KR20160114487A - Elasticity measurement apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A method comprising: obtaining a plurality of elastic data for an object; obtaining a plurality of measurement values from each of the plurality of elastic data; displaying the plurality of measurement values; Selecting at least one of the plurality of measurements and displaying a selected one of the selected at least one measured value or the plurality of measured values, and displaying the calculated result based on the selected at least one measured value A method of operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising the steps of:

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic elasticity measuring device,

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring elasticity using ultrasonic waves. And more particularly, to an apparatus and method for measuring elasticity of a target object using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus irradiates an ultrasound signal generated from a transducer of a probe to a target object, receives information of an echo signal reflected from the target object, and transmits the echo signal to a site (e.g., soft tissue or blood stream) To obtain at least one image. In particular, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used for medical purposes such as observation of an object, foreign object detection, and injury measurement. Such an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is more stable than a diagnostic apparatus using X-ray, has an advantage that it can display images in real time, and is safe because there is no radiation exposure. Accordingly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is widely used with other imaging apparatuses including a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, and the like.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method and apparatus for more easily providing a user with an elasticity to a subject.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, including: obtaining a plurality of elastic data for a target object; Obtaining a plurality of measurement values from each of the plurality of elastic data; Displaying the plurality of measured values; Selecting at least one of the plurality of measurement values; Displaying the selected at least one measurement value or an unselected measurement value among the plurality of measurement values; And displaying the calculated result based on the selected at least one measurement value.

According to another embodiment, the plurality of measured values each include an elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data, and the step of displaying the plurality of measured values comprises: Determining at least one reference value that is determined based on a degree value; And displaying a graph indicating the determined at least one reference value and the plurality of measured values.

According to another embodiment, the reference value may include at least one of a median, a first quartile, and a third quartile for the plurality of elasticity values.

According to another embodiment, the graph to be displayed may include at least one reference line indicating the magnitude of the reference value.

According to another embodiment, the resultant value includes at least one of a median value, an average value, a confidence value, a standard deviation, and a ratio of an InterQuair Range (IQR) to a median value for the selected at least one measurement value .

According to yet another embodiment, the step of displaying the graph may further comprise displaying an indicator indicating a deviation for each of the plurality of elasticity values.

According to another embodiment, the step of selecting the at least one measurement value may include comparing the plurality of measured values with the obtained at least one reference value, respectively; And selecting the at least one measured value based on the comparison result.

According to another embodiment, the at least one reference value comprises a first quartile and a third quartile for the plurality of elasticity values, and the step of selecting the at least one measurement value comprises: And selecting at least one measurement value including an elasticity value that is not less than the quartile and less than or equal to the third quartile.

According to another embodiment, the operating method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further includes calculating reliability values for each of the plurality of elasticity values, and the graph may further include the calculated reliability values have.

According to yet another embodiment, the step of selecting the at least one measurement comprises: receiving a user input for the plurality of measurements; And selecting the at least one measurement value excluding some of the plurality of measurement values based on the user input.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a plurality of elasticity data acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of elasticity data for a target object and acquiring a plurality of measurement values from each of the plurality of elasticity data; A control unit; And a display unit for displaying the plurality of measured values, wherein the control unit selects at least one of the plurality of measured values, and selects an unselected measurement value or the selected at least one measured value among the plurality of measured values And the calculated result based on the selected at least one measurement value may be displayed through the display unit.

According to another embodiment, the plurality of measured values each include an elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data, and the control unit determines, based on the elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data, And the display unit displays a graph indicating the determined at least one reference value and the plurality of measured values.

According to another embodiment, the reference value may include at least one of a median, a first quartile, and a third quartile for the plurality of elasticity values.

According to another embodiment, the graph to be displayed may include at least one reference line indicating the magnitude of the reference value.

According to another embodiment, the resultant value includes at least one of a median value, an average value, a confidence value, a standard deviation, and a ratio of an InterQuair Range (IQR) to a median value for the selected at least one measurement value .

According to another embodiment, the display unit may further display an indicator indicating a deviation of each of the plurality of elasticity values.

According to another embodiment, the control unit may compare the obtained at least one reference value with the plurality of measured values, respectively, and select the at least one measured value based on the comparison result.

According to another embodiment, the at least one reference value includes a first quartile and a third quartile for the plurality of elasticity values, It is possible to select at least one measurement value including an elasticity value that is equal to or smaller than a percentile.

According to another embodiment, the control unit further calculates reliability values for each of the plurality of elasticity values, and the graph displayed on the display unit may further include the calculated reliability values.

According to yet another embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus further comprises an input device for receiving a user input for the plurality of measured values, and the control unit is operable to determine, based on the user input, And selecting the at least one measurement value excluding the measurement value.

A computer-readable recording medium according to an embodiment may be characterized in that a program for executing the method is recorded.

According to the above-mentioned problem solving means, the user can more easily obtain the elasticity value desired by the user.

The present invention may be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which reference numerals refer to structural elements.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless probe according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.
4 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.
5 is a view for explaining a shear wave.
6 is a view for explaining a shear wave generated in a target object.
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a method of displaying an ultrasound image and an elasticity according to an embodiment.
8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating a user interface displayed according to an embodiment.
10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface displayed according to another embodiment.
11-13 illustrate a user interface for allowing a user to select an elasticity value according to yet another embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for allowing a user to select a measurement value using an automatic inspection according to another embodiment.
15 and 16 illustrate a user interface for allowing a user to select a measurement value according to another embodiment.
17 is a graph showing a graph including information related to a measured value according to an embodiment.
18-20 are diagrams illustrating a user interface for displaying information related to measurements in accordance with another embodiment.
21 is an exemplary diagram showing an indicator included in a graph according to another embodiment.
22 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are denoted by like reference characters throughout the specification.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof 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, not on the name of a simple term, but on the entire contents of the present invention.

Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being "connected" to another part, it includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another part in between . In addition, the term " "... Module " or the like means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. Also, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements as well, without departing from the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

The term "ultrasound image " in the entire specification refers to an image of an object obtained using ultrasound. In addition, the subject may comprise a person or an animal, or a part of a person or an animal. For example, the subject may comprise at least one of the following: liver, heart, uterus, brain, breast, organs such as the abdomen, and blood vessels. Also, the object may be a phantom, and the phantom may refer to a material that is very close to the density and the effective atomic number of the organism and very close to the volume of the organism. For example, the phantom may be a spherical phantom having characteristics similar to the human body.

Also, throughout the specification, the term "user" may be a medical professional such as a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment includes a probe 20, an ultrasonic transmission and reception unit 1100, an image processing unit 1200, a communication unit 1300, a display 1400, a memory 1500, an input device 1600, And a control unit 1700, and the various configurations described above may be connected to each other via a bus 1800. [

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can be implemented not only as a cart type but also as a portable type. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnostic devices include, but are not limited to, a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System Viewer), a smartphone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

The probe 20 transmits an ultrasonic signal to the object 10 in response to a driving signal applied from the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 1100 and receives an echo signal reflected from the object 10. The probe 20 includes a plurality of transducers, and the plurality of transducers generate ultrasonic waves that are vibrated according to an electrical signal to be transmitted and are acoustical energy. The probe 20 may be connected to the main body of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 in a wired or wireless manner. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include a plurality of probes 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The transmission unit 1110 supplies a driving signal to the probe 20 and includes a pulse generation unit 1112, a transmission delay unit 1114, and a pulsar 1116. The pulse generator 1112 generates a pulse for forming a transmission ultrasonic wave according to a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delay unit 1114 determines a transmission directionality And applies the delay time to the pulse. Each of the pulses to which the delay time is applied corresponds to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe 20, respectively. The pulser 1116 applies a driving signal (or a driving pulse) to the probe 20 at a timing corresponding to each pulse to which the delay time is applied.

The receiving unit 1120 processes the echo signal received from the probe 20 to generate ultrasonic data and includes an amplifier 1122, an ADC (Analog Digital Converter) 1124, a receiving delay unit 1126, And a summing unit 1128. [ The amplifier 1122 amplifies the echo signal for each channel, and the ADC 1124 converts the amplified echo signal analog-to-digital. The reception delay unit 1126 applies the delay time for determining the reception directionality to the digitally converted echo signal and the summation unit 1128 sums the echo signals processed by the reception delay unit 1166 And generates ultrasonic data. Meanwhile, the receiving unit 1120 may not include the amplifier 1122 according to the embodiment. That is, when the sensitivity of the probe 20 is improved or the processing bit number of the ADC 1124 is improved, the amplifier 1122 may be omitted.

The image processing unit 1200 generates an ultrasound image through a scan conversion process on the ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transmitting / receiving unit 1100. On the other hand, the ultrasound image has a Doppler effect as well as an image of a gray scale obtained by scanning an object in an A mode (amplitude mode), a B mode (brightness mode) and an M mode And may be a Doppler image expressing a moving object by using it. The Doppler image may be a blood flow Doppler image (also referred to as a color Doppler image) representing blood flow, a tissue Doppler image representing tissue movement, or a spectral Doppler image representing a moving velocity of a subject by a waveform.

The B mode processing unit 1212 included in the data processing unit 1210 extracts and processes the B mode component from the ultrasonic data. The image generating unit 1220 can generate an ultrasound image in which the intensity of the signal is expressed by the brightness based on the B mode component extracted by the B mode processing unit 1212. [

Similarly, the Doppler processing unit 1214 included in the data processing unit 1210 extracts a Doppler component from the ultrasound data, and the image generating unit 1220 expresses the motion of the target object in color or waveform based on the extracted Doppler component Doppler images can be generated.

The image generating unit 1220 may generate a 3-dimensional ultrasound image through a volume rendering process on volume data, and may generate an elastic image that imaged the degree of deformation of the object 10 according to the pressure It is possible. Further, the image generating unit 1220 may display various kinds of additional information on the ultrasound image in text and graphics. Meanwhile, the generated ultrasound image may be stored in the memory 1500.

The display unit 1400 displays and outputs the generated ultrasound image. The display unit 1400 may display various information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 on the screen through a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as well as the ultrasound image. Meanwhile, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include two or more display units 1400 according to an embodiment.

The communication unit 1300 is connected to the network 30 by wire or wireless, and communicates with an external device or a server. The communication unit 1300 can exchange data with other medical devices in a hospital server or a hospital connected through a medical image information system (PACS). In addition, the communication unit 1300 can communicate data according to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard.

The communication unit 1300 can transmit and receive data related to diagnosis of a target object such as an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, and Doppler data of the target body 10 via the network 30, Medical images taken by the device can also be transmitted and received. Further, the communication unit 1300 may receive information on the diagnosis history of the patient, the treatment schedule, and the like from the server and may use the diagnosis information for diagnosis of the target body 10. Further, the communication unit 1300 may perform data communication with not only a server or a medical device in a hospital, but also a doctor or a portable terminal of a patient.

The communication unit 1300 may be connected to the network 30 by wire or wireless and may exchange data with the server 32, the medical device 34, or the portable terminal 36. The communication unit 1300 may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device and may include, for example, a local communication module 1310, a wired communication module 1320, and a mobile communication module 1330 .

The short-range communication module 1310 refers to a module for short-range communication within a predetermined distance. The local area communication technology according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a wireless LAN, a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a ZigBee, a WFD, an ultra wideband (UWB) IrDA, Infrared Data Association), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (Near Field Communication), and the like.

The wired communication module 1320 refers to a module for communication using an electrical signal or an optical signal. In the wired communication technology according to an embodiment, a twisted pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, an ethernet, Cable and so on.

The mobile communication module 1330 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may be various types of data according to a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The memory 1500 stores various pieces of information to be processed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000. For example, the memory 1500 may store medical data related to diagnosis of a target object such as input / output ultrasound data and ultrasound images, and may store an algorithm or a program executed in the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000.

The memory 1500 may be implemented by various types of storage media such as a flash memory, a hard disk, and an EEPROM. In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may operate a web storage or a cloud server that performs a storage function of the memory 1500 on the web.

The input device 1600 means a means for receiving data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 from a user. Examples of the input device 1600 may include a hardware configuration such as a keypad, a mouse, a touchpad, a touch screen, a trackball, a jog switch, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. And may further include various input means such as a recognition sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, and a distance sensor.

The controller 1700 controls the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 as a whole. That is, the control unit 1700 includes the probe 20, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 1100, the image processing unit 1200, the communication unit 1300, the display unit 1400, the memory 1500, and the input device 1600) can be controlled.

Some or all of the probe 20, the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 1100, the image processing unit 1200, the communication unit 1300, the display unit 1400, the memory 1500, the input device 1600, But is not limited thereto, and some of the above-described configurations may be operated by hardware. At least some of the ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 1100, the image processing unit 1200, and the communication unit 1300 may be included in the control unit 1600, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless probe 2000 according 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 components of the ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

The wireless probe 2000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a transmitting unit 2100, a transducer 2200, and a receiving unit 2300, and their configurations have been described in 1, do. Meanwhile, the wireless probe 2000 may selectively include a reception delay unit 2330 and a summation unit 2340 according to the implementation.

The wireless probe 2000 may transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target object 10, receive an echo signal, generate ultrasonic data, and wirelessly transmit the generated ultrasonic data to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram further illustrating the structure of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 related to an embodiment.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment may include a controller 1700, a display unit 1400, and an input device 1600. However, according to an embodiment, the input device 1600 may include fewer components than the components shown in FIG. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic device 1000 may receive user input from a separate device instead of including the input device 1600.

The controller 1700 according to an embodiment may acquire a plurality of elastic data for a target object. In addition, the control unit 1700 can acquire a plurality of measured values from a plurality of elastic data. Measurements may refer to values that can be obtained from the elastic data, such as the velocity of the measured transverse waves, the elasticity value, the reliability of the elasticity value, and the standard deviation of the elasticity value. The " elasticity value " referred to herein may be replaced by other measured values.

The controller 1700 according to an exemplary embodiment may obtain a plurality of elasticity values for the object. The method of obtaining a plurality of elasticity values may be variously implemented according to the embodiment. For example, when a user sets a region of interest (ROI) for an ultrasound image, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may be configured to perform a predetermined operation on a part of a target region using the ultrasound transceiving unit 1100 and the probe 20 of FIG. An elasticity value can be obtained by transmitting an ultrasonic signal for pushing the ultrasonic signal to a target object and tracking a shear wave generated by the transmitted ultrasonic signal. The controller 1700 can obtain a plurality of elasticity values for the object by performing the process of obtaining the elasticity value for the object by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 a plurality of times. Alternatively, the control unit 1700 may acquire a plurality of elasticity values stored in the memory 1500 of FIG. 1, or may acquire elasticity values received from other devices through the communication unit 1300. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example.

The controller 1700 may obtain at least one reference value for the obtained elasticity value. Here, the reference value means a value that can be a reference for judging whether or not the elasticity value obtained by the user indicates an appropriate value. According to one embodiment, the reference value may include at least one of a median, a first quartile, and a third quartile. Here, the median value means a value located at the center when the obtained elasticity values are arranged in order of magnitude. Also, the first quartile represents a value corresponding to the cumulative percentage of 25% when the obtained elasticity values are arranged in order of magnitude. Also, the third quartile means that the cumulative percentage corresponds to 75% when the obtained elasticity values are arranged in order of magnitude.

The control unit 1700 may generate a graph based on the obtained plurality of elasticity values and at least one reference value. Here, the controller 1700 may generate a graph so that the user can easily determine whether the obtained elasticity values are appropriate values. According to one embodiment, the controller 1700 may generate a graph such that the graph includes at least one baseline whose position is determined according to at least one reference value, and an indicator indicating the elasticity value. The user can determine whether the elasticity value obtained based on at least one reference line and an indicator indicating the elasticity value is appropriate. For example, if the indicator indicating the elasticity value in the graph is located on the upper side of the reference line corresponding to the first quartile and located on the lower side than the reference line corresponding to the third quartile, the elasticity value is appropriate It can be judged. According to another embodiment, the control unit 1700 may cause the indicator indicating the elasticity value to have a different shape or color according to at least one reference value. For example, when the elasticity value is larger than the first quartile and smaller than the third quartile, the elasticity value is displayed using a green indicator, and in other cases, the elasticity value can be displayed using a red indicator have. In addition, the controller 1700 may calculate a deviation or a standard deviation for each of the plurality of obtained elasticity values. The control unit 1700 may display an indicator indicating the deviation or the standard deviation of the elasticity value together with the indicator indicating the elasticity value through the display unit 1400. [

Also, the control unit 1700 can calculate the reliability value for each elasticity value. For example, the control unit 1700 may calculate a reliability value for the elasticity value based on the magnitude of the detected shear wave to obtain the elasticity value. That is, the controller 1700 can determine that the reliability of the elasticity value is higher as the size of the shear wave is larger, and that the reliability of the elasticity value is lower as the size of the shear wave is smaller. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit 1700 may determine the reliability of the elasticity value using not only the magnitude of the shear wave but also the residual value of the shear wave. That is, the smaller the residual value, the higher the reliability of the elasticity value, and the larger the residual value, the lower the reliability of the elasticity value.

The control unit 1700 can select a part of the plurality of elasticity values. The method of selecting a part of the plurality of elasticity values may be variously implemented according to the embodiment. According to one embodiment, the controller 1700 may select at least one elasticity value of a plurality of elasticity values based on user input received via the input device 1600. For example, if the user selects an elasticity value determined to be inappropriate using the input device 1600, the controller 1700 may select an elasticity value excluding the elasticity value selected from the plurality of elasticity values have. Alternatively, the controller 1700 may select the elasticity value selected by the user. According to another embodiment, the controller 1700 may select at least one elasticity value based on at least one reference value. For example, when the reference value includes the first quartile and the third quartile, the controller 1700 may select an elasticity value that is greater than or equal to the first quartile and less than or equal to the third quartile. According to another embodiment, the controller 1700 may select at least one elasticity value whose reliability is above a threshold value, based on the reliability of the elasticity value. Where the threshold value may be a predetermined value or a value set based on user input.

The control unit 1700 may calculate a result value based on the selected at least one elasticity value. According to one embodiment, the resultant value may include a median value, an average value, and a satisfaction value of the selected at least one elasticity value. The satisfaction value may be a median value for the selected elasticity value or a value indicating the quality for the average value. And can be variously calculated according to the embodiment. According to one embodiment, the satisfaction value may be a value obtained by dividing the Interquartile Range (IQR) by the median value. Here, the quadrant may mean a value obtained by dividing the distance between the third quartile and the first quartile by half.

The display unit 1400 may display the graph generated by the control unit 1700. The graph displayed on the display unit 1400 can be variously changed according to the embodiment. For example, the display unit 1400 can display a graph displaying the elasticity value using a point, a line, a bar, or the like. In addition, the graph displayed on the display unit 1400 may include a reference line whose position is determined according to the reference value obtained by the control unit 1700. [ That is, the graph may include at least one baseline positioned to indicate the magnitude of the reference value. In addition, the display portion 1400 may further display reliability values for a plurality of elasticity values.

4 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

In step S410, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can obtain a plurality of elasticity values for the object. The method of obtaining a plurality of elasticity values may be variously implemented according to the embodiment. For example, if the user sets an ROI for an ultrasound image, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may transmit an ultrasound signal for pushing a part of the target object to the target object. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can obtain the elasticity value by tracking the shear wave generated by the transmitted ultrasonic signal. By performing the process of obtaining the elasticity value for the object by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 a plurality of times, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can obtain a plurality of elasticity values for the object. As another example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may obtain a plurality of elasticity values stored in the memory 1500. Alternatively, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may acquire the elasticity value received from another device through the communication unit 1300. [ However, the present invention is not limited to the above example.

In step S420, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may obtain at least one reference value for the plurality of elasticity values obtained. According to one embodiment, the reference value may include at least one of a median, a first quartile, and a third quartile. Here, the median value means a value located at the center when the obtained elasticity values are arranged in order of magnitude. Also, the first quartile represents a value corresponding to the cumulative percentage of 25% when the obtained elasticity values are arranged in order of magnitude. Also, the third quartile means that the cumulative percentage corresponds to 75% when the obtained elasticity values are arranged in order of magnitude.

Thereafter, in step S430, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can generate a graph based on the obtained plurality of elasticity values and at least one reference value. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display the generated graph using the display unit 1400. Here, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment may generate a graph so that the user can easily determine whether the obtained elasticity values are appropriate values. The graph displayed through the display unit 1400 may include at least one reference line on which the position is determined according to at least one reference value and an indicator indicating the elasticity value. According to another embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may have an indicator indicating the elasticity value having a different shape or color according to at least one reference value. For example, when the elasticity value is larger than the first quartile and smaller than the third quartile, the elasticity value is displayed using a green indicator, and in other cases, the elasticity value can be displayed using a red indicator have. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can calculate a deviation or a standard deviation for each of the obtained plurality of elasticity values. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display an indicator indicating the deviation or standard deviation of the elasticity value together with the indicator indicating the elasticity value through the display unit 1400. [

After step S410, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may calculate a reliability value for each elasticity value obtained in step S410. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can calculate the reliability value for the elasticity value based on the magnitude of the detected shear wave to obtain the elasticity value. That is, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, the greater the magnitude of the shear wave, the higher the reliability of the elasticity value, and the smaller the shear wave size, the lower the reliability of the elasticity value. However, this is not limited. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may determine the reliability of the elasticity value using not only the magnitude of the shear wave but also the residual value of the shear wave. That is, the smaller the residual value, the higher the reliability of the elasticity value, and the larger the residual value, the lower the reliability of the elasticity value.

In step S440, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 can select at least one elasticity value among the plurality of elasticity values. The method of selecting a part of the plurality of elasticity values may be variously implemented according to the embodiment. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may select at least one elasticity value using the graph displayed in step S430. Here, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can select at least one elasticity value among a plurality of elasticity values based on the user input received through the input device 1600. [ For example, when the user selects an elasticity value that is determined to be inappropriate using the input device 1600 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 determines the elasticity degree selected from among the plurality of elasticity values The elasticity value except the value can be selected. Alternatively, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may select the elasticity value selected by the user. According to another embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may select at least one elasticity value based on at least one reference value. For example, when the reference value includes the first quartile and the third quartile, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can select the elasticity value that is equal to or greater than the first quartile and equal to or less than the third quartile. According to another embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may select at least one elasticity value whose reliability is above a threshold value, based on the reliability of the elasticity value. Where the threshold value may be a predetermined value or a value set based on user input.

In step S450, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may calculate a result value based on the selected at least one elasticity value. Also, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may display the calculated result together with the graph displayed in step S430. According to one embodiment, the resultant value may include a median value, an average value, and a satisfaction value of the selected at least one elasticity value. The satisfaction value may be a median value for the selected elasticity value or a value indicating the quality for the average value. And can be variously calculated according to the embodiment. According to one embodiment, the satisfaction value may be a value obtained by dividing the Interquartile Range (IQR) by the median value. Here, the quadrant may mean a value obtained by dividing the distance between the third quartile and the first quartile by half.

The graph displayed on the display unit 1400 can be variously changed according to the embodiment. For example, the display unit 1400 can display a graph displaying the elasticity value using a point, a line, a bar, or the like. In addition, the graph displayed on the display unit 1400 may include a reference line whose position is determined according to the reference value obtained by the control unit 1700. [ That is, the graph may include at least one baseline positioned to indicate the magnitude of the reference value. In addition, the display portion 1400 may further display reliability values for a plurality of elasticity values.

5 is a view for explaining a shear wave.

Referring to FIG. 5, when a force of a point impulse is applied in the Z-axis direction, a p-wave as a longitudinal wave, an s-wave as a transverse wave, and a ps wave coupled with two waves are generated. Here, the shear wave is a wave that oscillates in the direction of wave propagation from a vibration source applied with a force and propagates in the Y-axis direction, which means s wave.

6 is a view for explaining a shear wave generated in a target object.

6, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 transmits an ultrasound signal (hereinafter, referred to as 'push ultrasound signal') 610 for pushing a part of a target object to the target body 10 . For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 can transmit a long-wave push ultrasound signal 610 to the object 10 using some of the channels of the probe 20. [ According to one embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may transmit a focused push ultrasound signal 610 to a portion of the object 10.

In this case, a shear wave 620 can be generated by the pushing ultrasound signal 610 inside the object 10. For example, a shear wave 620 may be generated about an area pushed by the push ultrasound signal 610. Shear wave 620 may propagate at a rate of about 1 to 10 m / s. The speed of the shear wave 620 is much slower than the average speed of the ultrasonic signal in the object 10 (about 1540 m / s), so that the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can measure the ultrasonic signal for tracking the shear wave 620 , Tracking ultrasonic signal) can be used. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can track the velocity of the shear wave 620 by transmitting a tracking ultrasonic signal in the traveling direction of the shear wave 620. At this time, the wavelength of the traced ultrasonic signal may be shorter than the wavelength of the push ultrasonic signal 610.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a method of displaying an ultrasound image and an elasticity according to an embodiment.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment can acquire the ultrasound image 700 and display the ultrasound image 700. [ Here, if the user sets the region of interest 710 in the ultrasound image 700 using the input device 1600, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 can obtain the elasticity value of the object for the set region of interest. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display the obtained elasticity value. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can calculate the reliability of the obtained elasticity value, and display the calculated reliability value together with the elasticity value. For example, the elasticity value and the reliability value can be displayed as shown in 720 of FIG. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 can obtain a plurality of elasticity values by performing the process of setting the region of interest 710 and obtaining the elasticity value a plurality of times as shown in FIG.

8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating a user interface displayed according to an embodiment.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display the graph 800-1 as shown in FIG. 8 by performing the process shown in FIG. The graph 800-1 includes indicators 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, 810-8, 810-9 indicating elasticity values , Indicators 810 indicating deviation of the elasticity value, a reference line 860-1 representing a median value, a reference line 860-2 representing a first quartile, and a third quartile And may include a reference line 860-3. 810-8, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, 810-8, 810-9, 810-10 indicating elasticity values, It can be easily judged whether the elasticity value is appropriate or not depending on whether it is located between the reference line 860-2 representing the first quartile and the reference line 860-3 representing the third quartile. The positions of the reference lines 860-1, 860-2, and 860-3 in the graph 800-1 can be determined according to the magnitude of the reference value calculated based on the plurality of elasticity values. Also, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display the reliability of the elasticity value and the elasticity value numerically as in 830 and 840 of FIG. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may further display the resultant value 850-1 for the elasticity values. According to one embodiment, the median and quartile range / median as shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed as a result. The user can determine that the indicators (e.g., 810-8, 810-9) indicating at least one elasticity value by using the graph 800-1 indicate an inappropriate elasticity value. The user may use the input device 1600 to select at least one indicator (e.g., 810-8, 810-9) that is determined to exhibit an inappropriate degree of elasticity value.

If the user selects at least one indicator 810-8, 810-9, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include at least one indicator 810-8, 810-9 selected as shown in Figure 9, . Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may calculate a reference value (e.g., a reference value) based on the remaining indicators 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, And display the reference lines 860-1, 860-2, and 860-3 according to the updated reference value. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may newly calculate based on the remaining directors 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, and 810-10 The resultant value 850-2 can be displayed. Further, as some of the directors 810-8 and 810-9 are excluded, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can change the scale of the horizontal axis and / or the vertical axis of the graph 800-2.

10 is a diagram illustrating a user interface displayed according to another embodiment.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the elasticity values are indicated by dots, but the elasticity values may be variously displayed according to the embodiment. 10, a plurality of elasticity values may be displayed using a graph 900-1 including a line 910 and reference lines 860-1, 860-2 and 860-3.

11-13 illustrate a user interface for allowing a user to select an elasticity value according to yet another embodiment.

11, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 includes indicators 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, 810 (E.g., a check box) 870 corresponding to each of the graphs 800, 810, 810, 810, 810, 810, 810-8, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, 810-8, 810-9, 810-10 indicating elasticity values, And selecting the user interface element (e.g., check box) 870 after identifying the baselines 860-1, 860-2, 860-3 and selecting or excluding the elasticity value to be used to produce the resultant value .

12, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include a user interface element (e.g., a check box) 870 with indicators 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, 810-8, 810-9, and 810-10 are displayed in the periphery, respectively, and the graph 800-4 can be displayed.

In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may display a user interface element (e.g., a check box) 870 corresponding to only some elasticity value among a plurality of elasticity values. For example, referring to FIG. 13, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may include an indicator (e.g., 810-7, 810-8) for an elasticity value that is less than the first quartile or greater than the third quartile , A user interface element (e. G., A check box) 870 for the user (e. G., 810-9)

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for allowing a user to select a measurement value using an automatic inspection according to another embodiment.

14, the display unit 1400 includes indicators 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, and 810-810 indicating measurement values (for example, elasticity values) (E.g., button) 872 for automatically selecting a measurement value and a graph 800-6 including a user interface object (e.g., button) 872 for automatically selecting a measurement value Can be displayed.

When the user selects a user interface object 872 for automatically selecting a measurement value, the control unit 1700 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can compare the reference value with a plurality of measured values. The controller 1700 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can select at least one of the plurality of measured values based on the comparison result. For example, the controller 1700 may compare each of the plurality of elasticity values with the first and third quadrants for the plurality of elasticity values. In addition, the controller 1700 may select at least one elasticity value that is greater than or equal to the first quartile and less than or equal to the third quartile. Further, the control unit 1700 may obtain the obtained result value based on the selected at least one elasticity value. The display unit 1400 may change the displayed result value 850-1 to a result value obtained based on the selected at least one elasticity value.

15 and 16 illustrate a user interface for allowing a user to select a measurement value according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the display portion 1400 may display a graph 800-7 including an area 880 for selecting a measured value (e.g., an elasticity value). In addition, the display portion 1400 may further display a user interface object 882 for adjusting the area 880. A user may control the area 880 using a user interface object 882. [ For example, the area of the area 880 may be adjusted by dragging the user interface object 882. [

The control unit 1700 includes a plurality of measurement values 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-7, 810-8, 810-9, At least one measurement value included in the area 880 may be selected. In addition, the control unit 1700 may obtain a result value based on the selected at least one measured value. The display unit 1400 may change the displayed result value 850-1 to a result value obtained based on the selected at least one measured value. For example, when the area of the area 880 is changed as shown in FIG. 16 by using the user interface object 882 included in the graph 800-7 of FIG. 15, the control unit 1700 may include The selected measurement values 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, and 810-10 can be selected. Here, the controller 1700 may obtain a result value based on the selected measurement values 810-1, 810-2, 810-3, 810-4, 810-5, 810-6, 810-10. The display unit 1400 may change the displayed result value 850-1 to a result value obtained based on the selected at least one measured value.

17 is a graph showing a graph including information related to a measured value according to an embodiment.

According to one embodiment, any one of the elasticity values (e.g., indicator 810-6) included in graph 800-8 based on user input entered via input device 1600 is selected . Display portion 1400 may display a measurement 890 associated with the selected elasticity value. For example, when the indicator 810-6 is selected, the display 1400 displays a measurement 890 including at least one of the elasticity value, the transverse wave velocity, the reliability value, and the standard deviation associated with the elasticity value, (810-6).

18-20 are diagrams illustrating a user interface for displaying information related to measured values according to another embodiment.

Display portion 1400 may further display a region of interest associated with the measurements contained in graph 800-9. Referring to FIG. 18, an image 920 indicating a position of a region of interest corresponding to each of a plurality of measured values may be further displayed.

In addition, the display unit 1400 may display the position of the region of interest set in the ultrasound image and the ultrasound image corresponding to the selected measurement value among the plurality of measured values. 19, when the indicator 810-1 is selected based on the user input received via the input device 1600, the display 1400 displays the selected indicator 810-1 (i.e., the selected elasticity value The ultrasound image 920-1 having the region of interest corresponding to the ultrasound image 920-1 can be displayed. 20, when the indicator 810-2 is selected based on the user input received through the input device 1600, the display unit 1400 displays the attention area 810-2 corresponding to the selected indicator 810-2, The set ultrasound image 920-2 can be displayed.

The display unit 1400 may display the measured values in various ways according to the embodiment. For example, the measured value can be displayed using the width or area of the indicator. 21 is an exemplary diagram showing an indicator included in a graph according to another embodiment. For example, the vertical width of the marker can be used to indicate the deviation of the elasticity value, and the reliability value of the elasticity value can be expressed using the width of the rectangle. That is, when displaying a degree of elasticity value with a small deviation and a high reliability value, the display unit 1400 includes a marker 812 having a small vertical width and a rectangular 814 having a wide horizontal width as shown in FIG. 21 (a) Can be displayed. On the contrary, when displaying a degree of elasticity value with a large deviation and a low reliability value, the display unit 1400 includes a marker 816 having a large vertical width and a rectangular 818 having a narrow horizontal width as shown in FIG. 21 (b) Can be displayed.

22 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to another embodiment.

In step S2210, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can acquire a plurality of elasticity data. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 may acquire a plurality of elasticity data by conducting a process of inducing a shear wave into the object using the probe 20 and observing the induced shear waves a plurality of times. Alternatively, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may receive a plurality of elasticity data from another apparatus or may acquire a plurality of elasticity data stored in the memory 1500.

Then, in step S2220, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can obtain measurement values from each of the elasticity data. Here, the measured value may include at least one of the elasticity value, the velocity of the observed transverse wave, the reliability value and the deviation.

Thereafter, in step S2230, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display the obtained measurement value. In step S2230, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can generate a graph indicating the obtained measurement value, and display the generated graph.

In step S2240, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 can select at least one of a plurality of measured values. In step S2240, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may select a measurement value based on the user input received via the input device 1600. [ Alternatively, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may compare the measured value with a reference value (e.g., a median value for the elasticity value, a first quartile and a third quartile, etc.) determined based on the measured value, It is also possible to select a measurement value.

In step S2250, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1000 can display the measured value so that the selected measured value is distinguished from the unselected measured value. For example, only selected measurement values can be displayed, except for unselected measurement values, as shown in FIG. As another example, a check box may be used to indicate whether a measurement is selected, as shown in Figures 11-13. As another example, region 880 can be used to indicate selected or unselected measurements, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. Depending on the embodiment, the non-selected measurement value may mean a measurement that is deselected by the user.

In step S2250, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1000 may calculate a result value based on at least one measurement value, and display the calculated result value on the display unit 1400. [ Here, the resultant values may be variously implemented according to the embodiments.

Although an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method for measuring elasticity values using shear waves have been described throughout the present specification, the embodiments described herein are not limited to the time-intensity enhancement intensity changes in ultrasonic diagnosis using a contrast agent A time-intensity curve measurement, a strain measurement, or an interleaved amount measurement.

One embodiment of the present invention may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules, being 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. In addition, the computer-readable medium can 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 any information delivery media, including computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and that those of ordinary skill in the art can readily understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention do.

Claims (21)

A method of operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus,
Obtaining a plurality of elasticity data for the object;
Obtaining a plurality of measurement values from each of the plurality of elastic data;
Displaying the plurality of measured values;
Selecting at least one of the plurality of measurement values;
Displaying the selected at least one measurement value or an unselected measurement value among the plurality of measurement values; And
And displaying the calculated result based on the selected at least one measured value. The method according to claim 1,
The plurality of measured values may include:
And an elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data,
Wherein the displaying of the plurality of measured values comprises:
Determining at least one reference value determined based on an elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data; And
And displaying a graph representing the determined at least one reference value and the plurality of measured values. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein,
A median value for the plurality of elasticity values, a first quartile, and a third quartile. The method of claim 3,
The displayed graph may include:
And at least one reference line representing the magnitude of the reference value. 3. The method of claim 2,
The above-
A ratio of a median value, an average value, a confidence value, a standard deviation, and an Interquired Range (IQR) to a median value for the selected at least one measurement value. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein displaying the graph comprises:
Further displaying an indicator indicative of a deviation for each of the plurality of elasticity values. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the selecting of the at least one measurement value comprises:
Comparing the obtained at least one reference value and the plurality of measured values, respectively; And
And selecting the at least one measured value based on the comparison result. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the at least one reference value comprises a first quartile and a third quartile for the plurality of elasticity values,
Wherein selecting the at least one measurement comprises selecting at least one measurement comprising an elasticity value that is greater than or equal to the first quartile and less than or equal to the third quartile. 3. The method of claim 2,
The method comprises:
Further comprising calculating reliability values for each of the plurality of elasticity values,
In the graph,
And further comprising the calculated confidence values. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the selecting of the at least one measurement value comprises:
Receiving user input for the plurality of measurements; And
Selecting the at least one measurement value excluding some of the plurality of measurement values based on the user input. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:
A control unit configured to acquire a plurality of elasticity data for an object and to obtain a plurality of measured values from each of the plurality of elasticity data; And
And a display unit for displaying the plurality of measured values,
Wherein the control unit selects at least one of the plurality of measured values and displays an unselected measurement value or the selected at least one measured value among the plurality of measured values, and calculates, based on the selected at least one measured value, And the resultant value is displayed through the display unit. 12. The method of claim 11,
The plurality of measured values may include:
And an elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data,
Wherein,
Determining at least one reference value that is determined based on the elasticity value obtained from the plurality of elasticity data,
The display unit includes:
And displays a graph indicating the determined at least one reference value and the plurality of measured values. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein,
And a median value, a first quartile, and a third quartile of the plurality of elasticity values. 13. The method of claim 12,
The displayed graph may include:
And at least one reference line indicating the magnitude of the reference value. 13. The method of claim 12,
The above-
Wherein the at least one measured value comprises at least one of a median, an average value, a confidence value, a standard deviation, and a ratio of an InterQuair Range (IQR) to a median value. 13. The method of claim 12,
The display unit includes:
And further displays an indicator indicating a deviation for each of the plurality of elasticity values. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein,
And compares the obtained at least one reference value with the plurality of measured values, respectively, and selects the at least one measured value based on the comparison result. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the at least one reference value comprises a first quartile and a third quartile for the plurality of elasticity values,
Wherein the controller selects at least one measurement value including an elasticity value that is equal to or greater than the first quartile and equal to or less than the third quartile. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein,
Further calculating reliability values for each of the plurality of elasticity values,
The graph displayed on the display unit includes:
And further comprising the calculated reliability values. 12. The method of claim 11,
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes:
Further comprising an input device for receiving a user input for the plurality of measurements,
Wherein,
And selects the at least one measurement value excluding a part of the plurality of measurement values based on the user input. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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