KR20160059401A - Ultrasound imaging apparatus and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method for controlling the same, and more particularly, to a technique relating to the display of a gain compensation control means including a time gain compensation (TGC) or a lateral gain compensation (LGC) control means corresponding to the set interested area at the time of setting up the interested area of an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment comprises: an input part for receiving a command relating to the setting of an interested area of an ultrasound image; and a display part including a first area for displaying the ultrasound image and a second area for displaying a gain compensation control means prepared to change the gain compensation value of an ultrasound image. The display part comprises the step of displaying only the gain compensation control means corresponding to an interested area of an ultrasound image input in the second area when a command relating to the setting of an interested area of an ultrasound image displayed in the first area is input. In order to control TGC or LGC of an ultrasound image, by displaying a TGC or LGC control means corresponding to an interested area set by a user in an ultrasound image, an accurate and minute TGC or LGC control for the corresponding area is enabled.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a control method thereof,

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, To indicate the compensation adjustment means.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus irradiates an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe from a body surface of a target toward a target portion in the body and receives information of the reflected ultrasound signal (ultrasound echo signal) It is used for medical purposes such as observation of inner parts of objects, detection of foreign substances, and measurement of injuries.

These ultrasound imaging devices are small, inexpensive, and displayable in real time compared to other imaging devices such as X-ray diagnostic devices, X-ray CT scanners, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) It is widely used with other imaging diagnostic devices because it has high safety because it does not have radiation exposure.

In order to observe a target object, it is necessary to acquire an optimal ultrasound image that shows the object clearly. For this purpose, an image parameter (Gain) for adjusting the brightness, resolution, contrast, , Dynamic Range (DR), Time Gain Compensation (TGC), and Lateral Gain Compensation (LGC)).

For the purpose of adjusting the TGC or LGC of the ultrasound image, the TGC or LGC adjustment means corresponding to the region of interest set by the user in the ultrasound image is displayed to allow precise and detailed TGC or LGC adjustment for the region do.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasound imaging apparatus including:

A display unit including an input unit for receiving a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image, a first region for displaying the ultrasound image, and a second region for displaying gain compensation adjusting means for changing a gain compensation value of the ultrasound image, Wherein the display unit displays only a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image in the second region when a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region is input do.

In addition, the region of interest of the ultrasound image may be an area set by enlarging, reducing, enlarging or rotating the ultrasound image, and changing the screen displayed on the display unit when the region of interest is set.

In addition, the gain compensation adjusting means may include at least one of TGC (Time Gain Compensation) adjusting means or LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) adjusting means.

The display may include increasing or decreasing the level of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image so that the detailed gain compensation for the region of interest of the ultrasound image can be performed.

It is preferable that the display unit emphasizes and displays the display form of the gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image and emphasizes and displays the gain compensation adjusting unit to display the gain corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image, And changing and displaying the color of the compensation adjusting means.

The display unit may display an area of interest of the ultrasound image in the first area and superimpose and display a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image and a region of interest of the ultrasound image. have.

The command for setting the region of interest of the ultrasound image may include an instruction to enlarge or reduce a specific portion of the ultrasound image.

The ultrasound system may further include a sub display panel displaying an ultrasound image set as the ROI and a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a ROI of the ultrasound image, And a gain compensation adjusting means corresponding thereto, and the sub-display panel may display gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image and a region of interest of the ultrasound image.

The sub-display panel may further include a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image and a region of interest of the ultrasound image.

Also, the display unit and the sub-display panel may be configured to input a touch command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image by a user, and to touch a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the displayed ultrasound image, And a touch panel for adjusting a gain compensation value corresponding to the ultrasound image.

The display unit may further include at least one of TGC adjusting means for adjusting a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of the ultrasound image set in the ROI or LGC adjusting means for adjusting an LGC value corresponding to a lateral direction Lt; / RTI >

Also, the display unit may display at least one of a TGC adjustment line or a TGC adjustment object that adjusts a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of the ultrasound image set in the ROI.

The display unit may display at least one of an LGC adjustment line or an LGC adjustment object that adjusts LGC values corresponding to the left and right directions of the ultrasound image set in the ROI.

In addition, when a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region of the display unit is input, a processor for controlling the gain compensation unit corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image to be displayed in the second region .

The apparatus may further include a memory for storing information on a region of interest of the input ultrasound image and a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an ultrasound system,

A method for controlling an ultrasound imaging system including a first region for displaying an ultrasound image and a second region for displaying a gain compensation adjusting means for changing a gain compensation value of the ultrasound image, And displaying only the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image in the second region.

The gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image may include displaying a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image, Or increasing or decreasing the level of the displayed image.

In addition, displaying the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image emphasizes and displays the display form of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image, Emphasizing and displaying may include changing the color of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image and displaying the changed color.

The gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image may be displayed by superimposing gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region and the region of interest of the ultrasound image ≪ / RTI >

The receiving of the command for setting the region of interest of the ultrasound image may include an instruction to enlarge or reduce a specific portion of the ultrasound image.

The gain compensation adjusting means may include at least one of TGC (Time Gain Compensation) adjusting means and LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) adjusting means, and may display gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image May include at least one of TGC adjustment means for adjusting the TGC value corresponding to the depth direction of the ultrasound image set to the ROI or LGC adjustment means for adjusting the LGC value corresponding to the left and right direction.

The displaying of the TGC adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image may include displaying at least one of a TGC adjusting line or a TGC adjusting object for adjusting a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of the ultrasound image set in the ROI ≪ / RTI >

In addition, displaying the LGC adjustment means corresponding to the ROI of the input ultrasound image may include displaying at least one of LGC adjustment lines or LGC adjustment objects that adjust LGC values corresponding to the left and right directions of the ultrasound image set in the ROI ≪ / RTI >

The method may further include storing information on a region of interest of the input ultrasound image and a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image.

The TGC or LGC adjustment means for the region of interest to be observed by the user in the ultrasound image of the object is displayed so that the TGC or LGC adjustment means for the portion not set as the region of interest is prevented from being unnecessarily displayed, It is possible to control the precise and detailed TGC or LGC value.

1 is an external view of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a change in TGC value for an ultrasound image according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating that an LGC value for an ultrasound image is changed according to an exemplary embodiment.
4 is a diagram showing a display form of the TGC adjusting means when the region of interest of the ultrasound image is set according to the prior art.
5 is a control block diagram of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a display form of the TGC adjusting means when an area of interest of an ultrasound image is set according to an embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display form of the TGC adjusting means emphasized and displayed when a region of interest of an ultrasound image is set according to an embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the level of the TGC adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image increased and displayed according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing only a TGC adjustment object or only a TGC adjustment line among TGC adjustment means corresponding to a region of interest of an ultrasound image according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing that a TGC adjustment object corresponding to a region of interest of an ultrasound image is superimposed and displayed on an ultrasound image according to an embodiment.
FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating that the entire ultrasound image and the entire TGC adjusting means are displayed on the display unit and the TGC adjusting unit corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is displayed on the sub-display panel according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating that a region of interest of the ultrasound image and corresponding TGC adjustment means are displayed on the display unit and the entire ultrasound image and the entire TGC adjustment means are displayed on the sub-display panel according to an embodiment.
11C is a diagram illustrating that the entire ultrasound image and the TGC adjustment means are displayed on the display unit and the TGC adjustment object corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is superimposed on the ultrasound image on the sub display panel according to an exemplary embodiment .
12 is a diagram illustrating a method of adjusting a TGC value by touching a TGC adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of an ultrasound image according to an exemplary embodiment.
13 is a view showing another embodiment of adjusting the TGC value by manipulating the TGC adjustment object corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image.
14A is a diagram illustrating storing the adjusted TGC values for a region of interest in memory in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating retrieving a TGC value that is adjusted and stored for a region of interest from memory, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a region of interest when the TGC value of the region of interest of the ultrasound image is adjusted and returned to the entire region according to an embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an enlarged scale of X and Y directions for a region of interest when a region of interest of an ultrasound image is set and enlarged according to an embodiment.
17 is a flowchart illustrating an ultrasound imaging apparatus control method according to an embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention and the manner of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein and the arrangements shown in the drawings are merely examples of the disclosed invention, and that at the time of filing of the present application, there are various modifications that can replace the embodiments and drawings of the present specification do.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

As used herein, the term "subject" may include a person or animal, or part of a person or an animal. For example, the subject may include a liver, a heart, a uterus, a brain, a breast, an organ such as the abdomen, or a blood vessel. In this specification, the term "user" may be a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The term "ultrasound image" used throughout the specification refers to an image of an object obtained by using ultrasound. In addition to this, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a CT (computerized tomography) scanner, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) And may mean an image of the object obtained using the diagnostic device. In addition, the diagnostic apparatus to which the technology of the ultrasound imaging apparatus and the control method according to one embodiment may be applied or used may be an X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus, a CT scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), a positron emission tomography Apparatus, and an ultrasound imaging apparatus. In the description of the disclosed embodiments, an ultrasound imaging apparatus is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

When an element is referred to as "including" an element throughout the specification, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Also, the terms "module "," module "and the like described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software or by a combination of hardware and software.

1 is an external view of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a main body 100, an input unit 150 connected to the main body 100, a display unit 160, a sub-display panel 161, and an ultrasound probe 200 .

Meanwhile, a plurality of casters (not shown) for the mobility of the ultrasound imaging apparatus may be provided under the main body 100 of the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The plurality of casters can fix the ultrasound imaging apparatus to a specific place or move it in a specific direction. Such an ultrasonic imaging apparatus is referred to as a cart-type ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

Alternatively, unlike FIG. 1, the ultrasound imaging apparatus may be a portable ultrasound imaging apparatus that can be carried at the time of remote movement. At this time, the portable ultrasound imaging apparatus may not be provided with a castor. Examples of portable ultrasound imaging devices include, but are not limited to, a fax viewer (PA CS Viewer), a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

The ultrasonic probe 200 is a portion that contacts the body surface of the object, and can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to the object. Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 200 can generate ultrasonic waves according to input pulses, transmit the ultrasonic waves to the interior of the object, and receive echo ultrasonic waves reflected from a specific area inside the object.

The ultrasonic imaging apparatus main body 100 may transmit an ultrasonic signal to the ultrasonic probe 200, receive the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic probe 200, and generate an ultrasonic image based on the received signal.

The ultrasound image thus generated may be provided to the user through the display unit 160. FIG. The user can visually check the ultrasound image of the inside of the object provided through the display unit 160 to diagnose the object, that is, the patient.

The display unit 160 may display various UIs related to the control of the ultrasonic apparatus. The user can confirm the UI provided through the display unit 160 and input a control command for a configuration of the ultrasound imaging apparatus or the ultrasound imaging apparatus through the input unit 150. [

Also, the display unit 160 may display the ultrasound images obtained in the ultrasound diagnostic process. The display unit 160 may be implemented as one of known embodiments such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) and a liquid crystal display (LCD), and it is also possible to provide a three-dimensional image as well as a two- .

The user can input a control command related to the ultrasound imaging device by touching the display unit 160. In addition, the user can input a touch command for setting a region of interest for the user to perform observation and diagnosis in the ultrasound image of the target body. .

In addition, the display unit 160 may display gain compensation adjusting means for compensating gain of the ultrasound image. Ultrasound images may have different sharpness or brightness depending on the difference of the depth or the lateral pixel value. This is because the ultrasonic signal is reflected or reflected according to the depth of the object, and time difference occurs. It is necessary to compensate the difference value when displaying the ultrasonic image. However, the gain compensation value according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a TGC adjusting means or a LGC adjusting means for adjusting the TGC (Time Gain Compensation) or LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) Means are used as examples. TGC is a value according to depth, and LGC is a value with respect to a difference between right and left pixels. Embodiments of the disclosed invention describe TGC as an example, but the value for gain compensation of an ultrasound image is not limited to TGC or LGC, Examples may exist.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed invention, the display unit 160 may display TGC or LGC adjustment means for a portion of the ultrasound image of the object set by the user as a region of interest. That is, the TGC or the LGC adjustment means for the region of interest, which is not set by the user, is not displayed, and the TGC or LGC adjustment means for the region of interest may be displayed to perform accurate and detailed gain compensation for the region of interest.

The user can set the region of interest by touching the display unit 160 displaying the ultrasound image and adjust the TGC or LGC value by touching the TGC adjustment means or the LGC adjustment means for the region of interest. The touch panel may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a liquid crystal display An organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, or the like.

The sub display panel 161 can display various UIs related to the control of the ultrasound imaging device in the same manner as the display unit 160. The user can check the UI provided through the sub display panel 161, A control command for a configuration of the ultrasound imaging apparatus or the ultrasound imaging apparatus can be inputted through the touch screen of the sub display panel 161. [

In addition, the sub display panel 161 can display the ultrasound images obtained in the ultrasound diagnostic process. By touching the sub display panel 161, the user can control the ultrasound images by controlling commands related to the ultrasound imaging apparatus, You can enter commands. The sub display panel 161 may also display gain compensation adjustment means for compensating for the gain of the ultrasound image and may display TGC or LGC adjustment means for the portion of the ultrasound image of the target object set by the user as a region of interest have.

The user can set the region of interest by touching the sub display panel 161 displaying the ultrasound image and adjust the TGC or LGC value by touching the TGC adjustment means or the LGC adjustment means for the region of interest. The sub-display panel 161 may include a touch panel capable of receiving a user's touch input. The touch panel may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, Or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel.

The input unit 150 is a part capable of receiving a command related to the operation of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100. The user can input a command for starting diagnosis, selecting a diagnosis site, selecting a diagnosis type, and selecting a mode for an ultrasound image to be finally output through the input unit 150.

The user can input a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 through the input unit 150. The user can input a command for setting the region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 The TGC adjusting means or the LGC adjusting means may be adjusted by touching the TGC adjusting means or the LGC adjusting means for the region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed on the display 150 by operating the buttons of the input unit 150. [ Further, the input unit 150 may receive a storage command for storing the TGC value and LGC value adjusted for the region of interest, and a command for loading the stored data. In one embodiment, the input section 150 may be located at the top of the main body 100, as shown in FIG. At this time, the input unit 150 may include at least one of a switch, a key, a wheel, a joystick, a trackball, and a knob.

The ultrasonic probe 200 may be connected to one end of the cable 130 and the other end of the cable 130 may be connected to the male connector 140. The male connector 140 connected to the other end of the cable 130 may be physically coupled to the female connector 145 of the main body 100.

According to the above-described method, it is also possible that one body 100 is connected to one ultrasonic probe 200, and a plurality of ultrasonic probes 200 are connected to one body 100 in a similar manner. To this end, a plurality of female connectors may be provided on the main body 100. FIG. 1 illustrates a case where two ultrasonic probes 200 are connected to one body 100.

Alternatively, unlike FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe 200 may be connected to the main body 100 wirelessly. In this case, the ultrasonic probe 200 can wirelessly transmit the echo ultrasonic signal corresponding to the echo ultrasonic wave received from the object to the main body 100.

The ultrasonic probe 200 contacts the body surface of the object and can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to the object. Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 200 irradiates an ultrasonic wave to the inside of a target object in accordance with an ultrasonic signal, which is an electrical signal provided from the main body 100, collects echo ultrasonic waves reflected from a specific area inside the target object, And transmits the signal to the main body 100.

To this end, the ultrasonic probe 200 may include a transducer and a MUX (MULTIPLEXER) circuit. The transducer may include a plurality of elements capable of vibrating to convert an electrical signal to an ultrasonic wave or to convert an ultrasonic wave to an electrical signal. The plurality of elements may be arranged on one surface of the housing of the ultrasonic probe. Specifically, a plurality of transducers may be arranged in a direction parallel to the openings so that ultrasonic waves can be transmitted and received through openings provided on one surface of the housing.

2 is a diagram illustrating a change in TGC value for an ultrasound image according to an exemplary embodiment.

TGC (Time Gain Compensation) controls the gain of the depth of the ultrasound image. Since the ultrasound signal reaches the deep part of the object and the return signal is weak, the ultrasound image at deep depth may be displayed relatively dark and unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to compensate the gain value by the time difference of the ultrasound signal transmitted and received in the dark and unclear part in the ultrasound image.

2 (a) is a screen in which an ultrasound image for a target object is displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 according to one embodiment. At this time, the ultrasound image may be displayed in the first area A1 of the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161, and the gain compensation adjusting means including the TGC adjusting unit may be displayed in the second area A2 .

The TGC adjustment means according to the above-described technique is constituted by a physical button or a control panel in an analog format, but a recent TGC adjustment means can be displayed in digital form on the display panel as described above.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 may display a TGC adjustment object 700 and a TGC adjustment line L1 as TGC adjustment means in the second area A2. The TGC adjustment object 700 may include a plurality of objects 700a, 700b, 700c, 700d, 700e, 700f, 700g, 700h, 700i and 700j, The number and type of objects are not limited and various embodiments may exist. The plurality of TGC adjustment objects 700 can be displayed on the depth reference line R1 in the x-axis direction indicating the level of the depth of the ultrasound image. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, ten TGC adjustment objects 700 can be displayed on the 10 depth reference lines R1. At this time, a level value for the depth of the ultrasound image displayed in the first area A1 Can be distinguished by a depth reference line (R1) of ten steps. There are also no limitations on the number and the steps of the depth reference lines R1, and various embodiments may exist depending on the setting by the user. Generally, the TGC value for the ultrasound image can be set to a default value (initial setting value) in the design of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100. [ That is, the TGC value may be set so that the ultrasound image does not appear dark and has a uniform brightness. Under the condition of the TGC value, the brightness of the ultrasound image may be different depending on the condition or condition of the target object. Furthermore, the user can adjust the TGC value to see the ultrasound image brighter or darker.

When adjusting the TGC value of the ultrasound image displayed in the first area A1, the TGC level reference line R1 'in the Y-axis direction can be displayed so as to be a reference of the adjusted TGC value. The TGC level reference line (R1 ') indicates the degree of adjustment of the TGC value with respect to the Y-axis direction. The number and the step are not limited and may vary depending on the setting value. Accordingly, when the TGC adjustment object 700 is located at the leftmost position, the ultrasound image of the region controlled by the object can be displayed at the darkest level, and when the TGC adjustment object 700 is positioned at the rightmost position, the ultrasound image can be displayed at the brightest level.

The TGC adjustment means displayed in the second area A2 may include a TGC adjustment line L1 in addition to the TGC adjustment object 700. [ The TGC adjustment line L1 may reflect the TGC adjustment value for the continuous depth, unlike the TGC adjustment object 700, which is segmentally segmented and displayed according to the depth of the ultrasound image. The TGC adjustment line L1 can be displayed in association with the TGC adjustment object 700 and the shape of the TGC adjustment line L1 can be changed accordingly when the position of the TGC adjustment object 700 is changed. At least one of the TGC adjustment object 700 or the TGC adjustment line L1 may be displayed in the second area A2 of the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161. [ The user can touch the TGC adjustment object 700 to adjust the TGC of the ultrasound image and the TGC adjustment line L1 can be changed accordingly as the position of the TGC adjustment object 700 is changed. In addition, if only the TGC adjustment line L1 is displayed in the second area A2, the user may touch the TGC adjustment line L1 to adjust the TGC of the ultrasound image.

2 (a) shows an ultrasound image of a target object displayed on a first area A1 of the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 before the TGC value is adjusted. As shown in (a), when the ultrasound image is divided into (1), (2), and (3) regions, the depth of the ultrasound image becomes deeper from the region (1) to the region (3). In this case, when the user wishes to observe the ultrasound image of the target object more brightly, it is necessary to adjust the TGC value of the region (2) where the target object is located.

FIG. 2 (b) shows an image obtained by adjusting the TGC value of the region 2 of the ultrasound image shown in (a). (b), the TGC value of the region 2 of the ultrasound image is adjusted and the brightness of the ultrasound image corresponding to the region 2 is brightened. 700b, 700c, 700h, 700i, and 700j corresponding to the region 2 in the individual objects of the TGC adjustment object 700 are positioned on the right side of the other objects 700a, 700b, 700c, 700h, 700i, and 700j The TGC value can be adjusted by adjusting. According to the adjustment of the TGC adjustment object 700, the TGC adjustment line L1 may also be displayed such that the portion LD corresponding to the region 2 is shifted to the right. The user can control the TGC adjustment object 700 by inputting a control command through the input unit 150 or directly touching the display 160 or the sub display panel 161. [

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating that an LGC value for an ultrasound image is changed according to an exemplary embodiment.

LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) controls the gain of the left and right sides of the ultrasound image. The LGC value for the ultrasound image can be set to a basic set value (initial set value) in the design of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100, like the TGC value. Under these basic LGC values, there may be a difference between the left and right brightness of the ultrasound image depending on the condition or condition of the object. Further, the LGC value can be adjusted so that the user can see the left and right ultrasound images brighter or darker have.

FIG. 3A is a screen in which an ultrasound image for a target object is displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 according to an embodiment, as in FIG. At this time, the ultrasound image may be displayed in the first area A1 of the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161, and the gain compensation adjusting means including the LGC adjustment may be displayed in the second area A2 .

Although the LGC control means according to the prior art is constituted by a physical button or a control panel in analog form, recent LGC control means can be displayed in digital form on the display panel as described above.

3, the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 may display an LGC adjustment object 800 and an LGC adjustment line L2 as LGC adjustment means in the second area A2. The LGC adjustment object 800 may include a plurality of objects 800a, 800b, 800c, 800d, 800e, 800f, 800g, 800h, 800i, 800j, The number and type of objects are not limited and various embodiments may exist. The plurality of LGC adjustment objects 800 may be displayed on the brightness reference line R2 in the y-axis direction indicating the level of the left and right side brightness of the ultrasound image. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, ten LGC adjustment objects 800 may be displayed on the ten brightness reference lines R2. At this time, the left and right brightness of the ultrasound image displayed in the first area A1 The level value for the ultrasound image may be divided by the brightness reference line R2 of 10 levels and the brightness of the ultrasound image may be displayed differently on the left and right sides of the brightness reference line R2. The number and steps of the brightness reference lines R2 are also not limited and various embodiments may exist depending on the setting by the user.

Also, although not shown in the drawing, an LGC reference line (not shown) in the x-axis direction can be displayed together with the brightness reference line R2. That is, the LGC reference line indicates the degree of adjustment of the LGC value with respect to the y-axis direction. Accordingly, when the LGC adjustment object 800 is located at the bottom, the ultrasound image of the region controlled by the object can be displayed at the darkest, and when the LGC adjustment object 800 is positioned at the top, the brightest image can be displayed. These LGC reference lines are also unlimited in number and step, and various embodiments may exist depending on the user's setting.

The LGC adjustment means displayed in the second area A2 may include an LGC adjustment line L2 in addition to the LGC adjustment object 800. [ The LGC adjustment line L2 may reflect the LGC adjustment value for the continuous left and right brightness unlike the LGC adjustment object 800 which is segmentally divided according to the left and right brightness of the ultrasound image. The LGC adjustment line L2 can be displayed in association with the LGC adjustment object 800. When the position of the LGC adjustment object 800 is changed, the shape of the LGC adjustment line L2 can be changed accordingly. At least one of the LGC adjustment object 800 or the LGC adjustment line L2 may be displayed in the second area A2 of the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 as in the case of the TGC adjustment unit. The user can touch the LGC adjustment object 800 to adjust the LGC of the ultrasound image and the LGC adjustment line L2 can be changed accordingly as the position of the LGC adjustment object 800 is changed. In addition, if only the LGC adjustment line L2 is displayed in the second area A2, the user may touch the LGC adjustment line L2 to adjust the LGC of the ultrasound image.

3A shows an ultrasound image of a target object displayed on the first area A1 of the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 before the LGC value is adjusted. If the displayed ultrasound image is divided into ④ area, ⑤ area and ⑥ area as shown in (a), it is necessary to adjust the LGC value of the area ⑤ because the brightness of the area ⑤ where the target object is located is dark.

FIG. 3 (b) shows an image in which the LGC value of the region 5 of the ultrasound image shown in (a) is adjusted. the LGC value of the region 5 of the ultrasound image is adjusted and the brightness of the ultrasound image corresponding to the region 5 is bright as shown in FIG. 800b, 800c, 800h, 800i, 800j) of the LGC control object 800 so that the objects 800d, 800e, 800f, 800g corresponding to the region 5 are positioned above the other objects 800a, 800b, You can adjust LGC value for ⑤ area by adjusting. According to the adjustment of the LGC adjustment object 800, the LGC adjustment line L2 may also be displayed such that the portion LD 'corresponding to the region 5 is shifted upward. The user can control the LGC adjustment object 800 by inputting a control command through the input unit 150 or directly touching the display 160 or the sub display panel 161. [

4 is a diagram showing a display form of the TGC adjusting means when the region of interest of the ultrasound image is set according to the prior art.

4A is a screen of the display unit 160 that indicates setting of a region of interest A3 (ROI) for a target object of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region A1. Setting the region of interest of the ultrasound image is not limited to the setting region or the setting range, and the set region of interest can be enlarged or reduced and displayed. In addition, the set region of interest can be moved, rotated, or the region of interest itself to be set can be extended. The user inputs a command for the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image through the input unit 150 or directly sets the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image on the screen of the display unit 160 or the sub- Touch commands can also be entered. An enlarged image of the region A3 of the ultrasound image input from the user can be displayed as shown in FIG. 4B. In this case, an image enlargement technique generally used in the ultrasound imaging apparatus can be used. Image enlargement techniques used in the ultrasound imaging device include a read zoom technique and a write zoom technique.

The lead zooming technique is a technique for freezing an image and enlarging a specific area of the still image. The read zooming technique is a technique in which data corresponding to a specific area in the image data of one frame stored in the memory is filled in the entire screen An enlarged image can be provided. In this case, the values of the blank pixels corresponding to the portion where the pre-enlarging data and the monitor pixels are not mapped are generally obtained by using linear interpolation.

In the write zoom technique, an array converter and other parts are designed to form a transmission / reception scanning line more dense than a transmission / reception scan line used in an image when designing an ultrasound imaging device, and a non- In some cases, the image is composed of only some scanning lines (for example, even-numbered scanning lines), and in the portion where the image is enlarged, the image is enlarged using the entire dense transmission and reception scanning lines.

4B, the TGC adjustment objects 700a to 700j and the TGC adjustment line L1 are displayed on the whole image before the enlargement of the region of interest A3, even though the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image is enlarged and displayed. As shown in Fig. That is, the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image in (b) are the adjustment means necessary to adjust the TGC value of the region of interest A3, The TGC adjustment objects 700a, 700b, 700c, 700h, 700i, and 700j corresponding to portions other than the region of interest A3 that does not affect the TGC adjustment of the region of interest A3 that do not affect the region of interest A3. Accordingly, since only the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3 are not displayed, the TGC adjustment objects 700a, 700b, and 700c corresponding to portions other than the region of interest A3 , 700h, 700i, 700j), and there is a problem that accurate and fine adjustment of the TGC value to the region of interest A3 can not be performed.

5 is a control block diagram of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.

5, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 includes an input unit 150, a display unit 160, a sub-display panel 161, an ultrasonic probe 200, a beam forming unit 300, (400), an image processing unit (500), and a memory (600).

The ultrasonic probe 200 may be variously embodied in a technical idea for acquiring volume data of an object. The ultrasonic probe 200 is a portion that contacts the body surface of the object, and can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to the object. Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 200 generates ultrasonic waves according to input pulses, transmits the generated ultrasonic waves to the interior of the object, and receives echoes reflected from a specific area inside the object.

The beamforming unit 300 may perform beamforming so that the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic probe 200 can be converged. The beamforming unit 300 includes a transmission beamformer (not shown) and a reception beamformer (not shown) to convert an analog signal and a digital signal, and at least one transducer, The time difference of the ultrasonic wave received from the ducer can be adjusted. 1, the beam forming unit 300 may be included in the main body 100 of the ultrasound system, but it may be provided in the ultrasound probe 200 itself. Even when the ultrasonic probe is a wireless probe connected to the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 through a wireless communication network, the beam forming unit 300 may be provided inside the wireless probe. The beamforming unit 300 may adopt any one of known beam forming methods, and it is also possible to apply a plurality of methods in combination or selectively apply.

The processor 400 may receive the beamforming data from the beamforming unit 300 and may transmit the data so that the image processing unit 500 can perform image processing. In addition, the information input from the input unit 150 can be stored in the memory 600. If the user sets the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image according to an embodiment, It is possible to control the display of the area of interest A3. The processor 400 can control to display the TGC adjustment means corresponding to the inputted region of interest A3 when the user inputs a command regarding the setting of the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image. A processor may be implemented as an array of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. For example, the image processing unit 500 may be implemented as a general-purpose GPU.

The image processing unit 500 may process the beamformed echo ultrasound signal to generate an ultrasound image. The image processing unit 500 may process the echo ultrasound signal according to any one of known image processing methods. For example, the image processing unit 500 may perform Time Gain Compensation (TGC) on the beamformed echo ultrasound signal. Then, the image processing unit 500 can set a dynamic range (DR). After setting the dynamic range, the image processing unit 500 can compress the echo ultrasound signal in the set dynamic range. Finally, the image processing unit 500 may remove noise after rectifying the echo ultrasound signal. The image processing unit 500 can generate an ultrasound image using the echo ultrasound signal thus processed. The image processing unit 500 may generate various kinds of ultrasound images. The ultrasound image generated by the image processing unit 500 may include an A-mode image, a B mode, -Mode image, an M-mode image, and a Doppler mode image.

According to an embodiment, the image processor 500 may generate an enlarged or reduced image of the object image of the set region of interest A3 when a command for setting the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image is inputted from the user . At this time, the image processing unit 500 may correspond to one or a plurality of processors.

The memory 600 may store information about the TGC adjustment means corresponding to the region of interest A3 and the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image set according to one embodiment. More specifically, the user can retrieve data on the area of interest (A3) when storing the area of interest (A3) set by the user and observe the area of interest (A3) The position of the object 700 or the interval of the TGC adjustment line L1.

In addition, the user can store information on the optimal TGC adjustment values for the TGC adjustment object 700 and the region of interest A3 corresponding to the region of interest A3, the region of interest A3, of the ultrasound image, Can easily perform observation of the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image based on the stored data.

Memory 600 may include, for example, but not limited to, high-speed random access memory, magnetic disk, SRAM, DRAM, ROM, It is not. In addition, the memory 600 may be detachable from the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100. For example, the memory 600 may include a Compact Flash Card, an SD Card (Secure Digital Card), a SM Card (Smart Media Card), a MMC (Multimedia Card), or a Memory Stick , But is not limited thereto. The memory 600 may be provided outside the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 and may transmit or receive data to the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 through wired or wireless communication.

1, the input unit 150 may input control commands for the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 or a configuration of the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The user may input the control commands through the display unit 160 or the sub- A command related to the setting of the region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed on the display panel 161 can be input. Duplicate description is omitted.

The display unit 160 and the sub display panel 161 can display various UI related to the control of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 and can display the ultrasound images obtained in the ultrasound diagnostic process. It is also possible to provide a dimensional image.

The user can input a control command related to the ultrasound imaging device by touching the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161. In addition, It is also possible to input a touch command for setting an area. Also, the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 may display gain compensation adjustment means for compensating for the gain of the ultrasound image. The user can set the region of interest by touching the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 displaying the ultrasound image and can adjust the TGC or LGC value by touching the TGC adjustment means or the LGC adjustment means for the region of interest have.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a display form of the TGC adjusting means when an area of interest of an ultrasound image is set according to an embodiment.

6A is a screen of the display unit 160 that indicates setting of the region of interest A3 with respect to the target object of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region A1 as in Fig. That is, prior to the operation of the TGC adjustment object 700, only the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image is set.

The user inputs a command for the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image through the input unit 150 or directly sets the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image on the screen of the display unit 160 or the sub- Touch commands can also be entered.

6 (b) shows an enlarged view of the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image input from the user. In FIG. 6B, the region of interest A3 Only the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g can be displayed. In addition, only the TGC adjustment line (LD) corresponding to the region of interest (A3) can be displayed. (b) shows the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3 and the TGC adjustment line LD. The TGC adjustment object 700d, 700e, 700f, 700g can be adjusted to adjust the TGC value. A specific explanation for adjusting the TGC value of the region of interest A3 will be described later with reference to FIG. The processor 400 may store the corresponding TGC adjustment objects 700a through 700j in accordance with the depth of the image in the ultrasound image before the setting for the region of interest A3 is input, When the area A3 is set, the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3 may be displayed among the stored TGC adjustment objects 700a to 700j. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, only four TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3 are displayed. However, in order to adjust the TGC values of the region of interest A3, The number and the range of the TGC adjustment objects 700 can be changed.

The user can adjust the TGC value of the area of interest A3 through the TGC adjustment object 700d, 700e, 700f, 700g corresponding to the area of interest A3 and accordingly adjust the TGC adjustment value (LD) can also be changed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display form of the TGC adjusting means emphasized and displayed when a region of interest of an ultrasound image is set according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7A is a screen of the display unit 160 that indicates setting of the region of interest A3 for the target object of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region A1 as in Fig. 4A.

7 (b), the TGC corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image among the TGC adjustment objects 700a to 700j can be displayed as the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image input from the user is enlarged and displayed. Only the adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g can be highlighted and displayed. In other words, the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, 700g corresponding to the regions other than the region of interest A3 and the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3, May be different from the display form of FIG. As shown in FIG. 7B, the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' corresponding to the region of interest A3 can be displayed with different colors from the remaining TGC adjustment objects have. Alternatively, it may be displayed in different sizes from the rest of the TGC control objects, or may be displayed in different shapes. Accordingly, the user intuitively knows the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' capable of adjusting the TGC values of the ultrasound image set in the region of interest A3, and only the region of interest A3 It is possible to distinguish the TGC adjustment object corresponding to the region of interest A3 even when it is enlarged to the entire ultrasound image on the display screen. The user can adjust the TGC adjustment object 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g' highlighted and displayed to precisely and finely adjust the TGC value of the ultrasound image in the corresponding region of interest A3.

The method of highlighting and displaying the TGC adjustment objects 700d, 700e, 700f, and 700g corresponding to the region of interest A3 is not limited to displaying different colors, and various embodiments may be available.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the level of the TGC adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image increased and displayed according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image, as shown in FIG. As described above, the user can adjust the TGC value of the ultrasound image of the corresponding area A3 by adjusting the highlighted TGC adjustment object 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g'.

(a), the TGC adjustment object corresponding to the region of interest A3 is divided into four levels and is located on each of the four depth reference lines. Therefore, in order to adjust the TGC value of the region of interest A3, the region of interest A3 is divided into four regions and the TGC values can be adjusted by the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g' have. (a), a line dividing the region of interest A3 into four regions can be displayed on the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image. This line may divide the region of interest A3 into four regions N1, N2, N3 and N4 such that each region corresponds to the TGC control objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g' So that the user can easily adjust the TGC value for the corresponding region. In other words, each of the regions N1, N2, N3, and N4 and the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' correspond to the N1 region corresponding to 700d 'and the N2 region corresponding to 700e' For example, by adjusting 700d ', the TGC value of the N1 region can be changed. There may be various shapes depending on the number and type of regions for dividing the region of interest A3 and the shapes corresponding to the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g'.

The display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161 may display 10 to 10 pixels of the same area A3 of the same ultrasound image as shown in (b) so that the user can adjust the TGC more finely than in (a) TGC adjustment objects 701a 'to 701j' classified into two levels can be displayed. It is needless to say that the TGC adjustment objects 701a 'to 701j' classified into 10 levels can be emphasized and displayed in different colors and the like as described above in FIG.

Displaying the TGC adjustment objects 701a 'to 701j' by further subdividing the section for the same area of interest A3 can be performed by a control command input by the user through the input unit 150 and displayed on the display unit 160 ) Or the sub display panel 161 by touch input.

The user can more finely TGC-adjust the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image for every 10 intervals through the TGC adjustment objects 701a 'to 701j' divided into 10 levels. That is, as shown in (b), a line dividing the region of interest A3 into ten regions can be displayed on the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image. These lines may divide the region of interest A3 into ten regions M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, 701b ', 701c', 701d ', 701e', 701f ', 701g', 701h ', 701i', and 701j ', so that the user can easily adjust the TGC value for each corresponding region. M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10 and the TGC adjustment object 701a 'corresponding to the Ml region 701a' and the M2 region 701b ' , 701b ', 701c', 701d ', 701e', 701f ', 701g', 701h ', 701i' and 701j ' can be changed. 701b ', 701c', 701d ', 701e', 701f ', 701g', 701h ', 701i', and 701j 'corresponding to the number and type of regions for dividing the region of interest A3 and corresponding to the TGC adjustment objects 701a' There are various forms depending on the setting.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing only a TGC adjustment object or only a TGC adjustment line among TGC adjustment means corresponding to a region of interest of an ultrasound image according to an exemplary embodiment.

9A is an enlarged view of the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image, as shown in FIG. 7B. However, unlike FIG. 7, only the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' for the region of interest A3 may be highlighted and displayed, and the TGC adjustment line may not be displayed.

9 (b) shows a TGC adjustment line L2 corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image, unlike FIG. 9 (a). The TGC adjustment line L2 can be displayed on the horizontal reference line R2 for distinguishing the level of the depth of the ultrasound image and the vertical reference line R3 for distinguishing the degree of adjustment of the TGC value. The user can adjust the TGC value for the region of interest A3 by adjusting the TGC adjustment line L2 based on the ultrasound image depth division of the lateral direction reference line R2.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing that a TGC adjustment object corresponding to a region of interest of an ultrasound image is superimposed and displayed on an ultrasound image according to an embodiment.

An enlarged region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image may be displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 and a TGC adjustment object 702d 'corresponding to the region of interest may be displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub- , 702e ', 702f', 702g 'may be displayed. That is, unlike the case where the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' are displayed in the second area A2 of the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 as shown in FIG. The TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ', and 702g' can be displayed in the first area A1 where the ultrasound images are displayed, superposed with the ultrasound images. These TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ', 702g' may be displayed on the depth reference line R1 and the TGC level reference line R1 'of the ultrasound image, , 702e ', 702f', 702g ') to adjust the TGC value for the region of interest (A3). When the user adjusts the TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ', 702g', the depth reference line R1 and the TGC level reference line R1 'may be displayed or disappear.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating that the entire ultrasound image and the entire TGC adjusting means are displayed on the display unit and the TGC adjusting unit corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is displayed on the sub-display panel according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11A, ultrasound images may be displayed on the display unit 160 and the sub-display panel 161 of the ultrasound imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 4 (a), the entire ultrasound image of the target object can be displayed in the first area A1 and the TGC adjustment object 700 can be displayed in the second area A2. And the TGC adjustment line L1 may be displayed.

When the user sets the region of interest A3 for the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 160, the region of interest A3 may be displayed on the sub-display panel 161. [ The TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' and the TGC adjustment line LD corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image may be displayed on the sub display panel 161. At this time, the TGC adjustment line LD corresponding to the region of interest A3 can be displayed separately from the TGC adjustment line L1, and can be displayed as a dotted line as shown in FIG. 11A, . The screens for the ultrasound image and the TGC adjustment means shown in FIG. 11A are the same as the screens (a) and (b) described in FIG. 7, an ultrasound image before setting the region of interest A3, an ultrasound image after setting the region of interest A3, and a corresponding TGC adjusting means are displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161, respectively 11A, the ultrasound image before the region of interest A3 is displayed on the display unit 160 and the TGC adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest A3 set in the sub-display panel 161 may be displayed.

The user can simultaneously view the entire screen of the ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 160, the entire TGC adjusting means, the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image displayed on the sub display panel 161 and the corresponding TGC adjusting means , It is also possible to input a control command for each ultrasound image screen at the same time. Only the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' corresponding to the region of interest A3 may be displayed on the sub display panel 161 as shown in FIG. It is needless to say that only the corresponding TGC adjustment line LD can be displayed. The processor 400 displays the entire ultrasound image on the display unit 160 based on control commands such as the setting of the area of interest A3 input through the input unit 150, the display unit 160, or the sub- It is possible to control the corresponding TGC adjusting means to be displayed and control the sub display panel 161 to display the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image and the corresponding TGC adjusting means.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating that a region of interest of the ultrasound image and corresponding TGC adjustment means are displayed on the display unit and the entire ultrasound image and the entire TGC adjustment means are displayed on the sub-display panel according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11B, contrary to FIG. 11A, the entire ultrasound image, the TGC adjustment object 700, and the TGC adjustment line L1 may be displayed on the sub display panel 161. FIG. The display unit 160 displays the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' corresponding to the region of interest A3 and the TGC adjustment lines LD ) May be displayed. That is, the user controls the display unit 160 to display the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image displayed on the sub display panel 161 and the corresponding TGC adjusting means on the display unit 160 in FIG. 11A, The TGC value can be adjusted for the region of interest A3. 11A, the TGC adjustment line (LD) corresponding to the area of interest A3 can be displayed separately from the TGC adjustment line LI, which can be represented by a dotted line as shown in FIG. 11B, It may be displayed in color.

11C is a diagram illustrating that the entire ultrasound image and the TGC adjustment means are displayed on the display unit and the TGC adjustment object corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is superimposed on the ultrasound image on the sub display panel according to an exemplary embodiment .

11C, the entire ultrasound image relating to the target object can be displayed in the first area A1 and the TGC adjustment object 700 and the TGC control object can be displayed in the second area A2, The TGC adjustment line L1 may be displayed. 11A to 11B, the description thereof is omitted.

10, an enlarged region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image can be displayed and a TGC adjustment object 702d ', 702e', 702f ', 702g corresponding to the region of interest on the sub-display panel 161 ') May be displayed. These TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ', 702g' can be displayed on the depth reference line R1 of the ultrasound image and the user can display the TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ' ) To adjust the TGC value for the region of interest (A3). When the user adjusts the TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ', 702g', the depth reference line R1 may be displayed or disappear. That is, the user can see the entire ultrasound image through the display unit 160, and at the same time can view the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image through the sub display panel 161, and the corresponding TGC adjustment object 702d ' , 702e ', 702f', 702g ') to adjust the TGC value for the region of interest (A3).

Also, contrary to the above description, the enlarged region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image and the TGC adjustment objects 702d ', 702e', 702f ', and 702g' corresponding to the region of interest are displayed on the display unit 160, The TGC adjustment object 700 and the TGC adjustment line L1 may be displayed on the entire ultrasound image.

12 is a diagram illustrating a method of adjusting a TGC value by touching a TGC adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of an ultrasound image according to an exemplary embodiment.

12, an image obtained by enlarging the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image and a corresponding TGC adjusting means may be displayed on the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161. FIG. (a) shows TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' corresponding to the region of interest A3 and FIG. 7b shows a TGC adjustment line L2 corresponding to the region of interest A3. Is displayed.

(a), the user can touch the TGC adjustment object 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g' to adjust the TGC value of the area of interest A3. More specifically, the user desires to adjust the TGC adjustment objects 700e ', 700f', 700g 'of the depths to be adjusted in the region of interest A3 among the TGC adjustment objects 700d', 700e ', 700f', and 700g ' You can drag to level. Also, instead of dragging, if the position of the TGC level to be adjusted is directly touched, the TGC adjustment object of the corresponding depth can be moved to the touched position and the TGC value can be adjusted. In addition, by adjusting the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g', the TGC adjustment line LD corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image can also be changed according to the depth of the image . FIG. 12A shows a case where only the TGC adjustment objects 700e ', 700f', and 700g 'having a depth to be adjusted among the TGC adjustment objects 700d', 700e ', 700f', and 700g ' A3). ≪ / RTI > That is, a portion of the region of interest A3 having a depth corresponding to the adjusted TGC adjustment object 700e ', 700f', 700g 'may be displayed brighter.

(b), the user can touch the TGC control line L2 to adjust the TGC value of the area of interest A3. (b) shows only the TGC adjustment line L2 corresponding to the region of interest A3 as described above with reference to FIG. 9 (b), and the user desires to adjust the region of interest A3 in the TGC adjustment line L2 You can drag the TGC control line portion to the level you want to control. Further, instead of doing so, when the position of the TGC level to be adjusted is directly touched, the curve of the TGC adjustment line of the corresponding depth is positioned to the touched position so that the TGC value can be adjusted.

13 is a view showing another embodiment of adjusting the TGC value by manipulating the TGC adjustment object corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image.

The user may touch the screen where the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' are located as shown in FIG. 13 to adjust the TGC value, as shown in FIG. have. That is, when the user designates the start point and the end point of the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g' and draws a line L3 connecting the points, the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e' ', 700g') is drawn on the drawn line L3 and the TGC value can be adjusted. In this case, the line may include both a curve and a straight line.

FIG. 14A illustrates storing a TGC value adjusted for a region of interest in memory according to one embodiment, and FIG. 14B illustrates storing a TGC value, adjusted and stored for a region of interest, Fig.

14A shows a screen in which the TGC value is adjusted by manipulating the region of interest A3 and the corresponding TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g' as in FIG. 12A have.

The user can touch the TGC SAVE button 900 displayed in the second area A2 to store the adjusted TGC value for the area of interest A3. That is, the TGC value set by the user with respect to the region of interest A3 may be stored in the memory 600 and used when the user intends to observe the same region of interest A3 again in the future.

14B is a screen for touching the preset button 910 to retrieve the TGC value stored in FIG. 14A in a state that the full screen of the ultrasound image is displayed. As described above, there is no limitation on the area that the user can set as the region of interest on the entire screen of the ultrasound image. In order to enlarge the screen of the region of interest (A3) set in FIG. 14A, the preset button 910 is touched A screen to which the TGC value adjusted for the region of interest A3 is applied can be displayed. The TGC value may be stored in the memory 600 and the user can initialize the stored TGC value through the input unit 150, the display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161, You can also store the value.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a region of interest when the TGC value of the region of interest of the ultrasound image is adjusted and returned to the entire region according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15A is a screen showing that the TGC value is adjusted with respect to the region of interest A3 described in FIG. 12A, FIG. 15B is a view showing the TGC adjusted for the region of interest A3, Is applied to the whole screen described in (a) of FIG.

If the user does not see the TGC adjustment object 700d ', 700e', 700f ', 700g' in a case where the portion including the region of interest A3 is dark and is not visible in the entire ultrasound image for the target object as shown in FIG. Can be adjusted to increase the sharpness of the area of interest (A3). After adjusting the TGC for the region of interest A3, the adjusted TGC value may be stored in the memory 600 and the user may view the ultrasound image including the region of interest A3, (A3) can be restored to the entire image before enlargement. Also, the displayed TGC adjustment objects can be displayed with the TGC adjustment objects 700d ', 700e', 700f ', and 700g', whose TGC values are adjusted for the region of interest A3, The TGC adjustment objects 700a, 700b, 700c, 700h, 700i, and 700j whose TGC values are not adjusted can be displayed for the other regions.

At this time, since the TGC value for the region of interest A3 is adjusted, the region of interest A3 can be displayed brightly and the portion except for the region of interest A3 can be displayed darkly as shown in (b). When the TGC value is restored to the full screen, the region of interest A3 may not be well connected to the region other than the region of interest A3. Therefore, the adjusted region TGC may be applied to restore the region of interest A3 It may or may not be applied.

15, when the ultrasound image with the TGC value adjusted for the region of interest A3 is restored to the full screen before enlargement, the entire region in the X-axis direction including the region of interest A3 The TGC value can be returned to the adjusted state. That is, when returning to the entire ultrasound image of FIG. 15 (a) to (b), the TGC adjustment value may be applied to the entire region (2) in the X-axis direction including the region of interest A3 . In this case, the screen can be displayed as shown in FIG. 2 (b).

In another embodiment, there may be other areas of interest (not shown) set by the user, and when the TGC value is adjusted for another area of interest (not shown) and then returned to the full screen, It can be changed and displayed so as to correspond.

The user can zoom in on the set interest area (A3), zoom in or out, zoom in or out, rotate, and reset. In the case of resetting or changing the changed region of interest A3 to the full screen, the TGC adjusting means may be changed to correspond to the re-set or changed region of interest A3. Also, the TGC adjustment means applied to the same area of interest A3 may be set differently, and in this case, the TGC adjustment means may be displayed to be changed when returning to the full screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an enlarged scale of X and Y directions for a region of interest when a region of interest of an ultrasound image is set and enlarged according to an embodiment.

16A, before setting the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image, the scale 1000 in the X-axis direction is displayed from 0 to 15.2, and the scale 1100 in the Y- Displayed from 0 to 3.4. There are various embodiments of the scale shape or the scale value displayed on the ultrasound image, and are not limited to those described in Fig. When the user sets and enlarges the area of interest A3, the display can be made as shown in FIG. 16 (b), and the scales in the X and Y directions can also be changed to correspond to the enlarged interest area A3 . That is, the scale 1000 'in the X-axis direction of the enlarged attention area A3 may be displayed from 4 to 11.4 corresponding to the area of interest A3, and the scale 1100' in the Y- ≪ / RTI > That is, the size and area of the region of interest A3 set by the user can be more intuitively confirmed.

Embodiments of the disclosed invention are based on application to a two-dimensional ultrasound image. Although not shown in the drawings, a TGC control object of the invention disclosed in a three-dimensional ultrasound image may be displayed. In the embodiment described above, the gain compensation for the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the ultrasound image is defined as Time Gain Compensation, and the gain compensation for the left and right (horizontal) Gain Compensation. If the gain compensation for the Z axis direction is defined as Elevation Gain Compensation, the gain compensation adjustment for the 3D ultrasound image can be adjusted to TGC, LGC or EGC, respectively. Therefore, if the embodiment of the disclosed invention is applied to the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, the gain compensation adjusting means can also be displayed on the X axis, the Y axis, or the Z axis of the portion set as the region of interest.

17 is a flowchart illustrating an ultrasound imaging apparatus control method according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, the user can input a command regarding the setting of the region of interest A3 of the ultrasound image (S100). That is, the user can set the area of interest A3 through the input unit 150 and input a command related to the setting of the area of interest A3 by touching the display unit 160 or the sub-display panel 161. [ The command relating to the setting of the input area of interest A3 may be stored in the memory 600 and the processor 400 may control the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding thereto based on the entered attention area A3 setting on the display part 160 ) Or on the sub display panel.

The display unit 160 or the sub display panel 161 may display a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the input ultrasound image at step S110. The gain compensation adjustment means may include at least one of the TGC adjustment means or the LGC adjustment means as described above, and there may be various embodiments in the display form.

The memory 600 may store information about gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest A3 of the input ultrasound image and the region of interest A3 of the input ultrasound image at step S120. The information on the region of interest A3 stored in the memory 600 and the information on the gain compensation adjusting means can be used to bring up the set region of interest A3 or to apply the corresponding gain compensation adjustment value.

The embodiment for displaying the above-described setting of the area of interest (A3) of the ultrasound image and the corresponding gain compensation adjusting means can be applied equally to not only the enlargement of the area of interest A3 but also the reduction of the area of interest A3, Area There may also be various embodiments in the size and shape of the area other than the described embodiments.

With reference to the drawings exemplified above, the ultrasound imaging apparatus and its control method have been described with reference to preferred embodiments. The examples of the ultrasound imaging apparatus and the control method thereof are not limited thereto and the embodiments described above are exemplified in all respects. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: Ultrasonic imaging device
150:
160:
161: Sub display panel
400: processor
500:
600: Memory
700: TGC adjustment object
800: LGC adjustment object
900: TGC save button
910: Preset button

Claims (24)

An input unit for receiving a command related to setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image;
And a display unit including a first area for displaying the ultrasound image and a second area for displaying a gain compensation adjusting unit adapted to change a gain compensation value of the ultrasound image,
Wherein the display unit displays only a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image in the second region when a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region is inputted. The method according to claim 1,
The region of interest of the ultrasound image,
The ultrasound image is enlarged, reduced, enlarged or rotated,
Wherein the screen displayed on the display unit is changed by setting the region of interest. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the gain compensation adjusting means comprises:
A TGC (Time Gain Compensation) adjusting means or a LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) adjusting means. The method according to claim 1,
The display unit includes:
Wherein the level of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is increased or decreased so that detailed gain compensation for the region of interest of the ultrasound image is possible. The method according to claim 1,
The display unit includes:
A display mode of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is emphatically displayed,
Wherein the gain compensation adjusting means is highlighted and displayed by changing the color of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image. The method according to claim 1,
The display unit includes:
And displays a region of interest of the ultrasound image in the first region and superimposes and displays a gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image and a region of interest of the ultrasound image. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the instruction to set the region of interest of the ultrasound image comprises:
And enlarging or reducing a specific portion of the ultrasound image. The method according to claim 1,
And a sub-display panel for displaying an ultrasound image set to the ROI and a gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a ROI of the ultrasound image,
Wherein the display unit displays the entire ultrasound image before the ROI of the ultrasound image and the corresponding gain compensation adjusting means,
Wherein the sub display panel displays gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image and a region of interest of the ultrasound image. 9. The method of claim 8,
The sub-display panel includes:
And a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image and a region of interest of the ultrasound image. 9. The method of claim 8,
The display unit and the sub-
A user inputs a touch command for setting an area of interest of the ultrasound image,
And a touch panel that adjusts a gain compensation value corresponding to an ultrasound image set in the ROI by touching a gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a ROI of the displayed ultrasound image. The method of claim 3,
The display unit includes:
A TGC adjusting means for adjusting a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of an ultrasound image set in the ROI or an LGC adjusting means for adjusting an LGC value corresponding to a lateral direction, . 12. The method of claim 11,
The display unit includes:
And a TGC adjustment line or a TGC adjustment object for adjusting a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of the ultrasound image set to the ROI. 12. The method of claim 11,
The display unit includes:
And an LGC adjustment line or an LGC adjustment object that adjusts LGC values corresponding to left and right directions of the ultrasound image set as the ROI. The method according to claim 1,
And a processor for controlling to display a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the inputted ultrasound image in the second region when a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region of the display unit is inputted Comprising an ultrasound imaging device. The method according to claim 1,
And a memory for storing information on a region of interest of the input ultrasound image and a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image. A method of controlling an ultrasound imaging apparatus including a display unit including a first area for displaying an ultrasound image and a second area for displaying a gain compensation adjusting unit adapted to change a gain compensation value of the ultrasound image,
Receiving a command related to setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region;
Wherein only the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image is displayed in the second region. 17. The method of claim 16,
Displaying the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image,
And increasing or decreasing the level of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image so that the detailed gain compensation for the region of interest of the ultrasound image can be performed. 17. The method of claim 16,
Displaying the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image,
A display mode of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image is emphatically displayed,
Wherein the gain compensation adjusting means is highlighted and displayed by changing the color of the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the ultrasound image. 17. The method of claim 16,
Displaying the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image,
And a gain compensation adjusting unit corresponding to a region of interest of the ultrasound image displayed in the first region and a region of interest of the ultrasound image are overlapped and displayed. 17. The method of claim 16,
Receiving a command for setting a region of interest of the ultrasound image,
And enlarging or reducing a specific portion of the ultrasound image. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the gain compensation adjusting means comprises at least one of TGC (Time Gain Compensation) adjusting means or LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) adjusting means,
Displaying the gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image,
A TGC adjusting means for adjusting a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of the ultrasound image set to the ROI or an LGC adjusting means for adjusting LGC values corresponding to a left / right direction. 22. The method of claim 21,
And displaying the TGC adjustment means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image,
And a TGC adjustment line or a TGC adjustment object for adjusting a TGC value corresponding to a depth direction of the ultrasound image set to the ROI. 22. The method of claim 21,
Displaying the LGC adjustment means corresponding to the region of interest of the input ultrasound image,
And an LGC adjustment line or an LGC adjustment object that adjusts LGC values corresponding to the left and right directions of the ultrasound image set as the ROI. 17. The method of claim 16,
And storing information on a region of interest of the input ultrasound image and a gain compensation adjusting means corresponding to a region of interest of the input ultrasound image.

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