WO2020019254A1 - 一种剪切波成像方法及系统 - Google Patents

一种剪切波成像方法及系统 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020019254A1
WO2020019254A1 PCT/CN2018/097253 CN2018097253W WO2020019254A1 WO 2020019254 A1 WO2020019254 A1 WO 2020019254A1 CN 2018097253 W CN2018097253 W CN 2018097253W WO 2020019254 A1 WO2020019254 A1 WO 2020019254A1
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Prior art keywords
shear wave
propagation
wave propagation
positions
shear
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PCT/CN2018/097253
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李双双
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深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司
深圳迈瑞科技有限公司
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Application filed by 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司, 深圳迈瑞科技有限公司 filed Critical 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司
Priority to CN201880095976.8A priority Critical patent/CN112584768A/zh
Priority to PCT/CN2018/097253 priority patent/WO2020019254A1/zh
Publication of WO2020019254A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020019254A1/zh

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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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of ultrasonic elastography, in particular to a shear wave imaging method and system.
  • Medical ultrasound elastography mainly refers to a series of imaging and signal processing technologies for the purpose of displaying the difference in tissue elasticity; and the acquired information about the difference in tissue elasticity (or degree of softness and hardness) for the auxiliary detection, benign and malignant discrimination and prognosis recovery of tissue cancer lesion Evaluation has important applications.
  • the current medical ultrasound elastography technologies include pressure elastography and shear wave elastography (SWE).
  • Pressure elastography has been developed for the longest time and the technology is the most mature, but it requires higher operator skills.
  • Pressure elasticity imaging mainly produces a certain deformation by pressing the probe to the tissue.
  • the probe sends out ultrasonic waves and receives echo information to calculate and image tissue related parameters such as the strain amount and strain rate of the tissue, thereby reflecting the differences between different tissues. Elastic difference.
  • these strain parameters such as strain and strain rate are very sensitive to pressure
  • the pressure applied to the tissue by the probe in pressure elastography needs to be kept as uniform and stable as possible, which will raise a higher value for the operator's technique. Requirements.
  • the pressure applied to the tissue by the operator through the probe is difficult to be consistent between different operations, the repeatability and stability of the imaging are also difficult to guarantee.
  • the shear wave elastography technology mainly generates shear waves in the tissue and detects or calculates its propagation parameters (such as the propagation speed). Due to the elasticity (or softness and hardness) of the tissue, the propagation parameters of the shear waves will be affected. It has an impact, so the propagation parameters of the shear wave can reflect the elastic difference (or degree of softness and hardness) of the tissue, that is, the above-mentioned detected propagation parameters can be used for elastic imaging. As pressure elastography is no longer dependent on the operator to apply specific pressure to the tissue, shear wave elastography has made great progress in stability and repeatability.
  • the shear wave imaging technology if the tissue structure is too complicated, the tissue depth is too large, or the tissue is too hard, etc., it may cause the shear wave to produce a small amplitude, decay too fast during propagation, or have a complicated propagation path or even difficult to propagate. Problems, which will seriously affect the quality of the final shear wave imaging and the accuracy of the elasticity measurement results; Worse still, it is difficult for users to directly judge which content is reliable from the acquired elasticity images or elasticity measurement results. , Accurate, which are untrustworthy and inaccurate.
  • a shear wave imaging method which includes:
  • the propagation difference includes at least one of the following methods:
  • the multiple times include two times or at least three times, and when at least three times are included, the time interval between adjacent times is equal; and / or, the multiple positions include Two positions or at least three positions. When at least three positions are included, the distance between adjacent positions is equal.
  • the at least two shear wave propagation drawing starting points in the region of interest depict the shear wave propagation difference corresponding to the shear wave propagation at the different positions on the drawing path to generate the shear wave propagation.
  • the map includes at least one of the following methods: depicting the positions of the shear waves on the path of the shear wave propagation corresponding to the starting point of the at least two shear wave propagation in the region of interest, respectively, to generate the shear Shear wave propagation map; and depicting the moments of the shear wave propagation on the path of the shear wave propagation corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation starting points in the region of interest to generate the shear wave propagation Illustration.
  • the locations where the shear waves reach the multiple points in the shear wave propagation rendering path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation rendering start points in the region of interest are generated, and the shear is generated.
  • the wave propagation diagram includes: connecting shear waves originating from different propagation starting points at a specific position at the same time to form a position change curve, drawing position change curves corresponding to multiple times, and generating a map of shear wave position reaching change.
  • the moments when the shear waves on the drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest reach a plurality of positions the shear waves are generated.
  • the propagation diagram includes: connecting the arrival times of shear waves from different propagation origins at the same propagation path position to form a time change curve, drawing the time change curves corresponding to multiple propagation path positions, and generating a shear wave time reaching change map .
  • the starting points of the shear wave propagation are set along the same depth direction.
  • the at least two shear wave propagation drawing starting points in the region of interest depict the shear wave propagation difference corresponding to the shear wave propagation at the different positions on the drawing path to generate the shear wave propagation.
  • the figure includes: drawing a rectangular coordinate system, with a position in the depth direction as the ordinate, time, or multiple positions along the propagation path of the shear wave as the abscissa; and depicting the propagation difference in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the method further includes: transmitting an ultrasonic beam to the target tissue, and receiving echo information of the ultrasonic beam to obtain an echo signal for forming an ultrasonic image; and according to the method for forming an ultrasonic image, The echo signal generates an ultrasound image of the target tissue; displays the ultrasound image; and displays the shear wave propagation map on the ultrasound image.
  • the method further comprises: calculating a tissue elasticity parameter along a propagation path of the shear wave according to an ultrasonic echo signal of the ultrasonic beam detecting the shear wave, and displaying the tissue elasticity parameter.
  • a shear wave imaging system including:
  • a probe including a transducer, and transmitting an ultrasonic beam to a target tissue through the transducer to track a shear wave propagating in the target tissue, and receiving an ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;
  • a processor configured to obtain tissue information at different positions along a shear wave propagation path according to an ultrasonic echo signal; and used to acquire at least two shear wave propagation starting points, and analyze from the at least two shear waves Beginning of propagation depiction
  • the shear wave propagation difference along the path of the shear wave propagation depiction path is depicted, and the shear wave propagation depiction path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation depiction start points in the region of interest are described on the path
  • Shear wave propagation differences at different locations generate shear wave propagation maps.
  • the propagation difference includes at least one of the following modes: starting from the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points, and shear waves on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the propagation start points at multiple times respectively The reached position; and the moments from which the shear wave reaches a plurality of positions on the shear wave propagation rendering path corresponding to the propagation starting point, starting from the at least two shear wave propagation rendering start points.
  • the multiple times include two times or at least three times, and when at least three times are included, the time interval between adjacent times is equal; and / or, the multiple positions include Two positions or at least three positions. When at least three positions are included, the distance between adjacent positions is equal.
  • the processor draws the positions of the shear waves respectively on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest to generate at different times, to generate The shear wave propagation map; or depicting the moments at which shear waves reach multiple locations on the shear wave propagation rendering path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation rendering start points in the region of interest to generate the Shear wave propagation diagram.
  • the processor also connects the shear waves originating from different propagation start points to a specific position reached at the same time to form a position change curve, draws the position change curves corresponding to multiple times, and generates a shear wave position reaching Change diagram.
  • the first processor also connects the arrival times of shear waves from different propagation start points at the same propagation path position to form a time variation curve, and draws time variation curves corresponding to multiple propagation path positions to generate Shear wave time reaches the change diagram.
  • each shear wave propagation drawing starting point is along a same depth direction.
  • the processor further draws a rectangular coordinate system, with the position in the depth direction as the ordinate, time, or multiple positions along the propagation path of the shear wave as the abscissa; and The propagation differences are depicted in the line.
  • the system further includes a display unit, wherein: the probe transmits an ultrasonic beam to the target tissue, and receives echo information of the ultrasonic beam to obtain an echo signal for forming an ultrasound image; the The processor generates an ultrasound image of the target tissue according to the echo signals used to form the ultrasound image; a display unit displays the ultrasound image, and displays the shear wave propagation map.
  • the processor further calculates a tissue elasticity parameter along a propagation path of the shear wave according to an ultrasonic echo signal of the ultrasonic beam that detects the shear wave, and the display unit is configured to display the ultrasonic image in the ultrasonic image.
  • the tissue elasticity parameters are superimposed and displayed.
  • a shear wave imaging method which includes:
  • the shear wave propagation diagram is displayed.
  • obtaining the arrival information of the shear wave at different positions in the target tissue according to the ultrasonic echo signal includes: determining tissue motion parameters at different positions in the target tissue according to the ultrasonic echo signal. Determining the arrival information of the shear wave at different positions in the target tissue according to the tissue motion parameters.
  • the tissue motion parameters include tissue displacement and / or tissue motion speed.
  • the arrival information is a position where the shear wave reaches on a shear wave propagation path at multiple times.
  • generating a shear wave propagation map according to the arrival information includes: establishing a rectangular coordinate system, wherein one coordinate axis of the rectangular coordinate system represents a depth of the target tissue, and the other coordinate axis represents a shear wave propagation. A position on a path; the position reached by the shear wave on a shear wave propagation path at the multiple times is depicted in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the method further includes: in the rectangular coordinate system, marking a plurality of positions reached by the shear wave at the same time.
  • the arrival information is the time when the shear wave reaches the position at multiple positions on the propagation path of the shear wave.
  • generating a shear wave propagation map according to the arrival information includes: establishing a rectangular coordinate system, wherein one coordinate axis of the rectangular coordinate system represents a depth of the target tissue, and the other coordinate axis represents time;
  • the rectangular coordinate system describes the time when the shear wave reaches the position at a plurality of positions on the shear wave propagation path.
  • the method further comprises: in the rectangular coordinate system, marking a plurality of times when the shear wave reaches a position at the same distance from the shear wave source.
  • a shear wave imaging system including:
  • a probe including a transducer, and transmitting an ultrasonic beam to a target tissue through the transducer to track a shear wave propagating in the target tissue, and receiving an ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;
  • a processor that obtains arrival information of the shear wave at different positions in the target tissue according to the ultrasonic echo signal, and generates a shear wave propagation map according to the arrival information;
  • a display unit that displays the shear wave propagation map.
  • the processor determines the tissue motion parameters at different positions in the target tissue according to the ultrasound echo signal; determines the shear wave at different positions in the target tissue according to the tissue motion parameters. Arrival information.
  • the tissue motion parameters include tissue displacement and / or tissue motion speed.
  • the arrival information is a position where the shear wave reaches on a shear wave propagation path at multiple times.
  • the generating a shear wave propagation map by the processor according to the arrival information includes: establishing a rectangular coordinate system, wherein one coordinate axis of the rectangular coordinate system represents a depth of the target tissue, and the other coordinate axis represents A position on a shear wave propagation path; the position reached by the shear wave on the shear wave propagation path at the plurality of moments is depicted in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the processor also marks a plurality of positions reached by the shear wave at the same time in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the arrival information is the time when the shear wave reaches the position at multiple positions on the propagation path of the shear wave.
  • the generating a shear wave propagation map by the processor according to the arrival information includes: establishing a rectangular coordinate system, wherein one coordinate axis of the rectangular coordinate system represents a depth of the target tissue, and the other coordinate axis represents Time; the time at which the shear wave reaches the position at multiple locations on the shear wave propagation path is depicted in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the processor also marks a plurality of times when the shear wave reaches a position at the same distance from the shear wave source in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • tissue information at different positions along the shear wave propagation path is obtained, at least two shear wave propagation starting points are acquired, and analysis is performed from the at least two Start of two shear wave propagation traces. Beginning of the shear wave propagation trace. Shear wave propagation time-varying propagation differences. Describe the shear wave propagation traces corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation traces in the region of interest.
  • Shear wave propagation differences at different locations on the path to generate a shear wave propagation map can be used to provide relevant information for evaluating the quality of the shear wave propagation, so that users can understand which areas or moments The quality of shear wave propagation is better, which is worse, which regions or moments of the shear wave have higher imaging credibility, and which are lower, which allows users to avoid those with poor propagation quality or low imaging credibility. Part, to improve the quality of diagnosis.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a shear wave imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 (a) is a schematic diagram of shear waves generated by strong aggregation in an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 (b) is an embodiment of the present invention to generate shears from different positions by focusing on different regions respectively Schematic diagram of the shear wave
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of steps S70 and S80 of a shear wave imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a shear wave imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a shear wave imaging system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a processor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 (a) is a shear wave quality evaluation chart prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a shear wave arrival position change diagram;
  • FIG. 7 (b) is an annotated diagram of FIG. 7 (a);
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a processor according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 (a) is a shear wave quality evaluation chart made according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a shear wave time arrival change chart;
  • FIG. 9 (b) is an annotated chart of FIG. 9 (a);
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a shear wave imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a shear wave imaging method and system which can generate a shear wave propagation map.
  • the generated shear wave propagation map can not only reflect the The elasticity difference can also evaluate the shear wave propagation quality at various locations in the region of interest.
  • the provided shear wave imaging method and system can also calculate elastic related parameters in the region of interest, such as shear wave velocity, elastic modulus, shear wave attenuation degree, and inter-tissue velocity ratio , Elasticity ratio between tissues, etc., more directly reflects tissue hardness.
  • the present invention provides a shear wave imaging method, which includes steps S10 to S60.
  • Step S10 Generate at least one shear wave into the target tissue.
  • shear waves in the target tissue There are many ways to generate shear waves in the target tissue, for example, to generate shear waves in the target tissue through external vibration, and to emit special pulses (such as acoustic radiation force pulse, ARFI, acoustic force pulse) into the target tissue.
  • special pulses such as acoustic radiation force pulse, ARFI, acoustic force pulse
  • the acoustic radiation force pulse can be focused or unfocused.
  • the wave source of the generated shear wave is more concentrated, and when it is weakly concentrated, the range of the shear wave generation is wider, and within the range of the shear wave generation, it can be approximately regarded as There are multiple shear wave point sources propagating from multiple starting points; in addition, the range can also be widened directly by generating shear waves at multiple different locations.
  • acoustic radiation force pulses as an example, acoustic radiation is emitted multiple times. Force pulses, which are focused in different areas, can generate shear wave propagation from different positions as the starting point.
  • Figure 2 (a) shows the shear wave generated by strong focusing
  • Figure 2 (b) shows By focusing on different areas respectively, the propagation of shear waves from different positions is started.
  • a large range of shear waves can also be generated by external vibration. For example, when vibration is applied at different positions, the propagation of shear waves can be generated from different positions.
  • Step S20 transmitting an ultrasonic beam for detecting a shear wave to a region of interest located on a shear wave propagation path to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the shear wave will gradually decay.
  • the shear wave propagation speed will change.
  • the ultrasonic beam used to detect the shear wave is continuously emitted into the region of interest, and the echo signal of the ultrasonic beam is continuously received.
  • the echo signal carries the shear wave caused by the propagation process of the period. Organizational change.
  • Step S30 obtaining tissue information at different positions along the propagation path of the shear wave according to the ultrasonic echo signal.
  • Step S40 Acquire at least two shear wave propagation starting points.
  • the starting points of the shear wave propagation are set along the same depth direction.
  • Step S50 Analyze the propagation variation of the shear wave over time on the shear wave propagation drawing path starting from the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points.
  • Step S60 Describe the shear wave propagation differences at different positions on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest, and generate a shear wave propagation map.
  • the shear wave imaging method in an embodiment of the present invention may further include step S70. And / or step S80.
  • Step S70 includes steps S71 to S75, which will be specifically described below.
  • Step S71 transmitting an ultrasonic beam to the target tissue and receiving echo information of the ultrasonic beam to obtain an echo signal for forming an ultrasonic image.
  • Step S73 Generate and display an ultrasound image.
  • Step S75 Superimpose the aforementioned shear wave propagation map on the ultrasound image.
  • Step S80 Calculate the tissue elasticity parameters along the propagation path of the shear wave according to the ultrasonic echo signal of the ultrasonic beam that detects the shear wave (for example, the ultrasonic echo signal in step S20), and superimpose and display the ultrasonic image on the ultrasonic image.
  • Organizational elasticity parameters There are many methods to calculate tissue elasticity parameters based on the ultrasonic echo signals of ultrasonic beams that detect shear waves over a period of time. For example, the approximate calculation formula can be derived directly from the wave's propagation equation:
  • c represents the propagation velocity
  • u z can be regarded as the longitudinal displacement data
  • the longitudinal velocity data can also be used for calculation
  • X represents the horizontal coordinate
  • z represents the vertical coordinate.
  • the above formula may also be converted to the frequency domain for calculation.
  • ⁇ represents a tissue density
  • E represents a Young's modulus value of the tissue.
  • E the larger the Young's modulus E, the greater the hardness of the tissue.
  • the present invention can also provide a shear wave imaging system. Please refer to FIG. 4.
  • the shear wave imaging system includes a probe 10, a transmission sequence control unit 30, and a processor 50, which will be described in detail below.
  • the probe 10 includes an array of piezoelectric elements.
  • the probe 10 is used for generating a shear wave source and performing a process of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam.
  • the process of transmitting and receiving the ultrasonic beam includes transmitting an ultrasonic beam and receiving a return of the ultrasonic beam. Wave information.
  • the transmission sequence control unit 30 is used to control the generation timing of the shear wave and the transmission and reception timing of the ultrasonic beam; wherein the transmission sequence control unit 30 is used to control the probe 10 to generate at least one shear wave in the target tissue, and to send the shear wave to the shear location
  • the region of interest on the wave propagation path emits an ultrasonic beam for detecting a shear wave to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the processor 50 is configured to obtain tissue information at different positions along a shear wave propagation path according to the ultrasonic echo signal; and to acquire at least two shear wave propagation starting points and analyze the propagation from the at least two shear waves Describe the shear wave propagation difference along the path of the starting point of the shear wave propagation, and describe the shear wave propagation corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation in the region of interest. Shear wave propagation differences at different locations generate shear wave propagation maps.
  • the processor 50 is configured to obtain the at least two starting points of the shear wave propagation drawing, and each of the starting points of the shear wave propagation drawing is in the same depth direction.
  • the shear wave imaging system may further include a display unit 70; wherein the emission sequence control unit 30 controls the probe 10 to The target tissue transmits an ultrasonic beam and receives the echo information of the ultrasonic beam to obtain an echo signal for forming an ultrasonic image; the processor 50 is used to generate an ultrasonic image; the display unit 70 is used to display the ultrasonic image and superimpose it on the ultrasonic image Shear wave propagation diagram.
  • the processor 50 may further include a calculation unit 50a, and the calculation unit 50a is configured to calculate the ultrasonic echo signal of the ultrasonic beam that detects the shear wave. Tissue elastic parameters along the shear wave propagation path.
  • the display unit 70 may be configured to superimpose and display the tissue elasticity parameters on the ultrasound image.
  • the steps S50 and S60 of the shear wave imaging method and the processor 50 in the shear wave imaging system are further described.
  • step S50 analyzes the propagation variation of the shear wave over time on the shear wave propagation drawing path starting from the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points; in one embodiment, the step The propagation difference in S50 may include the manner (50-1): starting from the above at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points, the positions of the shear wave arriving at the multiple points in the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the propagation start points .
  • the multiple moments in manner (50-1) include two moments or at least three moments. When at least three moments are included, the time interval between adjacent moments is equal. .
  • step S60 depicts a difference in shear wave propagation at different positions on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest, Generate a shear wave propagation map; in an embodiment, step S60 may include a manner (60-1): depicting a shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest The positions where the shear wave arrives at multiple times respectively generate the shear wave propagation map.
  • the manner (60-1) may include: connecting shear waves from different propagation starting points to a specific position reached at the same time to form a position change curve, and plotting the position change curves corresponding to multiple times to generate Shear wave position reaches the change diagram.
  • step S60 may further include: drawing a rectangular coordinate system, using the position in the depth direction as the ordinate, time, or multiple positions along the path of the shear wave propagation drawing as the abscissa; at the right angle The aforementioned propagation differences are depicted in a coordinate system.
  • step S60 includes the mode (60-1)
  • a plurality of positions on the drawing path along the propagation path of the shear wave are plotted as the abscissa in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the propagation difference analyzed by the processor 50 may include a mode (50-1), where the mode (50-1) is detailed in the steps of the above-mentioned shear wave imaging method. S50, will not repeat them here.
  • the processor 50 may include a first rendering unit 51; in an embodiment, to draw a shear wave propagation map, The processor 50 may include a drawing unit 55.
  • the first drawing unit 51 is used to draw the positions of the shear waves respectively on the shear wave propagation drawing paths corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest to generate the shears.
  • the first rendering unit 51 may include a first generating unit 51a.
  • the first generating unit 51a is configured to connect shear waves originating from different propagation starting points to a specific position reached at the same time to form a position change curve. Draw the position change curve corresponding to multiple times, and generate the shear wave position reaching change map.
  • the drawing unit 55 is used to draw a rectangular coordinate system, with a position in the depth direction as the ordinate, time, or multiple positions along the propagation path of the shear wave as the abscissa; and in the rectangular coordinate system, Discuss the dissemination differences.
  • the drawing unit 55 uses a plurality of positions along the shear wave propagation drawing path as the abscissa when drawing the rectangular coordinate system.
  • FIG. 7 (a) is a drawn shear wave propagation diagram
  • the abscissa represents the path along the shear wave propagation drawing path.
  • the ordinate represents the depth of each position
  • each curve in the coordinates represents a specific position where a shear wave from a different propagation starting point reaches at the time indicated by the curve.
  • FIG. 7 (b) is introduced to make an explanation of FIG. 7 (a). What needs to be explained is that FIG. 7 (b) marks 12 times t 1 to t 12 are just for illustration and are not used to limit the number of moments to only 12.
  • the shear wave arrival position change map can reflect the elastic difference between different tissues.
  • the quality of the transmitted information of the detected shear wave becomes poor due to the complex organization structure or insufficient signal-to-noise ratio, the arrival position curve at the corresponding location will be chaotic and oscillating. It is suggested that the reliability of shear wave imaging in this area is reduced.
  • the shear wave cannot propagate as it passes through the liquid region, its corresponding position curve can assume any random shape. Therefore, the change map of the shear wave arrival position can reflect the quality of the shear wave propagation at different positions, and the imaging reliability of the shear wave makes the user avoid the parts with poor propagation quality or low imaging reliability. To improve the quality of diagnosis.
  • the steps S50 and S60 of the shear wave imaging method and the processor 50 in the shear wave imaging system are further described.
  • step S50 analyzes the propagation variation of the shear wave over time on the shear wave propagation drawing path starting from the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points; in one embodiment, the step The propagation difference in S50 may include a manner (50-2): starting from the above at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points, and the moments when the shear waves reach multiple positions on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the propagation start point.
  • the plurality of positions in manner (50-2) includes two positions or at least three positions. When at least three positions are included, a distance interval between each adjacent position. equal.
  • step S60 depicts a difference in shear wave propagation at different positions on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest, Generate a shear wave propagation map; in an embodiment, step S60 may include a mode (60-2): depicting a shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest When the shear wave reaches a plurality of positions, the shear wave propagation map is generated.
  • the method (60-2) may include: connecting the arrival times of shear waves from different propagation starting points at the same propagation path position to form a time variation curve, and plotting the time corresponding to multiple propagation path positions Change curve, generate shear wave time to reach the change map.
  • step S60 may further include: drawing a rectangular coordinate system, using the position in the depth direction as the ordinate, time, or multiple positions along the path of the shear wave propagation drawing as the abscissa; at the right angle The aforementioned propagation differences are depicted in a coordinate system. For example, in one embodiment, when step S60 includes the mode (60-2), time is plotted as the abscissa in the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the propagation difference analyzed by the processor 50 may include a mode (50-2), where the mode (50-2) is detailed in the steps of the above-mentioned shear wave imaging method. S50, will not repeat them here.
  • the processor 50 in order to describe the propagation difference to generate a shear wave propagation map, the processor 50 may include a second rendering unit 53; in an embodiment, in order to draw a shear wave propagation map, The processor 50 may include a drawing unit 55.
  • the second drawing unit 53 is used to describe the moments when the shear wave reaches a plurality of positions on the shear wave propagation drawing path corresponding to the at least two shear wave propagation drawing start points in the region of interest to generate the shear wave Spread diagram.
  • the second rendering unit 53 may include a second generation unit 53a, which is configured to connect the arrival times of the shear waves from different propagation starting points at the same propagation path position to form a time change Curve, draw the time change curve corresponding to the position of multiple propagation paths, and generate the shear wave time reaching change map.
  • the drawing unit 55 is used to draw a rectangular coordinate system, with a position in the depth direction as the ordinate, time, or multiple positions along the propagation path of the shear wave as the abscissa; and in the rectangular coordinate system, Discuss the dissemination differences.
  • the drawing unit 55 uses time as the abscissa when drawing the rectangular coordinate system.
  • FIGS. 9 (a) and (b) are plotted shear wave propagation diagram, where the abscissa represents time, the ordinate represents depth, and the coordinates Each curve in represents the arrival time of a shear wave from a different propagation starting point at the position of the propagation path indicated by the curve.
  • FIG. 9 (b) is introduced to make an explanation of FIG. 9 (a). What needs to be explained is that FIG. 9 (b) marks 6 propagation paths. The positions 1 to 6 are only for illustration and are not used to limit the number of positions of the propagation path to only 6.
  • the shear wave time arrival change graph can reflect the elastic difference between different tissues.
  • the quality of the transmitted information of the detected shear wave is deteriorated due to the complicated organization structure or insufficient signal-to-noise ratio, then the arrival time curve corresponding to the corresponding position will be chaotic and oscillating. It is suggested that the reliability of shear wave imaging in this area is reduced.
  • the shear wave time arrival change map can reflect the quality of the shear wave propagation at different locations, and the imaging reliability of the shear wave, so that the user avoids parts with poor propagation quality or low imaging reliability. To improve the quality of diagnosis.
  • a shear wave imaging system may include a probe, a processor, and a display unit.
  • the probe may include a transducer capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves under the driving of an excitation pulse, and also capable of receiving echoes of the ultrasonic waves and converting them into electrical signals to obtain echo signals.
  • An embodiment of a method for performing shear wave imaging using the shear wave imaging system may be shown in FIG. 10.
  • At least one shear wave may be generated in a target tissue.
  • the shear wave may be an ultrasonic wave (push pulse) emitted by the aforementioned probe through a transducer into a target tissue, and the ultrasonic wave may push the target tissue to move to generate a shear wave.
  • the shear wave may be generated by an external vibrator vibrating the target tissue.
  • the shear wave may also be generated by the movement or pulsation of an organ in a living body, such as blood vessel pulsation, heart pulsation, and the like.
  • the location (possibly one or more) where the shear wave is generated is called a "shear wave source".
  • the transducer in the probe can emit an ultrasonic beam to the target tissue under the action of the excitation pulse to track the propagation of the shear wave and receive the return of the ultrasonic beam. Wave, thereby obtaining an ultrasonic echo signal.
  • the ultrasonic beam can be transmitted to the propagation path of the shear wave, for example, in a certain region of interest on the propagation path of the shear wave, thereby tracking the propagation of the shear wave on the propagation path.
  • the ultrasonic echo signal obtained by the probe can be sent to the processor.
  • the processor may obtain the arrival information of the shear wave at different positions in the target tissue according to the ultrasonic echo signal, and in step S104, generate a shear wave propagation map according to the arrival information.
  • the "arrival information" may refer to information related to that the shear wave has propagated to the corresponding position.
  • the position where the shear wave propagation reaches can be determined according to the tissue motion parameters in the target tissue.
  • the processor may determine the tissue motion parameters at different positions in the target tissue according to the ultrasonic echo signal, and determine the arrival information of the shear wave at different positions in the target tissue according to the tissue motion parameters.
  • the tissue motion parameter used may be, for example, a tissue displacement and / or a tissue motion speed.
  • the position where the tissue displacement is the greatest at a certain moment can be found, and this position is the position where the shear wave propagation reaches at that moment.
  • the position where the tissue movement speed is the highest at a certain moment can be found, and this position is the position where the shear wave propagation reaches at that moment. According to the position where the shear wave propagates and reaches at each moment, the arrival information of the shear wave at different positions can be obtained.
  • the "arrival information" herein may be the position where the shear wave arrives on the shear wave propagation path at multiple times.
  • the shear wave propagation map may be a map of shear wave arrival position changes at multiple times.
  • the processor when the processor generates a shear wave propagation map according to the arrival information, the processor may establish a rectangular coordinate system, where the rectangular coordinate system may represent the depth of the target tissue with one coordinate axis and the other with the shear wave.
  • the position on the propagation path, and then described in the Cartesian coordinate system the position of the shear wave on the shear wave propagation path at multiple moments, the shear wave arrival position at the multiple moments can be obtained Change diagram.
  • the “depicting” the position where the shear wave reaches can be described as a specific identifier, such as a point, asterisk, circle, triangle, color block, or other regular or Irregular marks.
  • a specific identifier such as a point, asterisk, circle, triangle, color block, or other regular or Irregular marks.
  • each of the positions reached by the shear wave on the shear wave propagation path at a plurality of times may be depicted as a point.
  • the processor may also perform the same moments in the rectangular coordinate system at the same time.
  • the position reached by the shear wave is marked. That is, at a certain moment, the shear wave can propagate to multiple locations, and the processor can mark the multiple locations where the shear wave reaches at that moment.
  • the processor may mark multiple positions reached by the shear wave at each of multiple times.
  • "marking" multiple positions reached by the shear wave at the same time can be performed in various ways, for example, using a connection line, arriving positions at different times using different pseudo-color coding, or arriving positions at different times. Use different symbols for identification, and so on.
  • a plurality of positions reached by the shear wave at the same time may be connected with a line to obtain a curve.
  • a curve By connecting the arriving positions at multiple times, multiple curves can be obtained.
  • the obtained curves can visually show the propagation of the shear wave.
  • a schematic example of the variation map of the shear wave arrival position at multiple moments thus obtained can be shown in FIG. 7.
  • the "arrival information" herein may be the time when the shear wave reaches the position at multiple positions on the propagation path of the shear wave.
  • the shear wave propagation map may be a graph of shear wave arrival time changes at multiple locations.
  • the processor when the processor generates a shear wave propagation map based on the arrival information, the processor may establish a rectangular coordinate system, where the rectangular coordinate system may represent the depth of the target tissue with one coordinate axis, and the other with time.
  • the rectangular coordinate system describes the time when the shear wave reaches the position at multiple positions on the propagation path of the shear wave, and the aforementioned graphs of shear wave arrival time at multiple positions can be obtained.
  • the "drawing" of the time when the shear wave reaches a certain position can be described as the time when the shear wave reaches a certain position, such as a point, asterisk, circle, triangle, color Blocks or other regular or irregular tags.
  • a certain position such as a point, asterisk, circle, triangle, color Blocks or other regular or irregular tags.
  • each time of the time when the shear wave reaches the position at multiple positions on the propagation path of the shear wave may be depicted as a point.
  • the processor may further perform shearing on the rectangular coordinate system.
  • the multiple times when the shear wave reaches a position at the same distance from the source of the shear wave are marked. That is, there may be multiple positions at the same distance from the shear wave source, and the processor may mark multiple times when the shear wave reaches the multiple positions.
  • the processor can mark the arrival times of multiple locations at each distance from the multiple distances from the shear wave source.
  • the time to "mark" the shear wave to reach multiple locations at the same distance from the source of the shear wave can be performed in a variety of ways, for example, using a line, the time to reach a location at a different distance from the source of the shear wave can be different Pseudo-color coding, or the time to reach a location at a different distance from the source of the shear wave is identified by different symbols, and so on.
  • a plurality of times when a shear wave reaches a position at the same distance from the source of the shear wave may be connected with a line to obtain a curve.
  • By connecting the arrival times of the positions at multiple distances multiple curves can be obtained.
  • the obtained curves can visually show the propagation of the shear wave.
  • a schematic example of the shear wave arrival position change map obtained at multiple times in this way can be shown in FIG. 9.
  • the processor may be implemented by software, hardware, and / or firmware.
  • a processor may be a single device or may be implemented as multiple devices that are connected or coupled to each other.
  • a processor may be implemented as a microprocessor, a programmable logic device, a general-purpose or application-specific integrated circuit, or any other suitable electronic device.
  • the display unit may display the obtained shear wave propagation map in step S105.
  • the shear wave propagation map can be displayed alone or together with the ultrasound image and / or the shear wave elasticity image obtained by the shear wave imaging system.
  • any tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be used, including magnetic storage devices (hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), optical storage devices (CD-ROM, DVD, Blu Ray, etc.), flash memory, and / or the like .
  • These computer program instructions can be loaded on a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device to form a machine, so that these instructions executed on the computer or other programmable data processing device can generate a device that implements a specified function.
  • Computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory, which can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory can form one piece Articles of manufacture, including implements that implement specified functions.
  • Computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, thereby performing a series of operating steps on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, which makes the computer or other programmable device execute Instructions can provide steps for implementing specified functions.
  • the term “including” and any other variations thereof are non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article, or device that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also those that are not explicitly listed or are not part of the process , Method, system, article, or other element of equipment.
  • the term “coupled” and any other variations thereof as used herein refers to a physical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, a communication connection, a functional connection, and / or any other connection.

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Abstract

一种剪切波成像方法及系统，其根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息（S30），获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点（S40），分析从至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异（S50），描绘感兴趣区域内至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图（S60）；剪切波传播图可以用于提供评价剪切波传播质量的相关信息，可以反映不同位置剪切波的传播质量好坏，剪切波的成像可信度高低，使得用户避开传播质量较差或成像可信度较低的部分，提升诊断质量。

Description

一种剪切波成像方法及系统 技术领域
本发明涉及超声弹性成像领域，具体涉及一种剪切波成像方法及系统。
背景技术
医用超声弹性成像主要是指以显示组织弹性差异为目的的一系列成像和信号处理技术；而获取的组织弹性差异(或软硬程度)信息对于组织癌症病变的辅助检测、良恶性判别和预后恢复评价等方面有重要的应用。目前的医用超声弹性成像技术主要包括压力弹性成像和剪切波弹性成像(Shear Wave Elastography,SWE)等。
压力弹性成像发展的时间最长，技术也最为成熟，但其对操作者的手法要求较高。压力弹性成像主要是通过探头按压组织产生一定的形变，探头通过发出超声波以及接收回波信息，将组织的应变量、应变率等与组织弹性相关的参数计算出来并成像，从而反映不同组织间的弹性差异，由于应变量和应变率等这些应变参数对压力很敏感，因此在压力弹性成像技术中通过探头施加给组织的压力需要尽量保持均匀且稳定，这对操作者的手法就会提出较高的要求。另外，由于不同次操作之间，操作者通过探头施加给组织的压力难以保持一致，因此成像的重复性和稳定性也较难保证。
而剪切波弹性成像技术则主要是通过在组织内部产生剪切波并检测或计算其传播参数(例如传播速度)，由于组织的弹性程度(或软硬程度)会对剪切波的传播参数产生影响，因此可以剪切波的传播参数可以反映组织的弹性差异(或软硬程度)，也就是说，可以利用上述检测到的传播参数来进行弹性成像。由于不再像压力弹性成像一样依赖操作者对组织进行特定施压，因此剪切波弹性成像在稳定性和重复性方面有很大进步。
然而剪切波成像技术中，如果组织结构过于复杂，组织深度过大，或组织过硬等，都可能导致剪切波产生幅度过小，传播时衰减过快，或传播路径复杂，甚至难以传播的问题，而这会严重影响最终剪切波成像的质量以及弹性测量结果的准确性；更糟糕的是，用户却难以直接从获取的弹性图像中或者弹性测量结果中判断出哪些内容是可信的、准确的，哪些是不可信的、不准确的。
发明内容
一个实施例中，提供了一种剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
在目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波；
向位于剪切波传播路径上的感兴趣区域发射用于检测剪切波的超声波束，获得超声回波信号；
根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息；
获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点；
分析从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异；
描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，所述传播差异至少包括以下方式之一：
从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置；和
从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻。
一个实施例中，所述多个时刻包括两个时刻或至少三个时刻，当包括至少三个时刻时，各相邻的时刻之间的时间间隔相等；和/或，所述多个位置包括两个位置或至少三个位置，当包括至少三个位置时，各相邻的位置处之间的距离间隔相等。
一个实施例中，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图至少包括以下方式之一：描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，生成所述剪切波传播图；和描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，生成所述剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，生成所述剪切波传播图包括：将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一时刻到达的特定位置连接起来形成一条位置变化曲线，绘制多个时刻对应的位置变化曲线，生成剪切波位置达到变化图。
一个实施例中，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，生成所述剪切波传播图包括：将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一传播路径位置处的到达时间连接起来形成一条时间变化曲线，绘制多个传播路径位置对应的时间变化曲线，生成剪切波时间达到变化图。
一个实施例中，所述剪切波传播描绘起点沿同一深度方向设置。
一个实施例中，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图包括：绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播路径上的多个位置为横坐标；在所述直角坐标系中描绘所述传播差异。
一个实施例中，该方法还包括：向所述目标组织发射超声波束，并接收所述超声波束的回波信息，获得用于形成超声图像的回波信号；根据所述用于形成超声图像的回波信号生成目标组织的超声图像；显示所述超声图像；在所述超声图像上显示所述剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，该方法还包括：根据所述检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号，计算沿剪切波传播路径上的组织弹性参数，并显示所述组织弹性参数。
一个实施例中，提供了一种剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，包括：
探头，所述探头包括换能器，并通过所述换能器向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪在所述目标组织中传播的剪切波，并接收超声回波，获得超声回波信号；
处理器，用于根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息；以及用于获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点，分析从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异，并描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，所述传播差异至少包括以下方式之一：从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置；和从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻。
一个实施例中，所述多个时刻包括两个时刻或至少三个时刻，当包括至少三个时刻时，各相邻的时刻之间的时间间隔相等；和/或，所述多个位置包括两个位置或至少三个位置，当包括至少三个位置时，各相邻的位置处之间的距离间隔相等。
一个实施例中，所述处理器：描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，以生成所述剪切波传播图；或者描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，以生成所述剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，所述处理器还将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一 时刻到达的特定位置连接起来形成一条位置变化曲线，绘制多个时刻对应的位置变化曲线，生成剪切波位置达到变化图。
一个实施例中，所述第处理器还将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一传播路径位置处的到达时间连接起来形成一条时间变化曲线，绘制多个传播路径位置对应的时间变化曲线，生成剪切波时间达到变化图。
一个实施例中，所述处理器获取的所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点中，各剪切波传播描绘起点是沿同一深度方向的。
一个实施例中，所述处理器还绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播路径上的多个位置为横坐标；并在所述直角坐标系中描绘所述传播差异。
一个实施例中，该系统还包括显示单元，其中：所述探头向所述目标组织发射超声波束，并接收所述超声波束的回波信息，获得用于形成超声图像的回波信号；所述处理器根据所述用于形成超声图像的回波信号生成所述目标组织的超声图像；显示单元显示所述超声图像，以及显示所述剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，所述处理器还根据所述检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号，计算沿剪切波传播路径上的组织弹性参数，所述显示单元用于在所述超声图像上叠加显示所述组织弹性参数。
一个实施例中，提供了一种剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
在目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波；
向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪所述剪切波的传播，获得超声回波信号；
根据所述超声回波信号获得在所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息；
根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图；
显示所述剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，根据所述超声回波信号获得在所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息包括：根据所述超声回波信号确定目标组织中不同位置处的组织运动参数；根据所述组织运动参数确定所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息。
一个实施例中，所述组织运动参数包括组织位移和/或组织运动速度。
一个实施例中，所述到达信息为在多个时刻所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上到达的位置。
一个实施例中，根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示剪切波传播路径上的位置；在所述直角坐标系中描绘 在所述多个时刻时所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的所述位置。
一个实施例中，该方法还包括：在所述直角坐标系中，标记相同时刻所述剪切波所到达的多个位置。
一个实施例中，所述到达信息为在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
一个实施例中，根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示时间；在所述直角坐标系中描绘在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
一个实施例中，该方法还包括：在所述直角坐标系中，标记所述剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的位置的多个时间。
一个实施例中，提供了一种剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，包括：
探头，所述探头包括换能器，并通过所述换能器向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪在所述目标组织中传播的剪切波，并接收超声回波，获得超声回波信号；
处理器，所述处理器根据所述超声回波信号获得在所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息，并根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图；
显示单元，所述显示单元显示所述剪切波传播图。
一个实施例中，所述处理器：根据所述超声回波信号确定目标组织中不同位置处的组织运动参数；根据所述组织运动参数确定所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息。
一个实施例中，所述组织运动参数包括组织位移和/或组织运动速度。
一个实施例中，所述到达信息为在多个时刻所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上到达的位置。
一个实施例中，所述处理器根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示剪切波传播路径上的位置；在所述直角坐标系中描绘在所述多个时刻时所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的所述位置。
一个实施例中，所述处理器还在所述直角坐标系中标记相同时刻所述剪切波所到达的多个位置。
一个实施例中，所述到达信息为在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
一个实施例中，所述处理器根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标 组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示时间；在所述直角坐标系中描绘在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
一个实施例中，所述处理器还在所述直角坐标系中，标记所述剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的位置的多个时间。
依据上述实施例的剪切波成像方法及系统，根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息，获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点，分析从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异，描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图；剪切波传播图可以用于提供评价剪切波传播质量的相关信息，从而使得用户可以了解到哪些区域或时刻的剪切波的传播质量较好，哪些较差，哪些区域或时刻的剪切波的成像可信度较高，哪些较低，使得用户避开传播质量较差或成像可信度较低的部分，提升诊断质量。
附图说明
图1是本发明一实施例的剪切波成像方法的流程示意图；
图2(a)是本发明一实施例中通过强聚集产生的剪切波的示意图；图2(b)是本发明一实施例中通过分别聚焦在不同区域来产生从不同位置为起点的剪切波的示意图；
图3是本发明一实施例中剪切波成像方法的步骤S70和步骤S80的流程示意图；
图4是本发明一实施例的剪切波成像系统的结构示意图；
图5是本发明另一实施例的剪切波成像系统的结构示意图；
图6是本发明一实施例的处理器的结构示意图；
图7(a)是本发明一实施例给制的剪切波质量评价图，其是剪切波到达位置变化图；图7(b)是图7(a)的带注释的图；
图8是本发明另一实施例的处理器的结构示意图；
图9(a)是本发明一实施例给制的剪切波质量评价图，其是剪切波时间到达变化图；图9(b)是图9(a)的带注释的图；
图10是本发明一实施例的剪切波成像方法的流程示意图。
具体实施方式
本发明的实施例中，提供了一种剪切波成像方法及系统，其可以生成剪切波传播图，在一实施例中，生成的剪切波传播图不仅可以反映出感兴趣区域内的弹性差异，同时可以评价感兴趣区域内各位置的剪切波传播质量。此外，在一实施例中，提供的剪切波成像方法及系统还可以 计算出感兴趣区域内的弹性相关参数，比如剪切波速度、弹性模量、剪切波衰减程度、组织间速度比、组织间弹性比等，更直接的反映组织硬度。
在一实施例中，请参照图1，本发明提供一种剪切波成像方法，包括步骤S10～S60。
步骤S10：向目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波。向目标组织中产生剪切波可以有多种方法，例如通过外部振动从而在目标组织中产生剪切波，通过向目标组织中发射特殊脉冲(比如声辐射力脉冲，ARFI，acoustic radiation force impulse)来在目标组织中产生剪切波等。在通过声辐射力脉冲来在目标组织中产生剪切波时，声辐射力脉冲可以聚焦，也可以无聚焦。具体地，当声辐射力脉冲强聚集时，产生的剪切波的波源更集中，弱聚集时，则剪切波产生的范围更广，而在剪切波的产生范围内，可以近似看做有多个剪切波点源从多个起点出发进行传播；此外，也可以直接通过在多个不同位置产生剪切波来扩宽范围，以声辐射力脉冲为例，通过多次发射声辐射力脉冲，且分别聚焦在不同区域，可以产生从不同位置为起点的剪切波的传播，例如图2(a)就展示了通过强聚焦产生的剪切波，图2(b)则展示了通过分别聚焦在不同区域来产生从不同位置为起点的剪切波的传播。当然，通过外部振动也是可以产生较大范围的剪切波，例如，在不同的位置上施加振动，可从不同位置为起点产生剪切波的传播。
步骤S20：向位于剪切波传播路径上的感兴趣区域发射用于检测剪切波的超声波束，获得超声回波信号。剪切波在组织中传播时，会逐渐衰减，当经过不同硬度的组织时，剪切波传播速度会发生变化；为了观察到一段时间内剪切波传播过程中所造成的组织变化，需要在一段时间内持续向感兴趣区域内发射用于检测剪切波的超声波束，并持续接收该超声波束的回波信号，该回波信号即携带了一段时间内剪切波传播过程中所造成的组织变化。
步骤S30：根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息。
步骤S40：获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点。在一实施例中，所述剪切波传播描绘起点沿同一深度方向设置。
步骤S50：分析从上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异。
步骤S60：描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图。
请参照图3，在一实施例中，为了更好地显示剪切波传播图，以及让用户更好地了解组织弹性参数，本发明一实施例中的剪切波成像方法还可以包括步骤S70和/或步骤S80。
步骤S70包括步骤S71～S75，下面具体说明。
步骤S71：向上述目标组织发射超声波束，并接收该超声波束的回波信息，获得用于形成超声图像的回波信号。
步骤S73：生成并显示超声图像。
步骤S75：在该超声图像上叠加上述的剪切波传播图。
步骤S80：根据上述检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号(例如步骤S20中的超声回波信号)，计算沿剪切波传播路径上的组织弹性参数，并在上述超声图像上叠加显示组织弹性参数。根据一段时间内检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号来计算组织弹性参数有许多方法。例如，可以直接利用波的传播方程推导出近似计算公式如下：
Figure PCTCN2018097253-appb-000001
式中，c表示传播速度，u z可以视为纵向位移数据，也可采用纵向速度数据进行计算，x代表横向坐标，z代表纵向坐标。在其他计算方法中，也可以将上述公式变换到频域进行计算。在求该上述的传播速度c时，可以找出传播方向上任意两个位置间的传播时间，即可求解出该局部的传播速度。对于对于各项同性的弹性组织，剪切波的传播速度与组织硬度有近似固定的关系：
E＝3ρc 2；
式中，ρ表示组织密度，E表示组织的杨氏模量值。一般地，杨氏模量E越大，说明组织硬度越大。当然还可以得到比如剪切模量、弹性模量比值、速度比值等可以反映组织软硬差异的定量结果或定性结果。
本发明还可以提供一种剪切波成像系统，请参照图4，该剪切波成像系统包括探头10、发射序列控制单元30和处理器50，下面具体说明。
探头10包括压电元件阵列，探头10用于产生剪切波波源以及执行超声波束的发射和接收过程，所述超声波束的发射和接收过程包括：发射超声波束，和接收所述超声波束的回波信息。
发射序列控制单元30用于控制剪切波的产生时序和超声波束的发射和接收时序；其中发射序列控制单元30用于控制探头10在目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波，并向位于剪切波传播路径上的感兴趣区域发射用于检测剪切波的超声波束，获得超声回波信号。
处理器50用于根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息；以及用于获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点，分析从上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异，并描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图。
在一实施例中，处理器50被设置成获取的上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点中，各剪切波传播描绘起点是沿同一深度方向的。
为了更好地显示剪切波传播图，在一实施例中，请参照图5，本发明一实施例的剪切波成像系统还可以包括显示单元70；其中发射序列控制单元30控制探头10向目标组织发射超声波束，并接收超声波束的回波信息，获得用于形成超声图像的回波信号；处理器50用于生成超声图像；显示单元70用于显示超声图像，并在超声图像上叠加剪切波传播图。
为了更好地使用户了解组织的弹性情况，在一实施例中，处理器50还可以包括计算单元50a，计算单元50a用于根据所述检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号，计算沿剪切波传播路径上的组织弹性参数。计算单元50a计算组织弹性参数的原理和方法，可以参见上述上述剪切波成像方法的步骤S80，在此不再赘述。在一实施例中，显示单元70可以用于在超声图像上叠加显示组织弹性参数。
一个实施例中，在前述实施例的基础上，针对剪切波成像方法的步骤S50和步骤S60，以及剪切波成像系统中处理器50还作了进一步说明。
本发明公开的剪切波成像方法，步骤S50分析从上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异；在一实施例中，步骤S50中的传播差异可以包括方式(50-1)：从上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置。在一实施例中，方式(50-1)中的所述多个时刻，其包括两个时刻或至少三个时刻，当包括至少三个时刻时，各相邻的时刻之间的时间间隔相等。
本发明公开的剪切波成像方法，步骤S60描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图；在一实施例中，步骤S60可以包括方式(60-1)：描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，生成所述剪切波传播图。在一实施例中，方式(60-1)可以包括：将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一时刻到达的特定位置连接起来形成一条位置变化曲线，绘制多个时刻对应的位置变化曲线，生成剪切波位置达到变化图。在一实施例中，步骤S60还可以包括：绘制直角坐标系， 以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置为横坐标；在该直角坐标系中描绘上述的传播差异。例如，在一实施例中，当步骤S60包括方式(60-1)时，则绘制直角坐标系中以沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置为横坐标。
本发明公开的剪切波成像系统，在一实施例中，处理器50分析的传播差异可以包括方式(50-1)，其中方式(50-1)具体详见上述剪切波成像方法的步骤S50，在此不再赘述。请参照图6，在一实施例中，为了描绘传播差异，以生成剪切波传播图，处理器50可以包括第一描绘单元51；在一实施例中，为了绘制出剪切波传播图，处理器50可以包括绘制单元55。第一描绘单元51用于描绘感兴趣区域内上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，以生成所述剪切波传播图。在一实施例中，第一描绘单元51可以包括第一生成单元51a，第一生成单元51a用于将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一时刻到达的特定位置连接起来形成一条位置变化曲线，绘制多个时刻对应的位置变化曲线，生成剪切波位置达到变化图。绘制单元55用于绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置为横坐标；并在所述直角坐标系中描绘所述传播差异。例如，当处理器50包括第一描绘单元51时，则绘制单元55在绘制直角坐标系时以沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置为横坐标。
下面以一个例子来进一步说明本发明，请参照图7(a)和(b)，其中图7(a)为绘制出的剪切波传播图，其横坐标表示沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置，纵坐标表示深度，坐标中的每条曲线都表示从不同传播起点出发的剪切波在该条曲线所表示的时刻到达的特定位置。为了更好地使本发明的实施者理解图7(a)，引入图7(b)来对图7(a)作一个说明，需要说明书的是，图7(b)标出了12个时刻t 1～t 12，只是用于举例说明并不用于限定时刻数目只能是12。
在剪切波到达位置变化图中(例如图7(a)和(b))，当各剪切波经过的区域硬度均匀时，剪切波传播的速度相近，则到达位置变化图上的曲线是平行或者近似平行的。在剪切波的传播中，如果经过的区域硬度不同或弹性不同，硬度越大区域传播越快，因此通过到达位置曲线的斜率会发生变化，越硬的区域到达位置越远(例如图7(b)为被圆形虚线描绘出的区域，表示硬度较大)。另外，当各条曲线对应的时刻间距相同时，如果各条曲线之间的宽度变窄意味着相应区域的剪切波速度减慢，宽度变宽意味着相应区域的剪切波速度加快。因此，剪切波到达位置变化图可以反映不同组织间的弹性差异。同时，如果在某些位置上，如果因为组织结构复杂或信号信噪比不足，导致所检测到的剪切波的传播信 息质量变差，那么相应位置上的到达位置曲线会混乱、振荡，这提示了用户该区域剪切波成像可信度下降。特殊的，如果剪切波经过液性区域时，无法传播，其对应的到达位置曲线可以呈现任意随机的形态。因此，剪切波到达位置变化图，可以反映不同位置剪切波的传播质量好坏，剪切波的成像可信度高低，使得用户避开传播质量较差或成像可信度较低的部分，提升诊断质量。
一个实施例中，在前述实施例的基础上，针对剪切波成像方法的步骤S50和步骤S60，以及剪切波成像系统中处理器50还作了进一步说明。
本发明公开的剪切波成像方法，步骤S50分析从上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异；在一实施例中，步骤S50中的传播差异可以包括方式(50-2)：从上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻。在一实施例中，方式(50-2)中的所述多个位置，其包括两个位置或至少三个位置，当包括至少三个位置时，各相邻的位置处之间的距离间隔相等。
本发明公开的剪切波成像方法，步骤S60描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图；在一实施例中，步骤S60可以包括方式(60-2)：描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，生成所述剪切波传播图。在一实施例中，方式(60-2)可以包括：将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一传播路径位置处的到达时间连接起来形成一条时间变化曲线，绘制多个传播路径位置对应的时间变化曲线，生成剪切波时间达到变化图。在一实施例中，步骤S60还可以包括：绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置为横坐标；在该直角坐标系中描绘上述的传播差异。例如，在一实施例中，当步骤S60包括方式(60-2)时，则绘制直角坐标系中以时间为横坐标。
本发明公开的剪切波成像系统，在一实施例中，处理器50分析的传播差异可以包括方式(50-2)，其中方式(50-2)具体详见上述剪切波成像方法的步骤S50，在此不再赘述。请参照图8，在一实施例中，为了描绘传播差异，以生成剪切波传播图，处理器50可以包括第二描绘单元53；在一实施例中，为了绘制出剪切波传播图，处理器50可以包括绘制单元55。第二描绘单元53用于描绘感兴趣区域内上述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，以生成所述剪切波传播图。在一实施例中，第二描绘单元53可以包括第二生成单元53a，第二生成单元53a用于将不同传播起点出发的 剪切波在同一传播路径位置处的到达时间连接起来形成一条时间变化曲线，绘制多个传播路径位置对应的时间变化曲线，生成剪切波时间达到变化图。绘制单元55用于绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播描绘路径上的多个位置为横坐标；并在所述直角坐标系中描绘所述传播差异。例如，当处理器50包括第二描绘单元53时，则绘制单元55在绘制直角坐标系时以时间为横坐标。
下面以一个例子来进一步说明本发明，请参照图9(a)和(b)，其中图9(a)为绘制出的剪切波传播图，其横坐标表示时间，纵坐标表示深度，坐标中的每条曲线都表示从不同传播起点出发的剪切波在该条曲线所表示的传播路径位置处的到达时间。为了更好地使本发明的实施者理解图9(a)，引入图9(b)来对图9(a)作一个说明，需要说明书的是，图9(b)标出了6传播路径的位置1～6，只是用于举例说明并不用于限定传播路径的位置数目只能是6。
在剪切波时间到达变化图中(例如图9(a)和(b))，当各剪切波经过的区域硬度均匀时，剪切波传播的速度相近，则时间到达变化图上的曲线是平行或者近似平行的。在剪切波的传播中，如果经过的区域硬度不同或弹性不同，硬度越大区域传播越快，因此通过到达时间曲线的斜率会发生变化，越硬的区域到达时间越快(例如图9(b)为被圆形虚线描绘出的区域，表示硬度较大)。另外，当各条曲线对应的位置间距相同时，各条曲线之间的宽度变宽意味着相应区域的剪切波速度减慢，宽度变窄意味着相应区域的剪切波速度加快。因此，剪切波时间到达变化图可以反映不同组织间的弹性差异。同时，如果在某些位置上，如果因为组织结构复杂或信号信噪比不足，导致所检测到的剪切波的传播信息质量变差，那么相应位置对应的到达时间曲线会混乱、振荡，这提示了用户该区域剪切波成像可信度下降。特殊的，如果剪切波经过液性区域时，无法传播，其对应的到达时间曲线可以呈现任意随机的形态。因此，剪切波时间到达变化图，可以反映不同位置剪切波的传播质量好坏，剪切波的成像可信度高低，使得用户避开传播质量较差或成像可信度较低的部分，提升诊断质量。
本发明一个实施例中，提供了一种剪切波成像系统，其可以包括探头、处理器和显示单元。该探头可以包括换能器，该换能器能够在激励脉冲的驱动下发射超声波，也能够接收超声波的回波并将其转换成电信号从而获得回波信号。使用该剪切波成像系统进行剪切波成像的方法的一个实施例可以如图10所示。
参考图10，在步骤S101中，可以在目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波。该剪切波可以是由前述探头通过换能器发射超声波(推动脉冲)到目标组织中，由该超声波推动目标组织运动从而产生剪切波。或者，该 剪切波也可以是由外部振动器振动目标组织而产生。或者，该剪切波也可以是由生物体内的器官运动或搏动而产生，比如血管搏动，心脏搏动等等。其中产生剪切波的位置(可能为一个或者多个)称之为“剪切波源”。
在目标组织中产生剪切波之后，在步骤S102中，探头中的换能器可以在激励脉冲的作用下向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪剪切波的传播，并接收该超声波束的回波，从而获得超声回波信号。这里，超声波束可以被发射到剪切波的传播路径上，比如剪切波传播路径上的某个感兴趣区域内，从而跟踪该剪切波在传播路径上的传播。
探头获得的超声回波信号可以发送到处理器。在步骤S103中，处理器可以根据该超声回波信号获得该剪切波在该目标组织内不同位置的到达信息，并在步骤S104中，根据该到达信息生成剪切波传播图。
这里，所说的“到达信息”可以指与剪切波已经传播到达相应位置相关的信息。一个实施例中，剪切波传播到达了哪个位置可以根据目标组织中的组织运动参数确定。例如，处理器可以根据超声回波信号确定目标组织中不同位置处的组织运动参数，并根据该组织运动参数确定该剪切波在目标组织内不同位置的到达信息。这里，所用的组织运动参数例如可以是组织位移和/或组织运动速度。例如，一个实施例中，可以找到某一时刻组织位移最大的位置，该位置即为该时刻下剪切波传播到达的位置。或者，一个实施例中，可以找到某一时刻组织运动速度最大的位置，该位置即为该时刻下剪切波传播到达的位置。根据各个时刻下剪切波传播到达的位置，即可获得剪切波在不同位置的到达信息。
一个实施例中，这里的“到达信息”可以是在多个时刻下该剪切波在剪切波传播路径上到达的位置。在该实施例中，剪切波传播图可以是在多个时刻下剪切波到达位置变化图。
例如，一个实施例中，处理器在根据到达信息生成剪切波传播图时，可以建立直角坐标系，其中该直角坐标系可以一个坐标轴表示目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示剪切波传播路径上的位置，然后在该直角坐标系中描述出在多个时刻下该剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的位置，即可获得前述的多个时刻下剪切波到达位置变化图。
本文中，所说的“描绘”出剪切波到达的位置，可以是将剪切波到达的位置描绘为特定的标识，比如点、星号、圆形、三角形、色块或其他规则的或不规则的标记。例如，一个实施例中，可以将多个时刻下该剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的位置中的每个位置描绘为一个点。
一个实施例中，在前述的直角坐标系中描绘出了多个时刻下该剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的位置后，处理器还可以在该直角坐标系中对相同时刻下该剪切波所到达的位置进行标记。即，在某个时刻下， 剪切波可以传播到达多个位置，处理器可以将该时刻下剪切波到达的多个位置标记出来。处理器可以将多个时刻中每个时刻下该剪切波到达的多个位置都标记出来。这里，“标记”相同时刻该剪切波所到达的多个位置可以使用多种方式进行，例如可以使用连线、不同时刻下的到达位置使用不同的伪彩编码、或者不同时刻下的到达位置使用不同的符号标识，等等。例如，一个实施例中，可以将相同时刻下该剪切波到达的多个位置用连线连接起来，从而获得一条曲线。将多个时刻下的到达位置都分别连起来，即可获得多条曲线。获得的这些曲线可以直观地展示处该剪切波的传播状况。这样获得的多个时刻下剪切波到达位置变化图的一个示意性的实例可以如图7所示。
一个实施例中，这里的“到达信息”可以是在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处该剪切波到达该位置的时间。在该实施例中，剪切波传播图可以是在多个位置处剪切波到达时间变化图。
例如，一个实施例中，处理器在根据到达信息生成剪切波传播图时，可以建立直角坐标系，其中该直角坐标系可以一个坐标轴表示目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示时间，然后在该直角坐标系中描述出在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处该剪切波到达该位置的时间，即可获得前述的多个位置处剪切波到达时间变化图。
本文中，所说的“描绘”出剪切波到达某个位置的时间，可以是将剪切波到达某个位置的时间描绘为特定的标识，比如点、星号、圆形、三角形、色块或其他规则的或不规则的标记。例如，一个实施例中，可以将在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处该剪切波到达该位置的时间中的每个时间描绘为一个点。
一个实施例中，在前述的直角坐标系中描绘出了在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处该剪切波到达该位置的时间后，处理器还可以在该直角坐标系中对剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的位置的多个时间进行标记。即，与剪切波源相距相同距离可以有多个位置，处理器可以将剪切波到达该多个位置的多个时间标记出来。处理器可以将与剪切波源相距多个距离的位置中每个距离下的多个位置的到达时间都标记出来。这里，“标记”剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的多个位置的时间可以使用多种方式进行，例如可以使用连线、到达与剪切波源相距不同距离的位置的时间使用不同的伪彩编码、或者到达与剪切波源相距不同距离的位置的时间使用不同的符号标识，等等。例如，一个实施例中，可以将剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的位置的多个时间用连线连接起来，从而获得一条曲线。将多个距离下的位置的到达时间都分别连起来，即可获得多条曲线。获得的这些曲线可以直观地展示处该剪切波的传播状况。这样获得的多个时刻下剪切波到达位置变化图的一个示意性的实 例可以如图9所示。
前述实施例中，处理器可以通过软件、硬件和/或固件实现。处理器可以是单个器件，也可以实现为多个相互连接或耦合的多个器件。处理器可以实现为微处理器、可编程逻辑器件、通用或专用集成电路或其他任何适合的电子器件。
获得了剪切波传播图之后，在步骤S105中，显示单元可以显示获得的剪切波传播图。该剪切波传播图可以单独显示，也可以与剪切波成像系统获得的超声图像和/或剪切波弹性图像一起显示。
本文参照了各种示范实施例进行说明。然而，本领域的技术人员将认识到，在不脱离本文范围的情况下，可以对示范性实施例做出改变和修正。例如，各种操作步骤以及用于执行操作步骤的组件，可以根据特定的应用或考虑与系统的操作相关联的任何数量的成本函数以不同的方式实现(例如一个或多个步骤可以被删除、修改或结合到其他步骤中)。
另外，如本领域技术人员所理解的，本文的原理可以反映在计算机可读存储介质上的计算机程序产品中，该可读存储介质预装有计算机可读程序代码。任何有形的、非暂时性的计算机可读存储介质皆可被使用，包括磁存储设备(硬盘、软盘等)、光学存储设备(CD-ROM、DVD、Blu Ray盘等)、闪存和/或诸如此类。这些计算机程序指令可被加载到通用计算机、专用计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备上以形成机器，使得这些在计算机上或其他可编程数据处理装置上执行的指令可以生成实现指定的功能的装置。这些计算机程序指令也可以存储在计算机可读存储器中，该计算机可读存储器可以指示计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备以特定的方式运行，这样存储在计算机可读存储器中的指令就可以形成一件制造品，包括实现指定功能的实现装置。计算机程序指令也可以加载到计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备上，从而在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行一系列操作步骤以产生一个计算机实现的进程，使得在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行的指令可以提供用于实现指定功能的步骤。
虽然在各种实施例中已经示出了本文的原理，但是许多特别适用于特定环境和操作要求的结构、布置、比例、元件、材料和部件的修改可以在不脱离本披露的原则和范围内使用。以上修改和其他改变或修正将被包含在本文的范围之内。
前述具体说明已参照各种实施例进行了描述。然而，本领域技术人员将认识到，可以在不脱离本披露的范围的情况下进行各种修正和改变。因此，对于本披露的考虑将是说明性的而非限制性的意义上的，并且所有这些修改都将被包含在其范围内。同样，有关于各种实施例的优点、其他优点和问题的解决方案已如上所述。然而，益处、优点、问题的解决方案以及任何能产生这些的要素，或使其变得更明确的解决方案都不 应被解释为关键的、必需的或必要的。本文中所用的术语“包括”和其任何其他变体，皆属于非排他性包含，这样包括要素列表的过程、方法、文章或设备不仅包括这些要素，还包括未明确列出的或不属于该过程、方法、系统、文章或设备的其他要素。此外，本文中所使用的术语“耦合”和其任何其他变体都是指物理连接、电连接、磁连接、光连接、通信连接、功能连接和/或任何其他连接。
具有本领域技术的人将认识到，在不脱离本发明的基本原理的情况下，可以对上述实施例的细节进行许多改变。因此，本发明的范围应仅由以下权利要求确定。

Claims (38)

  1. 一种剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
    在目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波；
    向位于剪切波传播路径上的感兴趣区域发射用于检测剪切波的超声波束，获得超声回波信号；
    根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息；
    获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点；
    分析从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异；
    描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图。
  2. 如权利要求1所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，所述传播差异至少包括以下方式之一：
    从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置；和
    从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻。
  3. 如权利要求2所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于：
    所述多个时刻包括两个时刻或至少三个时刻，当包括至少三个时刻时，各相邻的时刻之间的时间间隔相等；和/或，
    所述多个位置包括两个位置或至少三个位置，当包括至少三个位置时，各相邻的位置处之间的距离间隔相等。
  4. 如权利要求2或3所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图至少包括以下方式之一：
    描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，生成所述剪切波传播图；和
    描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，生成所述剪切波传播图。
  5. 如权利要求4所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，生成所述剪切波传播图包括：
    将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一时刻到达的特定位置连接起来形成一条位置变化曲线，绘制多个时刻对应的位置变化曲线，生成剪切波位置达到变化图。
  6. 如权利要求4所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，生成所述剪切波传播图包括：
    将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一传播路径位置处的到达时间连接起来形成一条时间变化曲线，绘制多个传播路径位置对应的时间变化曲线，生成剪切波时间达到变化图。
  7. 如权利要求1所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，所述剪切波传播描绘起点沿同一深度方向设置。
  8. 如权利要求1所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，所述描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图包括：
    绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播路径上的多个位置为横坐标；
    在所述直角坐标系中描绘所述传播差异。
  9. 如权利要求1所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，还包括：
    向所述目标组织发射超声波束，并接收所述超声波束的回波信息，获得用于形成超声图像的回波信号；
    根据所述用于形成超声图像的回波信号生成目标组织的超声图像；
    显示所述超声图像；
    在所述超声图像上显示所述剪切波传播图。
  10. 如权利要求9所述的剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，还包括：根据所述检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号，计算沿剪切波传播路径上的组织弹性参数，并显示所述组织弹性参数。
  11. 一种剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，包括：
    探头，所述探头包括换能器，并通过所述换能器向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪在所述目标组织中传播的剪切波，并接收超声回波，获得超声回波信号；
    处理器，用于根据超声回波信号，获得沿剪切波传播路径上不同位置处的组织信息；以及用于获取至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点，分析从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波随时间变化的传播差异，并描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上所述不同位置处剪切波的传播差异，生成剪切波传播图。
  12. 如权利要求11所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述传播 差异至少包括以下方式之一：
    从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置；和
    从所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点开始，与传播起点对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻。
  13. 如权利要求12所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于：
    所述多个时刻包括两个时刻或至少三个时刻，当包括至少三个时刻时，各相邻的时刻之间的时间间隔相等；和/或，
    所述多个位置包括两个位置或至少三个位置，当包括至少三个位置时，各相邻的位置处之间的距离间隔相等。
  14. 如权利要求12或13所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述处理器：
    描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波在多个时刻分别到达的位置，以生成所述剪切波传播图；或者
    描绘感兴趣区域内所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点所对应的剪切波传播描绘路径上剪切波到达多个位置处的时刻，以生成所述剪切波传播图。
  15. 如权利要求14所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述处理器还将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一时刻到达的特定位置连接起来形成一条位置变化曲线，绘制多个时刻对应的位置变化曲线，生成剪切波位置达到变化图。
  16. 如权利要求14所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述第处理器还将不同传播起点出发的剪切波在同一传播路径位置处的到达时间连接起来形成一条时间变化曲线，绘制多个传播路径位置对应的时间变化曲线，生成剪切波时间达到变化图。
  17. 如权利要求11所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述处理器获取的所述至少两个剪切波传播描绘起点中，各剪切波传播描绘起点是沿同一深度方向的。
  18. 如权利要求11所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述处理器还绘制直角坐标系，以沿深度方向的位置为纵坐标，以时间、或者沿剪切波传播路径上的多个位置为横坐标；并在所述直角坐标系中描绘所述传播差异。
  19. 如权利要求11所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，还包括显示单元，其中：
    所述探头向所述目标组织发射超声波束，并接收所述超声波束的回波信息，获得用于形成超声图像的回波信号；
    所述处理器根据所述用于形成超声图像的回波信号生成所述目标组织的超声图像；
    显示单元显示所述超声图像，以及显示所述剪切波传播图。
  20. 如权利要求19所述的剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，所述处理器还根据所述检测剪切波的超声波束的超声回波信号，计算沿剪切波传播路径上的组织弹性参数，所述显示单元用于在所述超声图像上叠加显示所述组织弹性参数。
  21. 一种剪切波成像方法，其特征在于，包括：
    在目标组织中产生至少一个剪切波；
    向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪所述剪切波的传播，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目标组织内不同位置的到达信息；
    根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图；
    显示所述剪切波传播图。
  22. 如权利要求21所述的方法，其特征在于：根据所述超声回波信号获得在所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息包括：
    根据所述超声回波信号确定目标组织中不同位置处的组织运动参数；
    根据所述组织运动参数确定所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息。
  23. 如权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于：所述组织运动参数包括组织位移和/或组织运动速度。
  24. 如权利要求21至23中任意一项所述的方法，其特征在于：所述到达信息为在多个时刻所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上到达的位置。
  25. 如权利要求24所述的方法，其特征在于：根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：
    建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示剪切波传播路径上的位置；
    在所述直角坐标系中描绘在所述多个时刻时所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的所述位置。
  26. 如权利要求25所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：在所述直角坐标系中，标记相同时刻所述剪切波所到达的多个位置。
  27. 如权利要求21至23中任意一项所述的方法，其特征在于：所述到达信息为在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
  28. 如权利要求27所述的方法，其特征在于：根据所述到达信息生 成剪切波传播图包括：
    建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示时间；
    在所述直角坐标系中描绘在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
  29. 如权利要求28所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括：在所述直角坐标系中，标记所述剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的位置的多个时间。
  30. 一种剪切波成像系统，其特征在于，包括：
    探头，所述探头包括换能器，并通过所述换能器向目标组织中发射超声波束以跟踪在所述目标组织中传播的剪切波，并接收超声回波，获得超声回波信号；
    处理器，所述处理器根据所述超声回波信号获得在所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息，并根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图；
    显示单元，所述显示单元显示所述剪切波传播图。
  31. 如权利要求30所述的系统，其特征在于：所述处理器
    根据所述超声回波信号确定目标组织中不同位置处的组织运动参数；
    根据所述组织运动参数确定所述剪切波在所述目标组织内不同位置的到达信息。
  32. 如权利要求31所述的方法，其特征在于：所述组织运动参数包括组织位移和/或组织运动速度。
  33. 如权利要求30至32中任意一项所述的方法，其特征在于：所述到达信息为在多个时刻所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上到达的位置。
  34. 如权利要求33所述的方法，其特征在于：所述处理器根据所述到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：
    建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示剪切波传播路径上的位置；
    在所述直角坐标系中描绘在所述多个时刻时所述剪切波在剪切波传播路径上所到达的所述位置。
  35. 如权利要求34所述的方法，其特征在于，所述处理器还在所述直角坐标系中标记相同时刻所述剪切波所到达的多个位置。
  36. 如权利要求30至32中任意一项所述的方法，其特征在于：所述到达信息为在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
  37. 如权利要求36所述的方法，其特征在于：所述处理器根据所述 到达信息生成剪切波传播图包括：
    建立直角坐标系，其中所述直角坐标系的一个坐标轴表示所述目标组织的深度，另一个坐标轴表示时间；
    在所述直角坐标系中描绘在剪切波传播路径上的多个位置处所述剪切波到达该位置的时间。
  38. 如权利要求37所述的方法，其特征在于，所述处理器还在所述直角坐标系中，标记所述剪切波到达与剪切波源相距相同距离的位置的多个时间。
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