WO2020077598A1 - 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统 - Google Patents

一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统 Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020077598A1
WO2020077598A1 PCT/CN2018/110875 CN2018110875W WO2020077598A1 WO 2020077598 A1 WO2020077598 A1 WO 2020077598A1 CN 2018110875 W CN2018110875 W CN 2018110875W WO 2020077598 A1 WO2020077598 A1 WO 2020077598A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
interest
elastic
region
elasticity
detection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CN2018/110875
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李双双
王泽兵
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd, Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd filed Critical Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Priority to CN201880018203.XA priority Critical patent/CN110573088B/zh
Priority to PCT/CN2018/110875 priority patent/WO2020077598A1/zh
Priority to CN202111032586.6A priority patent/CN113679425B/zh
Publication of WO2020077598A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020077598A1/zh
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Clinical applications
    • A61B8/0833—Clinical applications involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
    • A61B8/085—Clinical applications 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
    • A61B8/44—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
    • 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
    • A61B8/467—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means
    • 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
    • A61B8/467—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means
    • A61B8/469—Ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic devices with special arrangements for interfacing with the operator or the patient characterised by special input means for selection of a region of interest
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to medical equipment, in particular to an ultrasonic elasticity detection method and system.
  • Ultrasound diagnosis uses ultrasound to detect the elasticity or softness of biological tissues, and output elasticity detection results (such as elasticity images). This technology has been increasingly used in auxiliary detection of tissue cancer lesions, benign and malignant discrimination, and prognosis recovery evaluation The more applications.
  • Ultrasound elasticity imaging mainly reflects elasticity-related parameters in the region of interest, thereby reflecting the softness and hardness of the tissue.
  • different methods of elastography have emerged, such as quasi-static elastography based on strain caused by the probe pressing against tissue, shear wave elastography or elastic measurement based on the generation of shear waves based on acoustic radiation force, and shear waves based on external vibration Instantaneous elastography etc.
  • real-time imaging technology there are real-time imaging technology and single-shot imaging technology.
  • the system usually repeats the ultrasound scanning and imaging display in a fast and continuous cycle, and the image is refreshed in real time until the user applies a command to stop imaging; while in single imaging, the system usually only performs a single ultrasound scanning and imaging display , Get an image or a calculation result.
  • users also need to play back historical data in order to analyze and compare the elasticity measurement results in different time periods (such as before treatment, after treatment, etc.).
  • the operation flow of elasticity detection is: the user (such as a doctor) first starts the elasticity detection mode through a specific button, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus first performs ultrasound imaging, and the image is B image or C image. Specify the region of interest, and then enter the elasticity imaging mode through another specific button to perform elasticity detection on the region of interest. After the detection, a frame of elasticity data or a frame of elasticity image can be obtained. If the user wants to measure again for the second time, he can only exit the first elastic detection mode, restart the elastic detection mode, and repeat the above operations. However, the previously obtained elastic results, ultrasound images, ROI, etc., will not be automatically cached.
  • the user wants to query the previous measurement result, it needs to be recorded in the form of an image or a measurement report when the measurement is completed at that time.
  • the results of multiple elasticity tests performed by the ultrasound system in the same time period cannot be saved in the same file, and the user can only search and browse from all the saved measurement results or pictures corresponding to the patient when he needs to query.
  • the present application provides an ultrasonic elastic elasticity detection method and system, so that the user can easily repeatedly measure the target tissue multiple times, and improve the accuracy of elasticity detection.
  • the present application provides an ultrasonic elasticity detection method, including:
  • the elastic scanning phase After the elastic scanning phase ends, it automatically switches to the elastic collection preparation phase or switches to the elastic collection preparation phase based on the third instruction input by the user.
  • this application provides an elastography system, including:
  • the ultrasonic probe includes a transducer composed of multiple array elements.
  • the transducer is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue and receive echoes of the ultrasonic waves returned by the target tissue;
  • the transmit and receive sequence control module is used to output the first transmit / receive sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, control the transducer to transmit the first ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the first ultrasonic wave, and scan in the elastic After the shear wave is generated in the target tissue, at least one second transmission / reception sequence is output to the transducer, and the transducer is controlled to transmit the second ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the second ultrasonic wave.
  • the first ultrasonic wave is used to perform real-time on the target tissue Ultrasound imaging, the second ultrasound is used to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue;
  • Non-volatile memory for storing programs and data
  • the data processing module is used for receiving the first instruction input by the user to enter the elasticity detection mode, starting the elasticity detection mode based on the first instruction and entering the elasticity collection preparation stage, and controlling the transmission and reception sequence control module to switch in the elasticity collection preparation stage
  • the energy device outputs the first transmission / reception sequence, generates a real-time ultrasound image according to the echo of the first ultrasound, detects that the user identifies the selected region of interest by the region of interest on the ultrasound image, obtains position information of the region of interest, and receives
  • the second instruction entered by the user enters the elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, and at least one elastic detection is performed on the region of interest based on the position information of the region of interest at least in the elastic scanning stage, and the control transmission and reception sequence control module outputs at least one to the transducer
  • a second transmit / receive sequence to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue, calculate the elasticity detection result of the region of interest based on the echo of the second ultrasonic wave,
  • the human-computer interaction module includes a display for displaying ultrasound images and elastic results, and for adding and / or adjusting a region-of-interest identification on the ultrasound images.
  • the above solution divides the elastic detection mode into two stages: elastic acquisition preparation and elastic scanning. After the elastic scanning stage is over, instead of exiting the elastic measurement mode, you can return to the elastic acquisition preparation stage and perform real-time ultrasound imaging of the target tissue. This allows the user to display real-time ultrasound imaging of the target tissue without complicated operations in order to observe whether the region of interest drifts or to re-determine the region of interest.
  • the present application provides an elasticity detection method, including:
  • this application provides an elastography system, including:
  • the ultrasonic probe includes a transducer composed of multiple array elements.
  • the transducer is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue and receive echoes of the ultrasonic waves returned by the target tissue;
  • the transmit and receive sequence control module is used to output the first transmit / receive sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, control the transducer to transmit the first ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the first ultrasonic wave, and scan in the elastic After the shear wave is generated in the target tissue, at least one second transmission / reception sequence is output to the transducer, and the transducer is controlled to transmit the second ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the second ultrasonic wave.
  • the first ultrasonic wave is used to perform real-time on the target tissue Ultrasound imaging, the second ultrasound is used to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue;
  • Non-volatile memory for storing programs and data
  • the data processing module is used to receive the first instruction input by the user to enter the elasticity detection mode, enter the elasticity acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, and control the transmission and reception sequence control module to output the first to the transducer during the elasticity acquisition preparation stage Transmit / receive sequence, generate real-time ultrasound image according to the echo of the first ultrasonic wave, detect the user to identify the selected region of interest by the region of interest on the ultrasound image, obtain the location information of the region of interest, and receive the second input by the user Instruction, enter the elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, during the elastic scanning stage, at least one elastic detection is performed on the region of interest based on at least the location information of the region of interest, and the control transmission and reception sequence control module outputs at least one second transmission to the transducer / Receive the sequence to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue, calculate the elasticity detection result of the region of interest based on the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, and output the elasticity detection result, automatically detect the elasticity when exiting
  • the human-computer interaction module includes a display for displaying ultrasound images and elastic results, and for adding and / or adjusting a region-of-interest identification on the ultrasound images.
  • the above solution only saves the elastic detection results and the location information of the region of interest, and does not save the real-time ultrasound image. On the one hand, it reduces the amount of stored data and saves storage space; on the other hand, only It is necessary to display the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest, so the playback speed can be improved.
  • the present application provides an elasticity detection method, including:
  • the present application provides an elastography system, including:
  • the ultrasonic probe includes a transducer composed of multiple array elements.
  • the transducer is used to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue and receive echoes of the ultrasonic waves returned by the target tissue;
  • the transmit and receive sequence control module is used to output the first transmit / receive sequence to the transducer in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, control the transducer to transmit the first ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the first ultrasonic wave, and scan in the elastic After the shear wave is generated in the target tissue, at least one second transmission / reception sequence is output to the transducer, and the transducer is controlled to transmit the second ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the second ultrasonic wave.
  • the first ultrasonic wave is used to perform real-time on the target tissue Ultrasound imaging, the second ultrasound is used to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue;
  • the data processing module is used to receive the first instruction input by the user to enter the elasticity detection mode, enter the elasticity acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, and control the transmission and reception sequence control module to output the first to the transducer during the elasticity acquisition preparation stage Transmit / receive sequence, generate real-time ultrasound image according to the echo of the first ultrasonic wave, detect the user to identify the selected region of interest on the ultrasound image by the region of interest, obtain the location information of the region of interest, and receive the second input Instruction, enter the elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, during the elastic scanning stage, at least one elastic detection is performed on the region of interest based on at least the location information of the region of interest, and the control transmission and reception sequence control module outputs at least one second transmission to the transducer / Receive the sequence to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue, calculate the elastic detection result of the region of interest according to the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, and output the elastic detection result;
  • a human-computer interaction module which includes a display, which is used to display ultrasound images and elastic results, and to add and / or adjust the region-of-interest identification on the ultrasound images;
  • the buffer area is used to temporarily store all the detection data or selected part of the detection data of at least one elastic acquisition preparation stage and the elastic scanning stage after entering the elastic detection mode;
  • Non-volatile memory for storing the detection data; when the data processing module receives the playback instruction before exiting the elastic mode, the data is read from the buffer area based on the playback instruction and output to the display to display at least on the display interface A flexible detection result and the location information of the region of interest collected; when the data processing module receives a playback instruction after exiting the elastic mode, reads data from the non-volatile memory based on the playback instruction and outputs it to the display, The elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest collected at least once are displayed on the display interface.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an elastic imaging system in an embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of identifying an area of interest in an embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound transmission sequence of an embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing elastic results displayed on a display interface in an embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a temporary storage solution of detection data according to an embodiment
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a temporary storage solution for detection data according to another embodiment
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a temporary storage solution for detection data according to another embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of statistics of historical measurement results according to an embodiment
  • 13 is a schematic diagram of statistics of historical measurement results according to another embodiment.
  • connection and “connection” in this application, unless otherwise specified, include direct and indirect connection (connection).
  • the elasticity detection is divided into two stages, namely the elasticity acquisition preparation stage and the elasticity scanning stage.
  • Ultrasound imaging detection is performed during the elasticity acquisition preparation stage to generate an ultrasound image so that the user can select the interest on the ultrasound image Area, and get the location information of the area of interest.
  • the position information of the region of interest refers to the relative position information of the region of interest in the ultrasound image, which may refer to the relative position coordinates of the region of interest in the ultrasound image, or it may refer to a frame of ultrasound image with the region of interest logo ,
  • the relative position of the region of interest in the ultrasound image can be obtained according to the frame of ultrasound image.
  • elasticity detection is performed on the region of interest to obtain elasticity detection results.
  • the elasticity detection mode is divided into two stages, and different processing is performed in different embodiments, for example:
  • the measurement is not ended after the end of the elastic scanning phase, but can be returned to the elastic acquisition preparation phase automatically or based on instructions entered by the user to perform real-time ultrasound imaging of the target tissue, which makes the user less complicated
  • the operation can then display the real-time ultrasound imaging of the target tissue in order to observe whether the region of interest drifts or re-determine the region of interest. In this way, the user can realize multiple adjustments and retests of the region of interest, prevent the region of interest from drifting, and improve the accuracy of elastic detection.
  • the elasticity detection mode is divided into two stages, and each stage obtains its own detection data, for example, the position information of the region of interest is obtained during the elasticity acquisition preparation stage, and the elasticity detection is obtained during the elasticity scanning stage
  • the elasticity detection mode is divided into two stages, and each stage obtains its own detection data, for example, the position information of the region of interest is obtained during the elasticity acquisition preparation stage, and the elasticity detection is obtained during the elasticity scanning stage
  • the detection result and the position information of the region of interest are synthesized into the same image frame for display, so that the user can view the elastic detection result and the region of interest collected at the same time.
  • an ultrasonic device is used as the elasticity detection system.
  • the elasticity detection system 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 101, a transmission and reception sequence control module 102, a data processing module 103, a human-computer interaction module 104, and a non-easy ⁇ ⁇ Memory 105 and the buffer 106.
  • the ultrasound probe 101 is signal-connected to the data processing module 103 through the transmission and reception sequence control module 102, and the data processing module 103 is also signal-connected to the human-computer interaction module 104, the non-volatile memory 105, and the buffer area 106, respectively.
  • the ultrasonic probe 101 includes a transducer (not shown in the figure) composed of a plurality of array elements arranged in an array.
  • the plurality of array elements are arranged in a row to form a linear array, or arranged in a two-dimensional matrix to form a surface array.
  • the array elements can also form a convex array.
  • the array element is used to transmit ultrasonic waves according to the excitation electrical signal, or convert the received ultrasonic waves into electrical signals. Therefore, each array element can be used to realize the mutual conversion of electrical pulse signals and ultrasonic waves, so as to realize the transmission of ultrasonic waves to the detected target tissue (such as biological tissue in the human or animal body) 110, and can also be used to receive the ultrasonic waves reflected back by the tissue. wave.
  • the array elements participating in the ultrasonic wave transmission can be simultaneously excited by electrical signals to simultaneously emit ultrasonic waves; or the array elements participating in the ultrasonic beam emission can also be excited by several electrical signals at a certain time interval, thereby continuously emitting ultrasonic waves at a certain time interval.
  • the transducer is used to both emit ultrasound waves that generate an ultrasound image (for example, B image or C image), and also emit ultrasound waves that detect shear waves traveling through a region of interest in a tissue.
  • an ultrasound image for example, B image or C image
  • the transmission and reception sequence control module 102 is used to generate a transmission sequence and a reception sequence.
  • the transmission sequence is used to control some or all of the plurality of array elements to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue.
  • the parameters of the transmission sequence include the position of the array element used for transmission, the number of array elements and Ultrasonic transmission parameters (such as amplitude, frequency, number of wave transmissions, transmission interval, wave transmission angle, wave mode, focus position, etc.).
  • the receiving sequence is used to control some or all of the multiple array elements to receive the echo reflected by the tissue.
  • the receiving sequence parameters include the position of the array element for receiving, the number of array elements, and the reception parameters of the echo (such as the angle of reception, Depth, etc.).
  • the use of ultrasonic echo is different or the image generated by ultrasonic echo is different and the type of detection is different.
  • the ultrasonic parameters in the transmission sequence and the echo parameters in the reception sequence are also different.
  • the transmit and receive sequence control module 102 is used to output a first transmit / receive sequence to the transducer during the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and control the transducer to transmit the first ultrasonic wave and receive the echo of the first ultrasonic wave, the first Ultrasound is used for real-time ultrasound imaging of target tissues.
  • the transmit-receive sequence control module 102 is used to output at least one second transmit / receive sequence to the transducer to control the transducer to transmit the second ultrasonic wave and receive the second ultrasonic wave back Wave, the second ultrasonic wave is used to detect the shear wave passing through the region of interest in the target tissue.
  • the position and number of array elements transmitting ultrasonic waves and transmission parameters are defined respectively; in the first and second reception sequences, the position and number of array elements receiving echoes and receiving parameters are respectively defined.
  • the data processing module 103 is used to receive the first instruction input by the user to enter the elasticity detection mode, enter the elasticity acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, and control the transmission and reception sequence control module to output the first transmission / reception to the transducer during the elasticity acquisition preparation stage Sequence, generating a real-time ultrasound image based on the echo of the first ultrasound, detecting that the user identifies the selected region of interest on the ultrasound image by the region of interest, acquiring the location information of the region of interest, receiving the second instruction input by the user, based on The second instruction enters the elastic scanning stage.
  • the control transmission and reception sequence control module outputs at least one second transmission / reception sequence to the transducer.
  • the control transmission and reception sequence control module outputs at least one second transmission / reception sequence to the transducer.
  • the control transmission and reception sequence control module calculates the elastic detection result of the region of interest based on the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, and output the elastic detection result, and automatically switch to the elastic acquisition preparation stage after the elastic scanning stage is over Or a third instruction based on user input Change to the elastic gathering stage of preparation.
  • the data processing module detects the third instruction input by the user in real time during the elasticity scanning stage. Regardless of whether the elasticity detection is completed, the third instruction entered by the user is switched to the elasticity acquisition preparation stage once detected.
  • the data processing module 103 processes the ultrasonic echo, for example, filtering, amplifying, and beam-synthesizing the ultrasonic echo.
  • the ultrasonic echo in this embodiment includes both ultrasonic for elasticity detection Echo also includes ultrasonic echo used for ultrasonic imaging detection.
  • the data processing module 103 includes an elasticity detection module 113 and an ultrasound imaging detection module 123.
  • the ultrasound imaging detection module 123 receives the echo signal used for ultrasound imaging detection after echo processing, and the echo is processed by a corresponding algorithm The signal is converted into an ultrasound image;
  • the elasticity detection module 113 receives the echo signal for elasticity detection after the echo processing, and uses a relevant algorithm to obtain the required elasticity result of the region of interest.
  • the elasticity result can be, for example, strain value, shear Shear wave elastic parameters or shear wave trajectories and calculation parameters or images derived from the above results, where the shear wave elastic parameters include at least shear wave propagation velocity, Young's modulus value or shear modulus value One.
  • the data processing module 103 further includes an echo processing module.
  • the echo processing module performs echo processing such as filtering, amplification, and beam synthesis on the ultrasonic echo.
  • the echo processing module can both perform elastic detection
  • the ultrasonic echo can be processed, and the ultrasonic echo detected by ultrasonic imaging can also be processed.
  • the data processing module 103 alternately performs ultrasonic imaging detection of the target tissue and elasticity detection of the region of interest in the elastic scanning stage, and according to the position information of the region of interest obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage, the region of interest The mark is added to the ultrasound image, and the ultrasound imaging detection and the elasticity detection adjacent to the detection time are formed into a combination, and the ultrasound image and the elasticity detection result in each combination are combined into one frame image, and the synthesized frame image data is output to the real-time The display so as to simultaneously display the ultrasound image and the elasticity detection result on the display interface.
  • the data processing module continuously performs elasticity detection on the region of interest during the elasticity scanning stage, and synthesizes the ultrasound image with the region of interest identifier obtained in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage and the elasticity detection result into a frame of image, real-time
  • the synthesized frame image data is output to the display, so that the ultrasound image with the identification of the region of interest and the elasticity detection result are simultaneously displayed on the display interface.
  • the human-computer interaction module 104 serves as an interaction interface between the user and the elastography system 100.
  • the human-computer interaction module 104 includes a display 114, which is used to display real-time ultrasound images and ultrasound during the elastic acquisition preparation stage. The region of interest identifier added to the image; during the elastic scanning stage, the display is used to display the elastic result or the image frame synthesized by the ultrasound image and the elastic result; or based on the playback instruction, the display is used to display the elastic detection result and the collected region of interest location information.
  • the human-computer interaction module 104 further includes an input module.
  • the input module may be, for example, a keyboard, operation buttons (including switches), a mouse, a trackball, etc., or a touch screen integrated with the display 114. .
  • the input module is a keyboard or operation buttons
  • the user can directly input operation information or operation instructions through the input module;
  • the input module is a mouse, trackball or touch screen
  • the user can connect the input module and the soft keyboard on the display interface, Operation icons, tabs, menu options, etc. are combined to complete the input of operation information or operation instructions, and the input of operation information can also be completed by marking, framing, etc., made on the display interface.
  • the operation instruction may be the first instruction to enter the elasticity detection mode, or the second instruction to enter the elasticity scanning phase, or the third instruction to switch to the elasticity acquisition preparation phase after the elasticity scanning phase is over, or it may be used to save data Save instruction or playback instruction for playing back the detection result.
  • the display 114 and the input module cooperate to realize the selection of a region of interest.
  • the display 114 is used to display an ultrasound image on a display interface, and the input module is used to select a sense on the ultrasound image based on detecting the user's operation. Area of interest.
  • the buffer area 106 is used to temporarily store ultrasound images and elasticity detection results. When the elasticity detection mode is exited or shut down, the temporarily stored data in the buffer area 106 will be lost.
  • the non-volatile memory 105 is used to save the elasticity detection result and the collected position information of the region of interest.
  • the saved data may be frame image data generated in an elasticity scanning stage saved in a predetermined order, or an elasticity scan saved in a predetermined order The elasticity detection result generated in the stage and the ultrasound image of the region of interest selected in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage.
  • FIG. 2 it is a flow chart of the elasticity detection work using the elasticity imaging system of this embodiment, which specifically includes the following steps:
  • Step 201 When the user needs to perform elasticity detection, the user can input a first instruction through the input module or the display.
  • the first instruction is used to start the elasticity detection mode and enter the elasticity collection preparation stage.
  • the elasticity detection system Based on the response to the first command, the elasticity detection system enters into the elasticity acquisition preparation stage.
  • the data processing module controls the transmission and reception sequence.
  • the control module outputs the first transmission / reception sequence to the transducer.
  • the ultrasound probe is based on the first transmission / reception The sequence transmits the first ultrasonic wave to the target tissue and receives the echo of the first ultrasonic wave.
  • the data processing module processes the first ultrasonic echo, including amplification, ADC, beam synthesis, image processing, etc., and finally forms a structure for displaying the morphological structure of the tissue Visualize the ultrasound image and output real-time ultrasound image to the display for display.
  • the user can observe the ultrasound image in real time, and adjust the inspection range, the angle of the probe placement, etc. as needed.
  • the ultrasound image includes a B image or a C image, or an image in which B and C are superimposed.
  • the C image is mainly a color image reflecting blood flow, and the blood flow can be viewed on the C image.
  • the B image is mainly an image that reflects the anatomical structure of the tissue, usually expressed in grayscale or pseudo-color.
  • the B image can be used to view the tissue, such as whether the tissue is diseased or the location of the blood vessel.
  • the superimposed image of B and C is a composite image of the tissue in the B image and the blood flow in the C image strictly corresponding to the physical position. For example, when the blood flow is just inside the blood vessel area, the superimposed image of B and C can be determined The location of blood vessels.
  • the field of view of the ultrasound image can be of various shapes according to the shape of the probe.
  • the linear array probe corresponds to a rectangular image
  • the convex array probe corresponds to a convex image
  • the phased array probe corresponds to a sector image.
  • a rectangular B image is used as an example for illustration.
  • the ultrasound image 300 is displayed on the display interface 314 of the display, and the ultrasound image 300 mainly reflects the anatomical structure of the target tissue.
  • Step 202 Detect that the user identifies the selected region of interest on the ultrasound image by the region of interest, and obtain position information of the region of interest.
  • the user is allowed to mark the region of interest on the B image.
  • the region of interest identifier may be rectangular, or circular, oval, fan-shaped, etc., as shown in FIG. 3, in a specific example
  • an editable selection frame 301 is displayed on the ultrasound image 300 at the same time.
  • the selection frame 301 allows the user to adjust the height, width, and position through the mouse, touch screen, etc.
  • the fixed frame 301 is a region of interest.
  • the position information of the region of interest is determined.
  • the user may draw a selected frame 301 on the B image through an input device such as a mouse or a touch screen to determine the location information of the region of interest.
  • the location information of the region of interest can be either an ultrasound image containing the selected frame, or data information containing the location of the target tissue and the location of the selected frame in the target tissue, or it can be data information containing only the location of the selected frame , And everything else that can determine the data information of the position of the selected box.
  • the display transmits the coordinate information of the region of interest selected by the user to the data processing module, and the data processing module can determine the position of the region of interest in the tissue according to the coordinate information of the region of interest.
  • the region of interest can also be selected in other ways, for example, the default ultrasound probe is set as a region of interest at a predetermined distance below a certain position. According to the displayed ultrasound image, the user can move the ultrasound probe To adjust the region of interest, thereby changing the location of the elasticity detection.
  • Step 203 after the location information of the region of interest is determined, the user can input the second instruction to enter the elastic scanning stage through the input module or the display, and based on the response to the second instruction, the elasticity detection system enters the elastic scanning stage.
  • the process of elastic detection is different.
  • the target tissue is deformed by pressing, vibration or acoustic radiation, and then a shear wave is generated in the area of interest within the target tissue, and then the data processing module controls the transmission and reception sequence control module to the transducer
  • the second transmit / receive sequence is output.
  • the ultrasonic probe transmits the second ultrasonic wave and the echo of the second ultrasonic wave to the determined region of interest according to the second transmit / receive sequence.
  • the ultrasonic probe is required to last for a period of time. Transmit ultrasound waves and receive echo signals in tissues.
  • the data processing module calculates the elastic detection result of the region of interest based on the echo of the second ultrasonic wave, and the elastic detection result may be, for example, a strain value, a shear wave elastic parameter or a shear wave trajectory, and a calculation parameter or image derived from the above result Etc., wherein the shear wave elastic parameters include at least one of shear wave propagation velocity, Young's modulus value or shear modulus value.
  • the elasticity detection result can be calculated by the following method:
  • the data processing module can calculate the displacement of a point on the propagation path of the shear wave based on the received echo signal.
  • the displacement of the point is the largest, the shear wave reaches the point.
  • the propagation path or trajectory of the shear wave can be located, so that the shear wave trajectory map can be drawn, and the points on the shear wave propagation path can be obtained according to the trajectory line of the shear wave Slope, the slope is the speed of shear wave propagation.
  • the shear wave propagation velocity has the following approximate relationship between Young's modulus and shear modulus:
  • c represents the shear wave velocity
  • ⁇ represents the tissue density
  • E represents the Young's modulus value of the tissue
  • G represents the shear modulus of the tissue.
  • ⁇ is the density of water. Therefore, when the shear wave propagation velocity is obtained, other elastic related parameters can be further calculated, such as Young's modulus and shear modulus.
  • the elasticity detection when performing elasticity detection on the region of interest, the elasticity detection may be performed on the region of interest only once, or multiple consecutive elasticity detections may be performed.
  • the time interval between the elasticity detection can be set by the system or by the user through the input module or the display. For example, when set to single detection, the system performs one elastic detection and outputs an elastic result, and then the elastic scanning phase ends; when set to 4 detections, the system continuously performs four elastic detections and outputs 4 elastic results Or output the statistical value of the elasticity results 4 times, such as average value or median value, etc., and then the elasticity scanning phase ends.
  • the number of consecutive detections can be increased to obtain multiple elastic results at once; if the user is difficult to guarantee the elasticity During the detection process, the stability of the ultrasound probe alignment area can be adjusted to lower the number of consecutive tests.
  • the elastic scanning phase ends, and then switch to the elastic acquisition preparation phase, readjust the imaging section and the area of interest, and then Start elasticity detection.
  • the ultrasound imaging detection of the target tissue and the elasticity detection of the region of interest are alternately performed during the elastic scanning stage, and the alternation may be performed once, or may be performed continuously multiple times.
  • the ultrasound imaging detection may be an ultrasound detection for generating a B image or a C image.
  • Ultrasonic detection can also be a frame of B image detection and then a frame of C image detection, as shown in Figure 7-9.
  • the elasticity detection may include generating once or multiple times.
  • the data processing module controls the transmission and reception sequence control module to output a third transmission / reception sequence to the transducer, and the ultrasound probe transmits the third to the target tissue according to the third transmission / reception sequence
  • the ultrasonic wave and the echo of the third ultrasonic wave are received, and the data processing module processes the third ultrasonic echo, including amplification, ADC, beam synthesis, image processing, etc., to form a visual ultrasonic image, and then performs elasticity detection.
  • the transmission and reception sequence control module controls the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals in a chronological order in a sequence preset by the system or input by the user according to the needs of the elasticity detection.
  • Step 204 displaying the elasticity detection result. Specifically, it includes: synthesizing the ultrasound image with the identification of the region of interest and the elasticity detection result into one frame of image.
  • the ultrasound image and elasticity detection result of the area identification are combined into one frame image.
  • the region of interest identifier is added to the ultrasound generated in real time in the elastic scanning stage according to the position information of the region of interest obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage
  • the ultrasound imaging detection and the elasticity detection adjacent to the detection time form a combination
  • the ultrasonic image and the elasticity detection result added with the identification of the region of interest in each combination are combined into one frame image.
  • the synthesized frame image data is output to the display in real time, so as to simultaneously display the ultrasound image with the identification of the region of interest and the elasticity detection result on the display interface.
  • the elasticity detection result is displayed by means of parameters, progress bar or elasticity distribution diagram.
  • the adjacent ultrasound image and the elasticity result are combined into one frame image to be displayed on the display interface 514 of the display at the same time, and the check box 501 is added to the ultrasound image according to the position information of the region of interest determined according to the elastic acquisition preparation stage
  • the region of interest on 500 is marked, and the elasticity results are presented in the form of a distribution image 502.
  • different hardness structures can also be identified by different colors, grayscales, or filling methods. Simultaneously displaying the ultrasound image and the elasticity result can more accurately record the position information of the elasticity detection.
  • the elasticity detection result may be displayed separately without displaying the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest on the same screen.
  • step 205 it is determined whether the elastic scanning phase is over.
  • step 206 is executed, and if not, step 207 is executed.
  • Step 206 automatically switch to the flexible collection preparation stage or wait for the user to input the third instruction.
  • the third instruction is used to switch to the flexible collection preparation stage.
  • the third instruction can be implemented using the same technical means as the first instruction, or Adopt different technical means. After the user enters the third instruction, the system switches to the flexible acquisition preparation stage.
  • the target tissue can be ultrasonically detected to generate an image of the morphological structure of the target tissue.
  • the user can determine whether there is relative movement between the target tissue and the probe, and whether the area of interest is generated drift.
  • the position of the region of interest identification can be adjusted at this stage.
  • step 207 the third instruction input by the user is detected in real time, and once the third instruction input by the user is detected, the system switches to the flexible acquisition preparation stage.
  • the elastic scan phase if the user finds that there is relative movement between the target tissue and the probe, you do not need to wait for the end of the elastic scan phase, you can enter the third command to immediately switch to the elastic acquisition preparation phase, and turn to step 201 to achieve elastic acquisition Free switching between preparation phase and flexible scanning phase.
  • the system when the elastic scanning phase ends, the system does not exit the elastic detection mode, but automatically switches to the elastic collection preparation phase or the third instruction based on the user input to the elastic collection preparation phase, which makes the user need to restart
  • the elastic collection preparation phase when locating the region of interest, no complicated operations are required, and at most only one key operation is required to return to the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and there is no need to exit the current elastic detection mode and then restart the elastic detection mode.
  • step 204 the ultrasound image with the identification of the region of interest and the elasticity detection result are simultaneously displayed on the display interface, which allows the user to check in real time whether the region of interest has drifted, reducing the user's judgment based on experience Missed and misjudged.
  • the data saving process of the elastic imaging system adopting this embodiment specifically includes the following steps:
  • Step 601 The data processing module receives the first instruction input by the user, enters the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, performs real-time ultrasound imaging detection on the target tissue during the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and outputs a real-time ultrasound image to the display for display.
  • Step 602 Detect that the user identifies the selected region of interest on the ultrasound image by the region of interest, and obtain position information of the region of interest.
  • Step 603 Receive a second instruction input by the user, enter the elasticity scanning stage based on the second instruction, and perform at least one elasticity detection on the region of interest according to the position information of the region of interest at least in the elasticity scanning stage, and output the elasticity result.
  • the ultrasound imaging detection of the target tissue and the elasticity detection of the region of interest may be alternately performed during the elastic scanning stage.
  • the adjacent ultrasound imaging detection and elasticity detection form a combination, and the ultrasound image and The elastic result is synthesized as a frame of image and output to the display, so that the ultrasound image and the elastic result are displayed on the display interface at the same time, and the region of interest identifier is added to the ultrasound image according to the position information of the region of interest.
  • step 604 when exiting the elasticity detection mode, the elasticity detection result and the location information of the region of interest are automatically saved in the non-volatile memory.
  • the ultrasound image with the identification of the region of interest and the elasticity detection result are combined into one frame image, only the frame image data may be saved in the non-volatile memory without saving the elasticity acquisition preparation Real-time ultrasound image data generated in the stage; in one embodiment, the elasticity detection result generated in the elasticity scanning stage and the ultrasound image of the selected region of interest in the elasticity acquisition preparation stage may also be saved in a non-volatile memory, It does not save other real-time ultrasound image data generated during the flexible acquisition preparation stage.
  • the data is first stored in the buffer area, because there is no need to exit the current elastic detection when switching between the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase Mode, so that the data in the cache area will not be lost by exiting the current elastic detection mode, so the data generated in multiple elastic acquisition preparation phases and elastic scan phases can be temporarily stored in the cache area, which is conducive to exiting the current In the elastic detection mode, all or part of the data in the cache area is saved in a file in the non-volatile memory.
  • the buffer area 106 includes a first buffer area 716, which is used to temporarily store the detection data generated in the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase in time sequence.
  • the detection data includes real-time ultrasound image data including the location information of the region of interest generated in the elastic acquisition preparation stage and frame image data generated in the elastic scanning stage, which includes the frame image data temporarily generated in the elastic scanning stage temporarily stored in the buffer area of the E B, C, or a combination of B and C temporarily stores real-time ultrasound image data including position information of the region of interest generated during the flexible acquisition preparation stage.
  • Mark the data generated in the elastic scanning stage in the first cache area 716 for example, the data marked as "elastic scan" in FIG.
  • the cache area includes a first cache area 816 and a second cache area 826, and the detection data generated in the elastic acquisition preparation phase and the elastic scanning phase are temporarily stored in the first cache in chronological order Area 816, and then temporarily store the data generated by the elastic scanning stage in the first buffer area 816 in the second buffer area 826 in a predetermined order, and then read from the second buffer area 826 based on the playback instruction before exiting the elastic detection mode Data, and output the data to the display interface of the display for display; or save the data in the second buffer area 826 in the non-volatile memory based on the save instruction; or after exiting the elastic detection mode based on the playback instruction
  • the volatile memory reads the data generated in the elastic scanning stage, and outputs the data or the statistical results of the data to the display interface of the display for display.
  • the buffer area includes a third buffer area 936 and a second buffer area 926, temporarily stores the real-time ultrasound image data generated in the elastic acquisition preparation phase in the third buffer area 936, and stores the elastic scanning phase
  • the generated data is temporarily stored in the second buffer area 926 in a predetermined order.
  • the predetermined order includes the chronological order or the order set according to the predetermined parameters.
  • the chronological order may be the order in which the oldest detection data is arranged first and the latest detection data is arranged in the rear; or the latest detection data is arranged in the front, The earliest detection data is arranged in the latter order; or other chronological order.
  • the order of setting the predetermined parameters is a predetermined order input by the user or a predetermined order of the system, for example, it may be arranged in the order of Young's modulus or shear modulus from large to small.
  • the data generated in the elasticity scanning stage is read from the non-volatile memory based on the playback instruction, and the data or the statistical result of the data is output to Displayed on the display interface of the monitor.
  • the switch between the elastic acquisition preparation stage and the elastic scan stage does not need to exit the elastic detection mode, so all the detection data or selected parts generated by each elastic acquisition preparation stage and the elastic scan stage can be detected
  • the data is temporarily stored in the cache area.
  • all or part of the data in the cache area can be saved to a file in non-volatile memory.
  • the subsequent inspection results are played back, only Play back a file and you can see the results of multiple elastic tests in the same period.
  • the elasticity result playback process using the elasticity imaging system of this embodiment specifically includes the following steps:
  • Step 1001 the data processing module receives the first instruction input by the user, enters the elastic acquisition preparation stage based on the first instruction, performs real-time ultrasound imaging detection on the target tissue during the elastic acquisition preparation stage, and outputs a real-time ultrasound image to the display for display.
  • Step 1002 detecting that the user identifies the selected region of interest on the ultrasound image by the region of interest, and obtains position information of the region of interest.
  • Step 1003 Receive a second instruction input by the user, enter the elastic scanning stage based on the second instruction, and perform at least one elastic detection on the region of interest according to the position information of the region of interest at least in the elastic scanning stage, and output the elastic result.
  • Step 1004 Display the elasticity detection result and the position information of the region of interest collected at least once on the display interface based on the playback instruction.
  • the elastic result 502 and the ultrasound image 500 marked with the region of interest identification frame 501 are displayed on the display interface 514 at the same time.
  • only the block diagram on the right in FIG. 5 may be displayed.
  • the elastic result 502 and the ultrasound image 500 with the location information of the interest area are displayed on the display interface 514.
  • the location information of the interest area is identified by Block 502 identifies.
  • the elastic detection mode Before exiting the elastic detection mode, read the marked data from the first buffer area based on the playback instruction and output the data to the display for display; or read the data from the second buffer area based on the playback instruction and transfer the data The data is output to the display for display.
  • the data viewed based on the playback command before exiting the elastic detection mode is only the data generated under the elastic detection mode this time. Due to the limited amount of data, it can be viewed by clicking the forward / back button or icon, or through the tab or menu Item selection. Since the buffer area temporarily stores multiple elasticity measurement results in the current elasticity detection mode, multiple elasticity detection results detected in the same period can be played back.
  • the data generated in the elasticity scanning stage is read from the non-volatile memory based on the playback instruction, and the data or the statistical result of the data is output to the display for display. Since the same target tissue may be repeatedly tested repeatedly in different time periods, in order to monitor the development history or treatment status of the target tissue, its historical data needs to be played back. In this case, it is necessary to exit the detection mode and enter the playback instruction. For example, the detection user can play back the data from one year ago, the data from one month ago, the data of the day, etc., and the system can choose to arrange the retrieved historical data in chronological order according to the need, or sort them according to different inspection time periods. , Or choose to sort and arrange according to different parameters adjusted by the user. Since the data of the same period is stored in the same file, when playing back the data of different periods, only one file needs to be read for the data of each period, and the multiple elastic detection results of the detection period can be seen.
  • the detection user When there is more data to be played back, the detection user needs to view and analyze the retrieved elastic results one by one. At this time, the workload is large, especially when the difference between the retrieved elastic results is small, it is difficult to only analyze them one by one. Analyze the development history or treatment status of target tissue diseases.
  • the data processing module has a statistical analysis function to display the statistical results or images of historical data playback on the display interface, for example, data lists, curves, histograms, statistical charts, etc. can be used Analysis.
  • the elastic results of different times in the region of interest are displayed with a histogram 1102.
  • the abscissa of the histogram 1102 is time, and the ordinate represents the shear wave propagation speed c.
  • the medium indicates that 10 historical detection data are retrieved from the playback, and the eight dark histograms indicate that eight of the ten historical data are selected for statistical analysis.
  • the elastic results of the region of interest obtained through statistical analysis may include the maximum elastic results, the minimum elastic results, the average elastic results, the standard deviation of the elastic results, and the median elastic results in the region.
  • the user can select the desired elastic result from which to draw an elastic statistical graph.
  • users can intuitively observe the repeatability and stability of multiple measurements of elastic results.
  • the histogram 1202 shows that 10 historical detection data are retrieved from the playback, and the last 5 data are selected for statistical analysis.
  • the ordinate of the histogram represents the Young ’s modulus E, which will be selected
  • the Young's modulus measured in the region of interest for 5 times is averaged or smoothed to obtain a new matrix of elasticity detection results for the region of interest, and the statistical indicators 1201 in the new data matrix are calculated, including the mean value Mean , Maximum value Max, minimum value Min, standard deviation SD and detection depth value Depth.
  • the elastic results of different times in the region of interest are plotted on the coordinate axis in points and recorded in a list.
  • the coordinate axis 1302 The ordinate is the Young's modulus E, the abscissa represents 10 historical detection data, and the list 1301 records the Young's modulus value of each elastic result.
  • the system when the user selects the results of each frame of the browsing history data, the system can simultaneously refresh the images corresponding to the results of each frame, including synchronized elastic images and synchronized ultrasound images (such as B images, C images, etc.) , The location and size of the synchronized area of interest.
  • the system can also add a synchronization icon in the statistical chart to facilitate the positioning of the currently displayed image in all data (such as the small triangle on the time coordinate axis of Figure 11), or highlight the graphics representing the current frame with a special color Display etc.
  • the elasticity imaging system involved in this application can also be applied to other ultrasound imaging modes that require setting of regions of interest or synchronous monitoring of target tissues.
  • the detection user may need to observe the target tissue and select the region of interest for blood flow measurement on the one hand, and blood flow measurement on the other hand. If the system of the present invention is used, not only the blood flow measurement process is more convenient and accurate, but also the blood flow data measured multiple times in history can be fully utilized to facilitate the user to monitor the course of disease and evaluate the treatment prognosis.
  • the functions involved in this application can be implemented either by the program described in the above embodiments or by hardware, for example, a dedicated integrated circuit is built by a gate circuit.
  • a dedicated integrated circuit is built by a gate circuit.
  • the various programs in the above embodiments can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium can include: read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.
  • the data processor can be implemented by executing the program The above function.
  • 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 disks, etc.), flash memory, and / or the like .
  • These computer program instructions can be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment to form a machine, so that these instructions executed on a 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 the 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 a piece Manufactured products, including implementation devices that implement specified functions.
  • Computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operating steps are performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process that allows the computer or other programmable device to execute Instructions can provide steps for implementing specified functions.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

一种超声弹性监测系统及弹性检测方法，系统包括超声探头(101)、发射接收序列控制模块(102)、数据处理模块(103)、人机交互模块(104)和非易失性存储器(105)，数据处理模块(103)基于第一指令进入弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，然后在超声图像上获取感兴趣区域的位置信息，并基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性检测结果，弹性扫描阶段结束后自动切换至弹性采集准备阶段或基于用户输入的第三指令切换到弹性采集准备阶段。该方法可以在不需要重新启动弹性检测模式的情况下对目标组织的感兴趣区域重复测量多次，提高了弹性检测的准确性和稳定性。

Description

一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统 技术领域
本发明涉及医疗设备，具体涉及一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统。
背景技术
超声诊断利用超声波对生物组织的弹性或软硬程度进行检测，并输出弹性检测结果(例如弹性图像)，这种技术在组织癌症病变的辅助检测、良恶性判别、预后恢复评价等方面得到越来越多应用。
超声弹性成像主要通过对感兴趣区域内的弹性相关参数进行成像，从而反映组织的软硬程度。近年来，已经出现了不同的弹性成像方法，比如基于探头按压组织造成应变的准静态弹性成像，基于声辐射力产生剪切波的剪切波弹性成像或弹性测量，基于外部振动产生剪切波的瞬时弹性成像等。
在弹性成像中，有实时成像技术，也有单次成像技术。在实时成像技术中，系统通常快速连续循环的重复进行超声扫描及成像显示，图像实时刷新，直至用户施加停止成像的命令；而在单次成像中，系统通常仅进行单次超声扫描及成像显示，得到一幅图像或者一次计算结果。
在单次成像中，由于可以获得更多时间进行成像，相比实时成像，其可以在发射能量、发射规则等方面做更多的优化，能够提供更好的图像质量，因此在弹性成像中被广泛应用。在检测过程中，随着人体的运动或者探头的移动等，上述目标组织往往会和探头之间发生相对移动，产生感兴趣区域(ROI)漂移，导致探头所扫查的区域并非是医生真正感兴趣的区域。医生需要凭经验感知是否发生了感兴趣区域漂移，当认为发生了感兴趣区域漂移时，需要重新进行弹性检测。
此外，用户还有对历史数据进行回放的需求，以便对不同时间段内(比如治疗前、治疗后等)的弹性测量结果进行分析比较。
目前弹性检测的操作流程是：用户(例如医生)首先通过特定按钮启动弹性检测模式，超声诊断仪先进行超声成像，成像为B图像或C图像，用户在观察超声图像的同时在超声图像上选定感兴趣区域，然后再通过另一特定按钮进入弹性成像模式下，对感兴趣区域进行弹性检测，检测完后可得到一帧弹性数据或者一帧弹性图像。如果用户想要再测量 第二次，只能退出第一次的弹性检测模式，再重新启动弹性检测模式，重复上述操作。但是之前所得的弹性结果和超声图像、ROI等，均不会自动缓存。如果用户想查询之前的测量结果，那么需要在当时测量完成时以图像、或者测量报告的方式记录下来。超声诊断仪在同一时间段进行的多次弹性检测的结果无法保存在同一个文件中，之后用户需要查询时只能从该病人对应的所保存的所有测量结果或图片中寻找并浏览。
发明内容
本申请提供一种超声弹性弹性检测方法及其系统，使得用户可以很方便地对目标组织重复测量多次，提高了弹性检测的准确性。
根据本申请的第一方面，本申请提供了一种超声弹性检测方法，包括：
接收用户输入的第一指令，基于第一指令启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示；
检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息；
接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性检测结果；
弹性扫描阶段结束后自动切换至弹性采集准备阶段或基于用户输入的第三指令切换到弹性采集准备阶段。
根据本申请的第二方面，本申请提供一种弹性成像系统，包括：
超声探头，超声探头包括由多个阵元组成的换能器，换能器用于向目标组织发射超声波并接收由目标组织返回的超声波的回波；
发射接收序列控制模块，发射接收序列控制模块用于在弹性采集准备阶段向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，在弹性扫描阶段目标组织内产生剪切波之后向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，第一超声波用于对目标组织进行实时超声成像，第二超声波用于对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测；
非易失性存储器，用于存储程序和数据；
数据处理模块，数据处理模块用于接收用户输入的进入弹性检测模式的第一指令，基于第一指令启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，根据第一超声波的回波生成实时的超声图像，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，以对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测，根据第二超声波的回波计算感兴趣区域的弹性检测结果，并输出弹性检测结果，弹性扫描阶段结束后自动切换至弹性采集准备阶段或基于用户输入的第三指令切换到弹性采集准备阶段；
人机交互模块，人机交互模块包括显示器，显示器用于显示超声图像和弹性结果，以及用于在超声图像上添加和/或调整感兴趣区域标识。
上述方案将弹性检测模式分为弹性采集准备和弹性扫描两个阶段，在弹性扫描阶段结束后并不是退出弹性测量模式，而是可以再回到弹性采集准备阶段，对目标组织进行实时超声成像，这使得用户不需要复杂的操作就可以再显示目标组织的实时超声成像，以便观察感兴趣区域是否发生漂移或重新确定感兴趣区域。
根据本申请的第三方面，本申请提供了一种弹性检测方法，包括：
接收用户输入的第一指令，基于第一指令启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示；
检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息；
接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性检测结果；
退出弹性检测模式时自动将弹性检测结果和采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器的一个文件中。根据本申请的第四方面，本申请提供一种弹性成像系统，包括：
超声探头，超声探头包括由多个阵元组成的换能器，换能器用于向 目标组织发射超声波并接收由目标组织返回的超声波的回波；
发射接收序列控制模块，发射接收序列控制模块用于在弹性采集准备阶段向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，在弹性扫描阶段目标组织内产生剪切波之后向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，第一超声波用于对目标组织进行实时超声成像，第二超声波用于对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测；
非易失性存储器，用于存储程序和数据；
数据处理模块，数据处理模块用于接收用户输入的进入弹性检测模式的第一指令，基于第一指令进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，根据第一超声波的回波生成实时的超声图像，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，以对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测，根据第二超声波的回波计算感兴趣区域的弹性检测结果，并输出弹性检测结果，退出弹性检测模式时自动将弹性检测结果和采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器的一个文件中；
人机交互模块，人机交互模块包括显示器，显示器用于显示超声图像和弹性结果，以及用于在超声图像上添加和/或调整感兴趣区域标识。
上述方案在退出弹性检测模式后只保存弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息，不保存实时的超声图像，一方面减少了存储的数据量，节约了存储空间；另一方面，在回放时只需要展示弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息，因此可提高回放速度。
根据本申请的第五方面，本申请提供一种弹性检测方法，包括：
在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示；
检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息；
接收用户输入的第二指令，基于所述第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段， 在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测；
基于回放指令在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。
根据本申请的第六方面，本申请提供一种弹性成像系统，包括：
超声探头，超声探头包括由多个阵元组成的换能器，换能器用于向目标组织发射超声波并接收由目标组织返回的超声波的回波；
发射接收序列控制模块，发射接收序列控制模块用于在弹性采集准备阶段向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，在弹性扫描阶段目标组织内产生剪切波之后向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，第一超声波用于对目标组织进行实时超声成像，第二超声波用于对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测；
数据处理模块，数据处理模块用于接收用户输入的进入弹性检测模式的第一指令，基于第一指令进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，根据第一超声波的回波生成实时的超声图像，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，以对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测，根据第二超声波的回波计算感兴趣区域的弹性检测结果，并输出弹性检测结果；
人机交互模块，人机交互模块包括显示器，显示器用于显示超声图像和弹性结果，以及用于在超声图像上添加和/或调整感兴趣区域标识；
缓存区，用于在进入弹性检测模式后暂存至少一个弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段的全部检测数据或选定的部分检测数据；
非易失性存储器，用于保存检测数据；当所述数据处理模块在退出弹性模式之前接收到回放指令时，基于回放指令从缓存区读取数据并输出至显示器，以在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息；当所述数据处理模块在退出弹性模式之后接收到回放指令时，基于回放指令从非易失性存储器读取数据并输出至显示器， 以在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。
附图说明
图1为实施例中弹性成像系统的结构示意图；
图2为一种实施例的弹性检测过程的流程图；
图3为一种实施例中对感兴趣区域标识的示意图；
图4为一种实施例的超声发射序列的示意图；
图5为一种实施例中在显示界面显示弹性结果的示意图；
图6为另一种实施例的弹性检测过程的流程图；
图7为一种实施例的检测数据暂存方案示意图；
图8为另一种实施例的检测数据暂存方案示意图；
图9为另一种实施例的检测数据暂存方案示意图；
图10为另一种实施例的弹性检测过程的流程图；
图11为一种实施例的对历史测量结果统计的示意图；
图12为另一种实施例的对历史测量结果统计的示意图；
图13为另一种实施例的对历史测量结果统计的示意图。
具体实施方式
下面通过具体实施方式结合附图对本发明作进一步详细说明。其中不同实施方式中类似元件采用了相关联的类似的元件标号。在以下的实施方式中，很多细节描述是为了使得本申请能被更好的理解。然而，本领域技术人员可以毫不费力的认识到，其中部分特征在不同情况下是可以省略的，或者可以由其他元件、材料、方法所替代。在某些情况下，本申请相关的一些操作并没有在说明书中显示或者描述，这是为了避免本申请的核心部分被过多的描述所淹没，而对于本领域技术人员而言，详细描述这些相关操作并不是必要的，他们根据说明书中的描述以及本领域的一般技术知识即可完整了解相关操作。
另外，说明书中所描述的特点、操作或者特征可以以任意适当的方式结合形成各种实施方式。同时，方法描述中的各步骤或者动作也可以按照本领域技术人员所能显而易见的方式进行顺序调换或调整。因此，说明书和附图中的各种顺序只是为了清楚描述某一个实施例，并不意味 着是必须的顺序，除非另有说明其中某个顺序是必须遵循的。
本文中为部件所编序号本身，例如“第一”、“第二”等，仅用于区分所描述的对象，不具有任何顺序或技术含义。而本申请所说“连接”、“联接”，如无特别说明，均包括直接和间接连接(联接)。
在本发明实施例中，将弹性检测分为两个阶段，即弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段进行超声成像检测，生成超声图像，以便用户在超声图像上选定感兴趣区域，并得到感兴趣区域的位置信息。感兴趣区域的位置信息是指感兴趣区域在超声图像中的相对位置信息，可以是指感兴趣区域在超声图像中的相对位置坐标，也可以是指带有感兴趣区域标识的一帧超声图像，根据该帧超声图像可得到感兴趣区域在超声图像中的相对位置。在弹性扫描阶段，对感兴趣区域进行弹性检测，得到弹性检测结果。利用弹性检测模式分为两个阶段，在不同的实施例中进行不同的处理，例如：
在一种实施例中，在弹性扫描阶段结束后并不是结束测量，而是可以自动或基于用户输入的指令再回到弹性采集准备阶段，对目标组织进行实时超声成像，这使得用户不需要复杂的操作就可以再显示目标组织的实时超声成像，以便观察感兴趣区域是否发生漂移或重新确定感兴趣区域。利用这种方式用户可实现对感兴趣区域的多次调整和重测，防止感兴趣区域漂移，提高了弹性检测的准确性。
在另一种实施例中，利用弹性检测模式分为两个阶段，并且每个阶段得到各自的检测数据，例如，在弹性采集准备阶段得到感兴趣区域的位置信息，在弹性扫描阶段得到弹性检测结果，在退出弹性检测模式后只将弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器中，而不保存实时的超声图像，在后续回放弹性检测结果时，将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息合成到同一图像帧中进行显示，以方便用户同时查看弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域。
以下对各实施例进行具体说明。
本发明的一个实施例中，采用超声设备作为弹性检测系统，请参考图1，弹性检测系统100包括超声探头101、发射接收序列控制模块102、数据处理模块103、人机交互模块104、非易失性存储器105和缓存区106。超声探头101通过发射接收序列控制模块102与数据处理模块103信号连接，数据处理模块103还与人机交互模块104、非易失性存储器 105和缓存区106分别信号连接。
超声探头101包括由阵列式排布的多个阵元组成的换能器(图中未示出)，多个阵元排列成一排构成线阵，或排布成二维矩阵构成面阵，多个阵元也可以构成凸阵列。阵元用于根据激励电信号发射超声波，或将接收的超声波变换为电信号。因此每个阵元可用于实现电脉冲信号和超声波的相互转换，从而实现向被检测目标组织(例如人体或动物体中的生物组织)110发射超声波、也可用于接收经组织反射回的超声波回波。在进行超声检测时，可通过发射序列和接收序列控制哪些阵元用于发射超声波，哪些阵元用于接收超声波，或者控制阵元分时隙用于发射超声波或接收超声波的回波。参与超声波发射的阵元可以同时被电信号激励，从而同时发射超声波；或者参与超声波束发射的阵元也可以被具有一定时间间隔的若干电信号激励，从而持续发射具有一定时间间隔的超声波。
本发明实施例中，换能器既用于发射生成超声图像(例如B图像或C图像)的超声波，又用于发射检测行经组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波的超声波。
发射接收序列控制模块102用于产生发射序列和接收序列，发射序列用于控制多个阵元中的部分或者全部向目标组织发射超声波，发射序列参数包括发射用的阵元位置、阵元数量和超声波发射参数(例如幅度、频率、发波次数、发射间隔、发波角度、波型、聚焦位置等)。接收序列用于控制多个阵元中的部分或者全部接收超声波经组织反射后的回波，接收序列参数包括接收用的阵元位置、阵元数量以及回波的接收参数(例如接收的角度、深度等)。对超声波回波的用途不同或根据超声波回波生成的图像不同、检测类型不同，发射序列中的超声波参数和接收序列中的回波参数也有所不同。
在本实施例中，发射接收序列控制模块102用于在弹性采集准备阶段向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，第一超声波用于对目标组织进行实时超声成像。在弹性扫描阶段目标组织内产生剪切波之后，发射接收序列控制模块102用于向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，控制换能器发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，第二超声波用于对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测。在第一和第二发射序列中，分别定义了发射超声波的阵元位置和数量以及发射参数；在第一和第二接收序列，分别 定义了接收回波的阵元位置和数量以及接收参数。
数据处理模块103用于接收用户输入的进入弹性检测模式的第一指令，基于第一指令进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，根据第一超声波的回波生成实时的超声图像，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，以对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测，根据第二超声波的回波计算感兴趣区域的弹性检测结果，并输出弹性检测结果，弹性扫描阶段结束后自动切换至弹性采集准备阶段或基于用户输入的第三指令切换到弹性采集准备阶段。在有的实施例中，数据处理模块在弹性扫描阶段中实时检测用户输入的第三指令，无论弹性检测是否完成，一旦检测到用户输入的第三指令即切换到弹性采集准备阶段。
在接收超声波的回波后，数据处理模块103对超声回波进行处理，例如对超声回波进行滤波、放大、波束合成等处理，本实施例的超声回波中既包括用于弹性检测的超声回波，也包括用于超声成像检测的超声回波。数据处理模块103包括弹性检测模块113和超声成像检测模块123，在本实施例中，超声成像检测模块123接收经回波处理后的用于超声成像检测的回波信号，通过相应算法将回波信号转换成超声图像；弹性检测模块113接收经回波处理后的用于弹性检测的回波信号，并采用相关算法得到所需要的感兴趣区域的弹性结果，弹性结果例如可以是应变值、剪切波弹性参数或剪切波轨迹以及根据上述结果进一步衍生出来的计算参数或图像等，其中剪切波弹性参数包括剪切波传播速度、杨氏模量值或剪切模量值中的至少一个。
在有的实施例中，数据处理模块103还包括回波处理模块，由回波处理模块对超声回波进行诸如滤波、放大、波束合成等回波处理，回波处理模块既可以对弹性检测的超声回波进行处理，也可以对超声成像检测的超声回波进行处理。
在有的实施例中，数据处理模块103在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测，并根据弹性采集准备阶 段获得的感兴趣区域的位置信息，将感兴趣区域标识添加到超声图像上，将检测时间相邻的超声成像检测和弹性检测形成一个组合，将每一组合中的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像，实时将合成的帧图像数据输出到所述显示器，以便在显示界面上同时显示超声图像和弹性检测结果。在另一实施例中，数据处理模块在弹性扫描阶段连续对感兴趣区域进行弹性检测，将弹性采集准备阶段得到的带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像，实时将合成的帧图像数据输出到显示器，以便在显示界面上同时显示带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果。
人机交互模块104作为用户和弹性成像系统100之间的交互接口，在一种实施例中，人机交互模块104包括显示器114，在弹性采集准备阶段显示器用于显示实时的超声图像和在超声图像上添加的感兴趣区域标识；在弹性扫描阶段显示器用于显示弹性结果或超声图像和弹性结果合成的图像帧；或者基于回放指令，显示器用于显示弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。在有的实施例中，人机交互模块104还包括输入模块，输入模块例如可以是键盘、操作按钮(包括开关)、鼠标、轨迹球等，也可以是与显示器114集成在一起的触控屏。当输入模块是键盘或操作按钮时，用户可直接通过输入模块输入操作信息或操作指令；当输入模块是鼠标、轨迹球或触控屏时，用户可以将输入模块与显示界面上的软键盘、操作图标、选项卡、菜单选项等结合以完成操作信息或操作指令的输入，还可以通过在显示界面上所作的标记、框定等完成操作信息的输入。操作指令可以是进入弹性检测模式的第一指令，或者是进入弹性扫描阶段的第二指令，或者是弹性扫描阶段结束后切换到弹性采集准备阶段的第三指令，还可以是用于保存数据的保存指令或用于回放检测结果的回放指令。一种具体实施例中，显示器114和输入模块配合实现感兴趣区域的选择，例如，显示器114用于在显示界面上显示超声图像，输入模块用于根据检测用户的操作，在超声图像上选择感兴趣区域。
缓存区106用于临时存储超声图像和弹性检测结果，当退出弹性检测模式或关机时，缓存区106中临时存储的数据将丢失。
非易失性存储器105用于保存弹性检测结果和采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息，保存的数据可以是按预定顺序保存的弹性扫描阶段生成的帧 图像数据，或者是按照预定顺序保存的弹性扫描阶段生成的弹性检测结果和弹性采集准备阶段的选定了感兴趣区域的超声图像。
如图2所示为采用本实施例的弹性成像系统的弹性检测工作流程图，具体包括以下步骤：
步骤201，当用户需要进行弹性检测时，用户可以通过输入模块或是显示器输入第一指令，第一指令用于启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段。基于对第一指令的响应，弹性检测系统进入弹性采集准备阶段，在该阶段，数据处理模块控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，超声探头根据第一发射/接收序列向目标组织发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，数据处理模块对第一超声回波进行处理，包括放大、ADC、波束合成、图像处理等，最后形成用于展示组织形态结构的可视化超声图像，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示，用户可实时观测超声图像，并且根据需要调节检查的范围、探头放置的角度等。
超声图像包括B图像或C图像，或B、C叠加的图像。C图像主要是反映血流的彩色图像，通过C图像上可查看血流。B图像主要是反映组织解剖结构的图像，通常用灰阶表示，也可以用伪彩表示，通过B图像可查看组织情况，例如查看组织是否有病变，或者查看血管的位置。B、C叠加的图像是将B图像中的组织和C图像中的血流在物理位置上严格对应后合成的图像，比如血流刚好在血管区域内部时，通过B、C叠加的图像可确定血管的位置。超声图像的视野根据探头造型可以是各种形状，比如线阵列探头对应矩形的图像，凸阵列探头对应凸形的图像，相控阵列探头对应扇形的图像等。本实施例中以矩形的B图像为例进行说明，如图3所示，超声图像300显示在显示器的显示界面314，超声图像300主要反映目标组织的解剖结构。
步骤202，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息。在本实施例中，允许用户在B图像上标出感兴趣区域，感兴趣区域标识可以是矩形，也可以是圆形、椭圆、扇形等形状，如图3所示，在一种具体实例中，当在显示界面314上显示超声图像300时，在超声图像300上同时显示一个可编辑的选定框301，选定框301允许用户通过鼠标、触控屏等调节高度、宽度和位置，选定框301中是感兴趣区域。当用户对选定框301的大小和位置调 整完成后，即确定了感兴趣区域的位置信息。在另一具体实例中，用户可通过鼠标或触控屏等输入装置在B图像上划出选定框301，从而确定出感兴趣区域的位置信息。
感兴趣区域的位置信息既可以是包含选定框的超声图像，或是包含目标组织位置和选定框在目标组织中所处位置的数据信息，还可以是仅包含选定框位置的数据信息，以及其他一切可以确定选定框位置的数据信息。显示器将用户选择的感兴趣区域的坐标信息传输给数据处理模块，数据处理模块根据感兴趣区域的坐标信息可确定出感兴趣区域在组织中的位置。在有的具体实施例中，感兴趣区域也可以通过其它方式选择，例如默认超声探头的某个位置下方预定距离处设为感兴趣区域，根据显示的超声图像，用户可通过移动超声探头的方式来调整感兴趣区域，从而改变弹性检测的位置。
步骤203，当感兴趣区域的位置信息确定后，用户可通过输入模块或是显示器输入进入弹性扫描阶段的第二指令，基于对第二指令的响应，弹性检测系统进入弹性扫描阶段，在该阶段，对步骤202中确定的感兴趣区域进行弹性检测。根据生成剪切波的方式不同，弹性检测的过程不同。基于响应该第二指令，通过按压、振动或声辐射的方式使目标组织产生形变，继而在目标组织内部的感兴趣区域产生剪切波，然后数据处理模块控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第二发射/接收序列，超声探头根据第二发射/接收序列向确定的感兴趣区域发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，为检测剪切波，要求超声探头能够持续一段时间向组织内发射超声波并接收回波信号。数据处理模块根据第二超声波的回波计算感兴趣区域的弹性检测结果，弹性检测结果例如可以是应变值、剪切波弹性参数或剪切波轨迹以及根据上述结果进一步衍生出来的计算参数或图像等，其中剪切波弹性参数包括剪切波传播速度、杨氏模量值或剪切模量值中的至少一个。例如，弹性检测结果可以用以下方法计算：
数据处理模块根据所接收的回波信号，可以将剪切波传播路径上某点的位移量计算出来，当该点的位移最大时，认为剪切波到达了该点。通过剪切波到达各点的时间可定位出剪切波的传播路径或传播轨迹，从而可绘制出剪切波轨迹图，根据剪切波的轨迹线可得到剪切波传播路径上各点的斜率，斜率即为剪切波的传播速度。
对于各向同性的弹性体，剪切波传播速度与杨氏模量、剪切模量间有以下近似的关系：
E＝3ρc 2＝3G
其中，c表示剪切波速度，ρ表示组织密度，E表示组织的杨氏模量值，G表示组织的剪切模量。通常情况下，ρ取值为水的密度值，因此，当得到剪切波传播速度后，可进一步计算出其他弹性相关参数，比如杨氏模量、剪切模量等。
在一种实施例中，在弹性扫描阶段，在对感兴趣区域进行弹性检测时，可以仅对感兴趣区域进行一次弹性检测，也可以进行连续多次的弹性检测，连续检测的次数和多次弹性检测之间的时间间隔可由系统设定或者由用户通过输入模块或是显示器设定。例如，当设定为单次检测时，系统进行一次弹性检测，输出一个弹性结果，之后弹性扫描阶段结束；当设定为4次检测时，系统连续进行4次弹性检测，输出4个弹性结果或输出4次弹性结果的统计值，例如平均值或中位值等，之后弹性扫描阶段结束。这样，如果用户操作手法娴熟，能够有效的保证在弹性检测过程中超声探头对准区域不发生变化，则可以将连续检测的次数调高，一次性获得多个弹性结果；如果用户难以保证在弹性检测过程中超声探头对准区域的稳定性，则可将连续检测的次数调低，每次检测完毕后弹性扫描阶段结束，然后切换到弹性采集准备阶段，重新调整成像切面与感兴趣区域，再启动弹性检测。在另一种实施例中，在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测，可以进行一次交替，也可以连续进行多次交替。将检测时间相邻的超声成像检测和弹性检测(例如一次交替)形成一个组合，在每个组合中，超声成像检测可以是用于生成B图像的超声检测，也可以是用于生成C图像的超声检测，还可以是进行一帧B图像的检测再进行一帧C图像的检测，如图7-9所示。在每个组合中，弹性检测可以包括生成一次，也可以包括多次。例如在本实施例中，在产生剪切波之前，数据处理模块控制发射接收序列控制模块向换能器输出第三发射/接收序列，超声探头根据第三发射/接收序列向目标组织发射第三超声波和接收第三超声波的回波，数据处理模块对第三超声回波进行处理，包括放大、ADC、波束合成、图像处理等，形成可视化超声图像，之后再进行弹性检测。发射接收序列控 制模块根据弹性检测需要以系统预设或用户输入的序列按时间顺序控制超声信号的发射和接收。例如，在弹性扫描阶段需要B图像(简称B)、弹性检测(简称E)双工扫描，且需要循环检测2次时，则发射序列如图4所示，超声探头在发射接收序列控制模块控制下依次发射B序列帧-E序列帧-B序列帧-E序列帧，反之亦可。
步骤204，显示弹性检测结果。具体包括：将带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像，当仅对感兴趣区域进行一次或连续多次弹性检测时，将弹性采集准备阶段得到的带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像。当在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测时，根据弹性采集准备阶段获得的感兴趣区域的位置信息，将感兴趣区域标识添加到弹性扫描阶段实时生成的超声图像上，将检测时间相邻的超声成像检测和弹性检测形成一个组合，将每一组合中的添加有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像。然后实时将合成的帧图像数据输出到显示器，以便在显示界面上同时显示带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果。弹性检测结果通过参数、进度条或弹性分布图的方式展示。
请参考图5，相邻的超声图像和弹性结果组合成为一帧图像在显示器的显示界面514上同时显示，选定框501为根据弹性采集准备阶段确定的感兴趣区域的位置信息添加到超声图像500上的感兴趣区域标识，弹性结果以分布图像502的方式呈现，在分布图像502中，还可通过不同的颜色、灰度或填充方式标识出不同属性硬度组织。同时显示超声图像和弹性结果能够更准确的记录弹性检测的位置信息。
在另外的实施例中，也可以单独显示弹性检测结果，而不将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息同屏显示。
步骤205，判断弹性扫描阶段是否结束，当弹性扫描阶段结束后，执行步骤206，未结束时执行步骤207。
步骤206，自动切换到弹性采集准备阶段或等待用户输入第三指令，第三指令用于切换到弹性采集准备阶段，在技术上，第三指令可以和第一指令采用相同技术手段实现，也可以采用不同技术手段实现。当用户输入第三指令后，系统切换到弹性采集准备阶段。
当系统切换到弹性采集准备阶段后，可对目标组织进行超声检测， 生成该目标组织的形态结构图像，用户通过观察该图像可判断目标组织和探头之间是否发生相对移动，感兴趣区域是否产生漂移。当感兴趣区域漂移时，可在该阶段对感兴趣区域标识的位置进行调整。
步骤207，实时检测用户输入的第三指令，一旦检测到用户输入第三指令即切换到弹性采集准备阶段。在弹性扫描阶段中，如果用户发现目标组织和探头之间发生了相对移动，则可不需要等待弹性扫描阶段结束，可输入第三指令立即切换到弹性采集准备阶段，转向执行步骤201，实现弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段的自由切换。
本实施例中，当弹性扫描阶段结束后，系统并不是退出弹性检测模式，而是自动切换至弹性采集准备阶段或基于用户输入的第三指令切换到弹性采集准备阶段，这使得用户在需要重新定位感兴趣区域时，不需要复杂的操作，最多只需要一键操作即可返回弹性采集准备阶段，并且不需要退出当前的弹性检测模式后再重新启动弹性检测模式。
另外，在步骤204中，在显示界面上同时显示带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果，这使得用户可实时查看感兴趣区域是否产生漂移，减少了用户因根据经验判断而造成的漏判和误判。
如图6所示为采用本实施例的弹性成像系统的数据保存过程，具体包括如下步骤：
步骤601，数据处理模块接收用户输入的第一指令，基于该第一指令进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示。
步骤602，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息。
步骤603，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性结果。在本实施例中，也可以在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测，相邻的超声成像检测和弹性检测形成一个组合，将每一组合中的超声图像和弹性结果合成为一帧图像输出到显示器，以便在显示界面上同时显示超声图像和弹性结果,并根据感兴趣区域的位置信息，将感兴趣区域标识添加到超声图像上。
步骤604，退出弹性检测模式时自动将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域 的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器中。在一种实施例中，当将带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像时，可以只将帧图像数据保存在非易失性存储器中，而不保存弹性采集准备阶段生成的实时超声图像数据；在一种实施例中，也可以将弹性扫描阶段生成的弹性检测结果和弹性采集准备阶段的选定了感兴趣区域的超声图像保存在非易失性存储器中，而不保存弹性采集准备阶段生成的其它实时超声图像数据。
在退出弹性检测模式后只保存弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的少量信息，减少了实时超声图像的保存，在回放时也只需要展示弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息，不需要展示当时的超声图像，因此可提高回放速度。
在较佳的实施例中，在进行弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段的检测时，先将数据保存在缓存区，由于进行弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段的切换时不需要退出当前的弹性检测模式，这使得缓存区中的数据不会因退出当前的弹性检测模式而丢失，因此可将多次的弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段生成的数据都暂存在缓存区，有利于在退出当前的弹性检测模式时将缓存区的全部或部分数据保存在非易失性存储器的一个文件中。
请参考图7，在一种实施例中，缓存区106包括第一缓存区716，其用于按照时间顺序暂存弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段生成的检测数据。检测数据包括弹性采集准备阶段生成的包括感兴趣区域位置信息的实时超声图像数据以及弹性扫描阶段生成的帧图像数据，其中包含E的缓存区内暂存弹性扫描阶段生成的帧图像数据，仅包含B、C、或B与C组合的缓存区内暂存弹性采集准备阶段生成的包括感兴趣区域位置信息的实时超声图像数据。对第一缓存区716中的弹性扫描阶段生成的数据进行标记，例如图7中标记为“弹性扫描”的数据，然后在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令从第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据输出到显示器的显示界面进行显示；或基于保存指令从第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据保存在非易失性存储器的一个文件中。
在有的实施例中，请参考图8所示，缓存区包括第一缓存区816和第二缓存区826，将弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段生成的检测数据 按照时间顺序暂存在第一缓存区816，继而将第一缓存区816中的弹性扫描阶段生成的数据按照预定的顺序暂存在第二缓存区826中，然后在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令从第二缓存区826中读取数据，并将该数据输出到显示器的显示界面进行显示；或者基于保存指令将第二缓存区826中的数据保存在非易失性存储器中；或者在退出弹性检测模式之后基于回放指令从非易失性存储器中读取弹性扫描阶段生成的数据，并将该数据或该数据的统计结果输出到显示器的显示界面进行显示。
在其他实施例中，请参考图9，缓存区包括第三缓存区936和第二缓存区926，将弹性采集准备阶段生成的实时超声图像数据暂存在第三缓存区936中，将弹性扫描阶段生成的数据按照预定的顺序暂存在第二缓存区926中。预定的顺序包括时间顺序或按照预定参数设定的顺序，时间顺序既可以是按照最早的检测数据排列在前，最新的检测数据排列在后的顺序排列；或者按照最新的检测数据排列在前，最早的检测数据排列在后的顺序排列；或者其他的时间顺序排列。预定参数设定的顺序为根据用户输入的预定顺序或是系统预定的顺序，例如，可以是按照杨氏模量或剪切模量从大到小的顺序排列。在退出弹性检测模式之前，当接收到用户输入的回放指令时，则基于该回放指令直接从第二缓存区926中读取数据，并将该数据输出到显示器的显示界面进行显示；当接收到用户输入的保存指令时，则基于该保存指令将第二缓存区926中的数据保存在非易失性存储器中。在退出弹性检测模式之后，当接收到用户输入的回放指令时，则基于该回放指令从非易失性存储器中读取弹性扫描阶段生成的数据，并将该数据或该数据的统计结果输出到显示器的显示界面进行显示。
由于在检测过程中，弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段之间的切换可以不需要退出弹性检测模式，因此可以将各次弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段生成的全部检测数据或选定的部分检测数据暂存在缓存区中，当退出本次的弹性检测模式时，可将缓存区中的全部或部分数据保存到非易失性存储器的一个文件中，后续进行本次的检查结果回放时，只回放一个文件即可看到同一时段进行的多次的弹性检测结果。
如图10所示为采用本实施例的弹性成像系统的弹性结果回放过程，具体包括如下步骤：
步骤1001，数据处理模块接收用户输入的第一指令，基于该第一指 令进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示。
步骤1002，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息。
步骤1003，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于该第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性结果。
步骤1004，基于回放指令在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。在本实施例中，如图5所示，同时在显示界面514中显示弹性结果502和标识有感兴趣区域标识框501的超声图像500。在有的实施例中，也可以只显示图5中右侧的框图，此时在显示界面514中显示弹性结果502和具有感兴趣区域位置信息的超声图像500，感兴趣区域的位置信息通过标识框502标识。
在退出弹性检测模式之前，基于回放指令从第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据输出到显示器进行显示；或者基于回放指令从第二缓存区中读取数据，并将该数据输出到显示器进行显示。在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令查看的数据仅为此次进入弹性检测模式下生成的数据，由于数据量有限，可通过点击前进/后退按钮或图标的方式查看、也可以通过选项卡或菜单项选择。由于缓存区中暂存的是本次弹性检测模式下的多次弹性测量结果，因此可回放同一时段检测的多个弹性检测结果。
在退出弹性检测模式之后，基于回放指令从非易失性存储器中读取弹性扫描阶段生成的数据，并将该数据或该数据的统计结果输出到显示器进行显示。由于对于同一目标组织可能在不同的时间段内多次重复进行弹性检测，为了对目标组织病症的发展历程或者治疗状况等进行监测，需要回放其历史数据，此时就需要退出检测模式后输入回放指令。比如，检测用户可以回放一年前的数据、一个月前的数据、当天的数据等，并且系统可以根据需要选择将调取的历史数据按时间顺序排列，或者按检查时间段的不同来分类排列，或者选择按用户调整的参数的不同来分类排列等。由于同一时段的数据保存在同一个文件中，因此在回放不同时段的数据时，对于每个时段的数据只需要读取一个文件，即可看到该检测时段的多次弹性检测结果。
当需要回放的数据较多时，检测用户需要对调取的弹性结果一个个的进行查看分析，此时工作量较大，特别是调取的弹性结果差别较小时，仅通过依次单个的分析很难对目标组织病症的发展历程或者治疗状况等进行分析。为了解决这一问题，在有的实施例中，数据处理模块具有统计分析的功能，以在显示界面显示回放历史数据的统计结果或图像，例如可以使用数据列表、曲线、柱状图、统计图等方式进行分析。
请参考图11，在有的实施例中，将感兴趣区域中的不同次的弹性结果用柱状图1102进行显示，柱状图1102的横坐标为时间，纵坐标表示剪切波传播速度c,图中表示回放调取了10个历史检测数据，其中后面8个深色柱状图表示从10个历史数据中选择8个进行统计分析。经统计分析得到的感兴趣区域的弹性结果可能包括区域中弹性结果最大值、弹性结果最小值、弹性结果平均值、弹性结果标准差、弹性结果中值等。用户可从中挑选需要的弹性结果绘制弹性统计图。在弹性统计图上，用户可以直观的观察弹性结果多次测量的重复性和稳定性，当然也可以计算出反映结果重复性、稳定性的统计指标1101进行显示，比如计算出8次弹性结果的中值Median、四分位数IQR、IQR/Median值和检测深度值Depth。在其他实施例中，如图12所示，柱状图1202显示回放调取了10个历史检测数据，从中选择后5个数据进行统计分析,柱状图的纵坐标表示杨氏模量E,将选取的5次在感兴趣区域内测量得到的杨氏模量进行平均或平滑处理，得到新的一次感兴趣区域弹性检测结果矩阵，并计算出该新数据矩阵中的统计指标1201，包括平均值Mean、最大值Max、最小值Min、标准差SD和检测深度值Depth。
在有的实施例中，也可通过图13的方式显示，即将感兴趣区域中的不同次的弹性结果用点的方式绘制在坐标轴上，并用列表方式进行记录，图13中，坐标轴1302的纵坐标为杨氏模量E，横坐标表示10个历史检测数据，列表1301记录了各次弹性结果的杨氏模量值。
在统计图中，当用户选择浏览历史数据的各帧结果时，系统可同步对各帧结果对应的图像进行刷新显示，包括同步的弹性图像、同步的超声图像(如B图像、C图像等)，同步的感兴趣区域位置和大小。系统也可在统计图中增加一个同步图标，方便定位当前显示图像在所有数据中的排列位置(比如图11时间坐标轴上的小三角形)，或者将代表当前帧的图形用特殊的颜色进行突出显示等。
本申请所涉及的弹性成像系统除了适用于弹性检测模式外，还可适用于需要进行感兴趣区域设定或者对目标组织进行同步监测的其他超声成像模式。比如在血流脉冲多普勒成像模式中，检测用户可能一方面需要观察目标组织并选择血流测量的感兴趣区域，另一方面需要进行血流测量。如果使用本发明的系统，不仅使得血流测量过程更方便准确，更可以充分利用历史多次测量的血流数据，方便用户进行病程监测、治疗预后评估等。
本申请中所涉及的功能既可通过上述实施例中描述的程序的方式实现，也可通过硬件的方式实现，例如通过门电路搭建成专用集成电路。本领域技术人员可以理解，上述实施方式中各种程序可以存储于一计算机可读存储介质中，存储介质可以包括：只读存储器、随机存储器、磁盘或光盘等，数据处理器可通过执行程序实现上述功能。
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 (30)

  1. 一种超声弹性检测方法，其特征在于包括：
    接收用户输入的第一指令，基于所述第一指令启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示；
    检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息；
    接收用户输入的第二指令，基于所述第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性检测结果；
    弹性扫描阶段结束后自动切换至弹性采集准备阶段或基于用户输入的第三指令切换到弹性采集准备阶段。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于还包括，在弹性扫描阶段中实时检测用户输入的第三指令，一旦检测到用户输入第三指令即切换到弹性采集准备阶段。
  3. 根据权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测包括以下至少一种：
    仅对感兴趣区域进行一次或连续多次弹性检测；
    在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测。
  4. 根据权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括弹性检测结果显示步骤，具体包括：将带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像，实时将合成的帧图像数据输出到显示器，以便在显示界面上同时显示带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，当仅对感兴趣区域进行一次或连续多次弹性检测时，所述将带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像包括：将弹性采集准备阶段得到的带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像。
  6. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，当在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测时，所述将带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像包括：根 据弹性采集准备阶段获得的感兴趣区域的位置信息，将感兴趣区域标识添加到弹性扫描阶段实时生成的超声图像上，将检测时间相邻的超声成像检测和弹性检测形成一个组合，将每一组合中的添加有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像。
  7. 根据权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于还包括，退出弹性检测模式时将每个弹性扫描阶段产生的弹性检测结果及其对应的感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器的一个文件中。
  8. 一种超声弹性检测方法，其特征在于包括：
    接收用户输入的第一指令，基于所述第一指令启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示；
    检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息；
    接收用户输入的第二指令，基于所述第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，并输出弹性检测结果；退出弹性检测模式时自动将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器的一个文件中。
  9. 根据权利要求8所述的方法，其特征在于，还包括弹性检测结果显示步骤，具体包括：将带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果合成为一帧图像，实时将合成的帧图像数据输出到显示器，以便在显示界面上同时显示带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像和弹性检测结果。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的方法，其特征在于，将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器中包括：将帧图像数据保存在非易失性存储器中，不保存实时生成的超声图像数据。
  11. 根据权利要求8所述的方法，其特征在于，当仅对感兴趣区域进行一次或连续多次弹性检测时，所述将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器中包括：将弹性扫描阶段生成的弹性检测结果和弹性采集准备阶段的选定了感兴趣区域的超声图像保存在非易失性存储器中，不保存弹性采集准备阶段生成的其它实时超声图像数据；当在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标组织的超声成像检测和感兴趣区域的弹性检测时，所述将弹性检测结果和感兴趣区域的位置信息保存在非易失性存储器中包括：将弹性扫描阶段生成的带有感兴趣区域标识的超声图 像和弹性检测结果保存在非易失性存储器中，不保存弹性采集准备阶段生成的实时超声图像数据。
  12. 根据权利要求7或8所述的方法，其特征在于还包括，将弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段生成的检测数据按照时间顺序暂存在第一缓存区。
  13. 根据权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于还包括，对所述第一缓存区中的弹性扫描阶段生成的数据进行标记，在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令从所述第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据输出到显示器进行显示；或基于保存指令从所述第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据保存在非易失性存储器中。
  14. 根据权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，在将检测数据按照时间顺序暂存在所述第一缓存区之后还包括：将所述第一缓存区中的弹性扫描阶段生成的数据按照预定的顺序暂存在第二缓存区。
  15. 根据权利要求7或8所述的方法，其特征在于还包括，将弹性采集准备阶段生成的实时超声图像数据暂存在第三缓存区，将弹性扫描阶段生成的数据按照预定的顺序暂存在第二缓存区。
  16. 根据权利要求14或15所述的方法，其特征在于还包括以下步骤中的至少一个：
    在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令从所述第二缓存区中读取数据，并将该数据输出到显示器进行显示；
    基于保存指令将所述第二缓存区中的数据保存在非易失性存储器中；
    在退出弹性检测模式之后基于回放指令从非易失性存储器中读取弹性扫描阶段生成的数据，并将该数据或该数据的统计结果输出到显示器进行显示。
  17. 根据权利要求14或15所述的方法，其特征在于，所述预定的顺序包括时间顺序或按照预定参数设定的顺序。
  18. 一种超声弹性检测方法，其特征在于包括：
    在弹性采集准备阶段对目标组织进行实时超声成像检测，并输出实时的超声图像至显示器进行显示；
    检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息；
    接收用户输入的第二指令，基于所述第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段， 在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测；
    基于回放指令在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。
  19. 根据权利要求18所述的方法，其特征在于，在显示界面上显示的感兴趣区域的位置信息通过添加有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像展示。
  20. 一种超声弹性检测系统,其特征在于包括：
    超声探头，所述超声探头包括由多个阵元组成的换能器，所述换能器用于向目标组织发射超声波并接收由目标组织返回的超声波的回波；
    发射接收序列控制模块，所述发射接收序列控制模块用于在弹性采集准备阶段向所述换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，控制所述换能器发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，在弹性扫描阶段目标组织内产生剪切波之后向所述换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，控制所述换能器发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，所述第一超声波用于对目标组织进行实时超声成像，所述第二超声波用于对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测；
    非易失性存储器，用于存储程序和数据；
    数据处理模块，所述数据处理模块用于执行程序以实现如权利要求1-11中任一项所述的方法；
    人机交互模块，所述人机交互模块包括显示器，所述显示器用于显示超声图像和弹性结果，以及用于在超声图像上添加和/或调整感兴趣区域标识。
  21. 根据权利要求20所述的系统，其特征在于，还包括第一缓存区，所述数据处理模块将弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段生成的检测数据按照时间顺序暂存在第一缓存区。
  22. 根据权利要求21所述的系统，其特征在于，所述数据处理模块对所述第一缓存区中的弹性扫描阶段生成的数据进行标记，在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令从第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据输出到所述显示器进行显示；或基于保存指令从第一缓存区中读取具有标记的数据，并将该数据保存在非易失性存储器中。
  23. 根据权利要求21所述的系统，其特征在于，还包括第二缓存区，所述数据处理模块用于在将检测数据按照时间顺序暂存在所述第一缓存 区之后，将所述第一缓存区中的弹性扫描阶段生成的数据按照预定的顺序暂存在所述第二缓存区。
  24. 根据权利要求20所述的系统，其特征在于，还包括第三缓存区和第二缓存区，所述数据处理模块将弹性采集准备阶段生成的实时超声图像数据暂存在第三缓存区，将弹性扫描阶段生成的数据按照预定的顺序暂存在第二缓存区。
  25. 根据权利要求23或24所述的系统，其特征在于，
    所述数据处理模块在退出弹性检测模式之前基于回放指令从所述第二缓存区中读取数据，并将该数据输出到所述显示器进行显示；或
    所述数据处理模块基于保存指令将所述第二缓存区中的数据保存在非易失性存储器中；或
    所述数据处理模块在退出弹性检测模式之后基于回放指令从所述非易失性存储器中读取弹性扫描阶段生成的数据，并将该数据或该数据的统计结果输出到所述显示器进行显示。
  26. 一种超声弹性检测系统,其特征在于包括：
    超声探头，所述超声探头包括由多个阵元组成的换能器，所述换能器用于向目标组织发射超声波并接收由目标组织返回的超声波的回波；
    发射接收序列控制模块，所述发射接收序列控制模块用于在弹性采集准备阶段向所述换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，控制所述换能器发射第一超声波和接收第一超声波的回波，在弹性扫描阶段目标组织内产生剪切波之后向所述换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，控制所述换能器发射第二超声波和接收第二超声波的回波，所述第一超声波用于对目标组织进行实时超声成像，所述第二超声波用于对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测；
    数据处理模块，所述数据处理模块用于接收用户输入的进入弹性检测模式的第一指令，基于所述第一指令启动弹性检测模式并进入弹性采集准备阶段，在弹性采集准备阶段控制发射接收序列控制模块向所述换能器输出第一发射/接收序列，根据第一超声波的回波生成实时的超声图像，检测用户在超声图像上通过感兴趣区域标识选定的感兴趣区域，获取感兴趣区域的位置信息，接收用户输入的第二指令，基于所述第二指令进入弹性扫描阶段，在弹性扫描阶段至少根据感兴趣区域的位置信息对感兴趣区域进行至少一次弹性检测，控制发射接收序列控制模块向所 述换能器输出至少一次第二发射/接收序列，以对行经目标组织内感兴趣区域的剪切波进行检测，根据第二超声波的回波计算感兴趣区域的弹性检测结果，并输出弹性检测结果；
    人机交互模块，所述人机交互模块包括显示器，所述显示器用于显示超声图像和弹性结果，以及用于在超声图像上添加和/或调整感兴趣区域标识；
    缓存区，用于在进入弹性检测模式后暂存至少一个弹性采集准备阶段和弹性扫描阶段的全部检测数据或选定的部分检测数据；
    非易失性存储器，用于保存检测数据；当所述数据处理模块在退出弹性模式之前接收到回放指令时，基于回放指令从缓存区读取数据并输出至显示器，以在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息；当所述数据处理模块在退出弹性模式之后接收到回放指令时，基于回放指令从非易失性存储器读取数据并输出至显示器，以在显示界面上显示至少一次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。
  27. 根据权利要求26所述的系统，其特征在于，所述数据处理模块在显示界面上按照预定的顺序显示至少一次弹性检测结果的图标，每个图标对应一次弹性检测结果，并根据用户选择的图标在显示界面上显示本次弹性检测结果及其采集的感兴趣区域的位置信息。
  28. 根据权利要求26所述的系统，其特征在于，所述预定的顺序包括时间顺序或按照预定参数设定的顺序。
  29. 根据权利要求26所述的系统，其特征在于，在显示界面上显示的感兴趣区域的位置信息通过添加有感兴趣区域标识的超声图像展示，所述弹性检测结果通过参数值、进度条或弹性分布图的方式展示。
  30. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其特征在于，包括程序，所述程序能够被数据处理模块执行以实现如权利要求1-19中任一项所述的方法。
PCT/CN2018/110875 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统 Ceased WO2020077598A1 (zh)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201880018203.XA CN110573088B (zh) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统
PCT/CN2018/110875 WO2020077598A1 (zh) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统
CN202111032586.6A CN113679425B (zh) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2018/110875 WO2020077598A1 (zh) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020077598A1 true WO2020077598A1 (zh) 2020-04-23

Family

ID=68772513

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2018/110875 Ceased WO2020077598A1 (zh) 2018-10-18 2018-10-18 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (2) CN113679425B (zh)
WO (1) WO2020077598A1 (zh)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113633311A (zh) * 2020-04-27 2021-11-12 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 瞬时弹性测量方法及设备
CN114176631A (zh) * 2021-12-17 2022-03-15 深圳迈瑞动物医疗科技有限公司 一种超声设备及其显示控制方法
CN115644921A (zh) * 2022-10-12 2023-01-31 逸超医疗科技(北京)有限公司 一种自动弹性测量方法
CN115670510A (zh) * 2023-01-05 2023-02-03 深圳迈瑞动物医疗科技股份有限公司 一种超声成像设备和超声c图像的成像方法
CN116058869A (zh) * 2023-01-09 2023-05-05 飞依诺科技股份有限公司 超声设备的合成孔径方法及装置

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11890142B2 (en) * 2020-01-13 2024-02-06 GE Precision Healthcare LLC System and methods for automatic lesion characterization
KR102830355B1 (ko) * 2020-01-17 2025-07-04 삼성메디슨 주식회사 초음파 진단 장치 및 그 동작방법
US11710229B2 (en) * 2020-03-23 2023-07-25 GE Precision Healthcare LLC Methods and systems for shear wave elastography
CN113545806A (zh) * 2020-04-26 2021-10-26 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 前列腺弹性成像方法和超声弹性成像系统
CN113907791B (zh) * 2020-07-09 2024-10-11 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 基于超声造影的处理方法、超声装置及计算机存储介质
CN114098813A (zh) * 2020-08-28 2022-03-01 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 一种超声成像方法、装置及存储介质
CN114521915B (zh) * 2020-11-23 2025-10-21 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 瞬时弹性测量方法和超声成像系统
CN114569153A (zh) * 2020-11-30 2022-06-03 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 弹性测量方法、基于弹性图像的匹配方法和超声成像系统
CN116096298B (zh) * 2020-12-30 2025-08-05 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 一种应变弹性成像方法、装置以及存储介质
CN112998751A (zh) * 2021-04-06 2021-06-22 无锡海斯凯尔医学技术有限公司 组织弹性检测成像方法及设备
CN113081041B (zh) * 2021-04-06 2024-02-13 无锡海斯凯尔医学技术有限公司 复合设备的控制方法、装置、系统及存储介质
CN113100816B (zh) * 2021-04-06 2023-06-30 无锡海斯凯尔医学技术有限公司 弹性检测方法及装置
CN116671968B (zh) * 2023-05-30 2024-12-06 无锡海斯凯尔医学技术有限公司 弹性成像方法、装置、弹性成像设备及存储介质

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103156636A (zh) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-19 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 一种超声成像装置和方法
JP2016112285A (ja) * 2014-12-17 2016-06-23 日立アロカメディカル株式会社 超音波診断装置
CN106456108A (zh) * 2015-08-10 2017-02-22 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 超声弹性成像系统和方法
WO2017150355A1 (ja) * 2016-02-29 2017-09-08 コニカミノルタ株式会社 超音波診断装置及び超音波情報処理方法
US20180055479A1 (en) * 2016-08-23 2018-03-01 Carestream Health, Inc. Ultrasound system and method
KR20180054360A (ko) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-24 삼성메디슨 주식회사 초음파 진단 장치 및 초음파 진단 장치 제어 방법

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2457376C (en) * 2003-10-14 2015-09-15 The University Of British Columbia Method for imaging the mechanical properties of tissue
WO2011004661A1 (ja) * 2009-07-07 2011-01-13 株式会社 日立メディコ 超音波診断装置及び超音波計測方法
CN102283679B (zh) * 2011-08-04 2014-05-21 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院 弹性测量的超声成像系统及测量生物组织弹性的方法
CN102908168A (zh) * 2012-10-24 2013-02-06 华南理工大学 一种基于机械扫描的a超弹性成像系统及其方法
US10251627B2 (en) * 2013-06-26 2019-04-09 Koninklijke Philips N. V. Elastography measurement system and method
US10327738B2 (en) * 2015-03-31 2019-06-25 Samsung Medison Co., Ltd. Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method of processing ultrasound image thereof
CN105395218B (zh) * 2015-11-10 2019-02-15 中国科学院声学研究所 超声弹性成像系统及方法
CN107049360B (zh) * 2017-01-26 2020-12-08 清华大学 剪切波弹性成像方法和装置

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103156636A (zh) * 2011-12-15 2013-06-19 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 一种超声成像装置和方法
JP2016112285A (ja) * 2014-12-17 2016-06-23 日立アロカメディカル株式会社 超音波診断装置
CN106456108A (zh) * 2015-08-10 2017-02-22 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 超声弹性成像系统和方法
WO2017150355A1 (ja) * 2016-02-29 2017-09-08 コニカミノルタ株式会社 超音波診断装置及び超音波情報処理方法
US20180055479A1 (en) * 2016-08-23 2018-03-01 Carestream Health, Inc. Ultrasound system and method
KR20180054360A (ko) * 2016-11-15 2018-05-24 삼성메디슨 주식회사 초음파 진단 장치 및 초음파 진단 장치 제어 방법

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113633311A (zh) * 2020-04-27 2021-11-12 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司 瞬时弹性测量方法及设备
CN114176631A (zh) * 2021-12-17 2022-03-15 深圳迈瑞动物医疗科技有限公司 一种超声设备及其显示控制方法
CN115644921A (zh) * 2022-10-12 2023-01-31 逸超医疗科技(北京)有限公司 一种自动弹性测量方法
CN115670510A (zh) * 2023-01-05 2023-02-03 深圳迈瑞动物医疗科技股份有限公司 一种超声成像设备和超声c图像的成像方法
CN116058869A (zh) * 2023-01-09 2023-05-05 飞依诺科技股份有限公司 超声设备的合成孔径方法及装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN113679425B (zh) 2023-10-13
CN113679425A (zh) 2021-11-23
CN110573088A (zh) 2019-12-13
CN110573088B (zh) 2021-09-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2020077598A1 (zh) 一种超声弹性检测方法及其系统
US12226261B2 (en) Ultrasound transient elasticity measurement device and method
CN101484074B (zh) 超声波诊断装置、医用图像处理装置以及医用图像处理程序
EP2783635B1 (en) Ultrasound system and method of providing direction information of object
CN103845076B (zh) 超声系统及其检测信息的关联方法和装置
WO2018023336A1 (zh) 超声弹性测量显示方法及系统
KR20150061989A (ko) 탄성 영상 제공 방법 및 이를 위한 초음파 장치
CN101420906A (zh) 超声波诊断装置
US11259780B2 (en) Ultrasound medical detection devices and imaging method, imaging system and display terminal
CN107003404B (zh) 使用多个显示器提供信息的方法和超声波设备
US12102484B2 (en) Ultrasound image processing device and method, and computer-readable storage medium
WO2021033446A1 (ja) 超音波診断装置、及び超音波診断装置の制御方法
JP2010534501A (ja) ドップラー超音波撮像システムにおける自動画像選択のためのシステム及び方法
US11039777B2 (en) Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method
WO2021087765A1 (zh) 一种超声成像设备和子宫内膜蠕动的检测方法
JP2014108311A (ja) 超音波画像表示装置及びその制御プログラム
WO2020037673A1 (zh) 一种超声弹性成像装置及对弹性图像进行处理的方法
KR102695456B1 (ko) 대상체에 관한 횡파 탄성 데이터를 표시하는 초음파 진단 장치 그 동작 방법
US11877893B2 (en) Providing a three dimensional ultrasound image
JP2007125273A (ja) 超音波解析装置
JP6289225B2 (ja) 超音波診断装置及び制御プログラム
CN119257630A (zh) 一种多模态联合超声测量方法和超声成像系统
JP6855183B2 (ja) 超音波診断装置及びその制御プログラム
CN121265117A (zh) 一种超声应变成像方法和超声设备
CN115462835A (zh) 超声宽景弹性成像方法和超声成像系统

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 18937426

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

32PN Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established

Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS PURSUANT TO RULE 112(1) EPC (EPO FORM 1205A DATED 08/09/2021)

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 18937426

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1