Ultrasound Contrast-Based Processing Method, Ultrasound Device, and Computer Storage Medium

Abstract

The present invention discloses a processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, an ultrasound device, and a computer storage medium. The processing method includes: transmitting an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent; receiving the ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the ultrasonic echo signal; selecting a frame as a frame of interest from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; and displaying the frame of interest. It can be seen that the embodiments of the present invention can automatically determine the frame of interest based on the image intensity of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. This method of locating the frame of interest is fast and accurate, avoiding the cumbersome and time-consuming operation of the user searching frame by frame. The located frame of interest enables the user to conveniently draw an area of interest, which can provide a reliable reference for the subsequent quantitative analysis of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine and provide a more accurate basis for the user to further diagnose and analyze the target organ or tissue in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of ultrasound, and more particularly, to a processing method, an ultrasound device, and a computer storage medium based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasound examination is a very important imaging tool with no radiation, convenient use, and low cost. In recent years, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging has played an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of the benign and malignant nature of lesions, which can be completed by injecting a contrast agent into the body and using contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging technology for imaging.

[0003] By injecting a contrast agent and allowing the contrast agent to perfuse into the organ or tissue to be detected with the blood flow, a corresponding contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie can be obtained, and then further analysis can be performed based on the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. However, this analysis needs to be carried out for the region of interest selected on a certain frame of the image, so the selection of the region of interest is crucial.

[0004] Currently, the user selects one frame of the image from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie according to experience, and then draws the region of interest on the selected image. However, this selection method is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also strongly dependent on the user's experience, with a large error, which may lead to deviation and inaccuracy of the analysis result. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a processing method, an ultrasound device, and a computer storage medium based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, characterized by comprising:

[0007] Emitting an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent;

[0008] Receiving the ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;

[0009] Obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal;

[0010] Selecting one frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie as an interested frame based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie;

[0011] Displaying the interested frame.

[0012] In a second aspect, there is provided a processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, comprising:

[0013] Emitting an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent;

[0014] Receive the ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;

[0015] Obtain an ultrasonic contrast movie of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal;

[0016] Select multiple frames of images in the ultrasonic contrast movie based on the image intensity in the ultrasonic contrast movie;

[0017] Use a frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest;

[0018] Display the frame of interest.

[0019] In a third aspect, there is provided a processing method based on ultrasonic contrast, including:

[0020] Obtain an ultrasonic contrast movie of a target object;

[0021] Select a frame from the ultrasonic contrast movie as the frame of interest based on the image intensity in the ultrasonic contrast movie;

[0022] Display the frame of interest.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a processing method based on ultrasonic contrast, including:

[0024] Obtain an ultrasonic contrast movie of a target object;

[0025] Select multiple frames of images in the ultrasonic contrast movie based on the image intensity in the ultrasonic contrast movie;

[0026] Use a frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest;

[0027] Display the frame of interest.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, there is provided an ultrasonic device, including:

[0029] An ultrasonic probe;

[0030] A transmit / receive selection switch for exciting the ultrasonic probe to transmit an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent via a transmit circuit, and exciting the ultrasonic probe to receive an ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam returned from the target object via a receive circuit;

[0031] A memory for storing a program executed by the processor;

[0032] A processor for executing or controlling the transmit / receive selection switch or the display to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect above.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, a computer storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. The computer program, when executed by a computer or a processor, implements the steps of any one of the methods described in the above first aspect to fourth aspect.

[0034] Thus, it can be seen that the embodiments of the present invention can automatically determine the frames of interest based on the image intensity of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. This method of locating the frames of interest is fast and accurate, avoiding the cumbersome and time-consuming operation of the user searching frame by frame. The located frames of interest can be conveniently used by the user to draw the regions of interest, which can provide a reliable reference for the subsequent quantitative analysis of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine and provide a more accurate basis for the user to further diagnose and analyze the target organ or tissue in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. Description of the Drawings

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an ultrasound device;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is another schematic flowchart of a processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the influence of a contrast agent on a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine;

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of temporal downsampling according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of spatial downsampling according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of intercepting a preset spatial region according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of block processing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of interface display according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 10 is another schematic flowchart of the processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 11 is another schematic flowchart of the processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 12 is another schematic diagram of the interface display according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 13 is another schematic flowchart of the processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 14 is another schematic flowchart of the processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0050] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0051] In recent years, contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging has played an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of malignant diseases such as liver cancer, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer.

[0052] When ultrasonic waves encounter scatterers, scattering will occur. The intensity of the scattering is related to the size, shape of the scatterers, and the acoustic impedance difference from the surrounding tissues. By adding a medium with an acoustic impedance completely different from that of blood (such as microbubbles) to the blood, the scattering in the blood is enhanced, which is the basic principle of acoustic contrast.

[0053] Tissue contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging precisely utilizes this principle. By injecting a contrast agent (a solution containing microbubbles) via the vein, the contrast agent can then be perfused into organs and tissues with the blood flow, making them visible or enhancing their visibility on ultrasound equipment, thereby providing an important basis for clinical diagnosis.

[0054] When a doctor uses an ultrasound contrast device for contrast examination, generally, a timer is started while injecting an ultrasound contrast agent, and the lesion images in the scanned section are stored in a backward storage manner. After the examination is completed, the clinician will open the stored contrast cine data for retrospective analysis, observe the perfusion pattern of the contrast agent microbubbles inside the lesion and compare it with the microbubble perfusion pattern in the surrounding normal tissues, and combine the medical history analysis to determine the nature of the lesion, so as to conduct differential diagnosis of benign and malignant. In addition, the doctor can also use a contrast quantitative analysis tool to conduct a more in-depth quantitative analysis of the stored contrast cine data, conduct a statistically significant study, and expect to discover the regularities of ultrasound contrast manifestations of certain diseases, etc.

[0055] It is understandable that "angiography" refers to a medical imaging technique used to visualize the interior or lumen of blood vessels and organs in the body, which is particularly applicable to arteries, veins, and heart cavities. It has traditionally been accomplished by injecting a radiopaque contrast agent into the blood vessels and using an X-ray-based technique (such as fluoroscopy) for imaging. Traditionally, angiography has been strictly defined as projection radiography. However, recently, the term has also been applied to newer vascular imaging techniques, such as CT angiography and MR angiography.

[0056] Ultrasound contrast agents rely on the different ways in which sound waves are reflected from the interfaces between substances. This can be the surface of small bubbles or more complex structures. For example, the contrast agent can be an inflated microbubble, which is administered intravenously into the systemic circulation. Microbubbles have a high degree of echogenicity (the ability of an object to reflect ultrasonic waves). The gas in the microbubbles has a large difference in echogenicity compared to the soft tissues surrounding the body. Therefore, ultrasound imaging using a microbubble contrast agent enhances the ultrasonic backscattering of ultrasonic waves to produce an ultrasonic image with increased contrast due to the high echogenicity difference. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can be used to image blood perfusion in organs, measure blood flow rates in the heart and other organs, and for other applications, etc.

[0057] An embodiment of the present invention provides a quantitative analysis method based on ultrasound contrast cine. Among them, the ultrasound contrast cine can be obtained by an ultrasound device, which can also be called an ultrasound device or an ultrasound contrast device or system, etc. As Figure 1 shown, the ultrasound device 10 includes an ultrasound probe 110, a transmit / receive selection switch 120, a transmit circuit 160, a receive circuit 170, a memory 130, a processor 140, and a display 150.

[0058] A contrast agent can be perfused into a target object through an injector. The transmit / receive selection switch 120 can drive the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit an ultrasonic beam to the target object via the transmit circuit 160, and receive the ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam returned from the target object through the ultrasonic probe 110 via the receive circuit 170. The processor 140 can obtain an ultrasonic echo signal based on the ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam, and obtain an ultrasonic contrast movie of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0059] Exemplarily, the transmit / receive selection switch 120 can drive the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit an ultrasonic beam to the target object perfused with the contrast agent via the transmit circuit 160, and receive the ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam returned from the target object through the ultrasonic probe 110 via the receive circuit 170. The processor 140 can obtain an ultrasonic echo signal based on the ultrasonic echo; and according to the ultrasonic echo signal, obtain an ultrasonic contrast movie of the target object by processing the ultrasonic echo signal. The ultrasonic contrast movie obtained by the processor 140 can be stored in the memory 130. Optionally, the ultrasonic contrast movie can be displayed on the display 150, for example, the ultrasonic contrast movie can be automatically played or a frame image (such as the starting frame image) in the ultrasonic contrast movie can be displayed.

[0060] Optionally, the display 150 in the ultrasonic device 10 can be a touch display screen, a liquid crystal display screen, etc.; or the display 150 can be an independent display device such as a liquid crystal display or a television outside the ultrasonic device 10; or the display 150 can be a display screen of an electronic device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, etc. Among them, the number of the displays 150 can be one or more.

[0061] Optionally, the memory 130 in the ultrasonic device 10 can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory, a removable memory and / or a non-removable memory, etc., for example, it can be a flash card, a solid state memory, a hard disk, etc.

[0062] Optionally, the processor 140 in the ultrasonic device 10 can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof, and can use a circuit, a single or multiple application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a single or multiple general integrated circuits, a single or multiple microprocessors, a single or multiple programmable logic devices, or any combination of the foregoing circuits and / or devices, or other suitable circuits or devices, so that the processor 140 can execute the corresponding steps of the methods in the various embodiments of this specification.

[0063] It should be understood that Figure 1The components included in the ultrasonic device 10 shown are only schematic, and it may include more or fewer components. For example, the ultrasonic device 10 may further include input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a roller, a trackball, etc., and / or may include output devices such as a printer. The corresponding external input / output port may be a wireless communication module, a wired communication module, or a combination of both. The external input / output port may also be implemented based on USB, bus protocols such as CAN, and / or wired network protocols, etc. The present invention is not limited thereto.

[0064] The following will be combined with Figures 2 to 14 Describe the processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 2 Is a schematic flowchart of the processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 The method shown in includes:

[0066] S10, Obtain the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie of the target object.

[0067] S20, Based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie, select a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie as the frame of interest.

[0068] S30, Display the frame of interest.

[0069] In the embodiments of the present invention, the target object may include the target organ or tissue to be detected, such as the liver, kidney, breast, etc.

[0070] In the embodiments of the present invention, a contrast agent for ultrasound may be injected into the target object (for example, injected from a vein), and then the contrast agent for ultrasound may enter the target organ or tissue with the blood flow. The contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie can be generated by dynamically collecting ultrasound during this process.

[0071] In one implementation, the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie stored in advance may be obtained in S10. That is to say, the generation time of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie may be much earlier than the acquisition time in S10.

[0072] In another implementation, the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie generated in real time may be obtained in S10. In this implementation, as Figure 3 shown, S10 may include S110 to S130.

[0073] S110, Transmit an ultrasonic beam to the target object perfused with the contrast agent.

[0074] S120, Receive the ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.

[0075] S130. Obtain the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of the target object according to the ultrasound echo signal.

[0076] S20. Based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, select a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as the frame of interest.

[0077] S30. Display the frame of interest.

[0078] It can be understood that S110 to S130 can be executed by means of an ultrasound device 10 as shown in Figure 1 to obtain the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. Among them, the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine includes a series of ultrasound images that change over time, or can be called multiple frames of images, and the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine can reflect the dynamic changes of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

[0079] Specifically, in S20, the frame of interest can be determined based on the image intensity of all frames or part of the frames in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. Correspondingly, S20 may include: selecting video data from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, where the video data may be all or part of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; based on the image intensity in the video data, select a frame from the video data as the frame of interest.

[0080] Exemplarily, the video data may be part of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, for example, it can be obtained by means of interception and / or temporal downsampling, etc.

[0081] As an implementation manner, the video data is part of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine and includes video data with a preset length intercepted starting from a specific position in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine.

[0082] It can be understood that the specific manner of intercepting a part of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine in the embodiments of the present invention is not limited. Exemplarily, a preset length can be intercepted starting from a specific position in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as the video data. For example, the specific position can be the starting frame or a certain intermediate frame. As an example, a preset length can be intercepted starting from the starting frame of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as the video data. And, the preset length can be determined in advance according to the duration for the contrast agent to reach the target object. For example, the preset length is greater than the duration for the contrast agent to reach the target object.

[0083] Starting from the injection of the contrast agent, since it takes some time for the contrast agent to reach the target object, especially it takes some time to reach the target organ or tissue to be detected, so the images of the first few frames in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine are often contentless. And it can be understood that during the contrast-enhanced ultrasound process, if the imaging frame rate is higher, the number of contentless images in the obtained contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine will also be more. As an example, as shown in Figure 4 shown, Figure 4 (a) is a contentless image where the contrast agent has not yet arrived. Figure 4(b) is a meaningful image where the contrast agent has arrived.

[0084] Therefore, in one example, it is possible to start intercepting from the images of non-starting frames, which can reduce the processing of the previous meaningless frames, avoid meaningless calculation processes, and improve the efficiency of frame selection. In another example, if starting to intercept from the images of the starting frame, the preset length should be greater than the duration for the contrast agent to reach the target organ or tissue to be detected, so as to also avoid that the intercepted video data are all meaningless images. For example, if the contrast agent is injected into the blood vessel from the cubital vein and the target organ or tissue to be detected is the liver, then for the blood circulation systems of most people, the total time taken for the contrast agent microbubbles to reach the liver through the hepatic artery and portal vein generally does not exceed 20 seconds. Then in this example, it is possible to start intercepting from the starting frame and obtain video data with a preset length of 30 seconds.

[0085] It can be understood that the duration for the contrast agent to reach the target organ or tissue to be detected is related to the following factors: the properties of the contrast agent, the target organ or tissue, the blood flow state of the target object, the ultrasonic imaging frame rate, and so on.

[0086] As another implementation, the video data is part of an ultrasonic contrast movie and includes the video data obtained by performing temporal downsampling on the ultrasonic contrast movie.

[0087] It can be understood that the length of the ultrasonic contrast movie is generally relatively long and includes a large number of image frames. If the frames of interest are selected based on the image intensities of all the image frames, it may lead to an overly long time consumption. Considering the similarity between adjacent frames, preprocessing can be first performed through the method of temporal downsampling, so as to obtain video data containing a smaller number of frames. As an example, the method of temporal downsampling can be referred to as Figure 5 As shown, the ultrasonic contrast movie includes a sequence of image frames, then some frames can be selected from this sequence to form the video data.

[0088] Among them, temporal downsampling can be performed on the ultrasonic contrast movie according to a preset extraction rate. In this way, by sampling along the time axis, the processing speed can be accelerated. Among them, the extraction rate can be preset according to the imaging frame rate of the ultrasonic contrast movie. As an example, it can be assumed that the extraction rate is [FR / 5], where FR represents the imaging frame rate of the ultrasonic contrast movie, and [] represents rounding up. For example, if FR = 10 frames per second, then when performing temporal downsampling, one frame is taken out of every two frames. If FR = 16 frames per second, then when performing temporal downsampling, one frame is taken out of every four frames.

[0089] As another implementation, the video data is part of a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, and includes video data obtained by starting from a specific frame of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, intercepting a preset length, and then performing temporal downsampling.

[0090] It can be understood that this implementation is equivalent to the combination of the above two implementations. That is, selecting video data from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine includes: starting from a specific frame (such as the starting frame) of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, intercepting a video segment of a preset length, and performing temporal downsampling on the video segment to obtain video data.

[0091] Specifically, a preset length can be intercepted from the starting frame of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, and then the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine is temporally downsampled according to a preset extraction rate to obtain video data. Among them, the preset length can be determined according to the duration when the contrast agent reaches the target organ or tissue to be detected. For example, the preset length is 30 seconds. Among them, the extraction rate can be [FR / 5], where FR represents the imaging frame rate of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, and [] represents rounding up.

[0092] It can be understood that the relevant descriptions in the above two different implementations can be referred to for this implementation, and will not be elaborated here.

[0093] Similarly, in another implementation, the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine can also be temporally downsampled first, and then a specific length is intercepted from the temporally downsampled cine as video data. Or, video data can also be selected from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine by other means, and the details will not be listed one by one in this specification.

[0094] To simplify the description, how to select a frame from the video data as the frame of interest will be introduced below. It can be understood that the video data can be the above-mentioned contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, or the video data can be a segment intercepted from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, or the video data can be obtained by temporally downsampling the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, or the video data can be obtained by temporally downsampling a segment intercepted from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, and so on.

[0095] Exemplarily, selecting a frame from the video data as the frame of interest may include: calculating the image intensity of each frame image in the video data, and then taking the frame with the maximum image intensity as the frame of interest.

[0096] Assume that the video data includes N frame images. Then, for each of the N frame images, its image intensity is calculated respectively, so that N image intensities corresponding to the N frame images can be obtained. Then, the maximum image intensity can be found from the N image intensities, and the corresponding frame can be determined as the frame of interest. If the N frame images are respectively marked as the i-th frame image, i = 1, 2,..., N. The N image intensities are respectively marked as Ii , where \(i = 1, 2, \ldots, N\). If \(\text{Max}\{I i \} = I K , then the \(K\)-th frame of the \(N\) frames of images can be used as the frame of interest.

[0097] It can be understood that although in the main embodiments of the present invention, the frame with the maximum image intensity is used as the frame of interest, those skilled in the art can understand that other frames can also be used as the frame of interest. For example, the frame with the second largest image intensity or the third largest image intensity can be used as the frame of interest. Another example is that any frame with an image intensity greater than the average image intensity of the \(N\) frames of images can be used as the frame of interest. The present application does not limit this.

[0098] In one implementation, the image intensity of a frame of image is obtained in the following manner: based on the intensity values of all or part of the pixel points in a frame of image, the image intensity of this frame of image is calculated.

[0099] Taking the \(i\)-th frame of image as an example, assume that the \(i\)-th frame of image contains \(m\times n\) pixel points. Then, the image intensity of the \(i\)-th frame of image can be calculated based on the intensity values of all the pixel points (i.e., \(m\times n\) pixel points) in the \(i\)-th frame of image. Or, the image intensity of the \(i\)-th frame of image can be calculated based on the intensity values of part of the pixel points (the number is less than \(m\times n\)) in the \(i\)-th frame of image.

[0100] It can be understood that calculating based on the intensity values of all pixels will result in a more accurate result; calculating based on the intensity values of part of the pixels will take less processing time and be more efficient.

[0101] Exemplarily, the image intensity can include any one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient. Among them, the average intensity represents the average value of the intensity values of each pixel point. The average intensity gradient represents the gradient of the average intensity with respect to time. The standard deviation intensity represents the standard deviation of the intensity values of each pixel point. The variance intensity represents the variance of the intensity values of each pixel point. The interquartile range intensity represents the interquartile range of the intensity values of each pixel point. The interquartile range intensity gradient represents the gradient of the interquartile range intensity with respect to time. It can be understood that the "each pixel point" here is all or part of the pixel points based on which the image intensity is calculated.

[0102] Assume that the image intensity is calculated based on the intensity values of all the pixel points (i.e., all pixel points) of a frame of image (assumed to be the \(t\)-th frame). Then, for example, the image intensity can be obtained by the following formula:

[0103] Average intensity: where \(I ijIt represents the intensity value of the pixel at the horizontal coordinate i and vertical coordinate j of the frame image, where m and n are the total number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively.

[0104] Variance intensity:

[0105] Standard deviation intensity: Among them, Sqrt represents taking the square root.

[0106] Average intensity gradient: I(t) = Grad(t) = I mean (t) - I mean (t - 1). Where t = 2, 3, …, T. T is the total length of the video data. That is to say, T represents the total number of frames included in the video data.

[0107] As another representation, assume that the image intensity of a frame of image (assumed to be the t-th frame) is calculated based on P pixel points, where the P pixel points can be all or part of the pixel points in a frame of image (assumed to be the t-th frame). Then, the image intensity of this frame of image can be obtained in the following way.

[0108] Average intensity: Among them, I i represents the intensity value of the i-th pixel point among the P pixel points of this frame of image.

[0109] Variance intensity:

[0110] Standard deviation intensity:

[0111] Average intensity gradient: I(t) = Grad(t) = I mean (t) - I mean (t - 1). Where t = 2, 3, …, T. T is the total length of the video data. That is to say, T represents the total number of frames included in the video data.

[0112] Exemplarily, the image intensity can also be calculated through the interquartile range intensity or the interquartile range intensity gradient, which will not be elaborated here.

[0113] As described above, the image intensity of a frame of image can be calculated based on all or part of the pixel points included in this frame of image. Among them, the part of the pixel points can be a part selected from all the pixel points.

[0114] As an embodiment, the part of the pixel points can be determined by spatial downsampling, that is to say, the part of the pixel points is obtained by performing spatial downsampling on a frame of image.

[0115] The embodiments of the present invention do not specifically limit the method of spatial downsampling. Exemplarily, each frame image in the video data can be subjected to 2-fold spatial downsampling processing both horizontally and vertically. It can be understood that the present application does not limit the magnification of spatial downsampling, and the "2-fold" here is only illustrative.

[0116] As Figure 6 shown is a schematic diagram of performing 2-fold spatial downsampling processing both horizontally and vertically on a frame image. Through this processing, both the horizontal and vertical directions of a frame image are reduced to 1 / 2 of the original, so that the number of pixel points becomes 1 / 4 of the original. In this way, when calculating the image intensity, the number of pixel points based on is less, and the frame of interest can be determined faster, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

[0117] As another embodiment, part of the pixel points can be determined by intercepting a part of the region in space, that is to say, part of the pixel points are the pixel points within a preset spatial region in a frame image.

[0118] The embodiments of the present invention do not specifically limit the position of the preset spatial region. Exemplarily, for each frame image in the video data, a preset spatial region can be selected. As an example, the preset spatial region can be located in the middle of a frame image, that is, the center of the preset spatial region coincides with the center of the image; the area of the preset spatial region can be 1 / 4 of the image area, that is to say, the number of pixel points included in the preset spatial region can be 1 / 4 of the total pixel points in the frame image. As an example, both the horizontal and vertical (width and height) of the preset spatial region are 1 / 2 of a frame image.

[0119] As Figure 7 shown is a schematic diagram of taking the middle region of a frame image. Through this processing, both the horizontal and vertical directions of the extracted preset spatial region are reduced to 1 / 2 of the original, so that the number of pixel points becomes 1 / 4 of the original. In this way, when calculating the image intensity, the number of pixel points based on is less, and the frame of interest can be determined faster, thereby improving the processing efficiency; and since the selected is the middle region, which contains sufficient contrast data, the impact on the processing accuracy is very small, even negligible.

[0120] In another implementation manner, when calculating the image intensity of a frame image, the frame image can be preprocessed, and then the image intensity is calculated based on the preprocessed image. For example, the image intensity of the frame image can be calculated based on the intensity values of all pixel points in the preprocessed image.

[0121] As an example, the preprocessing can include block processing. Correspondingly, the image intensity of a frame image is obtained in the following manner: the frame image is divided into blocks, and the image intensity of the frame image is calculated according to the intensity values of each block.

[0122] Exemplarily, a frame of image can be evenly or unevenly partitioned. That is to say, the number of pixel points contained in different partitions can be equal or unequal, and different partitions can have the same or different sizes, shapes, etc. For example, the partitions in the edge part of a frame of image can be larger than those in the middle part, that is, the partitions in the edge part contain more pixel points.

[0123] Exemplarily, after partitioning, an intensity value can be assigned to each partition. Optionally, the intensity value of a partition is: the average value of the intensity values of all pixel points contained in the partition. It can be understood that after evenly partitioning a frame of image, each partition is regarded as a new pixel point, thereby generating a new image containing a smaller number of pixel points. The number of pixel points contained in the new image is equal to the number of partitions.

[0124] As Figure 8 shown is a schematic diagram of a new image obtained after evenly partitioning a frame of image. Among them, after evenly partitioning a frame of image, the number of partitions obtained is 11×10, or it can be understood that the number of pixel points contained in the new image obtained is 11×10. In this way, when calculating the image intensity, the number of pixel points based on is less, and the frame of interest can be determined faster, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

[0125] Exemplarily, calculating the image intensity of a frame of image according to the intensity value of each partition can include: calculating the image intensity of the frame of image based on the intensity values of all partitions. Or it can be understood that regarding a partition as a pixel point, according to the intensity values of all pixel points in the new image composed of all partitions, the image intensity of the frame of image is calculated. The process of calculating the image intensity is similar to the above embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0126] As another example, the preprocessing can include spatial downsampling or intercepting a preset spatial region. Correspondingly, the image intensity of a frame of image is obtained in the following manner: performing spatial downsampling on a frame of image, and calculating the image intensity of the frame of image based on the intensity values of all pixel points in the image after spatial downsampling. Or, the image intensity of a frame of image is obtained in the following manner: intercepting a preset spatial region in a frame of image, and calculating the image intensity of the frame of image based on the intensity values of all pixel points in the preset spatial region. Exemplarily, this process can refer to the relevant description in the above-mentioned process of obtaining partial pixels in combination with Figure 6 and Figure 7 part, and will not be elaborated here.

[0127] As described above, the image intensity can be any of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient. Exemplarily, S20 can determine the frame of interest according to the default image intensity. For example, the default image intensity can be preset. For example, if the default image intensity is the average intensity, then in S20, the frame of interest can be determined according to the average intensity.

[0128] Alternatively, exemplarily, in S20, the user's selection of the image intensity can be received; according to the selected image intensity of the user, the frame of interest can be determined. Specifically, the user can select one of multiple image intensities (average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient), for example, can be selected by means of a knob or the like, and this application is not limited thereto. Assuming that the user selects the variance intensity, then further, the frame of interest can be determined according to the variance intensity.

[0129] Alternatively, exemplarily, in S20, the frame of interest can be determined first according to the default image intensity (such as the average intensity), and then, when the user's selection of the image intensity is received (such as the user selects the variance intensity), the frame of interest can be re-determined according to the variance intensity.

[0130] Combined with Figure 2 or Figure 3 , in S30, the frame of interest determined in S20 can be displayed. It can be understood that this frame of interest is one of the frames in the video data. Naturally, this frame of interest is one of the frames in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie.

[0131] Optionally, when the frame of interest is displayed in S30, the position of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie can also be displayed. As an example, this position can be displayed by the frame number. For example, assuming that the frame of interest is the t1-th frame of the entire contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie, then "t1" can be displayed. As another example, this position can be displayed by the time. For example, assuming that the frame of interest is at the t2-th second of the entire contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie, then "t2 seconds" can be displayed.

[0132] As still another example, in the form of a progress bar, the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie and the frame number of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie can be displayed. For example, a progress bar can be shown, and the length of this progress bar represents the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. The position of the frame of interest can be marked on this progress bar, and the frame number where this frame of interest is located can also be directly displayed on or near the progress bar.

[0133] Combined with Figure 1 , this frame of interest can be displayed by the display 150. Exemplarily, as Figure 9 shown, it can be in the first partition of the interface (such as Figure 9The image area in) displays the frame of interest. Exemplarily, its position can also be displayed, such as Figure 9 A progress bar is displayed below the frame of interest within the first partition in Figure 9 to represent the total length of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. The position of the frame of interest is indicated by a vertical line on the progress bar. Additionally, the total length and position are represented in numerical form to the right of the progress bar. In "160 / 1800", 1800 represents the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie, and 160 represents the frame number of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie.

[0134] Exemplarily, after S20, it may further include: storing the frame of interest. Exemplarily, such as Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , it may further include: in the second partition of the interface (such as Figure 9 The storage thumbnail area in) displays a thumbnail of the stored frame of interest.

[0135] Exemplarily, such as Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , a coordinate system for presenting the analysis result subsequently may also be displayed in the third partition of the interface (such as Figure 9 The analysis result display area in). The horizontal axis of this coordinate system can represent time (such as the number of frames), and the vertical axis represents the magnitude of intensity (such as image intensity). Optionally, the position of the frame of interest can be marked in this coordinate system. Such as Figure 9 The position of the frame of interest is marked by a vertical line in the third partition of the interface in Figure 9 .

[0136] Exemplarily, such as Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , the parameters of ultrasonic imaging may also be displayed in the fourth partition of the interface (such as Figure 9 The imaging parameter display area in). The basic information of the subject (such as the patient) and the basic parameters of the ultrasonic examination, etc., may also be displayed in the fifth partition of the interface (such as Figure 9 The information display area in). The basic information includes name, gender, age, etc., and the basic parameters include examination mode, probe name, etc.

[0137] Exemplarily, the frame of interest displayed in S30 can be used for the user to draw an area of interest on it. Such as Figure 10 As shown in Figure 10 , after S30, it may include:

[0138] S40, obtaining the drawing instruction of the user on the frame of interest and determining the area of interest.

[0139] S50, obtaining an initial curve of the change of image intensity over time based on the ultrasonic data within the area of interest.

[0140] S60, displaying the initial curve.

[0141] Specifically, in S40, a closed curve drawn by the user on the frame of interest can be obtained, and the area enclosed by the closed curve can be determined as the region of interest.

[0142] In addition, optionally, as Figure 11 shown, after determining the region of interest in S40 in the embodiment of the present invention, it may further include:

[0143] S41, calculating the image intensity of the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie.

[0144] S42, determining the frame with the maximum image intensity of the region of interest as the updated frame of interest.

[0145] S43, replacing the displayed frame of interest with the updated frame of interest.

[0146] It can be understood that Figure 11 the processes of S40 to S42 in

[0147] are similar to the description in combination with S20 above. As another understanding, the region of interest in S40 can be regarded as the "preset spatial region" in the above embodiment. It can be understood that the image intensity in S41 can be any one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient. And, the default image intensity or the image intensity selected by the user can be used to re-determine the frame of interest in S42 as the updated frame of interest. The specific implementation process can refer to the relevant records in the part in combination with S20 above. For the sake of saving space, it will not be repeated here.

[0148] Exemplarily, in S43, the updated frame of interest can be displayed, and the frame of interest in S30 is no longer displayed. Specifically, the updated frame of interest can be displayed in the first partition of the interface, and similarly, the position of the updated frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie can also be displayed in the form of a progress bar or the like. Figure 12 shown, the updated frame of interest is displayed in the first partition of the interface, and the region of interest determined in S40 is included thereon. Further, a progress bar is displayed below the updated frame of interest in the first partition to represent the total length of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie, and the position of the updated frame of interest is represented by a vertical line on the progress bar. And, the total length and position are also represented in digital form to the right of the progress bar, where "360 / 1800" means that 1800 represents the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie, and 360 represents the number of frames of the updated frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie.

[0149] Exemplarily, after S42, it may further include: storing the updated frame of interest. Exemplarily, as Figure 12 shown, it may further include: in the second partition of the interface (such asFigure 12 The stored thumbnail area in) displays the thumbnail of the stored updated frame of interest. Specifically, in Figure 12 the second partition in, it includes both the thumbnail of the frame of interest determined by S20 and the thumbnail of the updated frame of interest determined by S42.

[0150] In this way, by repositioning the frame of interest based on the image intensity of the region of interest, it is convenient for the user to view the contrast state more clearly on the updated frame of interest, so as to obtain more detailed contrast information about the organ or tissue under test.

[0151] Return Figure 10 , S50 and S60 can be optionally executed after S43. And in the embodiments of the present invention, the ultrasonic data may include the intensity values of pixel points, and the ultrasonic data in the region of interest referred to in S50 may refer to the original intensity values of each pixel point in the region of interest or the intensity values after preprocessing. Among them, the preprocessing may be processing such as spatial smoothing, and it can be understood that through preprocessing, the interference of black holes in the image can be reduced and the influence of noise can be reduced, etc.

[0152] Exemplarily, in S50, for each frame in the ultrasonic contrast movie, the image intensity of the region of interest can be calculated, so as to obtain the variation relationship of the image intensity with time, that is, the initial curve.

[0153] It can be understood that the image intensity in S50 can be any one of the average intensity, maximum intensity, minimum intensity, variance intensity, standard deviation intensity, etc., and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0154] Exemplarily, in S60, the initial curve can be displayed in the third partition (analysis result display area) of the interface, and the initial curve represents the variation of the image intensity in the region of interest with time.

[0155] As Figure 12 shown, the initial curve is displayed in the third partition of the interface, and the position of the frame image displayed in the first partition is marked on the initial curve (in the form of a cursor), specifically, the position of the updated frame of interest displayed in the first partition is marked. That is to say, the position of the updated frame of interest marked in the second partition is consistent with the position of the updated frame of interest marked on the progress bar in the first partition.

[0156] In addition, further, after S60, it may further include: obtaining a fitting curve by performing curve fitting on the initial curve; determining the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest according to the fitting curve; marking the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest on the initial curve or the fitting curve.

[0157] Exemplarily, the fitted curve can be a smooth curve. In the present application, the initial curve can be fitted into a smooth curve by means of curve fitting, and optionally, the smooth curve can be displayed. Among them, the fitting model used for curve fitting can be a default fitting model or a fitting model selected by the user.

[0158] Exemplarily, the time when microbubbles appear can be determined by analyzing the fitted curve. Specifically, since both the initial curve and the fitted curve are based on the image intensity of the region of interest, the time when microbubbles appear refers to the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest.

[0159] Exemplarily, the time when microbubbles appear can be expressed as the number of frames, such as which frame in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. Further, the time when microbubbles appear can be marked on the curve (initial curve or fitted curve) displayed in the third partition of the interface. For example, it can be marked by another cursor.

[0160] In addition, optionally, the time when microbubbles appear can also be marked on the progress bar used to mark the position of the frame of interest (or update the frame of interest) in the first partition of the interface. That is to say, a progress bar can be displayed, for example, below the frame of interest (or updated frame of interest) in the first partition. The length of the progress bar is used to represent the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. The position of the frame of interest (or updated frame of interest) in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie can be marked on the progress bar, and the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest can also be marked on the progress bar. It can be understood that both the position and the time can be in the form of the number of frames, that is, indicating which frame in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. Among them, different marking forms (such as line width, style, color, etc.) can be used to distinguish the position and the time, and the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0161] It can be seen that in the embodiments of the present invention, the frame of interest can be automatically determined according to the quantitative analysis of the image intensity for the user to draw the region of interest. It can avoid the user from manually searching for the frame of interest, avoiding the cumbersome operations of the user, and the method is fast and accurate, improving the processing efficiency for the contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie. Further, the frame of interest can be re-determined according to the quantitative analysis of the region of interest, realizing the repositioning and updating of the frame of interest, facilitating the user to view the contrast image more clearly, and thus being able to perform more accurate analysis and diagnosis, etc.

[0162] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of a processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 The method shown in includes:

[0163] S10, obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound movie of a target object.

[0164] S21. Select multiple frames of images in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine;

[0165] S22. Select one frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest;

[0166] S30. Display the frame of interest.

[0167] As described above for S10, the pre-stored contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine can be obtained from the memory. Or the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine generated in real time can be obtained. As Figure 14 shown, S10 can include S110 to S130.

[0168] S110. Transmit an ultrasonic beam to the target object perfused with the contrast agent.

[0169] S120. Receive the ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal.

[0170] S130. Obtain the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0171] S21. Select multiple frames of images in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine;

[0172] S22. Select one frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest;

[0173] S30. Display the frame of interest.

[0174] S21 may include: Select video data from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, where the video data may be all or a part of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Based on the image intensity in the video data, select multiple frames of images from the video data.

[0175] Among them, the video data may be all of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. Or among them, the video data may be a part of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, for example, it can be obtained by means of interception and / or temporal downsampling, etc. Specifically, reference can be made to the video data described in combination with the S20 part in the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0176] As an implementation manner, to select multiple frames of images from the video data, it may include: Calculate the image intensity of each frame of image in the video data, and select multiple frames of images with the largest image intensity therefrom. Exemplarily, all the images in the video data can be sorted in descending order of image intensity, and then the first N0 images can be selected as the multiple frames of images. That is to say, the number of multiple frames of images is N0, and N0 is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0177] As another implementation, selecting multiple frames of images from video data may include: calculating the image intensity of each frame of the video data, and then selecting multiple frames of images with image intensities greater than a set threshold.

[0178] Among them, the image intensity of a frame of image may be calculated based on the intensity values of all pixel points or some pixel points in the frame of image. And the image intensity may include any one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient. Specifically, reference may be made to the description in the above embodiments in combination with Figures 6 to 8 the relevant part.

[0179] Among them, the set threshold may be related to probe parameters, imaging parameters, attributes of the target organ or tissue, etc., and may be set in advance based on this.

[0180] It can be understood that the multiple frames of images selected in S21 may be consecutive frames in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; or may be non-consecutive frames in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. For example, every two frames in the multiple frames of images are not consecutive in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; or, two certain frames in the multiple frames of images are two consecutive frames in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine.

[0181] Exemplarily, all images with image intensities greater than the set threshold may be used together as multiple frames of images. In this way, the number of multiple frames of images is related to the set threshold. For example, for the same contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, if the set threshold is larger, the number of multiple frames of images is smaller; if the set threshold is smaller, the number of multiple frames of images is larger.

[0182] Or, a specific number may be selected from all images with image intensities greater than the set threshold as multiple frames of images. That is to say, the number of multiple frames of images may be fixed and equal to the specific number, and the specific number may be set in advance, assumed to be N0. As an example, as long as N0 images with image intensities greater than the set threshold are found, these N0 images are used as multiple frames of images. As another example, among all images with image intensities greater than the set threshold, N0 images with larger image intensities may be used as multiple frames of images. For example, all images with image intensities greater than the set threshold may be sorted in descending order according to the image intensity, and then the first N0 images may be used as multiple frames of images.

[0183] Exemplarily, in S22, the user may select the frame of interest from the multiple frames of images. For example, the user may directly select the first frame or the last frame or the N1th frame, or the user may select any one of them according to experience, etc. It can be understood that the present application does not limit the way the user selects, etc.

[0184] In addition, it can be understood that after S30, it may further include: such as Figure 10S40, S50, and S60 shown; alternatively, it may include S40, S41, S42, and S43 as shown in Figure 11 . Alternatively, optionally, after S30, S40, S41, S42, S43, S50, and S60 may be included. Specifically, reference may be made to the content described in combination with Figure 10 and Figure 11 in the foregoing embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0185] Thus, it can be seen that the present application can semi - automatically determine the frame of interest. After selecting multiple frames of images, the user selects the frame of interest, so that the user does not need to select based on all the frames in the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie, reducing the number of image frames based on which the user makes a selection, and thus improving the efficiency of determining the frame of interest. Further, the multiple frames of images are determined based on image intensity, making the multiple frames of images based on which the user makes a selection better meet the requirements of the frame of interest and making it easier for the user to make a selection. It can be understood that the frame of interest can be used for the user to conveniently draw the region of interest, thereby providing a reliable reference for the subsequent quantitative analysis of the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie and providing a more accurate basis for the user's further diagnosis and analysis of the target organ or tissue in the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie.

[0186] Now return to Figure 1 the ultrasound device 10 shown.

[0187] In one implementation, the transmit / receive selection switch 120 can stimulate the ultrasound probe 110 to transmit an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent via the transmit circuit and receive the ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam returned from the target object. The processor 140 can obtain an ultrasonic echo signal based on the ultrasonic echo; according to the ultrasonic echo signal, obtain the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie of the target object; based on the image intensity in the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie, select a frame from the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie as the frame of interest. The display 150 can display the frame of interest.

[0188] In one implementation, the transmit / receive selection switch 120 can stimulate the ultrasound probe 110 to transmit an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent via the transmit circuit and receive the ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam returned from the target object. The processor 140 can obtain an ultrasonic echo signal based on the ultrasonic echo; according to the ultrasonic echo signal, obtain the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie of the target object; based on the image intensity in the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie, select multiple frames of images in the contrast - enhanced ultrasound movie; use a frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest. The display 150 can display the frame of interest.

[0189] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer or a processor, the foregoing combination can be implementedFigures 2 to 14 Steps of any of the above-described methods. For example, the computer storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium.

[0190] In one embodiment, when the computer program instructions are run by a computer or a processor, the computer or the processor is caused to perform the following steps: obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of a target object; selecting a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as an interested frame based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; and displaying the interested frame.

[0191] In one embodiment, when the computer program instructions are run by a computer or a processor, the computer or the processor is caused to perform the following steps: emitting an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent; receiving an ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal; selecting a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as an interested frame based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; and displaying the interested frame.

[0192] In one embodiment, when the computer program instructions are run by a computer or a processor, the computer or the processor is caused to perform the following steps: obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of a target object; selecting multiple frames of images in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; taking a frame selected by a user from the multiple frames of images as an interested frame; and displaying the interested frame.

[0193] In one embodiment, when the computer program instructions are run by a computer or a processor, the computer or the processor is caused to perform the following steps: emitting an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent; receiving an ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal; selecting multiple frames of images in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; taking a frame selected by a user from the multiple frames of images as an interested frame; and displaying the interested frame.

[0194] The computer storage medium may, for example, include a memory card of a smart phone, a storage component of a tablet computer, a hard disk of a personal computer, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB memory, or any combination of the above storage media. The computer-readable storage medium may be any combination of one or more computer-readable storage media.

[0195] In addition, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product, which includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the above-described steps in combination with Figures 2 to 14 any of the above-described methods.

[0196] As can be seen, the embodiments of the present invention can automatically determine the frames of interest based on the image intensity of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine. This method of locating the frames of interest is fast and accurate, avoiding the cumbersome and time-consuming operation of the user searching frame by frame. The located frames of interest enable the user to conveniently draw the regions of interest, which can provide a reliable reference for the subsequent quantitative analysis of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine and provide a more accurate basis for the user's further diagnosis and analysis of the target organ or tissue in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine.

[0197] Although example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above example embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes and modifications therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims.

[0198] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present invention.

[0199] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed.

[0200] In the specification provided herein, a large number of specific details are set forth. However, it can be understood that the embodiments of the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and technologies have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0201] Similarly, it should be understood that, for the sake of streamlining the present invention and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects, in the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the various features of the present invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, the methods of the present invention should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected by the corresponding claims, the inventive point lies in that the corresponding technical problems can be solved by features that are fewer than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into the detailed description, where each claim itself serves as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

[0202] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, except where features are mutually exclusive, any combination can be used to combine all the features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all the processes or units of any method or apparatus so disclosed. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) can be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0203] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to understand that, although some of the embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, the combination of features of different embodiments is meant to be within the scope of the present invention and forms different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any one of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0204] The various component embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, or in software modules running on one or more processors, or in a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art should understand that in practice, a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP) can be used to implement some or all of the functions of some of the modules in the article analysis device according to the embodiments of the present invention. The present invention can also be implemented as a device program (e.g., a computer program and a computer program product) for performing part or all of the methods described herein. Such a program implementing the present invention can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or can be in the form of one or more signals. Such signals can be downloaded from an Internet website, or provided on a carrier signal, or in any other form.

[0205] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention rather than restrictive of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claim. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present invention can be implemented by means of hardware including several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim listing several devices, several of these devices can be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc. does not denote any order. These words can be interpreted as names.

[0206] As described above, the above is only a specific implementation manner of the present invention or an illustration of the specific implementation manner. The protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, characterized in that Comprising: Emitting an ultrasonic beam towards a target object perfused with a contrast agent; Receiving ultrasonic echoes returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; Obtaining an ultrasonic contrast movie of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal; Selecting a frame from the ultrasonic contrast movie as an interested frame based on the image intensity in the ultrasonic contrast movie; Displaying the interested frame, where the interested frame is used to draw an interested region; Obtaining a drawing instruction of the user on the interested frame to determine the interested region; Calculating the image intensity of the interested region in the ultrasonic contrast movie; Determining the frame with the maximum image intensity of the interested region as an updated interested frame; Replacing the displayed interested frame with the updated interested frame; Wherein, the image intensity includes at least one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Selecting a frame from the ultrasonic contrast movie as an interested frame includes: Selecting video data from the ultrasonic contrast movie, where the video data is all or a part of the ultrasonic contrast movie; Selecting a frame from the video data as the interested frame based on the image intensity in the video data.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The video data is a part of the ultrasonic contrast movie and includes video data of a preset length intercepted from the starting frame of the ultrasonic contrast movie.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The video data is a part of the ultrasonic contrast movie and includes video data obtained by performing temporal downsampling on the ultrasonic contrast movie.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein The video data is a part of the ultrasonic contrast movie and includes video data obtained by intercepting a preset length from the starting frame of the ultrasonic contrast movie and then performing temporal downsampling.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The preset length is pre-determined according to the duration for the contrast agent to reach the target object, and the preset length is greater than the duration for the contrast agent to reach the target object.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, Selecting a frame from the video data as the interested frame includes: Calculating the image intensity of each frame image included in the video data; Determining the frame with the maximum image intensity as the interested frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The image intensity of a frame image is obtained by the following method: Based on the intensity values of all or part of the pixel points in the frame image, calculating the image intensity of the frame image.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The part of the pixel points is obtained by performing spatial downsampling on the frame image.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein The part of the pixel points is the pixel points within a preset spatial region in the frame image.

11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The image intensity of a frame image is obtained by the following method: dividing the frame image into blocks, and calculating the image intensity of the frame image according to the intensity values of each block.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The intensity value of a block is the average value of the intensity values of all the pixel points included in the block.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The average intensity represents the average value of the intensity values of each pixel point; The average intensity gradient represents the gradient of the average intensity with respect to time; The standard deviation intensity represents the standard deviation of the intensity values of each pixel point; Variance intensity, representing the variance of the intensity values of each pixel point; Interquartile range intensity, representing the interquartile range of the intensity values of each pixel point; Interquartile range intensity gradient, representing the gradient of the interquartile range intensity with respect to time.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that Selecting a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, including: Receiving the user's selection of the image intensity; Selecting a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as the frame of interest according to the image intensity selected by the user.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Displaying the frame of interest, including: Displaying the frame of interest and displaying the position of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Displaying the position of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, including: Displaying the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine and the position of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine in the form of a progress bar.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Also including: Obtaining an initial curve of the change of image intensity with time according to the ultrasound data in the region of interest; Displaying the initial curve.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein Also including: Marking the position of the updated frame of interest on the initial curve.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein Also including: Obtaining a fitted curve by curve fitting the initial curve; Determining the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest according to the fitted curve; Marking the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest on the initial curve or the fitted curve.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein Also including: Displaying a progress bar, where the progress bar indicates the total number of frames of the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, and the position of the frame of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine and the time when microbubbles appear in the region of interest are marked on the progress bar.

21. A processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, characterized in that Including: Emitting an ultrasonic beam to a target object perfused with a contrast agent; Receiving the ultrasonic echo returned from the target object to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; Obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of the target object according to the ultrasonic echo signal; Selecting multiple frames of images from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Taking a frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest; Displaying the frame of interest, which is used to draw a region of interest; Obtaining the user's drawing instruction on the frame of interest to determine the region of interest; Calculating the image intensity of the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Determining the frame with the maximum image intensity of the region of interest as the updated frame of interest; Replacing the displayed frame of interest with the updated frame of interest; Wherein, the image intensity includes at least one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient.

22. A processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, characterized in that, Including: Obtaining a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of a target object; Selecting a frame from the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine as the frame of interest based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Displaying the frame of interest, which is used to draw a region of interest; Obtaining the user's drawing instruction on the frame of interest to determine the region of interest; Calculating the image intensity of the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Determining the frame with the maximum image intensity of the region of interest as the updated frame of interest; Replace the displayed frame of interest with the updated frame of interest; Wherein, the image intensity includes at least one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient.

23. A processing method based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound, characterized in that, Comprising: Obtain a contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine of a target object; Based on the image intensity in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine, select multiple frames of images in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Use a frame selected by the user from the multiple frames of images as the frame of interest; Display the frame of interest, which is used to draw a region of interest; Obtain a drawing instruction of the user on the frame of interest and determine the region of interest; Calculate the image intensity of the region of interest in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound cine; Determine the frame with the maximum image intensity of the region of interest as the updated frame of interest; Replace the displayed frame of interest with the updated frame of interest; Wherein, the image intensity includes at least one of the following: average intensity, average intensity gradient, standard deviation intensity, variance intensity, interquartile range intensity, interquartile range intensity gradient.

24. An ultrasonic device, characterized in that, Comprising: An ultrasound probe; A transmit / receive selection switch for exciting the ultrasound probe to transmit an ultrasonic beam to a target object via a transmit circuit, wherein the target object includes tissue perfused with a contrast agent, and exciting the ultrasound probe to receive an ultrasonic echo of the ultrasonic beam returned from the target object via a receive circuit; A memory for storing a program executed by the processor; A processor for executing or controlling the transmit / receive selection switch or a display to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A computer storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a computer or a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23 are implemented.

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