410 that is one of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image. By performing beamforming using the channel data 441 , first beam focusing data for the focal point 490 may be generated. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 performs beamforming by using channel data obtained at a different location at a different time than the channel data used to generate the first beam focusing data, and focuses the first beam on the focal point 490 . data can be generated. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate combined beam focusing data by synthesizing at least two beam focusing data for the focal point 490 .

5 is an exemplary view for explaining beam focusing for generating a 3D ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform beamforming on a focal point between cross-sections of an object corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of the object. can That is, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may obtain a voxel value for a focal point on a cross-section of interest different from cross-sections of the object, corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image.

For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 performs beamforming using at least two channel data including phase information obtained from an echo signal corresponding to a first frame among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image. , to generate the first beam focusing data for the focal point. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 performs beamforming using at least two channel data including phase information obtained from an echo signal corresponding to a second frame among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image. Thus, the second beam focusing data for the focal point may be generated. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate composite beam focusing data by synthesizing the first beam focusing data and the second beam focusing data.

5 is a diagram illustrating phase information obtained by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention from echo signals corresponding to two frames among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object. It indicates that beamforming is performed using the included channel data.

Referring to FIG. 5A , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 obtained from a first echo signal corresponding to a first frame 510 among a plurality of frames 510 and 520 forming a 3D ultrasound image. Beamforming may be performed on the focal point 590 using the first channel data 541 including phase information.

Referring to FIG. 5B , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 obtains from a first echo signal corresponding to a first frame 510 among a plurality of frames 510 and 520 forming a 3D ultrasound image. Beamforming may be performed on the focal point 590 using the second channel data 543 including phase information.

Referring to FIG. 5C , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 obtains a second echo signal corresponding to a second frame 520 among a plurality of frames 510 and 520 forming a 3D ultrasound image. Beamforming may be performed on the focal point 590 using the third channel data 561 including phase information.

Referring to FIG. 5( d ), the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 obtains a second echo signal corresponding to a second frame 520 among a plurality of frames 510 and 520 forming a 3D ultrasound image. Beamforming may be performed on the focal point 590 using the fourth channel data 563 including phase information.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may synthesize each beam focusing data to generate the composite beam focusing data. That is, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may perform beamforming on a focal point using different channel data in time and space, and synthesize the beamformed data to generate composite beam focusing data.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate composite beam focusing data by applying different weights to each beam focusing data and synthesizing them. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may appropriately adjust a weight in order to improve the quality of an ultrasound image.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may generate an ultrasound image by using the composite beam focusing data. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-section of interest by using the composite beam focusing data on the focal point.

6 is an exemplary view illustrating an ultrasound image display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6A , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may set a cross-section 610 of interest for an object. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may set the POI 610 based on a user input. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may receive a user input for changing the cross-section of interest 610 and display the changed cross-section of interest in real time.

Referring to FIG. 6B , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display an enlarged image 620 of an ultrasound image corresponding to a cross-section of interest 610 . For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display the enlarged image 620 obtained by magnifying the image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a region corresponding to the cross-section of interest 610 of the 3D ultrasound image.

Referring to FIG. 6C , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a cross-section of interest 610 such that a cross-section of interest 610 and a screen on which a 3D ultrasound image is displayed are parallel to each other. ) may be displayed. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display the image 630 corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a region corresponding to the cross-section of interest 610 of the 3D ultrasound image.

Referring to FIG. 6D , in the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the displayed ultrasound image is arranged so that the cross-section 610 of interest and the screen on which the 3D ultrasound image is displayed are oriented in parallel with each other. An enlarged image 620 of magnified may be displayed. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display the enlarged image 620 obtained by magnifying the image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a region corresponding to the cross-section of interest 610 of the 3D ultrasound image.

7 is an exemplary view illustrating an ultrasound image display according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may overlap and display an image to which a display effect is applied to an image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image. Also, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display an image to which a display effect is applied to an image corresponding to the region of interest included in the ROI on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image. For example, the display effect may include, but is not limited to, an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image of a cross-section or region of interest.

Referring to FIG. 7A , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display an enlarged image of an image corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image overlaid on the region where the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image is located.

Referring to FIG. 7B , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 superimposes an elastic image of an image corresponding to a region of interest included in a cross-section of the 3D ultrasound image on a region in which the region of interest of the 3D ultrasound image is located. can be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 7C , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 superimposes a Doppler image of an image corresponding to a region of interest included in a cross-section of a 3D ultrasound image on a region in which the region of interest of the 3D ultrasound image is located. can be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 7D , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 displays an MR fusion image of an image corresponding to a region of interest included in a cross-section of a 3D ultrasound image on a region in which the region of interest of the 3D ultrasound image is located. It can be displayed overlaid.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as the position of the region of interest is moved or the shape of the region of interest is changed based on a user input, the position of the image to which the display effect is applied or the shape of the image to which the display effect is applied is changed. can Also, as the cross-section of interest is changed based on the user input, the image to which the display effect is applied may also be changed.

8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a display of an ROI of an ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display a user interface for setting a mode related to display of an ultrasound image based on a user input. For example, the mode related to the display of the ultrasound image may include at least one of a cross-section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image, a region of interest included in the cross-section, a display effect applied to the region of interest, a size of the region of interest, and an enlargement ratio of the region of interest. may include, but is not limited to.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention sets a 3D ultrasound image 810 , an enlarged image 820 of a cross-section of interest for an object, and a mode related to the display of the ultrasound image. You can display a user interface that allows you to The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may overlap and display the enlarged image 820 of the cross-section of interest of the object on the region corresponding to the region of interest 820 of the 3D ultrasound image 810 . The user interface may include a size 830 of the region of interest, a magnification ratio 840 of the region of interest, and a selection list 850 for applying a display effect applied to the region of interest. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may determine a region of interest 820 and a cross-section of interest 825 based on a user input.

The display unit 230 of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention may display an ultrasound image on a touch screen. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may set or change a mode related to the display of an ultrasound image based on a touch input on a user interface displayed on the touch screen. In addition, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may perform a region of interest 820 , a cross-section of interest 825 and a cross-section of interest of the 3D ultrasound image 810 based on a touch input on the 3D ultrasound image 810 displayed on the touch screen. At least one of the regions of interest on (825) may be determined.

9 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit 400 , a beamformer 900 , and an image generator 220 .

Hereinafter, the components will be described in turn.

The storage unit 400 stores an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object.

The storage unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention may store the echo signal reflected from the object. For example, the ultrasound transceiver 100 may acquire ultrasound data corresponding to an ultrasound image by transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving an echo signal reflected from the object. The storage unit 400 may store the acquired channel data before beamforming. Channel data before beamforming may include phase information.

The storage unit 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention may acquire ultrasound data from an external or internal device (not shown) connected to the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 by wire or wirelessly.

The beamformer 900 determines a focal point on the cross-section of interest for the object, and performs beamforming using first channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to focus the first beam on the focal point. Data is generated and beamforming is performed using second channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to generate second beam focusing data for a focal point, and first and second beam focusing data and second beam focusing data are generated. By synthesizing the beam focusing data, the composite beam focusing data is generated. The second channel data is characterized in that it is obtained at a different time and at a different location than the first channel data.

The beamformer 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention may perform beamforming on a focal point based on a position of a conversion element and a phase of a voxel corresponding to a 3D ultrasound image.

For example, the first channel data may include at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to the first frame among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of the object. Also, the second channel data may include at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to the second frame among a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of the object.

The beamformer 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses at least two channel data that form a scan line closest to a focal point among a plurality of channel data including phase information obtained from an ultrasound echo signal. By performing beam forming, beam focusing data for a focal point may be generated.

Also, the beamformer 900 may synthesize each beam focusing data to generate combined beam focusing data. The beam-former 900 may generate combined beam-focusing data by giving weights to each beam-focused data and synthesizing them. For example, the beam former 900 may synthesize each beam focusing data by giving different weights to optimize the image quality of the cross-section of interest.

The image generator 220 generates an ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest by using the composite beam focusing data.

The image generator 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention may generate ultrasound data corresponding to the ultrasound image by using the composite beam focusing data. The image generator 220 may perform signal processing (eg, gain adjustment, etc.) necessary to form the ultrasound data on the focused beam data.

Also, the image generator 220 may generate a 3D ultrasound image by rendering the ultrasound volume data. Volume rendering is not described in detail in this embodiment because various known methods may be used.

The image generator 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention generates an ultrasound image corresponding to an arbitrary cross-section of the 3D ultrasound image by using the composite beam focusing data for a focal point on an arbitrary cross-section of the 3D ultrasound image. can create Accordingly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may improve the quality of an ultrasound image corresponding to an arbitrary cross-section of the 3D ultrasound image.

10 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10 , an ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasound transceiver 100 , a storage unit 400 , a beamformer 900 , an image generator 220 , It may include a display unit 230 and a user input unit 500 . However, not all illustrated components are essential components. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may be implemented by fewer components.

The storage unit 400, the beamformer 900, and the image generator 220 shown in FIG. 10 are the storage unit 400, the beamformer 900, and the image generator 220 shown in FIG. Since they correspond to the same, descriptions overlapping those of FIG. 9 will be omitted.

The ultrasound transceiver 100 transmits an ultrasound signal to an object and receives an echo signal corresponding to a first cross-section among a plurality of cross-sections included in the object.

The ultrasonic transceiver 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter may sequentially transmit ultrasound signals to the object to acquire a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of the object. The receiver may receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object.

The display unit 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention may display an ultrasound image.

For example, the display 230 may display a 3D ultrasound image of the object. Also, the display unit 230 may display an ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest. The display 230 may display the ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest so that the cross-section of interest and the screen are in a parallel direction. The display 230 may display an enlarged image of an image corresponding to the region of interest included in the cross-section of interest.

As another example, the display 230 may display an enlarged image obtained by magnifying the image corresponding to the ROI by overlapping it on the region corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image.

As another example, the display 230 may overlap and display at least one of an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image.

As another example, the display 230 may display a user interface for setting a mode related to display of an ultrasound image based on a user input. The user interface may be displayed on a region separated from the 3D ultrasound image. Also, the user interface may be displayed overlaid on the 3D ultrasound image.

The display unit 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention may use the 3D ultrasound image as a background image to display the cross-section of interest or the region of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display an image corresponding to a cross-section of interest only in an area desired by a user without changing a 3D ultrasound image that is a background image. As another example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may display an enlarged image only for a region desired by the user without changing a 3D ultrasound image that is a background image.

The display unit 230 according to another embodiment of the present invention superimposes an enlarged image corresponding to the region of interest included in the ROI of the object on the region corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image and displays it. can Accordingly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention enables intuitive recognition of the relative position of the region of interest shown in the enlarged image in the 3D ultrasound image.

The user input unit 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a user input for setting at least one of a cross section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image, a region of interest included in the section of interest, a size of the region of interest, and an enlargement ratio of the region of interest. can do.

An embodiment of the present invention may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Also, computer-readable media may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

The above description of the present invention is for illustration, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can understand that it can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a dispersed form, and likewise components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

1000: ultrasound imaging apparatus 10: object
20: probe 30: network
100: ultrasonic transceiver 200: image processing unit
220: image generating unit 230: display unit
300: communication unit 400: storage unit
500: user input unit 600: control unit
700: bus 900: beam forming unit

Claims (16)

storing an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object;
determining a focal point on the cross-section of interest for the object;
By performing beamforming using first channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal, first beam focusing data for the focal point is generated, and phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal is generated. performing beamforming using the included second channel data to generate second beam focusing data for the focal point;
generating synthesized beam focusing data by synthesizing the first beam focusing data and the second beam focusing data; and
generating an ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest by using the combined beam focusing data;
The method of claim 1, wherein the second channel data is acquired at a different point in time and at a different location than the first channel data. According to claim 1,
The first channel data is
at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to a first frame among the plurality of frames;
The second channel data is
and at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to a second frame among the plurality of frames. According to claim 1,
The first channel data includes at least two channel data that form a scan line closest to the focal point among channel data obtained from the ultrasound echo signal and including the phase information. creation method. According to claim 1,
The method is
The method of generating an ultrasound image further comprising the step of displaying the ultrasound image. 5. The method of claim 4,
The displaying step is
The method of generating an ultrasound image, wherein an enlarged image corresponding to the region of interest included in the ROI is displayed. 6. The method of claim 5,
The displaying step is
displaying a 3D ultrasound image of the object; and
and displaying the enlarged image overlaid on a region corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image. 5. The method of claim 4,
The displaying step is
displaying a 3D ultrasound image of the object; and
and displaying at least one of an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image corresponding to the cross-section of interest, overlaid on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image. According to claim 1,
The method is
Receiving a user input for setting at least one of a section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound echo signal, a region of interest included in the section of interest, a size of the region of interest, and a magnification ratio of the region of interest; Further comprising, an ultrasound image generating method. a storage unit configured to store an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to each of a plurality of frames forming a 3D ultrasound image of an object;
Determining a focal point on a cross-section of interest for the object, and performing beam forming using first channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to generate first beam focusing data for the focal point, , by performing beamforming using second channel data including phase information obtained from the ultrasound echo signal to generate second beam focusing data for the focal point, the first beam focusing data and the second a beam-former for synthesizing beam-focused data to generate combined beam-focused data; and
and an image generator to generate an ultrasound image corresponding to the cross-section of interest by using the combined beam focusing data, wherein the second channel data is acquired at a different point in time and at a different location from the first channel data , ultrasound imaging devices. 10. The method of claim 9,
The first channel data is
at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to a first frame among the plurality of frames;
The second channel data is
and at least two channel data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to a second frame among the plurality of frames. 10. The method of claim 9,
The first channel data includes at least two channel data that form a scan line closest to the focal point among channel data obtained from the ultrasound echo signal and including the phase information. Device. 10. The method of claim 9,
The ultrasound imaging apparatus further comprising a display configured to display the ultrasound image. 13. The method of claim 12,
The display unit,
and displaying an enlarged image obtained by magnifying an image corresponding to the region of interest included in the cross-section of interest. 14. The method of claim 13,
The display unit,
The ultrasound imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the 3D ultrasound image of the object is displayed, and the enlarged image is overlapped and displayed on a region corresponding to the ROI of the 3D ultrasound image. 13. The method of claim 12,
The display unit,
An ultrasound imaging apparatus for displaying a 3D ultrasound image of the object and overlapping at least one of an elastic image, a Doppler image, and a fusion image corresponding to the cross-section of interest on a partial region of the 3D ultrasound image . 10. The method of claim 9,
A user receiving a user input for setting at least one of a section of interest of a 3D ultrasound image generated using the ultrasound echo signal, a region of interest included in the section of interest, a size of the region of interest, and an enlargement ratio of the region of interest The ultrasound imaging apparatus further comprising an input unit.

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