Elastic imaging device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an elastic imaging device and method, the elastic imaging device comprising: an ultrasonic component for transmitting spherical ultrasonic waves to a detection target and receiving echoes reflected by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic waves; a processing module connected to the ultrasonic component for processing the echoes transmitted by the ultrasonic component to obtain image frame data. The method and device of the present invention improve the image quality of elastic imaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to elastic imaging technology, and in particular to an elastic imaging device and method. Background Art

[0002] Elastic imaging technology provides an image of tissue hardness, which can provide information about the tissue characteristics of the lesion. The different elastic coefficients between different tissues result in different degrees of deformation of the tissue after being compressed by external forces. For example, the change in the movement amplitude of the echo signal before and after the tissue is compressed is converted into a real-time color image. If the elastic coefficient of the tissue is small, the tissue with a large displacement change after compression is displayed in red; if the elastic coefficient of the tissue is large, the tissue with a small displacement change after compression is displayed in blue; and the tissue with a medium elastic coefficient is displayed in green. Elastic imaging technology uses the color of the image to reflect the hardness of the tissue, which broadens the ultrasound image, makes up for the shortcomings of conventional ultrasound, and can more vividly display and locate lesions.

[0003] Beamforming is a key technology in elastic imaging. Currently, most elastic imaging technologies use focused waves to excite the target and collect echo signals. This method produces low frame rates, cannot detect small displacement changes, and has poor hardness test results. Using plane wave emission to collect ultrasound images, the frame rate can exceed 6000 frames / second, which can achieve better tissue hardness calculation results.

[0004] The plane wave transmit beamforming method can achieve a higher imaging frame rate, but it will produce wavefront distortion at the edge of the imaging area, resulting in poor image quality, such as Figure 1 The A1 and A2 areas in the image are located at the edge of the imaging area, and the image quality is poor. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, it is often necessary to use a multi-angle composite method for superposition, such as Figure 2 The B area in the middle imaging area contains all the information of the deflected image, and the imaging quality is the best; while the B1 area and the B2 area, which are also located in the imaging area, have different imaging effects from the B area due to the fewer times of compounding, and the image quality is generally worse. It can be seen that the image quality of the imaging area of ​​elastic imaging is poor. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides an elastic imaging device and method, which are used to solve the problem that the image quality of elastic imaging images in the imaging edge area is poor.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides an elastic imaging device, comprising:

[0007] An ultrasonic component, used for transmitting spherical ultrasonic waves to a detection target and receiving an echo reflected by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic waves;

[0008] The processing module is connected to the ultrasonic component and is used to process the echo transmitted by the ultrasonic component to obtain image frame data.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic component includes one or more ultrasonic transmitting array elements, each of which is used to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves of a preset shape.

[0010] In one embodiment, the elastic imaging device includes a transmit beamforming module connected to the ultrasonic component, and the transmit beamforming module is used to apply electric pulse excitation with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements so that each of the ultrasonic array elements emits spherical ultrasonic waves of a preset shape.

[0011] In one embodiment, the processing module is connected to the transmit beamforming module, and the processing module is also used to determine the excitation parameters of the spherical ultrasound and send the excitation parameters to the transmit beamforming module so that the transmit beamforming module applies electric pulse excitations with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements according to the excitation parameters.

[0012] In one embodiment, the processing module is further used to calculate the displacement of the sampling points in the image frame data.

[0013] In one embodiment, the elastic imaging device further comprises a display module connected to the processing module, and the display module is used to display an image corresponding to the image frame data and a displacement of a sampling point in the image.

[0014] On the other hand, the present invention further provides an elastic imaging method, which is applied to an elastic imaging device, wherein the elastic imaging device includes an ultrasonic component, and the elastic imaging method includes:

[0015] Controlling the ultrasonic component to emit spherical ultrasonic waves toward a detection target;

[0016] receiving an echo reflected by the spherical ultrasonic wave;

[0017] The echo is processed to obtain image frame data.

[0018] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic component includes a plurality of ultrasonic transmitting array elements, and the step of transmitting spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target includes:

[0019] Each of the ultrasonic transmitting array elements is controlled to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves of a preset shape toward the detection target.

[0020] In one embodiment, the elastic imaging device includes a transmission beam forming module connected to the ultrasonic component, and the step of controlling each of the ultrasonic transmission array elements to transmit a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape to the detection target includes:

[0021] The transmit beam forming module is controlled to apply electric pulse excitations with different time delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements, so that each of the ultrasonic array elements transmits a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape to the detection target.

[0022] In one embodiment, the step of controlling the transmit beamforming module to apply electric pulse excitations with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements comprises:

[0023] Acquiring target parameters, where the target parameters include at least one of a user operation parameter and a preset incentive parameter;

[0024] The target excitation parameters are determined according to the target parameters, and the transmit beamforming module is controlled according to the target excitation parameters to apply electric pulse excitations with different time delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements.

[0025] The elastic imaging device and method provided by the present invention include an ultrasonic component and a processing module. The ultrasonic component is used to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target and receive the echo emitted by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic waves. The processing module processes the echo transmitted by the ultrasonic component to obtain image frame data. The elastic imaging device of the present invention transmits spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target. It has been verified that the area corresponding to the single-angle spherical ultrasonic wave emission mode is outside the imaging area, and it does not affect the image quality of the elastic imaging; while the composite spherical ultrasonic waves are emitted by multi-angle deflection, and each deflection sound wave excitation can cover the imaging area, ensuring the image quality of the entire imaging area; it can be seen that the elastic imaging device and method provided by the present invention can improve the image quality of elastic imaging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an imaging area corresponding to an exemplary elastic imaging technique;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an imaging area corresponding to another exemplary elastic imaging technique;

[0029] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of an elastic imaging device of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an imaging area of ​​the elastic imaging device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5is another schematic diagram of the imaging area of ​​the elastic imaging device of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic component in the elastic imaging device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 is another structural schematic diagram of the elastic imaging device of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 A flow chart of the elastic imaging device of the present invention detecting a detection target;

[0035] Fig. 9 This is an embodiment of elastic imaging of the present invention.

[0036] The above drawings show clear embodiments of the present disclosure, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way, but to illustrate the concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0038] Secondly, the terms involved in the present invention are explained:

[0039] Spherical ultrasound: refers to spherical waves. Spherical waves refer to waves whose wavefronts are concentric spheres.

[0040] Elastic imaging: refers to the ability to convert the elasticity or hardness information of biological materials into visible light images that doctors are accustomed to, so that doctors can judge the material mechanical properties of tissues through visible light images, and then judge the pathological changes and their positions, shapes and sizes of corresponding tissues or organs according to the hardness and softness of the tissues. The principle of elastic imaging is to use a certain method to make the detected tissue displace, collect and analyze a series of continuously collected ultrasonic echo data, calculate the displacement of targets at different positions, and then calculate the tissue hardness. Common displacement generation methods include quasi-static (pressing type), external mechanical vibration, mechanical waves generated by ultrasonic probes, and vibrations of the human body itself. In order to obtain high-precision tissue hardness imaging results, a higher frame rate is required for acquisition during the displacement of the target.

[0041] Beamforming is a key technology for elastic imaging. Currently, most elastic imaging technologies use focused waves to emit line by line to stimulate the target and collect echo signals. This method produces images at a low frame rate and cannot detect small displacement changes, resulting in poor accuracy of hardness test results. Therefore, plane wave emission is used to collect ultrasound images, with a frame rate of more than 6000 frames per second, achieving better tissue hardness calculation results.

[0042] Plane wave transmit beamforming has a high frame rate, but wavefront distortion will occur at the edge of the imaging area, resulting in poor image quality, such as Figure 1 The A1 and A2 areas in the image are located at the edge of the imaging area, and the image quality is poor. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, it is often necessary to use a multi-angle composite method for superposition, such as Figure 2 The B area in the middle imaging area contains all the information of the deflected image, and the imaging quality is the best; while the B1 and B2 areas, which are also located in the imaging area, have different imaging effects from the B area due to the fewer times of compounding, and the image quality is generally worse. It can be seen that the image quality of the imaging edge area of ​​the plane wave beamforming elastic imaging is poor.

[0043] The elastic imaging technology and elastic imaging device provided by the present invention are intended to solve the above technical problems in the prior art.

[0044] The following specific embodiments are used to describe in detail the technical solutions of the present invention and how the technical solutions of the present application solve the above-mentioned technical problems. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0045] The present invention provides an elastic imaging device 100, referring to Figure 3 The elastic imaging device 100 includes an ultrasonic component 101 and a processing module 102. The ultrasonic component 101 is connected to the processing module 102. The ultrasonic component 101 is used to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target and receive echoes reflected by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic waves. The processing module is used to process the echoes transmitted by the ultrasonic component to obtain image frame data.

[0046] Reference Figure 4 The elastic imaging device 100 emits a single-angle spherical ultrasonic wave to the detection target, and the extended excitation area of ​​the spherical ultrasonic wave ( Figure 5 The fan-shaped area includes the imaging area A. The spherical ultrasonic wave in the A area is evenly diffused and will not be distorted, while the spherical ultrasonic wave in the A1 area and the A2 area will be distorted. The A1 area and the A2 area are located outside the imaging area A and will not affect the image quality.

[0047] Reference Figure 5 The elastic imaging device 100 transmits spherical ultrasonic waves at multiple angles to the detection target, and each deflected spherical ultrasonic wave can cover the B area (the B area is Figure 5 The spherical ultrasonic wave distortion area B1 and B2 are located in the imaging area ( Figure 5 The rectangular area with medium thick lines is outside the imaging area), and area B is slightly smaller than the complete imaging area, so the image quality of the imaging area can be guaranteed.

[0048] The elastic imaging device provided in this embodiment includes an ultrasonic component and a processing module, wherein the ultrasonic component is used to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target and receive the echoes emitted by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic waves, and the processing module processes the echoes transmitted by the ultrasonic component to obtain image frame data. The elastic imaging device of the present invention transmits spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target. It has been verified that even if the area corresponding to the single-angle spherical ultrasonic wave emission mode is outside the imaging area, it will not affect the image quality of the elastic imaging; while the composite spherical ultrasonic waves are emitted by multi-angle deflection, and each deflected sound wave excitation can cover the imaging area, ensuring the image quality of the entire imaging area; it can be seen that the elastic imaging device provided by the present invention improves the image quality of elastic imaging.

[0049] Furthermore, the ultrasonic component includes one or more ultrasonic transmitting array elements, referring to Figure 6 , Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing that an ultrasonic component 101 includes a plurality of ultrasonic transmitting array elements 1001 . Figure 6 A, B, C, and D are four ultrasonic transmitting array elements, 302 is an imaging area, and each ultrasonic transmitting array element 1001 is connected to a cable, and spherical ultrasonic waves are generated by the excitation of the four array elements A, B, C, and D. Each ultrasonic transmitting array element can generate a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape, and the ultrasonic component can generate a spherical ultrasonic wave of a desired shape.

[0050] Reference Figure 7 The elastic imaging device 100 includes a transmission beam forming module 103 connected to the ultrasonic component 101. The transmission beam forming module 103 applies electric pulse excitations with different delays to each ultrasonic transmission array element, so that each ultrasonic array element transmits a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape. It can be understood that the transmission beam forming module 103 is connected to the ultrasonic transmission array element 1001 through a cable.

[0051] Furthermore, the processing module 102 and the transmit beamforming module 103. The processing module is provided with a main control unit, which determines an excitation scheme through user operation parameters and at least one of preset excitation parameters, and the excitation scheme includes excitation parameters, so that the transmit beamforming module 103 applies electric pulse excitations with different delays to each ultrasonic transmit array element 1001 based on the excitation parameters.

[0052] In addition, the processing module 102 is further provided with a calculation unit, which calculates the acquired image frame sequence, that is, calculates the sampling points of adjacent image frames to obtain the displacement D(x, y) of each sampling point (x, y) in the image frame. The calculation unit calculates the strain or hardness of the detection target based on the displacement of each sampling point.

[0053] It should be noted that the main control unit and the computing unit may be components independent of the processing module, or may be internal components of the processing module.

[0054] Furthermore, the elastic imaging device 100 further includes a display module connected to the processing module 102, and the display module is used to display the image corresponding to the image frame data and the displacement of the sampling point in the image, that is, the display module is used to display the image formed by elastic imaging.

[0055] Reference Figure 8 , Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an elastic imaging device detecting a detection target.

[0056] 1. Apply vibration to the detection target first;

[0057] 2. The processing module determines an excitation scheme according to user operation or preset excitation parameters. The excitation scheme includes target excitation parameters. The target excitation parameters include the position of the vibration source point generated by the spherical ultrasonic wave, the intensity of the spherical ultrasonic wave, the direction of the spherical ultrasonic wave, etc.;

[0058] 3. The transmit beamforming module applies electric pulse excitations with different delays to each ultrasonic transmitting array element of the ultrasonic component based on the target excitation parameters in the excitation scheme, thereby generating spherical ultrasonic waves of the desired shape;

[0059] 4. The ultrasonic component receives the echo reflected by the detection target and transmits the echo to the processing module;

[0060] 5. The processing module digitally samples and processes the echo from the electrical signal to form image frame data containing the detection target structure information for storage. The image frame data frame collected at time t is represented by I(t). The image frame data is two-dimensional image data, in which the sampling point is represented by I(t, x, y). The image frame data I(tk) collected continuously at different times are cached in order and input into the calculation unit of the processing module to calculate the displacement of each sampling point in I(t);

[0061] 6. Detect the strain or hardness of the target based on the displacement.

[0062] The displacement can be obtained by a two-dimensional displacement estimation method. Specifically, the steps of two-dimensional displacement estimation are:

[0063] Step 1: using a matching algorithm to perform a two-dimensional initial displacement estimation on a first radio frequency frame and a second radio frequency frame of two continuously acquired image frame data;

[0064] Step 2, stretching and adjusting the image of the first radio frequency frame using the two-dimensional initial displacement estimation obtained in the first step;

[0065] Step 3: Perform two-dimensional displacement estimation on the original second radio frequency frame and the adjusted first radio frequency frame using a sub-pixel displacement estimation algorithm;

[0066] Step 4: synthesize the displacement estimation result obtained in step 1 and the displacement estimation result obtained in step 3 to obtain an overall two-dimensional displacement estimation that is more accurate than the two-dimensional initial displacement estimation.

[0067] Furthermore, it also includes step 5: repeating the following process until the set conditions are met: using the sub-pixel displacement estimate obtained in step 3 to further adjust the adjusted first RF frame image obtained in step 2, such as stretching adjustment; and using the second RF frame and the further adjusted first RF frame to perform two-dimensional displacement estimation through a sub-pixel displacement estimation algorithm; and then adding the obtained sub-pixel two-dimensional displacement estimate to the two-dimensional displacement estimate obtained in step S4.

[0068] After step 5, step 6 may be performed: the image obtained in step S4 or step S5 is differentiated by anisotropic diffusion method.

[0069] BMA (Block Matching Algorithm) divides an image into multiple rectangular blocks, and for each block, retrieves the best estimate in another image (such as a radio frequency frame) to estimate the displacement vector. Since each block is small enough, rotation and scaling can be roughly estimated by segmenting the corresponding regions in the two images to be matched. In short, various versions include: (1) different matching criteria may be used, such as minimizing the sum of squares, mean square error and absolute mean error, or maximizing the cross-correlation function and elastic limit difference classification; (2) compared with exhaustive search, different retrieval strategies are used, although accuracy is lost, which can reduce the amount of calculation, such as using three-step search, diamond search, two-dimensional logarithmic algorithm, orthogonal search and hierarchical search, etc.; (3) multi-resolution block matching using Laplacian image pyramid or wavelet transform; other transforms include floating-point precision block matching, block area variation block matching and deformable block matching, etc.

[0070] A two-dimensional displacement estimation method can use sub-pixel precision to traverse and search the BMA. Traversing and searching the BMA is also the most direct method for block matching.

[0071] In order to achieve a higher initial displacement estimate, BMA can also be used to calculate two frames of images with pixel interpolation to obtain sub-pixel displacement resolution. For example, a new pixel is inserted between every two pixels to obtain a half-pixel displacement resolution.

[0072] The first RF frame adjusted according to the BMA motion estimation result has a better correlation with the original second RF frame image, thereby ensuring the effect of subsequent sub-pixel motion estimation using LK-OF (optical flow method). In this way, in practical applications, a relatively high deformation contrast can be obtained by using a deformation greater than 1% while ensuring accuracy. Other block matching methods can also be used in step S1.

[0073] In step S2, the first radio frequency frame image is stretched and adjusted using the two-dimensional initial displacement estimation obtained in step S1, so that the correlation between the adjusted first frame and the original second frame is higher than that between the original first frame and the original second frame;

[0074] Then, step S3 is performed: the original second RF frame and the first RF frame adjusted in step S2 are subjected to displacement estimation by using a sub-pixel displacement estimation algorithm.

[0075] After the device calculates the displacement of all sampling points of adjacent image frame data, all displacements can be combined into a displacement matrix. The gradient of the displacement matrix is ​​calculated by the least square method in a preset direction (the direction of the column in the displacement matrix is ​​the preset direction) to obtain a gradient matrix, which is the biological tissue strain distribution of the detection target. The biological tissue strain distribution is combined into two-dimensional data according to the scanning line direction and expressed in the form of a grayscale image or a pseudo-color image, thereby obtaining a two-dimensional strain distribution map of the biological tissue.

[0076] Based on the elastic imaging device, the present invention also provides an elastic imaging method.

[0077] Reference Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 In the first embodiment of the elastic imaging method of the present invention, the elastic imaging method comprises:

[0078] Step S10, controlling the ultrasonic component to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target.

[0079] Step S20, receiving the echo reflected by the spherical ultrasonic wave.

[0080] Step S30, processing the echo to obtain image frame data.

[0081] In this embodiment, the detection target is a tissue or organ in a human or animal. After the detection target is vibrated, the elastic imaging device controls the ultrasonic component to emit spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target.

[0082] The detected target will reflect the spherical ultrasound, so that the ultrasonic component receives the reflected echo. The elastic imaging device then processes the echo to obtain image frame data. Specifically, the elastic imaging device digitally samples and processes the echo from the electrical signal to form image frame data containing the structural information of the detected target for storage. The image frame data frame collected at time t is represented by I(t), and the image frame data is two-dimensional image data, in which the sampling points are represented by I(t, x, y). The image frame data I(tk) collected continuously at different times are cached in order. The elastic imaging device then calculates the displacement of each sampling point in I(t), and finally calculates the strain or hardness of the detected target based on the displacement of each sampling point.

[0083] Reference Figure 4 The elastic imaging device emits a single-angle spherical ultrasound to the detection target. The extended excitation area of ​​the spherical ultrasound ( Figure 5 The fan-shaped area includes the imaging area A. The spherical ultrasonic wave in the A area is evenly diffused and will not be distorted, while the spherical ultrasonic wave in the A1 area and the A2 area will be distorted. The A1 area and the A2 area are located outside the imaging area A and will not affect the image quality.

[0084] Reference Figure 5 The elastic imaging device transmits spherical ultrasound waves at multiple angles to the detection target, and each deflected spherical ultrasound wave can cover area B (area B is Figure 5 The spherical ultrasonic wave distortion area B1 and B2 are located in the imaging area ( Figure 5 The rectangular area with medium thick lines is outside the imaging area), and area B is slightly smaller than the complete imaging area, so the image quality of the imaging area can be guaranteed.

[0085] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, the elastic imaging device controls the ultrasonic component to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target, receives the echo emitted by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic waves, and then processes the echoes to obtain image frame data. The elastic imaging device of the present invention transmits spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target. It has been verified that even if the area corresponding to the single-angle spherical ultrasonic wave emission mode is outside the imaging area, it will not affect the image quality of the elastic imaging; while the composite spherical ultrasonic waves are emitted by multi-angle deflection, each deflected sound wave excitation can cover the imaging area, ensuring the image quality of the entire imaging area; it can be seen that the elastic imaging method provided by the present invention can improve the image quality of elastic imaging.

[0086] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic component includes a plurality of ultrasonic transmitting array elements, and the step of transmitting spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target includes:

[0087] Control each ultrasonic transmitting array element to transmit spherical ultrasonic waves of a preset shape toward the detection target.

[0088] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 The ultrasonic component includes a plurality of ultrasonic transmitting array elements. Figure 6 A, B, C, and D are four ultrasonic transmitting array elements, and each ultrasonic transmitting array element 1001 is connected to a cable, and spherical ultrasonic waves are generated by the excitation of the four array elements A, B, C, and D. Each ultrasonic transmitting array element can generate a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape, and the ultrasonic component can generate a spherical ultrasonic wave of a desired shape.

[0089] Furthermore, the elastic imaging device controls the transmit beam forming module to apply electric pulse excitations with different time delays to each ultrasonic transmit array element, so that each ultrasonic array element transmits a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape to the detection target.

[0090] The elastic imaging device determines the target excitation parameters by acquiring the target parameters, and controls the transmit beamforming module to apply electric pulse excitations with different delays to each ultrasonic transmit array element according to the target excitation parameters. The target parameters include at least one of the user operation parameters and the preset excitation parameters. The target excitation parameters include the location of the vibration source point generated by the spherical ultrasound, the intensity of the spherical ultrasound, the direction of the spherical ultrasound wave, etc.

[0091] In addition, the elastic imaging device is also provided with a display module, which is used to display the image corresponding to the image frame data and the displacement of the sampling point in the image, that is, the display module is used to display the image formed by elastic imaging.

[0092] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, the elastic imaging device controls each ultrasonic transmitting array element to transmit a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape to the detection target, so that the elastic imaging device can accurately obtain the strain or hardness of the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic wave of the set shape.

[0093] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The description and examples are to be regarded as exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0094] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elastic imaging device, characterized in that: include: An ultrasonic component, used for transmitting a single-angle or multi-angle spherical ultrasonic wave to a detection target, and receiving an echo reflected by the detection target based on the spherical ultrasonic wave; wherein the detection target is a tissue or organ in a human or animal, and the spherical ultrasonic wave is transmitted after applying vibration to the detection target; the ultrasonic component comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transmitting array elements, each of which is used for transmitting a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape; A processing module, connected to the ultrasonic component, for processing the echo transmitted by the ultrasonic component to obtain image frame data; the processing module is also used to calculate the displacement of the sampling points in the image frame data, and calculate the strain or hardness of the detection target based on the displacement of each sampling point; A transmit beam forming module, the transmit beam forming module is connected to the ultrasonic component, and the transmit beam forming module is used to apply electric pulse excitations with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements, so that each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements transmits a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape; The processing module is connected to the transmit beamforming module, and the processing module is also used to determine the excitation parameters of the spherical ultrasound and send the excitation parameters to the transmit beamforming module so that the transmit beamforming module applies electric pulse excitations with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements according to the excitation parameters; wherein, a main control unit is provided in the processing module, and the main control unit is used to determine the excitation scheme through user operation parameters and at least one of the preset excitation parameters, and the excitation scheme includes the excitation parameters; wherein, the excitation parameters include: the position of the vibration source point generated by the spherical ultrasound, the intensity of the spherical ultrasound, and the direction of the spherical ultrasound wave.

2. The elastic imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic imaging device further comprises a display module connected to the processing module, and the display module is used to display an image corresponding to the image frame data and a displacement of a sampling point in the image.

3. An elastic imaging method, applied to an elastic imaging device, characterized in that: The elastic imaging device comprises an ultrasonic component and a transmission beam forming module connected to the ultrasonic component, the ultrasonic component comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transmission array elements, each of the ultrasonic transmission array elements is used to transmit a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape, and the elastic imaging method comprises: Controlling the ultrasonic component to emit single-angle or multi-angle spherical ultrasonic waves to a detection target; wherein the detection target is a tissue or organ in a human or animal, and the spherical ultrasonic waves are emitted after applying vibration to the detection target; receiving an echo reflected by the spherical ultrasonic wave; Processing the echo to obtain image frame data; Calculating the displacement of the sampling points in the image frame data, and calculating the strain or hardness of the detection target based on the displacement of each sampling point; The step of transmitting spherical ultrasonic waves to the detection target comprises: Controlling the transmit beamforming module to apply electric pulse excitations with different time delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements, so that each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements transmits a spherical ultrasonic wave of a preset shape to the detection target; The step of controlling the transmit beamforming module to apply electric pulse excitations with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements comprises: Acquiring target parameters, where the target parameters include at least one of a user operation parameter and a preset incentive parameter; The target excitation parameters are determined according to the target parameters, and the transmit beamforming module is controlled according to the target excitation parameters to apply electric pulse excitations with different delays to each of the ultrasonic transmit array elements; wherein the target excitation parameters include: the position of the vibration source point generated by the spherical ultrasonic wave, the intensity of the spherical ultrasonic wave, and the direction of the spherical ultrasonic wave.

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