Method for determining thickness of free wall of right ventricle and ultrasonic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and discloses a method for determining the thickness of a free wall of a right ventricle and ultrasonic equipment. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring ultrasonic data of a target object, the ultrasonic data comprising an ultrasonic image; identifying a right ventricular region in the ultrasonic image to obtain right ventricular image data; analyzing the right ventricle image data, and determining a right ventricle key frame and a right ventricle key point; and based on the right ventricle key frame and the right ventricle key point, determining a free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle, and displaying the free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasonic scanning interface. According to the technical scheme, automatic measurement of the thickness of the right ventricular free wall is achieved, manual measurement errors are reduced, dependence of measurement of the thickness of the right ventricular free wall on medical staff is reduced, and measurement standardization and measurement accuracy of the thickness of the right ventricular free wall are guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical equipment, and in particular to a method for determining the thickness of a right ventricular free wall and an ultrasonic device. Background Art

[0002] The thickness of the free wall of the right ventricle is usually determined based on the pressure load of the right ventricle. At present, the measurement of the free wall thickness of the right ventricle is basically to collect ultrasound images of the right ventricle, manually find the exact end-diastolic image and measurement point from the ultrasound image, and manually measure the free wall thickness, which leads to certain subjective factors in the determination of the free wall thickness. Moreover, the manual measurement of the free wall thickness of the right ventricle is extremely dependent on the operator's experience, which is prone to measurement errors due to subjective consciousness. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall and an ultrasonic device to solve the problem that manual measurement of the thickness of the right ventricular free wall has measurement errors and is difficult to ensure accuracy.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall, the method comprising: acquiring ultrasound data of a target object, the ultrasound data comprising an ultrasound image; identifying the right ventricular region in the ultrasound image to obtain right ventricular image data; parsing the right ventricular image data to determine right ventricular key frames and right ventricular key points; based on the right ventricular key frames and right ventricular key points, determining the right ventricular free wall thickness parameters, and displaying the free wall thickness parameters in an ultrasound scanning interface.

[0005] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided by the embodiment of the present invention, after acquiring the ultrasound image, identifies the right ventricular region in the ultrasound image, automatically locates the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, and calculates the free wall thickness parameters in combination with the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, thereby realizing the automatic measurement of the right ventricular free wall thickness, reducing the manual search for the end-diastolic image, the best thickness measurement point, and the error of measuring the vertical line, reducing the dependence of the measurement of the right ventricular free wall thickness on medical personnel, improving the ease of operation of the ultrasound equipment, and ensuring the measurement standardization and measurement accuracy of the right ventricular free wall thickness. At the same time, the free wall thickness parameters can be displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface, which is convenient for medical personnel to observe intuitively.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, based on the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, the free wall thickness parameters of the right ventricle are determined, and the free wall thickness parameters are displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface, including: fitting the free wall in the right ventricular key frame to determine the upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall of the right ventricle; based on the upper edge of the free wall, the lower edge of the free wall and the right ventricular key point, determining the free wall thickness parameters of the right ventricle; displaying the free wall thickness parameters and the right ventricular key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0007] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in an embodiment of the present invention utilizes the right ventricular key frame to determine the upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall, and then combines the right ventricular key points to determine the free wall thickness parameters at the upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall. This method does not require reliance on medical personnel, greatly reduces the subjective error in measuring the free wall thickness parameters, and makes the measurement of the free wall thickness parameters more accurate.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the free wall thickness parameter and the right ventricle key frame are displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface, including: displaying the right ventricle key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface, marking the measurement line between the upper edge of the free wall and the lower edge of the free wall of the right ventricle in the right ventricle key frame, and determining the length of the measurement line; determining the length of the measurement line as the free wall thickness parameter, and displaying it in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0009] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in an embodiment of the present invention displays the right ventricular key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface and automatically marks the measurement line between the upper edge of the free wall and the lower edge of the free wall, so as to accurately display the thickness of the free wall and reduce the error caused by manually determining the measurement line.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: in response to an adjustment operation on the measurement line in the right ventricle key frame, adjusting the length of the measurement line based on the adjustment operation, and displaying the adjusted free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0011] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in the embodiment of the present invention supports manual adjustment of the measurement line, facilitates flexible adjustment according to the actual situation of the right ventricular free wall, and further ensures accurate display of the free wall thickness parameters.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, right ventricular image data is parsed to determine right ventricular key frames and right ventricular key points, including: parsing multiple frames of right ventricular images in the right ventricular image data to determine the right ventricular area corresponding to each frame of the right ventricular image; determining the right ventricular image frame with the largest right ventricular area as the right ventricular key frame; based on the morphological structure of the right ventricle, determining the location of the right ventricular key part from the right ventricular key frame; based on the location of the right ventricular key part, determining the right ventricular key point for measuring the free wall thickness.

[0013] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in an embodiment of the present invention determines the right ventricular key frame in combination with the change in the right ventricular area, and then automatically locates the measurement points for the free wall thickness in the right ventricular key frame in combination with the morphological structure of the right ventricle, thereby greatly reducing the artificial calibration errors of the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key points, and can provide medical personnel with more accurate measurement points, thereby improving the work efficiency of determining the free wall thickness.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the key part of the right ventricle is the tricuspid valve part, and based on the position of the key part of the right ventricle, the key point of the right ventricle for measuring the free wall thickness is determined, including: based on the position of the tricuspid valve part, determining the base position of the tricuspid valve part; according to the base position, determining the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve part; based on the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve part, determining the point where the tip is located when the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve part is parallel to the free wall of the right ventricle; and determining the point where the tip is located as the key point of the right ventricle.

[0015] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in an embodiment of the present invention ensures the standardization of the measurement of the free wall thickness by determining the point where the tip of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve is located when the leaflet is parallel to the free wall and taking this point as the key point for thickness measurement.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, acquiring ultrasonic data of the target object includes: responding to a scan setting operation on the target object, determining a target scanning mode based on the scan setting operation; displaying guidance information of the target scanning mode; and responding to a scan operation generated based on the guidance information, acquiring ultrasonic data of the target object based on the scan operation.

[0017] In the method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided by an embodiment of the present invention, if the key information of the ultrasound image contained in the ultrasound data is incomplete or unclear, it will interfere with the measurement of the thickness of the right ventricular free wall and reduce its measurement accuracy. Here, by setting the guidance information corresponding to the scanning mode, medical personnel can be effectively guided to scan and obtain ultrasound data that meets the requirements, so as to obtain standard ultrasound images, thereby reducing the reliance on experience in ultrasound scanning.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: detecting the similarity between the features of the ultrasound image and the features of a standard ultrasound image; determining the image quality of the ultrasound image based on the similarity, and displaying descriptive information of the image quality in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0019] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in an embodiment of the present invention displays descriptive information of image quality in an ultrasound scanning interface, thereby facilitating scanning adjustments based on image quality, so as to obtain an ultrasound image of better quality.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, the right ventricular region in the ultrasound image is identified to obtain right ventricular image data, including: preprocessing the ultrasound image to obtain preprocessed image data; segmenting the right ventricular data in the preprocessed image data to obtain the right ventricular region, the right ventricular region including the right ventricle and the free wall of the right ventricle; and determining the image data corresponding to the right ventricular region as the right ventricular image data.

[0021] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in the embodiment of the present invention performs segmentation processing on pre-processed image data to quickly and effectively locate the right ventricle and the free wall in the ultrasound image.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasound device, comprising: an ultrasound probe and a display; a processor, communicatively connected to the ultrasound probe and the display, the processor being used to execute the method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall of the above-mentioned first aspect or any corresponding embodiment thereof; and the display being used to display an ultrasound scanning interface and free wall thickness parameters.

[0023] The ultrasound device provided in the embodiment of the present invention, after acquiring the ultrasound image, identifies the right ventricular region in the ultrasound image, automatically locates to the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, and calculates the free wall thickness parameter in combination with the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, thereby realizing the automatic measurement of the right ventricular free wall thickness, reducing the manual search for the end-diastolic image, the best thickness measurement point, and the error of measuring the vertical line, reducing the dependence of the medical staff on the measurement of the right ventricular free wall thickness, improving the ease of operation of the ultrasound device, and ensuring the measurement standardization and accuracy of the right ventricular free wall thickness. At the same time, the free wall thickness parameter can be displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface, which is convenient for the medical staff to observe intuitively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is a flow chart of another method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the free wall thickness parameter of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is a flow chart of another method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the image quality of an ultrasound image in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 is another schematic diagram showing the image quality of an ultrasound image in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] In the related technologies used for cardiac ultrasound, ultrasound images of the right ventricle are collected, the exact end-diastolic image and measurement points are manually found from the ultrasound images, and the free wall thickness is manually measured. This results in the determination of the free wall thickness relying on the operator's experience and involving certain subjective factors.

[0034] Based on this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall. By automatically locating the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point in the ultrasound image, automatic measurement of the free wall thickness parameters is achieved, the subjective error of manual measurement is reduced, the dependence of medical personnel on measuring the right ventricular free wall thickness is reduced, the ease of operation of the ultrasound equipment is improved, and the measurement standardization and accuracy of the right ventricular free wall thickness are ensured.

[0035] An embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasound device, including an ultrasound probe, a display, and a processor, wherein the processor is in communication with the ultrasound probe and the display, the processor is used to execute the right ventricular free wall thickness determination method described in any of the following embodiments, and the display is used to display the ultrasound scanning interface and the right ventricular free wall thickness parameter during the ultrasound scanning process. Of course, the function of the display is not limited to this, and is specifically set according to actual needs.

[0036] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasound device provided by an optional embodiment of the present invention, in which the ultrasound device 100 includes an ultrasound probe 110, a transmitting circuit 112, a receiving circuit 114, a processor 116, and a display 118. Further, the ultrasound device may also include a transmitting / receiving selection switch 120 and a beamforming module 122, and the transmitting circuit 112 and the receiving circuit 114 may be connected to the ultrasound probe 110 through the transmitting / receiving selection switch 120.

[0037] Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 110 is used to generate a shear wave that propagates in the target tissue of the target object; the transmitting circuit 112 is used to excite the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit a first ultrasonic wave that tracks the shear wave to the target tissue; the receiving circuit 114 is used to control the ultrasonic probe 110 to receive the ultrasonic echo returned by the target tissue to obtain a first echo signal of the first ultrasonic wave; the processor 116 is used to execute the method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall described in any of the following embodiments.

[0038] The ultrasonic probe 110 includes a transducer (not shown) composed of a plurality of array elements arranged in an array. The array elements are used to transmit ultrasonic waves according to an excitation electrical signal, or to convert received ultrasonic waves into electrical signals. Therefore, each array element can be used to realize the mutual conversion between electrical pulse signals and ultrasonic waves, thereby transmitting ultrasonic waves to the biological tissue of the target object, and can also be used to receive the echo of ultrasonic waves reflected back by the tissue.

[0039] The transmitting circuit 112 is used to control the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit ultrasonic waves, for example, according to the control of the processor 116, stimulate the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the target object.

[0040] The receiving circuit 114 is used to control the ultrasonic probe 110 to receive ultrasonic echoes, for example, to receive ultrasonic echoes returned from the target object through the ultrasonic probe 110 to obtain ultrasonic echo signals, and can also process the ultrasonic echo signals. The receiving circuit 114 may include one or more amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), etc.

[0041] The display 118 is used for display or human-computer interaction, such as outputting visual information and receiving user input. The display 118 includes an input device and at least one display screen. The input device is used to receive user input, which can be a keyboard, operation button, mouse, trackball, touch pad, etc., or a touch screen integrated with the display screen.

[0042] The memory 124 is used to store various types of data.

[0043] The ultrasound device may also include a beamforming module 122. The beamforming module 122 is connected to the receiving circuit 114 signal, and is used to perform corresponding delay and weighted summing beamforming processing on the echo signal. Since the distances from the ultrasound receiving point in the measured tissue to the receiving array element are different, the channel data of the same receiving point output by different receiving array elements have delay differences, and delay processing is required to align the phases, and weighted summing is performed on the different channel data of the same receiving point to obtain the ultrasound image data after beamforming. The ultrasound image data output by the beamforming module 122 is also called radio frequency data (RF data). The beamforming module 122 performs focusing delay, weighting and channel summing on the ultrasound echo data, and then sends it to the processor 116. The processor 116 performs signal detection, signal enhancement, data conversion, logarithmic compression and other processing on the ultrasound echo signal to form an ultrasound image. The ultrasound image obtained by the processor 116 can be displayed on the display 118 or stored in the memory 124.

[0044] The processor 116 may be implemented as software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof, and may use a single or multiple application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a single or multiple general purpose integrated circuits, a single or multiple microprocessors, a single or multiple programmable logic devices, or any combination of the aforementioned circuits and / or devices, or other suitable circuits or devices. In addition, the processor 116 may control other components in the ultrasound device 100 to perform the corresponding steps of the methods in various embodiments of the present specification.

[0045] The display 118 is connected to the processor 116, and the display 118 may be a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, etc.; or, the display 118 may be an independent display such as a liquid crystal display, a television, etc., which is independent of the ultrasound device 100; or, the display 118 may be a display screen of an electronic device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, etc. The number of the display 118 may be one or more.

[0046] The display 118 can display the ultrasound image obtained by the processor 116. In addition, while displaying the ultrasound image, the display 118 can also provide the user with a graphical interface for human-computer interaction. One or more controlled objects are set on the graphical interface, and the user is provided with a human-computer interaction device to input operation instructions to control these controlled objects, thereby performing corresponding control operations. For example, an icon is displayed on the graphical interface, and the icon can be operated by the human-computer interaction device to perform a specific function, such as drawing a region of interest box on the ultrasound image.

[0047] Optionally, the ultrasound device 100 may further include other human-computer interaction devices in addition to the display 118, which are connected to the processor 116. For example, the processor 116 may be connected to the human-computer interaction device via an external input / output port, and the external input / output port may be a wireless communication module, or a wired communication module, or a combination of the two. The external input / output port may also be implemented based on USB, bus protocols such as CAN, and / or wired network protocols.

[0048] The human-computer interaction device may include an input device for detecting user input information, which may be, for example, a control instruction for ultrasonic transmission / reception timing, an operation input instruction for drawing points, lines or frames on an ultrasonic image, or other instruction types. The input device may include a keyboard, a mouse, a scroll wheel, a trackball, a mobile input device (such as a mobile device with a touch screen, a mobile phone, etc.), a multi-function knob, etc., or a combination of multiple thereof. The human-computer interaction device may also include an output device such as a printer.

[0049] The ultrasound device 100 may further include a memory 124 for storing instructions executed by the processor, storing received ultrasound echoes, storing ultrasound images, etc. The memory may be a flash memory card, a solid-state memory, a hard disk, etc. It may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory, a removable memory and / or a non-removable memory, etc.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment of a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall is provided. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and although a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in an order different from that shown here.

[0051] In this embodiment, a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall is provided, which can be used in the above-mentioned ultrasound device. Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0052] Step S101 : acquiring ultrasound data of a target object, where the ultrasound data includes an ultrasound image.

[0053] Ultrasonic data is data generated by an ultrasonic probe scanning the heart of a target object, and includes an ultrasonic image corresponding to the heart, that is, a cross-sectional image of the heart, such as a subxiphoid four-chamber heart cross-sectional image. Specifically, the ultrasonic device has a heart examination mode. After the heart examination mode of the ultrasonic device is started, an ultrasonic probe corresponding to the heart examination mode is used to transmit an ultrasonic beam to the heart of the target object to collect a corresponding ultrasonic image.

[0054] Step S102, identifying the right ventricle region in the ultrasound image to obtain right ventricle image data.

[0055] The right ventricle image data is composed of multiple frames of right ventricle images. The ultrasound image contains the complete right ventricle. The ultrasound device performs segmentation processing on the ultrasound image it has collected, identifies the right ventricle area and the free wall area from the right ventricle morphology, and performs segmentation and post-processing on the right ventricle area and the free wall area to obtain accurate right ventricle image data.

[0056] Step S103, analyzing the right ventricle image data to determine the right ventricle key frames and right ventricle key points.

[0057] The right ventricular key frame is an image frame that represents the end of the right ventricular diastolic state. By analyzing multiple right ventricular image frames contained in the right ventricular image data, the changing rules of right ventricular contraction and diastole are determined. Combined with the right ventricular contraction / diastole change rules, the right ventricular key frame that satisfies the right ventricular diastolic state is determined.

[0058] The right ventricular key point is the key point for measuring the thickness of the right ventricular free wall. Combining the morphological structure of the right ventricle and the free wall measurement rules, the measurement point of the right ventricular free wall thickness is marked in the right ventricular key frame, and the measurement point is the right ventricular key point.

[0059] Step S104, based on the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, determine the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle, and display the free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0060] The ultrasound device automatically calculates the free wall thickness parameters in the right ventricular key frame according to the positional relationship between the right ventricular key point and the free wall thickness, and generates marks for representing the free wall thickness parameters in the right ventricular key frame, such as digital marks, line marks, etc. At the same time, the right ventricular key frame and its corresponding free wall thickness parameters are displayed together in the ultrasound scanning interface to facilitate intuitive observation of the right ventricular detection situation.

[0061] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in this embodiment, after acquiring the ultrasound image, identifies the right ventricular region in the ultrasound image, automatically locates the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, and calculates the free wall thickness parameter in combination with the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, thereby realizing the automatic measurement of the right ventricular free wall thickness, reducing the manual search for the end-diastolic image, the error of the optimal thickness measurement point, and the measurement of the vertical line, reducing the dependence of the medical staff on the measurement of the right ventricular free wall thickness, improving the ease of operation of the ultrasound equipment, and ensuring the measurement standardization and measurement accuracy of the right ventricular free wall thickness. At the same time, the free wall thickness parameter can be displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface, which is convenient for the medical staff to observe intuitively.

[0062] In this embodiment, a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall is provided, which can be used in the above-mentioned ultrasound device. Figure 3 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0063] Step S201, obtaining ultrasound data of a target object, the ultrasound data including an ultrasound image. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description of the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0064] Step S202, identifying the right ventricle region in the ultrasound image to obtain right ventricle image data. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description of the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0065] Step S203, analyzing the right ventricle image data to determine the right ventricle key frames and right ventricle key points.

[0066] Specifically, the above step S203 may include:

[0067] Step S2031, analyzing multiple frames of right ventricular images in the right ventricular image data, and determining the right ventricular area corresponding to each frame of the right ventricular image.

[0068] Analyze multiple frames of right ventricle images in the right ventricle image data to determine whether the right ventricle in each frame of the right ventricle image is in a diastolic state or a contracted state. Since the area of ​​the heart's internal chambers changes with the contraction and relaxation of the heart, the area of ​​the right ventricle is used to represent whether it is in a diastolic state.

[0069] In an optional embodiment, the ultrasound device may calculate the right ventricular area in all image frames thereof based on the processed right ventricular image data.

[0070] In another optional embodiment, the ultrasound equipment can determine all right ventricular image frames in the diastolic state based on the processed right ventricular image data and the changing rules of cardiac contraction and relaxation, and calculate the right ventricular area of ​​all right ventricular image frames in the diastolic state.

[0071] Step S2032: determine the right ventricle image frame with the largest right ventricle area as the right ventricle key frame.

[0072] The right ventricular area is the largest when the right ventricle is in diastolic state. After obtaining all the right ventricular areas for the right ventricular image data, the right ventricular areas are compared to determine the image frame with the largest right ventricular area, and the image frame is determined as the right ventricular key frame.

[0073] In some optional implementations, the changing patterns of diastole and contraction are not always consistent for different detection objects. Therefore, image frames at the early stage of contraction or close to the end of diastole can be used as right ventricular key frames, which improves the flexibility of determining the right ventricular key frames and ensures that they can be flexibly adapted to different detection objects.

[0074] Step S2033, based on the morphological structure of the right ventricle, determine the position of the key part of the right ventricle from the right ventricle key frame.

[0075] The key part of the right ventricle indicates the reference part when determining the thickness of the free wall. The morphological structure of the human heart is basically the same, that is, the morphological structure of the right ventricle is basically the same. After determining the key frame of the right ventricle, the ultrasound device can accurately locate the position of the key part of the right ventricle in the key frame of the right ventricle in combination with the morphological structure of the right ventricle.

[0076] Step S2034, based on the location of the key part of the right ventricle, determine the key point of the right ventricle for measuring the free wall thickness.

[0077] Combined with the location of the key parts of the right ventricle and the preset measurement point extraction strategy, the key points of the right ventricle for measuring the free wall thickness are automatically extracted and located from the right ventricle key frame. Among them, the measurement point extraction strategy is determined according to the echocardiography measurement standard and can be adjusted according to actual needs.

[0078] In some specific implementations, the determined right ventricular key points can also be displayed in the right ventricular key frame for secondary confirmation by medical personnel. Furthermore, if the determined right ventricular key points have deviations, it can support medical personnel to manually select or adjust the right ventricular key points.

[0079] In some optional implementations, the key part of the right ventricle may be the tricuspid valve part. Accordingly, the above step S2034 may include:

[0080] Step a1, determining the base position of the tricuspid valve part based on the position of the tricuspid valve part.

[0081] Step a2, determining the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve according to the base position.

[0082] Step a3, based on the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve, determine the point where the tip of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve is parallel to the free wall of the right ventricle.

[0083] Step a4, determining the point where the tip is located as the key point of the right ventricle.

[0084] According to the position of the tricuspid valve in the right ventricle key frame, the base of the tricuspid valve is accurately located, and then the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve is calculated according to the human heart morphology and structure. Combined with the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve, the position of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve when the tip is horizontal to the free wall is determined, that is, when the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve is parallel to the free wall, the point where the tip is located at this time is the measurement point of the free wall thickness, that is, the right ventricle key point.

[0085] By determining the point where the tip of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve is parallel to the free wall, this point is used as the key point for thickness measurement to ensure the standardization of free wall thickness measurement.

[0086] Step S204, based on the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, determine the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle, and display the free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0087] Specifically, the above step S204 may include:

[0088] Step S2041, performing fitting processing on the free wall in the right ventricle key frame to determine the upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall of the right ventricle.

[0089] The ultrasonic device uses a curve fitting method to perform fitting processing on the free wall area in the right ventricle key frame, determines the free wall contour in the right ventricle key frame, and determines the free wall upper edge and the free wall lower edge according to the free wall contour.

[0090] Step S2042, determining the free wall thickness parameters of the right ventricle based on the upper edge of the free wall, the lower edge of the free wall and the key points of the right ventricle.

[0091] The measurement point of the free wall thickness is determined by the key point of the right ventricle. The tangent corresponding to the upper edge of the free wall and the tangent corresponding to the lower edge of the free wall are calculated at this measurement point according to the curve fitting method. The free wall thickness parameter can be calculated by the distance between the two tangents.

[0092] Step S2043, displaying the free wall thickness parameters and the right ventricular key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0093] The free wall thickness parameter is marked at the free wall position in the right ventricle key frame, and then the right ventricle key frame and the free wall thickness parameter are displayed together in the current ultrasound scanning interface.

[0094] In some optional implementations, the above step S2043 may include:

[0095] Step b1, displaying the right ventricle key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0096] Step b2: marking a measurement line between the upper edge of the free wall and the lower edge of the free wall of the right ventricle in the right ventricle key frame, and determining the length of the measurement line.

[0097] Step b3, determining the length of the measurement line as the free wall thickness parameter and displaying it in the ultrasonic scanning interface.

[0098] The measuring line is perpendicular to the upper edge of the free wall and the lower edge of the free wall. According to the tangent of the upper edge of the free wall and the lower edge of the free wall, the corresponding measuring line can be calculated and marked in the right ventricle key frame. At the same time, according to the distance formula between the lines, the length of the measuring line can be calculated. The length of the measuring line is the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle. The length of the measuring line is displayed while marking the measuring line in the right ventricle key frame, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0099] The right ventricle key frame is displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface, and the measurement line between the upper edge of the free wall and the lower edge of the free wall is automatically marked, so as to accurately display the thickness of the free wall and reduce the error caused by manual determination of the measurement line.

[0100] In some optional embodiments, the above step S2043 may also include: in response to an adjustment operation on the measurement line in the right ventricle key frame, adjusting the length of the measurement line based on the adjustment operation, and displaying the adjusted free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0101] Medical staff are supported to manually adjust or modify the measurement line. When the ultrasound device detects the adjustment operation instructions from the medical staff, it can respond to the adjustment operation initiated by the medical staff on the free wall thickness parameters, and adjust the measurement line in the right ventricular key frame according to the adjustment operation. At the same time, the free wall thickness parameters displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface will be adaptively adjusted following the adjustment of the measurement line.

[0102] Here, manual adjustment of the measurement line can be supported, which facilitates flexible adjustment according to the actual situation of the right ventricular free wall, further ensuring the accurate display of the free wall thickness parameters.

[0103] The method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in this embodiment determines the right ventricular key frame in combination with the change in the right ventricular area, and then automatically locates the measurement point for the free wall thickness in the right ventricular key frame in combination with the morphological structure of the right ventricle, which greatly reduces the human calibration error of the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, can provide more accurate ear measurement points for medical personnel, and improve the work efficiency of determining the free wall thickness. The upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall are determined by using the right ventricular key frame, and then the free wall thickness parameters are determined in the upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall in combination with the right ventricular key point, without relying on medical personnel, which greatly reduces the subjective error in measuring the free wall thickness parameters, making the measurement of the free wall thickness parameters more accurate.

[0104] In this embodiment, a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall is provided, which can be used in the above-mentioned ultrasound device. Figure 5 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0105] Step S301: Acquire ultrasound data of a target object, where the ultrasound data includes an ultrasound image.

[0106] Specifically, the above step S301 may include:

[0107] Step S3011, in response to a scan setting operation on the target object, determining a target scanning mode based on the scan setting operation.

[0108] The scan setting operation is an operation performed by medical personnel for ultrasound scanning, including the setting of ultrasound transmission frequency, probe selection, scan mode, etc. The ultrasound device can respond to the scan setting operation of the medical personnel for the current ultrasound scan, and determine the corresponding target scan mode according to the scan setting operation, that is, start the cardiac measurement mode of the ultrasound device.

[0109] Step S3012, displaying guidance information of the target scanning mode.

[0110] The guidance information is used to guide medical personnel to obtain the correct ultrasound image, thereby overcoming the limitations of ultrasound scanning experience. Different target scanning modes have corresponding guidance information. When the heart measurement mode of the ultrasound device is started, the guidance information is displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface of the ultrasound device, so that medical personnel can perform ultrasound scanning operations on the heart according to the guidance information.

[0111] Step S3013, in response to a scanning operation generated for the guidance information, collecting ultrasound data of the target object based on the scanning operation.

[0112] When medical personnel perform ultrasound scanning according to the guidance information, the ultrasound equipment can respond to the scanning operation of the medical personnel and place the ultrasound probe in different positions or directions according to the scanning operation to obtain ultrasound data at multiple positions or directions, thereby determining the ultrasound data with the best quality.

[0113] Of course, for medical personnel who are experienced in ultrasound scanning, they can choose not to accept the automatic guidance function or turn off the automatic guidance function.

[0114] In order to ensure the accuracy of the acquired ultrasound image, the image quality may be displayed in the ultrasound image. In some optional implementations, the above step S301 may also include:

[0115] Step c1, detecting the similarity between the features of the ultrasound image and the features of the standard ultrasound image.

[0116] Step c2, determining the image quality of the ultrasound image based on the similarity, and displaying descriptive information of the image quality in the ultrasound scanning interface.

[0117] The standard ultrasound image represents a standard image with ultrasound features of the right ventricle. The ultrasound device extracts its 2D ultrasound features from the acquired ultrasound image, and uses artificial intelligence methods such as FastRcnn and Centernet based on deep learning target detection algorithms and traditional matching methods to compare the features of the currently acquired ultrasound image with the standard ultrasound image (such as right ventricular edge features, free wall edge features, etc.) to determine the corresponding feature similarity.

[0118] The description information of image quality can be expressed in the form of text, color, or a combination of text and color. Specifically, the description information of image quality is determined by combining the feature similarity between the acquired ultrasound image and the standard ultrasound image features, and the description information is displayed in real time in the ultrasound scanning interface. For example, red, yellow, and green (other colors are also acceptable) are used to represent different image qualities, where red indicates poor image quality, yellow indicates average image quality, and green indicates good quality. Figure 6 For example, different image qualities are represented by text descriptions (such as excellent, good, and poor), as shown in the following example. Figure 7 shown.

[0119] By displaying the descriptive information of the image quality in the ultrasound scanning interface, it is convenient to perform scanning adjustments in combination with the image quality, so as to obtain an ultrasound image of better quality.

[0120] Step S302: identifying the right ventricle region in the ultrasound image to obtain right ventricle image data.

[0121] Specifically, the above step S302 may include:

[0122] Step S3021, preprocessing the ultrasound image to obtain preprocessed image data.

[0123] The ultrasound device uses standardization, adaptive histogram equalization algorithm, gamma correction and other methods to perform data preprocessing on the collected ultrasound images, so as to standardize the ultrasound images, enhance the details of the right ventricle area, and obtain preprocessed image data. The preprocessing method is not limited here, and those skilled in the art can determine it according to actual needs.

[0124] Step S3022, segmenting the right ventricle data in the pre-processed image data to obtain a right ventricle region, where the right ventricle region includes the right ventricle and the free wall of the right ventricle.

[0125] The preprocessed image data was segmented using deep learning U-Net segmentation algorithm, maximum inter-class variance method (Otsu), watershed method and other methods to obtain the segmentation results of the right ventricle and its free wall. The segmentation results were post-processed to obtain the accurate right ventricle area.

[0126] Specifically, post-processing operations include removing isolated small areas, morphological filling, and edge smoothing. Removing isolated small areas is to search the segmentation results corresponding to the pre-processed image data by region, retain the largest segmentation area, and remove isolated small areas; morphological filling is to process the segmentation results using methods such as seed filling and flood filling; edge smoothing is to smooth the segmentation results using methods such as Gaussian filtering.

[0127] Step S3023: determine the image data corresponding to the right ventricle region as right ventricle image data.

[0128] After segmentation processing and post-segmentation processing, image data corresponding to the right ventricle region can be segmented from the pre-processed image data, and the image data is the right ventricle image data. By segmenting the pre-processed image data, the right ventricle and its free wall in the ultrasound image can be quickly and effectively located, which is convenient for accurately calculating the free wall measurement thickness parameters.

[0129] Step S303: parse the right ventricle image data to determine the right ventricle key frame and the right ventricle key point. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description of the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0130] Step S304, based on the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, determine the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle, and display the free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasound scanning interface. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description corresponding to the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] In the method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall provided in this embodiment, if the key information of the ultrasound image contained in the ultrasound data is incomplete or unclear, it will interfere with the measurement of the thickness of the right ventricular free wall and reduce its measurement accuracy. Here, by setting the guidance information corresponding to the scanning mode, medical personnel can be effectively guided to scan and obtain ultrasound data that meets the requirements, so as to obtain standard ultrasound images, thereby reducing the reliance on experience in ultrasound scanning.

[0132] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall, characterized in that: The method comprises: Acquiring ultrasound data of a target object, wherein the ultrasound data includes an ultrasound image; Identifying a right ventricle region in the ultrasound image to obtain right ventricle image data; Parsing the right ventricle image data to determine right ventricle key frames and right ventricle key points; Based on the right ventricular key frame and the right ventricular key point, the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle is determined, and the free wall thickness parameter is displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Determining the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle based on the right ventricle key frame and the right ventricle key point, and displaying the free wall thickness parameter in the ultrasound scanning interface, includes: Performing fitting processing on the free wall in the right ventricle key frame to determine the upper edge and the lower edge of the free wall of the right ventricle; Determine the free wall thickness parameter of the right ventricle based on the upper edge of the free wall, the lower edge of the free wall and the right ventricle key point; The free wall thickness parameter and the right ventricle key frame are displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The step of displaying the free wall thickness parameter and the right ventricle key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface includes: Displaying the right ventricle key frame in the ultrasound scanning interface; Marking a measurement line between an upper edge of the free wall of the right ventricle and a lower edge of the free wall in the right ventricle key frame, and determining a length of the measurement line; The length of the measurement line is determined as the free wall thickness parameter and displayed in the ultrasonic scanning interface.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that Also includes: In response to an adjustment operation on the measurement line in the right ventricle key frame, the length of the measurement line is adjusted based on the adjustment operation, and the adjusted free wall thickness parameter is displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of analyzing the right ventricle image data and determining the right ventricle key frame and the right ventricle key point includes: Analyze multiple frames of right ventricular images in the right ventricular image data to determine the right ventricular area corresponding to each frame of the right ventricular image; Determine the right ventricle image frame with the largest right ventricle area as the right ventricle key frame; Based on the morphological structure of the right ventricle, determining the position of the key part of the right ventricle from the right ventricle key frame; Based on the position of the right ventricular key part, the right ventricular key point for measuring the free wall thickness is determined.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The key part of the right ventricle is the tricuspid valve part, and determining the key point of the right ventricle for measuring the free wall thickness based on the position of the key part of the right ventricle includes: Determining a base position of the tricuspid valve part based on the position of the tricuspid valve part; Determining the anterior leaflet length of the tricuspid valve according to the base position; Based on the length of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve, determining the point where the tip of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve is located when it is parallel to the free wall of the right ventricle; The point where the tip is located is determined as the right ventricle key point.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of acquiring ultrasound data of the target object comprises: In response to a scan setting operation on the target object, determining a target scan mode based on the scan setting operation; Display guidance information of the target scanning mode; In response to a scanning operation generated according to the guide information, the ultrasound data of the target object is acquired based on the scanning operation.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Also includes: Detecting similarities between features of the ultrasound image and features of a standard ultrasound image; The image quality of the ultrasound image is determined based on the similarity, and descriptive information of the image quality is displayed in the ultrasound scanning interface.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step of identifying the right ventricle region in the ultrasound image to obtain right ventricle image data includes: Preprocessing the ultrasonic image to obtain preprocessed image data; Segmenting the right ventricle data in the preprocessed image data to obtain the right ventricle region, wherein the right ventricle region includes the right ventricle and the free wall of the right ventricle; The image data corresponding to the right ventricle region is determined as the right ventricle image data.

10. An ultrasonic device, characterized in that: include: Ultrasound probe and display; a processor, connected in communication with the ultrasound probe and the display, the processor being configured to execute the method for determining the thickness of the right ventricular free wall according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The display is used to display the ultrasonic scanning interface and the free wall thickness parameter.

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