WO2018155782A1

WO2018155782A1 - Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for controlling same

Info

Publication number: WO2018155782A1
Application number: PCT/KR2017/011723
Authority: WO
Inventors: 윤기상; 오동훈; 양은호
Original assignee: 삼성메디슨 주식회사
Priority date: 2017-02-21
Filing date: 2017-10-23
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Also published as: KR20180096342A

Abstract

Provided in one aspect of the present invention are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method for controlling same, the ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of more conveniently setting a probe marker attached to a body marker on an ultrasound image and diagnosing an object with more accuracy based on same, when a user obtains an ultrasound image of the object having a symmetrical structure. The ultrasound imaging apparatus, according to one embodiment, comprises: an ultrasound probe for obtaining the ultrasound image of the object; a display unit for displaying images including the ultrasound image; an input unit for receiving control commands for a first probe marker set based on the location of the ultrasound probe and a body marker set based on the type of the object; and a control unit for enabling the user to set the body marker through the input unit, the user to set the first probe marker corresponding to the body marker through the input unit, and when a symmetrical structure is present in the object, to form a symmetrical body marker that is symmetrical to the body marker, and forming a second probe marker which corresponds to the symmetrical body marker and is symmetrical to the first probe marker.

Description

Ultrasound Imaging Device and Control Method

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging apparatus for generating an image inside an object using ultrasound.

According to an aspect of the present invention, when a user acquires an ultrasound image of an object having a symmetrical structure, the ultrasound marker may be more conveniently set to a probe marker attached to a body marker of the ultrasound image, and more accurate diagnosis may be performed based on the probe marker. An imaging apparatus and a control method thereof are provided.

According to an ultrasound imaging apparatus and a control method thereof according to an aspect, when a user acquires an ultrasound image of an object having a symmetrical structure, a probe marker attached to a body marker of an ultrasound image may be more conveniently set and based on the same. Accurate diagnosis of the subject is possible.

1 is an external view of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the disclosed embodiment.

2 is a control block diagram of the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to the disclosed embodiment.

3 is a control block diagram specifically illustrating a configuration of a main body of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

4 illustrates a body marker, a probe marker, and an ultrasound image displayed on a display unit of an ultrasound imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment.

5 to 8 illustrate a body marker to which a probe marker is attached, according to an exemplary embodiment.

9 is a diagram illustrating a probe marker attached to a body marker according to an exemplary embodiment.

10 and 11 illustrate images in which a probe marker is attached to a body marker according to an embodiment.

12 and 13 illustrate a process of setting a probe marker according to an embodiment.

14 illustrates a display unit for setting a probe marker according to an exemplary embodiment.

15 and 16 are flow charts according to one embodiment.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The present specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and overlaps between general contents or embodiments in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The term 'part, module, member, block' used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and a plurality of 'part, module, member, block' may be embodied as one component, It is also possible that one 'part, module, member, block' includes a plurality of components.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" with another part, it includes not only directly connected but also indirectly connected, and indirect connection includes connecting through a wireless communication network. do.

In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, which means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

Throughout the specification, when a member is located "on" another member, this includes not only when one member is in contact with another member but also when another member is present between the two members.

The terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another component, and the component is not limited by the terms described above.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates an exception.

In each step, the identification code is used for convenience of explanation, and the identification code does not describe the order of each step, and each step may be performed differently from the stated order unless the context clearly indicates a specific order. have.

Hereinafter, the working principle and the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an external view of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 3 is a control block diagram specifically illustrating a configuration of a main body of an ultrasound imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1 is connected to an ultrasonic probe p, an ultrasonic probe p for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to an object, receiving an ultrasonic echo signal from the object, and converting the ultrasonic echo signal into an electrical signal. And a main body M having a display unit 550 to display an ultrasound image. The ultrasonic probe P is connected to the main body M of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus through a cable 5 to receive various signals necessary for controlling the ultrasonic probe P, or to the ultrasonic echo signal received by the ultrasonic probe P. The corresponding analog signal or digital signal may be transmitted to the main body M. However, the embodiment of the ultrasonic probe P is not limited thereto, and the ultrasonic probe P may be implemented as a wireless probe to transmit and receive signals through a network formed between the ultrasonic probe P and the main body M. FIG.

One end of the cable 5 is connected to the ultrasonic probe (P), the other end may be provided with a connector (6) that can be coupled or separated in the slot (7) of the body (M). The main body M and the ultrasonic probe P may exchange control commands or data using the cable 5. For example, when the user inputs information about the depth of focus, the size or shape of the aperture or the steering angle through the input unit 540, the information is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe P through the cable 5. It can be used for transmission and reception beamforming of the transmitter 100 and the receiver 200. Alternatively, when the ultrasonic probe P is implemented as a wireless probe as described above, the ultrasonic probe P is connected to the main body M through the wireless network, not the cable 5. Even when the main body M is connected to the main body M through a wireless network, the main body M and the ultrasonic probe P may exchange the above-described control commands or data.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the main body M may include a controller 100, an image processor 530, an input unit 540, and a display unit 550.

The controller 100 controls the overall operation of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1. Specifically, the control unit 100 is a component of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1, for example, the transmitter 100, the T / R switch 10, the receiver 200, and the image processor 530 illustrated in FIG. 2. ) And a control signal for controlling the display unit 550 and the like to control the operations of the above-described components. 2 and 3, the ultrasound imaging apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a transmission / reception beamformer in the ultrasonic probe P instead of the main body, but the transmission / reception beamformer may be included in the main body instead of the ultrasonic probe P. FIG.

The controller 100 calculates a delay profile of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements 60 constituting the ultrasonic transducer array TA, and based on the calculated delay profile, the ultrasonic transducer array TA. A time delay value according to a distance difference between a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 60 included in the focal point of the object is calculated. The controller 100 controls the transmission / reception beamformer accordingly to generate the transmission / reception signal.

In addition, the controller 100 may control the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1 by generating a control command for each component of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1 according to a user's instruction or command input through the input unit 540.

The ultrasound imaging apparatus 1 may provide various markers in order for a user to increase efficiency in obtaining an ultrasound image of an object. The controller 100 may provide a body marker that roughly expresses an object to be acquired by a user and a probe marker indicating a position of an ultrasound probe when the object is diagnosed.

The controller 100 may set a body marker and a probe marker based on a command input by the user through the input unit 540. The probe marker is set based on the position of the ultrasonic wave when acquiring the ultrasonic image through the ultrasonic probe, and is used to indicate the position information of the ultrasonic probe. When the object is symmetric, the probe marker used on either right side is referred to as the first probe marker, and the probe marker used on the left side is referred to as the second probe marker. The first probe marker and the second probe marker may be symmetrical positions. The controller may form a second probe marker that is symmetrical with the first probe marker based on the first probe marker. In addition, when the user forms the plurality of first probe markers in order through the input unit 540, the controller 100 may acquire history information based on the order in which the first probe markers are set.

As used herein, symmetry refers to a point, a line segment, or portions on both sides of a plane that are arranged in the same shape, and includes a point symmetry for points, a line symmetry for line segments, and a plane symmetry for planes. In addition, the symmetry of the body marker and the symmetric body marker, the first probe marker and the second probe marker includes a line symmetry relationship, a point symmetry relationship and a face symmetry relationship. In particular, when the body marker and the symmetric body marker or the first probe marker and the second probe marker are line symmetric, the symmetry line may exist in all directions. Therefore, the symmetry may include up and down symmetry and left and right symmetry, and the form of symmetry according to the angle of the symmetry line is not limited.

In addition, the user may input object information and ultrasound image information through the input unit 540, and may capture the first guide information and the second guide information using the object information, the ultrasound image information, and the probe marker input by the user. Can be. The first guide information guides the position of the ultrasound probe P based on the object information, and the second guide information guides the setting of the ultrasound image based on the ultrasound image information. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

The image processor 530 generates an ultrasound image of a target area inside the object based on the ultrasound signal focused by the receiver 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, the image processor 530 may again include an image forming unit 531, a signal processing unit 533, a scan converter 535, a storage unit 537, and a volume rendering unit 539.

The image forming unit 531 generates a coherent two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image of the target area inside the object based on the ultrasound signal focused by the receiver 200.

The signal processor 533 converts coherent image information formed by the image forming unit 531 into ultrasound image information according to a diagnosis mode such as a B-mode or a Doppler mode. For example, when the diagnostic mode is set to the X-mode, the signal processing unit 533 performs processing such as A / D conversion processing to generate the ultrasound image information for the X-mode image in real time. In addition, when the diagnostic mode is set to the D-mode (Doppler mode), the signal processing unit 533 extracts phase change information from the ultrasonic signal, and corresponds to the blood flow corresponding to each point of the imaging section such as speed, power, and dispersion. Information is calculated and ultrasound image information for the D-mode image is generated in real time.

The scan converter 535 converts the converted ultrasound image information received from the signal processing unit 533 or the converted ultrasound image information stored in the storage unit 537 into a general video signal for the display unit 550 to render the volume rendering unit. Send to (539).

The storage unit 537 temporarily or non-temporarily stores the ultrasound image information converted by the signal processor 533. In addition, the storage unit 537 may store the first probe marker corresponding to the body marker set by the user and the second probe marker corresponding to the body marker set by the user. When the user sets a plurality of probe markers, the storage unit 537 may store history information acquired by the controller 100 based on the body barker setting order.

The volume rendering unit 539 performs volume rendering based on the video signal transmitted from the scan converter 535, corrects the rendered image information, generates a final result image, and then generates the result image. Transmit to display unit 550.

The input unit 540 is provided to allow a user to input a command regarding the operation of the ultrasound imaging apparatus 1. The user inputs an ultrasound mode start command, a diagnosis mode selection command such as a B-mode (Brightness mode), an M-mode (Motion mode), a D-mode (Doppler mode), an elasticity mode, and a three-dimensional mode through the input unit 540, ROI setting information including the size and location of a region of interest (ROI) may be input or set.

The B-mode displays a cross-sectional image of the inside of the object, and represents a portion where the reflected echo is strong and a portion that is weak as the difference in brightness. B-mode images are constructed based on information obtained from tens to hundreds of scan lines.

The M-mode is an image that shows how the biometric information (eg, luminance information) of a specific portion (M line) of the cross-sectional image (B-mode image) of the object changes over time. Mode images and M-mode images are displayed on one screen at the same time, allowing users to make accurate diagnosis by comparing and analyzing the two data.

D-mode refers to the image using the Doppler effect that the frequency of sound emitted from a moving object causes a change. The mode using the Doppler effect may be divided into a PDI mode, a color flow mode (S Flow), and a DPDI mode.

Power Doppler Imaging (PDI) mode displays the Doppler signal or the number of structures (red blood cells in the blood) as an image, which is less sensitive to angle of incidence, with no false signals and less image attenuation due to noise. The PDI mode also records the reflected Doppler energy, which makes it very sensitive to detect small blood vessels and slow blood flow.

Color flow mode (S Flow) provides a power image (PDI, Power Doppler Imaging) representing the power of the Doppler signal in a two-dimensional distribution, and a velocity image representing the velocity (velosity) of the Doppler signal in a two-dimensional distribution. Color flow mode images can visualize blood flow in real time, as well as represent a wide range of blood flow conditions, from high velocity blood flow in large vessels to low velocity blood flow in small vessels.

The DPDI mode refers to a direction image representing direction information of a Doppler signal in a two-dimensional distribution in the PDI mode. Therefore, there is an effect that can more accurately detect the information about the flow of blood than PDI. In addition, an M mode image may be generated for the Doppler mode image.

Three-dimensional mode generally refers to an image representing a geometrical solid or space including X, Y, and Z values representing depth, width, and height, and a series of images representing a three-dimensional effect or a three-dimensional effect as a three-dimensional form. It may mean. As an example, using the stereoscopic effect of the three-dimensional mode, the user can display the face shape of the fetus and show the face of the fetus to parents.

The input unit 540 may include various means for allowing a user to input data, instructions, or commands, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a tablet, or a touch screen module. Meanwhile, the user may input a control command for setting a probe marker through the input unit 540. The user may input a movement, rotation, generation and deletion command of the probe marker to the input unit 540.

In addition, the user may input information of an object to be diagnosed to the input unit 540 and may also input ultrasound image information. The object information and the ultrasound image information input by the user may be used to derive guide information for guiding the ultrasound probe position together with the probe marker. Detailed description thereof will be described later.

The user may input a command to output the body marker, the symmetric body marker, the first probe marker, and the second probe marker formed by the controller to the display unit 550 through the input unit 540. The command input by the user may be a direct command for outputting the markers through the input unit 540 to the display unit, or may be an indirect command such as diagnosing an object in which the user is symmetric with an existing object.

The display unit 550 displays a menu or guide for ultrasound diagnosis and an ultrasound image obtained during an ultrasound diagnosis. The display unit 550 displays an ultrasound image of a target area inside the object generated by the image processor 530. The ultrasound image displayed on the display unit 550 may be an ultrasound image in a B-mode, an ultrasound image in an elastic mode, or a 3D stereoscopic ultrasound image. The display unit may display various ultrasound images according to the above-described modes. The display unit 550 may be implemented by various known display methods such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) and a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The display unit 550 may display a probe marker attached to an ultrasound image, a body marker, and a body marker obtained by the ultrasound probe. In addition, the controller 550 may output the history information obtained. The user may diagnose the object by changing the position of the ultrasound probe P based on the history information output to the display unit 550.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the ultrasound probe P may include a transducer array TA, a T / R switch 10, a transmitter 100, and a receiver 200. The transducer array TA is provided at the end of the ultrasonic probe p. The ultrasonic transducer array TA means that the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements 60 are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array. The ultrasonic transducer array TA generates ultrasonic waves while vibrating by an applied pulse signal or an alternating current. The generated ultrasound is transmitted to the target site inside the object. In this case, the ultrasound generated by the ultrasound transducer array TA may be transmitted by focusing on a plurality of target sites inside the object. In other words, the generated ultrasound may be multi-focused and transmitted to the plurality of target sites.

Ultrasound generated by the ultrasound transducer array TA is reflected at a target site inside the object and returns to the ultrasound transducer array TA. The ultrasonic transducer array TA receives an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the target site and returned. When the ultrasonic echo signal arrives, the ultrasonic transducer array TA vibrates at a predetermined frequency corresponding to the frequency of the ultrasonic echo signal, and outputs an alternating current of a frequency corresponding to the vibration frequency. Accordingly, the ultrasonic transducer array TA may convert the received ultrasonic echo signal into a predetermined electrical signal. Since each element 60 receives an ultrasonic echo signal and outputs an electrical signal, the ultrasonic transducer array TA may output electrical signals of a plurality of channels.

Ultrasonic transducers use magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducers that take advantage of the magnetostrictive effects of magnetic materials, piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers that use piezoelectric effects of piezoelectric materials, and vibrations of hundreds or thousands of thin films that are microfabricated. Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (cMUTs) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves may be implemented. In addition, other types of transducers that may generate ultrasonic waves according to electrical signals or electrical signals according to ultrasonic waves may also be examples of ultrasonic transducers.

For example, the ultrasonic transducer element 60 according to the disclosed embodiment may comprise a piezoelectric vibrator or a thin film. When an alternating current is applied from the power source, the piezoelectric vibrator or the thin film vibrates at a predetermined frequency according to the applied alternating current, and generates ultrasonic waves having a predetermined frequency according to the oscillating frequency. On the contrary, when an ultrasonic echo signal of a predetermined frequency reaches the piezoelectric vibrator or the thin film, the piezoelectric vibrator or the thin film vibrates according to the ultrasonic echo signal, and outputs an alternating current having a frequency corresponding to the vibration frequency.

The transmitting device 100 applies a transmission pulse to the transducer array TA to cause the transducer array TA to transmit an ultrasonic signal to a target site within the object. The transmission apparatus may include a transmission beamformer and a pulser.

The transmission beamformer 110 forms a transmission signal pattern according to the control signal of the controller 100 of the main body M, and outputs the transmission signal pattern to the pulser 120. The transmission beamformer 110 forms a transmission signal pattern based on a time delay value for each of the ultrasonic transducer elements 60 constituting the ultrasonic transducer array TA calculated by the control unit 100, and forms the transmitted signal. The signal pattern is transmitted to the pulser 120.

The receiver performs a predetermined process on the ultrasonic echo signal received from the transducer array TA and performs reception beamforming. The receiving device 200 may include a receiving signal processor and a receiving beamformer. The electrical signal converted by the transducer array TA is input to the reception signal processor. The reception signal processor may amplify a signal, adjust a gain, or compensate for attenuation according to a depth before the signal processing or the time delay processing is performed on the electric signal to which the ultrasonic echo signal is converted. More specifically, the reception signal processor may include a low noise amplifier (LNA) for reducing noise with respect to an electrical signal input from the ultrasonic transducer array TA, and a variable for controlling a gain value according to the input signal. It may include a variable gain amplifier (VGA). The variable gain amplifier may be TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for compensating a gain according to a distance from a focal point, but is not limited thereto.

The reception beamformer performs beamforming on an electrical signal input from the reception signal processor. The reception beamformer strengthens the signal strength by superpositioning an electrical signal input from the reception signal processor. The beamformed signal from the reception beamformer is converted into a digital signal through an analog-digital converter and transmitted to the image processing unit 530 of the main body M. When an analog-to-digital converter is provided in the main body M, the analog beamformed by the reception beamformer may be transmitted to the main body M to be converted into a digital signal in the main body M. Alternatively, the reception beamformer may be a digital beamformer. Digital beamformers include a storage unit for sampling and storing analog signals, a sampling period control unit for controlling the sampling period, an amplifier for adjusting the sample size, and an anti-aliasing low pass to prevent aliasing before sampling. filter, a bandpass filter for selecting a desired frequency band, an interpolation filter for increasing the sampling rate during beamforming, and a high-pass filter for removing a DC component or a low frequency signal. have.

Referring to FIG. 4, in FIG. 4, an ultrasound image acquired by an ultrasound probe is displayed on a display, and a probe marker M1 is displayed on one surface of the display. The probe marker M1 may be attached to the body marker H1 set by the user. The probe marker M1 indicates the position of the ultrasound probe when the user acquires an ultrasound image of the object. The ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound probe may be different depending on the location where the ultrasound probe touches the object, so that the user may set a probe marker M1 corresponding to the ultrasound image. The probe marker M1 may be set by the user through the input unit. For example, the user can set through the input unit provided as a track ball. The user can adjust the angle as well as the horizontal and vertical position of the probe marker. When the same object is diagnosed at different times, the user may acquire an ultrasound image at a location that is the same as a previously obtained ultrasound image through a probe marker, and based on this, the state change of the object changed over time Can be judged.

5 to 8 are body markers to which a probe marker is attached, according to an embodiment.

5 through 8 are body markers illustrating an object that is a part of a body. 5 to 8 are body markers showing palms, arms, chest and soles, respectively. 5 to 8 correspond to the symmetrical structures in the body. In particular, the objects shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 may correspond to symmetry. The user may set a body marker corresponding to the object through the input unit. For example, when a user wants to acquire an ultrasound image of a palm, the user may set a command for setting a body marker corresponding to the palm, and the controller may display the body marker shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit. In the case of an object corresponding to symmetry, there may be a pair of objects, and a user acquires an ultrasound image of one object and then acquires another object image. The user may acquire an ultrasound image of each object and diagnose abnormalities of the object through comparison.

In the case of the palm shown in Fig. 5, the left and right palms are in a symmetrical relationship. When the user acquires an ultrasound image of the palm, the ultrasound image may be acquired by placing the ultrasound probe at various positions of the palm. As an example, the user may obtain an ultrasound image by contacting the ultrasound probe with the index finger of the left palm. In this case, the user may diagnose the object by comparing the ultrasound image of the left index finger with the index finger ultrasound image of the right palm. According to an embodiment, when the user acquires an ultrasound image of the index finger of the left palm, the user may set a body marker of the palm, and the controller may form a symmetric body marker at a symmetrical position based on the body marker set by the user. Can be. Details related to this will be described later.

In the case of the arm illustrated in FIG. 6, the size of the object is larger than that of the palm, and thus, when the ultrasound image of the arm is acquired, the ultrasound probe may be positioned at various places. As described in FIG. 5, the user compares both arms Diagnosis, and the controller may set the symmetric body marker of the right arm based on the body marker set on the left arm.

In the case of the chest shown in FIG. 7, ultrasound images may be obtained by placing ultrasonic probes in various places around the nipples located in the chest. The user may acquire various ultrasound images by positioning the ultrasound probe in various places by setting the direction and distance around the nipple of the chest. As described in FIG. 5, the user may compare both sides to diagnose the chest, and the controller may set a symmetric body marker on the right chest based on the body marker set on the left chest.

In the case of the sole illustrated in FIG. 8, the ultrasound probe may be positioned at various places to acquire an ultrasound image. As described with reference to FIG. 5, the user may diagnose the sole by comparing both sides, and the controller may allow the user to place the left sole. You can set the symmetrical body marker on the right foot based on the set body marker.

5 to 8 are symmetrical examples of the body, and if the object needs to acquire an ultrasound image symmetrically, the type of the object is not limited.

9 is a diagram illustrating a probe marker attached to a schematic diagram of a body organ, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 shows body markers H1 and H2 and probe markers M1 and M2 representing right and left palms.

Referring to FIG. 9, a user may acquire an ultrasound image of the right palm H1 using an ultrasound probe. When the user wants to acquire the ultrasound image of the index finger of the right palm H1, the ultrasound probe may be touched by the index finger of the right palm to obtain an ultrasound image and the position thereof may be displayed using the first probe marker M1. . The controller may form the second probe marker M2 in a symmetrical relationship with the first probe marker M1 based on the position of the first probe marker M1 set as described above. In general, an object in a symmetrical relationship is obtained by comparing both ultrasound images and diagnosing the object. Therefore, when one object is diagnosed and a probe marker is set, the other probe marker must be set separately. Although it was troublesome to set the probe marker, according to an exemplary embodiment, in case of a symmetric object, only the first probe marker M1 attached to the body marker H1 corresponding to one object corresponds to the other object. The second probe marker (M2) attached to the symmetrical body markers may be set even if the user does not set them separately, thereby increasing convenience.

As described above, when the second probe marker M2 is formed on the basis of the first probe marker M1, when the user acquires an ultrasound image of the left palm, the user may operate the ultrasound probe based on the formed second probe marker M2. It can be located, and can be compared with the ultrasound image of the right palm first obtained by obtaining an ultrasound image at the position of the corresponding ultrasound probe.

Positions of the first probe marker M1 and the second probe marker M2 shown in FIG. 9 are merely exemplary, and the position or angle of the probe marker corresponding to the object is not limited.

Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 illustrates an ultrasound image acquired by the first probe marker M1 and the ultrasound probe when the object is the right palm. The display unit may display the ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound probe and the body marker to which the probe marker is attached. The user may set the first probe marker M1 corresponding to the ultrasound image acquired by the ultrasound probe. In addition, the controller may store the first probe marker M1 stored by the above-described method in the storage unit.

Referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 illustrates an ultrasound image of a left palm in a symmetrical relationship with FIG. 10 and a second probe marker M2 in a symmetrical relationship with the first probe marker M1 attached to the left palm. . The controller may form a second probe marker M2 in a symmetrical relationship with the first probe marker based on the first probe marker M1 set by the user.

Meanwhile, the user may input information of the object through the input unit. The controller may set a body marker corresponding to the object based on the information of the object input by the user. The information of the subject may include information about a diagnosis site of the patient, a name of the disease to be diagnosed, a length of the subject, a width of the subject, and a volume of the subject. In addition, the controller may obtain first guide information from the object information corresponding to the first probe marker M1 and the second probe marker M2 based on the information of the object input by the user. After acquiring the information, when the user inputs the object information again, the controller may guide the position of the ultrasound probe based on the first guide information acquired in advance. The user may change the position of the ultrasound probe by using the first probe marker M1 and the second probe marker M2 shown in the first guide information.

In addition, the user may input the ultrasound image information through the input unit. The ultrasound image information may include ROI of the object and depth information of the ultrasound image. The controller may acquire second guide information from the ultrasound image information corresponding to the first probe marker and the second probe marker based on the ultrasound image information input by the user, and after acquiring the second guide information. If the user inputs the ultrasound image information again, the controller may guide the position of the ultrasound probe based on the second guide information obtained in advance. The user may change the position of the ultrasound probe by using the first probe marker M1 and the second probe marker M2 shown in the second guide information.

Referring to FIG. 12, FIG. 8A illustrates that the user sets the

first probe markers

1, 2, and 3 of the right arm A1. In the case of an arm, since an object is large, an ultrasound image is often obtained by using an ultrasound probe a plurality of times. In this case, a plurality of probe markers corresponding to the ultrasonic probes at the time of diagnosis may be set. When setting a plurality of probe markers, a procedure of acquiring an ultrasound image may be attached.

FIG. 13 illustrates that the control unit forms the second probe markers a, b, and c based on the

first probe markers

1, 2, and 3 set by the user in FIG. 12. The second probe markers (a, b, c) corresponding to the first probe markers (1, 2, 3) formed on the right arm are formed, and based on the order of setting the first probe markers (1, 2, 3). Second probe markers a, b, and c may be formed. When the user sets the first probe markers in the order of 1,2,3, the second probe markers are formed in the order of a, b, c, and the controller controls the sequence of the first probe marker and the second probe marker. You can obtain history information as a basis.

12 and 13 illustrate the case where the object is an arm, the type of the object for setting the plurality of probe markers in order is not limited, and the position of the probe marker is not limited to the probe marker shown in FIGS. Probe markers can be set without limitation.

Referring to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display unit based on an ultrasound image obtained by using an ultrasound probe and the above-described history information L. FIG. The control unit outputs history information (L) based on the setting order to the plurality of probe markers set by the user, and when the user later wants to acquire an ultrasound image of the same object, the controller may adjust the position of the ultrasound probe based on the history information (L). Make adjustments. According to an embodiment, when a user wants to acquire an ultrasound image of an arm, the user may set a probe marker M3 corresponding to the arm. In addition, the controller may output the above-described history information L to the display unit, and the user may adjust the position of the ultrasonic probe based on the output history information L. FIG.

15 is a flow chart according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, when an ultrasound image of an object is acquired, a user may set a body marker corresponding to the object if the object is a symmetrical structure (1001). Subjects with a symmetrical structure include both palms, arms, soles, and the thorax. The controller may form a symmetric body marker symmetrical with the body marker based on the body marker set by the user (1002). Since the object has a symmetrical structure, the body marker and the symmetrical body marker also have a symmetrical structure.

In addition, the user may set a first probe marker attached to the body marker (1003), and the controller may form a second probe marker attached to the symmetric body marker (1004). The controller may display the body marker and the probe marker on the display unit (1005).

16 is a flowchart according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, a user may set a plurality of probe markers in order (1011). When a plurality of first probe markers are set, the controller may form a plurality of second probe markers corresponding to the plurality of first probe markers (1012). The controller may derive history information using the first probe marker, the second probe marker, and the first probe marker setting order (1013). The history information is output to the display unit 1014, and when the user later wants to acquire an ultrasound image of the same object, the user may guide the position of the ultrasound probe used by the user.

On the other hand, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium for storing instructions executable by a computer. Instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording media having stored thereon instructions which can be read by a computer. For example, there may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in a form different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

An ultrasound probe which acquires an ultrasound image of the object;

An input unit configured to receive a control command of a first probe marker set based on the position of the ultrasound probe and a body marker set based on the type of the object; And

The user sets the body marker through the input unit,

The user sets the first probe marker corresponding to the body marker through the input unit,

If the object has a symmetric structure,

Forming a symmetric body marker symmetrical with the body marker,

And a controller configured to form a second probe marker corresponding to the symmetric body marker and symmetric to the first probe marker.
The method of claim 1,

And a display unit for displaying an image including the ultrasound image.

The control unit,

When the user inputs a display command through the input unit,

An ultrasound imaging apparatus configured to display at least one of the body marker, the symmetric body marker, the first probe marker, and the second probe marker on the display unit based on the display command.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit,

When the user sets a plurality of the first probe markers corresponding to the body markers,

And a plurality of second probe markers corresponding to the symmetric body markers to correspond to the order and number of the plurality of first probe markers.
The method of claim 3,

The control unit,

Obtaining history information corresponding to a plurality of first probe markers, a plurality of second probe markers, and a plurality of first probe marker setting orders;

And an ultrasonic imaging device outputting the history information to the display unit.
The method of claim 1,

The input unit,

Receive the object information from the user,

The control unit,

An ultrasound imaging apparatus for acquiring first guide information corresponding to the object information with the first probe marker and the second probe marker.
The method of claim 5,

The control unit,

When the user inputs the object information,

And an output unit of the first probe marker and the second probe marker on the display unit to guide the position of the ultrasonic probe based on the first guide information.
The method of claim 1,

The input unit,

Receive the ultrasound image information from the user,

And an second guide information corresponding to the ultrasound image information with the first probe marker information and the second probe marker information.
The method of claim 7, wherein

The control unit,

When the user inputs the ultrasound image information,

And an output of the first probe marker and the second probe marker on the display unit to guide the setting of the ultrasound image based on the second guide information.
The method of claim 1,

The object is an ultrasound imaging apparatus having a symmetrical relationship to the body structure.
The method of claim 1,

The object,

Ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising arms, palms, chest and soles.
Acquire an ultrasound image of the object,

Receiving a control command of a first probe marker set based on the position of the ultrasound probe and a body marker set based on the type of the object;

A user sets a body marker set based on the type of the object,

The user sets the first probe marker corresponding to the body marker,

If the object has a symmetric structure,

Forming a symmetric body marker symmetrical with the body marker,

And forming a second probe marker corresponding to the symmetric body marker and symmetric to the first probe marker.
The method of claim 11,

And displaying the symmetric body marker and the second probe marker.
The method of claim 11,

Forming a second probe marker symmetrical with the first probe marker,

When the user sets a plurality of the first probe markers corresponding to the body markers,

And forming a plurality of second probe markers corresponding to the symmetric body markers to correspond to the order and number of the plurality of first probe markers.
The method of claim 13,

Obtaining history information corresponding to a plurality of first probe markers, a plurality of second probe markers, and a plurality of first probe marker setting orders;

And controlling the history information to be output.
The method of claim 11,

Receiving the object information from the user,

And acquiring first guide information from the object information corresponding to the first probe marker and the second probe marker.