WO2013082426A1

WO2013082426A1 - Method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging device

Info

Publication number: WO2013082426A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/067289
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Steven URNESS; Jiajiu Yang; Bo DAN
Original assignee: General Electric Company
Priority date: 2011-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: CN103137001A

Abstract

A method for an ultrasound imaging device is provided. The method comprises loading an ultrasound imaging training set, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set comprises a reference ultrasound image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired. The method further comprises configuring the ultrasound imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to medical imaging, and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging devices and the related use.

[0002] As medical technology develops, medical imaging increasingly becomes an important diagnostic tool in many medical applications. One example of medical imaging is ultrasound imaging, wherein a high frequency sound signal is transmitted into a human body and a corresponding reflection signal is received and processed to create an image of an organ or other structure within the body. Specifically, for diagnostic purposes, medical professionals usually perform an ultrasound scan using a hand-held probe that is directly placed on and moved over the surface of the body. The probe transmits sound waves and receives echoing waves from internal organs, fluids or tissues within the body. The echoing waves are subsequently converted into corresponding electrical signals and transmitted to an electronic analyzer, and a corresponding computer can thereby create a real-time ultrasound image to be displayed on a display device.

[0003] Due to the complexity of an ultrasound system, medical professionals are required to be trained such that they can properly use the ultrasound imaging device and acquire a desired ultrasound image. U.S. patent application 12/176,774 discloses a method of presenting a suggested path for an ultrasound probe along a patient's body surface, which method can guide a user to acquire images of tissue features. In addition, U.S. patent application 12/919,003 also discloses a method of simulating the output of an ultrasound imaging device which can simulate ultrasound image data generated when imaging the selected region.

[0004] However, these solutions in the prior art all require a user's strong technical understanding of various parameters of the ultrasound imaging device, so a medical professional needs to spend massive time and energy to configure the operating parameters. Correspondingly, when trained for using an ultrasound imaging device of the prior art, a medical professional usually cannot concentrate on operation of the probe and observation of the real-time ultrasound image. Besides, solutions in the prior art also suffer from defects in other aspects. Therefore, an improved solution is desired to overcome the defects in the prior art. [0005] Embodiments of the present invention addresses one or more problems present in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for an ultrasound imaging device is provided. The method comprises loading an ultrasound imaging training set, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set comprises a reference ultrasound image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired. The method further comprises configuring the ultrasound imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for an ultrasound imaging device is provided. The apparatus comprises a loading unit configured to load an ultrasound imaging training set, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set comprises a reference ultrasound image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired. The apparatus further comprises a configuring unit configured to configure the ultrasound imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for a medical imaging system is provided. The method comprises loading a medical imaging training set, wherein the medical imaging training set comprises a reference image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of an imaging device used when the reference image is acquired. The method further comprises configuring the imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The advantages, characteristics and features of the embodiments of the present invention can be further understood by the recitations of the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates an ultrasound imaging system;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for the ultrasound imaging device according to an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for the ultrasound imaging device according to an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a display screen of the ultrasound imaging device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Reference is now made to the drawings to describe the present invention in a more detailed manner. The drawings present illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Nonetheless, the present invention may be implemented in other different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to these specific embodiments. On the contrary, the provision of these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and complete, thereby conveying the concept of the present invention to persons skilled in the art. In this disclosure, identical or similar numbers denote identical devices or units.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an ultrasound imaging system comprising an ultrasound imaging device 100 and an ultrasound probe 1 10. The ultrasound imaging device 100 comprises an ultrasound imaging processor 102 and a display device 104. The ultrasound imaging processor 102 is used for controlling the generation of the ultrasound signal and processing the received echoing signal, and the display device 104 is used for outputting a processing result of the processor 102. The ultrasound probe 110 is used for generating an ultrasound wave transmitted into a body of a patient 120 and receiving a corresponding echoing signal. In training the use of the ultrasound imaging system or in using the ultrasound imaging system (or ultrasound imaging device), in order to acquire a desired ultrasound image, it is required to manually configure the operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging system. These parameters include, but are not limited to: gray map, gain, depth, focus location, focus number, frequency, virtual convex surface, dynamic range, edge enhancement, pseudo color, inversion, CrossXBeam, frame averaging, line density, sound output, wall filtering wave, envelope amplitude, angle deflection, and the like in the ultrasound imaging system. [0016] Embodiments of the present invention employ an innovative solution, thereby avoiding manual configuration of the operating parameters.

[0017] In using the method used for the ultrasound imaging device according to embodiments of the present invention, an ultrasound imaging training set at least comprising a reference ultrasound image and a customized imaging preset is firstly loaded by the ultrasound imaging device. The training set corresponds to a particular scanning part of the body to be scanned, for example, a particular tissue structure in the heart or blood vessel. The reference ultrasound image in the training set corresponds to an ultrasound image of the particular scanning part, while the customized imaging preset comprises the operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired. Then, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are used by the ultrasound imaging device to automatically configure the corresponding operating parameters which include, but are not limited to: gray map, gain, depth, focus location, focus number, frequency, virtual convex surface, dynamic range, edge enhancement, pseudo color, inversion, CrossXBeam, frame averaging, line density, sound output, wall filtering wave, envelope amplitude, angle deflection and the like in the ultrasound imaging system. These operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging system are already well-known in the art, and any further elaboration thereon would be only unnecessary.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the data carrying the customized imaging preset can be embedded in the corresponding reference ultrasound image, and become a part of the data thereof to facilitate a combined use of the customized imaging preset and the reference ultrasound image. For example, the reference ultrasound image can be stored by using the Dicom format (or a RawDicom format) well-known in the art. The Dicom format specially defines its own "grammar" and "vocabulary". "Vocabulary" in Dicom, represented by a pair of integers, is called a Tag which is represented by a pair of hexadecimal numbers, wherein the former number of the pair is a group number of the data element, and the latter one of the pair is an element number. The data element corresponding to a group number of an even number is a standard data element, and the specific meaning can be looked up in the data dictionary of Dicom. The data dictionary of Dicom defines many data element tags, and covers the majority of application needs. The data element corresponding to a group number of an odd number is a private data element, and is defined by a user for specific applications. In an embodiment of the present invention, for example, the operating parameters corresponding to the reference ultrasound image can be stored in a private data element.

[0019] In another embodiment, the operating parameters are stored in other formats and in a place different from the private data element of Dicom.

[0020] Persons skilled in the art also understand that the customized imaging preset can also be stored independently of the reference ultrasound image. One advantage of such independent storage resides in that, when scanning is required on a particular part of the body, the operating parameters can be configured in a simple and convenient manner, without processing the entire reference ultrasound image.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the corresponding operating parameters are set for the imaging device, the reference ultrasound image can be displayed on a display of the ultrasound imaging device (e.g., left side of the display screen illustrated in FIG. 4), and the ultrasound probe is moved on a patient's body surface such that a real-time ultrasound image (e.g., a middle part of the display screen illustrated in FIG. 4) of the scanning part is identical to or approximately identical to the reference ultrasound image displayed on the display device.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset can be used to configure an ultrasound imaging device while no reference ultrasound image is displayed. Stated another way, embodiments of the present invention can also utilize the customized imaging preset of the training set only for configuring the operating parameters, without displaying the reference ultrasound image on the display of the ultrasound imaging device.

[0023] It can be understood that the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset may also be displayed on the display at an appropriate time. For example, when clicking on the displayed reference ultrasound image, the operating parameters used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired can be displayed at an appropriate region of the display (e.g., right side part of the display screen illustrated in FIG. 4). Alternatively, the operating parameters may also be displayed simultaneously when it begins to display the reference ultrasound image. Displaying the operating parameters on the display can make a user be aware of the operating parameters that should be used when the scanning part is scanned. [0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, other information that facilitates the correct use of the ultrasound imaging system may also be included in the ultrasound imaging training set. The information includes, but is not limited to: a probe location map corresponding to the location of the ultrasound probe when the reference ultrasound image is acquired, an anatomy picture of the scanning part and the descriptive information related to scanning the part (for example, precautions, errors easily made). The probe location map and the anatomy picture of the scanning part can be stored in a JPG format or other formats well- known in the art, e.g., a bitmap format. It can be appreciated that the ultrasound imaging training set may include one or more information contents as indicated above.

[0025] The probe location map can make a user be aware of the location where a probe should reside when a scanning part is scanned, and the anatomy picture of the scanning part can make the user understand the relationship between the ultrasound image and the real tissue structure more easily. In addition, the descriptive information related to the scanning of a particular part can also help the user out of making common mistakes when scanning that particular part. According to specific applications, the descriptive information may further comprise other further contents.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data representing the customized imaging preset may also be embedded in one or more of the following: the probe location map, the anatomy picture or the descriptive information.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least part of the following contents in the training set are displayed on the display of the ultrasound imaging device together with the reference ultrasound image: the probe location map, the anatomy picture of the scanning part, and the descriptive information related to the scanning of the scanning part. If necessary, these contents may also be printed on paper or presented to the user in other forms.

[0028] In an embodiment, in order to load the ultrasound imaging training set, a suitable training set is selected from an ultrasound imaging training library including a plurality of training sets based on the location and/or causes of disease of the scanning part. Each training set in the ultrasound imaging training library may correspond to a predefined scanning objective (and/or expectation), and a suitable training set can be selected based on the predefined scanning objective. The predefined scanning objective includes but are not limited to one of the following: scanning a particular scanning part (e.g., a particular structure in the lung), scanning for particular causes of diseases (e.g., tumor), or considering both the scanning part and the causes of diseases (e.g., a tumor of a particular structure of the lung). For example, when the predefined scanning objective is to scan a particular scanning part, the training set corresponding to the particular scanning part is selected; when the predefined scanning objective is to scan for a particular cause of disease, the training set corresponding to the particular cause of disease is selected; when the predefined scanning objective is to scan for a particular cause of disease related to a particular scanning part, the training set corresponding to the particular cause of disease related to that particular scanning part is selected.

[0029] The predefined scanning objective depends on particular medical applications. Whether a suitable training set corresponding to the predefined scanning objective can be selected is related to specific configurations of the ultrasound imaging training library. When only training sets of a certain level (e.g., corresponding to a particular scanning part), rather than of a more refined level (e.g., corresponding to a particular cause of disease in a particular scanning part), is provided in the training library, it is also possible to select a training set most related (or quite related) to that particular cause of disease in that particular scanning part.

[0030] The training set in the training library may be provided according to specific applications. In order to select a suitable training set from the ultrasound imaging training library, manual selection (e.g., through the names of the files in the training set), or computer search (e.g., through keywords) may be used.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the training sets in the ultrasound imaging training library may be categorized into a plurality of application groups, and each of the application groups may comprise one or more interrelated training sets. For example, a plurality of training sets associated with a same organ or part (e.g., abdomen, obstetrics, heart, blood vessel, small joint) of a body may be included in a same application group, or a plurality of training sets associated with an identical cause of disease (e.g., tumor) may be included in a same application group. Of course, a plurality of training sets that are interrelated to one another in other relationships (e.g., age, gender or the like of a patient to be scanned) may also be included in a same application group. It can be appreciated that the training sets in the ultrasound imaging training library can be categorized into different application groups based on any suitable interrelated relationship. By categorizing the training sets into a plurality of application groups, not only the selection or search of the desired training sets can be realized with less effort, but also the use training of the ultrasound imaging system becomes easier.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, file operation is performed on the ultrasound imaging training library. For example, the training library can be updated or modified as a whole, or each application group or training set in the training library are separately updated, modified, deleted or added, etc. The specific file operation may be performed on the ultrasound imaging training library according to specific applications.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, independent of the reference ultrasound image, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are used to configure the ultrasound imaging device, and/or independent of the reference ultrasound image, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are displayed on the display device of the ultrasound imaging device. In some cases, it is only required to configure and/or know the operating parameters, rather than care about specific ultrasound images. For example, a technician might neither care about, nor need to understand the corresponding ultrasound image. Under such circumstance, displaying a reference ultrasound image (or a probe location map, an anatomy picture, a real-time ultrasound image or the like) is unnecessary.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment, an ultrasound imaging training set is loaded, the training set at least comprising a reference ultrasound image and a customized imaging preset, wherein the reference ultrasound image corresponds to a scanning part of the body, and the customized imaging preset comprises the operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired. Further, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are used to configure the ultrasound imaging device. Optionally, the ultrasound probe may be moved such that the real-time ultrasound image is identical to, or approximately identical to, the reference ultrasound image displayed on the display device. It can be construed that though only three illustrative steps are indicated herein, embodiments of the present invention may also include other steps or substeps.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for an ultrasound imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the apparatus comprises: a loading unit for loading a ultrasound imaging training set at least comprising a reference ultrasound image and a customized imaging preset, the reference ultrasound image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and the customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired; and a configuring unit for configuring the ultrasound imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset. The apparatus for the ultrasound imaging device can be placed inside the ultrasound imaging device, constituting a part of the ultrasound imaging device. It can be contemplated that the apparatus for the ultrasound imaging device may also be located outside the ultrasound imaging device, but cooperate with the ultrasound imaging device so as to implement the corresponding functions of loading the training set and configuring the operating parameters.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging device comprises a probe and a display device, wherein the probe is moved such that a real-time ultrasound image of the scanning part is identical to the reference ultrasound image displayed on the display device.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging training set further at least comprises one of the following: a probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference ultrasound image is acquired, an anatomy picture of the scanning part, and the descriptive information related to scanning of the scanning part.

[0038] According to an embodiment, at least one of the following is displayed on the display device: the probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference ultrasound image is acquired, the anatomy picture of the scanning part, the descriptive information and the operating parameters.

[0039] According to an embodiment, loading the ultrasound imaging training set of the ultrasound imaging comprises: selecting the ultrasound imaging training set from an ultrasound imaging training library based on the location and/or causes of disease of the scanning part, the ultrasound imaging training library comprising a plurality of ultrasound imaging training sets.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging training library comprises a plurality of application groups, and each of the plurality of application groups comprises ultrasound imaging training sets that are interrelated to one another. [0041] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging training library can be updated or modified as a whole, or each application group or ultrasound imaging training set of the ultrasound imaging training library can be separately updated, modified, added or deleted, respectively.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset, independent of the reference ultrasound image, can be used to configure the ultrasound imaging device, and/or the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset, independent of the reference ultrasound image, can be displayed on the display device of the ultrasound imaging device.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the customized imaging preset is embedded in the reference ultrasound image, or the customized imaging preset is stored independently of the reference ultrasound image.

[0044] According to an embodiment, operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are used to configure the ultrasound imaging device without displaying the reference ultrasound image.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging device comprises a probe and a display device, wherein the probe is moved such that a real-time ultrasound image of a scanning part is identical to the reference ultrasound image displayed on the display device.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging training set further at least comprises one of the following: a probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference ultrasound image is obtained, an anatomy picture of the scanning part, and descriptive information related to scanning of the scanning part.

[0047] According to an embodiment, at least one of the following is displayed on the display device: the probe location map, the anatomy picture of the scanning part, descriptive information and operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a storing unit for storing an ultrasound imaging training library which comprises a plurality of ultrasound imaging training sets, and wherein loading the ultrasound imaging training set comprises: selecting the ultrasound imaging training set from the ultrasound imaging training library based on the location and/or causes of disease of the scanning part.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging training library comprises a plurality of application groups, and each of the plurality of application groups comprises ultrasound imaging training sets that are interrelated to one another.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the ultrasound imaging training library can be updated or modified as a whole, or each application group or ultrasound imaging training set of the ultrasound imaging training library can be separately updated, modified, added or deleted, respectively.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset, independent of the reference ultrasound image, can be used to configure the ultrasound imaging device, and/or the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset, independent of the reference ultrasound image, can be displayed on the display device of the ultrasound imaging device.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the customized imaging preset is embedded in a reference ultrasound image, or the customized imaging preset is stored independently of the reference ultrasound image.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are used to configure the ultrasound imaging device without displaying the reference ultrasound image.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the imaging device comprises a probe and a display device, wherein the probe is moved such that a real-time image of the scanning part is identical to the reference image displayed on the display device.

[0055] According to an embodiment, a medical imaging training set further at least comprises one of the following: a probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference image is acquired, an anatomy picture of the scanning part, and the descriptive information related to the scanning of the scanning part.

[0056] According to an embodiment, at least one of the following is displayed on the display device: the probe location map, the anatomy picture of the scanning part, the descriptive information, and the operating parameters of a customized imaging preset. [0057] According to an embodiment, loading the medical imaging training set comprises: selecting the medical imaging training set from an imaging training library based on the location and/or causes of disease of the scanning part, wherein the imaging training library comprises a plurality of medical imaging training sets.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the customized imaging preset is embedded in the reference image, or the customized imaging preset is stored independently of the reference image.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the imaging device could be X-ray scanning devices, magnetic resonance imaging devices and ultrasound imaging devices.

[0060] Embodiments of the present invention can address one or more problem present in the prior art. With the embodiments of the present invention, the operating parameters of the imaging device can be automatically configured such that the use and use training of the imaging device become more convenient and reliable.

[0061] Persons skilled in the art understand that the present invention can be implemented with various well-known means in the art, including but not limited to hardware, firmware, computer programs, and/or logic devices.

[0062] Though detailed elaboration has been made to the present invention in combination with the ultrasound imaging in the abovementioned disclosure, persons skilled in the art can understand that the concept of the present invention also applies to other imaging systems, especially to the medical imaging systems, including but not limited to X-ray scanning devices, magnetic resonance imaging devices, ultrasound imaging devices. Correspondingly, one or more embodiments of the present invention automatically configure the operating parameters of these imaging devices when applied to these imaging systems, thereby rendering the use and use training of the imaging devices more convenient, reliable and flexible.

[0063] In virtue of the explanation and corresponding figures provided hereinabove, embodiments of the present invention have been described. In addition, though some particular terms are used in the description, they are only illustrative. There further exists many other embodiments or variations thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, all of which fall within the protection scope claimed by the present application. The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What Is Claimed Is:

1. A method for an ultrasound imaging device, the method comprising:

loading an ultrasound imaging training set, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set comprises a reference ultrasound image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired; and

configuring the ultrasound imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound imaging device further comprises a probe and a display device on which the reference ultrasound image is displayed, the method further comprising moving the probe such that a real-time ultrasound image of the scanning part of the body is identical to the reference ultrasound image.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set further comprises at least one of a probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference ultrasound image is acquired, an anatomy picture of the scanning part of the body, and descriptive information related to the scanning of the scanning part of the body.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising displaying on the display device at least one of the probe location map, the anatomy picture of the scanning part of the body, the descriptive information, and the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein loading the ultrasound imaging training set comprises selecting the ultrasound imaging training set from an ultrasound imaging training library based on at least one of a location and a cause of disease of the scanning part of the body, the ultrasound imaging training library comprising a plurality of ultrasound imaging training sets.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the ultrasound imaging training library comprises a plurality of application groups, each of the plurality of application groups comprising ultrasound imaging training sets that are interrelated to one another.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the ultrasound imaging training library is configured to be updated or modified as a whole, or wherein each application group or ultrasound imaging training set in the ultrasound imaging training library is configured to be separately updated, modified, added or deleted.

8. The method according to claim 2, further comprising at least one of using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset to configure the ultrasound imaging device, and displaying the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset on the display device of the ultrasound imaging device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the customized imaging preset is embedded in the reference ultrasound image, or wherein the customized imaging preset is stored independently of the reference ultrasound image.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset to configure the ultrasound imaging device without displaying the reference ultrasound image.

11. An apparatus for an ultrasound imaging device, the apparatus comprising:

a loading unit configured to load an ultrasound imaging training set, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set comprises a reference ultrasound image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of the ultrasound imaging device used when the reference ultrasound image is acquired; and a configuring unit configured to configure the ultrasound imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the ultrasound imaging device comprises a probe and a display device on which the reference ultrasound image is displayed, and wherein the probe is moved such that a real-time ultrasound image of the scanning part of the body is identical to the reference ultrasound image.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the ultrasound imaging training set further comprises at least one of a probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference ultrasound image is acquired, an anatomy picture of the scanning part of the body, and descriptive information related to scanning of the scanning part of the body.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the probe location map, the anatomy picture of the scanning part of the body, the descriptive information and the operating parameters of customized imaging preset is displayed on the display device.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the ultrasound imaging device further comprises a storing unit configured to store an ultrasound imaging training library comprising a plurality of ultrasound imaging training sets, and wherein the loading unit is further configured to select the ultrasound imaging training set from the ultrasound imaging training library based on at least one of a location and a cause of disease of the scanning part of the body.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the ultrasound imaging training library comprises a plurality of application groups, each of the plurality of application groups comprising ultrasound imaging training sets that are interrelated to one another.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the ultrasound imaging training library is configured to be updated or modified as a whole, or wherein each application group or ultrasound imaging training set in the ultrasound imaging training library is configured to be separately updated, modified, added or deleted.

18. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are at least one of used to configure the ultrasound imaging device, and displayed on the display device of the ultrasound imaging device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the customized imaging preset is embedded in the reference ultrasound image, or wherein the customized imaging preset is stored independently of the reference ultrasound image.

20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset are used to configure the ultrasound imaging device without displaying the reference ultrasound image.

21. A method for a medical imaging system, the method comprising:

loading a medical imaging training set, wherein the medical imaging training set comprises a reference image corresponding to a scanning part of the body, and a customized imaging preset comprising operating parameters of an imaging device used when the reference image is acquired; and

configuring the imaging device using the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the imaging device comprises a probe and a display device on which the reference ultrasound image is displayed, the method further comprising moving the probe such that a real-time image of the scanning part of the body is identical to the reference image.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the medical imaging training set further comprises at least one of a probe location map corresponding to the probe location when the reference image is acquired, an anatomy picture of the scanning part of the body, and descriptive information related to scanning of the scanning part of the body.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising displaying on the display device at least one of the probe location map, the anatomy picture of the scanning part of the body, the descriptive information and the operating parameters of the customized imaging preset.

25. The method according to claim 21, wherein loading the medical imaging training set of imaging comprises selecting the medical imaging training set from an imaging training library based on at least one of a location and a cause of disease of the scanning part of the body, the imaging training library comprising a plurality of medical imaging training sets.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein the customized imaging preset is embedded in the reference image, or wherein the customized imaging preset is stored independently of the reference image.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the imaging device comprises an X-ray scanning device, a magnetic resonance imaging device or an ultrasound imaging device.