WO2019196033A1 - 超声弹性成像方法和系统 - Google Patents

超声弹性成像方法和系统 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019196033A1
WO2019196033A1 PCT/CN2018/082691 CN2018082691W WO2019196033A1 WO 2019196033 A1 WO2019196033 A1 WO 2019196033A1 CN 2018082691 W CN2018082691 W CN 2018082691W WO 2019196033 A1 WO2019196033 A1 WO 2019196033A1
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region
ultrasonic
body tissue
shear wave
interest
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PCT/CN2018/082691
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
江鹏
李双双
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深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司
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Priority to CN201880016644.6A priority Critical patent/CN110494082B/zh
Priority to PCT/CN2018/082691 priority patent/WO2019196033A1/zh
Publication of WO2019196033A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019196033A1/zh
Priority to US17/067,436 priority patent/US20210022711A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
    • A61B8/0833—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
    • A61B8/085—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures for locating body or organic structures, e.g. tumours, calculi, blood vessels, nodules
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/13—Tomography
    • A61B8/14—Echo-tomography
    • A61B8/145—Echo-tomography characterised by scanning multiple planes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4444—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device related to the probe
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
    • A61B8/4494—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/46—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient
    • A61B8/461—Displaying means of special interest
    • A61B8/463—Displaying means of special interest characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/48—Diagnostic techniques
    • A61B8/485—Diagnostic techniques involving measuring strain or elastic properties
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/52—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/5215—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data
    • A61B8/5223—Devices using data or image processing specially adapted for diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves involving processing of medical diagnostic data for extracting a diagnostic or physiological parameter from medical diagnostic data
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/54—Control of the diagnostic device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52019—Details of transmitters
    • G01S7/5202—Details of transmitters for pulse systems
    • G01S7/52022—Details of transmitters for pulse systems using a sequence of pulses, at least one pulse manipulating the transmissivity or reflexivity of the medium
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
    • G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
    • G01S7/52042—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation determining elastic properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
    • A61B8/4488—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer the transducer being a phased array
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
    • G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
    • G01S15/8909—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration
    • G01S15/8915—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration using a transducer array

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to ultrasound imaging, and more particularly to an ultrasound elastography method and system.
  • Instantaneous elastography is a method for measuring tissue stiffness. It is mainly used in the clinical diagnosis of the liver. Many chronic liver diseases are accompanied by the process of liver fibrosis, during which the liver elasticity gradually changes, eventually leading to cirrhosis. Transient elastography can non-invasively monitor changes in this process and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis.
  • the specific method of instantaneous elasticity is to use mechanical vibration pulse excitation to generate instantaneous shear waves in the tissue, use the fast ultrasonic imaging system to collect radio frequency data, estimate the tissue displacement, and obtain the propagation of shear waves in the tissue, and further calculate the tissue hardness. .
  • the traditional transient elastography system is a one-dimensional system. It can only obtain the average elastic result of a small area of the measured body tissue in one direction at the center of the probe.
  • the scope of the examination is small and cannot be provided for doctors.
  • the image inside the body tissue under test causes the doctor to not see the internal shape of the body tissue under test when performing the instantaneous elastic measurement.
  • the position of the probe can be adjusted empirically to align the probe with the tissue that is expected to be measured, which is inconvenient to operate.
  • an ultrasound elastography method includes: exciting an ultrasonic probe to emit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue to be tested and receiving ultrasonic echoes to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer provided with a plurality of array elements; Acquiring an ultrasonic image of the body tissue to be tested; displaying the ultrasound image; generating a shear wave in the body tissue to be tested; and exciting at least a portion of the array element of the ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves Controlling the excitation time of each of the array elements that are excited such that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited array elements form an ultrasonic beam that covers the first region within the body tissue under test, wherein the shear waves are at least partially at the first Intra-area propagation; receiving an ultrasonic echo from the first region, obtaining a second ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining a transmission path of the shear wave in the first region according to the second
  • an ultrasound elastography system includes an ultrasound probe including a vibrator and an ultrasonic transducer provided with a plurality of array elements, the vibrator being capable of driving the ultrasonic transducer to generate shear within the body tissue being tested a control and data processor, the control and data processor controlling the ultrasonic transducer and the vibrator, and processing data obtained by the ultrasonic transducer; a display device, the display device displaying the Controlling and outputting data by the data processor; wherein the control and data processor: exciting the ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue under test and receiving ultrasonic echoes to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal; Acquiring an ultrasonic image of the body tissue to be tested by an ultrasonic echo signal; controlling the vibrator to drive the ultrasonic transducer to generate a shear wave in the body tissue to be tested; and exciting the ultrasonic transducer At least a portion of the array elements emit ultrasonic waves and control the ex
  • an ultrasound elastography method includes: generating shear waves in the body tissue to be tested; exciting at least a portion of the array elements of the ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves and controlling an excitation time of each of the array elements to be excited to cause ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited array elements Forming an ultrasonic beam covering a first region within the body tissue under test, wherein the shear wave propagates at least partially within the first region; receiving an ultrasonic echo from the first region to obtain a second An ultrasonic echo signal; adjusting an excitation time of the excited array element of the ultrasonic transducer to change a direction of the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic wave emitted by the excited array element, so that the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic wave emitted by the excited array element Covering a second region within the body tissue under test, wherein the shear wave propagates at least partially within the second region; receiving ultrasonic echoes from the second region to obtain
  • an ultrasound elastography method includes: generating shear waves in the body tissue to be tested; exciting at least a portion of the array elements of the ultrasonic transducer to emit ultrasonic waves and controlling an excitation time of each of the array elements to be excited to cause ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited array elements Forming an ultrasonic beam covering a first region within the body tissue under test, wherein the shear wave propagates at least partially within the first region; receiving an ultrasonic echo from the first region to obtain a second An ultrasonic echo signal; generating the shear wave again in the body tissue under test; at least a portion of the array elements of the excitation ultrasonic transducer emit ultrasonic waves and control the excitation time of each of the array elements being excited to cause the excited array
  • the ultrasonic wave emitted by the element forms an ultrasonic beam covering a second region within the body tissue under test, wherein the shear wave propagates at least partially within the second region; receiving ultrasonic echoes from the
  • an ultrasound elastography method includes: exciting an ultrasonic probe to emit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue to be tested and receiving ultrasonic echoes to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer provided with a plurality of array elements; Obtaining an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test by an ultrasound echo signal; displaying the ultrasound image; determining a region of interest on the ultrasound image; generating a scissors in the tissue of the body to be tested based on the determined region of interest Cutting the wave so that the generated shear wave propagates at least partially within the region of interest; at least a portion of the array elements that excite the ultrasonic transducer emit ultrasonic waves and control the excitation time of each of the excited elements to be excited
  • the ultrasonic wave emitted by the array element forms an ultrasonic beam covering the region of interest; receiving an ultrasonic echo from the region of interest to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining the shear wave according to the
  • an ultrasound elastography system includes an ultrasound probe including a vibrator and an ultrasonic transducer provided with a plurality of array elements, the vibrator being capable of driving the ultrasonic transducer to generate shear within the body tissue being tested a control and data processor, the control and data processor controlling the ultrasonic transducer and the vibrator, and processing data obtained by the ultrasonic transducer; a display device, the display device displaying the Controlling and outputting data by the data processor; wherein the control and data processor: exciting the ultrasonic probe to emit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue to be tested and receiving the ultrasonic echo to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal; according to the first ultrasonic echo Obtaining an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test; displaying the ultrasound image; determining a region of interest on the ultrasound image; controlling the vibrator to drive the ultrasound transducer vibration based on the determined region of interest Generating a shear wave within the body tissue under test such that the generated shear wave
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an instantaneous elastography system according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of an ultrasonic elastography method of an embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a shear wave generated by an ultrasonic probe
  • Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a scanning process of an embodiment
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of an ultrasonic elastography method of an embodiment
  • Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a scanning process of an embodiment
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart of an ultrasonic elastography method of an embodiment.
  • an ultrasound elastography system can include an ultrasound probe 100, a control and data processor 200, and a display 300.
  • the control and data processor 200 can control the ultrasonic probe 100 to emit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue to be tested and receive ultrasonic echoes with tissue information reflected from the body tissue to be tested, and convert the ultrasonic echoes into electrical signals to obtain Ultrasonic echo signals.
  • the control and data processor 200 receives these ultrasonic echo signals and processes the ultrasonic echo signals to obtain an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test.
  • the processing of the ultrasonic echo signals by the control and data processor 200 may vary depending on the desired imaging mode and will not be described in detail herein.
  • the obtained ultrasound image can be displayed on the display 300.
  • the ultrasound probe 100 can include a vibrator 110 and an ultrasound transducer 150.
  • the ultrasound transducer 150 can include a plurality of array elements that can be arranged in a one or two dimensional array.
  • the control and data processor 200 is capable of controlling the vibrator 110 to vibrate to drive the ultrasonic transducer 150 to vibrate.
  • the ultrasonic probe 100 is attached to the surface of the body tissue under test.
  • the vibrator 110 drives the ultrasonic transducer 150 to vibrate, and a shear wave propagating from the contact position of the body tissue with the ultrasonic transducer 150 to the inside of the body tissue to be tested can be generated in the body tissue to be tested.
  • Control and data processor 200 can then control ultrasonic transducer 150 to transmit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue under test to track the shear waves, as described in more detail below.
  • the ultrasound probe 100 can further include a pressure sensor 130.
  • the pressure sensor 130 is capable of sensing the pressure between the ultrasound probe 100 (or the ultrasound transducer 150) and the body tissue under test and feeding back the pressure to the control and data processor 200.
  • the aforementioned shear wave may not be generated by the vibrator 110 driving the ultrasonic transducer 150, but may be generated by a separate vibrator (not shown) disposed separately from the ultrasonic probe 100, and then Ultrasonic waves are transmitted by the multi-element ultrasound transducer 150 of the ultrasound probe 100 to track the shear waves.
  • the aforementioned vibrator 110 may not be included in the ultrasound probe 100.
  • an ultrasonic elastography method such as a transient elastography method, implemented using the aforementioned ultrasonic elastography system may include the following steps.
  • step S001 an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test is obtained.
  • a conventional ultrasound image of the body tissue to be tested such as a B mode image, a C mode image, a D mode image, or the like, can also be obtained.
  • the obtained conventional ultrasound image can be displayed on the display 300, which can facilitate the doctor to observe the condition of the body tissue under test when scanning to obtain the elastic parameter or the elasticity image of the body tissue to be tested, so as to facilitate the acquisition of the elasticity of the body tissue under test.
  • the control and data processor 200 can excite the ultrasonic transducer 150 of the ultrasonic probe 100 to emit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue under test and receive ultrasonic echoes to obtain ultrasonic echo signals.
  • the ultrasonic echo signal for obtaining such a conventional ultrasonic image as described above is referred to as a first ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the control and data processor 200 receives the first ultrasonic echo signal and performs corresponding processing thereon to obtain an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test according to the first ultrasonic echo signal, such as a B mode image, a C mode image, and a D A pattern image or other similar ultrasound image.
  • the obtained ultrasound image can be displayed on the display 300.
  • step S002 a shear wave is generated in the body tissue to be tested.
  • a shear wave can be generated in the body tissue to be tested.
  • the control and data processor 200 controls the vibrator 110 in the ultrasonic probe 100 to vibrate to drive the ultrasonic transducer 150 that conforms to the surface of the body tissue under test to generate vibrations from the body under test.
  • the shear wave propagating inward at a position where the ultrasonic transducer 150 is attached, as shown in FIG. 4, in a two-dimensional plane, the shear wave thus generated is substantially like the corrugation formed by the water surface of the input rock.
  • the contact point of the ultrasonic probe 100 with the body tissue to be tested is diffused into the tissue of the body to be tested.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 150 is typically attached to the surface of the body tissue under test under a certain pressure.
  • This pressure can be sensed by pressure sensor 130 in ultrasound probe 100 and fed back to control and data processor 200.
  • the control and data processor 200 can output the current pressure sensed by the pressure sensor 130 to the user in various ways.
  • the sensed current pressure can be output to the user by digital, graphical, sound or optical signals, and the like.
  • the shear wave may also be generated by a separate vibrator disposed separately from the ultrasound probe 100.
  • step S003 the shear wave is tracked using ultrasonic waves to obtain a transmission path of the shear wave.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least a portion of the array elements in the ultrasonic transducer 150 to emit ultrasonic waves into the body tissue under test.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least a portion of the array elements in the ultrasonic transducer 150 to emit ultrasonic waves into the body tissue under test.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least a portion of the array elements in the ultrasonic transducer 150 to emit ultrasonic waves into the body tissue under test.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least a portion of the array elements in the ultrasonic transducer 150 to emit ultrasonic waves into the body tissue under test.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least
  • the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array elements participating in the emission form an ultrasonic beam that propagates (or covers the desired area) at a desired angle or within a desired area.
  • the control and data processor 200 can control the time during which the array elements to be excited (and the array elements participating in the current transmission) are excited by the excitation pulse, such that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array form the aforementioned structure covering the body structure under test.
  • the generated shear wave is at least partially propagated in the first region of the ultrasonic beam, such that the ultrasonic beam can track the propagation of the shear wave within the first region.
  • the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the at least part of the array elements may be a focused ultrasonic beam or a non-focused ultrasonic beam, such as a planar ultrasonic beam or a divergent ultrasonic beam.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 150 can receive ultrasonic echoes from the first region to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic echo from the first region is referred to as a second ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the process of transmitting the ultrasonic beam covering the first region and receiving its ultrasonic echo to obtain the second ultrasonic echo signal may be repeated as many times as shown in FIG.
  • the control and data processor 200 can receive and process the second ultrasonic echo signals to obtain a transmission path of the shear waves in the first region. For example, the control and data processor 200 may perform correlation calculation on the second ultrasonic echo signal obtained in the foregoing multiple times, thereby obtaining a transmission path of the shear wave in the first region.
  • Step S004 calculating an elastic parameter of the body tissue to be tested according to the obtained shear wave transmission path.
  • the control and data processor 200 may calculate a representation of the measured body tissue in the first region according to the transmission path of the shear wave in the first region.
  • the elastic parameter may be a transfer speed of the shear wave in the first region, a Young's modulus of the measured body tissue in the first region, a shear modulus of the measured body tissue in the first region, and a shear wave. The degree of attenuation in the body tissue under test in the first region or the elastic parameter ratio of the body tissue under test in different locations in the first region, and the like.
  • the displacement of the shear wave generated in a certain time may be calculated according to the obtained shear wave in the first region, and the bit is removed in time to obtain the shear wave in the first region.
  • the speed of delivery may be the shear wave transfer speed at each depth in the first region, or this may also be the average of the shear wave transfer speeds at any depth.
  • other elastic parameters of the measured body tissue in the first region may be calculated based on the transfer speed of the shear wave in the first region.
  • the Young's modulus of the tissue can be calculated based on the shear wave transfer velocity using the following formula:
  • E is the Young's modulus, which represents the tissue hardness of the body tissue under test
  • ⁇ is the tissue density of the body tissue under test
  • V is the shear wave transmission velocity in the body tissue under test.
  • shear modulus, shear wave attenuation, and other parameters that characterize the elasticity of the body tissue under test in the first region can also be calculated using corresponding methods, and will not be enumerated here.
  • step S006 the elastic parameters and/or the ultrasound image of the body tissue under test are displayed.
  • the obtained elastic parameters can be displayed on the display 300.
  • These elastic parameters can be displayed in numerical values, colors, charts, and the like.
  • the transmission trajectory of the shear wave obtained in the foregoing step in the first region may also be displayed on the display 300.
  • the elastic parameter or the shear wave transfer trajectory may be displayed on the display 300 simultaneously with the conventional ultrasound image of the measured body tissue obtained in step S001.
  • the conventional imaging process for obtaining a conventional ultrasound image and the transient elastography process for obtaining an elastic parameter are performed by the same probe, that is, only the same probe is required, and both the conventional ultrasound image and the elastic parameter of the tissue can be obtained. This allows doctors to see images of the inside of the subject while performing elastic measurements, making it easier for doctors to find the tissue that needs to be measured elastically.
  • an ultrasonic elastography method implemented using the aforementioned ultrasonic elastography system may include the following steps.
  • step S010 an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test is obtained. This step may be the same as or similar to step S001 of the foregoing embodiment, and will not be described in detail herein.
  • step S011 a shear wave is generated in the body tissue to be tested.
  • This step may be the same as or similar to step S002 of the foregoing embodiment, and will not be described in detail herein.
  • Step S012 using ultrasonic waves to track the shear wave in the first region to obtain a second ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least the ultrasonic transducer 150.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 150 Part of the array element emits ultrasonic waves into the body tissue under test.
  • the control and data processor 200 can transmit an excitation pulse to the ultrasonic transducer 150 to excite at least the ultrasonic transducer 150.
  • Part of the array element emits ultrasonic waves into the body tissue under test.
  • all of the array elements in the ultrasonic transducer 150 may participate in the transmission, or some of the array elements may participate in the transmission.
  • the direction and/or width of the ultrasonic beam finally formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array elements can be adjusted, and the like.
  • the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array elements participating in the emission ultimately form an ultrasonic beam that propagates (or covers the desired area) at a desired angle or within a desired area.
  • the control and data processor 200 can control the time during which the array elements to be excited (and the array elements participating in the current transmission) are excited by the excitation pulse, such that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array form the aforementioned structure covering the body structure under test.
  • the generated shear wave is at least partially propagated in the first region of the ultrasonic beam, such that the ultrasonic beam can track the propagation of the shear wave within the first region.
  • the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the at least part of the array elements may be a focused ultrasonic beam or a non-focused ultrasonic beam, such as a planar ultrasonic beam or a divergent ultrasonic beam.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 150 can receive ultrasonic echoes from the first region to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic echo from the first region in this embodiment is still referred to as a second ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the process of transmitting the ultrasonic beam covering the first region and receiving its ultrasonic echo to obtain the second ultrasonic echo signal may also be repeated multiple times.
  • control and data processor 200 can control or adjust the time that the array element to be excited (and the array elements participating in the current transmission) are excited by the excitation pulse to change the emission of the excited array element.
  • the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the at least part of the array elements may be a focused ultrasonic beam or a non-focused ultrasonic beam, such as a planar ultrasonic beam or a divergent ultrasonic beam.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 150 can receive ultrasonic echoes from the second region to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the ultrasonic echo from the second region is referred to herein as a third ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the process of transmitting the ultrasonic beam covering the second region and receiving its ultrasonic echo to obtain the third ultrasonic echo signal may also be repeated a plurality of times.
  • the ultrasonic beams covering the third region or more regions may be similarly transmitted and the ultrasonic echoes of the respective regions are received to obtain corresponding ultrasonic echo signals, as shown in FIG. 7.
  • Step S014 obtaining a shear wave transmission path in the two-dimensional region according to the ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the aforementioned first region and second region may be adjacent or partially coincident, and the two form a two-dimensional region.
  • the control and data processor 200 may obtain a shear wave in the two-dimensional region according to the second ultrasonic echo signal and the third ultrasonic echo signal or the ultrasonic echo signal of more regions (ie, including the first A transfer path within the two-dimensional region of the region and the second region or a two-dimensional region containing more regions.
  • control and data processor 200 may perform correlation calculations on ultrasonic echo signals obtained at different times covering the same region to obtain a transmission path of shear waves in the region.
  • a similar correlation calculation is performed on all regions forming the two-dimensional region, and a propagation path of the shear wave in all regions forming the two-dimensional region is obtained, thereby obtaining a propagation path of the shear wave in the two-dimensional region.
  • Step S015 calculating an elasticity parameter in the two-dimensional region according to the shear wave transmission path.
  • the elastic parameter in the two-dimensional region can be calculated from the shear wave transmission path in a similar manner.
  • the elastic parameter may be a transfer speed of the shear wave in the two-dimensional region, a Young's modulus of the measured body tissue in the two-dimensional region, a shear modulus of the measured body tissue in the two-dimensional region, and a shear The degree of attenuation of the shear wave in the body tissue under test in the two-dimensional region or the elastic parameter ratio of the measured body tissue at different positions in the two-dimensional region, and the like.
  • these elastic parameters can be calculated directly in a two-dimensional region based on the shear wave transmission path within the two-dimensional region.
  • the elastic parameters in each region may also be calculated based on the shear wave transmission paths in the respective regions, and then the elastic parameters in the regions may be combined into elastic parameters in the two-dimensional region.
  • the elastic parameters in the first region may be obtained according to the shear wave transmission path in the first region, such as the transmission speed of the shear wave in the first region, and the measured body tissue in the first region.
  • the Young's modulus of the tissue, the shear modulus of the measured body tissue in the second region, the degree of attenuation of the shear wave in the body tissue under test in the second region, or the measured body at different locations in the second region The elastic parameter ratio of the organization, and so on. According to the elastic parameter in the first region and the elastic parameter in the second region, the elastic parameters of the two-dimensional region formed by the second region and the second region can be obtained.
  • step S016 an elasticity parameter and/or an ultrasound image are displayed.
  • the elasticity parameter in the two-dimensional area obtained in step S015 can be displayed on the display 300.
  • the elastic parameters of such a two-dimensional region can be displayed as two-dimensional image frames.
  • the form may be various, for example, may be displayed as a numerical image frame, a color coded pseudo color image frame, a grayscale image frame, or the like.
  • the elastic parameters in the plurality of regions for example, the first region and the second region constituting the two-dimensional region are calculated and obtained once, the elastic parameters can be combined into one frame two-dimensional elastic image.
  • the scanning is continued to obtain the elastic parameters in these regions, it is possible to continue to obtain a two-dimensional elastic image of more frames.
  • the conventional imaging process for obtaining a conventional ultrasound image and the transient elastography process for obtaining an elastic parameter are performed not only by the same probe, but also a two-dimensional elastic image in a two-dimensional region can be obtained, providing a doctor with two-dimensional intra-regional elasticity.
  • the two-dimensional distribution of parameters makes it easier for doctors to diagnose the body tissue under test.
  • multiple shear waves may also be generated, and after one generation of the shear wave, an ultrasonic echo signal of a part of the plurality of regions or a propagation path of the shear wave in the corresponding region may be obtained by a similar method as described above or The elastic parameter in the corresponding region; the ultrasonic echo signal of the other partial region of the plurality of regions or the propagation path of the shear wave in the corresponding region or the elastic parameter in the corresponding region is obtained after the shear wave is generated again. After the shear wave is generated a plurality of times, the ultrasonic echo signals of all the regions in the plurality of regions or the propagation paths of the shear waves in the corresponding regions or the elastic parameters in the corresponding regions are obtained.
  • the ultrasound elastography method can include:
  • a transfer path of the shear wave in a two-dimensional region including the first region and the second region is obtained based on at least the second ultrasonic echo signal and the third ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the shear waves generated two or more times may be the same shear waves generated with the same parameters at the same position.
  • a conventional ultrasound image of the body tissue under test may be obtained, and then the region of interest is determined based on the ultrasound image, and the elasticity of the body tissue in the region of interest is measured, as shown in FIG. Shown.
  • the user or the ultrasound elastography system can determine the area where it is desired to measure its elasticity by using a conventional ultrasound image, and the ultrasound elastography system can more accurately generate and track the shear wave passing through the region of interest to obtain the elastic parameter of the region of interest. .
  • the target that needs to be elastically measured can be more accurately positioned, and the doctor can quickly and accurately obtain the elastic parameters of the region of interest, thereby improving the ease of use.
  • step S020 the control and data processor 200 can excite the ultrasonic probe 100 to emit ultrasonic waves to the body tissue under test and receive ultrasonic echoes, obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal, and according to the first ultrasound
  • the echo signal obtains an ultrasound image of the body tissue under test and displays the ultrasound image on display 300.
  • the ultrasound image may be a B mode image, a C mode image, a D mode image, or other mode image.
  • This step S020 can be similar to step S001 in the foregoing embodiment, and will not be described in detail herein.
  • the control and data processor 200 can determine the region of interest on the ultrasound image.
  • the control and data processor 200 can determine the region of interest based on signals input by the user through a human-machine interaction device (not shown in FIG. 1) for selecting or defining a region of interest.
  • a human-machine interaction device not shown in FIG. 1
  • the user can select or draw a range of the region of interest on the ultrasound image displayed on the display 300 through the human-machine interaction device, such as drawing a frame defining the region of interest, etc.
  • the control and data processor 200 receives the user's An input from which an area of interest is determined on the ultrasound image.
  • control and data processor 200 can also automatically determine the region of interest. For example, the control and data processor 200 can process the ultrasound image according to predetermined rules to identify the region of interest.
  • a shear wave propagating within the region of interest may be generated.
  • the control and data processor 200 can control the vibrator 110 disposed in the ultrasound probe 100 to drive the ultrasonic transducer 150 to vibrate to generate shear waves propagating within the region of interest, or to control separate settings from the ultrasound probe 100.
  • the vibrator vibrates to produce shear waves that propagate within the region of interest.
  • the position of the ultrasonic transducer 150 of the ultrasound probe 100 in contact with the body surface of the subject to be measured or the individual vibrations disposed separately from the ultrasound probe 100 can be adjusted.
  • the position of the device in contact with the body tissue under test allows the generated shear wave to propagate better or better in the region of interest, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the elasticity measurement.
  • the control and data processor 200 can excite at least a portion of the array elements of the ultrasonic transducer 150 to emit ultrasonic waves and control the excitation time of each of the array elements that are excited such that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited array elements form an overlay of the interest.
  • the ultrasonic beam of the region is received by the ultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic echo from the region of interest is obtained to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited element elements herein may be a focused ultrasonic beam or a non-focused ultrasonic beam.
  • step S024 the control and data processor 200 can obtain the transmission path of the shear wave in the region of interest based on the ultrasonic echo signal obtained in step S023.
  • the method for obtaining the transmission path in this step may be similar to the method in step S003 or S014 in the foregoing embodiment, and will not be described in detail herein.
  • the shear waves in the region of interest may be tracked sub-regionally, and then the shear wave transmission paths in the entire region of interest are obtained from the ultrasonic echo signals obtained from the regions, or according to the respectively obtained
  • the shear wave transmission path within the region obtains a shear wave transmission path throughout the region of interest.
  • control and data processor 200 can excite at least a portion of the elements of the ultrasound transducer to emit ultrasound waves and control the excitation time of each of the array elements being activated such that the array is activated.
  • the ultrasonic wave emitted by the element forms an ultrasonic beam covering the first region in the region of interest, and receives an ultrasonic echo from the first region through the ultrasonic probe to obtain a second ultrasonic echo signal.
  • control and data processor 200 can adjust the excitation time of the excited array elements to change the direction of the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited array elements, so that the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves emitted by the excited array elements covers the ultrasonic beam of interest. A second region within the region, and receiving ultrasonic echoes from the second region, obtaining a third ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the control and data processor 200 can also control or adjust the excitation time of the excited array elements, changing the direction of the ultrasonic beam formed by the ultrasonic waves it emits to scan more regions with the ultrasonic beam to track the shears therein. Cut the wave. All of these areas form the region of interest. Accordingly, the control and data processor 200 can obtain a transmission path of the shear wave in the region of interest based at least on the second ultrasonic echo signal and the third ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the control and data processor 200 may calculate an elastic parameter characterizing the elasticity of the body tissue within the region of interest based on the transmission path of the shear wave within the region of interest.
  • the elastic parameter may include a transfer speed of the shear wave in the region of interest, a Young's modulus of the measured body tissue in the region of interest, a shear modulus of the measured body tissue in the region of interest, and a shear wave. The degree of attenuation in the body tissue under test in the region of interest, the elastic parameter ratio of the body tissue under test at different locations within the region of interest, or other elastic parameters characterizing tissue elasticity.
  • the method of calculating these elastic parameters may use a method similar to that in the step S004 or S015 in the foregoing embodiment, and will not be described in detail herein.
  • control and data processor 200 can also obtain an elastic image, such as a two-dimensional elastic image or a three-dimensional elastic image, in the entire region of interest based on the calculated elastic parameters.
  • an elastic image such as a two-dimensional elastic image or a three-dimensional elastic image
  • the form of the elastic image may be in various forms, such as a numerical image, a pseudo color image using color coding, a grayscale image, and the like.
  • the control and data processor 200 can display the obtained elasticity parameters on the display 300.
  • the elasticity parameter may be displayed as a numerical value or a graphic or the like, or may be displayed as an elastic image as described above.
  • the computer program product includes one or more computer instructions.
  • the computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device.
  • the computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be from a website site, computer, server or data center Transmission to another website site, computer, server or data center via wired (eg coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (eg infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.).
  • wired eg coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)
  • wireless eg infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.
  • the computer readable storage medium can be any available media that can be stored by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, or the like that includes one or more available media.
  • the usable medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)) or the like.
  • the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners.
  • the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative.
  • the division of the unit is only a logical function division.
  • there may be another division manner for example, multiple units or components may be combined or Can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.
  • the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.
  • the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.
  • each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.
  • the above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.
  • the integrated unit if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a standalone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium.
  • the technical solution of the present invention which is essential or contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium.
  • a number of instructions are included to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention.
  • the foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, and the like, which can store program code. .

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Abstract

一种超声弹性成像方法和系统，包括以下步骤：获得受测机体组织的超声图像；在受测机体组织内产生剪切波；激励超声换能器的阵元发射超声波形成覆盖受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束；接收来自于第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；根据第二超声回波信号获得剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径。

Description

超声弹性成像方法和系统 技术领域
本发明涉及超声成像，特别是涉及一种超声弹性成像方法和系统。
背景技术
瞬时弹性成像是一种测量组织硬度的方法，主要被用于肝脏的临床诊断当中，许多慢性肝病会伴有肝纤维化的过程，期间肝脏弹性逐渐变化，最终导致肝硬化。瞬时弹性成像能够无创监测这一过程的变化，为临床诊断提供依据。
瞬时弹性的具体方法是使用机械振动脉冲激励，使组织内产生瞬时剪切波，使用快速超声成像系统采集射频数据，估计组织位移，从而得到剪切波在组织内的传播情况，进一步计算组织硬度。
传统的瞬时弹性成像系统均是一维系统，测量时仅能获得探头中心部分位置处沿一个方向上的受测机体组织一小块区域的平均弹性结果，诊察范围较小，而且不能为医生提供受测机体组织内部的图像，导致医生在进行瞬时弹性测量时，看不到受测机体组织内部形态，只能靠经验调整探头的位置来使探头对准期望进行测量的组织，操作不便。
发明内容
本发明的一个实施例中，提供了一种超声弹性成像方法。该方法包括：激励超声探头向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号，其中所述超声探头包括设有多个阵元的超声换能器；根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；显示所述超声图像；在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超 声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；根据所述第二超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径。
本发明的一个实施例中，提供了一种超声弹性成像系统。该系统包括：超声探头，所述超声探头包含振动器和设有多个阵元的超声换能器，所述振动器能够驱动所述超声换能器振动以在受测机体组织内产生剪切波；控制及数据处理器，所述控制及数据处理器控制所述超声换能器及所述振动器，并处理所述超声换能器获得的数据；显示装置，所述显示装置显示所述控制及数据处理器输出的数据；其中所述控制及数据处理器：激励所述超声换能器向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号；根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；控制所述振动器驱动所述超声换能器振动以在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；根据所述第二超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径；所述显示装置显示所述超声图像。
本发明的一个实施例中，提供了一种超声弹性成像方法。该方法包括：在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；调节所述超声换能器的被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声 波形成的超声波束覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第二区域内传播；接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；至少根据所述第二超声回波信号和所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在包含所述第一区域和所述第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径。
本发明的一个实施例中，提供了一种超声弹性成像方法。该方法包括：在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；再次在所述受测机体组织内产生所述剪切波；激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第二区域内传播；接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；至少根据所述第二超声回波信号和所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在包含所述第一区域和所述第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径。
本发明的一个实施例中，提供了一种超声弹性成像方法。该方法包括：激励超声探头向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号，其中所述超声探头包括设有多个阵元的超声换能器；根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；显示所述超声图像；在所述超声图像上确定感兴趣区域；基于确定的感兴趣区域，在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波，使得产生的剪切波至少部分地在所述感兴趣区域内传播；激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域的超声波束；接收来自于所述感兴趣区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号；根据所述超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
本发明的一个实施例中，提供了一种超声弹性成像系统。该系统包括：超声探头，所述超声探头包含振动器和设有多个阵元的超声换能器，所述振动器能够驱动所述超声换能器振动以在受测机体组织内产生剪切波；控制及数据处理器，所述控制及数据处理器控制所述超声换能器及所述振动器，并处理所述超声换能器获得的数据；显示装置，所述显示装置显示所述控制及数据处理器输出的数据；其中所述控制及数据处理器：激励超声探头向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号；根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；显示所述超声图像；在所述超声图像上确定感兴趣区域；基于确定的感兴趣区域，控制所述振动器驱动所述超声换能器振动以在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波，使得产生的剪切波至少部分地在所述感兴趣区域内传播；激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域的超声波束；接收来自于所述感兴趣区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号；根据所述超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
本发明的一个或多个实施例的细节在下面的附图和描述中提出。本发明的其它特征、目的和优点将从说明书、附图以及权利要求书变得明显。
附图说明
为了更清楚地说明本发明实施例或现有技术中的技术方案，下面将对实施例或现有技术描述中所需要使用的附图作简单地介绍，显而易见地，下面描述中的附图仅仅是本发明的一些实施例，对于本领域普通技术人员来讲，在不付出创造性劳动的前提下，还可以根据这些附图获得其他实施例的附图。
图1为一实施例的瞬时弹性成像系统的结构框图示意图；
图2为一实施例的超声探头的结构示意图；
图3为一个实施例的超声弹性成像方法的流程示意图；
图4为超声探头产生剪切波的示意图；
图5为一个实施例的扫描过程示意图；
图6为一个实施例的超声弹性成像方法的流程示意图；
图7为一个实施例的扫描过程示意图；
图8为一个实施例的超声弹性成像方法的流程示意图。
具体实施方式
为了便于理解本发明，下面将参照相关附图对本发明进行更全面的描述。附图中给出了本发明的较佳实施方式。但是，本发明可以以许多不同的形式来实现，并不限于本文所描述的实施方式。相反地，提供这些实施方式的目的是使对本发明的公开内容理解的更加透彻全面。
需要说明的是，当元件被称为“固定于”另一个元件，它可以直接在另一个元件上或者也可以存在居中的元件。当一个元件被认为是“连接”另一个元件，它可以是直接连接到另一个元件或者可能同时存在居中元件。本文所使用的术语“垂直的”、“水平的”、“左”、“右”以及类似的表述只是为了说明的目的，并不表示是唯一的实施方式。
除非另有定义，本文所使用的所有的技术和科学术语与属于本发明的技术领域的技术人员通常理解的含义相同。本文中在本发明的说明书中所使用的术语只是为了描述具体的实施方式的目的，不是旨在于限制本发明。本文所使用的术语“及/或”包括一个或多个相关的所列项目的任意的和所有的组合。
请参阅图1，一个实施例中，超声弹性成像系统可以包括超声探头100、控制及数据处理器200和显示器300。
控制及数据处理器200能够控制超声探头100向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收从受测机体组织反射回来的带有组织信息的超声回波，并将此超声回波重新转换为电信号，获得超声回波信号。控制及数据处理器200接收这些超声回波信号并对这些超声回波信号进行处理，从而获得受测机体组织的超声图像。根据所需要的成像模式的不同，控制及数据处理器200对超声回 波信号进行的处理可以不同，在此不再详述。获得的超声图像可以在显示器300上显示。
参考图2，一个实施例中，超声探头100可以包括振动器110和超声换能器150。该超声换能器150可以包含多个阵元，这些阵元可以排列成一维或者二维的阵列。控制及数据处理器200能够控制振动器110振动，从而驱动超声换能器150振动。工作时，超声探头100贴于受测机体组织表面。此时振动器110驱动超声换能器150振动，可以在受测机体组织中产生从该机体组织与超声换能器150接触位置向受测机体组织内部传播的剪切波。随后控制及数据处理器200可以控制超声换能器150向受测机体组织发射超声波来跟踪该剪切波，如后文详述。
一个实施例中，该超声探头100可以还包括压力传感器130。该压力传感器130能够感测超声探头100(或超声换能器150)与受测机体组织之间的压力，并将该压力反馈给该控制及数据处理器200。
一个实施例中，前述的剪切波也可以不是由振动器110驱动超声换能器150产生，而是由与该超声探头100分离设置的单独的振动器(图中未示出)产生，然后由超声探头100的多阵元超声换能器150发射超声波来跟踪该剪切波。在这种实施例中，超声探头100中可以不包含前述的振动器110。
参考图3，一个实施例中，使用前述的超声弹性成像系统实现的超声弹性成像方法，比如瞬时弹性成像方法，可以包括下述步骤。
步骤S001，获得受测机体组织的超声图像。
本实施例中，在获得受测机体组织的弹性参数或弹性图像(下文详述)时，也可以获得受测机体组织的常规超声图像，比如B模式图像，C模式图像、D模式图像或其他类似的超声图像。获得的常规超声图像可以显示在显示器300上，这样可以便于医生在扫描获得受测机体组织的弹性参数或弹性图像时观察受测机体组织的状况，以更利于受测机体组织的弹性的获取。
本步骤中，控制及数据处理器200可以激励超声探头100的超声换能器150向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得超声回波信号。本文 中，称用于获得前述的这种常规超声图像的超声回波信号为第一超声回波信号。控制及数据处理器200接收该第一超声回波信号，并对其进行相应的处理，从而根据第一超声回波信号获得受测机体组织的超声图像，比如B模式图像，C模式图像、D模式图像或其他类似的超声图像。获得的超声图像可以显示在显示器300上。
步骤S002，在受测机体组织内产生剪切波。
本步骤中，可以在受测机体组织内产生剪切波。例如，可以如前文所述，控制及数据处理器200控制超声探头100中的振动器110振动从而驱动与受测机体组织的表面贴合的超声换能器150振动，从而产生从受测机体组织与超声换能器150贴合的位置处向内传播的剪切波，如图4所示，在二维平面中，这样产生的剪切波大致像投入石块的水面所形成的波纹状，超声探头100与受测机体组织的接触点向受测机体组织内部扩散。在此过程中，通常超声换能器150在一定压力下与受测机体组织的表面贴合。该压力可以由超声探头100中的压力传感器130感测到，并反馈给控制及数据处理器200。控制及数据处理器200可以将压力传感器130感测到的当前压力以各种方式输出给用户。例如，可以通过数字、图形、声音或光信号等等将感测到的当前压力输出给用户。
在其他的实施例中，该剪切波也可以由与超声探头100分离设置的单独的振动器产生。
步骤S003，使用超声波跟踪该剪切波，获得剪切波的传递路径。
在步骤S002中产生了剪切波之后，控制及数据处理器200可以发送激励脉冲到超声换能器150以激励超声换能器150中的至少部分阵元向受测机体组织中发射超声波。每次发射超声波时，可以是超声换能器150中的所有阵元都参与发射，也可以是其中的部分阵元参与发射。通过控制参与发射的阵元(及本次发射中将被激励的阵元)被激励脉冲激励的时间，可以调整这些阵元发射的超声波所最终形成的超声波束的方向和/或宽度等等，使得参与发射的阵元发射的超声波形成沿期望的角度或在期望的区域内传播(或者说覆 盖期望的区域)的超声波束。本实施例中，控制及数据处理器200可以控制将被激励的阵元(及参与本次发射的阵元)被激励脉冲所激励的时间，使得其发射的超声波形成覆盖受测机体组织的前述产生的剪切波至少部分地在其中传播的第一区域的超声波束，从而该超声波束可以跟踪剪切波在该第一区域内的传播过程。
本实施例中，该至少部分阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束可以是聚焦超声波束，也可以是非聚焦超声波束，比如平面超声波束或发散超声波束。
超声换能器150可以接收来自于该第一区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号。本文中，称由来自于该第一区域的超声回波获得的超声回波信号为第二超声回波信号。
该发射覆盖第一区域的超声波束并接收其超声回波获得第二超声回波信号的过程可以重复多次，如图5所示。
控制及数据处理器200可以接收这些第二超声回波信号并对其进行处理，从而获得剪切波在该第一区域内的传递路径。例如，控制及数据处理器200可以对前述多次获得的第二超声回波信号进行相关计算，从而得到剪切波在该第一区域内的传递路径。
步骤S004，根据获得的剪切波传递路径计算受测机体组织的弹性参数。
在获得了剪切波在第一区域内的传递路径之后，控制及数据处理器200可以根据该剪切波在第一区域内的传递路径，计算表征该第一区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。该弹性参数可以是剪切波在第一区域内的传递速度、第一区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、第一区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、剪切波在第一区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者第一区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比，等等。
例如，一个实施例中，可以根据得到的剪切波在第一区域内的传递路径计算剪切波在一定时间内产生的位移，使用位移除以时间，得到剪切波在第一区域内的传递速度。这里计算的传递速度可以为在第一区域内各个深度上的剪切波传递速度，或这也可以为任意一段深度内剪切波传递速度的平均值。
此外，一个实施例中，可以根据剪切波在第一区域内的传递速度计算出第一区域内的受测机体组织的其他弹性参数。
例如，可以使用下式基于剪切波传递速度计算组织的杨氏模量：
E＝3ρV 2
E为杨氏模量，代表受测机体组织的组织硬度；ρ为受测机体组织的组织密度；V为在受测机体组织中的剪切波传递速度。
比如剪切模量、剪切波衰减程度等等其他表征第一区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的参数也可以使用相应的方法计算出，在此不再一一列举。
步骤S006，显示弹性参数和\或受测机体组织的超声图像。
获得了前述弹性参数之后，可以将获得的弹性参数在显示器300上显示。这些弹性参数可以以数值、颜色、图表等方式显示。一个实施例中，前述步骤中获得的剪切波在第一区域内的传递轨迹，也可以显示在显示器300上。，一个实施例中，弹性参数或剪切波的传递轨迹可以与步骤S001中获得的受测机体组织的常规超声图像同时显示在显示器300上。
这些实施例中，通过同一个探头完成获得常规超声图像的常规成像过程和获得弹性参数的瞬时弹性成像过程，即只需要同一个探头，既能获得常规超声图像，也能获得组织的弹性参数，使得医生在进行弹性测量时能够看到受测机体内部的图像，从而便于医生找到需要进行弹性测量的组织。
参考图6和图7，本发明的一个实施例中，使用前述的超声弹性成像系统实现的超声弹性成像方法可以包括下列步骤。
步骤S010，获得受测机体组织的超声图像。本步骤可以与前述实施例的步骤S001相同或类似，在此不再详述。
步骤S011，在受测机体组织内产生剪切波。本步骤可以与前述实施例的步骤S002相同或类似，在此不再详述。
步骤S012，使用超声波跟踪第一区域内的剪切波，获得第二超声回波信号。
本步骤中，与前述实施例的步骤S003相似，在步骤S011中产生了剪切 波之后，控制及数据处理器200可以发送激励脉冲到超声换能器150以激励超声换能器150中的至少部分阵元向受测机体组织中发射超声波。每次发射超声波时，可以是超声换能器150中的所有阵元都参与发射，也可以是其中的部分阵元参与发射。通过控制参与发射的阵元(及本次发射中将被激励的阵元)被激励脉冲激励的时间，可以调整这些阵元发射的超声波所最终形成的超声波束的方向和/或宽度等等，使得参与发射的阵元发射的超声波最终形成沿期望的角度或在期望的区域内传播(或者说覆盖期望的区域)的超声波束。本实施例中，控制及数据处理器200可以控制将被激励的阵元(及参与本次发射的阵元)被激励脉冲所激励的时间，使得其发射的超声波形成覆盖受测机体组织的前述产生的剪切波至少部分地在其中传播的第一区域的超声波束，从而该超声波束可以跟踪剪切波在该第一区域内的传播过程。
本实施例中，该至少部分阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束可以是聚焦超声波束，也可以是非聚焦超声波束，比如平面超声波束或发散超声波束。
超声换能器150可以接收来自于该第一区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号。这里，本实施例中由来自于该第一区域的超声回波获得的超声回波信号仍然称之为第二超声回波信号。
该发射覆盖第一区域的超声波束并接收其超声回波获得第二超声回波信号的过程也可以重复多次。
类似地，在步骤S013中，控制及数据处理器200可以控制或者调节将被激励的阵元(及参与本次发射的阵元)被激励脉冲所激励的时间，改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖受测机体组织中的前述产生的剪切波至少部分地在其中传播的第二区域的超声波束，从而该超声波束可以跟踪剪切波在该第二区域内的传播过程。
本实施例中，该至少部分阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束可以是聚焦超声波束，也可以是非聚焦超声波束，比如平面超声波束或发散超声波束。
超声换能器150可以接收来自于该第二区域的超声回波，获得超声回波 信号。这里，本文中，将由来自于该第二区域的超声回波获得的超声回波信号称之为第三超声回波信号。
该发射覆盖第二区域的超声波束并接收其超声回波获得第三超声回波信号的过程也可以重复多次。
本实施例中，还可以类似地发射覆盖第三区域或更多区域的超声波束并接收各自区域的超声回波获得相应的超声回波信号，如图7所示。
步骤S014，根据超声回波信号获得二维区域内的剪切波传递路径。
前述的第一区域和第二区域可以相邻或者部分重合，二者形成一个二维区域。在向更多区域发射覆盖该区域的超声波束的情况下，这些区域中两两相邻或部分重合，所有这些区域形成一个二维区域。在步骤S014中，控制及数据处理器200可以根据第二超声回波信号和第三超声回波信号或者更多区域的超声回波信号获得剪切波在该二维区域(即包含该第一区域和第二区域的二维区域或者包含更多区域的二维区域)内的传递路径。例如，一个实施例中，控制及数据处理器200可以对覆盖同一区域的在不同时刻获得的超声回波信号进行相关计算，从而获得剪切波在该区域内的传递路径。对形成二维区域的所有区域进行类似的相关计算，获得剪切波在形成该二维区域的所有区域中的传播路径，从而获得剪切波在该二维区域内的传播路径。
步骤S015，根据剪切波传递路径计算二维区域内的弹性参数。
本步骤中，与前述实施例中的步骤S004中类似，可以用类似的方法根据剪切波传递路径计算二维区域内的弹性参数。该弹性参数可以是剪切波在二维区域内的传递速度、该二维区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、该二维区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、剪切波在该二维区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者该二维区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比，等等。
一个实施例中，这些弹性参数可以直接基于二维区域内的剪切波传递路径在二维区域内计算获得。
另一个实施例中，也可以分别基于各个区域内的剪切波传递路径计算各个区域内的弹性参数，然后用这些区域内的弹性参数组合成二维区域内的弹 性参数。例如，一个实施例中，可以根据第一区域内的剪切波传递路径获得第一区域内的弹性参数，比如剪切波在第一区域内的传递速度、第一区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、第一区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、剪切波在第一区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者第一区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比，等等；并根据第二区域内的剪切波传递路径获得第二区域内的弹性参数，比如剪切波在第二区域内的传递速度、第二区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、第二区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、剪切波在第二区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者第二区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比，等等。根据第一区域内的弹性参数和第二区域内的弹性参数，可以获得第二区域和第二区域形成的二维区域的弹性参数。
步骤S016，显示弹性参数和/或超声图像。
步骤S015中获得的二维区域内的弹性参数可以在显示器300上显示。这种二维区域的弹性参数可以显示为二维图像帧。其形式可以为多种，例如可以显示为数值图像帧、采用颜色编码的伪彩图像帧、灰度图像帧等等。通常，当构成该二维区域的前述多个区域(例如，第一区域和第二区域)内的弹性参数均计算获得一次时，这些弹性参数即可组合为一帧二维弹性图像。当继续进行扫描以获得这些区域内的弹性参数时，可以继续获得更多帧的二维弹性图像。
这些实施例中，不但通过同一个探头完成获得常规超声图像的常规成像过程和获得弹性参数的瞬时弹性成像过程，而且能够获得二维区域内的二维弹性图像，为医生提供二维区域内弹性参数的二维分布情况，从而更便于医生对受测机体组织进行诊断。
一个实施例中，还可以产生多次剪切波，一次产生剪切波后用前述类似的方法获得多个区域中的一部分区域的超声回波信号或者剪切波在相应区域内的传播路径或相应区域内的弹性参数；再一次产生剪切波后获得该多个区域中的另一部分区域的超声回波信号或者剪切波在相应区域内的传播路径或相应区域内的弹性参数。经过多次产生剪切波，获得该多个区域中的所有区 域的超声回波信号或者剪切波在相应区域内的传播路径或相应区域内的弹性参数。
例如，一个实施例中，超声弹性成像方法可以包括：
在受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中该剪切波至少部分在该第一区域内传播；
接收来自于第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
再次在受测机体组织内产生该剪切波；
激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域的超声波束，其中该剪切波至少部分在该第二区域内传播；
接收来自于第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
至少根据第二超声回波信号和第三超声回波信号获得该剪切波在包含第一区域和第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径。
本实施例中，两次或多次产生的剪切波可以是在相同的位置以相同的参数产生的相同的剪切波。
一个实施例中，在超声弹性成像时，可以先获得受测机体组织的常规超声图像，然后基于该超声图像确定感兴趣区域，对该感兴趣区域内的机体组织的弹性进行测量，如图8所示。用户或者超声弹性成像系统可以通过常规超声图像确定希望测量其弹性的区域，超声弹性成像系统可以更准确地产生经过该感兴趣区域的剪切波并对其进行跟踪从而获得感兴趣区域的弹性参数。这样，能够更精确地定位需要进行弹性测量的目标，便于医生快速准确地获得其感兴趣区域的弹性参数，提高了易用性。
参考图8，本实施例中，在步骤S020，控制及数据处理器200可以激励超声探头100向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号，并根据第一超声回波信号获得受测机体组织的超声图像，并在显示 器300上显示该超声图像。该超声图像可以是B模式图像、C模式图像、D模式图像或其他模式图像。该步骤S020可以与前述实施例中的步骤S001类似，在此不再详述。
在步骤S021，控制及数据处理器200可以在超声图像上确定感兴趣区域。控制及数据处理器200可以根据用户通过人机交互装置(图1中未示出)输入的用来选择或定义感兴趣区域的信号来确定感兴趣区域。例如，用户可以通过人机交互装置在显示在显示器300上的超声图像上选择或者绘制感兴趣区域的范围，比如绘制一个定义感兴趣区域的框等等，控制及数据处理器200接收用户的这种输入，根据该输入在超声图像上确定感兴趣区域。
一个实施例中，控制及数据处理器200也可以自动地确定感兴趣区域。例如，控制及数据处理器200可以根据预先设定的规则对超声图像进行处理，从而识别出感兴趣区域。
确定了感兴趣区域后，在步骤S022，可以产生在感兴趣区域内传播的剪切波。例如，控制及数据处理器200可以控制设置在超声探头100中的振动器110驱动超声换能器150振动从而产生在感兴趣区域内传播的剪切波，或者控制与超声探头100分离设置的单独的振动器振动从而产生在感兴趣区域内传播的剪切波。在该过程中，基于在超声图像上确定的感兴趣区域的位置，可以调节超声探头100的超声换能器150与受测机体组织表面接触的位置或者调节与超声探头100分离设置的单独的振动器与受测机体组织接触的位置，使得产生的剪切波能够或者更好地在感兴趣区域中传播，从而提高弹性测量的准确性和可靠性。
在步骤S023，控制及数据处理器200可以激励超声换能器150的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖该感兴趣区域的超声波束，并通过超声探头接收来自于感兴趣区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号。这里被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束可以是聚焦超声波束或者非聚焦超声波束。
在步骤S024中，控制及数据处理器200可以根据步骤S023中获得的超 声回波信号获得剪切波在感兴趣区域内的传递路径。本步骤中获得传递路径的方法可以与前述实施例中步骤S003或S014中的方法类似，在此不再详述。
一个实施例中，可以分区域对感兴趣区域内的剪切波进行跟踪，然后根据从这些区域获得的超声回波信号获得整个感兴趣区域内的剪切波传递路径，或者根据分别获得的这些区域内的剪切波传递路径获得整个感兴趣区域内的剪切波传递路径。
例如，一个实施例中，在步骤S023和S024中，控制及数据处理器200可以激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖感兴趣区域内的第一区域的超声波束，并通过超声探头接收来自于该第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号。随后，控制及数据处理器200可以调节被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束覆盖感兴趣区域内的第二区域，并且接收来自于该第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号。类似地，控制及数据处理器200还可以控制或调节被激励的阵元的激励时间，改变其发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向以用该超声波束扫描更多的区域以跟踪其内的剪切波。所有这些区域形成该感兴趣区域。相应地，控制及数据处理器200可以至少根据该第二超声回波信号和该第三超声回波信号获得剪切波在该感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
在步骤S025中，控制及数据处理器200可以根据剪切波在该感兴趣区域内的传递路径计算表征该感兴趣区域内的机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。该弹性参数可以包括剪切波在感兴趣区域内的传递速度、感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、剪切波在感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度、感兴趣区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比或其他表征组织弹性的弹性参数。
本步骤中，计算这些弹性参数的方法可以使用与前述实施例中步骤S004或S015中的方法类似的方法，在此不再详述。
一个实施例中，控制及数据处理器200还可以根据计算获得的弹性参数获得整个感兴趣区域内的弹性图像，比如二维弹性图像或者三维弹性图像。本实施例中，弹性图像的形式可以是多种形式，比如数值图像、采用颜色编码的伪彩图像、灰度图像等等。
在步骤S026中，控制及数据处理器200可以在显示器300上显示获得的弹性参数。本实施例中，弹性参数可以显示为数值或图形等等，也可以显示为如前文所述的弹性图像。
在上述实施例中，可以全部或部分地通过软件、硬件、固件或者其任意组合来实现。当使用软件实现时，可以全部或部分地以计算机程序产品的形式实现。
所述计算机程序产品包括一个或多个计算机指令。在计算机上加载和执行所述计算机程序指令时，全部或部分地产生按照本发明实施例所述的流程或功能。所述计算机可以是通用计算机、专用计算机、计算机网络、或者其他可编程装置。所述计算机指令可以存储在计算机可读存储介质中，或者从一个计算机可读存储介质向另一计算机可读存储介质传输，例如，所述计算机指令可以从一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心通过有线(例如同轴电缆、光纤、数字用户线(digital subscriber line，DSL))或无线(例如红外、无线、微波等)方式向另一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心进行传输。所述计算机可读存储介质可以是计算机能够存储的任何可用介质或者是包含一个或多个可用介质集成的服务器、数据中心等数据存储设备。所述可用介质可以是磁性介质，(例如，软盘、硬盘、磁带)、光介质(例如，DVD)、或者半导体介质(例如固态硬盘solid state disk(SSD))等。
所属领域的技术人员可以清楚地了解到，为描述的方便和简洁，上述描述的系统，装置和单元的具体工作过程，可以参考前述方法实施例中的对应过程，在此不再赘述。
在本发明所提供的几个实施例中，应该理解到，所揭露的系统，装置和方法，可以通过其它的方式实现。例如，以上所描述的装置实施例仅仅是示 意性的，例如，所述单元的划分，仅仅为一种逻辑功能划分，实际实现时可以有另外的划分方式，例如多个单元或组件可以结合或者可以集成到另一个系统，或一些特征可以忽略，或不执行。另一点，所显示或讨论的相互之间的耦合或直接耦合或通信连接可以是通过一些接口，装置或单元的间接耦合或通信连接，可以是电性，机械或其它的形式。
所述作为分离部件说明的单元可以是或者也可以不是物理上分开的，作为单元显示的部件可以是或者也可以不是物理单元，即可以位于一个地方，或者也可以分布到多个网络单元上。可以根据实际的需要选择其中的部分或者全部单元来实现本实施例方案的目的。
另外，在本发明各个实施例中的各功能单元可以集成在一个处理单元中，也可以是各个单元单独物理存在，也可以两个或两个以上单元集成在一个单元中。上述集成的单元既可以采用硬件的形式实现，也可以采用软件功能单元的形式实现。
所述集成的单元如果以软件功能单元的形式实现并作为独立的产品销售或使用时，可以存储在一个计算机可读取存储介质中。基于这样的理解，本发明的技术方案本质上或者说对现有技术做出贡献的部分或者该技术方案的全部或部分可以以软件产品的形式体现出来，该计算机软件产品存储在一个存储介质中，包括若干指令用以使得一台计算机设备(可以是个人计算机，服务器，或者网络设备等)执行本发明各个实施例所述方法的全部或部分步骤。而前述的存储介质包括：U盘、移动硬盘、只读存储器(read-only memory，ROM)、随机存取存储器(random access memory，RAM)、磁碟或者光盘等各种可以存储程序代码的介质。
以上所述实施例的各技术特征可以进行任意的组合，为使描述简洁，未对上述实施例中的各个技术特征所有可能的组合都进行描述，然而，只要这些技术特征的组合不存在矛盾，都应当认为是本说明书记载的范围。
以上所述实施例仅表达了本发明的几种实施方式，其描述较为具体和详细，但并不能因此而理解为对发明专利范围的限制。应当指出的是，对于本 领域的普通技术人员来说，在不脱离本发明构思的前提下，还可以做出若干变形和改进，这些都属于本发明的保护范围。因此，本发明专利的保护范围应以所附权利要求为准。

Claims (38)

  1. 一种超声弹性成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
    激励超声探头向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号，其中所述超声探头包括设有多个阵元的超声换能器；
    根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；
    显示所述超声图像；
    在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
    激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
    根据所述第二超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径。
  2. 如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于：形成的所述超声波束为聚焦超声波束或者非聚焦超声波束。
  3. 如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：根据所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径计算表征所述第一区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  4. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：显示所述弹性参数。
  5. 如权利要求3或者4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递速度、所述第一区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述第一区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述第一区域内不同位置的受 测机体组织的弹性参数比。
  6. 如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    调节所述超声换能器的被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第二区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
    根据所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述第二区域内的传递路径。
  7. 如权利要求6所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    至少根据所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径和所述剪切波在所述第二区域内的传递路径获得所述剪切波在包含所述第一区域和所述第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径；
    根据所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的传递路径计算表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  8. 如权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：显示表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  9. 如权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：将表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数显示为二维图像。
  10. 如权利要求7至9中任意一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的传递速度、所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪 切波在所述二维区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述二维区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数之比。
  11. 一种超声弹性成像系统，其特征在于，包括：
    超声探头，所述超声探头包含振动器和设有多个阵元的超声换能器，所述振动器能够驱动所述超声换能器振动以在受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
    控制及数据处理器，所述控制及数据处理器控制所述超声换能器及所述振动器，并处理所述超声换能器获得的数据；
    显示装置，所述显示装置显示所述控制及数据处理器输出的数据；
    其中所述控制及数据处理器：
    激励所述超声换能器向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号；
    根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；
    控制所述振动器驱动所述超声换能器振动以在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
    激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
    根据所述第二超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径；
    所述显示装置显示所述超声图像。
  12. 如权利要求11所述的系统，其特征在于：形成的所述超声波束为聚焦超声波束或者非聚焦超声波束。
  13. 如权利要求11所述的系统，其特征在于：所述控制及数据处理器还 根据所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径计算表征所述第一区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  14. 如权利要求13所述的系统，其特征在于：所述显示装置还显示所述弹性参数。
  15. 如权利要求13或者14所述的系统，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递速度、所述第一区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述第一区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述第一区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比。
  16. 如权利要求11所述的系统，其特征在于，所述控制及数据处理器还：
    调节所述超声换能器的被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第二区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
    根据所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述第二区域内的传递路径。
  17. 如权利要求16所述的系统，其特征在于，所述控制及数据处理器还：
    至少根据所述剪切波在所述第一区域内的传递路径和所述剪切波在所述第二区域内的传递路径获得所述剪切波在包含所述第一区域和所述第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径；
    根据所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的传递路径计算表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  18. 如权利要求17所述的系统，其特征在于：所述显示装置还显示表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  19. 如权利要求17所述的系统，其特征在于：所述显示装置将表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数显示为二维图像。
  20. 如权利要求17至19中任意一项所述的系统，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的传递速度、所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述二维区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数之比。
  21. 一种超声弹性成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
    在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
    激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
    调节所述超声换能器的被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第二区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
    至少根据所述第二超声回波信号和所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在包含所述第一区域和所述第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径。
  22. 如权利要求21所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    根据所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的传递路径计算表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  23. 如权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：显示表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  24. 如权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：将表征所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数显示为二维图像。
  25. 如权利要求22至24中任意一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的传递速度、所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述二维区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪切波在所述二维区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述二维区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数之比。
  26. 一种超声弹性成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
    在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
    激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第一区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第一区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
    再次在所述受测机体组织内产生所述剪切波；
    激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述受测机体组织内的第二区域的超声波束，其中所述剪切波至少部分在所述第二区域内传播；
    接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
    至少根据所述第二超声回波信号和所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在包含所述第一区域和所述第二区域的二维区域内的传递路径。
  27. 一种超声弹性成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
    激励超声探头向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号，其中所述超声探头包括设有多个阵元的超声换能器；
    根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；
    显示所述超声图像；
    在所述超声图像上确定感兴趣区域；
    基于确定的感兴趣区域，在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波，使得产生的剪切波至少部分地在所述感兴趣区域内传播；
    激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域的超声波束；
    接收来自于所述感兴趣区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号；
    根据所述超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
  28. 如权利要求27所述的方法，其特征在于：形成的所述超声波束为聚焦超声波束或者非聚焦超声波束。
  29. 如权利要求27所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：根据所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径计算表征所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  30. 如权利要求29所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    根据所述弹性参数获得所述感兴趣区域内的弹性图像；
    显示所述弹性图像。
  31. 如权利要求29或者30所述的方法，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递速度、所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述感兴趣区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比。
  32. 如权利要求27所述的方法，其特征在于，激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域的超声波束、接收来自于所述感兴趣区域的超声回波以获得超声回波信号和根据所述超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径包括：
    激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域内的第一区域的超声波束；
    接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
    调节被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束覆盖所述感兴趣区域内的第二区域；
    接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
    至少根据所述第二超声回波信号和所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
  33. 一种超声弹性成像系统，其特征在于，包括：
    超声探头，所述超声探头包含振动器和设有多个阵元的超声换能器，所述振动器能够驱动所述超声换能器振动以在受测机体组织内产生剪切波；
    控制及数据处理器，所述控制及数据处理器控制所述超声换能器及所述振动器，并处理所述超声换能器获得的数据；
    显示装置，所述显示装置显示所述控制及数据处理器输出的数据；
    其中所述控制及数据处理器：
    激励超声探头向受测机体组织发射超声波并接收超声回波，获得第一超声回波信号；
    根据所述第一超声回波信号获得所述受测机体组织的超声图像；
    显示所述超声图像；
    在所述超声图像上确定感兴趣区域；
    基于确定的感兴趣区域，控制所述振动器驱动所述超声换能器振动以在所述受测机体组织内产生剪切波，使得产生的剪切波至少部分地在所述感兴趣区域内传播；
    激励所述超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域的超声波束；
    接收来自于所述感兴趣区域的超声回波，获得超声回波信号；
    根据所述超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
  34. 如权利要求33所述的系统，其特征在于：形成的所述超声波束为聚焦超声波束或者非聚焦超声波束。
  35. 如权利要求33所述的系统，其特征在于：所述控制及数据处理器还根据所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径计算表征所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的弹性的弹性参数。
  36. 如权利要求35所述的系统，其特征在于：所述控制及数据处理器还：
    根据所述弹性参数获得所述感兴趣区域内的弹性图像；
    显示所述弹性图像。
  37. 如权利要求35或者36所述的系统，其特征在于，所述弹性参数包括所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递速度、所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的杨氏模量、所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织的剪切模量、所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的受测机体组织中的衰减程度或者所述感兴趣区域内不同位置的受测机体组织的弹性参数比。
  38. 如权利要求33所述的系统，其特征在于：所述控制及数据处理器：
    激励超声换能器的至少部分阵元发射超声波并控制被激励的每个阵元的激励时间使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成覆盖所述感兴趣区域内的第一区域的超声波束；
    接收来自于所述第一区域的超声回波，获得第二超声回波信号；
    调节被激励的阵元的激励时间改变被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束的方向，使得被激励的阵元发射的超声波形成的超声波束覆盖所述感兴趣区域内的第二区域；
    接收来自于所述第二区域的超声回波，获得第三超声回波信号；
    至少根据所述第二超声回波信号和所述第三超声回波信号获得所述剪切波在所述感兴趣区域内的传递路径。
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