Ultrasonic image processing device, image processing method thereof, system and program

Abstract

An ultrasonic image processing apparatus, image processing method, system, and program are disclosed. The ultrasonic image processing apparatus of this disclosure is characterized by comprising: a communication unit for communicating with an ultrasonic irradiation device, an ultrasonic imaging device, and a display device; and a processor for controlling operations related to ultrasonic image processing, wherein the processor receives ultrasonic images from the ultrasonic imaging device via the communication unit, extracts irradiated part images of regions of interest (ROIs) from the ultrasonic images of the ultrasonic imaging device associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal of the ultrasonic irradiation device, corrects the irradiated part images based on the variation of the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the irradiated part images, under the condition of ultrasonic focusing of the ultrasonic irradiation device, and controls the display device to display the corrected irradiated part images.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an ultrasonic image processing apparatus, its image processing method, system, and program. Prior Technology

[0002] Ultrasound refers to fluctuations with frequencies above 20kHz. It is permeable to water and is therefore widely used in medical fields such as ultrasound diagnostic devices and ultrasound therapy instruments.

[0003] The most representative application of ultrasound in the medical field is in ultrasound imaging devices that utilize the transmission and reflection properties of ultrasound waves. For example, there is a device that obtains cross-sectional images of the human body by visualizing the time and intensity of the reflections of ultrasound waves as they pass through the human body and various organs.

[0004] Furthermore, there exists a device that uses heat generated by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to burn and remove specific subcutaneous tissues, such as intradermal tumors, or to induce degeneration and regeneration of skin tissue.

[0005] However, existing ultrasound devices have limitations in effectively monitoring the location of ultrasound focus and the process of tumor degeneration. Therefore, there are limitations in improving the accuracy of ultrasound irradiation and focusing while preventing safety accidents caused by inaccuracies in ultrasound irradiation and focusing.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0115728 (published on November 5, 2009) Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments disclosed herein can effectively monitor the location of ultrasound focusing and the process of tumor degeneration, thereby improving the accuracy of ultrasound irradiation and focusing, and preventing safety accidents caused by inaccurate ultrasound irradiation and focusing.

[0008] The technical problems that this disclosure aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned below through the following description.

[0009] An ultrasonic irradiation image correction apparatus according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is used to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. It is characterized by comprising: a memory; and a processor for controlling operations related to ultrasonic irradiation image correction, wherein the processor receives an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic imaging device, extracts an irradiated part image about a region of interest (ROI) from the ultrasonic image associated with an ultrasonic irradiation signal from the ultrasonic irradiation device, and generates a corrected adjustment image based on one or more image variations associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the irradiated part image, under the ultrasonic focusing state of the ultrasonic irradiation device, and controls the provision of the corrected adjustment image.

[0010] Furthermore, the processor is characterized in that it can extract images of the irradiated area based on amplitude and phase data.

[0011] Furthermore, the feature is that when correcting the image of the irradiated area, the processor can correct the brightness of the image of the irradiated area to a preset level.

[0012] Furthermore, the feature is that when correcting the image of the irradiated area, the processor can correct the edge of the image of the irradiated area to a preset level.

[0013] Furthermore, the processor can also control the display device to further display the image of the deformed part within the corrected irradiated area image through the display device.

[0014] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, an ultrasonic irradiation image correction method performed by an ultrasonic irradiation image correction device is characterized by comprising the following steps: receiving an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic imaging device; extracting an irradiated part image about a region of interest (ROI) from the ultrasonic image associated with an ultrasonic irradiation signal from the ultrasonic irradiation device; generating a corrected adjustment image in the case of an ultrasonic focusing state of the ultrasonic irradiation device based on one or more image variations associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the irradiated part image; and controlling the device to provide the corrected adjustment image.

[0015] Furthermore, the correction step may include the following step: correcting the brightness of the image of the irradiated area to a preset level.

[0016] Furthermore, the correction step may include the following step: correcting the edge of the image of the irradiated area to a preset level.

[0017] Furthermore, the control step may further include the following step: controlling the display device to further display the image of the deformed part within the corrected irradiated area image through the display device.

[0018] Furthermore, according to another aspect of this disclosure, an ultrasonic irradiation image correction system is characterized by comprising: an ultrasonic irradiation device; an ultrasonic imaging device; a display device; and an ultrasonic irradiation image correction device, communicating with the ultrasonic irradiation device, the ultrasonic imaging device, and the display device, wherein the ultrasonic irradiation image correction device receives an ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic imaging device, extracts an irradiated part image about a region of interest (ROI) from the ultrasonic image associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal of the ultrasonic irradiation device, generates a corrected adjustment image under ultrasonic focusing state based on one or more image changes associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the irradiated part image, and controls the provision of the corrected adjustment image.

[0019] In addition, in order to combine with a computer as hardware to perform the ultrasonic irradiation image correction method, a computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium can also be provided.

[0020] In addition, a computer-readable recording medium may be provided for recording a computer program for performing the methods implementing the present disclosure.

[0021] According to the technical solution disclosed herein for solving the above-mentioned technical problems, it is possible to effectively monitor the location of ultrasound focusing and the process of tumor degeneration, thereby improving the accuracy of ultrasound irradiation and focusing, and preventing safety accidents caused by inaccurate ultrasound irradiation and focusing in advance.

[0022] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other effects not mentioned below through the description below. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0023] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ultrasonic image providing system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic image processing device of Figure 1. Figures 3 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the ultrasonic image processing procedure according to the present disclosure. Implementation

[0024] Throughout this disclosure, the same reference numerals refer to the same constituent elements. This disclosure does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content in the technical field to which this disclosure pertains or content repeated between embodiments is omitted. The terms "part, module, component, block" used in the specification can be implemented in software or hardware, and according to embodiments, multiple "parts, modules, components, blocks" can be implemented by a single constituent element, or a single "part, module, component, block" can also include multiple constituent elements.

[0025] Throughout the instruction manual, when one part is "connected" to another part, it includes not only the case where the two parts are directly connected, but also the case where they are indirectly connected. Indirect connections include those connected via wireless communication networks.

[0026] Furthermore, when a part "includes" a certain constituent element, unless there is a particularly contrary statement, it means that other constituent elements may also be included, rather than excluding other constituent elements.

[0027] Throughout the instruction manual, when a component is "above" another component, this includes not only situations where one component is in contact with another component, but also situations where there is another component between the two components.

[0028] The terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one constituent element from another, and the constituent elements are not limited by the aforementioned terms.

[0029] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0030] The identification symbols used in each step are for ease of explanation and are not intended to indicate the order of the steps. Furthermore, unless a specific order is explicitly stated in the context, each step may be performed in a manner different from the order stated above.

[0031] The working principle and embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In this specification, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes various means capable of performing computational processing and providing results to a user. For example, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure may include all of the following: a computer, a server device, and a portable terminal, or may be any of these forms.

[0033] For example, a computer can include a laptop computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, touch screen tablet computer, etc., equipped with a web browser.

[0034] A server device, as a server that communicates with external devices to process information, can include application servers, computing servers, database servers, file servers, mail servers, proxy servers, and network servers, etc.

[0035] For example, portable terminals, as wireless communication devices that ensure portability and mobility, can include all kinds of handheld wireless communication devices such as Personal Communication System (PCS), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), Personal Handyphone System (PHS), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2000, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-2000, W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), Wireless Broadband Internet (WiBro), and Smartphones, as well as wearable devices such as watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted devices (HMDs).

[0036] The ultrasonic image providing system according to this disclosure receives an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic imaging device, extracts an irradiated part image about a region of interest (ROI) from the ultrasonic image of the ultrasonic imaging device associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal of the ultrasonic irradiation device, corrects the irradiated part image based on the amount of change of the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the irradiated part image, under the ultrasonic focusing state of the ultrasonic irradiation device, and controls a display device to display the corrected irradiated part image.

[0037] This ultrasound image providing system according to the present disclosure can effectively monitor the location of ultrasound focusing and the process of tumor degeneration, thereby improving the accuracy of ultrasound irradiation and focusing, and preventing safety accidents caused by inaccurate ultrasound irradiation and focusing.

[0038] The ultrasonic image providing system according to this disclosure will now be described in detail.

[0039] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ultrasonic image providing system according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 shows the configuration of the ultrasonic image processing apparatus of Figure 1.

[0040] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the ultrasonic image providing system 1000 may include an ultrasonic irradiation device 10, an ultrasonic imaging device 20, a display device 30, and an ultrasonic image processing device 100.

[0041] The ultrasonic irradiation device 10 can be a device for irradiating ultrasonic waves. In this case, the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 may include a handheld device or irradiation head equipped with a transducer. However, it is not limited to this, and the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 can be any device capable of irradiating ultrasonic waves.

[0042] The ultrasonic imaging device 20 can acquire ultrasonic images and transmit them to the ultrasonic image processing device 100. In this case, the ultrasonic imaging device 20 may include a probe, which may be mounted on one side of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10. For example, the probe may be mounted in the central portion of the irradiation head of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10. However, it is not limited to this; the ultrasonic imaging device 20 can be any device capable of acquiring ultrasonic images.

[0043] The ultrasonic image processing apparatus 100 can perform operations related to the processing of ultrasonic irradiation signals and the processing of ultrasonic images. In this case, the ultrasonic image processing apparatus 100 may include a memory 110, a processor 120, and a communication unit 130.

[0044] The communication unit 130 can communicate with the ultrasonic irradiation device 10, the ultrasonic imaging device 20, and the display device 30. The communication unit 130 can receive ultrasonic images from the ultrasonic imaging device 20. The communication unit 130 may include at least one of a wired communication module and a wireless communication module.

[0045] Wired communication modules can include not only various wired communication modules such as LAN (Local Area Network) modules, WAN (Wide Area Network) modules, or VAN (Value Added Network) modules, but also various cable communication modules such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), recommended standard 232 (RS-232), power line communication, or plain old telephone service (POTS).

[0046] In addition to Wi-Fi and wireless broadband modules, wireless communication modules can also include modules that support multiple wireless communication methods such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, 5G, and 6G.

[0047] The memory 110 can store algorithms for controlling the operation of components within the device or data about the program for reproducing algorithms. The processor 120 can use the data stored in the memory 110 to perform the above operations. Here, the memory 110 and the processor 120 can be implemented using separate chips. Furthermore, the memory 110 and the processor 120 can also be implemented using a single chip.

[0048] Memory 110 can store data for supporting various functions of the device and programs for operating the components within the device, can store input / output data, and can store multiple applications (or programs) driven within the device, data for operating the device, and instructions. At least some of these applications can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication.

[0049] This memory 110 can be at least one type of storage medium selected from flash memory, hard disk, solid state disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), multimedia card micro, card-type memory (e.g., Secure Digital (SD) or Extreme Digital (XD) memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disc.

[0050] The memory 110 can store data related to the processing of ultrasonic irradiation signals and ultrasonic image processing. The processor 120 can control operations related to the processing of ultrasonic irradiation signals and ultrasonic image processing.

[0051] The processor 120 can receive ultrasonic images from the ultrasonic imaging device 20, and can extract images of the irradiated area within the region of interest (ROI) of the ultrasonic image of the ultrasonic imaging device 20 associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10. In this case, the processor 120 can extract the irradiated area image based on amplitude and phase data. For example, the processor 120 can extract the irradiated area image based on in-phase quadrature (IQ) data.

[0052] The processor 120 can correct the image of the irradiated area based on the changes in the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the image, while the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 is in ultrasonic focusing mode. At this time, when correcting the image of the irradiated area, the processor 120 can correct the brightness and darkness of the image to a preset level. Furthermore, when correcting the image of the irradiated area, the processor 120 can correct the edges of the image to a preset level.

[0053] The processor 120 can control the display device 30 to display the corrected image of the irradiated area. At this time, the processor 120 can also control the display device 30 to further display images of the deformed areas within the corrected image of the irradiated area.

[0054] Figures 3 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the ultrasonic image processing procedure according to the present disclosure.

[0055] Referring to Figures 3 to 9, the ultrasonic image processing method may include a receiving step (S300), an extraction step (S310), a judgment step (S320), a correction step (S330), and a control step (S340).

[0056] During the receiving step, ultrasonic images can be received from the ultrasonic imaging device 20 via the communication unit 130 (S300).

[0057] In the extraction step, the processor 120 can extract the image of the irradiated part of the region of interest (ROI) in the ultrasonic image of the ultrasonic imaging device 20 associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 (S310).

[0058] Here, as shown in FIG4, the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 can output an ultrasonic irradiation signal corresponding to the ultrasonic irradiation position from the ultrasonic irradiation start position P1 to the ultrasonic irradiation end position Pn, and the ultrasonic imaging device 20 can output an ultrasonic image I associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal. For example, in order to induce necrosis of fibroids, the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 can irradiate ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic irradiation start position P1 to the ultrasonic irradiation end position Pn according to the location of the fibroid. This ultrasonic irradiation device 10 can accumulate heat while moving from the ultrasonic irradiation start position (P1 in FIG4) to the ultrasonic irradiation end position (Pn in FIG4), thereby enabling fibroid necrosis. At this time, the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 may include a handheld device or irradiation head equipped with a transducer. Furthermore, the ultrasonic imaging device 20 can acquire ultrasonic images. Here, the ultrasonic imaging device 20 may include a probe, which may be mounted on one side of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10. For example, the probe may be mounted in the central part of the irradiation head of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10.

[0059] At this time, the processor 120 can extract the image of the irradiated area based on amplitude and phase data. For example, the processor 120 can extract the image of the irradiated area based on in-phase quadrature (IQ) data. Here, IQ data can intuitively represent amplitude and phase data. Since the phase component of the IQ data is known, the value of frequency shift can be extracted. When processing IQ data based on this IQ data, the processor 120 can even use beamforming data to process the IQ data, thereby reducing the amount of data processing. Furthermore, the processor 120 can extract the image of the irradiated area about the region of interest before irradiation. At this time, the processor 120 can apply the extracted image of the irradiated area before irradiation as a default reference value.

[0060] In the judgment step, the processor 120 can determine whether the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 is in an ultrasonic focusing state based on the amount of change in the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the image of the irradiated area (S320). At this time, if there is a change in the ultrasonic irradiation signal, the processor 120 determines that it is in an ultrasonic focusing state; if there is no change in the ultrasonic irradiation signal, the processor 120 determines that it is in an ultrasonic unfocused state. For example, the processor 120 can confirm whether there is a change in the ultrasonic echo signal. Here, the echo can display the degree of color of the lesion presented through the ultrasonic image.

[0061] In the absence of any change in the ultrasonic irradiation signal, the processor 120 can display a warning message indicating that the ultrasonic wave is out of focus using at least one of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 and the display device 30, and then terminate the use of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10. Conversely, if a change in the ultrasonic irradiation signal is present, the processor 120 can indicate that the ultrasonic wave is in focus using at least one of the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 and the display device 30. Furthermore, if a change in the ultrasonic irradiation signal is present, the processor 120 can display the change in the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0062] Furthermore, the processor 120 can determine the signal change (echo change) before and after ultrasound irradiation in the image of the irradiated area based on in-phase quadrature (IQ) data, and output the signal change at each step in both the time and frequency domains. Here, the signal change before ultrasound irradiation has a small amplitude value due to the low reflectivity of the tissue, while the signal change after ultrasound irradiation has a large amplitude value due to the high reflectivity of the tissue. As shown in Figure 5, the processor 120 can output the amplitude change S, comparing the amplitude before and after ultrasound irradiation in the time domain, based on the IQ data. For example, the processor 120 can determine that the amplitude value after one ultrasound irradiation is 10 mVpp, and the amplitude value after two ultrasound irradiations is 20 mVpp. Thus, the processor 120 can determine the signal change of tissue that has deformed and hardened due to ultrasound irradiation. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the processor 120 can perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the time domain signal to analyze the frequency domain signal, and output the frequency components (f0 to f4) and the amplitude values ​​(S2 to S7) associated with the frequency components (f0 to f4) based on the analyzed frequency domain.

[0063] Furthermore, the processor 120 can also control the display device 30 to further display the signal changes in the time and frequency domains at each step. At this time, the processor 120 can display the amplitude changes in the time domain compared with those before and after ultrasonic irradiation at each step, and based on the analyzed frequency domain, can display the amplitude values ​​associated with the frequency components at each step.

[0064] For example, as shown in FIG7(a), the processor 120 can control the display device 30 to display the signal change S8 of the ultrasonic irradiation position (VP1~VP2) in the 2D irradiation site image I1 corresponding to the selected brightness mode (B mode) as an irradiation site image corresponding to the motion mode (M mode). As another example, as shown in FIG7(b), the processor 120 can control the display device 30 to display the portion designated as the scan line (ultrasonic line) L in the 2D irradiation site image I2 corresponding to the upper brightness mode (B mode) as an irradiation site image I3 corresponding to the motion mode (M mode) in the time axis direction. Here, the irradiation site image I3 corresponding to the M mode can visually display the change in the time axis direction. At this time, the processor 120 designates the focus area as the scan line (ultrasound line) L, and compares the signal before ultrasonic irradiation with the signal during ultrasonic irradiation based on the designated scan line (ultrasound line) L. It can also receive the signal change based on the comparison result and control the display device 30 to display the image of the irradiated area through the display device 30.

[0065] In the calibration step, when the ultrasonic irradiation device 10 is in ultrasonic focusing state, the image of the irradiated area can be calibrated by the processor 120 (S330).

[0066] As an example, when correcting the image of the illuminated area, the processor 120 can correct the brightness and darkness of the image of the illuminated area to a preset level. Here, as shown in FIG8, the processor 120 can extract the image of the illuminated area with respect to the region of interest (ROI) (S331), and can distinguish the brightness and darkness of the image of the illuminated area with respect to the region of interest (ROI) (S332).

[0067] Then, the processor 120 can perform correction by enhancing the brightness and darkness of the image of the illuminated part of the region of interest (ROI) to a preset level (S333). Here, the process of correcting by distinguishing and increasing the brightness and darkness of the image of the illuminated part is a process of increasing the distinction between black and white in the image so as to make the distinction clearer.

[0068] At this time, as a way to differentiate and enhance the brightness of the illuminated area image, the processor 120 can extract a histogram range on the black and white channel. Here, the histogram can be a graph representing the distribution of brightness values ​​within the image, and extracting the histogram range can be a process of extracting the distribution of brightness values ​​from black to white. That is, the processor 120 can determine whether the currently viewed image is too bright, too dark, or has appropriate brightness by extracting the histogram range. For example, the processor 120 can extract the histogram range in a preset range of 5% to 95% using image stretching to make the illuminated area image clearly visible. Not limited to this, the processor 120 can extract the histogram range in another range by setting parameters suitable for the condition of the illuminated area image.

[0069] Then, when correcting the image of the illuminated area, the processor 120 can correct the edges of areas with large changes in brightness to a preset level based on the brightness of the image of the illuminated area. Here, the processor 120 can utilize the Sobel algorithm applied to a 3×3 core, and can extract and synthesize the image of the illuminated area through x and y Sobel filters (S334). At this time, the Sobel algorithm can emphasize and display the visible boundary lines in the image of the illuminated area, adjust the value of the 3×3 matrix (core), and detect the amount of change in each direction based on the adjusted value of the 3×3 matrix (core). Furthermore, the Sobel filter can extract the image emphasizing the boundary lines in the x direction and the image emphasizing the boundary lines in the y direction, and can generate a composite image emphasizing the boundary lines in all directions by synthesizing the two images.

[0070] Then, the processor 120 can obtain an image with enhanced brightness and edges by synthesizing the original illuminated area image with a Sobel filter (S335). At this time, the processor 120 can synthesize the original illuminated area image with the Sobel filter, so that an image with enhanced brightness and edges is obtained by obtaining a sharpened image with prominent boundaries from the original illuminated area image.

[0071] In the control step, the processor 120 can control the display device 30 to display the corrected image of the irradiated area (S340). At this time, the processor 120 can also control the display device 30 to further display images of the deformed areas within the corrected irradiated area image. Here, the display device 30 can visualize the deformed areas within the region of interest. At this time, the user can accurately identify the deformed areas and the location of the focused ultrasound waves.

[0072] For example, as shown in FIG9(a), the display device 30 can display an image before ultrasound irradiation. As shown in FIG9(b) to (e), the display device 30 can display an image showing the enlarged degenerative area of ​​the fibroid in the corrected irradiation site image from step (b) to step (e) during ultrasound irradiation. At this time, in order to cause fibroid necrosis, the ultrasound irradiation device 10 can maintain the focused depth and focused time of the ultrasound at the same state, and can irradiate ultrasound from the ultrasound irradiation start position (P1 in FIG4) to the ultrasound irradiation end position (Pn in FIG4) according to the location of the fibroid. This ultrasound irradiation device 10 can accumulate heat by moving from the ultrasound irradiation start position (P1 in FIG4) to the ultrasound irradiation end position (Pn in FIG4), thereby enabling fibroid necrosis. Here, as shown in (f), because the heat is concentrated in the middle, compared to the starting position of ultrasound irradiation (P1 in FIG4) and the ending position of ultrasound irradiation (Pn in FIG4), the fibroid undergoes further necrosis in the Z-axis direction at the middle ultrasound irradiation position, and the display device 30 can display the final degenerated morphology in a spherical shape. At this time, before ultrasound irradiation, the fibroid tissue is in a soft state and is represented in black, while during ultrasound irradiation, the fibroid tissue becomes necrotic and hardened, and is represented in white.

[0073] As described above, this disclosure can effectively monitor the location of ultrasound focusing and the process of tumor degeneration, thus improving the accuracy of ultrasound irradiation and focusing, and preventing safety accidents caused by inaccurate ultrasound irradiation and focusing.

[0074] Regarding the performance of the constituent elements shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 through 7, and 9, at least one constituent element may be added or deleted. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the relative positions of the constituent elements may be altered to correspond to the performance or structure of the system.

[0075] Figures 3 and 8 illustrate the sequential execution of multiple steps. However, this is merely an illustrative representation of the technical concept of this embodiment. Those skilled in the art to which this embodiment pertains can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of this embodiment by changing the order or executing one or more steps in parallel as shown in Figures 3 and 8. Therefore, Figures 3 and 8 are not limited to the time sequence order.

[0076] Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions can be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, a program module can be generated to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium can be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0077] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store computer-readable instructions. For example, they may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0078] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features of the invention. The described embodiments should be understood as exemplary, not limiting.

[0079] 1000: System 100: Ultrasonic Image Processing Device 10: Ultrasonic Irradiation Device 20: Ultrasonic imaging device 30: Display device 110: Memory 120: Processor 130: Ministry of Communications S300, S310, S320, S320, S330, S340, S331, S332, S333, S334, S335, S336: Steps I: Ultrasound image I1, I2, I3: Images of the irradiated areas L: Scan line (ultrasound line) P1: Starting position of ultrasonic irradiation Pn: End position of ultrasonic irradiation f0, f1, f2, f3, f4: Frequency components S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7: Amplitude values S8: Signal Change VP1, VP2: Ultrasonic irradiation positions

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging correction device, characterized in that it comprises: Memory; The processor controls operations related to ultrasonic irradiation image correction, wherein the processor receives an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic imaging device, extracts an irradiated part image from a region of interest within the ultrasonic image associated with an ultrasonic irradiation signal from the ultrasonic irradiation device, determines whether the ultrasonic irradiation device is in an ultrasonic focusing state based on one or more image changes associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the ultrasonic image, and in the ultrasonic focusing state, adjusts at least one of a preset or dynamically determined brightness value and edge characteristics of the irradiated part image in the region of interest to generate a corrected adjustment image, controls the provision of the corrected adjustment image, the provision including at least one of displaying, storing, or providing to an external device, and the corrected adjustment image is superimposed on a brightness mode (B mode) image of the ultrasonic image.

2. The ultrasonic irradiation image correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor extracts an image of the irradiated area based on amplitude and phase data.

3. The ultrasonic irradiation image correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when correcting the image of the irradiated part, the processor corrects the edges of the image of the irradiated part to a preset edge value.

4. The ultrasonic irradiation image correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor further controls the display device to further display the image of the deformed part within the corrected irradiation site image via the display device.

5. An ultrasonic irradiation image correction method performed by an ultrasonic irradiation image correction device, characterized by comprising the following steps: receiving an ultrasonic image from an ultrasonic imaging device; extracting an irradiated part image from a region of interest within the ultrasonic image associated with an ultrasonic irradiation signal from the ultrasonic irradiation device; determining whether the ultrasonic irradiation device is in an ultrasonic focusing state based on one or more image changes associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the ultrasonic image; in the case of ultrasonic focusing state, adjusting at least one of a preset or dynamically determined brightness value and edge characteristics of the irradiated part image in the region of interest to generate a corrected adjustment image; and controlling the provision of the corrected adjustment image; wherein the provision includes at least one of displaying, storing, or providing to an external device, and the corrected adjustment image is superimposed on a brightness mode (B mode) image of the ultrasonic image.

6. The ultrasonic irradiation image correction method according to claim 5, wherein the correction step includes the following step: when correcting the image of the irradiated part, the edge of the image of the irradiated part is corrected to a preset edge value.

7. The ultrasonic irradiation image correction method according to claim 5, wherein the control step further includes the following step: controlling the display device to further display the image of the deformed part within the corrected irradiation site image through the display device.

8. An ultrasonic imaging correction system, characterized in that it comprises: Ultrasonic irradiation device; ultrasonic imaging device; display device; An ultrasonic irradiation image correction device is provided, which communicates with the ultrasonic irradiation device, the ultrasonic imaging device, and the display device. The ultrasonic irradiation image correction device receives an ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic imaging device, extracts an irradiated part image from the region of interest within the ultrasonic image associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal of the ultrasonic irradiation device, determines whether the ultrasonic irradiation device is in an ultrasonic focusing state based on one or more image changes associated with the ultrasonic irradiation signal within the ultrasonic image, and in the ultrasonic focusing state, adjusts at least one of a preset or dynamically determined brightness value and edge characteristics of the irradiated part image of the region of interest to generate a corrected adjustment image, controls the provision of the corrected adjustment image, the provision including at least one of displaying, storing, or providing to an external device, and the corrected adjustment image is superimposed on a brightness mode (B mode) image of the ultrasonic image.

Images