Ultrasonic imaging method and system

Abstract

An ultrasound imaging method comprises transmitting ultrasound waves to a target tissue of interest using a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time; determining a reference section in the contrast image and simultaneously obtaining a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section; transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest to obtain a current tissue structure image; matching the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determining a section to be examined based on the current tissue structure image that meets predetermined conditions; transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest using an elasticity imaging mode to obtain an elasticity image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined; and simultaneously displaying at least the contrast image of the reference section and the elasticity image of the section to be examined. Performing contrast imaging and elasticity imaging on the same section and displaying them simultaneously simplifies the user's operation process and makes the examination results more accurate and reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to ultrasound imaging technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for synchronously displaying ultrasound images in at least two imaging modes. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasonic elastography is one of the hot technologies in clinical research in recent years. It mainly uses ultrasound to detect the elasticity or hardness of biological tissues and outputs elasticity test results. It is increasingly used in the auxiliary detection of tissue cancer lesions, differentiation of benign and malignant lesions, and prognosis and recovery evaluation.

[0003] Ultrasound contrast imaging is an important examination method in ultrasound diagnosis. It mainly injects contrast agents into human blood vessels to enhance blood flow Doppler signals, thereby better observing the blood perfusion of tissues. It is of great significance in the detection and auxiliary diagnosis of clinical tumors.

[0004] Few commercial ultrasound products on the market can simultaneously support two ultrasound imaging technologies. Even those few models that do support both technologies use them as independent examination methods, typically requiring doctors to perform each technique separately. This makes it difficult to maintain the same cross-section of the target tissue when performing each procedure. Furthermore, it's difficult to simultaneously display and compare elasticity and contrast images, making it difficult to perform quantitative analysis of the same target area. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention mainly provides an ultrasonic imaging method and system, which, on the one hand, simplifies the doctor's operation, and on the other hand, enables quantitative analysis, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement results.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0007] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0008] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0009] Transmitting ultrasound to a target tissue of interest, receiving an echo signal, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasound;

[0010] Calculating a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0011] Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0012] Determining a section to be inspected based on a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0013] transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode based on the section to be examined, receiving echo signals, and obtaining an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0014] At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

[0015] In one embodiment, before the step of obtaining angiographic images, the following steps are included:

[0016] A target tissue image is acquired, and a target tissue of interest is identified based on the target tissue image.

[0017] In one embodiment, the target tissue image is obtained by ultrasound imaging, CT imaging, or MRI imaging.

[0018] In one embodiment, determining the reference section in the angiography image includes: determining the reference section according to image features in the angiography image.

[0019] In one embodiment, determining a reference section in the angiographic image includes:

[0020] A curve graph showing changes in contrast intensity at different moments within the period of time is generated according to the contrast image, and the reference section is determined according to the curve graph.

[0021] In one embodiment, determining the reference section according to the curve graph includes: determining the section of the angiography image corresponding to the moment when the angiography intensity is the largest on the curve graph as the reference section.

[0022] In one embodiment, determining the reference section in the angiography image includes: determining a section of the angiography image corresponding to a predetermined moment in the period of time as the reference section.

[0023] In one embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the matching degree is not less than a predetermined first threshold.

[0024] In one embodiment, the angiographic image of the reference section, the tissue structure image of the reference section, and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

[0025] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging method further includes:

[0026] determining a first area to be measured in the angiography image of the reference section;

[0027] Calculating a quantitative measurement result of the contrast in the first area to be measured;

[0028] According to the determined first area to be measured, obtaining a second area to be measured corresponding to the first area to be measured in the elastic image of the section to be inspected;

[0029] Calculating a quantitative elasticity measurement result within the second test area;

[0030] The angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result are displayed simultaneously.

[0031] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging method further includes:

[0032] determining a second area to be measured in the elastic image of the section to be examined;

[0033] Calculating a quantitative elasticity measurement result within the second test area;

[0034] According to the determined second area to be measured, obtaining a first area to be measured corresponding to the second area to be measured in the angiography image of the reference section;

[0035] Calculating a quantitative measurement result of the contrast in the first area to be measured;

[0036] The angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result are displayed simultaneously.

[0037] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging method further includes:

[0038] determining a third area to be measured on the tissue structure image of the reference section;

[0039] According to the determined third area to be measured, obtaining a first area to be measured corresponding to the third area to be measured on the angiographic image of the reference section and / or obtaining a second area to be measured corresponding to the third area to be measured on the elasticity image of the section to be examined;

[0040] Calculating a quantitative measurement result of angiography within the first area to be measured and / or calculating a quantitative measurement result of elasticity within the second area to be measured;

[0041] The angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result are displayed simultaneously.

[0042] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging method further includes: displaying a degree of matching between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section.

[0043] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, comprising:

[0044] Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound;

[0045] determining a reference section according to the tissue structure image of the target of interest;

[0046] Based on the determined reference section, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the region of interest in a contrast imaging mode, an echo signal of the ultrasonic wave transmitted in the contrast imaging mode is received, and a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest on the reference section is obtained according to the echo signal of the ultrasonic wave transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0047] Based on the determined reference section, ultrasound waves are emitted to the region of interest using an elastic imaging mode, echo signals of the ultrasound waves emitted by the elastic imaging mode are received, and an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the reference section is obtained according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves emitted by the elastic imaging mode.

[0048] The display step is to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image and the elasticity image of the reference section.

[0049] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0050] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0051] Determining a reference body in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body based on the determined reference body;

[0052] Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound;

[0053] Calculating a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body;

[0054] Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference body satisfies a predetermined condition;

[0055] determining the object to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference object meets a predetermined condition;

[0056] transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest based on the object to be inspected according to an elastic imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the object to be inspected according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0057] At least the angiographic image of the reference body and the elasticity image of the body to be inspected are displayed simultaneously.

[0058] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0059] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest using a first imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a first ultrasound image based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the first imaging mode;

[0060] Determining a reference section in the first ultrasound image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0061] Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound;

[0062] Calculating the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0063] Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0064] Determining a section to be inspected based on a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0065] transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to a second imaging mode based on the section to be examined, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a second ultrasound image by transmitting the echo signals of ultrasound waves according to the second imaging mode, wherein the second ultrasound image and the first ultrasound image adopt different imaging modes;

[0066] The display step comprises at least simultaneously displaying the first ultrasonic image of the reference section and the second ultrasonic image of the section to be examined.

[0067] In one embodiment, the first imaging mode is an elastic imaging mode, and the second imaging mode is a contrast imaging mode.

[0068] In one embodiment, the first imaging mode is a color flow imaging mode, and the second imaging mode is an elasticity imaging mode.

[0069] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0070] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0071] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0072] Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound;

[0073] Matching the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determining that the current tissue structure image that meets a preset condition is the section to be inspected;

[0074] Based on the tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined, transmitting ultrasound according to an elastic imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and acquiring an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined according to the echo signals of the ultrasound transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0075] At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

[0076] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0077] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0078] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0079] transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue elasticity image and the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0080] Matching the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determining that the current tissue structure image that meets a preset condition is the section to be inspected;

[0081] At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image corresponding to the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

[0082] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0083] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0084] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0085] transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue elasticity image and the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0086] Calculating a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0087] At least the angiography image of the reference section, the current tissue elasticity image, and the matching degree are displayed simultaneously.

[0088] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0089] transmitting ultrasound waves to a first target tissue of interest using a first imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a first ultrasound image based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the first imaging mode;

[0090] transmitting ultrasound waves to a second target tissue of interest using a second imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a second ultrasound image based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the second imaging mode;

[0091] Acquiring tissue section information in the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image, wherein the tissue section information includes at least one of tissue structure information, position information, and morphology information;

[0092] determining a matching degree between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image according to the tissue section information;

[0093] The matching degree between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image is displayed.

[0094] In one embodiment, the first target organization of interest and the second target organization of interest are respectively the same organization of the same target object, or the first target organization of interest and the second target organization of interest are respectively the same type of organizations of different target objects.

[0095] In one embodiment, the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode adopt different imaging modes, or the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode adopt the same imaging mode.

[0096] In one embodiment, the first ultrasound image includes an ultrasound image acquired based on a first target region of the first target tissue of interest, and the second ultrasound image includes an ultrasound image acquired based on a second target region of the second target tissue of interest.

[0097] In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging is provided, comprising:

[0098] Determine the section of the target tissue of interest to be examined;

[0099] a first ultrasound image and a second ultrasound image of the section to be examined, wherein one of the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image is an elasticity image, and the other of the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image includes at least one of a contrast image, an optical image, and a vector blood flow image;

[0100] The first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image are displayed simultaneously.

[0101] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging method further includes:

[0102] Acquiring tissue section information in the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image, wherein the tissue section information includes at least one of tissue structure information, position information, and morphology information;

[0103] determining a matching degree between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image according to the tissue section information;

[0104] The matching degree between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image is displayed.

[0105] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0106] Ultrasound probe,

[0107] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0108] a processor configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the contrast imaging mode to obtain a contrast image of a target tissue in a region of interest over a period of time;

[0109] The processor is further configured to determine a reference section in the angiographic image, and acquire a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0110] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are further used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest and receive echo signals;

[0111] The processor is further configured to obtain a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasound wave;

[0112] Calculating the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0113] Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0114] The processor is further configured to determine a section to be inspected based on a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0115] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are further configured to transmit ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode based on the section to be examined and receive echo signals;

[0116] The processor is further configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the elastic imaging mode to obtain an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined;

[0117] A display is used to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined.

[0118] In one embodiment, the processor is used to determine the reference section in the angiography image, including: the processor determines the reference section in the angiography image according to image features.

[0119] In one embodiment, the processor is used to determine the reference section in the angiography image, including: the processor generates a curve graph of the change of the angiography intensity at different times within the period of time according to the angiography image, and determines the reference section according to the curve graph.

[0120] In one embodiment, the display simultaneously displays the angiographic image of the reference section, the tissue structure image of the reference section, and the elasticity image on the section to be examined.

[0121] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0122] Ultrasound probe,

[0123] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest and receive echo signals;

[0124] A processor, configured to obtain a tissue structure image of a target region of interest based on the ultrasonic echo signal;

[0125] determining a reference section in the tissue structure image;

[0126] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit transmit ultrasound waves to the region of interest in a contrast imaging mode based on the determined reference section, and receive echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0127] The processor obtains a contrast image of the target tissue of interest on the reference section according to the echo signal of the ultrasound wave emitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0128] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit transmit ultrasound waves to the region of interest in an elastic imaging mode based on the determined reference section, and receive echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0129] The processor obtains an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the reference section according to the echo signal of the ultrasound wave emitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0130] A display is used to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image and the elasticity image of the reference section.

[0131] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0132] Ultrasound probe,

[0133] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0134] a processor, configured to obtain a contrast image of a target tissue in a region of interest over a period of time based on an echo signal of ultrasound waves emitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0135] Determining a reference body in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body based on the determined reference body;

[0136] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue in the region of interest and receive echo signals;

[0137] The processor obtains a current tissue structure image of a target tissue in a region of interest according to the echo signal of the emitted ultrasonic wave;

[0138] Calculating a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body;

[0139] Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference body satisfies a predetermined condition;

[0140] determining the object to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference object meets a predetermined condition;

[0141] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue in the region of interest according to the elastic imaging mode based on the object to be inspected, and receive echo signals;

[0142] The processor obtains an elastic image of a target tissue in a region of interest on the inspection object according to an echo signal of the ultrasonic wave emitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0143] The processor is further configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the elastic imaging mode to obtain an elastic image of the body to be examined;

[0144] The display is used to simultaneously display at least the radiographic image of the reference body and the elasticity image of the body to be inspected.

[0145] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0146] Ultrasound probe,

[0147] A transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, configured to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves toward a target tissue of interest using a first imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0148] a processor, configured to obtain a first ultrasound image of a target tissue in a region of interest based on an echo signal of the ultrasound wave emitted in the first imaging mode;

[0149] Determining a reference section in the first ultrasound image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0150] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest and receive echo signals;

[0151] The processor obtains a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest according to the echo signal of the emitted ultrasonic wave;

[0152] Calculating the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0153] Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0154] Determining a section to be inspected based on a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0155] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest according to the second imaging mode based on the section to be examined and receive echo signals;

[0156] The processor obtains a second ultrasound image according to an echo signal of an ultrasound wave emitted in the second imaging mode, wherein the second imaging mode is different from the first imaging mode;

[0157] The processor is further configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the second imaging mode to obtain a second imaging mode image of the section to be inspected;

[0158] A display is used to simultaneously display at least the first imaging mode image of the reference section and the second imaging mode image of the section to be inspected.

[0159] In one embodiment, the first imaging mode image is an elastic imaging mode, and the second imaging mode image is a contrast imaging mode.

[0160] In one embodiment, the first imaging mode image is a color flow imaging mode, and the second imaging mode image is an elasticity imaging mode.

[0161] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0162] Ultrasound probe,

[0163] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0164] a processor configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the contrast imaging mode to obtain a contrast image of a target tissue in a region of interest over a period of time;

[0165] The processor is further configured to determine a reference section in the angiographic image, and acquire a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0166] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are further used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest and receive echo signals;

[0167] The processor is further configured to obtain a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasound wave;

[0168] The processor is further configured to match the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determine that the current tissue structure image that meets a preset condition is the section to be inspected;

[0169] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are further configured to transmit ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode based on the section to be examined and receive echo signals;

[0170] The processor transmits an ultrasonic echo signal according to the elastic imaging mode to obtain an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined;

[0171] A display is used to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined.

[0172] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0173] Ultrasound probe,

[0174] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0175] a processor configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the contrast imaging mode to obtain a contrast image of a target tissue in a region of interest over a period of time;

[0176] The processor is further configured to determine a reference section in the angiographic image, and acquire a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0177] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are further used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest according to the elastic imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0178] The processor is further configured to acquire a current tissue elasticity image and the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest by transmitting an echo signal of ultrasound according to the elastic imaging mode;

[0179] The processor is further configured to match the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determine that the current tissue structure image that meets a preset condition is the section to be inspected;

[0180] A display is used to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image corresponding to the section to be examined.

[0181] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0182] Ultrasound probe,

[0183] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0184] a processor configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the contrast imaging mode to obtain a contrast image of a target tissue in a region of interest over a period of time;

[0185] The processor is further configured to determine a reference section in the angiographic image, and acquire a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0186] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are further used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest according to the elastic imaging mode and receive echo signals;

[0187] The processor is further configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the elastic imaging mode to obtain a current tissue elasticity image and the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest;

[0188] The processor is further configured to calculate a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0189] A display is used to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image of the reference section, the current tissue elasticity image, and the matching degree.

[0190] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, comprising:

[0191] Ultrasound probe,

[0192] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest and receive echo signals;

[0193] a processor, configured to execute the super imaging method described in any one of the above method embodiments according to the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic wave;

[0194] A display is used to display the result of the execution of the processor.

[0195] This embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging method and an ultrasound imaging system, which first perform contrast imaging on the target tissue of interest. The processor stores the contrast image and tissue structure image of the reference section, and generates elastic imaging for the section to be examined. The reference section and the section to be examined are approximately considered to be the same section, thereby obtaining blood flow microcirculation perfusion and hardness information of the target tissue. Therefore, this embodiment can perform contrast imaging and elastic imaging on the same section and display them simultaneously. The traditional operation method requires the user to operate independently in sequence, and it is difficult to keep the inspection section of the target tissue the same when operating successively. The ultrasound imaging method and system of this embodiment can ensure that the inspection sections of different imaging modes remain the same and are displayed synchronously, which simplifies the doctor's operation and can also perform quantitative analysis on the same inspection section, which is conducive to providing the accuracy of the measurement results. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0196] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0197] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0198] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0199] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0200] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0201] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0202] Figure 7 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0203] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0204] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0205] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0206] Figure 11 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0207] Figure 12 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasound imaging system in one embodiment of the present application;

[0208] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0209] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0210] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0211] Figure 16 This is a flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0212] Figure 17 This is a flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0213] The present invention will be further described in detail below by means of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are numbered with associated similar elements. In the following embodiments, many detailed descriptions are provided to enable the present application to be better understood. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that some of the features may be omitted in different circumstances, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, some operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid the core portion of the present application being overwhelmed by excessive descriptions, and for those skilled in the art, it is not necessary to describe these related operations in detail. They will fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and the general technical knowledge in the art.

[0214] In addition, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification may be combined in any appropriate manner to form various embodiments. Furthermore, the steps or actions in the method description may be reordered or adjusted in a manner readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various sequences in the specification and drawings are provided solely for the purpose of clearly describing a particular embodiment and are not intended to be mandatory, unless otherwise specified.

[0215] The serial numbers assigned to components herein, such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely to distinguish the objects being described and do not convey any sequential or technical meaning. References to "connection" and "coupling" herein, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (couplings).

[0216] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is provided, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes an ultrasound probe 110 , a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit 120 , a processor 130 and a display 140 .

[0217] The ultrasound probe 110 includes a transducer (not shown) composed of multiple array elements arranged in an array. The array elements can be arranged in a row to form a linear array, or in a two-dimensional matrix to form a planar array. The array elements can also form a convex array. The array elements are used to transmit ultrasonic beams based on excitation electrical signals or to convert received ultrasonic beams into electrical signals. Therefore, each array element can be used to convert electrical pulse signals into and from ultrasonic beams, thereby transmitting an ultrasonic beam to the target tissue being examined (e.g., organs, tissues, blood vessels, fetuses, etc. in the human or animal body) and also to receive echoes of the ultrasonic beam reflected from the tissue. During ultrasonic testing, transmit and receive sequences can be used to control which array elements are used to transmit and which are used to receive ultrasonic beams, or to control the time slots in which the array elements are used to transmit and receive ultrasonic beams. Array elements participating in ultrasonic beam transmission can be simultaneously excited by electrical signals, thereby emitting ultrasonic waves simultaneously; alternatively, array elements participating in ultrasonic beam transmission can be excited by multiple electrical signals separated by a certain time interval, thereby continuously emitting ultrasonic waves separated by a certain time interval.

[0218] The transmitting / receiving circuit 120 is used to generate a transmit sequence / receive sequence. The transmit sequence is used to control some or all of the multiple array elements to transmit ultrasound waves toward the target tissue. The transmit sequence parameters include the transmit array element position, the number of array elements, and ultrasound beam transmission parameters (e.g., amplitude, frequency, number of transmissions, transmission interval, transmission angle, waveform, and focal position). The receive sequence is used to control some or all of the multiple array elements to receive ultrasound beam echoes after reflection from tissue. The receive sequence parameters include the receive array element position, the number of array elements, and echo reception parameters (e.g., reception angle and depth). Depending on the application of the ultrasound beam echo or the image and / or detection type generated based on the ultrasound beam echo, the ultrasound beam parameters in the transmit sequence and the echo parameters in the receive sequence may differ.

[0219] In this embodiment, the transmit / receive circuit 120 is configured to output a transmit / receive sequence for ultrasound contrast imaging mode to the ultrasound probe 110, controlling the ultrasound probe 110 to transmit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of the tissue being measured and to receive echoes of the ultrasound beam returned from the region of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the transmit sequence sends a set of pulse signals with different delays to each transmit element of the ultrasound probe 110, controlling the transmit element to transmit the corresponding ultrasound beam along the corresponding two-dimensional scanning plane toward the region of interest. The receive elements in the ultrasound probe 110, which are configured to receive echoes, receive the echo signals reflected from the region of interest and output the converted echo signals, which have been converted into electrical signals, to the processor. In this embodiment, the transmit / receive circuit 120 is configured to continuously output the transmit / receive sequence to the ultrasound probe 110 multiple times over a period of time, causing the ultrasound probe to continuously transmit ultrasound beams toward the region of interest. Each transmission forms a frame of ultrasound image after subsequent processing, and the continuous ultrasound image frame data forms ultrasound video data.

[0220] In ultrasound contrast imaging, ultrasound contrast agent microbubbles enhance the intensity of reflected echoes. Their diameter is very small, roughly the size of blood cells, and they can diffuse through the bloodstream to various organs. Because tumors are vascularized, the contrast agent microbubbles in the imaging images are abundantly perfused, and the microbubble motion exhibits significant nonlinear characteristics. Clinically, ultrasound contrast imaging has been widely used for the differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of benign and malignant tumors. Ultrasound contrast imaging is used to observe lesions, record the perfusion of contrast agent within the tumor, and determine the tumor's location and size. Typically, users focus on sections with high blood perfusion.

[0221] In this embodiment, conventional ultrasound contrast imaging of the target tissue of interest typically requires the injection of a contrast agent into the human body, followed by the initiation of an ultrasound contrast imaging scan sequence, followed by observation, recording, and storage of contrast images over a period of time. The contrast images can be either two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The entire contrast imaging process can last several minutes, and it is difficult for the probe to remain absolutely still. Therefore, the section corresponding to the contrast image is unlikely to remain exactly the same during this period, and may vary due to probe movement.

[0222] The processor 130 is used to transmit the echo signal of the ultrasound according to the contrast imaging mode, that is, the echo signal within a period of time, to obtain the contrast image of the target tissue of interest within the period of time. Among them, the tissue structure images corresponding to the contrast images at different times can be displayed simultaneously, referring to Figure 3-Figure 5As shown, the contrast images and corresponding tissue structure images at different times can be seen from the contrast images. The contrast intensity can be seen to change with time, and the strength of the contrast intensity shows the strength of blood perfusion. At the same time, the anatomical structure information can be observed through the tissue structure image; or only the contrast images within the time period can be displayed without displaying the corresponding tissue structure image.

[0223] The processor 130 is also used to determine a reference section in the angiography image, and obtain a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section. The angiography imaging mode obtains angiography image frames within a period of time. If the user believes that the characteristics of one frame of image can meet the clinical observation requirements during the film selection process, the section corresponding to this frame of image can be determined as the reference section. The image characteristics can be blood perfusion related information. The determination of the reference section can also be based on certain preset conditions. For example, a curve graph of the contrast intensity changing with different moments within a time period is generated based on the selected lesion area. The time period is included in the aforementioned time period for obtaining the contrast image, and a reference section is selected on the contrast intensity-time curve graph based on the preset conditions. Preferably, the section corresponding to the moment when the contrast intensity is the largest is selected as the reference section, such as Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the moment when the contrast intensity is maximum indicates that the blood perfusion in the lesion area has reached its peak, which can better reflect the microcirculatory status of the lesion area. The tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section can be obtained by determining the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section from the tissue structure image obtained when the contrast image was previously obtained, or by re-performing the imaging process after obtaining the reference section, that is, re-emitting ultrasound and receiving ultrasound echoes to obtain echo signals, and then obtaining the tissue structure image of the reference section based on the echo signals.

[0224] The transmitting circuit / receiving circuit 120 is used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit ultrasonic beams to the region of interest of the measured tissue, and receive echo signals of the ultrasonic beams returned by the region of interest.

[0225] The processor 130 is further configured to obtain a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasound.

[0226] The processor 130 is also used to calculate the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and obtain the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets the predetermined conditions based on the calculated matching degree. The section to be inspected is determined based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets the predetermined conditions. The user can subjectively judge whether the sections are consistent and provide an estimated matching degree, or the processor can calculate the consistency degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section through a matching algorithm and provide the doctor with a prompt, such as a prompt of the matching degree, etc. Figure 7-Figure 9 When the matching degree meets the user's requirements, it can be approximately considered that the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section and the current tissue structure image are the same section, so that the current tissue structure image that meets the requirements can be determined as the section to be inspected.

[0227] The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit 120 are further configured to transmit ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to the elastic imaging transmission mode based on the section to be examined, and receive echo signals.

[0228] The processor 130 is further configured to transmit an ultrasonic echo signal according to the elastic imaging mode to obtain an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined. Figure 10 As shown, the processor stores the elastic image of the section to be examined.

[0229] The processor 130 may also simultaneously obtain the current tissue structure image and the current tissue elasticity image based on the echo signal obtained by the ultrasound wave emitted in the elasticity imaging mode, without first obtaining the current tissue structure image and then obtaining the elasticity image.

[0230] The processor 130 may also simultaneously obtain a current tissue structure image and a current tissue elasticity image based on echo signals obtained from ultrasound waves emitted in the elastic imaging mode, calculate a degree of match between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and simultaneously display at least the angiographic image of the reference section, the current tissue elasticity image, and the degree of match. The processor 130 may not determine whether the degree of match meets operational requirements, and ultimately display information such as the reference section angiographic image, the current tissue elasticity image, and the degree of match between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section on a display for the operator's reference.

[0231] Elastography measures the elasticity or stiffness of tissues within the body, and its images can show information about the distribution of elasticity in tissues.

[0232] The elastic imaging in this embodiment can be stress elastic imaging or shear wave elastic imaging. In stress elastic imaging, when the ultrasound probe is firmly placed against the body, the degree of compression of the underlying soft tissue is greater than that of the underlying hard tissue, so the softness and hardness of the body tissue can be displayed on the elastic image by the different degrees of compression. In shear wave elastic imaging, when a point on the body is compressed and then released, the underlying tissue is compressed downward, and then rebounds upward when the compression force is released. However, since the tissue under compression is continuously combined with the surrounding tissue, the uncompressed tissue on the side of the force vector will also respond to the up and down movement of the compressed tissue and generate shear waves. The shear waves will pass through the soft tissue at a certain speed and through the hard tissue at another higher speed. By detecting the speed at which the shear waves pass through the soft and hard tissues, the softness and hardness of the tissue can be obtained.

[0233] In this embodiment, the elastic image is in a continuous imaging mode, which continuously acquires multiple frames of elastic images, and the user selects a satisfactory frame image as the result; it can also be in a single-frame imaging mode, which acquires only one frame of elastic image at a time.

[0234] The display 140 is used to simultaneously display at least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elastic image of the section to be examined. The display 140 can simultaneously display the angiographic image of the reference section and the elastic image of the section to be examined, or it can simultaneously display the angiographic image, tissue structure image and elastic image of the section to be examined. Figure 11 shown.

[0235] This embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging system that first performs contrast imaging of the target tissue of interest. A processor stores the contrast imaging image and tissue structure image of a reference section, identifies a section to be examined within the reference section, and performs elastic imaging on the section to be examined. The tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section and the section to be examined are matched by a calculation. When the matching degree satisfies a predetermined condition, the tissue structure image of the reference section and the section to be examined are approximately considered to be the same section, thereby obtaining blood flow microcirculation perfusion and hardness distribution information for the same section. This embodiment can simultaneously perform contrast imaging and elastic imaging on the same section. Traditionally, the user has to perform these two different imaging modes independently, making it difficult to maintain the same section. The ultrasound imaging system provided by this embodiment simplifies the user's operation process and makes the examination results more accurate and reliable.

[0236] In one embodiment, based on the above-mentioned ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging method is as follows:

[0237] Step 11, use contrast imaging mode to transmit ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receive echo signals, and obtain contrast images of the target tissue of interest within a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound transmitted by the contrast imaging mode. In this embodiment, to perform ultrasound contrast imaging on the target tissue of interest, it is usually necessary to first inject a contrast agent into the human body, and start the ultrasound contrast imaging scanning sequence, and observe, record and store the contrast images for a period of time. The contrast images can be two-dimensional images or three-dimensional images. The entire contrast imaging process will last for several minutes, and it is difficult for the probe to remain absolutely still. Therefore, the section corresponding to the contrast image during this period is difficult to maintain the same section, and will be different due to the movement of the probe. Figure 3-Figure 5 As shown, according to the contrast imaging mode, an echo signal of ultrasound is emitted, that is, an echo signal within a period of time, to obtain a contrast image of the target tissue of interest within the period of time.

[0238] In one embodiment, step 11 of obtaining angiographic images further includes:

[0239] Step 1101: When obtaining an angiographic image, simultaneously display the tissue structure image corresponding to the angiographic image. Figure 3-Figure 5 As shown, the tissue structure image can be generated by extracting echo signal components from ultrasound echo signals emitted in the contrast imaging mode. Alternatively, the tissue structure image can be generated by transmitting ultrasound waves separately, obtaining echo data, and then generating the tissue structure image. The ultrasound waves emitted to obtain the tissue structure image can be interleaved with the ultrasound waves emitted in the contrast imaging mode to maintain synchronous imaging. Displaying the tissue structure image simultaneously with contrast imaging allows users to observe both blood perfusion information and the anatomical structure of the corresponding tissue, providing more reference information.

[0240] In one embodiment, only the contrast image may be displayed.

[0241] In one embodiment, before step 11, obtaining the angiographic image, the method further includes step 10, such as Figure 13 As shown:

[0242] Step 10: Acquire a target tissue image and identify the target tissue of interest based on the target tissue image, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0243] In one embodiment, the target tissue image is obtained by ultrasound imaging, CT imaging, or MRI imaging.

[0244] Step 12: Determine a reference section in the contrast imaging image and acquire a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section. During the contrast imaging process, the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section may be determined from a tissue structure image previously obtained during the contrast imaging process, or the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section may be determined by re-performing the imaging process after obtaining the reference section, i.e., re-emitting ultrasound waves and receiving ultrasound echoes to obtain echo signals, and then acquiring the tissue structure image of the reference section based on the echo signals.

[0245] In one embodiment, determining a reference section in the angiographic image comprises the following steps:

[0246] Step 1201: Determine a reference section in the angiographic image. The reference section can be determined based on image features in the angiographic image. During the image selection process, the user observes and determines that the features of one frame of image meet clinical observation requirements. Generally, users tend to focus on sections with relatively high blood perfusion. The determined reference section can be the section with the richest blood flow information in the acquired angiographic image. Alternatively, the section with relatively high blood flow information may be any section, not necessarily the richest, as long as it meets the user's clinical observation requirements. Image features may include brightness, morphology, and perfusion rate.

[0247] In one embodiment, determining a reference section in the angiographic image comprises the following steps:

[0248] Step 1202: Generate a graph of the contrast intensity versus time during the time period based on the contrast image, and determine a reference section based on the graph. This time period is included in the aforementioned time period for acquiring the contrast image. Because the probe cannot remain absolutely still and moves throughout this time period, it is difficult to maintain the same section for contrast imaging during this time period. Each moment corresponds to a different section, and the reference section is determined based on the contrast intensity-time graph.

[0249] In one embodiment, a reference section is selected on the contrast intensity-time curve according to preset conditions, and the section corresponding to the contrast image at the moment of maximum contrast intensity can be selected as the reference section, such as Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the moment when the contrast intensity is the largest indicates that the blood perfusion in the lesion area has reached its peak value, which can better reflect the microcirculation state of the lesion area. The section corresponding to the peak value of blood perfusion is determined as the reference section.

[0250] In one embodiment, determining a reference section in the angiographic image comprises the following steps:

[0251] Step 1203: Determine the cross-section of the angiography image corresponding to a predetermined time in a period of time as a reference cross-section. The predetermined time can be a specific time, such as 30 seconds after the start of angiography, or a time 10 seconds before or after the peak time.

[0252] Step 13: transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest, receive echo signals, and obtain a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasonic waves.

[0253] Step 14, calculate the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section. The user can subjectively judge whether the sections are consistent and give an estimated matching degree, or the processor can calculate the consistency between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section through a matching algorithm and give the doctor a prompt, such as a prompt matching degree, etc. Figure 7-Figure 9 shown.

[0254] Step 15: Based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image is obtained, the matching degree of which with the tissue structure image of the reference section satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0255] Step 16: Determine the section to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition.

[0256] In one embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the matching degree is not less than a predetermined first threshold. The matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section is obtained by a matching algorithm. When the matching degree is not less than the predetermined first threshold, the current tissue structure image is determined to be the section to be examined. The processor calculates the degree of consistency between the current examination section and the reference section and gives the doctor a prompt on the interface, such as Figure 7-Figure 9 As shown, the matching degree prompt can be displayed in real time or only when a first threshold condition is met. The first threshold can be set, for example, 99%, which indicates that the section consistency is acceptable. The matching algorithm can be a similarity algorithm, such as the perceptual hash algorithm, the correlation coefficient algorithm, etc.

[0257] In one embodiment, step 16 further includes:

[0258] The current tissue structure image is matched with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section through the characteristic structure image information, and the current tissue structure image is determined to be the section to be inspected. The characteristic structure information includes the position information of the characteristic structure in the reference section, and can also include the relative position information between the characteristic structures, etc. When the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section and the current tissue structure image are the same section, the same section here does not mean absolutely the same section, but is approximately considered to be the same section. The relative position relationship of the same characteristic structure in the two section images should be consistent. Therefore, when the relative position of the same characteristic structure in the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section and the current tissue structure image is consistent, it can be considered that the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section and the current tissue structure image are the same section. If they are inconsistent, guidance can be performed until the predetermined conditions are met and they can be considered consistent.

[0259] Step 17, based on the section to be examined, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the target tissue in the region of interest according to the elastic imaging mode, echo signals are received, and an elastic image of the target tissue in the region of interest on the section to be examined is obtained according to the echo signals of the ultrasonic waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode, such as Figure 10 As shown in the figure, elastic imaging can be either pressure elastic imaging or shear wave elastic imaging. Elastic imaging can be performed in continuous imaging mode, acquiring multiple elastic image frames continuously, with the user selecting a satisfactory frame as the result; or in single-frame imaging mode, acquiring only a single elastic image frame at a time. Elastic imaging can reveal information about the elastic distribution of tissues.

[0260] Step 18: at least simultaneously display the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined.

[0261] In one embodiment, step 18 further includes:

[0262] Simultaneously display the angiographic image, tissue structure image, and elasticity image of the reference section. Figure 11 As shown, the tissue structure image, contrast image and elasticity image are displayed simultaneously on the same section, so as to obtain the anatomical structure information of the tissue, blood microcirculation perfusion information and elasticity distribution information at the same time, which can provide users with more comprehensive clinical information and provide better guidance for user operations.

[0263] In one embodiment, after step 18, the method further includes:

[0264] Step 19, determine the first area to be measured in the angiography image of the reference section, calculate the angiography quantitative measurement result in the first area to be measured, obtain the second area to be measured corresponding to the first area to be measured in the elasticity image of the section to be checked based on the determined first area to be measured, calculate the elasticity quantitative measurement result in the second area to be measured, and display the angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result at the same time. The first area to be measured is selected in the angiography image of the reference section, wherein the first area to be measured can be determined by receiving user input or automatically determined by processing the image. According to the spatial position mapping, the first area to be measured will be automatically mapped to the elasticity image of the section to be checked, and the reference section will be automatically mapped to the elasticity image of the section to be checked. Figure 12 The first area to be tested can be the area inside the lesion boundary on the image, or can be a ring shell area with a certain thickness inside or outside the lesion boundary, such as 2mm. Figure 12 As shown, the total area inside the lesion boundary after expanding outward or inward by a certain thickness can also be selected.

[0265] In one embodiment, a second area to be measured may be first determined in the elasticity image of the section to be inspected, and the elasticity quantitative measurement result within the second area to be measured may be calculated. Based on the determined second area to be measured, a first area to be measured corresponding to the second area to be measured may be obtained in the angiography image of the reference section, and the angiography quantitative measurement result within the first area to be measured may be calculated, and the angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result may be displayed simultaneously.

[0266] In one embodiment, a third area to be measured is determined on the tissue structure image of the reference section, and based on the determined third area to be measured, a first area to be measured corresponding to the third area to be measured is obtained on the contrast image of the reference section and / or a second area to be measured corresponding to the third area to be measured is obtained on the elasticity image of the section to be examined, and the contrast quantitative measurement results within the first area to be measured and / or the elasticity quantitative measurement results within the second area to be measured are calculated, and the contrast quantitative measurement results and the elasticity quantitative measurement results are displayed simultaneously.

[0267] In one embodiment, the area to be measured is determined on any one of the imaging mode images, namely, the tissue structure image, the angiography image, or the elasticity image corresponding to the section to be examined, and the area to be measured is automatically mapped to another one or two of the three imaging mode images.

[0268] In one embodiment, based on the above embodiment, the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section is displayed.

[0269] In one embodiment, the quantitative angiography measurement results include: parameters related to blood perfusion information, such as perfusion intensity and perfusion velocity.

[0270] In one embodiment, the elastic quantitative measurement results include elasticity-related parameters, such as Young's modulus, shear wave propagation velocity, or statistical results of elasticity-related parameters.

[0271] This embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging method, which first performs contrast imaging on the target tissue of interest.

[0272] The processor stores the contrast image and tissue structure image of the reference section, and generates elastic imaging for the section to be examined. The reference section and the section to be examined are approximately considered to be the same section, thereby obtaining blood flow microcirculation perfusion and hardness information of the target tissue. Therefore, this embodiment can perform contrast imaging and elastic imaging on the same section and display them simultaneously. The traditional operation method requires the user to operate independently in sequence, and it is difficult to keep the examination section of the target tissue the same when operating successively. The ultrasound imaging system provided by this embodiment can simplify the user's operation process and make the examination results more accurate and reliable.

[0273] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, such as Figure 14 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0274] Step 21, using contrast imaging mode to transmit ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, obtaining contrast images of the target tissue of interest over a period of time according to the echo signals of ultrasound emitted in the contrast imaging mode, and obtaining a tissue structure image of the tissue of interest according to the echo signals of ultrasound emitted in the contrast imaging mode, referring to Figure 3-Figure 5 As shown, while imaging, tissue structure images are also generated. While observing blood perfusion information, the anatomical structure information of the corresponding tissue can also be observed, which can provide users with more reference information.

[0275] Step 22: determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section.

[0276] Step 23, transmit ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receive the echo signal, and obtain the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasound. Step 24, calculate the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section. Among them, it can be used to subjectively judge whether the sections are consistent and give an estimated matching degree, or the processor can calculate the consistency between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section through a matching algorithm and give the doctor a prompt, such as a prompt matching degree, etc. Figure 7-Figure 9 shown.

[0277] Step 25 : obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition.

[0278] Step 26 : determining the section to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition.

[0279] Step 27, based on the section to be examined, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the target tissue in the region of interest according to the elastic imaging mode, echo signals are received, and an elastic image of the target tissue in the region of interest on the section to be examined is obtained according to the echo signals of the ultrasonic waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode, such as Figure 10 shown.

[0280] Step 28: at least simultaneously display the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image of the section to be examined.

[0281] This embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging method, which first performs contrast imaging and tissue structure imaging on the target tissue of interest, determines a reference section through the contrast imaging image, and matches the current tissue structure image with the reference section to determine the section to be inspected, performs elastic imaging on the section to be inspected, thereby obtaining blood microcirculation perfusion and hardness information of the target tissue, performs contrast imaging and elastic imaging on the same section and displays them simultaneously, and simultaneously displays the blood perfusion information and anatomical structure information of the target tissue of interest when determining the reference section, providing more comprehensive and intuitive information, making the inspection results more accurate and reliable.

[0282] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, such as Figure 15 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0283] Step 31 , transmitting ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasonic waves.

[0284] Step 32: Determine a reference section based on the tissue structure image of the target of interest.

[0285] Step 33, based on the determined reference section, ultrasound is transmitted to the region of interest using a contrast imaging mode, echo signals of the ultrasound transmitted by the contrast imaging mode are received, and a contrast image of the target tissue of interest on the reference section is obtained according to the echo signals of the ultrasound transmitted by the contrast imaging mode.

[0286] Step 34, based on the determined reference section, ultrasound is transmitted to the region of interest using the elastic imaging mode, echo signals of the ultrasound transmitted in the elastic imaging mode are received, and an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the reference section is obtained according to the echo signals of the ultrasound transmitted in the elastic imaging mode.

[0287] The reference section is respectively provided with an echo signal of ultrasound emitted in the contrast imaging mode and an echo signal of ultrasound emitted in the elastic imaging mode, to obtain a contrast image and an elastic image of the section to be examined. Both the contrast image and the elastic image are performed based on the same reference section, and the contrast imaging and elastic imaging processes can be performed synchronously or asynchronously. During the acquisition of the contrast image, a contrast agent will be injected first. If elastic imaging uses shear waves, the energy of the shear waves is very strong and will destroy the microbubbles of the contrast agent, while compression elastic imaging can achieve the requirement of not destroying the microbubbles. In one embodiment, during the process of synchronously obtaining contrast imaging and elastic imaging, compression elastic imaging will be preferred.

[0288] Step 35: Simultaneously display at least the angiographic image and elasticity image of the reference section. The angiographic image, tissue structure image, and elasticity image of the reference section can be displayed simultaneously, thereby simultaneously obtaining information about the tissue's anatomical structure, blood flow microcirculation perfusion, and elasticity distribution. This can provide the user with more comprehensive clinical information and better guidance for user operation.

[0289] This embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging method, which first performs tissue structural imaging of the target tissue of interest, determines a reference section through the tissue structural image, and performs and displays contrast imaging and elasticity imaging based on the reference section, thereby obtaining blood flow microcirculation perfusion and hardness information of the target tissue over a period of time. The information provided is more comprehensive and intuitive, making the examination results more accurate and reliable.

[0290] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, such as Figure 16 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0291] Step 41 , transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining contrast images of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode.

[0292] Step 42 is to determine a reference body in the angiographic image and obtain a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body based on the determined reference body. During the angiographic imaging process, the corresponding tissue structure image can be generated synchronously. Once the reference body is determined, the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body is also generated synchronously. In this case, the processor stores both the angiographic image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body. Alternatively, during the angiographic imaging process, only the angiographic image can be generated. Once the reference body is determined, the corresponding tissue structure image is generated based on the reference body. In this case, the processor stores both the angiographic image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body.

[0293] Step 43: transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound.

[0294] Step 44, calculating the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body;

[0295] Step 45, obtaining a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference body satisfies a predetermined condition based on the calculated matching degree;

[0296] Step 46, determining the object to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference object meets a predetermined condition;

[0297] In step 47, ultrasound waves are transmitted to the target tissue of interest based on the object to be examined in an elastic imaging mode, echo signals are received, and an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the object to be examined is obtained based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode. The elastic image can be acquired in a continuous imaging mode, where multiple frames of elastic images are acquired continuously, with the user selecting a satisfactory frame as the result; or in a single-frame imaging mode, where only a single elastic image is acquired at a time. The elastic image can display information about the elastic distribution of the tissue.

[0298] Step 48: at least simultaneously display the angiographic image of the reference body and the elasticity image of the body to be examined.

[0299] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, such as Figure 17 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0300] In step 51, ultrasound waves are transmitted to the target tissue of interest using a first imaging mode, echo signals are received, and a first ultrasound image is obtained based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the first imaging mode. The first ultrasound image can be an image in various imaging modes, such as a contrast image, an elasticity image, a color flow image, etc.

[0301] Step 52: Determine a reference section in the first ultrasound image, and acquire a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section.

[0302] Step 53: transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest, receive echo signals, and obtain a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasonic waves.

[0303] Step 54, calculating the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section;

[0304] Step 55, obtaining a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section satisfies a predetermined condition based on the calculated matching degree;

[0305] Step 56, determining the section to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition;

[0306] The current tissue structure image is matched with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section to determine the section to be examined. The current tissue structure image is matched with the reference section to determine the section to be examined. The consistency of the sections can be determined by the user, or the processor can calculate the degree of consistency between the current section to be examined and the reference section through a matching algorithm and provide the doctor with a prompt on the interface, such as a prompt indicating the degree of match.

[0307] Step 57: Based on the section to be examined, ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the target tissue of interest in a second imaging mode, echo signals are received, and a second ultrasonic image is obtained based on the echo signals of the ultrasonic waves transmitted in the second imaging mode. The second ultrasonic image and the first ultrasonic image are obtained using a different imaging mode. The second ultrasonic image can be obtained using various imaging modes, such as a contrast imaging image, an elasticity image, or a color flow image. However, the first and second ultrasonic images cannot be obtained using the same imaging mode.

[0308] Step 58: at least simultaneously display the first ultrasound image of the reference section and the second ultrasound image of the section to be examined.

[0309] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0310] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0311] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0312] Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound;

[0313] The current tissue structure image is matched with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and the current tissue structure image that meets the preset conditions is determined to be the section to be inspected; the process of matching the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section can be used to subjectively judge whether the sections are consistent and give an estimated matching degree; the processor can also calculate the degree of consistency between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section through a matching algorithm, and give the doctor prompts, such as prompts on the matching degree.

[0314] transmitting ultrasound waves to a target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode based on the section to be examined, receiving echo signals, and acquiring an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0315] At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

[0316] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0317] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0318] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0319] Ultrasound waves are emitted to the target tissue of interest according to the elastic imaging mode, and echo signals are received. The current tissue elasticity image and the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest are obtained according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves emitted according to the elastic imaging mode; the current tissue structure image and the current tissue elasticity image are obtained simultaneously according to the echo signals obtained by the ultrasound waves emitted according to the elastic imaging mode, without having to first obtain the current tissue structure image and then obtain the elasticity image.

[0320] Matching the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determining that the current tissue structure image that meets a preset condition is the section to be inspected;

[0321] At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image corresponding to the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

[0322] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0323] Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode;

[0324] Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section;

[0325] transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue elasticity image and the current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode;

[0326] Calculate the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section; wherein, it is not necessary to judge whether the matching degree meets the operation requirements, but instead calculate the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section for the operator's reference.

[0327] At least the angiographic image of the reference section, the current tissue elasticity image, and the degree of matching are simultaneously displayed. Finally, at least the angiographic image of the reference section, the current tissue elasticity image, and the degree of matching between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section are displayed on a display for the operator's reference.

[0328] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0329] transmitting ultrasound waves to a first target tissue of interest using a first imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a first ultrasound image based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the first imaging mode;

[0330] transmitting ultrasound waves to a second target tissue of interest using a second imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a second ultrasound image based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the second imaging mode;

[0331] Acquiring tissue section information in the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image, wherein the tissue section information includes at least one of tissue structure information, position information, and morphology information;

[0332] determining a matching degree between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image according to the tissue section information;

[0333] The matching degree between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image is displayed.

[0334] In this embodiment, the first target tissue of interest and the second target tissue of interest are respectively the same tissue of the same target object, or the first target tissue of interest and the second target tissue of interest are respectively the same type of tissues of different target objects.

[0335] In this embodiment, the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode use different imaging modes, or the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode use the same imaging mode. The first imaging mode and the second imaging mode can each be at least one of B-type, photoacoustic, elastic, color flow, and contrast imaging. Correspondingly, the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image can be any one of a B-type image, an elastic image, a photoacoustic image, a color flow image, and a contrast imaging image. The elastic image can be any one of a shear wave elastic image based on acoustic radiation force, a transient elastic image, and a strain elastic image.

[0336] For example, the first ultrasound image is an elasticity image, and the second ultrasound image is a contrast image. For another example, the first ultrasound image is a strain elasticity image, and the second elasticity image is a shear wave elasticity image.

[0337] In this embodiment, the first ultrasound image includes an ultrasound image acquired based on a first target region of a first target tissue of interest, and the second ultrasound image includes an ultrasound image acquired based on a second target region of a second target tissue of interest. That is, the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image can be ultrasound images of the entire tissue or of a specific region within the target tissue. The first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image can be two-dimensional images or other multi-dimensional images, without specific limitation herein.

[0338] It is understood that there are many specific ways to obtain tissue section information from the first and second ultrasound images and determine the degree of match between the first and second ultrasound images based on the tissue section information. For example, the tissue section information can be obtained through system intelligent recognition. Of course, there are many methods for system intelligent recognition, which can include image recognition algorithms or deep learning algorithms. After determining the tissue section information of the first and second ultrasound images, the degree of match between the first and second ultrasound images can be determined by combining some matching algorithms. The matching algorithms can be similarity algorithms such as perceptual hashing algorithms and correlation coefficient algorithms, thereby automatically calculating the degree of match between the first and second ultrasound images. For example, an elasticity image of a patient's liver region is obtained, an angiographic image of the patient's liver region is obtained, and the degree of match between the elasticity image and the angiographic image is calculated. In a specific implementation, the degree of match between the elasticity image and the angiographic image can be calculated based on the tissue section information (e.g., tissue structure information, position information, morphology information, etc.) in the elasticity image and the angiographic image in combination with some matching algorithms, and then displayed. For example, if we obtain an elasticity image of the liver of patient A and also an elasticity image of the liver of patient B, we can calculate their corresponding matching degree. For another example, if we obtain an elasticity image of patient A at one time and also an elasticity image of patient A at another time, we can calculate the corresponding matching degree for the elasticity images at different times.

[0339] It is understood that the degree of match between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image can be a comparison of the same tissue of the same person at different times, or a comparison of the same type of tissue of different people. Displaying the degree of match between the first and second ultrasound images can facilitate further auxiliary diagnosis of the tissue. For example, when the degree of match meets preset requirements, comparative analysis of elasticity images and angiographic images of the same section can be used to determine the tissue characteristics of the section under different imaging modes, or to determine the tissue characteristics of the section under the same imaging mode at different times.

[0340] It is understood that the degree of match between the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image can be displayed using numerical values, graphics, colors, and the like. For example, the numerical value of the degree of match can be displayed directly on the first ultrasound image and / or the second ultrasound image. Alternatively, the magnitude of the degree of match can be represented by graphics and / or colors, such as red indicating that the degree of match does not meet preset requirements, green indicating that the degree of match does meet preset requirements, a circle indicating that the degree of match does not meet preset requirements, and a triangle indicating that the degree of match does meet preset requirements. Of course, in actual applications, the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode can be performed in real time, and the degree of match between the first ultrasound image in the first imaging mode and the second ultrasound image in the second imaging mode can be displayed in real time. A time-varying curve graph can be used to clearly show when the degree of match is high and when it is low. Of course, during real-time imaging, the data source corresponding to the first ultrasound image and the data source corresponding to the second ultrasound image can be the same data source or different data sources, i.e., the transmit / receive sequences can be the same or different, and this is not specifically limited here.

[0341] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0342] Determine the section of the target tissue of interest to be examined;

[0343] a first ultrasound image and a second ultrasound image of the section to be examined, wherein one of the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image is an elasticity image, and the other of the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image includes at least one of a color flow image, an elasticity image, a contrast image, an optical image, and a vector flow image;

[0344] The first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image are displayed simultaneously.

[0345] It is understood that one of the first and second ultrasound images may be an elasticity image, and the other may be a color flow image, an elasticity image, an angiography image, an optical image, or a vector flow image. Of course, the first and second ultrasound images may also be ultrasound images in other modes, such as PW or CW.

[0346] It is understood that the first ultrasound image is a color blood flow image, and the second ultrasound image is an elasticity image. For example, the first ultrasound image is a contrast image or a photoacoustic image, and the second ultrasound image is an elasticity image. The elasticity image can be any one of strain elasticity, shear wave elasticity based on acoustic radiation force, transient elasticity, and viscoelasticity. Of course, the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image can be the same ultrasound image, for example, the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image are elasticity images acquired at different times, etc., and this is not specifically limited here.

[0347] It is understood that by comparing different types of ultrasound images of the same section to be examined, or ultrasound images of the same type taken at different times, it is possible to clearly understand the tissue characteristics of the section under different imaging modes, or to understand the tissue characteristics of the section under the same imaging mode at different times. For example, obtaining an elasticity image of a patient's liver section and also obtaining a contrast image of the same liver section, and then comparing and analyzing the elasticity and contrast images of the liver section, can help aid diagnosis. Of course, the elasticity and contrast images of the liver section can be obtained simultaneously or at different times, and the images can be acquired using the same transmit and receive sequence or different transmit and receive sequences. For another example, a patient's liver section can be examined at one time, and then, after a period of time, examined again at another time, thereby obtaining ultrasound images of the liver section at different times. This allows for further comparative analysis and tracking of the treatment status of the liver section.

[0348] By comparing ultrasound images in duplex mode, more diverse tissue feature information can be obtained. Alternatively, by comparing ultrasound images taken at different times under the same mode, information about the tissue's characteristics over time can be obtained, thereby assisting in diagnosis.

[0349] On the basis of simultaneously displaying the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, the matching degree between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image can be further displayed. The calculation method of the matching degree between the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image can refer to the description of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0350] This embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging method, which first performs a first imaging mode imaging on the target tissue of interest to obtain a first ultrasound image, determines a reference section based on the first ultrasound image, matches the current tissue structure image with the reference section to determine the section to be inspected, and performs a second imaging mode imaging on the section to be inspected to obtain a second ultrasound image, and the reference section and the section to be inspected are approximately considered to be the same section, thereby obtaining two different imaging mode images of the target tissue and displaying them. Therefore, this embodiment can perform two different imaging modes on the same section and display them simultaneously, while the traditional operation method requires the user to operate independently in sequence, and it is difficult to keep the inspection section of the target tissue the same when operating independently in sequence. The ultrasound imaging system provided by this embodiment can simplify the user's operation process and make the inspection results more accurate and reliable.

[0351] The above examples are used to illustrate the present invention, which are only used to help understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make several simple deductions, modifications or substitutions based on the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode; Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section; Transmitting ultrasound to a target tissue of interest, receiving an echo signal, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasound; Calculating a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section; Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition; Determining a section to be inspected based on a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition; transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode based on the section to be examined, receiving echo signals, and obtaining an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode; At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

2. The ultrasonic imaging method according to claim 1, wherein: Before obtaining the contrast image, the method includes: A target tissue image is acquired, and a target tissue of interest is identified based on the target tissue image.

3. The ultrasonic imaging method according to claim 2, wherein: The target tissue image is obtained by ultrasound imaging, CT imaging or MRI imaging.

4. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Determining a reference section in the angiography image includes: determining a reference section according to image features in the angiography image.

5. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Determining a reference section in the angiographic image includes: A curve graph showing changes in contrast intensity at different moments within the period of time is generated according to the contrast image, and the reference section is determined according to the curve graph.

6. The ultrasonic imaging method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Determining the reference section according to the curve graph includes: determining the section of the angiography image corresponding to the moment when the angiography intensity is the largest on the curve graph as the reference section.

7. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Determining a reference section in the angiography image includes: determining a section of the angiography image corresponding to a predetermined moment in the period of time as the reference section.

8. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The predetermined condition is that the matching degree is not less than a predetermined first threshold.

9. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The angiographic image of the reference section, the tissue structure image of the reference section, and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

10. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The ultrasonic imaging method further comprises: determining a first area to be measured in the angiography image of the reference section; Calculating a quantitative measurement result of the contrast in the first area to be measured; According to the determined first area to be measured, obtaining a second area to be measured corresponding to the first area to be measured in the elastic image of the section to be inspected; Calculating a quantitative elasticity measurement result within the second test area; The angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result are displayed simultaneously.

11. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The ultrasonic imaging method further comprises: determining a second area to be measured in the elastic image of the section to be examined; Calculating a quantitative elasticity measurement result within the second test area; According to the determined second area to be measured, obtaining a first area to be measured corresponding to the second area to be measured in the angiography image of the reference section; Calculating a quantitative measurement result of the contrast in the first area to be measured; The angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result are displayed simultaneously.

12. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The ultrasonic imaging method further comprises: determining a third area to be measured on the tissue structure image of the reference section; According to the determined third area to be measured, obtaining a first area to be measured corresponding to the third area to be measured on the angiographic image of the reference section and / or obtaining a second area to be measured corresponding to the third area to be measured on the elasticity image of the section to be examined; Calculating a quantitative measurement result of angiography within the first area to be measured and / or calculating a quantitative measurement result of elasticity within the second area to be measured; The angiography quantitative measurement result and the elasticity quantitative measurement result are displayed simultaneously.

13. The ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The ultrasonic imaging method further includes: displaying a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section.

14. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode; Determining a reference body in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body based on the determined reference body; Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound; Calculating a matching degree between the current tissue structure image and a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference body; Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference body satisfies a predetermined condition; determining the object to be inspected based on the current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference object meets a predetermined condition; transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest based on the object to be inspected according to an elastic imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the object to be inspected according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode; At least the angiographic image of the reference body and the elasticity image of the body to be inspected are displayed simultaneously.

15. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest using a first imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a first ultrasound image based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the first imaging mode; Determining a reference section in the first ultrasound image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section; Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound; Calculating the matching degree between the current tissue structure image and the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section; Obtaining, based on the calculated matching degree, a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition; Determining a section to be inspected based on a current tissue structure image whose matching degree with the tissue structure image of the reference section meets a predetermined condition; transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest according to a second imaging mode based on the section to be examined, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a second ultrasound image by transmitting the echo signals of ultrasound waves according to the second imaging mode, wherein the second ultrasound image and the first ultrasound image adopt different imaging modes; The display step comprises at least simultaneously displaying the first ultrasonic image of the reference section and the second ultrasonic image of the section to be examined.

16. The ultrasonic imaging method according to claim 15, characterized in that: The first imaging mode is an elastic imaging mode, and the second imaging mode is a contrast imaging mode.

17. The ultrasonic imaging method according to claim 15, characterized in that: The first imaging mode is a color flow imaging mode, and the second imaging mode is an elasticity imaging mode.

18. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that: include: Transmitting ultrasound waves to the target tissue of interest in a contrast imaging mode, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a contrast imaging image of the target tissue of interest over a period of time based on the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the contrast imaging mode; Determining a reference section in the angiography image, and acquiring a tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section based on the determined reference section; Transmitting ultrasound to the target tissue of interest, receiving echo signals, and obtaining a current tissue structure image of the target tissue of interest based on the echo signals of the transmitted ultrasound; Matching the current tissue structure image with the tissue structure image corresponding to the reference section, and determining that the current tissue structure image that meets a preset condition is the section to be inspected; transmitting ultrasound waves to a target tissue of interest according to an elastic imaging mode based on the section to be examined, receiving echo signals, and acquiring an elastic image of the target tissue of interest on the section to be examined according to the echo signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted in the elastic imaging mode; At least the angiographic image of the reference section and the elasticity image on the section to be examined are displayed simultaneously.

19. An ultrasonic imaging system, characterized in that: include: Ultrasound probe, The transmitting circuit and the receiving circuit are used to stimulate the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to the target tissue of interest and receive echo signals; a processor, configured to execute the ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 18 according to the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic wave; A display is used to display the result of the execution of the processor.

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