Shear wave elastic imaging method, ultrasonic imaging system and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application disclose a shear wave elastic imaging method, system and computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: controlling the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tested tissue; receiving the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue, and controlling the probe to convert the ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining a reference image of the tested tissue in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining a comparison image of the tested tissue in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in the shear wave imaging mode; determining the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when in the second state based on the reference image and the comparison image; and controlling the display of prompt information corresponding to the pressure state. The embodiments of the present application determine the pressure state between the probe and the tested tissue through ultrasonic images, and output corresponding prompt information to facilitate the user to determine the accuracy of the elastic information of the tested tissue obtained according to the prompt information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the medical field, and in particular to a shear wave elasticity imaging method, an ultrasound imaging system, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Shear wave elastography forms acoustic radiation force by emitting a focused ultrasound beam, forming a shear wave source in the tissue and generating transversely propagating shear waves. By identifying and detecting the shear waves generated inside the tissue and their propagation parameters and imaging these parameters, the hardness difference of the tissue can be obtained quantitatively and visually. Since the excitation of the shear wave comes from the acoustic radiation force generated by the focused ultrasound beam and no longer depends on the pressure applied by the operator, the shear wave elastography method has improved stability and repeatability compared to conventional elastography. However, in the clinical application of shear wave elastography, the measured tissue elasticity values ​​will become unstable / inaccurate because the elasticity of tissues such as the thyroid, breast, and muscle will change due to the different tightness of the probe. How to standardize the range of probe pressure, there is currently no similar technology on the market, and it only relies on the doctor's operating experience, so the elasticity measurement results obtained by different operators will also be relatively different. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a shear wave elastic imaging method, an ultrasound imaging system and a computer-readable storage medium. The operator can determine whether the pressure between the probe and the tested tissue is appropriate through the prompt information of the pressure state between the probe and the tested tissue, which is beneficial to improving the stability of ultrasound imaging and improving the accuracy of diagnosis and evaluation.

[0004] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a shear wave elastic imaging method, comprising:

[0005] Controlling the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue under test;

[0006] Controlling the probe to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue, and converting the ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;

[0007] Acquiring a reference image when the measured tissue is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal;

[0008] Acquiring a contrast image of the measured tissue in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode;

[0009] Determine the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image;

[0010] Control and display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state.

[0011] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a shear wave elastic imaging method, comprising:

[0012] Controlling the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue under test;

[0013] Controlling the probe to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the measured tissue, and obtaining an ultrasonic echo signal after performing beam processing on the ultrasonic echo;

[0014] Acquiring a reference image when the measured tissue is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal;

[0015] Acquiring a contrast image of the measured tissue in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode;

[0016] Determining the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image;

[0017] The probe is selectively controlled based on the pressure state of the probe to collect elastic information of the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue.

[0018] A third aspect of the present application provides an ultrasound imaging system, including:

[0019] The probe is used to generate shear waves in the measured tissue, transmit ultrasonic waves to the measured tissue, and receive ultrasonic echoes returned by the measured tissue to obtain ultrasonic echo signals;

[0020] a processor connected to the probe, the processor being used to obtain a reference image of the tested tissue when it is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal, and to obtain a contrast image of the tested tissue when it is in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode; the processor also determines the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when it is in the second state based on the reference image and the contrast image;

[0021] A display is connected to the processor and is used to display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state.

[0022] A fourth aspect of the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging system, including:

[0023] The probe is used to generate shear waves in the measured tissue, transmit ultrasonic waves to the measured tissue, and receive ultrasonic echoes returned by the measured tissue to obtain ultrasonic echo signals;

[0024] A processor is connected to the probe, and is used to obtain a reference image of the measured tissue when it is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal, and to obtain a comparison image of the measured tissue when it is in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode; the processor also determines the pressure state of the measured tissue relative to the probe when it is in the second state based on the reference image and the comparison image; the processor also selects to control the probe to collect an image of the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue based on the pressure state of the probe.

[0025] A fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program for electronic data exchange, wherein the computer program enables a computer to execute part or all of the steps described in any method of the first aspect or the second aspect of the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] The embodiment of the present application obtains an ultrasonic image of the tested tissue, determines the pressure state between the probe and the tested tissue through the ultrasonic image, and outputs corresponding prompt information to assist the user in performing shear wave elastic imaging examination according to the prompt information, and also facilitates the user to determine the accuracy of the elastic information of the tested tissue obtained according to the prompt information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a flowchart of the steps of the shear wave elastography method in one embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic block diagram of a shear wave elastic imaging system in one embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic image of a tested tissue in a first state in one embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic image of a tested tissue in a second state in one embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the change information of the position of the target area in one embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 6It is a schematic diagram of the change information of the position of the target area in another embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the graded display of pressure magnitude in one embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the steps of a shear wave elastic imaging method in another embodiment of the present application.

[0036] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the change information of the position of the target area in another embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the pressure level grouping display in one embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of prompt information corresponding to level information of partitioning in one embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of prompt information corresponding to level information of partitioning in another embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of pressure level grouping display in another embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Fig.14 It is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0042] Fig.15 It is a flow chart of the shear wave elastic imaging method in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0045] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0046] Shear wave elastography generates shear waves in the tested tissue, causing the tested tissue to produce a certain displacement; then, ultrasonic waves are emitted to the tested tissue to collect ultrasonic images to monitor the displacement field generated by the tested tissue, and the softness and hardness of the tested tissue are evaluated by measuring, for example, the propagation speed of the shear waves in the tested tissue. In this imaging process, ultrasonic waves can be emitted to the tested tissue in the conventional B imaging mode to determine the target area, and then the shear wave imaging mode is entered to generate shear waves in the target area of ​​the tested tissue, and ultrasonic waves are further emitted to obtain the elastic information of the target area of ​​the tested tissue. The shear wave imaging mode can be further divided into an acquisition preparation stage and a real-time acquisition stage. In the acquisition preparation stage, shear waves are not generated in the target area. At this time, the shear wave elastography can be set and adjusted. After entering the real-time acquisition, the probe generates shear waves in the target area and performs real-time image acquisition to obtain the measurement information of the shear wave. The measurement information of the shear wave is, for example, but not limited to, the shear wave propagation distance, the shear wave propagation speed, the Young's modulus of the target area, etc.

[0047] Shear wave elastography relies on shear waves to cause tissue displacement. Although the user does not need to press the tissue to obtain tissue displacement, when the user holds the probe for shear wave elastography, the probe contacts the surface of the tissue under test, and the user will habitually apply pressure to the probe during the imaging scan, which will cause the probe to still apply a certain amount of pressure to the tissue under test, causing a certain deformation displacement. If the pressure applied by the user to the tissue under test is inappropriate, it will also affect the accuracy of shear wave elastography. This application monitors the pressure state between the probe and the tissue under test during shear wave elastography to ensure that the pressure applied by the probe to the tissue under test does not affect the final elasticity measurement accuracy. For example, the present application can extract a frame of B image under appropriate pressure state between the probe and the tested tissue (hereinafter referred to as an ultrasound image obtained based on the first ultrasound in the first state) as a reference image. After entering the shear wave elasticity imaging mode, the currently acquired frame of B image (hereinafter referred to as an ultrasound image obtained based on the second ultrasound in the second state) is used as a comparison image. By comparing the displacement changes of the reference image and the comparison image, the pressure state between the probe and the tested tissue is obtained, and prompt information is given based on the pressure state, so that the user can collect shear wave elasticity information or select reliable shear wave elasticity measurement results according to the prompt information.

[0048] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application.

[0049] See also Figure 1 , which is a flowchart of the steps of a shear wave elastic imaging method in one embodiment of the present application. The shear wave elastic imaging method comprises the following steps:

[0050] Step 130: Control the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue under test.

[0051] Please also read Figure 2 , which is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in an embodiment of the present application. The ultrasound imaging system 10 includes a probe 100, a transmitting circuit 102 connected to the probe 100, a receiving circuit 104 connected to the probe 100, a beamforming module 106, a signal processing module 108, an imaging processing module 110 and a display 112, wherein the receiving circuit 104, the beamforming module 106, the signal processing module 108, the imaging processing module 110 and the display 112 can be electrically connected in sequence.

[0052] In this embodiment, after obtaining the tested tissue 40 (shown in Figure 3 ) to determine the pressure state between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40, so as to determine the stability of elastic imaging according to the pressure state between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40. The ultrasonic imaging system 10 can determine the pressure state between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 based on the displacement information of the target area of ​​the tested tissue 40 under different states.

[0053] The transmitting circuit 102 in the ultrasound imaging system 10 can transmit the ultrasound to the tissue 40 (shown in FIG. Figure 3 ) emits a first ultrasonic wave to obtain an ultrasonic image corresponding to the tested tissue 40, such as obtaining a reference image. When entering the shear wave elastic imaging mode, if the elastic information of the tested tissue 40 is to be obtained, the transmitting circuit 102 in the ultrasonic imaging system 10 can transmit a second ultrasonic wave to the tested tissue through the probe to obtain another ultrasonic image corresponding to the tested tissue 40, such as obtaining a contrast image and an intermediate image between the reference image and the contrast image, and tracking the shear wave transmitted in the tested tissue 40 based on the obtained ultrasonic image. The emission scanning parameters of the first ultrasonic wave and the second ultrasonic wave can be the same, or the emission scanning parameters of the first ultrasonic wave can be adjusted according to the need to obtain the reference image to distinguish it from the second ultrasonic wave.

[0054] In this embodiment, the probe 100 can transmit a first ultrasonic wave to the tested tissue 40, and determine the target area where shear waves need to be generated according to the subsequently received ultrasonic echoes, that is, transmit ultrasonic waves in the conventional B mode before the shear wave imaging mode.

[0055] In this embodiment, the probe 100 can emit the first ultrasonic wave and / or the second ultrasonic wave to the tested tissue 40 in the acquisition preparation stage after entering the shear wave imaging mode, that is, before the shear wave is generated in the target area, that is, emit ultrasonic waves in the acquisition preparation stage of the shear wave imaging mode.

[0056] In this embodiment, the shear wave in the tested tissue 40 can be generated in the tested tissue 40 by the probe emitting an acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) into the tested tissue 40. In the shear wave imaging mode, the probe emits a second ultrasonic wave to the tested tissue to obtain an ultrasonic image of the tested tissue when the shear wave is transmitted therein, and based on this, the shear wave propagating in the tested tissue can be collected to obtain the measurement information of the shear wave.

[0057] Step 132: Control the probe to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue, and convert the ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.

[0058] In this embodiment, after the probe 100 transmits the first ultrasonic wave to the tested tissue 40, after a certain delay, the probe 100 can receive the first ultrasonic echo with the information of the tested object reflected from the tested tissue 40, and convert the first ultrasonic echo into an electrical signal. The receiving circuit 104 receives the electrical signal converted and generated by the probe 100, obtains the first ultrasonic echo signal, and sends these first ultrasonic echo signals to the beamforming module 106. The beamforming module 106 performs focusing delay, weighting and channel summing on the first ultrasonic echo signal, and then sends the beamformed first ultrasonic echo signal to the signal processing module 108 for related signal processing. The first ultrasonic echo signal processed by the signal processing module 108 is sent to the imaging processing module 110, which processes the signal differently according to the different imaging modes required by the user to obtain tissue image data of different modes, and then forms ultrasonic tissue images of different modes through logarithmic compression, dynamic range adjustment, digital scan conversion and other processing, and is used for display on the display 112, wherein the ultrasonic tissue images of different modes may include M images, B images, C images, etc., or other types of two-dimensional ultrasonic tissue images or three-dimensional ultrasonic tissue images.

[0059] In one embodiment, the probe 100 can receive a second ultrasonic echo corresponding to a second ultrasonic wave returned from the measured tissue 40 after the shear wave is generated, and convert the second ultrasonic echo into an electrical signal. The receiving circuit 104 receives the converted electrical signal, obtains a second ultrasonic echo signal, and sends these second ultrasonic echo signals to the beamforming module 106, and then sequentially passes through the signal processing module 108 and then to the imaging processing module 110. The imaging processing module 110 calculates the measurement information corresponding to the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue 40 (including but not limited to the speed of shear wave propagation, Young's modulus, and shear modulus) to obtain the corresponding elastic calculation result, and can generate an elastic image.

[0060] Step 134, obtain a reference image when the measured tissue is in the first state. The reference image can be an ultrasonic image obtained in advance before the real-time acquisition of shear wave imaging with reference to the conditions described below, and directly obtained from the system when it is necessary to judge the pressure between the measured tissue and the probe. The reference image can also be acquired in the real-time acquisition stage with reference to the conditions described below. The first state is the state when the probe receives the ultrasonic echo returned by the measured tissue and the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue meets the preset conditions. That is, on the one hand, the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue is appropriate (that is, within the preset pressure range). At this time, the probe has little effect on the elasticity of the measured tissue and will not cause significant changes in the elasticity of the measured tissue. On the other hand, the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue is in a balanced state on the left and right sides / both ends, and will not cause unequal changes in the measured tissue.

[0061] In this embodiment, when determining the pressure state between the probe 100 and the measured tissue 40 based on the displacement information of the target area of ​​the measured tissue 40 in different states, the ultrasonic imaging system 10 can determine the reference image 400 (shown in FIG. Figure 3 ) and contrast image 410 (shown in Figure 4 ) to determine the pressure state of the tested tissue 40 relative to the probe 100 according to the reference image and the comparison image.

[0062] When obtaining a reference image of the tested tissue 40, the user may bring the probe 100 close to the tested tissue 40 and contact the body surface corresponding to the tested tissue 40 in a non-pressing manner to obtain one or more reference images. The reference image 400 is an ultrasound image that can be obtained when the tested tissue 40 is in a first state, wherein the first state may be a state when the probe 100 receives the first ultrasound echo returned by the tested tissue 40 and has a small effect on the elasticity of the tested tissue 40. That is, in the first state, the probe 100 contacts the tested tissue 40 in a non-pressing manner, so the pressure on the tested tissue 40 will not significantly change the elasticity of the tested tissue 40, and the pressure of the probe 100 on the tested tissue 40 is in a relatively balanced state at both ends, and the probe 100 is in good contact with the tested tissue 40, and the first ultrasound echo returned by the tested tissue 40 can be received. In one embodiment, the reference image 400 may be a frame of ultrasound image when the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 just come into contact.

[0063] Please also read Figure 3 , shown is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic image of the tested tissue in a first state in an embodiment of the present application. When obtaining the elastic information of the tested tissue 40, the user may apply a coupling agent 30 between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40. When the space between the tested tissue 40 and the probe 100 is filled with the coupling agent 30, the pressure between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 is small and the contact is good. At this time, the elasticity of the tested tissue 40 is not changed by the pressure of the probe 100. Therefore, the imaging processing module 110 can use the ultrasonic image obtained in the first state corresponding to the space between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 being filled with the coupling agent 30 as the reference image 400.

[0064] Corresponding to the process of shear wave elastography, in the conventional B mode before entering the information collection of the shear wave elastography mode, the B image of the tested tissue can be displayed on the display 112, and the imaging processing module 110 obtains the ultrasound image of the tested tissue when it is in the first state as a reference image; or in the real-time acquisition process after entering the information collection of the shear wave elastography mode, the B image of the tested tissue and the elasticity image of the tested tissue can be displayed on the display 112, and the imaging processing module 110 uses a frame of ultrasound image of the tested tissue 40 in the first state as a reference image; or in the acquisition preparation stage after entering the information collection of the shear wave elastography mode, the B image of the tested tissue can be displayed on the display 112, but the elasticity image area of ​​the tested tissue does not display the image, and the imaging processing module 110 uses a frame of ultrasound image of the tested tissue 40 in the first state as a reference image.

[0065] Step 136, obtaining a contrast image when the tested tissue is in the second state. The contrast image may be an ultrasound image obtained in the acquisition preparation stage before the shear wave is generated according to the conditions described below, or may be acquired in the real-time acquisition stage of the shear wave imaging mode according to the conditions described below.

[0066] Please also read Figure 4 , which is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic image of a tested tissue in a second state in an embodiment of the present application. In acquiring elastic information of the tested tissue 40 (e.g., measurement information of shear waves), the user places the probe 100 on a body surface portion corresponding to the tested tissue 40. At this time, the probe 100 applies a certain pressure to the tested tissue 40 because the user habitually presses the tested tissue, and the tested tissue 40 is in the second state. The ultrasonic imaging system 10 can use the ultrasonic image of the tested tissue 40 in the second state as a comparison image 410, wherein the comparison image can be an ultrasonic image of the current frame.

[0067] Corresponding to the process of shear wave elastography, a frame of ultrasound image acquired in real time can be used as a comparison image during the real-time acquisition process after entering the information acquisition of shear wave elastography mode, and the comparison image can be compared with the reference image. Alternatively, a frame of ultrasound image acquired in real time can be used as a comparison image during the acquisition preparation stage after entering the information acquisition of shear wave elastography mode. Alternatively, the comparison image can be acquired during both the acquisition preparation stage and the real-time acquisition stage.

[0068] Fig.15 Shown are stages in a shear wave elastography procedure at which reference and contrast images may be acquired.

[0069] Step 138: Determine the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image.

[0070] In this embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 of the ultrasonic imaging system 10 can determine the pressure state of the probe 100 relative to the measured tissue 40 according to the change information of the position of the target area in the measured tissue 40 in the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410 .

[0071] Please also read Figure 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the change information of the position of the target area in one embodiment of the present application. The imaging processing module 110 can determine the first position of the target area in the measured tissue 40 in the reference image 400 and the second position in the comparison image 410, and determine the change information of the target area when the probe applies pressure to the tissue based on the change position information of the second position and the first position. The imaging processing module 110 can determine the pressure state between the probe 100 and the measured tissue 40 based on the change information.

[0072] In this embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the change information of the position of the target area in the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410 by using a speckle tracking method. Figure 5 In (a), the reference image 400 includes a first predetermined number of reference data points (or spots) 402 corresponding to the target area. Figure 5 In (b), the imaging processing module 110 may obtain the comparison data point 412 in the comparison image 410 corresponding to the reference data point 402 of the reference image 400 to obtain a first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs 450, wherein each reference comparison data point pair 450 includes a reference data point 402 and a comparison data point 412, and the first preset number may be one or more. In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the comparison data point 412 in the comparison image 410 corresponding to each reference data point based on the correlation between the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410, wherein the correlation may be the sum of the absolute values ​​of the pixel differences in the data blocks of the two frames of ultrasound images, the square of the difference, or the normalized correlation coefficient.

[0073] For example, the imaging processing module 110 may select a reference area 470 (or data block) containing a reference data point 402 in the reference image 400; when searching for a comparison data point 412 corresponding to the reference data point 402 in the comparison image 410, the imaging processing module 110 may search for a comparison area 490 (or data block) most relevant to the reference area 470 in the search area 480 in the comparison image 410, wherein the comparison data point 412 is located in the comparison area 490, and the reference area 470 and the comparison area 490 contain the same number of columns and rows of pixels. When the absolute value sum of the differences based on the correlation is used, the pixel values ​​of the N pixels contained in the reference area 470 are expressed as X i, where i is an integer from 1 to N; the imaging processing module 110 selects the Mth preset box in the search area 480, and the pixel values ​​of the N pixels in the Mth preset box are represented as Y jM , where j is an integer from 1 to N, and M is an integer. The imaging processing module 110 may determine the contrast area 490 based on the above formula:

[0074]

[0075] That is, when M is a positive integer, the imaging processing module 110 selects the preset box corresponding to the minimum value of the sum of the absolute values ​​of the pixel value differences between the reference area 470 and each pixel point in the preset box as the comparison area 490 .

[0076] In other embodiments, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the change information of the position of the target area between the reference image and the comparison image by other methods.

[0077] When the first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs 450 is obtained, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the pressure state of the probe 100 according to the corresponding reference data points 402 and comparison data points 412 in the reference comparison data point pairs 450 .

[0078] In this embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 obtains the displacement information of the comparison data point 412 in the reference comparison data point pair 450 relative to the reference data point 402 in a preset direction to obtain the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair 450 in the preset direction, and then the pressure state between the probe 100 and the measured tissue 40 can be determined according to the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair 450.

[0079] like Figure 5 As shown, the lower left corner of the ultrasound image is the origin of the coordinate axis, the upward direction is the X-axis of the coordinate axis, and the vertical X-axis and rightward direction is the Y-axis of the coordinate axis. The coordinates of the reference data point 402 in the reference image 400 can be expressed as (xa, ya), the coordinates of the comparison data point 412 in the comparison image 410 can be expressed as (xb, yb), and the position information of the reference comparison data point pair 450 in the X-axis direction can be expressed as: (xb-xa). Among them, the position information of the reference comparison data point pair 450 in the X-axis direction has information such as size and direction. The imaging processing module 110 can determine the pressure of the probe 100 relative to the measured tissue 40 according to the size and direction of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair 450, wherein the larger the displacement information along the positive direction of the X-axis, the greater the pressure of the probe 100 on the measured tissue 40, and the smaller the displacement information along the positive direction of the X-axis or a negative number, the smaller the pressure of the probe 100 on the measured tissue 40.

[0080] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 may obtain the position information of each reference comparison data point pair in the first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs 450, so as to calculate the average value of the displacement information corresponding to the target area according to the position information of each reference comparison data point pair, and the calculated average value may be used as the displacement information of the target area.

[0081] In one embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of the elastic information of the tested tissue 40, the imaging processing module 110 determines the first average amplitude value of the data block where the reference data point is located and the second average amplitude value of the data block where the comparison data point is located in each reference comparison data point pair 450, and selects a second preset number of reference data points whose first average amplitude value and second average amplitude value are both greater than the preset value from the first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs 450 to determine the pressure state of the probe 100. The second preset number is not greater than the first preset number, the first average amplitude value is the average value of the pixel values ​​of the pixel points included in the data block where the reference data point is located, and the second average amplitude value is the average value of the pixel values ​​of the pixel points included in the data block where the comparison data point is located. When the first average amplitude value or the second average amplitude value in the reference comparison data point pair 450 is not greater than the preset value, the imaging processing module 110 discards the reference comparison data point pair 450. The imaging processing module 110 can calculate the average value of the position information of the second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs, and use the calculated average value as the displacement information of the target area. Since the pixel value of each pixel point in the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410 is represented by the ultrasonic signal amplitude, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the second preset number according to the ultrasonic signal amplitude of the first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs 450 .

[0082] In one embodiment, in order to improve the accuracy of the elastic information of the tested tissue 40, the imaging processing module 110 determines the first average amplitude value of the data block where the reference data point in each reference comparison data point pair 450 is located, and selects a second preset number of reference data points whose first average amplitude value is greater than the preset value from the reference data points of the first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs 450 to form a second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs to determine the pressure state of the probe 100. The second preset number is not greater than the first preset number, and the first average amplitude value is the average value of the pixel values ​​of the pixel points included in the data block where the reference data point is located. When the first average amplitude value of the reference data point in the reference comparison data point pair 450 is not greater than the preset value, the imaging processing module 110 discards the reference comparison data point pair 450. The imaging processing module 110 can calculate the average value of the position information of the second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs, and use the calculated average value as the displacement information of the target area.

[0083] Since the reference image 400 has been determined, when acquiring the elastic information of the tested tissue 40, as the detection time increases, the comparison image 410 also increases, so that there are several intermediate images 430 between the comparison image 410 and the reference image 400. If the imaging processing module 110 acquires the comparison data points corresponding to the reference data points of the reference image 400 in the comparison image 410 by speckle tracking, the imaging processing module 110 may need to spend a lot of time searching a large area of ​​the comparison image 410, and the accuracy of the comparison data points obtained by the search may also be affected to a certain extent. Since the imaging processing module 110 acquires the ultrasonic image of the tested tissue 40 continuously, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the change information of the position of the target area in the comparison image 410 and the reference image 400 through the intermediate image 430, so as to determine the displacement information corresponding to the target area according to the accumulated change information, and then determine the pressure state of the probe 100 on the tested tissue 40.

[0084] When there is an intermediate image 430 between the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) corresponding to the reference data point 402 (xa, ya) of the reference image 430 in the intermediate image 430. Afterwards, the imaging processing module 110 may obtain the comparison data point 412 (xb, yb) corresponding to the intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) of the intermediate image 430 in the comparison image 410. At this time, the reference comparison data point pair 450 includes the reference data point 402, the intermediate data point 422 and the comparison data point 412. When determining the displacement information corresponding to the target area, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the first displacement information (xc-xa) of the intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) relative to the reference data point 402 (xa, ya) in the preset direction (such as the X axis). The imaging processing module 110 also determines the second displacement information (xb-xc) of the comparison data point 412 (xb, yb) relative to the intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) in a preset direction (such as the X axis). At this time, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the pressure state of the probe 100 based on the first displacement information (xc-xa) and the second displacement information (xb-xc). For example, the pressure state of the probe 100 can be expressed as (xb-xa). In other embodiments, the imaging processing module 110 can also directly determine the pressure state of the probe 100 based on the coordinate value of the comparison data point 412 and the coordinate value of the reference data point 40, such as directly determining the pressure state of the probe 100 as (xb-xa).

[0085] In one embodiment, there are two or more intermediate images 430 between the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410. Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the change information of the position of the target area in another embodiment of the present application. For example, if there are two intermediate images 430 (the first intermediate image and the second intermediate image, respectively) between the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the first intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) corresponding to the reference data point 402 (xa, ya) of the reference image 430 in the first intermediate image, and then the imaging processing module 110 can obtain the second intermediate data point 432 (xd, yd) corresponding to the first intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) of the first intermediate image in the second intermediate image, and the imaging processing module 110 can obtain the comparison data point 412 (xb, yb) corresponding to the second intermediate data point 432 (xd, yd) of the second intermediate image in the comparison image 410. At this time, the reference comparison data point pair 450 includes the reference data point 402, the first intermediate data point 422, the second intermediate data point 432 and the comparison data point 412.

[0086] When determining the displacement information corresponding to the target area, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the third displacement information (xc-xa) of the first intermediate data point 422 (xc, yc) relative to the reference data point 402 (xa, ya) in the preset direction (such as the X axis). The imaging processing module 110 may determine the fourth displacement information (xd-xc) of the second intermediate data point 432 (xd, yd) relative to the first intermediate data point 422 (xa, ya) in the preset direction (such as the X axis). The imaging processing module 110 also determines the fifth displacement information (xb-xd) of the comparison data point 412 (xb, yb) relative to the second intermediate data point 432 (xd, yd) in the preset direction (such as the X axis). At this time, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the pressure state of the probe 100 based on the third displacement information (xc-xa), the fourth displacement information (xd-xc) and the fifth displacement information (xb-xd). For example, the pressure state of the probe 100 may be expressed as (xb-xa). In other embodiments, the imaging processing module 110 may also directly determine the pressure state of the probe 100 according to the coordinate value of the comparison data point 412 and the coordinate value of the reference data point 40 .

[0087] Step 140: Control the display of prompt information corresponding to the pressure state.

[0088] In this embodiment, the pressure state of the probe 100 or the pressure state of the probe 100 relative to the tested tissue 40 includes pressure information and balance information. The pressure information indicates the pressure of the probe 100 relative to the tested tissue 40, and the balance information indicates whether the pressure on the left and right sides of the probe 100 is balanced.

[0089] In one embodiment, if the force applied by the probe 100 to the tested tissue 40 is relatively balanced, the ultrasonic imaging system 10 may determine by default that the pressure on both sides of the probe 100 is in a balanced state. At this time, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the pressure of the probe 100 relative to the tested tissue 40 according to the displacement information of the target area, and display prompt information corresponding to the pressure.

[0090] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 determines the classification information corresponding to the displacement information of the target area, and controls the display 112 to display prompt information corresponding to the determined displacement information.

[0091] Please also read Figure 7 , which is a schematic diagram of the hierarchical display of pressure magnitude in one embodiment of the present application. For example, the imaging processing module 110 determines that the displacement information corresponding to the target area belongs to a hierarchical category, wherein the hierarchical category includes one of the first to fifth hierarchical categories, and each hierarchical category includes a corresponding threshold range. Figure 7 As shown, the five semicircular bars from top to bottom can represent the prompt information corresponding to the first to fifth grades. The imaging processing module 110 determines the corresponding grade information by determining the threshold range of the grade where the displacement information corresponding to the target area is located. In this embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the pressure of the probe 100 relative to the measured tissue 40 according to the size and direction of the displacement information corresponding to the target area, wherein the larger the displacement information along the positive direction of the X-axis, the greater the pressure of the probe 100 on the measured tissue 40, and the smaller the displacement information along the positive direction of the X-axis or a negative number, the smaller the pressure of the probe 100 on the measured tissue 40. When the value of the displacement information of the target area is near 0, it means that the pressure of the probe 100 on the measured tissue 40 is close to the pressure state of the probe 100 on the measured tissue 40 of the reference image.

[0092] In one embodiment, since the imaging processing module 110 also obtains the ultrasonic image of the tested tissue 40 when obtaining the elastic information of the tested tissue 40, the imaging processing module 110 determines the pressure state of the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 according to the ultrasonic image. Therefore, the imaging processing module 110 can associate the pressure state when the probe 100 collects the shear wave with the measurement information of the shear wave in real time, and can associate and store the pressure state with the measurement information of the shear wave, so that the user can retrieve the elastic information of the tested tissue 40 and the pressure state at the corresponding moment later.

[0093] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 is also used to determine whether the pressure state of the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 is within a preset level range (such as the first level to the third level). When the pressure state of the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 is within the preset level range, it means that the accuracy of the elastic information obtained by the ultrasonic imaging system 10 at this time is relatively high. At this time, the imaging processing module 110 can control the display 112 to display the elastic image of the shear wave corresponding to the pressure information between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 is within the preset level range. When the pressure state of the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 is not within the preset level range, it means that the accuracy of the elastic information obtained by the ultrasonic imaging system 10 at this time is relatively low. At this time, the imaging processing module 110 may not display the elastic image of the corresponding shear wave obtained, or prompt the user that the pressure state between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 has not reached the preset level when displaying the elastic image of the shear wave.

[0094] The above-mentioned shear wave elastic imaging method obtains an ultrasonic image of the measured tissue, determines the pressure state between the probe and the measured tissue through the ultrasonic image, and outputs corresponding prompt information to facilitate the user to determine the accuracy of the elastic information of the measured tissue obtained according to the prompt information.

[0095] See also Figure 8 , which is a flowchart of the steps of a shear wave elastic imaging method in another embodiment of the present application. The shear wave elastic imaging method comprises the following steps:

[0096] Step 810: Control the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue under test.

[0097] Step 810 in this embodiment may refer to the content of step 130 in the above embodiment, so it will not be repeated here.

[0098] Step 812: Control the probe to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue, and convert the ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.

[0099] Step 812 in this embodiment may refer to the content of step 132 in the above embodiment, so it will not be repeated here.

[0100] Step 814: Acquire a reference image of the tested tissue when it is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0101] Step 814 in this embodiment may refer to the contents of step 134 in the above embodiment, so it will not be repeated here.

[0102] Step 816: Acquire a contrast image of the tested tissue when it is in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0103] Step 816 in this embodiment may refer to the contents of step 136 in the above embodiment, so it will not be repeated here.

[0104] Step 818, obtaining the pressure states of different partitions corresponding to the target area of ​​the tested tissue.

[0105] In one embodiment, the reference image may be divided into zones, and the pressure state of each zone may be determined according to the divided reference image and the comparison image.

[0106] Please also read Fig. 9 , which is a schematic diagram of the change information of the position of the target area in another embodiment of the present application. Compared with step 138 of the above embodiment, step 818 of the present embodiment can divide the reference image 400 into partitions, such as dividing the reference image 400 into a third preset number of partitions, each of which includes a number of reference data points, and the number of reference data points included in each partition can be the same or different. When the target area is divided into two partitions, the reference image 400 may include a first partition 407 and a second partition 409, and the comparison image 410 may include a third partition 417 and a fourth partition 419. The first partition 407 may include the reference data point 402, and the second partition 409 may include the reference data point 404. When the imaging processing module 110 determines the comparison data points in the comparison image 410 corresponding to the reference data points in the reference image 400 by the speckle tracking method, the imaging processing module 110 can determine that the comparison data point 412 corresponding to the reference data point 402 in the first divided partition 407 is located in the third divided partition 417, and the first reference comparison data point pair is determined to be the reference data point 402 and the comparison data point 412; the comparison data point 414 corresponding to the reference data point 404 in the second divided partition 409 is located in the fourth divided partition 419, and the second reference comparison data point pair is determined to be the reference data point 404 and the comparison data point 414.

[0107] The imaging processing module 110 can calculate the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each partition in a preset direction to obtain the displacement information of each partition, wherein the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each partition includes the reference comparison data point pair in the reference image where the reference data point is located in the corresponding partition. For example, the coordinate value of the reference data point 402 is expressed as (x1, y1), and the coordinate value of the comparison data point 412 is expressed as (x2, y2). At this time, the imaging processing module 110 can calculate the displacement information of the first partition as (x2-x1); the coordinate value of the reference data point 404 is expressed as (x3, y3), and the coordinate value of the comparison data point 414 is expressed as (x4, y4). At this time, the imaging processing module 110 can calculate the displacement information of the second partition as (x4-x3).

[0108] In one embodiment, since the comparison data point 412 corresponding to the reference data point 402 in the first partition 407 may not be located in the third partition 417, and the comparison data point 414 corresponding to the reference data point 404 in the second partition 409 may not be located in the fourth partition 419, the imaging processing module 110 may not divide the comparison image 410 into different partitions, but only divide the reference image 400 into different partitions, so as to obtain the first partition 407 and the second partition 409, the reference data point 402 is located in the first partition 407, and the reference data point 404 is located in the second partition 409. Thus, when acquiring the comparison data point 412 corresponding to the reference data point 402 in the first partition 407 of the reference image 400, the imaging processing module 110 may search the entire comparison image 410 based on the correlation to obtain the corresponding comparison data point 412; when acquiring the comparison data point 414 corresponding to the reference data point 404 in the second partition 409 of the reference image 400, the imaging processing module 110 may search the entire comparison image 410 based on the correlation to obtain the corresponding comparison data point 414. Therefore, when acquiring the pressure states of different partitions of the target area of ​​the corresponding tissue under test, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the difference in the coordinate values ​​on the X-axis between the reference data point 402 in the first partition 407 and the corresponding comparison data point 412 as the displacement information of the first partition 407, and may determine the difference in the coordinate values ​​on the X-axis between the reference data point 404 in the second partition 409 and the corresponding comparison data point 414 as the displacement information of the second partition 409. In this embodiment, the reference image is first divided into zones before the displacement information is obtained, and the displacement information results of each zone obtained can reflect the pressure state of different zones of the target area.

[0109] In one embodiment, since the comparison data point 412 corresponding to the reference data point 402 in the first divided partition 407 may not be located in the third divided partition 417, and the comparison data point 414 corresponding to the reference data point 404 in the second divided partition 409 may not be located in the fourth divided partition 419, the imaging processing module 110 may not divide the reference image 400 and the comparison image 410 into different partitions. In this way, when obtaining the comparison data point 412 corresponding to the reference data point 402 in the reference image 400, the imaging processing module 110 may search the entire comparison image 410 based on the correlation to obtain the corresponding comparison data point 412; when obtaining the comparison data point 414 corresponding to the reference data point 404 in the reference image 400, the imaging processing module 110 may search the entire comparison image 410 based on the correlation to obtain the corresponding comparison data point 414. Therefore, when the imaging processing module 110 obtains the pressure state of the target area of ​​the measured tissue, the difference between the coordinate values ​​of the reference data point 402 and the corresponding comparison data point 412 on the X-axis can be determined as the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair, and the difference between the coordinate values ​​of the reference data point 404 and the corresponding comparison data point 414 on the X-axis can be determined as the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair; etc. Subsequently, the obtained displacement information can be divided into partitions, for example, the displacement information of the target area can be divided into a first partition and a second partition, and the pressure state of different partitions of the target area of ​​the measured tissue can be determined according to the displacement information of each partition. In this embodiment, the partition is divided after the displacement information of all data points of the reference image is obtained, and the displacement information results of each partition can also reflect the pressure state of different partitions of the target area.

[0110] Step 820, controlling the display of prompt information corresponding to the pressure state of each divided area.

[0111] When the imaging processing module 110 determines the displacement information of each divided partition, the imaging processing module 110 may also determine the pressure state of the corresponding divided partition according to the displacement information of each divided partition, wherein the pressure state of each divided partition corresponds to the displacement information of the divided partition.

[0112] Please also read Fig.10 , which is a schematic diagram of the pressure level grouping display in one embodiment of the present application. The imaging processing module 110 can provide the level information corresponding to the displacement information of each partition, wherein the level information may include the first to fifth levels, and each level has corresponding prompt information. Fig.10 As shown, from left to right are the prompt information corresponding to the first to fifth level information.

[0113] Please also read Fig.11, which is a schematic diagram of prompt information corresponding to the level information of the partitions in one embodiment of the present application. For example, when the imaging processing module 110 can calculate that the level corresponding to the displacement information (x2-x1) of the first partition is the second level and calculates that the level corresponding to the displacement information (x4-x3) of the second partition is the fourth level, the imaging processing module 110 can control the display 112 to display the following information: Fig.11 In this way, the user can determine the pressure information of the probe 100 relative to the tested tissue 40 according to the prompt information.

[0114] In other embodiments, it can be further determined whether the displacement information corresponding to each partition is within a preset range. When the displacement information corresponding to each partition is within the preset range, the prompt information corresponding to the graded information of each partition is controlled to have attribute information of a third color; when there is at least one partition in the third preset number of partitions whose displacement information is not within the preset range, the prompt information corresponding to the graded information of each partition is controlled to have attribute information of a fourth color. The distinction of display modes is conducive to quickly understanding whether there is improper pressure between the probe and the tested tissue.

[0115] In other embodiments, it can be further determined whether the displacement information corresponding to each divided partition is within a preset range. For example, when the displacement information of the first divided partition is within a preset range, the prompt information corresponding to the grading information of the first divided partition is controlled to have attribute information of a third color. When the displacement information of the second divided partition is not within the preset range, the prompt information corresponding to the grading information of the second divided partition is controlled to have attribute information of a fourth color. The differentiated display of each divided partition is not only helpful for understanding whether there is improper pressure between the probe and the tested tissue, but also helpful for understanding which partition has improper pressure.

[0116] Please also read Fig.12 , which is a schematic diagram of prompt information corresponding to the level information of the partitions in another embodiment of the present application. For example, when the imaging processing module 110 can calculate that the level corresponding to the displacement information (x2-x1) of the first partition is the third level and calculates that the level corresponding to the displacement information (x4-x3) of the second partition is the third level, the imaging processing module 110 can control the display 112 to display the following information: Fig.12 The prompt information shown.

[0117] In this embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 can determine the balance information of the probe 100 according to the displacement information corresponding to each divided partition. When the probe 100 is in a balanced state, the imaging processing module 110 can control the prompt information to have attribute information of the first color (such as Fig.11 and Fig.12 Please also refer to Fig.13 , which is a schematic diagram of pressure level grouping display in another embodiment of the present application. When the probe 100 is in an unbalanced state, the imaging processing module 110 can control the prompt information to have attribute information of a second color (such as Fig.13 shown).

[0118] The attribute information of the first color and the attribute information of the second color may be different colors, different brightness of the same color, different shades of grayscale, and different presentation modes of colors (filling position, color pattern, etc.). The attribute information of the third color and the attribute information of the fourth color may also be different colors, different brightness of the same color, different shades of grayscale, and different presentation modes of colors (filling position, color pattern, etc.).

[0119] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 determines whether the probe 100 is in a balanced state, including: determining whether the levels corresponding to the divided partitions on the first side and the divided partitions on the second side of the probe 100 are different, or determining whether the difference in displacement information between the divided partitions on the first side and the divided partitions on the second side is not within a certain range or exceeds a preset threshold. For example, when the imaging processing module 110 determines that the pressure levels of the divided partitions on the first side and the divided partitions on the second side of the probe are different, it can be considered that the probe 100 is in an unbalanced state, and the prompt information is controlled to have the second color information. For example, when the difference in displacement information between the divided partitions on the first side and the divided partitions on the second side exceeds the preset threshold, it can be considered that the probe 100 is in an unbalanced state, and the prompt information is controlled to have the second color information.

[0120] In this embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 may determine the balance information of the probe based on the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in a preset direction.

[0121] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 may determine a first level type corresponding to the displacement information of a partition (such as a first partition) on a first side of the probe 100, and determine a second level type corresponding to the displacement information of a partition (such as a second partition) on a second side of the probe 100. The imaging processing module 110 determines the balance information of the probe 100 according to the first level type and the second level type, wherein when the first level type is the same as the second level type, the imaging processing module 110 determines that the probe is in a balanced state; when the first level type is different from the second level type, the imaging processing module 110 determines that the probe 100 is in an unbalanced state.

[0122] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 determines the difference between the displacement information (x2-x1) of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to the partition (such as the first partition) of the first side of the probe 100 and the displacement information (x4-x3) of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to the partition (such as the second partition) of the second side of the probe 100. The imaging processing module 110 also determines whether the difference is greater than a preset threshold. When the difference is greater than the preset threshold, the imaging processing module 110 determines that the probe 100 is in an unbalanced state; when the difference is not greater than the preset threshold, the imaging processing module 110 determines that the probe 100 is in a balanced state.

[0123] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 may determine whether the overall pressure of the probe on the measured tissue is appropriate based on the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction. For example, the imaging processing module 110 may determine whether the displacement information corresponding to each divided partition is within a preset range. When the displacement information corresponding to each divided partition is within the preset range, the imaging processing module 110 may display the prompt information of the pressure size corresponding to each divided partition, so that the user can determine whether the pressure state between the probe and the measured tissue is appropriate according to the prompt information of the pressure size of each divided partition.

[0124] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 can determine whether the overall pressure of the probe on the tested tissue is appropriate based on the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction, and at the same time determine whether the balance information of each divided partition of the probe 100 is in a balanced state. When the probe 100 is in an unbalanced state, the imaging processing module 110 controls the display of the prompt information corresponding to the graded information of each divided partition with the attribute information of the second color; when the probe 100 is in a balanced state, the imaging processing module 110 controls the display of the prompt information corresponding to the graded information of each divided partition with the attribute information of the first color.

[0125] In one embodiment, the imaging processing module 110 may select to control the probe 100 to collect elastic information of shear waves propagating in the tested tissue based on the pressure state of the probe 100. For example, when the probe 100 is in a balanced state and the pressure information between the probe 100 and the tested tissue 40 is within a preset level range, the imaging processing module 110 controls the probe 100 to collect elastic information of shear waves propagating in the tested tissue 40 or displays an elastic image of the corresponding tested tissue 40.

[0126] In some other embodiments, the shear wave elastography method may also include the above steps 140 and 820. That is, the ultrasound imaging system not only indicates the pressure of the target area of ​​the measured tissue relative to the probe, but also indicates whether the pressure state on both sides of the target area is in a balanced state.

[0127] The above shear wave elastic imaging method determines the balance information of the probe by obtaining the displacement information of different partitions and outputs the corresponding prompt information, so that the user can obtain the elastic information of the tested tissue when the probe is in a balanced state, which is conducive to improving the stability of ultrasonic imaging and improving the accuracy of diagnosis and evaluation. In addition, by displaying the level information of the pressure information corresponding to each partition, the user can also conveniently determine whether the pressure of pressing the tested tissue is appropriate according to the pressure prompt information.

[0128] See also Fig.14 , which is a block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system 50 in another embodiment of the present application. Fig.14 As shown, the ultrasound imaging system 50 can apply the above-mentioned embodiments. The ultrasound imaging system 50 provided by the present application is described below. The ultrasound imaging system 50 may include a processor 500, a storage device 502, a probe 100, a control circuit 504 and a display 112, as well as a computer program (instruction) stored in the storage device 502 and executable on the processor 500. The ultrasound imaging system 50 may also include other hardware parts, such as a communication device, a button, a keyboard, etc., which are not described in detail here. The processor 500 may exchange data with the probe 100, the control circuit 504, the storage device 502 and the display 112 through a signal line 508.

[0129] The processor 500 may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The processor 500 is the control center of the ultrasound imaging system 50, and uses various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire ultrasound imaging system 50. In this embodiment, the processor 500 can be used to implement all functions of the imaging processing module 110, and can also integrate the functions of the beamforming module 106 and the signal processing module 108. For details, please refer to the above embodiments.

[0130] The control circuit 504 may include the functions of the transmitting circuit 102 , the receiving circuit 104 , the beamforming module 106 and / or the signal processing module 108 in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the details may refer to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0131] The storage device 502 can be used to store the computer program and / or module, and the processor 500 implements various functions of the above-mentioned shear wave elastic imaging method by running or executing the computer program and / or module stored in the storage device 502, and calling the data stored in the storage device 502. The storage device 502 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, at least one application required for a function, etc. In addition, the storage device 502 may include a high-speed random access storage device, and may also include a non-volatile storage device, such as a hard disk, a memory, a plug-in hard disk, a smart memory card (Smart Media Card, SMC), a secure digital (Secure Digital, SD) card, a flash card (Flash Card), at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device.

[0132] The display 112 can display a user interface (UI), a graphical user interface (GUI), a B image of the target under test, and / or an elastic image. The ultrasound imaging system 50 can also be used as an input device and an output device. The display 112 can include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor LCD (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) touch display, a flexible touch display, a three-dimensional (3D) touch display, etc.

[0133] The processor 500 runs a program corresponding to the executable program code by reading the executable program code stored in the storage device 502, so as to execute the shear wave elasticity imaging method in any of the above embodiments.

[0134] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0135] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed device can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, such as the division of the units, which is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of the device or unit can be electrical or other forms.

[0136] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0137] The embodiments of the present application are introduced in detail above. Specific examples are used in this article to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core idea of ​​the present application. At the same time, for general technical personnel in this field, according to the idea of ​​the present application, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A shear wave elastic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Identify target areas of tissue to be tested; Entering a shear wave imaging mode, and controlling the probe to generate shear waves in a target area of ​​the measured tissue and to transmit ultrasonic waves to the measured tissue; Controlling the probe to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue, and converting the ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; Acquire a reference image when the measured tissue is in a first state, wherein the first state is a state when the probe receives an ultrasonic echo returned by the measured tissue and the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue meets a preset condition; Acquire a contrast image when the tested tissue is in a second state, wherein the second state is a state when the probe applies pressure to the tested tissue; Determine the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image; performing calculations based on the ultrasonic echo signals to obtain shear wave measurement information, and associating the pressure state with the shear wave measurement information; and Control and display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state.

2. A shear wave elastic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Controlling the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue under test; Controlling the probe to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue, and converting the ultrasonic echo to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; Acquire a reference image when the measured tissue is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal, wherein the first state is a state when the probe receives the ultrasonic echo returned by the measured tissue and the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue meets a preset condition; Acquiring a contrast image of the measured tissue in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode, wherein the second state is a state when the probe applies pressure to the measured tissue; Determining the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image; and Control and display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Also includes: In the shear wave imaging mode, the probe is controlled to collect shear waves propagating in the measured tissue based on the ultrasound to obtain shear wave measurement information, and the pressure state of the probe when collecting the shear wave is associated with the shear wave measurement information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The step of determining the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image includes: The pressure state of the probe is determined according to the change information of the position of the target area in the measured tissue in the reference image and the comparison image.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The step of determining the pressure state of the probe according to the change information of the position of the target area in the tested tissue in the reference image and the comparison image comprises: Determining a first preset number of reference data points corresponding to the target area in the reference image; Acquire comparison data points in the comparison image corresponding to reference data points in the reference image to obtain a first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs, wherein each reference comparison data point pair includes a reference data point and a comparison data point; The pressure state of the probe is determined according to the corresponding reference data points and the comparison data points in the reference comparison data point pair.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The obtaining of comparison data points in the comparison image corresponding to reference data points in the reference image comprises: A comparison data point corresponding to each reference data point in the comparison image is determined based on the correlation between the reference image and the comparison image.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Determining the pressure state of the probe according to the corresponding reference data points and the comparison data points in the reference comparison data point pair includes: Acquire displacement information of the comparison data point in the reference comparison data point pair relative to the reference data point in a preset direction, so as to obtain displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair in the preset direction; The pressure state of the probe is determined according to the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The pressure state includes pressure information when the probe contacts the measured tissue, and determining the pressure state of the probe according to the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair includes: Obtaining an average value of displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair in the preset direction, or obtaining an average value of displacement information of a second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs in the preset direction; Pressure information of the probe is determined based on the average value.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that Before obtaining the average value of the displacement information of the second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs in the preset direction, the method further includes: Determine a first average amplitude value of a data block where a reference data point in each reference comparison data point pair is located; control the selection of a second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs whose first average amplitude value is greater than a preset value from a first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs; Alternatively, determining a first average amplitude value of a data block where the reference data point is located and a second average amplitude value of a data block where the comparison data point is located in each reference comparison data point pair; and controlling to select a second preset number of reference comparison data point pairs from a first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs, both the first average amplitude value and the second average amplitude value of which are greater than a preset value. Wherein, the second preset number is not greater than the first preset number.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The controlling and displaying of prompt information corresponding to the pressure state includes: Determining the classification information corresponding to the average value; Controlling the display of prompt information corresponding to the classification information.

11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The step of obtaining the average value of displacement information of a second preset number of reference comparison data points in the preset direction includes: Determine a third preset number of partitions corresponding to the target area in the reference image; Calculating an average value of displacement information of a reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction to obtain displacement information of each divided partition, wherein the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition includes a reference comparison data point pair whose reference data point in the reference image is located in the corresponding divided partition; The controlling and displaying of prompt information corresponding to the pressure state includes: Control the display of prompt information corresponding to the displacement information of each divided partition.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The control displaying prompt information corresponding to the displacement information of each divided partition includes: Determine the level information corresponding to the displacement information of each partition; Controlling display of prompt information corresponding to the level information of each divided partition.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The control to display prompt information corresponding to the level information of each partition further includes: Determine whether the displacement information corresponding to each partition is within a preset range; When the displacement information corresponding to each divided area is within the preset range, controlling the display of the prompt information corresponding to the graded information of each divided area to have attribute information of a third color; When there is at least one divided partition in the third preset number of divided partitions whose corresponding displacement information is not within the preset range, the prompt information corresponding to the graded information of each divided partition is controlled to be displayed with attribute information of a fourth color.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The pressure state includes the balance information of the probe, and after calculating the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction, the method further includes: The balance information of the probe is determined based on the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The probe includes a first side and a second side, and the balance information of the probe is determined based on the average value of displacement information of reference comparison data points corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction, including: Determine a first level type corresponding to displacement information of the divided partitions on the first side of the probe; Determining a second level type corresponding to the displacement information of the divided partitions on the second side of the probe; The balance information of the probe is determined according to the first level type and the second level type, wherein: When the first level type is the same as the second level type, it is determined that the probe is in a balanced state; when the first level type is different from the second level type, it is determined that the probe is in an unbalanced state.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The probe includes a first side and a second side. After calculating the average value of the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair corresponding to each divided partition in the preset direction, the method further includes: Determine a difference between displacement information of a reference comparison data point pair corresponding to a partition on a first side of the probe and displacement information of a reference comparison data point pair corresponding to a partition on a second side of the probe; Determine whether the difference is greater than a preset threshold; When the difference is greater than the preset threshold, determining that the probe is in an unbalanced state; When the difference is not greater than the preset threshold, it is determined that the probe is in a balanced state.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that The control displaying prompt information corresponding to the displacement information of each divided partition includes: When the probe is in a balanced state, controlling the display of prompt information corresponding to the pressure information of each divided zone to have attribute information of a first color; When the probe is in an unbalanced state, the prompt information corresponding to the pressure information of each divided area is controlled to have attribute information of the second color.

18. The method according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The pressure state of the probe includes pressure information and balance information, and the method further includes: The image of the shear wave corresponding to when the balance information of the probe is in a balanced state and the pressure information between the probe and the measured tissue reaches a preset level is controlled to be displayed.

19. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The reference image and the contrast image also include an intermediate image, and the pressure state of the probe is determined according to the change information of the position of the target area in the measured tissue in the reference image and the contrast image, and further includes: The pressure state of the probe is determined according to the change information of the position of the target area in the reference image, the intermediate image and the contrast image.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The acquiring of comparison data points in the comparison image corresponding to reference data points of the reference image to obtain a first preset number of reference comparison data point pairs includes: Acquire intermediate data points in the intermediate image corresponding to reference data points in the reference image; Acquire a comparison data point in the comparison image corresponding to an intermediate data point of the intermediate image, wherein the reference comparison data point pair includes the reference data point, the intermediate data point and the comparison data point.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: Determining the pressure state of the probe according to the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair includes: Determine first displacement information of the intermediate data point relative to the reference data point in the preset direction; Determine second displacement information of the comparison data point relative to the intermediate data point in the preset direction; The pressure state of the probe is determined based on the first displacement information and the second displacement information.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein: The reference image and the comparison image include at least a first intermediate image and a second intermediate image, and the obtaining of intermediate data points in the intermediate image corresponding to reference data points of the reference image to obtain corresponding reference intermediate data point pairs further includes: Acquire a first intermediate data point in the first intermediate image corresponding to a reference data point in the reference image; Acquire a second intermediate data point in the second intermediate image corresponding to a first intermediate data point in the first intermediate image; The obtaining of the comparison data points in the comparison image corresponding to the intermediate data points of the intermediate image to obtain corresponding intermediate comparison data point pairs includes: Acquire a comparison data point in the comparison image corresponding to a second intermediate data point of the second intermediate image, wherein the reference comparison data point pair includes the reference data point, the first intermediate data point, the second intermediate data point and the comparison data point.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: Determining the pressure state of the probe according to the displacement information of the reference comparison data point pair includes: Determining third displacement information of the first intermediate data point relative to the reference data point in the preset direction; Determine fourth displacement information of the second intermediate data point relative to the first intermediate data point in the preset direction; Determine fifth displacement information of the comparison data point relative to the second intermediate data point in the preset direction The pressure state of the probe is determined based on the third displacement information, the fourth displacement information, and the fifth displacement information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 16 and 19 to 23, characterized in that The pressure state includes pressure information indicating the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue, and the control to display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state includes: Determining the classification information corresponding to the pressure magnitude; Controlling the display of prompt information corresponding to the classification information.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein: The pressure state also includes balance information, which indicates whether the pressure between the two sides of the probe and the measured tissue is balanced; The controlling and displaying of prompt information corresponding to the pressure state further comprises: According to whether the pressure between the two sides of the probe and the tested tissue is balanced, the prompt information corresponding to the graded information is displayed in different ways.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The reference image is an image obtained in a first state corresponding to the moment when the probe contacts the measured tissue, or the reference image is an image obtained in a first state corresponding to the moment when the space between the probe and the measured tissue is filled with coupling agent.

27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The shear wave imaging mode includes an acquisition preparation stage and a real-time acquisition stage; the method includes acquiring the reference image in the acquisition preparation stage, the real-time acquisition stage or before entering the shear wave imaging mode, and the method includes acquiring the contrast image in the acquisition preparation stage or the real-time acquisition stage.

28. A shear wave elastic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Controlling the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue under test; receiving the ultrasonic echo returned by the measured tissue, and controlling the ultrasonic echo to be processed by beamforming to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; Acquire a reference image when the measured tissue is in a first state based on the ultrasonic echo signal, wherein the first state is a state when the probe receives the ultrasonic echo returned by the measured tissue and the pressure between the probe and the measured tissue meets a preset condition; Acquire a contrast image when the measured tissue is in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal, wherein the second state is a state when the probe applies pressure to the measured tissue; Determining the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe in the second state according to the reference image and the comparison image; The probe is selectively controlled based on the pressure state of the probe to collect measurement information of the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein: The pressure state of the probe includes pressure information and balance information, and the step of selecting and controlling the probe to collect measurement information of the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue based on the pressure state of the probe includes: When the balance information of the probe is in a balanced state and the pressure information between the probe and the measured tissue reaches a preset level, the probe is controlled to collect measurement information of the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue.

30. An ultrasonic imaging system, characterized in that: The ultrasonic imaging system comprises: The probe is used to generate shear waves in the measured tissue, transmit ultrasonic waves to the measured tissue, and receive ultrasonic echoes returned by the measured tissue to obtain ultrasonic echo signals; A processor is connected to the probe, and is used to obtain a reference image when the tested tissue is in a first state, to obtain a comparison image when the tested tissue is in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode, and to obtain an elasticity image of the tested tissue based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode; the processor also determines the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when it is in the second state based on the reference image and the comparison image, and associates the pressure state when the probe obtains the elasticity image of the tested tissue with the elasticity image of the tested tissue; wherein the first state is the state when the probe receives the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue and the pressure between the probe and the tested tissue meets a preset condition, and the second state is the state when the probe applies pressure to the tested tissue; A display is connected to the processor and is used to display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state.

31. An ultrasonic imaging system, characterized in that: The ultrasonic imaging system comprises: The probe is used to generate shear waves in the measured tissue, transmit ultrasonic waves to the measured tissue, and receive ultrasonic echoes returned by the measured tissue to obtain ultrasonic echo signals; A processor is connected to the probe, and is used to obtain a reference image when the tested tissue is in a first state, and to obtain a comparison image when the tested tissue is in a second state based on the ultrasonic echo signal in a shear wave imaging mode; the processor also determines the pressure state of the tested tissue relative to the probe when it is in the second state based on the reference image and the comparison image; the processor also selects to control the probe to collect an image of the shear wave propagating in the tested tissue based on the pressure state of the probe; wherein the first state is the state when the probe receives the ultrasonic echo returned by the tested tissue and the pressure between the probe and the tested tissue meets a preset condition, and the second state is the state when the probe applies pressure to the tested tissue.

32. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 31, wherein: The pressure state of the probe includes pressure information and balance information, and the ultrasonic imaging system further includes: A display, connected to the processor, is used to display prompt information corresponding to the pressure state; when the balance information of the probe is in a balanced state and the pressure information between the probe and the measured tissue reaches a preset level, the processor controls the probe to collect an image of the shear wave propagating in the measured tissue.

33. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, characterized in that: When the computer instructions are executed by a processor, the shear wave elastography method according to any one of claims 1 to 29 is implemented.

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