Ultrasonic imaging method and ultrasonic probe applied to ultrasonic imaging equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses an ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic probe applied to ultrasonic imaging equipment, and the method comprises the steps: receiving an ultrasonic echo returned by a to-be-anesthetized object, and obtaining a target ultrasonic image and a target depth from a ligamentum flavum of the to-be-anesthetized object to the ultrasonic probe based on the ultrasonic echo; identifying at least one of a transverse process image area, an articular process image area and a vertebral plate image area in the target ultrasonic image; outputting first indication information based on a position relationship between at least one of the identified areas and an image center line of the target ultrasonic image, wherein the first indication information prompts a user to puncture the to-be-anesthetized object through the anesthetic needle in the sound plane; and needle point position information of the anesthetic needle in the sound plane is detected, second indication information is output based on the needle point position information and the target depth, and the second indication information indicates that the anesthetic needle has reached the target position. According to the scheme, the ultrasonic image is used for guiding the user to use the anesthetic needle for puncturing, and the accuracy of puncturing with the anesthetic needle is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of ultrasound technology, and in particular to an ultrasound imaging method and an ultrasound probe applied to ultrasound imaging equipment. Background Art

[0002] In clinical practice, it is often necessary to inject an anesthetic into a target object. When injecting the anesthetic, a medical professional can puncture an anesthetic needle into a specific anatomical structure of the target object and then inject the anesthetic through the anesthetic needle.

[0003] For example, during spinal anesthesia, the anesthetic needle needs to be inserted into the yellow ligament of the target subject and then the anesthetic is injected.

[0004] If the anesthetic needle does not reach the specific anatomical area, it may lead to a series of clinical problems such as unsatisfactory anesthetic effect, nerve damage and even drug toxicity.

[0005] Therefore, how to use ultrasound equipment to assist medical staff in puncturing the anesthetic needle to the appropriate position has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0006] To this end, this application discloses the following technical solutions:

[0007] The first aspect of the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device, comprising:

[0008] transmitting ultrasonic waves to the spinal canal of the subject to be anesthetized by means of an ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes returned in the acoustic plane where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted;

[0009] Acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target depth of the ligamentum flavum of the anesthetized subject to the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo;

[0010] determining an image centerline in the target ultrasound image;

[0011] identifying at least one of a transverse process image region, an articular process image region, and a lamina image region in the target ultrasound image;

[0012] Outputting first indication information based on the positional relationship between at least one of the identified transverse process image area, articular process image area, and lamina image area and the image midline, wherein the first indication information is used to prompt the user to perform puncture on the anesthetized object through an anesthetic needle within the acoustic plane;

[0013] The needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane is detected, and second indication information is output based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the anesthesia needle has reached the target position.

[0014] Optionally, the identifying at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area, and the lamina image area in the target ultrasound image includes at least one of the following:

[0015] Inputting the target ultrasound image into a trained neural network, and allowing the neural network to identify at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region;

[0016] Extracting image features of the target ultrasound image, inputting the image features into a classifier, and allowing the classifier to identify at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region;

[0017] A grayscale feature of the target ultrasound image is extracted, and at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region is identified based on a comparison result of the grayscale feature and a plurality of preset values.

[0018] Optionally, after identifying at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area, and the lamina image area in the target ultrasound image, at least one of the following is further included:

[0019] Based on the identified transverse process image area, displaying the transverse process image area on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the transverse process image area includes a left transverse process image area and a right transverse process image area;

[0020] Based on the identified articular process image area, displaying the articular process image area on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the articular process image area includes a left articular process image area and a right articular process image area;

[0021] Based on the identified lamina image area, the lamina image area is displayed on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the lamina image area includes a left lamina image area and a right lamina image area.

[0022] Optionally, acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target depth of the ligamentum flavum of the anesthetized subject to the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo includes:

[0023] acquiring the target ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo;

[0024] identifying a ligamentum flavum image region in the target ultrasound image;

[0025] The target depth is determined based on a position of the ligamentum flavum image region in the target ultrasound image.

[0026] Optionally, the outputting of the first indication information based on the positional relationship between at least one of the identified transverse process image area, articular process image area, and lamina image area and the image midline comprises at least one of the following:

[0027] Based on the identified transverse process image area, a left and right transverse process connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left transverse process image area and the center / center of gravity of the right transverse process image area is obtained, a midpoint of the left and right transverse process connection line is used as a target midpoint, and first indication information is output based on a positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline;

[0028] Based on the identified articular process image area, a left-right articular process connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left articular process image area and the center / center of gravity of the right articular process image area is obtained, a midpoint of the left-right articular process connection line is used as a target midpoint, and first indication information is output based on a positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline;

[0029] Based on the identified lamina image area, a left-right lamina connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left lamina image area and the center / center of gravity of the right lamina image area is obtained, the midpoint of the left-right lamina connection line is used as the target midpoint, and the first indication information is output based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline.

[0030] Optionally, the detecting the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane includes:

[0031] Based on a sensor disposed on the ultrasound probe or the puncture needle, the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane is detected by the sensor; or,

[0032] Based on the identified anesthesia needle image region in the target ultrasound image, needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane is detected through the relative position of the anesthesia needle image region in the target ultrasound image.

[0033] Optionally, the outputting second indication information based on the needle tip position information and the target depth includes:

[0034] Obtaining the depth from the needle tip of the anesthesia needle to the needle tip of the ultrasound probe through the needle tip position information;

[0035] When the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is less than a threshold, second indication information is output.

[0036] A second aspect of the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device, comprising:

[0037] Transmitting ultrasonic waves to a target object through an ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes returned within an acoustic plane where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted;

[0038] acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target anatomical structure of the target object to a target depth of the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo;

[0039] determining an image centerline in the target ultrasound image;

[0040] Identifying a reference image region in the target ultrasound image, wherein the reference image region includes a left reference image region and a right reference image region, the left reference image region and the right reference image region correspond to a left reference anatomical structure and a right reference anatomical structure of the target object, and the left reference anatomical structure and the right reference anatomical structure are symmetrical;

[0041] First indication information is output based on the positional relationship between the identified reference image area and the image centerline, wherein the first indication information is used to prompt a user to puncture the target object through a needle within the acoustic plane.

[0042] Optionally, acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target anatomical structure of the target object to a target depth of the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo includes:

[0043] acquiring the target ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo;

[0044] identifying a target image region in the target ultrasound image;

[0045] The target depth is determined based on a position of the target image area in the target ultrasound image.

[0046] Optionally, the outputting first indication information based on the identified positional relationship between the reference image area and the image centerline includes:

[0047] Based on the identified reference image area, obtain the left and right reference lines between the center / center of gravity of the left reference image area and the center / center of gravity of the right reference image area, take the midpoint of the left and right reference lines as the target midpoint, and output the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image centerline.

[0048] Optionally, outputting the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline includes: outputting the first indication information when the distance between the target midpoint and the image midline is less than a preset value.

[0049] Optionally, the outputting the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0050] Controlling the ultrasonic probe to vibrate according to a first vibration law;

[0051] Outputting a first indicator sound through the audio module of the ultrasonic imaging device;

[0052] Displaying a first indication text and / or a first indication diagram on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device;

[0053] The image centerline is highlighted on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device.

[0054] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0055] The needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected, and second indication information is output based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the needle has reached the target position.

[0056] Optionally, the detecting the needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane includes:

[0057] Based on a sensor disposed on the ultrasound probe or the needle, the needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected by the sensor; or,

[0058] Based on the identified needle image region in the target ultrasound image, needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected by the relative position of the needle image region in the target ultrasound image.

[0059] Optionally, the outputting second indication information based on the needle tip position information and the target depth includes:

[0060] Obtaining the depth from the needle tip to the needle tip of the ultrasound probe through the needle tip position information;

[0061] When the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is less than a threshold, second indication information is output.

[0062] Optionally, the target anatomical structure includes the ligamentum flavum.

[0063] Optionally, the left reference anatomical structure includes at least one of a left transverse process, a left articular process and a left lamina, and the right reference anatomical structure includes at least one of a right transverse process, a right articular process and a right lamina.

[0064] Optionally, the ultrasound probe includes a puncture channel through which the anesthetic needle can pass, the puncture path of the anesthetic needle is located on the extension line of the puncture channel, and the needle outlet end of the puncture channel is located on the contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface of the ultrasound probe in contact with the skin of the object to be anesthetized during scanning.

[0065] Optionally, the ultrasound probe includes a puncture channel through which the needle can pass, the puncture path of the needle is located on an extension line of the puncture channel, and the needle exit end of the puncture channel is located on a contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface of the ultrasound probe in contact with the skin of the target object during scanning.

[0066] Optionally, the puncture channel is on the plane where the ultrasound probe transmits ultrasonic waves.

[0067] Optionally, the puncture channel includes a groove structure provided on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe, or the puncture channel includes a through-hole structure penetrating the ultrasonic probe.

[0068] A third aspect of the present application provides an ultrasound probe, comprising a needle insertion channel through which a needle device can pass, wherein the needle insertion path of the needle device is located on an extension line of the needle insertion channel, and the needle exit end of the needle insertion channel is located on a contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface of the ultrasound probe in contact with the skin of a subject to be inserted during scanning.

[0069] Optionally, the needle entry channel is on the plane where the ultrasound probe transmits ultrasonic waves.

[0070] Optionally, the needle entry channel includes a groove structure provided on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasound probe, or the needle entry channel includes a through hole structure penetrating the ultrasound probe.

[0071] Optionally, the ultrasound probe includes a holding portion and a scanning portion, the scanning portion includes an acoustic head for emitting ultrasonic waves and the needle entry channel, and the holding portion is used for a user to hold the ultrasound probe, wherein the angle between the axis of the holding portion and the axis of the scanning portion is less than 180 degrees.

[0072] Optionally, the needle device is an anesthesia needle or a puncture needle.

[0073] The beneficial effects of this solution are:

[0074] Based on the areas where the anatomical structures of the target object in the ultrasound image are located (such as the transverse process image area, the articular process image area and the lamina image area) and the image midline of the ultrasound image, the user is guided to the position where the anesthetic needle is to be punctured, and after the puncture begins, second indication information is output based on the anesthetic needle tip position information and the target depth of the target anatomical structure (such as the yellow ligament) to instruct the anesthetic needle to reach the appropriate position. Therefore, this solution can guide the user to use the anesthetic needle to perform puncture correctly through the ultrasound image, improve the accuracy of puncture using the anesthetic needle, and avoid puncturing at an inaccurate position and causing a series of clinical problems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the related technologies, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the related technical descriptions are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0076] Figure 1 is a flow chart of an ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 2 is an example diagram of a target ultrasound image provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of indication information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic probe provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another ultrasonic probe provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another ultrasonic probe provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of another ultrasonic probe provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions 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.

[0085] The present application embodiment provides an ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device, see Figure 1 , the method may include the following steps.

[0086] S101, transmitting ultrasonic waves to the spinal canal of the subject to be anesthetized through an ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes returned in the acoustic plane of the transmitted ultrasonic waves.

[0087] The method of this embodiment can be performed by an ultrasound device, which can have an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound probe can have a built-in set of array elements arranged along a plane, the array elements can emit ultrasound waves and receive ultrasound echoes, and the plane where the array elements are located when emitting ultrasound waves can be called an acoustic plane.

[0088] The ultrasound probe can move on the body surface of the anesthetized object as the user operates. For example, the user can hold the ultrasound probe and slide it on the body surface of the anesthetized object. At the same time, the ultrasound probe can continuously transmit ultrasonic waves to the physiological tissues in the anesthetized object and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the physiological tissues on the acoustic plane that transmits the ultrasonic waves.

[0089] When the method of this embodiment is applied to the scenario of spinal anesthesia, the ultrasound probe slides along the spine of the anesthetized subject, and the ultrasound probe can continuously transmit ultrasound waves to the spinal canal of the anesthetized subject, and receive ultrasound echoes returned by the spinal canal of the anesthetized subject within the acoustic plane of the transmitted ultrasound waves.

[0090] S102, acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target depth of the ligamentum flavum of the anesthetized subject to the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo.

[0091] The ultrasonic device can generate a target ultrasonic image based on the intensity difference of ultrasonic echoes reflected from physiological tissues at different positions. For specific methods, please refer to the relevant technologies of ultrasonic imaging, which will not be described in detail.

[0092] Since the ultrasound probe can slide on the body surface of the anesthetized subject, in step S102, the ultrasound device can successively obtain ultrasound echoes returned from different positions of the physiological tissue of the anesthetized subject, and then successively obtain multiple frames of target ultrasound images according to the ultrasound echoes at different positions. Each frame of the target ultrasound image corresponds to an acoustic plane that emits ultrasound waves, and the target ultrasound image can represent the anatomical structure of the anesthetized subject in the acoustic plane.

[0093] As an example, see Figure 2 When the ultrasound probe moves to a certain position on the body surface of the anesthetized subject, the ultrasound device can obtain a frame of target ultrasound image of the acoustic plane where the ultrasound probe emits ultrasound waves based on the ultrasound echo. The target ultrasound image can be displayed as follows: Figure 2 When the ultrasound probe is moved to another position on the body surface of the anesthetized subject, the ultrasound device can obtain another frame of target ultrasound image corresponding to the acoustic plane at this time, for example, Figure 2 The ultrasound image shown in (2).

[0094] In step S102, the ultrasound device may first acquire a target ultrasound image based on ultrasound echoes, then identify a ligamentum flavum image region in the target ultrasound image, and determine a target depth based on a position of the ligamentum flavum image region in the target ultrasound image.

[0095] The ligamentum flavum image region refers to an image region in the target ultrasound image that represents the ligamentum flavum structure of the subject to be anesthetized.

[0096] After determining the yellow ligament image area, the ultrasound device can detect the distance between the vertex / midpoint / center of gravity of the yellow ligament image area in the target ultrasound image and the top of the target ultrasound image (corresponding to the body surface of the anesthetized subject), and then calculate the target depth of the yellow ligament to the ultrasound probe based on the distance in the image. The target depth represents the distance from the yellow ligament structure to the body surface of the anesthetized subject, and also represents the depth that the anesthetic needle should reach.

[0097] As an example, in Figure 2 In the target ultrasound image shown in (1), the ultrasound device can detect the distance D from the top of the yellow ligament image area (i.e., the white solid line in the horizontal direction in the figure) to the top of the target ultrasound image. Based on the distance D and referring to the scaling ratio of the target ultrasound image, the target depth of the yellow ligament is determined to be 3 centimeters (cm).

[0098] Optionally, the ultrasound device may display a target ultrasound image and display the determined target depth in the target ultrasound image.

[0099] Optionally, the ultrasound device may execute subsequent steps only when the yellow ligament (or other target anatomical structure) is displayed in the target ultrasound image. If the yellow ligament is not displayed in the target ultrasound image, the subsequent steps may not be executed.

[0100] S103: Determine an image centerline in the target ultrasound image.

[0101] The target ultrasound image obtained by scanning with ultrasound equipment can be Figure 2 The left-right symmetrical sector-shaped images shown in (1) and (2) can be used as the image centerline of the target ultrasound image. Figure 2 (2) is an example. In the target ultrasound image of this frame, the image centerline may be a solid white line in the figure. The image centerline may not be displayed on the display screen of the ultrasound device, or may be displayed based on user needs.

[0102] S104, identifying at least one of a transverse process image region, a articular process image region, and a lamina image region in the target ultrasound image.

[0103] In step S104, the ultrasound device may process the target ultrasound image based on a conventional image processing method to determine at least one of a transverse process image region, an articular process image region, and a lamina image region in the target ultrasound image.

[0104] Alternatively, the ultrasound device may process the target ultrasound image based on a deep learning method to determine at least one of a transverse process image area, a articular process image area, and a lamina image area in the target ultrasound image.

[0105] The transverse process image region refers to an image region in the target ultrasound image that represents the transverse process structure of the subject to be anesthetized.

[0106] The articular process image region refers to an image region in the target ultrasound image that represents the articular process structure of the subject to be anesthetized.

[0107] The vertebral lamina image region refers to an image region in the target ultrasound image that represents the vertebral lamina structure of the subject to be anesthetized.

[0108] S105, outputting first indication information based on the positional relationship between at least one of the identified transverse process image area, articular process image area and lamina image area and the image midline, wherein the first indication information is used to prompt the user to puncture the anesthetized subject with an anesthetic needle within the acoustic plane.

[0109] like Figure 2 As shown in (1) and (2), anatomical structures such as the transverse process, articular process, and lamina are generally bilaterally symmetrical anatomical structures, that is, the transverse process may include a left transverse process and a right transverse process, the articular process may include a left articular process and a right articular process, and the lamina may include a left lamina and a right lamina; accordingly, the transverse process image area may include a left transverse process image area and a right transverse process image area, the articular process image area may include a left articular process image area and a right articular process image area, and the lamina image area may include a left lamina image area and a right lamina image area.

[0110] In step S105 , the ultrasound device may output first indication information based on the bilaterally symmetrical image area.

[0111] When the transverse process image area is identified, the ultrasound device obtains the left and right transverse process connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left transverse process image area and the center / center of gravity of the right transverse process image area based on the identified transverse process image area, takes the midpoint of the left and right transverse process connection line as the target midpoint, and outputs the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline.

[0112] When the articular process image area is identified, the ultrasound device obtains a left-right articular process connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left articular process image area and the center / center of gravity of the right articular process image area based on the identified articular process image area, takes the midpoint of the left-right articular process connection line as the target midpoint, and outputs first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline;

[0113] When the lamina image area is identified, the ultrasonic device obtains the left and right lamina connection lines between the center / center of gravity of the left lamina image area and the center / center of gravity of the right lamina image area based on the identified lamina image area, takes the midpoint of the left and right lamina connection lines as the target midpoint, and outputs the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline.

[0114] The method of outputting the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline may be to output the first indication information when the distance between the target midpoint and the image midline is less than a preset value, which may be a first distance threshold.

[0115] That is to say, if in a frame of target ultrasound image currently obtained, the distance from the midpoint of the target to the midline of the image is less than the first distance threshold, the ultrasound device can output the first indication information; if in a frame of target ultrasound image currently obtained, the distance from the midpoint of the target to the midline of the image is not less than the first distance threshold, the ultrasound device may not output the first indication information.

[0116] An implementation of step S105 is described below by taking the center of the left transverse process image area and the center of the right transverse process image area as an example.

[0117] The ultrasound device first uses relevant methods in the field of image processing to identify the center of the left transverse process image area and the center of the right transverse process image area in the target ultrasound image, and then determines the line between the center of the left side and the center of the right side in the target ultrasound image, that is, the left and right transverse process line, and calculates the midpoint of the left and right transverse process line, that is, calculates the point on the line where the distance to the left center and the distance to the right center are equal, and uses this midpoint as the target midpoint, and then determines the distance from the target midpoint to the image midline.

[0118] As the ultrasound probe moves to different positions on the body surface of the object to be anesthetized, the ultrasound device can obtain different target ultrasound images, and the distances from the target midpoint to the image midline in different target ultrasound images can be different. The ultrasound device can obtain the distance of the target midpoint (to the image midline) in each frame of the target ultrasound image obtained in the above manner. If the ultrasound device finds that the distance of the target midpoint in a certain frame of the target ultrasound image is less than a preset first distance threshold when obtaining the target ultrasound image, the first indication information can be output. If the ultrasound device finds that the distance of the target midpoint in a certain frame of the target ultrasound image is not less than the preset first distance threshold when obtaining the target ultrasound image, the first indication information may not be output.

[0119] The manner in which the ultrasound device outputs the first indication information based on the center or center of gravity of other bilaterally symmetrical anatomical structures can refer to the above-mentioned example based on the center of the left transverse process image area and the right transverse process image area, and will not be repeated here.

[0120] The first distance threshold may be set as required, for example, to 1 millimeter (mm), or to other values ​​without limitation.

[0121] If the distance from the target midpoint to the image midline in the target ultrasound image is less than the first distance threshold, it can be considered that the midline of the target ultrasound image is aligned with the target anatomical structure (such as the yellow ligament structure) of the object to be anesthetized, and using an anesthetic needle to puncture along the midline of the target ultrasound image can ensure that the anesthetic needle accurately reaches the target anatomical structure.

[0122] Optionally, the ultrasound device may also output the first indication information based on a plurality of bilaterally symmetrical anatomical structures. For example, the ultrasound device may determine the midpoint of the line connecting the left and right transverse processes and the midpoint of the line connecting the left and right articular processes in the aforementioned manner, and output the first indication information only when the distances from the two midpoints to the image midline are both less than the first distance. This can improve accuracy and avoid inaccurate puncture position caused by abnormal position of a certain bilaterally symmetrical anatomical structure.

[0123] S106, detecting the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane, and outputting second indication information based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the anesthesia needle has reached the target position.

[0124] In step S106, the ultrasonic device can determine whether the needle tip of the anesthetic needle has reached the target depth based on the needle tip position information. If it is found that the needle tip of the anesthetic needle has reached the target depth, the ultrasonic device can output the second indication information. If it is found that the needle tip of the anesthetic needle has not reached the target depth, the ultrasonic device may not output the second indication information. In another embodiment, if it is found that the needle tip of the anesthetic needle has not reached the target depth, the ultrasonic device can output the fourth indication information to indicate that the needle needs to be continued.

[0125] The target position may be the position of the target anatomical structure that the anesthetic needle needs to reach, for example, the position of the ligamentum flavum of the subject to be anesthetized.

[0126] Based on the areas where the anatomical structures of the target object in the ultrasound image are located (such as the transverse process image area, the articular process image area and the lamina image area) and the image midline of the ultrasound image, the user is guided on the position and needle path of the anesthetic needle for puncture, and after the puncture begins, second indication information is output based on the anesthetic needle tip position information and the target depth of the target anatomical structure (such as the yellow ligament) to instruct the anesthetic needle to reach the appropriate position. Therefore, this solution can guide the user to use the anesthetic needle to perform puncture correctly through the ultrasound image, improve the accuracy of puncture using the anesthetic needle, and avoid puncturing at an inaccurate position and causing a series of clinical problems.

[0127] When step S104 is implemented based on a conventional image processing method, the ultrasound device may identify at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region by at least one of the following identification methods.

[0128] Identification method 1 is to extract the grayscale features of the target ultrasound image, and identify at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area and the lamina image area according to the comparison result of the grayscale features and multiple preset values.

[0129] In this recognition method, the grayscale values ​​of the pixels in the reference image area pre-marked in the sample image can be processed based on a specific criterion function to obtain the grayscale threshold corresponding to the reference image area (i.e., the above-mentioned preset value). When obtaining the target ultrasound image, the ultrasound device extracts the grayscale features of each pixel in the target ultrasound image, compares the grayscale features with the corresponding grayscale threshold, and determines whether each pixel belongs to the corresponding reference area or not according to whether the grayscale features are greater than or less than the corresponding grayscale threshold. The determination method of the above-mentioned criterion function can refer to the maximum inter-class variance method, the maximum entropy threshold segmentation method, the minimum error threshold method and other algorithms in the relevant technical field.

[0130] The reference image region may include at least one of a transverse process image region, a facet image region, and a lamina image region.

[0131] The second identification method is to analyze the similarities of different regions in the target ultrasound image and divide the reference image region based on the image similarity criterion. The specific implementation method of the second identification method can refer to the region growing method, region splitting and merging method, watershed algorithm and other algorithms in related fields.

[0132] Identification method three is to extract image features of the target ultrasound image, input the image features into a classifier, and use the classifier to identify at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area, and the lamina image area.

[0133] In this recognition method, the ultrasound device can determine multiple image blocks or multiple candidate regions in the target ultrasound image, and then extract image features of each image block or each candidate region.

[0134] The extracted image features may be principal component analysis (PCA) features, latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) features, Haar-like features features, scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) features, texture features, etc., or may be features extracted using a neural network.

[0135] After the image features are obtained, the image features are input into a classifier pre-trained based on a database, and the classifier determines whether each image block or candidate region belongs to the reference image region.

[0136] The database may include a number of ultrasound images as samples with reference image regions pre-marked.

[0137] The above classifier can be a K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifier, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier, a Random Forest classifier, a linear classifier or a neural network classifier.

[0138] When the deep learning-based method is used to implement step S104, the ultrasound device may identify at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region by at least one of the following identification methods:

[0139] In recognition method four, the ultrasound device can pre-load a trained neural network model for identifying reference image areas in ultrasound images. Then, the ultrasound device inputs the target ultrasound image into the trained neural network, and the neural network identifies at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area, and the lamina image area.

[0140] The neural network model can be trained in advance using a plurality of sample ultrasound images, each of which is labeled with the contour, position and type (transverse process, articular process or lamina) of the reference image region contained in the image. The method of training the neural network model using sample images can be found in relevant technical materials and will not be described in detail here.

[0141] The trained neural network model can be stored in the memory of the ultrasound device. When S104 is executed, the ultrasound device loads the trained neural network model from the memory and uses the model to identify the reference image area.

[0142] In some optional embodiments, the ultrasound device may also display a target ultrasound image obtained based on the ultrasound echo, and display at least one of the identified transverse process image area, articular process image area, and lamina image area in the target ultrasound image.

[0143] For example, the ultrasound device may display the transverse process image region on the display interface of the ultrasound imaging device based on the identified transverse process image region, wherein the transverse process image region includes a left transverse process image region and a right transverse process image region;

[0144] The articular process image region may also be displayed on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device based on the identified articular process image region, wherein the articular process image region includes a left articular process image region and a right articular process image region;

[0145] The vertebral lamina image area may also be displayed on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device based on the identified vertebral lamina image area, wherein the vertebral lamina image area includes a left vertebral lamina image area and a right vertebral lamina image area.

[0146] The ultrasound device may display the above-mentioned areas by displaying third indication information in the target ultrasound image, and indicating the transverse process image area, the articular process image area and the lamina image area in the target ultrasound image through the third indication information. The third indication information may include the names of the anatomical structures corresponding to these areas and / or lines or arrows indicating the locations of these areas.

[0147] As an example, an ultrasound device may Figure 2 The method shown in (1) displays third indication information indicating the above area in the target ultrasound image.

[0148] As the ultrasound probe moves, the ultrasound device can continuously obtain target ultrasound images of different positions of the object to be anesthetized. Correspondingly, the ultrasound device can display the currently obtained target ultrasound image in real time on the display interface, and adjust the third indication information according to the changes in the positions of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area and the lamina image area in the currently obtained target ultrasound image.

[0149] By displaying the area corresponding to the identified anatomical structure, the user can be assisted in determining whether to perform puncture at the corresponding position with the anesthetic needle, thereby improving the accuracy of puncture.

[0150] Optionally, the ultrasound device can also identify and highlight the anesthetic needle (or other needle used for puncture) that has entered the body of the anesthetized subject in the target ultrasound image, so that the user can intuitively understand the position of the anesthetic needle in the body of the anesthetized subject by viewing the target ultrasound image.

[0151] Optionally, the ultrasound device may also prompt the user to make timely adjustments when the needle tip position of the anesthesia needle deviates from a predetermined needle path, and the predetermined needle path may be the image centerline of the target image.

[0152] In step S106, the ultrasonic device may detect the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle according to the following detection method one or detection method two.

[0153] The first detection method is based on a sensor provided on an ultrasonic probe or a puncture needle, and the sensor is used to detect the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane.

[0154] The second detection method is based on the identified anesthesia needle image area in the target ultrasound image, and calculates the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane through the relative position of the anesthesia needle image area, especially the needle tip image area in the anesthesia needle image area, in the target ultrasound image.

[0155] In the first detection method, a sensor capable of detecting the length of the anesthetic needle passing through can be installed on the ultrasonic probe. When the user passes the anesthetic needle through the ultrasonic probe to insert it into the body of the anesthetized object, the sensor can detect the length and angle of the anesthetic needle passing through the sensor. The length is subtracted from the distance from the location of the sensor to the surface of the body of the anesthetized object. The result obtained is equivalent to the length of the anesthetic needle inserted into the body of the anesthetized object. The needle tip position information is obtained through this length and angle.

[0156] For example, the sensor can be located on the ultrasound probe at a distance of 1 cm from the body surface of the anesthetized subject. If the sensor detects that the length of the anesthetic needle passing through the sensor is 4 cm, by subtracting the former from the latter, it can be obtained that the length of the anesthetic needle inserted into the body of the anesthetized subject is 3 cm. Then, the angle information of the anesthetic needle detected by the sensor can be used to calculate the position information of the needle tip in the body of the anesthetized subject.

[0157] In the first detection method, a sensor may also be provided on the puncture needle. The sensor may be integrated into the needle tip of the puncture needle. The sensor may directly detect the position information of the needle tip in the body of the anesthetized subject.

[0158] In the second detection method, the ultrasound device can obtain the target ultrasound image of the object to be anesthetized in real time by the ultrasound echo continuously received by the ultrasound probe. When the anesthetic needle is inserted into the body of the object to be anesthetized, the ultrasound device can detect the anesthetic needle image area representing the anesthetic needle in the target ultrasound image based on various image processing methods. For example, the straight line in the target ultrasound image can be detected by Hough transform to obtain a slender anesthetic needle image area, and the end point position of the anesthetic needle image area is used as the needle tip position.

[0159] When the second indication information is output based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, the ultrasonic device can obtain the needle tip depth from the needle tip of the anesthesia needle to the ultrasonic probe through the needle tip position information, and then compare the needle tip depth and the target depth. When the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is less than a threshold, the second indication information is output. When the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is not less than the threshold, the second indication information may not be output, and the fourth indication information may be output to indicate that the needle needs to continue.

[0160] The threshold may be a second distance threshold, which may be set by the user as needed, or may be pre-configured in the ultrasound device by the manufacturer when the ultrasound device leaves the factory. The specific value is not limited. As an example, the second distance threshold may be 1 mm or 2 mm.

[0161] When determining the needle tip depth, if the needle tip position information is the length of the anesthetic needle inserted into the body of the anesthetized subject obtained by detection method one, the ultrasonic device can directly determine the needle tip position information as the needle tip depth; if the needle tip position information is the length of the anesthetic needle image area obtained by detection method two, the ultrasonic device can convert the needle tip position information with reference to the scaling ratio of the target ultrasonic image to obtain the needle tip depth.

[0162] The ultrasound device may output the first indication information in various forms. As an example, when outputting the first indication information, the ultrasound device may perform at least one of the following operations:

[0163] Controlling the ultrasonic probe to vibrate according to a first vibration law;

[0164] Outputting a first indication sound through an audio module of the ultrasonic imaging device;

[0165] Displaying a first indication text and / or a first indication diagram on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device;

[0166] The image centerline is highlighted on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device.

[0167] The first vibration pattern may be any vibration pattern, and may be a vibration pattern set by default at the factory, or may be a vibration pattern selected or set by the user of the ultrasonic device as needed. For example, the first vibration pattern may be three consecutive vibrations, each vibration lasting 3 seconds, with a medium vibration intensity.

[0168] The first indicator sound may be a sound without voice content, for example, a ring tone that lasts for 3 seconds; the first indicator sound may also be a sound with voice content, for example, the first indicator sound may be a voice message "Please puncture with an anesthetic needle within the current ultrasound plane".

[0169] The first instruction text may be text that can instruct the user to puncture within the acoustic plane corresponding to the target ultrasound image. For example, the content of the speech in the above example may be displayed as the first instruction text.

[0170] The first indication image may be an image that can instruct the user to puncture in the acoustic plane corresponding to the target ultrasound image. For example, the first indication image may be displayed on a display interface of the ultrasound device, such as Figure 3 The schematic diagram of using an anesthesia needle for puncture shown in (1) is that the center line of the image in the figure can be used to indicate the position and needle path of the user using the anesthesia needle for puncture.

[0171] The image centerline may be the central axis of the target ultrasound image. Highlighting the image centerline on the display interface of the ultrasound imaging device may be highlighting the image centerline with a thick line or a colored line with strong contrast on the ultrasound image, so as to facilitate the user to puncture along the target centerline.

[0172] The ultrasound device may output the second indication information in various forms. As an example, when outputting the second indication information, the ultrasound device may perform at least one of the following operations:

[0173] Controlling the ultrasonic probe to vibrate according to the second vibration law;

[0174] Outputting a second indication sound through the audio module of the ultrasonic imaging device;

[0175] The second indication text and / or the second indication diagram are displayed on the display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device.

[0176] The second vibration pattern may be another vibration pattern different from the first vibration pattern, for example, it may be two consecutive vibrations, each vibration lasting 2 seconds with a weak vibration intensity.

[0177] The second indication sound may be different from the first indication sound, and the second indication sound may contain or not contain voice content. For example, the second indication sound may be a voice message “Please stop inserting the anesthesia needle”.

[0178] The second instruction text may be text that can indicate that the anesthetic needle has reached the target position, for example, "The anesthetic needle has reached the yellow ligament position, please stop inserting the anesthetic needle."

[0179] The second indication image may be an image that can indicate that the anesthesia needle has reached the target position. For example, the second indication image may be Figure 3 (2) is a schematic diagram indicating that the anesthetic needle has reached the target position and the insertion of the anesthetic needle has stopped.

[0180] An embodiment of the present application also provides an ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device. The method can be applied to a scenario where puncture is performed using an anesthesia needle, and can also be applied to other scenarios where puncture requires a needle.

[0181] For example, when it is necessary to puncture a specific anatomical structure with a syringe needle and inject a drug, the method of this embodiment can also be used to guide the puncture operation.

[0182] See also Figure 4 The ultrasonic imaging method applied to the ultrasonic imaging device provided in this embodiment may include the following steps.

[0183] S401 , transmitting ultrasonic waves to a target object through an ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes returned within the acoustic plane where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted.

[0184] S402 , acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target depth of a target anatomical structure of a target object to the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo.

[0185] In the above steps, the ultrasound device can acquire a target ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo, identify a target image area in the target ultrasound image, and determine a target depth based on a position of the target image area in the target ultrasound image.

[0186] S403: Determine an image centerline in the target ultrasound image.

[0187] S404, identifying a reference image region in the target ultrasound image, wherein the reference image region includes a left reference image region and a right reference image region, the left reference image region and the right reference image region correspond to a left reference anatomical structure and a right reference anatomical structure of the target object, and the left reference anatomical structure and the right reference anatomical structure are symmetrical.

[0188] S405: output first indication information based on the positional relationship between the identified reference image area and the image centerline, wherein the first indication information is used to prompt the user to puncture the target object with a needle within the acoustic plane.

[0189] The ultrasound device can obtain the left and right reference lines between the center / center of gravity of the left reference image area and the center / center of gravity of the right reference image area based on the identified reference image area, take the midpoint of the left and right reference lines as the target midpoint, and output the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline.

[0190] The specific implementation of the above steps can be found in Figure 1 Steps S101 to S105 in the corresponding embodiment are not described in detail.

[0191] The beneficial effect of this embodiment is that, based on the left-right symmetrical anatomical structure of the target object displayed in the ultrasound image, a first prompt information is provided when the user punctures the target object, so that the user can perform puncture with a needle under the guidance of the ultrasound device on the needle insertion position and needle path, ensuring that the puncture needle can accurately reach the target anatomical structure, avoiding puncture at an inaccurate position and causing a series of clinical problems.

[0192] When the method provided in this embodiment is applied to a scenario in which puncture is performed using an anesthetic needle, the target object may include the aforementioned object to be anesthetized, the target anatomical structure may include the yellow ligament, the left reference anatomical structure may include at least one of the left transverse process, the left articular process, and the left lamina, and the right reference anatomical structure may include at least one of the right transverse process, the right articular process, and the right lamina. Correspondingly, the left and right reference lines in step S405 may include at least one of the left and right transverse process lines, the left and right articular process lines, and the left and right lamina lines.

[0193] Optionally, in this embodiment, the ultrasound device may also:

[0194] The needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected, and second indication information is output based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the needle has reached the target position.

[0195] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 1 The corresponding embodiment is step S106.

[0196] An embodiment of the present application also provides an ultrasound probe, which may include a needle insertion channel through which a needle device can pass, the needle insertion path of the needle device is located on the extension line of the needle insertion channel, and the needle exit end of the needle insertion channel is located on the contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface that contacts the skin of the object to be inserted during scanning.

[0197] Optionally, the aforementioned sensor for detecting needle tip position information may be installed at the needle entry end of the needle entry channel of the ultrasound probe.

[0198] Optional, Figure 1 The ultrasound device in the corresponding embodiment can be configured with the above-mentioned ultrasound probe. In this case, the needle device can refer to an anesthesia needle, and the needle insertion channel can include a puncture channel through which the anesthesia needle can pass. The puncture path of the anesthesia needle is located on the extension line of the puncture channel, and the needle exit end of the puncture channel is located on the contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface where the ultrasound probe contacts the skin of the object to be anesthetized during scanning.

[0199] Optional, Figure 4 The ultrasound device in the corresponding embodiment may also be configured with the above-mentioned ultrasound probe. In this case, the needle device may refer to a puncture needle, and the needle entry channel may include a puncture channel through which the needle for puncture can pass. The puncture path of the needle is located on the extension line of the puncture channel, and the needle exit end of the puncture channel is located on the contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface where the ultrasound probe contacts the skin of the target object during scanning.

[0200] In some optional embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the ultrasound probe of this embodiment may include a gripping portion 501 and a scanning portion 502, wherein the scanning portion 502 may include an acoustic head for emitting ultrasound and a needle insertion channel, and the gripping portion 501 is used for a user to grip the ultrasound probe, wherein the angle between the axis of the gripping portion and the axis of the scanning portion is less than 180 degrees. As an example, the angle between the axis of the gripping portion 501 and the axis of the scanning portion 502 may be as follows: Figure 5 The angle shown is 90 degrees.

[0201] The acoustic head may include structures such as a backing, an array element, a matching layer, and an acoustic lens.

[0202] like Figure 5 As shown, the advantage of setting an angle less than 180 degrees between the gripping portion and the scanning portion is that it is convenient for the user to extend the needle device from the needle insertion end into the needle channel.

[0203] In some embodiments, the needle access channel may include a groove structure provided on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasound probe.

[0204] As an example, the structure of the ultrasound probe in this embodiment can be as follows: Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 (1) is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic probe, Figure 6 (2) is a front view of the ultrasonic probe, Figure 6 (3) is a top view of the ultrasound probe.

[0205] In this example, the needle insertion channel can be a groove structure centrally arranged on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasound probe, and the needle device can extend into the groove structure from the top (needle insertion end) of the groove structure, extend from the needle exit end at the bottom along the groove structure and penetrate into the body of the object to be inserted.

[0206] Optionally, when the ultrasound probe includes Figure 5 When the scanning part and the holding part are shown, Figure 6 The structure shown can be regarded as the structure of the scanning part of the ultrasound probe.

[0207] Figure 6 In the structure of the ultrasound probe shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor for detecting the needle tip position information can be installed at the needle entry end of the needle entry channel, that is, Figure 6 The position of the top of the needle entry channel shown in (1).

[0208] In some embodiments, the needle access channel may include a through-hole structure located inside the ultrasound probe and penetrating the ultrasound probe.

[0209] As an example, the structure of the ultrasound probe in this embodiment can be as follows: Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 (1) is a side sectional view of the ultrasonic probe, Figure 7 (2) is a front view of the ultrasonic probe, Figure 7 (3) is a top view of the ultrasound probe.

[0210] In this example, the needle insertion channel can be a through-hole structure centrally arranged on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasound probe, and the needle device can extend into the through-hole structure from the top (needle insertion end) of the through-hole structure, extend from the needle exit end at the bottom along the through-hole structure and penetrate into the body of the object to be inserted.

[0211] Figure 7 In the structure of the ultrasound probe shown in FIG. 1 , the sensor for detecting the needle tip position information can be installed at the needle entry end of the needle entry channel, that is, Figure 7 The position of the top end of the needle entry channel shown in (1) can also be integrated into the needle tip.

[0212] In some optional embodiments, the needle entry channel located in the ultrasound probe may be on the plane where the ultrasound probe transmits ultrasound waves.

[0213] In this case, the needle entry channel can pass through the array element and be located on the left-right symmetry axis of the array element structure.

[0214] The advantage of adopting this structure is that when the needle device punctures into the body of the target object through the needle entry channel, the needle entry channel located on the plane where the ultrasound probe emits ultrasonic waves can ensure that the needle device is located on the acoustic plane corresponding to the target ultrasound image, so that the needle device can accurately reach the target anatomical structure displayed in the target ultrasound image.

[0215] In order to set the needle entry channel on the plane where the ultrasound probe emits ultrasound, Figure 8 As shown in (1) and (2), the array element at the position where the needle channel passes can be removed or partially removed (as shown in the shaded part in the figure). Figure 8 (1) is the side view of the array element. Figure 8 (2) is a top view of the array element.

[0216] On the backing, matching layer, acoustic lens and other components, a vacant area matching the position where the needle channel passes can be provided, for example Figure 8 The shadow part of the matching layer in (3) is hollowed out.

[0217] In order to be able to set a through-hole-shaped needle entry channel at the corresponding position, a vacant area is also designed and processed to match the requirements of the puncture channel.

[0218] In some optional embodiments, for the case where the needle entry channel is not on the plane where the ultrasound probe transmits ultrasound waves, for example Figure 6 In the case where the needle entry channel is located on the outer surface of the ultrasound probe, there is a certain distance between the plane where the needle device is located in the subject to be inserted and the acoustic plane corresponding to the target ultrasound image. Therefore, in the direction perpendicular to the acoustic plane, the needle tip position information recognized by the ultrasound device may have a certain deviation compared to the actual position of the needle tip. This deviation causes a certain difference between the anatomical structure represented by the target ultrasound image and the anatomical structure on the plane where the needle entry channel is located, which may cause the needle device to fail to reach the correct position when inserted from the needle entry channel.

[0219] In order to correct the above deviation and enable the needle device to reach the target anatomical structure more accurately, the ultrasound device can obtain the target ultrasound image according to the following acquisition method one or acquisition method two.

[0220] Acquisition method 1: When starting the scan, the ultrasound device can configure the delay parameters for ultrasound imaging according to the distance from the needle entry channel to the plane where the array element is located, and then obtain the target ultrasound image based on the configured delay parameters in the delay focusing mode during the scanning process.

[0221] By setting appropriate delay parameters, the plane of ultrasound imaging can be made as close as possible to the plane where the needle entry channel is located, thereby obtaining a target ultrasound image representing the anatomical structure of the plane where the needle entry channel is located, thereby achieving the effect of correcting the above-mentioned deviation.

[0222] The second acquisition method is that after the ultrasonic device obtains the ultrasonic echo, it first obtains the ultrasonic image corresponding to the acoustic plane that transmits the ultrasonic wave according to the ultrasonic echo, and then reconstructs the image according to the ultrasonic image corresponding to the acoustic plane and the distance from the needle entry channel to the plane where the array element is located, and determines the reconstructed ultrasonic image representing the anatomical structure of the plane where the needle entry channel is located as the target ultrasonic image.

[0223] The following describes application scenarios of the ultrasound imaging method and ultrasound probe provided in this embodiment with reference to examples.

[0224] When the patient needs to be anesthetized by spinal anesthesia, the user (medical staff) holds Figure 5 The holding part of the ultrasound probe shown in the figure is used to scan the back of the anesthetized subject along the spine. During the scanning process, the ultrasound probe continuously emits ultrasound waves and receives ultrasound echoes. The ultrasound device obtains the target ultrasound image corresponding to the current scanned position in real time according to the ultrasound echoes. Each time a frame of the target ultrasound image is obtained, the ultrasound device obtains the target depth based on the target ultrasound image and presses Figure 1 Corresponding steps S103 to S105 determine the distance from the target midpoint to the image midline of the target ultrasound image in the frame and obtain the distance based on the target ultrasound image. If the distance is not less than the first distance threshold, the ultrasound device can continue to obtain the next frame of the target ultrasound image as the user scans.

[0225] If at any moment the ultrasound device determines that in the currently acquired target ultrasound image, the distance from the target midpoint to the image midline of the target ultrasound image is less than a first distance threshold, the ultrasound device can output a first indication message to prompt the user that the needle entry channel of the ultrasound probe is now aligned with the yellow ligament structure that needs to be punctured, and the user can puncture the anesthetized subject with an anesthetic needle within the acoustic plane.

[0226] After finding the first indication information, the user can stop the scanning action, keep the position of the ultrasound probe unchanged when the first indication information is output, and then insert the anesthetic needle from the top of the puncture channel of the ultrasound probe and continue to advance the anesthetic needle. The needle path can be along the indication of the center line of the image.

[0227] After the anesthetic needle is inserted into the body of the anesthetized subject, the ultrasonic device determines whether the needle tip of the anesthetic needle reaches the position of the yellow ligament based on the needle tip position information and the target depth.

[0228] When the ultrasound device determines based on the needle tip position information that the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is less than the second distance threshold, the ultrasound device determines that the needle tip of the anesthetic needle has reached the position of the yellow ligament at this time, so the ultrasound device outputs a second indication information, and the user stops advancing the anesthetic needle based on the second indication information, keeps the anesthetic needle at the current position and starts injecting anesthetic.

[0229] It can be seen from the above application scenarios that when the needle device needs to be punctured into a specific anatomical structure in the target object's body, such as when the anesthetic needle is punctured into the yellow ligament structure, the ultrasound imaging method and ultrasound probe of this embodiment can guide the user to puncture at a specific position on the surface of the target object and guide the puncture path based on the ultrasound image, thereby improving the accuracy of puncturing specific anatomical structures.

[0230] The embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, which may be the ultrasound device of the above embodiment. The electronic device may include a memory, a processor, and an ultrasound probe.

[0231] The memory may store a computer program.

[0232] The processor can execute the stored computer program to implement the ultrasonic imaging method applied to the ultrasonic imaging device provided in any embodiment of the present application according to the ultrasonic echo received by the ultrasonic probe.

[0233] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed, it is used to implement the ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device provided in any embodiment of the present application.

[0234] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0235] For the convenience of description, the above system or device is described by dividing it into various modules or units according to its functions. Of course, when implementing the present application, the functions of each unit can be implemented in the same or multiple software and / or hardware.

[0236] It can be known from the description of the above implementation methods that those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present application can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly contributed to the relevant technology in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a storage medium such as ROM / RAM, a disk, an optical disk, etc., including several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application or certain parts of the embodiments.

[0237] Finally, it should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first, second, third and fourth are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the statement "comprise a ..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0238] The above is only a preferred implementation of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device, characterized in that: include: transmitting ultrasonic waves to the spinal canal of the subject to be anesthetized by means of an ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes returned in the acoustic plane where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted; Acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target depth of the ligamentum flavum of the anesthetized subject to the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo; determining an image centerline in the target ultrasound image; identifying at least one of a transverse process image region, an articular process image region, and a lamina image region in the target ultrasound image; Outputting first indication information based on the positional relationship between at least one of the identified transverse process image area, articular process image area, and lamina image area and the image midline, wherein the first indication information is used to prompt the user to perform puncture on the anesthetized object through an anesthetic needle within the acoustic plane; The needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane is detected, and second indication information is output based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the anesthesia needle has reached the target position.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The identifying at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area, and the lamina image area in the target ultrasound image comprises at least one of the following: Inputting the target ultrasound image into a trained neural network, and allowing the neural network to identify at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region; Extracting image features of the target ultrasound image, inputting the image features into a classifier, and allowing the classifier to identify at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region; A grayscale feature of the target ultrasound image is extracted, and at least one of the transverse process image region, the articular process image region, and the lamina image region is identified based on a comparison result of the grayscale feature and a plurality of preset values.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After identifying at least one of the transverse process image area, the articular process image area, and the lamina image area in the target ultrasound image, the method further includes at least one of the following: Based on the identified transverse process image area, displaying the transverse process image area on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the transverse process image area includes a left transverse process image area and a right transverse process image area; Based on the identified articular process image area, displaying the articular process image area on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the articular process image area includes a left articular process image area and a right articular process image area; Based on the identified lamina image area, the lamina image area is displayed on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device, wherein the lamina image area includes a left lamina image area and a right lamina image area.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The acquiring of a target ultrasound image and a target depth of the ligamentum flavum of the anesthetized subject to the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo comprises: acquiring the target ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo; identifying a ligamentum flavum image region in the target ultrasound image; The target depth is determined based on a position of the ligamentum flavum image region in the target ultrasound image.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The outputting of the first indication information based on the positional relationship between at least one of the identified transverse process image area, articular process image area, and lamina image area and the image centerline includes at least one of the following: Based on the identified transverse process image area, a left and right transverse process connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left transverse process image area and the center / center of gravity of the right transverse process image area is obtained, a midpoint of the left and right transverse process connection line is used as a target midpoint, and first indication information is output based on a positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline; Based on the identified articular process image area, a left-right articular process connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left articular process image area and the center / center of gravity of the right articular process image area is obtained, a midpoint of the left-right articular process connection line is used as a target midpoint, and first indication information is output based on a positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline; Based on the identified lamina image area, a left-right lamina connection line between the center / center of gravity of the left lamina image area and the center / center of gravity of the right lamina image area is obtained, the midpoint of the left-right lamina connection line is used as the target midpoint, and the first indication information is output based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The detecting the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane comprises: Based on a sensor disposed on the ultrasound probe or the puncture needle, the needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane is detected by the sensor; or, Based on the identified anesthesia needle image region in the target ultrasound image, needle tip position information of the anesthesia needle in the acoustic plane is detected through the relative position of the anesthesia needle image region in the target ultrasound image.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The outputting second indication information based on the needle tip position information and the target depth includes: Obtaining the depth from the needle tip of the anesthesia needle to the needle tip of the ultrasound probe through the needle tip position information; When the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is less than a threshold, second indication information is output.

8. An ultrasonic imaging method applied to an ultrasonic imaging device, characterized in that: include: Transmitting ultrasonic waves to a target object through an ultrasonic probe and receiving ultrasonic echoes returned within an acoustic plane where the ultrasonic waves are transmitted; acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target anatomical structure of the target object to a target depth of the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo; determining an image centerline in the target ultrasound image; Identifying a reference image region in the target ultrasound image, wherein the reference image region includes a left reference image region and a right reference image region, the left reference image region and the right reference image region correspond to a left reference anatomical structure and a right reference anatomical structure of the target object, and the left reference anatomical structure and the right reference anatomical structure are symmetrical; First indication information is output based on the positional relationship between the identified reference image area and the image centerline, wherein the first indication information is used to prompt a user to puncture the target object through a needle within the acoustic plane.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The step of acquiring a target ultrasound image and a target anatomical structure of the target object to a target depth of the ultrasound probe based on the ultrasound echo comprises: acquiring the target ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo; identifying a target image region in the target ultrasound image; The target depth is determined based on a position of the target image area in the target ultrasound image.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The outputting first indication information based on the positional relationship between the identified reference image area and the image centerline includes: Based on the identified reference image area, obtain the left and right reference lines between the center / center of gravity of the left reference image area and the center / center of gravity of the right reference image area, take the midpoint of the left and right reference lines as the target midpoint, and output the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image centerline.

11. The method according to claim 5 or 10, characterized in that: The outputting the first indication information based on the positional relationship between the target midpoint and the image midline includes: outputting the first indication information when the distance between the target midpoint and the image midline is less than a preset value.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that: The outputting of the first indication information includes at least one of the following: Controlling the ultrasonic probe to vibrate according to a first vibration law; Outputting a first indicator sound through the audio module of the ultrasonic imaging device; Displaying a first indication text and / or a first indication diagram on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device; The image centerline is highlighted on a display interface of the ultrasonic imaging device.

13. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected, and second indication information is output based on the needle tip position information and the target depth, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the needle has reached the target position.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The detecting the needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane comprises: Based on a sensor disposed on the ultrasound probe or the needle, the needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected by the sensor; or, Based on the identified needle image region in the target ultrasound image, needle tip position information of the needle in the acoustic plane is detected by the relative position of the needle image region in the target ultrasound image.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The outputting second indication information based on the needle tip position information and the target depth includes: Obtaining the depth from the needle tip to the needle tip of the ultrasound probe through the needle tip position information; When the difference between the needle tip depth and the target depth is less than a threshold, second indication information is output.

16. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The target anatomical structure includes the ligamentum flavum.

17. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The left reference anatomical structure includes at least one of a left transverse process, a left articular process, and a left lamina, and the right reference anatomical structure includes at least one of a right transverse process, a right articular process, and a right lamina.

18. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The ultrasonic probe includes a puncture channel through which the anesthetic needle can pass, the puncture path of the anesthetic needle is located on the extension line of the puncture channel, and the needle outlet end of the puncture channel is located on the contact surface of the ultrasonic probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface of the ultrasonic probe in contact with the skin of the object to be anesthetized during scanning.

19. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The ultrasound probe includes a puncture channel through which the needle can pass, the puncture path of the needle is located on the extension line of the puncture channel, and the needle exit end of the puncture channel is located on the contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface of the ultrasound probe in contact with the skin of the target object during scanning.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The puncture channel is on the plane where the ultrasonic probe emits ultrasonic waves.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The puncture channel includes a groove structure provided on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasonic probe, or the puncture channel includes a through-hole structure penetrating the ultrasonic probe.

22. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: The ultrasound probe comprises a needle insertion channel through which a needle device can pass, the needle insertion path of the needle device is located on an extension line of the needle insertion channel, and the needle exit end of the needle insertion channel is located on a contact surface of the ultrasound probe, wherein the contact surface is the surface on which the ultrasound probe contacts the skin of a subject to be inserted during scanning.

23. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 22, characterized in that: The needle entry channel is on the plane where the ultrasound probe emits ultrasonic waves.

24. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 22, characterized in that: The needle entry channel includes a groove structure provided on one side of the outer surface of the ultrasound probe, or the needle entry channel includes a through hole structure penetrating the ultrasound probe.

25. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 22, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe includes a holding portion and a scanning portion, the scanning portion includes an acoustic head for emitting ultrasonic waves and the needle entry channel, and the holding portion is used for a user to hold the ultrasonic probe, wherein the angle between the axis of the holding portion and the axis of the scanning portion is less than 180 degrees.

26. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 22, characterized in that: The needle device is an anesthesia needle or a puncture needle.

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