KR20170054982A - Ultrasound image apparatus and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an ultrasound image apparatus capable of easily displaying movement and change of blood flow, and an operation method thereof. The ultrasound image apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention extracts a plurality of pieces of ensemble data included in ultrasound data acquired from an object to generate a plurality of color Doppler mode images.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus,

This disclosure relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and method of operation. And more particularly, to a method and apparatus for acquiring ultrasound data to generate a plurality of color Doppler mode images and displaying the generated plurality of color Doppler mode images.

Ultrasonic imaging devices have non-invasive and non-destructive properties and are widely used in the medical field to obtain information inside the object. The ultrasound imaging apparatus is very important in the medical field because it can provide the physician with real time high resolution images of the object without the need of a surgical operation to directly observe the object.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a B-mode (Brightness mode) image in which the reflection coefficient of an ultrasonic signal (i.e., an ultrasonic echo signal) reflected from a target object is viewed as a two-dimensional image, a Doppler effect, The color Doppler mode image shows the speed and direction of the moving object using the Doppler effect. The Doppler mode image shows the difference in response when the object is subjected to compression, and the elastic image when the object is not added. .

In particular, the ultrasound imaging apparatus transmits ultrasound signals to a living body according to a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) and receives ultrasound echo signals reflected from the living body to form ultrasound data corresponding to the ultrasound images. Ultrasonic data is stored in the storage unit. The ultrasound imaging apparatus forms an ultrasound image using ultrasound data stored in a storage unit.

The present invention provides an ultrasound imaging apparatus and an operation method capable of easily displaying a motion and a change of blood flow by extracting a plurality of ensemble data from ultrasound data acquired from a target object to generate a plurality of color Doppler mode images, .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic signal at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) interval to a target object, receives an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object, An extracting unit for extracting the ensemble data stored in the storage unit by a second ensemble number and outputting the ensemble data to a plurality of first ensembles, A processor that generates an ensemble data set and generates a plurality of frames of color Doppler mode images using each of the plurality of ensemble data sets and a display unit that displays color Doppler mode images of the plurality of frames, To generate ultrasound Doppler images for the region of interest An ultrasound imaging apparatus is provided.

For example, the processor may generate a plurality of ensemble data sets by sequentially selecting the second ensemble number by skipping the ensemble data stored in the storage unit by at least one ensemble data.

For example, the second ensemble number may be the same as the first ensemble number or a value smaller than the first ensemble number.

For example, the second ensemble number may be at least two or more.

For example, the processor may select and extract each of the ensemble data stored in the storage unit at least once.

For example, the processor may perform Clutter Filtering on the acquired ensemble data of the first ensemble number before storing the ensemble data in the storage unit, and the storage unit may store the ensemble data of the ensemble number of the first ensemble number Data can be stored.

For example, after generating the plurality of ensemble data sets, the processor clathrates the ensemble data included in the ensemble data set to form Doppler data, calculates a velocity component and a power component of the Doppler data , And generates the color Doppler mode image of the plurality of frames based on the calculated velocity component and power component, and the first ultrasonic data may include Iphage data (Inphase-Quadrature data).

For example, the processor may form the Doppler data prior to generating the plurality of ensemble data sets.

For example, the ultrasound data acquisition unit may acquire RF (Radio Frequency) data from the ultrasound echo signal, and the processor may generate a B-mode (Brightness-mode) image of one frame using the RF data.

For example, the processor may arrange the color Doppler mode images of the generated plurality of frames at equal intervals on the time axis so as to be equal to the frame rate displayed on the display unit, and the display unit displays the color Doppler mode images of the plurality of frames A color Doppler mode image can be displayed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for transmitting an ultrasound echo signal to a target object at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) interval, receiving an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the target object, Generating a plurality of ensemble data sets by selectively extracting the stored ensemble data by a second ensemble number, and generating a plurality of ensemble data sets by demultiplexing the ensemble data of the ensemble data, And generating a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames using each of the plurality of ensemble data sets, the method comprising: generating an ultrasonic Doppler image of a region of interest of a target object;

For example, in the step of generating the plurality of ensemble data sets, a plurality of ensemble data sets are generated by sequentially selecting at least one of the stored ensemble data and skipping each of the stored ensemble data sequentially by the second ensemble number .

For example, the second ensemble number may be the same as the first ensemble number or a value smaller than the first ensemble number.

For example, the second ensemble number may be at least two or more.

For example, each of the stored ensemble data may be selected and extracted at least once.

For example, the method may include Clutter Filtering ensemble data of the acquired ensemble number; And the storing step may store the ensemble data of the first ensemble number after the clutter filtering step.

For example, the method may include generating a plurality of ensemble data sets, clustering the ensemble data included in the ensemble data set to form Doppler data, calculating a velocity component and a power component of the Doppler data, And generating a color Doppler mode image of the plurality of frames based on the calculated velocity component and power component, wherein the first ultrasound data includes IQ data (Inphase-Quadrature data) .

For example, the method may further include obtaining RF (Radio Frequency) data from the ultrasonic echo signal and generating a B-mode (Brightness-mode) image of one frame using the RF data have.

For example, the method may further include the steps of: arranging the color Doppler mode images of the plurality of generated frames at equal intervals on the time axis so as to be equal to the frame rate displayed on the display unit; And displaying on the display unit.

As a technical means for solving the above-mentioned technical problems, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described method .

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an ultrasound data acquisition unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
3 is a view for explaining a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using ultrasound data acquired from a target object by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using ultrasound data acquired from a target object according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
5 is a diagram illustrating a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using a plurality of ensemble data by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using a plurality of ensemble data by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
7 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using a plurality of ensemble data by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of clutter filtering the ensemble data acquired by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a method of generating a B-mode image and a color Doppler mode image using ultrasound data acquired from an object by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
10 is a view for explaining a method of displaying a color Doppler mode image generated using a plurality of ensemble data by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a color Doppler mode image generated by using a plurality of ensemble data by the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
13A to 13C are views showing an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The specification sets forth the scope of the present disclosure and explains the principles of the present disclosure and discloses embodiments so that those skilled in the art will be able to practice the present disclosure. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in various forms.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. This specification does not describe all the elements of the embodiments, and duplicate contents of the general contents or embodiments in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs. As used herein, the term " part " may be embodied in software or hardware, and may be embodied as a unit, element, or section, Quot; element " includes a plurality of elements. Hereinafter, the working principle and embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The image herein may include a medical image acquired by a medical imaging device, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT) device, an ultrasound imaging device, or an x-ray imaging device.

As used herein, the term " object " may include a person, an animal, or a part thereof as an object of photographing. For example, the object may comprise a part of the body (organ or organ) or a phantom.

The term "ultrasound image" in the entire specification refers to an image of an object that is transmitted to a target object and processed based on the ultrasound signal reflected from the target object.

Also, in this specification, expressions such as "first", "second", or "1-1" are exemplary terms for designating different components, entities, data units, images, pixels or patches. Therefore, the expressions such as " first, "" second," or " 1-1 "

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. In order to clearly explain the present disclosure in the drawings, portions not related to the description will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging device 100 may be implemented in a portable as well as a cart. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnostic devices include, but are not limited to, a PACS viewer, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, an ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 includes an ultrasound data acquisition unit 110, a storage unit 120, a processor 130, and a display unit 140. It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as "including" an element throughout the specification including FIG. 1, it may include other elements, not excluding other elements unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term "part " refers to a hardware component such as software, FPGA or ASIC, and" part " However, "part" is not meant to be limited to software or hardware. "Part" may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play back one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, "part (s) " refers to components such as software components, object oriented software components, class components and task components, and processes, Subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays and variables. The functions provided in the components and "parts " may be combined into a smaller number of components and" parts " or further separated into additional components and "parts ".

The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 transmits ultrasound signals to a target object including a moving object such as blood flow and receives ultrasound signals reflected from the target object, i.e., ultrasound echo signals to acquire ultrasound data. The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 may include an ultrasound probe 210, a transmitter 220, a receiver 230, and an ultrasound data generator 240 (see FIG. 2). The ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

The storage unit 120 stores the ultrasound data acquired by the ultrasound data acquisition unit 110. The storage unit 120 may include a nonvolatile memory such as a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD), for example, a floppy disk, a floppy disk, . In one embodiment, the storage unit 120 may include a database.

The storage unit 120 stores information for identifying a blood flow signal due to blood flow, a clutter signal due to movement of a blood vessel wall, and noise from a Doppler signal on the basis of a velocity component and a power component of a Doppler signal . In one embodiment, the storage unit 120 may store the ultrasound data of the ensemble number acquired by the ultrasound data acquisition unit 110. The storage unit 120 may store the ultrasound data acquired by the ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 for each frame corresponding to the ultrasound image. Here, the ensemble number indicates the number of times the ultrasonic data acquisition unit 110 transmits / receives an ultrasonic signal to / from a target object to acquire a Doppler signal corresponding to one scan line.

The processor 130 is connected to the ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 and the storage unit 120. The processor 130 may be implemented, for example, by at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), and a microprocessor. In one embodiment, the processor 130 may be configured with hardware such as an FPGA or an ASIC.

The processor 130 may inquire the storage unit 120 to selectively extract the ultrasound data necessary for forming the ultrasound image from the storage unit 120. [ In one embodiment, the processor 130 may selectively extract some of the ultrasound data acquired at predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF) intervals. Specifically, the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit 120 may include N pieces of ensemble data. In this case, a range of i ensemble data among N ensemble data can be set as a processing ensemble number. In addition, the processor 130 may selectively extract consecutive ensemble data among the ensemble data of a total of N ensemble numbers by the processing ensemble number (i). The processor 130 may generate a plurality of ensemble data sets using the ensemble data of the extracted processing ensemble number i. In one embodiment, the processor 130 may sequentially extract as many as the processing ensemble number (i) by skipping by one ensemble data among the N ensemble data included in the storage unit 120. [

In this case, the processing ensemble number i may be a smaller integer value than the N ensemble numbers, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the processing ensemble number i may be the same value as the N ensemble numbers.

In one embodiment, the processor 130 may extract each of the ensemble data of the N ensemble numbers stored in the storage unit 120 at least once. That is, the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit 120 may be duplicated and selected by the processor 130 and duplicated and extracted.

The processor 130 may generate a plurality of frames of ultrasound images using a plurality of ensemble data sets generated using the extracted ensemble data. In one embodiment, the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit 120 may include RF (Radio Frequency) data and IQ (Inphase-Quadrature) data. The processor 130 may generate the B mode image using the RF data stored in the storage unit 120. [ In addition, the processor 130 may generate a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames using the IQ data stored in the storage unit 120.

The display unit 140 displays ultrasound images of a plurality of frames generated by the processor 130. The display unit 140 may be, for example, a CRT display, an LCD display, a PDP display, an OLED display, an FED display, an LED display, a VFD display, a DLP (Digital Light Processing) display, a flat panel display, Display, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the display unit 140 may be configured as a touch screen including a touch interface.

In one embodiment, the display unit 140 has a predetermined frame rate according to the characteristics of the apparatus, and can display the ultrasound images of a plurality of frames in synchronization with the frame rate.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may further include a user input unit. The user input unit receives user input information. In one embodiment, the input information may include region of interest information that sets the region of interest in the brightness mode image. The region of interest may include a color box for obtaining color Doppler mode images. In one embodiment, the user input may comprise at least one of a control panel, a trackball, a mouse, and a keyboard.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ultrasound data acquisition unit 110 includes an ultrasound probe 210, a transmitter 220, a receiver 230, and an ultrasound data generator 240.

The ultrasonic probe 210 may include a transducer 212 (see FIG. 3) that operates to convert an electrical signal and an ultrasonic signal from each other. The ultrasound probe 210 may transmit an ultrasound signal to a target object and receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the target object to form a receive signal. The received signal is an analog signal. The ultrasonic probe 210 may include a convex probe, a linear probe, and the like.

The transmission unit 220 controls the transmission of the ultrasonic signal. In addition, the transmitting unit 220 may form a transmission signal for obtaining an ultrasound image in consideration of the transducer and the focal point. In one embodiment, the transmitter 220 may form a first transmit signal for generating a B mode image. When the first transmission signal is provided from the transmission unit 220, the ultrasonic probe 210 converts the first transmission signal into an ultrasonic signal, transmits the ultrasonic signal to the object, and receives the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object to form a first reception signal .

In addition, the transmitting unit 220 may form a second transmission signal for generating a color Doppler mode image corresponding to an area of interest based on the ensemble number. Accordingly, when the second transmission signal is provided from the transmission unit 220, the ultrasonic probe 210 converts the second transmission signal into an ultrasonic signal, transmits the ultrasonic signal to the object, receives the ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object, .

The receiving unit 230 A / D converts the received signal provided from the ultrasonic probe 210 to form a digital signal. In one embodiment, the receiver 230 may receive and focus the digital signal in consideration of the transducer and the focal point to form a receive focus signal.

In one embodiment, when the first receiving signal is provided from the ultrasonic probe 210, the receiving unit 230 may form a first digital signal by analog-to-digital conversion of the first receiving signal. The receiving unit 230 may receive and focus the first digital signal in consideration of the transducer and the focusing point to form a first receiving focusing signal. Also, when the second reception signal is provided from the ultrasonic probe 210, the reception unit 230 can form a second digital signal by analog-to-digital conversion of the second reception signal. The receiving unit 230 may receive and focus the second digital signal in consideration of the transducer and the focusing point to form a second receiving focusing signal.

The ultrasound data forming unit 240 forms ultrasound data corresponding to the ultrasound image using the receive focusing signal provided from the receiving unit 230. In addition, the ultrasound data forming unit 240 may perform various signal processing (e.g., gain adjustment, etc.) necessary to form ultrasound data on the receive focusing signal.

In one embodiment, the ultrasound data forming unit 240 may form the first ultrasound data corresponding to the B mode image using the first receive focusing signal when the first receive focusing signal is provided from the receiving unit 230 . The first ultrasonic data may include RF data. However, the first ultrasonic data is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the ultrasound data forming unit 240 may form the second ultrasound data corresponding to the color Doppler mode image using the second receive focusing signal, if the second receive focusing signal is provided from the receiving unit 230. The second ultrasound data may include IQ data. However, the second ultrasonic data is not necessarily limited thereto.

3 is a diagram for explaining a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using ultrasound data acquired from a target object by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

3, the transmitter 220 transmits a transmission signal Tx for generating an ultrasound image to a target object in consideration of the transducer 212, and the receiver 230 receives the reception signal Tx from the transducer 212, (Rx). In one embodiment, the transmitter 220 may form a Doppler mode transmission signal corresponding to the ensemble number. The transmitting unit 220 may transmit a Doppler mode transmission signal in an interleaved Tx scheme. The receiving unit 230 may receive the received signal and perform beamforming processing to form received focusing data. The description of the transmitter 220 and the receiver 230 shown in FIG. 3 is the same as that of the transmitter 220 and the receiver 230 shown in FIG. 2, and thus a duplicate description will be omitted.

The storage unit 120 may store a plurality of ensemble data obtained from the receiving unit 230. In one embodiment, a plurality of ensemble data may be transmitted and obtained in an interleaved transmission scheme, and six ensemble data may be stored in the storage unit 120 during one ultrasound signal reception focusing. Six ensemble data including the first ensemble data ED1 through the sixth ensemble data ED6 may be obtained and stored at pulse repetition frequency (PRF) intervals, respectively. In FIG. 3, the ultrasound data received and focused at one time includes six ensemble data. However, this is for convenience of explanation and is not limited thereto.

The processor 130 may selectively extract four ensemble data out of the six ensemble data. In one embodiment, the processor 130 may generate a plurality of ensemble data sets by sequentially extracting four ensemble data in sequence while skipping one ensemble data among the six ensemble data. 3, the processor 130 selects and extracts successively acquired and stored first ensemble data ED1 through fourth ensemble data ED4, extracts the extracted first ensemble data ED1 through ED3, The first ensemble data set ES1 can be generated by grouping the fourth ensemble data ED4 into one group. The processor 130 also selects and extracts the second ensemble data ED2 to the fifth ensemble data ED5 and then combines the extracted second ensemble data ED2 to fifth ensemble data ED5, The data set ES2 can be generated. Similarly, the processor 130 selects and extracts the third ensemble data ED3 to the sixth ensemble data ED6, and bundles the third ensemble data ED3 to the sixth ensemble data ED6, (ES3) can be generated. In this case, although the first ensemble data ED1 and the sixth ensemble data ED6 are selected and extracted once, the second ensemble data ED2 through the fifth ensemble data ED5 are selected and extracted at least twice . That is, some of the ensemble data included in the one-time reception focused ultrasound data may be selected and extracted by the processor 130 at least once. Although processor 130 in FIG. 3 is shown and described as selectively extracting four ensemble data, this is for the sake of convenience only, and the embodiment of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to extracting four ensemble data.

The processor 130 may also generate the color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI3 of a plurality of frames through a plurality of ensemble data sets ES1 to ES3. For example, the processor 130 clutter-filters the first ensemble data ED1 to the fourth ensemble data ED4 included in the first ensemble data set ES1 to remove the clutter signal and the noise signal, And the velocity component to generate the first color Doppler mode image CI1. Similarly, the processor 130 generates a second color Doppler mode image CI2 from the second ensemble data set ES2 and a third color Doppler mode image CI3 from the third ensemble data set ES3 .

The display unit 140 may have a predetermined frame rate (FR) according to the characteristics of the apparatus. The processor 130 displays the display intervals of the frames of the first color Doppler mode image CI1 to the third color Doppler mode image CI3 obtained at the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) ) At equal intervals on the time axis. The display unit 140 may display the first color Doppler mode image CI1 to the third color Doppler mode image CI3 at a preset frame rate FR.

1 and 3, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 selectively extracts consecutively acquired processing ensemble number of ultrasound data among N ensemble data corresponding to one ultrasound reception focusing, The color Doppler mode image of FIG. Accordingly, it is possible to acquire a color Doppler mode image at a high frame rate in comparison with a conventional method of acquiring a color Doppler mode image of one frame according to one ultrasonic reception focusing, The movement of the blood flow can be more easily observed. The present embodiment is also advantageous in the TDI (Tissue Doppler Image) mode as it allows not only the blood flow but also the motion of a rapidly moving object such as a heart wall to be observed at a high frame rate. However, in the present embodiment, only four ensemble data among the six ensemble data ED1 to ED6 are selectively extracted to generate a color Doppler mode image of one frame, and the signal to noise ratio , SNR) can be somewhat lowered.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating a color Doppler mode image using ultrasound data acquired from a target object by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S410, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires the ensemble data of the first ensemble number at the pulse repetition frequency interval. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may transmit an ultrasound signal to a target object at a pulse repetition frequency in a time axis and receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the target object. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may transmit and receive an ultrasound signal of a first ensemble number to a target object to acquire a Doppler signal corresponding to one scan line.

In step S420, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 stores the acquired ensemble data. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 is configured to classify a Doppler signal based on a velocity component and a power component of a Doppler signal to distinguish a clutter signal due to movement of a target object, that is, a blood flow signal due to blood flow, Information can be stored. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may store RF data obtained from an ultrasound echo signal.

In step S430, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 selectively extracts the stored ensemble data by a second ensemble number to generate a plurality of ensemble data sets. In one embodiment, the second ensemble number may be less than or equal to the first ensemble number. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may sequentially extract the ensemble data of the second ensemble number skipping by at least one ensemble data among the ensemble data stored in step S420. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may extract each of the stored ensemble data at least once.

In step S440, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 generates a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames using each of a plurality of ensemble data sets. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire ultrasound data including RF data and IQ data through a single ultrasound signal reception focusing. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames using a plurality of ensemble data sets extracted from IQ data and generate a B mode image using RF data. Accordingly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate a B-mode image of one frame and a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames by using one ultrasound signal reception focusing.

5 illustrates an example in which the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention generates color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI3 and CI4 to CI6 using a plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED6 and ED7 to ED12 Fig. In FIG. 5, a plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED6 and ED7 to ED12 are circled for convenience of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire N ensemble data ED1 to ED6, ED7 to ED12 having a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) interval on the time axis. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires N ensemble data ED1 through ED6 from the first ultrasound data transmitted and obtained by the interleave method and acquires the next N ensemble data ED7 through ED12 from the second ultrasound data . In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may obtain B mode ultrasound data between the first ultrasound data acquisition and the second ultrasound data acquisition. In one embodiment, the B mode ultrasound data may be RF data.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the number of ensemble data included in one ultrasonic wave data, that is, the value of N, may be six. However, this is for convenience of explanation and is not limited thereto. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire the ensemble data of the first ensemble data ED1 through the sixth ensemble data ED6 through the first ultrasound data acquisition. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may also acquire the seventh ensemble data ED7 to the twelfth ensemble data ED12 through the second ultrasound data acquisition. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 stores the first ensemble data ED1 to the sixth ensemble data ED6 and the B mode ultrasound data in a bundled manner and stores the seventh ensemble data ED7 to the twelfth ensemble data ED7 ED12) and B-mode ultrasound data can be stored and stored.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 includes a total of 4 pieces of ensemble data ED1 to ED4 that are sequentially obtained from the first ensemble data ED1 to the sixth ensemble data ED6 on the time axis, It is possible to selectively extract the pieces of ensemble data. That is, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can sequentially extract the four ensemble data while skipping at least one ensemble data among the six ensemble data. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may generate the first ensemble data set ES1 by grouping the extracted first ensemble data ED1 to the fourth ensemble data ED4. Similarly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 selectively extracts the second ensemble data ED2 to the fifth ensemble data ED5, generates a second ensemble data set ES2 with the extracted ensemble data, The third ensemble data set ES3 can be generated by extracting the data ED3 to sixth ensemble data ED6.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may perform clutter filtering to remove clutter signals and noise signals contained in a plurality of ensemble data sets ES1 to ES3. A plurality of ensemble data sets ES1 to ES3 may be formed of a plurality of Doppler data D1 to D3 through clutter filtering.

In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may generate the first Doppler data D1 by removing the clutter signal and the noise signal included in the first ensemble data set ES1. Similarly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 removes the clutter signal and the noise signal included in the second ensemble data set ES2 and the third ensemble data set ES3, respectively, and outputs the second Doppler data D2 and the third Doppler data D2, The data D3 can be formed.

Clutter filter may refer to a filter that removes a clutter signal that is a low frequency Doppler signal in ensemble data contained in a plurality of ensemble data sets (ES1 to ES3). In one embodiment, the clutter filter may be a high pass filter (HPF) or a matrix type IIR filter (Infinite Impulse Response Filter). However, the clutter filter is not limited to this, and may be configured as a FIR filter (Finite Impulse Response Filter).

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may generate the color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI6 of a plurality of frames by calculating the power and velocity components included in the plurality of Doppler data D1 to D3 have. In addition, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate a B mode image using the acquired RF data.

5, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires N (six in FIG. 5) ensemble data ED1 to ED6 and B mode ultrasound data through one ultrasound signal receiving focusing, The color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI6 and the one B mode image of a plurality of frames can be generated from the N ensemble data ED1 to ED6. The present embodiment can increase the frame rate in the color Doppler mode image display requiring fast movement observation such as blood flow or heart wall.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating a color Doppler image using a plurality of ensemble data by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

In step S610, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 selectively extracts the ensemble data stored in the storage unit 120 (see Figs. 1 and 3) by the second ensemble number to generate a plurality of ensemble data sets. In one embodiment, the storage unit 120 may store ensemble data and RF data of the first ensemble number. The ensemble data may include a clutter signal due to movement of a subject, for example, a blood flow signal due to blood flow, a blood vessel wall, and the like, and noise. In one embodiment, the second ensemble number may be a value less than or equal to the first ensemble number. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can sequentially extract ensemble data of the second ensemble number by skipping at least one ensemble data among the ensemble data of the first ensemble number.

In step S620, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 clathrates the ensemble data included in the plurality of ensemble data sets to form Doppler data. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may remove clutter signals and noise signals included in a plurality of ensemble data sets through clutter filtering. The clutter filter may be a high pass filter (HPF), for example, a matrix type IIR filter (Infinite Impulse Response Filter) or a FIR filter (Finite Impulse Response Filter).

In step S630, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 calculates the power component and the velocity component of the Doppler data. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 calculates the power value by adding the squares of the real part I and the imaginary part Q of the ensemble data included in the plurality of ensemble data sets, and calculates the average value of the speeds of the respective ensemble data So that the velocity component can be calculated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the power component and the velocity component of the Doppler data can be calculated using various known methods.

In step S640, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 generates a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames based on the calculated power component and velocity component. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire B mode data by performing processing such as amplification of an ultrasound echo signal reflected from a target object, logarithmic compression, and envelope detection. In this case, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate the B mode image using the acquired B mode ultrasound data.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate a color Doppler mode image and a B mode image of a plurality of frames by a single ultrasound reception focusing signal.

7 illustrates a method of generating color Doppler images CI1 to CI3 and CI4 to CI6 using a plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED6 and ED7 to ED12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Fig.

Referring to FIG. 7, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire N ensemble data ED1 to ED6, ED7 to ED12 having a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) interval on the time axis. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires N ensemble data ED1 through ED6 through the first ultrasound data receive focusing in the interleave manner and transmits the next N ensemble data ED7 through ED12 through the second ultrasound data receive focusing Can be obtained. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may obtain B mode ultrasound data between the first ultrasound data reception and the second ultrasound data reception.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may clutter filter the plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED6 and ED7 to ED12 to form a plurality of Doppler data D1 to D6 and D7 to D12. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may remove clutter signals and noise signals included in the plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED6 and ED7 to ED12 through clutter filtering. In one embodiment, the clutter filter may be a high pass filter and may be implemented as a matrix IIR filter.

After performing the clutter filtering, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may store N Doppler data D1 to D6 in the storage unit 120 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The N Doppler data D1 to D6 stored in the storage unit 120 may include IQ data.

In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 includes a total of four Doppler data D1 to D4 including first Doppler data D1 to D4 successively obtained in the time axis among N Doppler data D1 to D6 Doppler data can be selectively extracted. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate the first ensemble data set ES1 by grouping the extracted four Doppler data. Similarly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 selectively extracts the second Doppler data D2 to the fifth Doppler data D5, bundles the second Doppler data D2 into the second ensemble data set ES2, The Doppler data D6 can be selectively extracted and bundled into the third ensemble data set ES3.

Thereafter, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can generate a plurality of frames of color Doppler mode images using a plurality of ensemble data sets ES1 to ES3.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of clutter filtering ensemble data acquired by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S810, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires the ensemble data of the first ensemble number at the pulse repetition frequency interval. Since step S810 is the same as step S410 shown in FIG. 4, redundant description will be omitted.

In step S820, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 clutter-filters the ensemble data of the acquired ensemble number. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may form a plurality of Doppler data through clutter filtering that removes clutter signals and noise signals included in the ensemble data.

In step S830, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 stores clutter-filtered ensemble data. In one embodiment, ensemble data that has been subjected to clutter filtering may include IQ data. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 first performs clutter filtering before selectively extracting the ensemble data acquired through the ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object, Differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that the Doppler data is firstly formed by removing the noise signal and then the Doppler data is selectively extracted. Therefore, description of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is the same as that of Fig. 5, except for the difference in the order of performing the clutter filtering, Is omitted.

9 illustrates a method of generating B-mode images B1 and B2 and color Doppler images C1 to C4 using ultrasound data acquired from an object by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Fig.

Referring to FIG. 9, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires ultrasound data from ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object, and generates B mode images B1 and B2 and color Doppler mode images C1 to C4 using ultrasound data. Lt; / RTI > In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire a B mode image B1 of one frame and a plurality of color Doppler mode images C1 to C3 from the obtained first ultrasound data. 5 to 8, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 generates the first B-mode image B1 using the RF data included in the ultrasound data acquired at one time (step < RTI ID = 0.0 > , And selectively extracts a plurality of consecutive ensemble data successively obtained from a plurality of ensemble data included in the ultrasound data to generate three-color Doppler mode images (C3) to A color Doppler mode image can be generated.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 generates and displays three color Doppler mode images (C1 to C3) for one frame of B mode image B1. In the B mode image of one existing frame, The interconnection between the color Doppler mode images can be improved in comparison with the manner in which the color Doppler mode images of one frame are combined and displayed. In addition, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can be applied to the inter-frame interpolation method in which the inter-color Doppler mode image is highly reliable (in Fig. 9, the second color Doppler mode image C2 and the third color Doppler mode image C3) to provide ease of viewing to the user when observing arterial blood flow or heart wall motion.

10 is a diagram for explaining a method of displaying a color Doppler image generated by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 using a plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may transmit ultrasound signals to a target object, and may acquire first ultrasound data T1 and second ultrasound data T2 from ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may acquire the first ultrasound data T1 and the second ultrasound data T2 at a pulse transmission frequency (PF) interval. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may selectively extract three successive ensemble data among a plurality of ensemble data ED1 to ED4 included in the first ultrasound data T1. For example, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 selects and extracts the first ensemble data ED1 through the third ensemble data ED3, and selects and extracts the second ensemble data ED2 through the fourth ensemble data ED4 . Similarly, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 acquires a plurality of ensemble data ED5 to ED8 from the second ultrasound data T2, and sequentially selects three consecutive ensemble data among the plurality of ensemble data ED5 to ED8 .

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 generates a plurality of ensemble data sets by combining the extracted three ensemble data, removes clutter signals and noise signals included in the plurality of ensemble data sets through clutter filtering, Data D1 and D2 can be formed. Thereafter, the color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI4 of a plurality of frames can be generated by calculating the power and velocity components of the plurality of Doppler data D1 and D2.

In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 may arrange the color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI4 of the generated plurality of frames at equal intervals on the time axis so as to be equal to the frame rate displayed on the display unit. The display unit 140 (see FIG. 1) included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 has a predetermined frame rate. For example, when the preset frame rate of the display unit 140 is 60 Hz, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 calculates the interval between the first color Doppler mode image CI1 and the second color Doppler mode image CI2 60Hz. ≪ / RTI > Similarly, the interval between the second color Doppler mode image CI2 and the third color Doppler mode image CI3 and the interval between the third color Doppler mode image CI3 and the fourth color Doppler mode image CI4 are also set to 60 Hz Can be deployed. That is, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 sets the frame rate FR of the color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI4 of a plurality of frames to be equal to the frame rate of the display unit 140, And can be displayed on the display unit 140.

10, a color Doppler mode image of two frames is generated from the first ultrasound data T1 and the second ultrasound data T2, and a plurality of color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI4 are generated. The frame rate FR of the pulse transmission frequency PF may be twice the pulse transmission frequency PF. For example, when the pulse transmission frequency PF is 10 Hz, the frame rate FR between the plurality of color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI4 is 20 Hz, and when the pulse transmission frequency PF is 30 Hz, CI1 to CI4) may be set to 60 Hz.

Generally, the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) is significantly higher than the pulse transmission frequency (PF). When a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames is generated through the ultrasound data acquired at one reception focusing point, Can be displayed for a short time. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 converts color Doppler mode images CI1 to CI4 of a plurality of frames generated at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) By marking with the same frame rate (FR) as the rate, the user can provide ease of observation in observing fast velocity blood flow or heart wall motion.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying a color Doppler image generated by the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 using a plurality of ensemble data according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S1110, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 generates a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames using each of the plurality of ensemble data sets. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can selectively extract a plurality of ensemble data continuously obtained from a plurality of ensemble data, and generate a plurality of ensemble data sets by grouping the plurality of extracted ensemble data. In addition, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 can clutter filter a plurality of ensemble data sets, and calculate power and velocity components to generate color Doppler mode images of a plurality of frames. The detailed description thereof has been described in steps S410 to S440 of FIG. 4, and redundant description will be omitted.

In step S1120, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 arranges the color Doppler mode images of a plurality of frames at equal intervals on the time axis so as to be equal to the frame rate displayed on the display unit. The display unit included in the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 has a preset frame rate according to the type or characteristic of the display unit and the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 displays the interval in the time axis between the color Doppler mode images of a plurality of frames on the display unit The frame rate can be set to the same frame rate.

In step S1130, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 100 displays a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames on the display unit.

12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1000 includes a probe 900, an ultrasonic transmission / reception unit 1100, a control unit 1200, an image processing unit 1300, a display unit 1400, a storage unit 1500, a communication unit 1600 ), And an input unit 1700.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 can be implemented not only as a cart type but also as a portable type. Examples of portable ultrasound imaging devices include, but are not limited to, a smart phone including a probe and an application, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

The probe 900 may include a plurality of transducers. The plurality of transducers can transmit an ultrasonic signal to the object 800 according to a transmission signal applied from the transmission unit 1130. [ The plurality of transducers may receive the ultrasound signals reflected from the object 800 and form a received signal. The probe 900 may be integrated with the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 or may be detached from the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 by wired or wireless connection. In addition, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may include one or a plurality of probes 900 according to an embodiment.

The control unit 1200 controls the transmission unit 1130 to form a transmission signal to be applied to each of the plurality of transducers in consideration of the position and the focal point of the plurality of transducers included in the probe 900.

The control unit 1200 analog-digital converts the received signal received from the probe 900 and calculates the ultrasonic data by summing the digitally converted received signals in consideration of the positions and focusing points of the plurality of transducers, ).

The image processing unit 1300 generates an ultrasound image using the ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound receiving unit 1150.

The display unit 1400 may display the generated ultrasound image and various information processed in the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000. The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 may include one or a plurality of display units 1400 according to an embodiment. In addition, the display unit 1400 may be implemented as a touch screen in combination with a touch panel.

The control unit 1200 can control the overall operation of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 and the signal flow between the internal components of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000. The control unit 1200 may include a memory for storing programs or data for performing the functions of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000, and a processor for processing programs or data. In addition, the controller 1200 may receive a control signal from the input unit 1700 or an external device to control the operation of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 includes a communication unit 1600 and can be connected to an external device (for example, a server, a medical device, a portable device (smartphone, tablet PC, wearable device, etc.) have.

The communication unit 1600 may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device, and may include at least one of a short-range communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module, for example.

The communication unit 1600 receives the control signal and data from the external device and transmits the received control signal to the control unit 1200 so that the control unit 1200 controls the ultrasound system 1000 in accordance with the received control signal It is also possible.

Alternatively, the control unit 1200 may transmit a control signal to the external device through the communication unit 1600, thereby controlling the external device in accordance with the control signal of the control unit.

For example, an external device can process data of an external device according to a control signal of a control unit received through a communication unit.

The external device may be provided with a program for controlling the ultrasound system 1000. The program may include a command for performing a part or all of the operation of the control unit 1200. [

The program may be installed in an external device in advance, or a user of the external device may download and install the program from a server that provides the application. The server providing the application may include a recording medium storing the program.

The storage unit 1500 may store various data or programs for driving and controlling the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000, ultrasound data input / output, and acquired ultrasound images.

The input unit 1700 may receive an input of a user for controlling the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000. For example, the input of the user may be an input for operating a button, a keypad, a mouse, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, etc., an input for touching a touch pad or a touch screen, a voice input, (E.g., iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc.), and the like.

An example of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000 according to one embodiment will be described later with reference to Figs.

13A to 13C are views showing the ultrasound imaging apparatuses 1000a to 1000b according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

13A to 13C are views showing an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, the ultrasound imaging apparatuses 1000a and 1000b may include a main display unit 1210 and a sub-display unit 1220. FIG. One of the main display unit 1210 and the sub-display unit 1220 may be implemented as a touch screen. The main display unit 1210 and the sub display unit 1220 can display various information processed in the ultrasound image or the ultrasound imaging apparatuses 1000a and 1000b. In addition, the main display unit 1210 and the sub-display unit 1220 are implemented with a touch screen, and by providing a GUI, data for controlling the ultrasound imaging devices 1000a and 1000b can be received from a user. For example, the main display unit 1210 displays an ultrasound image, and the sub-display unit 1220 displays a control panel for controlling the display of the ultrasound image in GUI form. The sub-display unit 1220 can receive data for controlling display of an image through a control panel displayed in a GUI form. The ultrasound imaging apparatuses 1000a and 1000b can control the display of ultrasound images displayed on the main display unit 1210 using the received control data.

 13B, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000b may further include a control panel 1650 in addition to the main display unit 1210 and the sub-display unit 1220. The control panel 1650 may include a button, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, and the like, and receives data for controlling the ultrasound system 1000b from a user. For example, the control panel 1650 may include a Time Gain Compensation (TGC) button 1710, a Freeze button 1720, and the like. The TGC button 1710 is a button for setting the TGC value for each depth of the ultrasound image. Also, when the input of the freeze button 1720 is detected during the scan of the ultrasound image, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000b can maintain a state in which the frame image at that time is displayed.

A button, a trackball, a jog switch, a knob, and the like included in the control panel 1650 may be provided as a GUI on the main display unit 1210 or the sub display unit 1220.

Referring to FIG. 13C, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000c may be realized as a portable type. Examples of the portable ultrasound imaging device 1000c include, but are not limited to, a smart phone including a probe and an application, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, and the like.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1000c includes a probe 900 and a main body 1430. The probe 900 may be connected to one side of the main body 1430 by wire or wirelessly. The body 1430 may include a touch screen 1450. The touch screen 1450 can display an ultrasound image, various information processed in the ultrasound imaging apparatus, GUI, and the like.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a computer-readable recording medium for storing instructions and data executable by a computer. The computer readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium (e.g., a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc.), an optical reading medium (e.g., a CD ROM, a DVD or the like), and a carrier wave Transmission).

The command may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by the processor, may generate a predetermined program module to perform a predetermined operation. In addition, the instructions, when executed by a processor, may perform certain operations of the disclosed embodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the above and the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It will be understood. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

The present invention relates to an ultrasound system and a method of manufacturing the same and a method of manufacturing the same using the ultrasound system. And an ultrasound imaging unit 1100. The ultrasound imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic imaging apparatus further comprises: A display section 1400, a main body 1450, a touch screen 1500, a storage section 1600, a communication section 1650, a control panel 1700,

Claims (19)

1. An ultrasound imaging apparatus for generating an ultrasound Doppler image for a region of interest of a target object,
An ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the object at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) interval, an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object is received, and the ultrasonic echo signal is focused and demodulated to obtain ensemble data of the first ensemble number An ultrasound data acquisition unit;
A storage unit for storing the acquired ensemble data;
A processor for selectively extracting the ensemble data stored in the storage unit by a second ensemble number to generate a plurality of ensemble data sets and generating color Doppler mode images of a plurality of frames using each of the plurality of ensemble data sets; And
A display unit displaying color Doppler mode images of the plurality of frames;
And an ultrasound imaging device.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the processor generates a plurality of ensemble data sets by sequentially selecting at least one ensemble data among the ensemble data stored in the storage unit and skipping the ensemble data sequentially by the second ensemble number.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second ensemble number is equal to the first ensemble number or smaller than the first ensemble number.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second ensemble number is at least two or more.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the processor selects and extracts each of the ensemble data stored in the storage unit at least once.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the processor performs clutter filtering on the acquired ensemble data of the first ensemble number before storing the ensemble data in the storage unit,
Wherein the storage unit stores the ensemble data of the first ensemble number filtered through the clutter filtering.
The method according to claim 1,
The processor may perform clutter filtering of the ensemble data included in the ensemble data set after generating the plurality of ensemble data sets to form Doppler data, calculate a velocity component and a power component of the Doppler data, Generates a color Doppler mode image of the plurality of frames based on the input speed component and the power component,
Wherein the first ultrasound data includes IQ data (Inphase-Quadrature data).
The method according to claim 1,
The ultrasound data acquisition unit acquires RF (Radio Frequency) data from the ultrasound echo signal,
Wherein the processor generates a B-mode (Brightness-mode) image of one frame using the RF data.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the processor arranges the generated color Doppler mode images of the plurality of frames at equal intervals on the time axis so as to be equal to the frame rate displayed on the display unit,
Wherein the display unit displays color Doppler mode images of the plurality of frames at the frame rate.
A method for generating an ultrasound Doppler image for a region of interest of a target object,
An ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the object at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) interval, an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object is received, and the ultrasonic echo signal is focused and demodulated to obtain ensemble data of the first ensemble number step;
Storing the acquired ensemble data;
Selectively extracting the stored ensemble data by a second ensemble number to generate a plurality of ensemble data sets; And
Generating a color Doppler mode image of a plurality of frames using each of the plurality of ensemble data sets;
/ RTI >
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the generating of the plurality of ensemble data sets comprises generating a plurality of ensemble data sets by sequentially selecting at least one of the stored ensemble data by the second ensemble number skipping by at least one ensemble data.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the second ensemble number is equal to the first ensemble number or smaller than the first ensemble number.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the second ensemble number is at least two or more.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein each of the stored ensemble data is selected and extracted at least once.
11. The method of claim 10,
Clutter filtering the ensemble data of the acquired ensemble number; Further comprising:
Wherein the storing step stores ensemble data of the first ensemble number through the clutter filtering step.
11. The method of claim 10,
Clustering the ensemble data included in the ensemble data set to form Doppler data after generating the plurality of ensemble data sets;
Calculating a velocity component and a power component of the Doppler data; And
Generating a color Doppler mode image of the plurality of frames based on the calculated velocity component and power component; Further comprising:
Wherein the first ultrasound data comprises IQ data (Inphase-Quadrature data).
11. The method of claim 10,
Obtaining RF (Radio Frequency) data from the ultrasonic echo signal; And
Generating a B-mode (Brightness-mode) image of one frame using the RF data; ≪ / RTI >
11. The method of claim 10,
Arranging the generated color Doppler mode images of the plurality of frames at equal intervals on the time axis so as to be equal to the frame rate displayed on the display unit; And
Displaying the color Doppler mode image of the plurality of frames on the display unit; ≪ / RTI >
A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method of claim 10.

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