Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and method of operating the same

Abstract

An ultrasonic diagnostic device is disclosed, comprising: a display; a memory for storing one or more instructions; and a processor for executing the one or more instructions stored in the memory. The processor acquires a plurality of elastic data about an object, generates a plurality of elastic images based on the plurality of elastic data, acquires quality information about each of the plurality of elastic images based on the plurality of elastic data respectively corresponding to the plurality of elastic images, determines at least one recommended elastic image from which elasticity values ​​are to be acquired from the plurality of elastic images based on the quality information, and controls the display to display the determined at least one recommended elastic image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments relate to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an operating method thereof capable of accurately and easily acquiring an elasticity value of an object. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the medical field, various medical imaging devices have been widely used to image and obtain information about the living tissue of the human body for the purpose of early diagnosis of various diseases or surgeries. Representative examples of these medical imaging devices may include ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, computer tomography (CT) equipment, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment.

[0003] The ultrasonic diagnostic equipment irradiates the ultrasonic signal generated from the transducer of the probe to the object, and receives information about the echo signal reflected from the object to obtain an image of a part of the object. Specifically, the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is used for medical purposes, such as observing the inside of the object, detecting foreign matter, damage measurement, etc. Compared with the diagnostic equipment using X-rays, the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment has the advantages of high stability, the ability to display images in real time, and safety due to no radiation exposure, and is therefore widely used together with other imaging diagnostic equipment.

[0004] Meanwhile, in order to measure the elasticity value of an object, a plurality of elastic images of the object are acquired, and the measurement positions in the plurality of elastic images are respectively determined according to the judgment of the user, and the elasticity value is acquired at the determined measurement position. In this case, in order to acquire the elasticity value with high reliability, the user should select an appropriate elasticity image from the acquired plurality of elasticity images, and select an appropriate measurement position from which the elasticity value is acquired from the selected elasticity image, but it is not easy to select the elasticity image and the measurement position of the elasticity value. In addition, there is a problem that the process of acquiring the elasticity value while changing the measurement position from which the elasticity value is acquired has to be repeated several times to acquire the elasticity value with high reliability, and thus it takes a lot of time to acquire the elasticity value. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The embodiment is directed to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of providing an elastic image for acquiring highly reliable elasticity values ​​of an object and information on a measurement position, and an operating method thereof.

[0007] Best Mode

[0008] According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: a display; a memory configured to store one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor obtains multiple elastic data about an object, and then generates multiple elastic images based on the multiple elastic data, obtains quality information of each of the multiple elastic images based on the multiple elastic data respectively corresponding to the multiple elastic images, determines at least one recommended elastic image from the multiple elastic images based on the quality information, wherein an elasticity value is obtained from the at least one recommended elastic image, and controls the display to display the determined at least one recommended elastic image.

[0009] The processor according to one embodiment may acquire reliability information of elasticity values ​​respectively included in the plurality of elastic images, and may acquire quality information of each of the plurality of elastic images based on the reliability information.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the processor may determine the quality information of each elastic image based on a ratio of regions having reliability information greater than or equal to a preset value in the entire region of interest from which the elastic data is acquired.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the processor may determine a recommended position from which to obtain the elasticity value based on reliability information of the elasticity value included in the determined at least one recommended elasticity image, and may control the display to display the recommended position on the at least one recommended elasticity image.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device may further include a user input unit, which is configured to receive a user input selecting any one from the at least one recommended elasticity image determined, wherein the processor may determine at least one recommended position from which to obtain the elasticity value based on reliability information of the elasticity value included in the selected recommended elasticity image, and may control the display to display the at least one recommended position on the recommended elasticity image.

[0013] When the at least one recommended location is a plurality of recommended locations, the processor according to one embodiment may control the display to display a priority of the at least one recommended location.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the priority of the at least one recommended position may be determined based on the quality information corresponding to the elastic image including the recommended position and the reliability information corresponding to the recommended position.

[0015] The processor according to one embodiment may acquire an elasticity value corresponding to the at least one recommended position, and may control the display to display the acquired elasticity value.

[0016] The processor according to one embodiment may control the display to display quality information corresponding to the at least one recommended elasticity image.

[0017] The processor according to one embodiment may determine a representative elasticity value corresponding to the at least one recommended elasticity image, and may control the display to display the representative elasticity value.

[0018] According to one embodiment, an operating method of an ultrasonic diagnostic device includes the following operations: acquiring multiple elastic data about an object; generating multiple elastic images based on the multiple elastic data; acquiring quality information of each of the multiple elastic images based on the multiple elastic data respectively corresponding to the multiple elastic images; determining at least one recommended elastic image from the multiple elastic images based on the quality information, wherein an elasticity value is acquired from the at least one recommended elastic image; and displaying the determined at least one recommended elastic image.

[0019] Beneficial Effects

[0020] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment can easily and quickly acquire an elasticity value with high reliability for an object by providing an elasticity image for acquiring an elasticity value with high reliability and information on a measurement position to a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention can be readily understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the reference numerals represent structural elements.

[0022] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 2 is a set of diagrams illustrating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a reference diagram for describing a method of determining and displaying a recommended elasticity image from a plurality of elasticity images by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6is a flowchart illustrating a method of acquiring an elasticity value from a recommended elasticity image by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 is a reference diagram for describing a method of determining a recommended position from which to acquire an elasticity value by means of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays a recommended position for acquiring an elasticity value.

[0029] Fig. 9 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays a recommended position and an elasticity value.

[0030] Fig.10 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays elasticity values.

[0031] Fig.11 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays a recommended position for acquiring an elasticity value.

[0032] Fig.12 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays elasticity values.

[0033] Fig.13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] This specification explains the scope of the present invention, describes the principles of the present invention and discloses embodiments so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention. The disclosed embodiments can be implemented in various forms.

[0035] Throughout this specification, the same reference numerals represent the same components. This specification does not describe all the elements of the embodiment, and will omit common content or content repeated between embodiments in the technical field of the present invention. According to the embodiment, the term "module" or "unit" used in the specification may be implemented as one or a combination of two or more of software, hardware and firmware, and multiple "modules" or "units" may be implemented as one element, or one "module" or "unit" may include multiple elements.

[0036] Hereinafter, the working principle and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] In this specification, the image may include a medical image acquired by a medical imaging device such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a computer tomography (CT) device, an ultrasound imaging device, an X-ray imaging device, or the like.

[0038] In this specification, "object" is an object to be captured, and may include a person, an animal, or a part thereof. For example, the object may include a part of the body (such as a tissue, an organ, etc.), a phantom, etc.

[0039] Throughout the specification, an 'ultrasound image' refers to an image of an object processed based on an ultrasound signal transmitted to the object and reflected from the object.

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to an embodiment may include a probe 20, an ultrasonic transceiver 110, a controller 120, an image processing unit 130, a display unit 140, a storage unit 150, a communication unit 160, and an input unit 170.

[0042] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may be implemented not only in a portable type but also in a cart type. Examples of portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses may be smartphones, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, etc. including probes and applications, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0043] The probe 20 may include a plurality of transducers. The plurality of transducers may transmit an ultrasonic signal to the object 10 according to a transmission signal applied from the transmission unit 113. The plurality of transducers may receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object 10 to form a reception signal. In addition, the probe 20 may be implemented integrally with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, or may be implemented as a separate type connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 in a wired or wireless manner. In addition, according to the implementation form, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may include one probe 20 or a plurality of probes 20.

[0044] The controller 120 controls the transmission unit 113 to form a transmission signal to be applied to each of the plurality of transducers in consideration of the positions and focal points of the plurality of transducers included in the probe 20 .

[0045] The controller 120 controls the receiving unit 115 to generate ultrasound data by converting a reception signal received from the probe 20 from an analog signal to a digital signal and summing the reception signals converted into digital signals in consideration of positions and focal points of a plurality of transducers.

[0046] The image processing unit 130 generates an ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic data generated by the ultrasonic wave receiving unit 115 .

[0047] The display unit 140 may display a generated ultrasound image and various types of information processed by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100. According to an implementation form, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may include one or more display units 140. In addition, the display unit 140 may be implemented as a touch screen combined with a touch panel.

[0048] The controller 120 may control the overall operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and the signal flow between the internal components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. The controller 120 may include a memory storing a program or data for executing the functions of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100, and a processor processing the program or data. In addition, the controller 120 may receive a control signal from the input unit 170 or an external device to control the operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100.

[0049] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 160 , and may be connected to an external device (eg, a server, a medical device, a portable device (smart phone, tablet PC, wearable device, etc.)) through the communication unit 160 .

[0050] The communication unit 160 may include one or more components capable of communicating with an external device, and may include, for example, at least one of a near field communication module, a wired communication module, and a wireless communication module.

[0051] The communication unit 160 may transmit and receive control signals and data to and from an external device.

[0052] The storage unit 150 may store various types of data or various programs for driving and controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 , input and output ultrasonic data, acquired ultrasonic images, and the like.

[0053] The input unit 170 may receive a user's input for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100. For example, the user's input may include an input of an operation button, a keypad, a mouse, a trackball, a micro switch, a knob, etc., an input of touching a touch pad or a touch screen, a voice input, a motion input, a biometric information input (e.g., iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc.), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0054] The following will refer to Figure 2 (a) to (c) describe an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment.

[0055] Figure 2 (a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0056] Reference Figure 2 (a) and (b), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100a and 100b may each include a main display unit 121 and a sub-display unit 122. One of the main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122 may be implemented as a touch screen. The main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122 may display an ultrasonic image or various types of information processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100a or 100b. In addition, the main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122 are implemented as touch screens, and a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to receive data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100a or 100b from a user. For example, the main display unit 121 may display an ultrasonic image, and the sub-display unit 122 may display a control panel for controlling the display of the ultrasonic image in the form of a GUI. The sub-display unit 122 may receive data for controlling the display of an image through the control panel displayed in the form of a GUI. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100a or 100b may control the display of the ultrasonic image displayed on the main display unit 121 using the received control data.

[0057] Reference Figure 2 (b), in addition to the main display unit 121 and the sub-display unit 122, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100b may further include a control panel 165. The control panel 165 may include buttons, trackballs, micro switches, knobs, etc., and may receive data for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100b from a user. For example, the control panel 165 may include a time gain compensation (TGC) button 171, a freeze button 172, etc. The TGC button 171 is a button for setting a TGC value for each depth of an ultrasonic image. In addition, when an input of the freeze button 172 is sensed while scanning an ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100b may maintain a state of displaying a frame image at a corresponding time point.

[0058] In addition, buttons, a track ball, a micro switch, a knob, etc. included in the control panel 165 may be provided as a GUI on the main display unit 121 or the sub display unit 122 .

[0059] Reference Figure 2 (c), the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100c may be implemented in a portable type. Examples of the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100c may be a smartphone, a laptop computer, a PDA, a tablet PC, etc. including a probe and an application, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0060] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100c includes a probe 20 and a body 40, and the probe 20 may be connected to one side of the body 40 in a wired or wireless manner. The body 40 may include a touch screen 145. The touch screen 145 may display an ultrasonic image, various types of information processed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a GUI.

[0061] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0062] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may acquire ultrasound data about the object by irradiating an ultrasound signal to the object and receiving an echo signal of the irradiated ultrasound signal.

[0063] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may acquire B-mode data about an object, and may generate and display a B-mode ultrasound image based on the B-mode data. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may extract a B-mode component from the ultrasound data, and generate a B-mode image based on the extracted B-mode component, in which signal strength is represented as brightness.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a region of interest for acquiring elasticity data may be set in a B-mode image, and in this case, the position, size, and shape of the region of interest may be set differently. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may receive a user input for setting a region of interest for acquiring elasticity data, and set the region of interest based on the user input.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 can obtain elastic data about a region of interest of an object. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 can send an ultrasonic signal to the object for pushing a partial region (region of interest) of the object, and can cause displacement of the internal tissue of the object. Since shear waves are induced in the tissue in the object by the ultrasonic signal, tissue displacement can occur. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic signal for inducing shear waves can be an acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI). Since shear waves are induced in the tissue in the object by ARFI, shear wave displacement can occur.

[0066] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may acquire elastic data of the object by detecting shear wave displacement due to the induced shear wave.

[0067] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may generate an elastic image based on the acquired elastic data. In this case, the elastic image may be an image displayed in different colors according to a plurality of elastic values ​​corresponding to a plurality of points included in the region of interest. For example, a point that is hard and has a low elastic value (such as a tumor) may be shown in red, and a point that corresponds to a relatively soft tissue and has a high elastic value may be shown in blue.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 may acquire elastic data multiple times to acquire multiple elastic images. For example, a first region of interest may be set to acquire first elastic data corresponding to the first region of interest, and a second region of interest different from the first region of interest may be set to acquire second elastic data. In this case, the first region of interest and the second region of interest may be different from each other in at least one of position, size, and shape. Similar to the above, the ultrasonic diagnostic device 100 may acquire multiple elastic data corresponding to multiple regions of interest while setting the regions of interest differently, and may generate multiple elastic images based on the multiple elastic data (S310).

[0069] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may acquire quality information of a plurality of elastic images ( S320 ).

[0070] In this case, the quality information of the elastic image may be information indicating a reliability index of the elastic image (reliability of the elastic image). For example, when the quality information of the elastic image is high, the elastic image includes less noise information and may be determined as an elastic image suitable for measuring elasticity values. On the other hand, when the quality information of the elastic image is low, the elastic image includes more noise information and may be determined as an elastic image unsuitable for measuring elasticity values.

[0071] For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may calculate the quality information of the elastic image based on the reliability information of the elastic value included in the elastic image. In this case, the elastic value may refer to a value indicating the elasticity degree of the tissue of the object, and the reliability information of the elastic value may be a value indicating the reliability of the elastic value calculated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The reliability information may include a reliable measurement index or a measurement reliability index, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0072] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the quality information of the elastic image based on the ratio of regions where the reliability information is greater than or equal to the threshold value in the entire region of interest from which the elastic data is acquired. For example, the quality information of the elastic image may be defined as in the following Formula 1.

[0073] Formula 1

[0074]

[0075] In Formula 1, quality index indicates the quality information of the elastic image, A indicates the area of ​​the entire region of interest from which the elastic data is obtained, and B indicates the area of ​​the region of interest in which the reliability information is greater than or equal to the threshold. In this case, the threshold may be a value set by a user input, or may be a preset value. In addition, weight indicates a weight, and the weight may be determined by various parameters. For example, the weight may be determined in proportion to the amplitude of the shear wave induced in the object. Optionally, when the amplitude of the measurement signal used to observe the shear wave is large and the value of the standard deviation is small, the weight may be determined to be large. Optionally, when the standard deviation of the elastic value included in the region of interest is large, the weight may be determined to be small. Optionally, the weight may be determined to be large based on the average value or average reliability information of the elastic value included in the region of interest. Optionally, when the elastic data is acquired, the weight may be determined according to the contact state of the probe. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0076] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may display quality information acquired from a plurality of elastic images. For example, a plurality of elastic images may be displayed, and the quality information may be displayed as a numerical value on each of the plurality of elastic images. In this case, the numerical value may be a value calculated according to Formula 1, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the quality information may be displayed in various ways, such as color, graphics, etc. For example, the color displayed on the elastic image may be different depending on the value indicating the quality information.

[0077] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may determine at least one recommended elasticity image based on quality information of a plurality of elasticity images ( S330 ).

[0078] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine at least one elastic image having quality information greater than or equal to a threshold value among the plurality of elastic images as a recommended elastic image. In this case, the threshold value of the quality information may be a value set by a user input, or may be a preset value.

[0079] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may display at least one recommended elasticity image on a display ( S340 ).

[0080] In this case, when the recommended elasticity image is a plurality of recommended elasticity images, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus may display the recommended elasticity images in the display in the order of increasing values ​​representing the quality information. In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may further display the quality information of the recommended elasticity images.

[0081] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a reference diagram for describing a method of determining and displaying a recommended elasticity image from a plurality of elasticity images by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0082] Reference Figure 4 According to one embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may generate a plurality of elastic images 411, 412, 413, 414, ... and 419. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may acquire a plurality of elastic data and generate a plurality of elastic images 411, 412, 413, 414, ... and 419 based on the plurality of elastic data. Figure 3 The above contents are described in detail in , so the same description will be omitted.

[0083] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine quality information of each of the plurality of elastic images 411, 412, 413, 414, ..., and 419. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may calculate reliability information of the elasticity value included in the first elastic image 411. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may calculate the quality information of the first elastic image 411 (e.g., a quality index of 0.11) based on the proportion of regions whose reliability information is greater than or equal to a threshold value (e.g., 0.9) in the entire region of interest 421 from which the elasticity data is acquired.

[0084] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may calculate the quality information of the remaining elastic images 412, 413, 414, ..., and 419 in the same manner. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine an elastic image having a quality information value greater than or equal to a threshold value (e.g., 0.4) from among the plurality of elastic images 411, 412, 413, 414, ..., and 419 as a recommended elastic image.

[0085] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the third elasticity image 413 , the fourth elasticity image 414 , and the fifth elasticity image 419 may be determined as recommended elasticity images.

[0086] Reference Figure 5 According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may display a recommended elastic image on a display. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may display a third elastic image 413, a fourth elastic image 414, and a fifth elastic image 419 on a first area 510 of the display. In addition, a plurality of elastic images 411, 412, 413, 414, ..., and 419 may be displayed in a list form on a second area 520 of the display. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0087] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display the third elastic image 413, the fourth elastic image 414, and the fifth elastic image 419 determined as the recommended elastic images in ascending order of quality information values. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display in the order of the fourth elastic image 414, the third elastic image 413, and the fifth elastic image 419. In this case, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may also display quality information corresponding to the recommended elastic images.

[0088] In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may provide a user interface for adding or removing a recommended elastic image. Figure 5 The addition entry 530 and the removal entry 540 are shown, and when the addition entry 530 is selected, the elastic image having the maximum quality information value among the plurality of elastic images that are not determined as the recommended elastic image may be displayed in the first area 510. For example, when the addition entry 530 is selected in a state where the third to fifth elastic images 413, 414, and 419 are displayed, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display the second elastic image 412 having the maximum quality information value after the fifth elastic image among the plurality of elastic images in the first area 510.

[0089] In addition, when the removal item 540 is selected, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may not display the elasticity image having the smallest quality information value among the recommended elasticity images displayed in the first area 510. For example, when the removal item 540 is selected in a state where the third to fifth elasticity images 413, 414, and 419 are displayed, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may control the display so that the fifth elasticity image 419 is not displayed in the first area 510.

[0090] Alternatively, although not shown in the drawings, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the number of recommended elastic images by setting a threshold value of reliability information of the elastic image or a threshold value of quality information based on a user input that sets a threshold value of reliability information of the elastic image or a threshold value of quality information. Alternatively, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the number of recommended elastic images based on a user input that sets the number of recommended elastic images. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0091] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of acquiring an elasticity value from a recommended elasticity image by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0092] Reference Figure 6 , the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may determine a recommended position from which to acquire an elasticity value from a recommended elasticity image ( S610 ).

[0093] For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine a plurality of regions of interest for calculating elasticity values ​​and reliability information of the elasticity values ​​in the recommended elastic image. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may calculate the elasticity value of each region of interest based on the acquired elasticity data, and may calculate reliability information of the calculated elasticity values.

[0094] When the reliability information is greater than or equal to the threshold, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the region of interest as a recommended position.

[0095] When the recommended position is determined, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may display the recommended position on the recommended elasticity image and display the elasticity value corresponding to the recommended position (S620). Figures 8 to 12 Describe the above contents in detail.

[0096] Figure 7 is a reference diagram for describing a method of determining a recommended position from which to acquire an elasticity value by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0097] Reference Figure 7 , the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may divide the region of interest from which elasticity data is acquired into a plurality of sub-regions of interest 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, and 727. In this case, the number, size, shape, etc. of the plurality of sub-regions of interest 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, and 727 may be determined differently.

[0098] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may calculate elasticity values ​​corresponding to a plurality of sub-regions of interest 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, and 727, respectively, and reliability information of the elasticity values ​​based on the acquired elasticity data. In this case, the elasticity value refers to a value indicating the degree of elasticity of the tissue corresponding to the sub-region of interest, and the reliability information may refer to a value indicating the reliability of the calculated elasticity value. The reliability information may be a value indicating the degree to which the shear wave satisfies the wave equation when the shear wave sensed by the ultrasonic data to acquire the elasticity data satisfies the wave equation. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the reliability information may be calculated in various ways.

[0099] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine a recommended position based on the reliability information of the elasticity values ​​corresponding to the plurality of sub-regions of interest 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, and 727. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine a sub-region having reliability information greater than or equal to a threshold as a recommended position from which to acquire the elasticity value, and Figure 7As shown, the third sub-region of interest 723, the sixth sub-region of interest 726, and the seventh sub-region of interest 727 having reliability information greater than or equal to 0.9 may be determined as recommended locations.

[0100] Optionally, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine a preset number of sub-regions of interest as recommended positions from among the plurality of sub-regions of interest in ascending order of reliability information.

[0101] Figure 8 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays a recommended position for acquiring an elasticity value.

[0102] like Figure 8 As shown, when the recommended elasticity images are displayed and then an input of selecting any one of the recommended elasticity images is received, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may display the recommended position on the selected elasticity image.

[0103] For example, among the first to third recommended elasticity images 414, 413, and 419, when an input selecting the first recommended elasticity image 414 is received, recommended positions 810 and 820 for acquiring elasticity values ​​may be displayed on the first recommended elasticity image 414 while the first recommended elasticity image 414 is enlarged and displayed. Figure 7 A method of determining a recommended position in an elastic image is described in , and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may guide a user to a measurement position where an elasticity value with high reliability can be acquired by displaying a recommended position.

[0105] When receiving an input of selecting any one of the displayed recommended positions 810 and 820, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display the elasticity value corresponding to the selected recommended position. Figure 8 As shown, when receiving an input selecting the second recommended position 820, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display a second elasticity value (eg, 4.15 kPa) corresponding to the second recommended position 820. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may further display reliability information of the second elasticity value.

[0106] In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may display the item 850 for selecting the elasticity image again, and Figure 8 As shown, when the item 850 is selected, the recommended elasticity image may be displayed again.

[0107] Fig. 9 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays a recommended position and an elasticity value.

[0108] like Fig. 9 As shown, when recommended elasticity images are displayed and then an input of selecting any one of the recommended elasticity images is received, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 according to one embodiment may display a recommended position and an elasticity value corresponding to the recommended position on the selected elasticity image.

[0109] For example, when an input of selecting the first recommended elasticity image 414 from among the first to third recommended elasticity images 414, 413, and 419 is received, the subregion of interest having the maximum reliability information may be displayed as a recommended position 930 in the first recommended elasticity image 414 while the first recommended elasticity image 414 is enlarged and displayed. In addition, an elasticity value 950 corresponding to the recommended position may also be displayed.

[0110] Fig.10 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays elasticity values.

[0111] Reference Fig.10 According to one embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display recommended elastic images 1010, 1020, and 1030 on a display. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display elastic images 1010, 1020, and 1030 determined as recommended elastic images from a plurality of elastic images in a first area 1001 of the display. Figure 4 and Figure 5 A method of determining a recommended elastic image from a plurality of elastic images and displaying the determined elastic image is described in detail in , and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0112] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may acquire representative elasticity values ​​corresponding to the recommended elastic images 1010, 1020, and 1030, respectively. For example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the representative elasticity value based on the elasticity value included in the recommended elasticity image and the reliability information of the elasticity value. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the average value of the elasticity values ​​having reliability information greater than or equal to a threshold value among the elasticity values ​​included in the recommended elasticity image as the representative elasticity value corresponding to the recommended elasticity image. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the representative elasticity value may be acquired in various ways.

[0113] The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may display representative elasticity values ​​corresponding to the recommended elasticity images. For example, a first representative elasticity value (e.g., 4.7 kPa) corresponding to the first recommended elasticity image 1010, a second representative elasticity value (e.g., 4.2 kPa) corresponding to the second recommended elasticity image 1020, and a third representative elasticity value (e.g., 3.8 kPa) corresponding to the third recommended elasticity image 1030 may be displayed.

[0114] Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 provides the recommended elasticity image and the representative elasticity values ​​at the same time, the user can immediately and easily understand the representative elasticity value of the recommended elasticity image without selecting a specific elasticity image and selecting an elasticity value measurement position.

[0115] Fig.11 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays a recommended position for acquiring an elasticity value.

[0116] Reference Fig.11 According to one embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display a recommended elastic image on a display. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display elastic images 1110, 1120, and 1130 determined as recommended elastic images from a plurality of elastic images in a first area 1101 of the display. Figure 4 and Figure 5 A method of determining a recommended elastic image from a plurality of elastic images and displaying the determined elastic image is described in detail in , and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine at least one recommended position from which to acquire the elasticity value from each recommended elasticity image. Figure 7 , and thus its detailed description will be omitted. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may display the determined recommended positions on the recommended elasticity image. For example, a first recommended position 1111 and a second recommended position 1112 may be displayed on the first recommended elasticity image 1110, a third recommended position 1123 and a fourth recommended position 1124 may be displayed on the second recommended elasticity image 1120, and a fifth recommended position 1135 may be displayed on the third recommended elasticity image 1130.

[0118] In this case, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine the priorities of the plurality of recommended positions based on the quality information of the elastic images including the recommended positions and the reliability information corresponding to the recommended positions. Fig.11 As shown, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may display the priorities of the recommended positions 1111, 1112, 1123, 1124, and 1135. For example, a number corresponding to the priority may be displayed in the recommended position, and as the number is smaller, the priority is higher. The quality information of the first recommended elastic image 1110 including the first recommended position 1111 displaying the number "1" may be the best, and the reliability information of the elasticity value corresponding to the first recommended position 1111 may be the largest.

[0119] In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may provide a user interface for adding or removing recommended positions. Fig.11An add entry 1140 and a remove entry 1150 are shown, and when the add entry 1140 is selected, a sub-region of interest having maximum reliability information among a plurality of sub-regions of interest that are not determined as recommended locations may be displayed.

[0120] For example, when the adding item 1140 is selected in a state where the first to fifth recommended positions 1111, 1112, 1123, 1124, and 1135 are displayed, the sub-region of interest having the maximum reliability information among the plurality of sub-regions of interest that have not been determined as the recommended position may be determined and displayed as the sixth recommended position. In this case, when the sixth recommended position is included in the first to third recommended elastic images 1110, 1120, and 1130 that have been previously displayed, the sixth recommended position may be displayed on the corresponding recommended elastic image, and when the sixth recommended position is included in the fourth elastic image that has not been previously displayed as the recommended elastic image, the fourth elastic image may be displayed in the first region 1101, and the sixth recommended position may be displayed on the fourth elastic image.

[0121] In addition, when the removal item 1150 is selected, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may not display the recommended position having the lowest priority among the displayed recommended positions. For example, when the removal item 1150 is selected in a state where the first to fifth recommended positions 1111, 1112, 1123, 1124, and 1135 are displayed, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may control the display so that the fifth recommended position 1135 having the lowest priority is not displayed. In addition, the display may be controlled so that the third recommended elastic image 1130 including only the fifth recommended position 1135 is not displayed.

[0122] Optionally, although not shown in the drawings, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 may adjust the number of recommended positions based on a user input setting a threshold for determining reliability information of the recommended positions. Optionally, the number of recommended positions may be determined based on a user input setting the number of recommended positions. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0123] When receiving an input selecting any one of the displayed recommended positions, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may acquire and display the elasticity value corresponding to the selected recommended position. In addition, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may also display reliability information of the elasticity value corresponding to the recommended position.

[0124] Fig.12 : is a diagram showing an example in which an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment displays elasticity values.

[0125] Reference Fig.12According to one embodiment, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display a recommended elastic image on a display. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display elastic images 1210, 1220, and 1230 determined as recommended elastic images from a plurality of elastic images in a first area 1201 of the display. Figure 4 and Figure 5 A method of determining a recommended elastic image from a plurality of elastic images and displaying the determined elastic image is described in detail in , and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0126] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine representative measurement positions respectively corresponding to the recommended elasticity images 1210, 1220, and 1230. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may determine a subregion of interest having the highest reliability information from among subregions of interest included in the recommended elasticity image as the representative measurement position.

[0127] The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display a representative measurement position on each recommended elasticity image, and display an elasticity value corresponding to the representative measurement position. For example, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 100 may display an elasticity value (e.g., 4.36 kPa) acquired at the first representative measurement position 1215 in addition to the first representative measurement position 1215 on the first recommended elasticity image 1210, may display an elasticity value (e.g., 4.15 kPa) acquired at the second representative measurement position 1225 in addition to the second representative measurement position 1225 on the second recommended elasticity image 1220, and may display an elasticity value (e.g., 3.83 kPa) acquired at the third representative measurement position 1235 in addition to the third representative measurement position 1235 on the third recommended elasticity image 1230.

[0128] Since the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 simultaneously provides recommended elastic images, representative measurement positions of each recommended elastic image, and elasticity values ​​corresponding to the representative measurement positions, the user can immediately and easily understand the representative elasticity values ​​of the recommended elastic images without selecting a specific elastic image and selecting the elasticity value measurement position.

[0129] Fig.13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0130] Reference Fig.13 , an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1300 according to one embodiment may include a processor 1310 , a memory 1320 , and a display 1330 .

[0131] Fig.13 The processor 1310 in may correspond to Figure 1At least one of the ultrasonic transceiver 110, the controller 120 and the image processing unit 130 or a combination thereof, and the display 1330 may correspond to Figure 1 In addition, according to the embodiment, Figure 1 Some components of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 shown may be included in Fig.13 The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1300 is shown.

[0132] The processor 1310 according to one embodiment may generally control the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1300. The processor 1310 according to one embodiment may execute one or more programs stored in the memory 1320.

[0133] The memory 1320 according to one embodiment may store various types of data, various programs, or various applications for driving and controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1300. The program stored in the memory 1320 may include one or more instructions. The program (one or more instructions) or application stored in the memory 1320 may be executed by the processor 1310.

[0134] The processor 1310 according to one embodiment may send an ultrasound signal to an object, may acquire ultrasound data based on an echo signal received from the object, and may generate a B-mode ultrasound image of the object based on the ultrasound data. In addition, when a region of interest for acquiring elasticity data is set based on a B-mode ultrasound image, the processor 1310 may acquire elasticity data about the region of interest. Since the processor 1310 sends an ultrasound signal to an object, and shear waves may be induced in tissue in the object by the ultrasound signal, displacement of the tissue may occur. The processor 1310 may acquire elasticity data of the object by detecting shear wave displacement caused by the induced shear wave, and may generate an elasticity image based on the acquired elasticity data.

[0135] According to one embodiment, the processor 1310 may acquire elasticity data a plurality of times to acquire a plurality of elasticity images.

[0136] The processor 1310 may acquire quality information of a plurality of elastic images. In this case, the quality information of the elastic image may be information indicating a reliability index of the elastic image (reliability of the elastic image). For example, when the quality information of the elastic image is high, the elastic image includes less noise information and may be determined as an elastic image suitable for measuring an elastic value. On the other hand, when the quality information of the elastic image is low, the elastic image includes more noise information and may be determined as an elastic image unsuitable for measuring an elastic value. For example, the processor 1310 may calculate the quality information of the elastic image based on the reliability information about the elastic value included in the elastic image.

[0137] The processor 1310 may determine at least one recommended elastic image based on the quality information of the plurality of elastic images. For example, the processor 1310 may determine at least one elastic image having quality information greater than or equal to a threshold value among the plurality of elastic images as a recommended elastic image. In this case, the threshold value of the quality information may be a value set by a user input or a preset value.

[0138] The processor 1310 may control the display 1330 to display at least one recommended elasticity image.

[0139] The display 1330 according to one embodiment may display an operation state of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1300 , an ultrasound image, a user interface, etc. The display 1330 may include one or more display panels according to an embodiment, and the display 1330 may be implemented in the form of a touch screen.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the display 1330 may display at least one recommended elastic image among the acquired multiple elastic images. In addition, when the recommended elastic image is a plurality of recommended elastic images, the display 1330 may display the recommended elastic images on the display in the order of increasing values ​​representing the quality information, and may also display the quality information of the recommended elastic images. Figure 5 The above contents are described in detail in , so their detailed description will be omitted.

[0141] In addition, the processor 1310 according to one embodiment may determine a recommended position from which to obtain elasticity values ​​from the recommended elasticity image. For example, the processor 1310 may divide the region of interest from which elasticity data is obtained into a plurality of sub-regions of interest, and may calculate elasticity values ​​corresponding to the plurality of sub-regions of interest and reliability information. The processor 1310 may determine a recommended position from which to obtain elasticity values ​​based on the elasticity values ​​corresponding to the plurality of sub-regions of interest and the reliability information.

[0142] In addition, when the recommended position is determined, the display 1330 according to one embodiment may display the recommended position on the recommended elasticity image. In addition, the display 1330 according to one embodiment may display the elasticity value corresponding to the recommended position. Figures 8 to 12 The above contents are described in detail in , so their detailed description will be omitted.

[0143] also, Figure 1 and Fig.13The block diagram of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and 1300 shown in is a block diagram of an embodiment. Each component in the block diagram may be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specifications of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 100 and 1300 actually implemented. That is, two or more components may be combined into one component, or one component may be divided into two or more components as needed. In addition, the functions performed in each block are provided to describe the embodiment, and the specific operations or devices do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0144] The operation method of the ultrasonic diagnostic device according to one embodiment can be implemented in the form of program instructions, which can be executed by various computer devices and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone, or a combination thereof. The program instructions recorded in the medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or may be known and available to technicians in the field of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, and tapes), optical media (such as CD read-only memories (CD-ROMs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs)) and magneto-optical media (such as optical floppy disks), and hardware devices (such as ROMs, random access memories (RAMs), flash memories) and the like that are specially configured to store and execute program instructions. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes (such as codes generated by compilers), but also high-level language codes that can be executed by computers using interpreters and the like.

[0145] In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and the operating method of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the disclosed embodiments may be included in a computer program product and provided. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a commodity.

[0146] A computer program product may include a software (S / W) program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the S / W program. For example, a computer program product may include a product (e.g., a downloadable application) in the form of a S / W program electronically distributed by a manufacturer of an electronic device or an electronic market (e.g., Google Play Store, AppStore). For electronic distribution, at least a portion of the S / W program may be stored in a storage medium or may be temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be a storage medium of a manufacturer's server, a server of an electronic market, or a relay server that temporarily stores the S / W program.

[0147] In a system consisting of a server and a client device, the computer program product may include a storage medium of the server or a storage medium of the client device. Alternatively, when there is a third device (e.g., a smart phone) communicatively connected to the server or the client device, the computer program product may include a storage medium of the third device. Alternatively, the computer program product may include the S / W program itself sent from the server to the client device or the third device, or the S / W program itself sent from the third device to the client device.

[0148] In this case, one of the server, the client device, and the third device may execute the computer program product to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiment. Optionally, two or more of the server, the client device, and the third device may execute the computer program product to distribute and perform the method according to the disclosed embodiment.

[0149] For example, a server (e.g., a cloud server, an artificial intelligence server, etc.) may execute a computer program product stored in the server to control a client device communicatively connected to the server to execute a method according to the disclosed embodiments.

[0150] Hereinabove, although the embodiments have been described in detail, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the appended claims are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device, comprising: monitor; a memory configured to store one or more instructions; as well as a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory, Wherein, the processor is configured to: acquiring a plurality of pieces of elastic data about the object, and then generating a plurality of elastic images based on the plurality of pieces of elastic data, acquiring reliability information of elasticity values ​​respectively included in the plurality of elastic images, determining quality information of each of the plurality of elastic images based on a ratio of regions in which the reliability information is greater than or equal to a threshold value set by a user input, among the entire region of interest from which the elastic data is acquired, determining at least one recommended elasticity image from the plurality of elasticity images based on the quality information, wherein an elasticity value is obtained from the at least one recommended elasticity image, and The display is controlled to display the determined at least one recommended elasticity image.

2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The processor determines a recommended position from which to acquire the elasticity value based on reliability information of the elasticity value included in the determined at least one recommended elasticity image, and controls the display to display the recommended position on the at least one recommended elasticity image.

3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a user input unit configured to receive a user input for selecting any one of the at least one recommended elasticity images determined, in, The processor determines at least one recommended position from which the elasticity value is acquired based on reliability information of the elasticity value included in the selected recommended elasticity image, and controls the display to display the at least one recommended position on the recommended elasticity image.

4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: When the at least one recommended location is a plurality of recommended locations, the processor controls the display to display a priority of the at least one recommended location.

5. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The priority of the at least one recommended position is determined based on the quality information corresponding to the elastic image including the recommended position and the reliability information corresponding to the recommended position.

6. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The processor acquires an elasticity value corresponding to the at least one recommended position, and controls the display to display the acquired elasticity value.

7. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The processor controls the display to display the quality information corresponding to the at least one recommended elasticity image.

8. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The processor determines a representative elasticity value corresponding to the at least one recommended elasticity image, and controls the display to display the representative elasticity value.

9. An operating method of an ultrasonic diagnostic device, the operating method comprising the following operations: Get multiple pieces of elastic data about an object; generating a plurality of elastic images based on the plurality of pieces of elastic data; acquiring reliability information of elasticity values ​​respectively included in the plurality of elastic images; determining quality information of each of the plurality of elastic images based on a ratio of regions in which the reliability information is greater than or equal to a threshold set by a user input, among the entire region of interest from which the elastic data is acquired; determining at least one recommended elasticity image from the plurality of elasticity images based on the quality information, wherein an elasticity value is obtained from the at least one recommended elasticity image; and The determined at least one recommended elasticity image is displayed.

10. The operating method according to claim 9, further comprising the following operations: determining a recommended position from which to acquire the elasticity value based on reliability information of the elasticity value included in the determined at least one recommended elasticity image; and The recommended position is displayed on the at least one recommended elasticity image. 11 . One or more computer-readable recording media in which a program for executing the operating method according to claim 9 is stored.

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