Method and system for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan

Abstract

A system and method for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan are provided. The method includes acquiring a conventional ultrasound image frame based on a first set of imaging parameters and displaying the conventional frame at a display system. The method includes intermittently acquiring test ultrasound image frames based on a second set of imaging parameters having at least one imaging parameter different from the first set of imaging parameters. The test frames are not displayed. The method includes determining a conventional frame image quality of at least one frame of the conventional frames and a test frame image quality of the test frames. The method includes applying the second set of imaging parameters to acquire additional conventional frames and displaying the additional conventional frames at the display system in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some embodiments relate to ultrasonic imaging. More specifically, certain embodiments relate to a method and system for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan by intermittently acquiring test ultrasound frames and comparing the image quality of the test ultrasound frames with the image quality of the acquired conventional ultrasound frames to determine optimal image parameters. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasonic imaging is a medical imaging technique used to image organs and soft tissues in the human body. Ultrasonic imaging uses real-time, non-invasive high-frequency sound waves to generate a series of two-dimensional (2D) images and / or three-dimensional (3D) images.

[0003] During an ultrasonic imaging procedure, due to the presence of fluid-type pathological conditions (such as ascites, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, etc.), the imaging tissue may have unexpected characteristics. Compared with tissues, the different acoustic properties of fluid types can lead to the appearance of imaging artifacts and reduced sound beam attenuation. In some cases, the fluid can cause the abdominal cavity or other anatomical structures to expand and increase the scanning distance. For example, during pregnancy (i.e., polyhydramnios), the abdominal cavity of a patient with a large amount of ascites or excessive amniotic fluid may become larger due to the fluid; however, compared with solid tissues, the sound attenuation is much smaller. In such cases, there is no need to reduce the frequency, which would reduce the spatial resolution; however, other imaging parameter adjustments can be performed to improve the imaging quality and reduce the presence of artifacts (such as imaging parameter adjustments to the scan sequence, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), focus position, speckle suppression, time gain compensation (TGC), and / or any suitable imaging parameters). Ultrasonic image artifacts caused by fluid (such as sound decay, multipath artifacts, reverberation artifacts, and posterior acoustic enhancement) may reduce the image quality and obscure the visualization of anatomical structures.

[0004] By comparing such systems with some aspects of the present disclosure set forth in the accompanying drawings in the remainder of this application, more limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional methods will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A system and / or method for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan is provided, which is substantially as shown and / or described in connection with at least one of the accompanying drawings and more fully set forth in the claims.

[0006] These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of its illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Figure 1is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system operable to dynamically adjust imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan.

[0008] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing exemplary steps that can be used to dynamically adjust imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Certain embodiments may be present in methods and systems for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan. Aspects of the present disclosure have the technical effect of acquiring a conventional ultrasound image frame based on a first set of imaging parameters and intermittently acquiring a test ultrasound image frame based on a second set of imaging parameters. Various embodiments have the technical effect of determining the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame and determining the image quality of the intermittently acquired test ultrasound image frame. Certain embodiments have the technical effect of dynamically switching to the second set of imaging parameters when the image quality of the test ultrasound image frame is better than the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame. Aspects of the present disclosure have the technical effect of presenting feedback regarding improved image parameter adjustment at a display system.

[0010] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. To the extent the figures show diagrams of functional blocks of various embodiments, these functional blocks do not necessarily represent a division between hardware circuits. Thus, for example, one or more functional blocks (e.g., a processor or a memory) may be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general-purpose signal processor or a random access memory block, a hard disk, etc.) or in multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, a program may be an independent program, may be included as a subroutine in an operating system, may be a function in an installed software package, etc. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the figures. It should also be understood that embodiments may be combined, or other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments. Accordingly, the following detailed description should not be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0011] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of the recited elements or steps, unless expressly stated to the contrary. Moreover, references to "exemplary embodiments," "various embodiments," "certain embodiments," "representative embodiments," etc. are not to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, an embodiment that "comprises," "includes," or "has" one or more elements having a particular property may include additional elements that do not have that property.

[0012] Additionally, as used herein, the term "image" broadly refers to both visual images and data representative of visual images. However, many embodiments generate (or are configured to generate) at least one visual image. Further, as used herein, the phrase "image" is used to refer to ultrasound modalities such as B-mode (2D mode), M-mode, three-dimensional (3D) mode, CF mode, PW Doppler, CW Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and / or sub-modalities of B-mode and / or CF such as harmonic imaging, shear wave elastography imaging (SWEI), strain elastography, TVI, PDI, B-flow, MVI, UGAP, and in some cases also including MM, CM, TVD, where "image" and / or "plane" includes a single beam or multiple beams.

[0013] Additionally, as used herein, the term processor or processing unit refers to any type of processing unit that can perform the required calculations needed for the various embodiments, such as a single-core or multi-core: CPU, accelerated processing unit (APU), graphics processing unit (GPU), DSP, FPGA, ASIC, or a combination thereof.

[0014] It should be noted that the various embodiments described herein for generating or forming an image may include processing for forming an image, which in some embodiments includes beamforming, while in other embodiments does not include beamforming. For example, an image may be formed without performing beamforming, such as by multiplying a matrix of demodulated data by a coefficient matrix such that the product is the image, and where the process does not form any "beams". Additionally, image formation may be performed using channel combinations (e.g., synthetic aperture techniques) that may originate from more than one transmit event.

[0015] In various embodiments, for example, ultrasound processing is performed in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof to form an image, including ultrasonic beamforming, such as receive beamforming. A specific implementation of an ultrasound system with a software beamformer architecture formed according to various embodiments is shown in Figure 1 below.

[0016] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system 100 operable to dynamically adjust imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan. Referring to Figure 1 , the ultrasound system 100 and the training system 200 are shown. The ultrasound system 100 includes a transmitter 102, an ultrasound probe 104, a transmit beamformer 110, a receiver 118, a receive beamformer 120, an A / D converter 122, an RF processor 124, an RF / IQ buffer 126, a user input device 130, a signal processor 132, an image buffer 136, a display system 134, and an archive 138.

[0017] The transmitter 102 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to drive the ultrasound probe 104. The ultrasound probe 104 may include a two-dimensional (2D) array of piezoelectric elements. The ultrasound probe 104 may include a set of transmit transducer elements 106 and a set of receive transducer elements 108 that generally constitute the same elements. In certain embodiments, the ultrasound probe 104 may be operable to acquire ultrasound image data that covers at least a majority of an anatomical structure, such as a heart, blood vessel, fetus, or any suitable anatomical structure.

[0018] The transmit beamformer 110 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to control the transmitter 102, which drives the set of transmit transducer elements 106 via a transmit sub-aperture beamformer 114 to send an ultrasound transmit signal into an area of interest (e.g., a human, an animal, a subterranean cavity, a physical structure, etc.). The transmitted ultrasound signal may be backscattered from structures (such as blood cells or tissue) in the object of interest to produce echoes. The echoes are received by the receive transducer elements 108.

[0019] The set of receive transducer elements 108 in the ultrasound probe 104 may be operable to convert the received echoes into analog signals, perform sub-aperture beamforming via a receive sub-aperture beamformer 116, and then transmit them to the receiver 118. The receiver 118 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to receive signals from the receive sub-aperture beamformer 116. The analog signals may be transmitted to one or more of a plurality of A / D converters 122.

[0020] The plurality of A / D converters 122 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to convert the analog signals from the receiver 118 into corresponding digital signals. The plurality of A / D converters 122 are disposed between the receiver 118 and the RF processor 124. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. Thus, in some embodiments, the plurality of A / D converters 122 may be integrated within the receiver 118.

[0021] The RF processor 124 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to demodulate the digital signals output by the plurality of A / D converters 122. According to one embodiment, the RF processor 124 may include a complex demodulator (not shown) that may be operable to demodulate the digital signals to form an I / Q data pair representative of the corresponding echo signal. The RF or I / Q signal data may then be transmitted to the RF / IQ buffer 126. The RF / IQ buffer 126 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to provide temporary storage of the RF or I / Q signal data generated by the RF processor 124.

[0022] The receive beamformer 120 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to perform digital beamforming processing to, for example, sum the delayed channel signals received from the RF processor 124 via the RF / IQ buffer 126 and output a beam sum signal. The resulting processed information may be the beam sum signal that is output from the receive beamformer 120 and transmitted to the signal processor 132. According to some embodiments, the receiver 118, the plurality of A / D converters 122, the RF processor 124, and the beamformer 120 may be integrated into a single beamformer, which may be digital. In various embodiments, the ultrasound system 100 includes a plurality of receive beamformers 120.

[0023] The user input device 130 may be used to input patient data, conventional frame image parameters, test frame image parameters, settings, select protocols and / or templates, accept recommended image parameter changes, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the user input device 130 may be operable to configure, manage, and / or control the operation of one or more components and / or modules in the ultrasound system 100. In this regard, the user input device 130 may be operable to configure, manage, and / or control the operation of the transmitter 102, the ultrasound probe 104, the transmit beamformer 110, the receiver 118, the receive beamformer 120, the RF processor 124, the RF / IQ buffer 126, the user input device 130, the signal processor 132, the image buffer 136, the display system 134, and / or the archive 138. The user input device 130 may include one or more buttons, one or more rotary encoders, a touch screen, motion tracking, voice recognition, a mouse device, a keyboard, a camera, and / or any other device capable of receiving user instructions. In a particular embodiment, for example, one or more of the user input devices in the user input device 130 may be integrated into other components (such as the display system 134 or the ultrasound probe 104). For example, the user input device 130 may include a touch screen display.

[0024] The signal processor 132 may include suitable logic components, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that are operable to process ultrasound scan data (e.g., sum IQ signals) for generating a conventional ultrasound image frame acquired according to a first imaging parameter and a test ultrasound image frame acquired according to a second imaging parameter. The signal processor 132 may be configured to generate a conventional ultrasound image frame for image quality analysis and presentation on the display system 134. The signal processor 132 is configured to generate a test ultrasound image frame for image quality analysis. In various embodiments, the test ultrasound image frame may not be displayed. The signal processor 132 is operable to perform one or more processing operations according to a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalities on the acquired ultrasound scan data. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal processor 132 may be used to perform display processing and / or control processing, etc. As echo signals are received, the acquired ultrasound scan data may be processed in real time during a scan session. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasound scan data may be temporarily stored in the RF / IQ buffer 126 during the scan session and processed in a less real-time manner in an online or offline operation. In various embodiments, the processed image data may be presented at the display system 134 and / or stored at the archive 138. The archive 138 may be a local archive, a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), or any suitable device for storing images and associated information.

[0025] The signal processor 132 may be one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, etc. For example, the signal processor 132 may be an integrated component or may be distributed at various locations. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal processor 132 may include a conventional frame processor 140, a test frame processor 150, and an image quality processor 160. The signal processor 132 may be capable of receiving input information from the user input device 130 and / or the archive 138, generating an output that can be displayed by the display system 134, and manipulating the output in response to the input information from the user input device 130, etc. For example, the signal processor 132, the conventional frame processor 140, the test frame processor 150, and the image quality processor 160 are capable of performing any of the methods and / or instruction sets discussed herein according to various embodiments.

[0026] The ultrasound system 100 is operable to continuously acquire ultrasound scan data at a frame rate suitable for the imaging scenario under consideration. The continuously acquired ultrasound scan data can include regular ultrasound image frames and test ultrasound image frames acquired intermittently. For example, the ultrasound system 100 can periodically acquire test ultrasound image frames (e.g., every tenth frame, twentieth frame, etc.) between regular ultrasound image frames. The ultrasound system 100 can interleave the acquisition of complete regular ultrasound image frames and complete test ultrasound image frames. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasound system 100 can interleave regular frame transmissions and test frame transmissions. A typical frame rate is in the range of 20 to 120, but can be lower or higher. The acquired regular ultrasound image frames can be displayed at the display system 134 at a display rate that is the same as, slower than, or faster than the frame rate. In various embodiments, the acquired test ultrasound image frames are not displayed. An image buffer 136 is included for storing frames of the acquired regular ultrasound scan data that are not scheduled for immediate display. Preferably, the image buffer 136 has sufficient capacity to store at least several minutes of regular ultrasound image frames. The regular ultrasound image frames are stored in a manner that facilitates retrieval according to their acquisition order or time. The image buffer 136 can be embodied as any known data storage medium.

[0027] The signal processor 132 can include a regular frame processor 140 that includes suitable logic components, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that is operable to receive and process regular ultrasound image frames for image quality analysis and presentation on the display system 134. The regular frame processor 140 can be configured to apply a first set of imaging parameters to acquire regular ultrasound image frames. The first set of imaging parameters can include pulse repetition frequency (PRF) (e.g., high PRF or low PRF), harmonic on or off, frequency (e.g., high, medium, or low), aperture, focus position, acoustic power, speckle suppression, time gain compensation (TGC), and / or any suitable imaging parameter. As described below, the regular frame processor 140 can be configured to process regular ultrasound image frames for presentation at the display system 134 and analysis by the image quality processor 160. The regular frame processor 140 can also store the regular ultrasound image frames at the archive 138 and / or any suitable data storage medium.

[0028] The signal processor 132 may include a test frame processor 150 that includes suitable logic components, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to receive and process test ultrasound image frames for performing image quality analysis. The test frame processor 150 may be configured to apply a second set of imaging parameters to acquire test ultrasound image frames. Test ultrasound image frames may be acquired intermittently, such as periodically after 10, 20, or any suitable number of conventional ultrasound image frames have been acquired. In a representative embodiment, the test ultrasound image frames are not displayed. The second set of imaging parameters applied to acquire test ultrasound image frames may have at least one imaging parameter different from the first set of imaging parameters applied to acquire conventional ultrasound image frames. For example, when the first set of imaging parameters includes a low PRF parameter, the second set of imaging parameters may include a high PRF parameter. As another example, when the first set of imaging parameters includes a harmonic off parameter, the second set of imaging parameters may include a harmonic on parameter. As yet another example, when the first set of imaging parameters includes a low frequency parameter, the second set of imaging parameters may include a medium or high frequency parameter. The different at least one parameter value may allow the image quality processor 160 to determine whether the second set of imaging parameters applied to acquire test ultrasound image frames provides a higher image quality than the first set of imaging parameters applied to obtain the conventional ultrasound image frames presented at the display system 134, such that the image quality processor 160 may prompt the user and / or automatically update the first set of imaging parameters, as described below. The test frame processor 150 may be configured to process the test ultrasound image frames for analysis by the image quality processor 160. The test frame processor 150 may also store the test ultrasound image frames at the archive 138 and / or any suitable data storage medium.

[0029] In various embodiments, the test frame processor 150 may be configured to receive and process multiple test frames acquired simultaneously. For example, the test frame processor 150 may be configured to apply a second set of imaging parameters to intermittently acquire a first test ultrasound image frame and apply a third set of imaging parameters to intermittently acquire a second test ultrasound image frame. For example, the second set of imaging parameters may be optimized to improve resolution, and the third set of imaging parameters may be optimized to increase penetration. The test frame processor 150 may be configured to process the first test ultrasound image frame and the second test ultrasound image frame for analysis by the image quality processor 160. The test frame processor 150 may also store the first test ultrasound image frame and the second test ultrasound image frame at the archive 138 and / or any suitable data storage medium.

[0030] The signal processor 132 may include an image quality processor 160, which includes suitable logic components, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that are operable to analyze and determine the image quality of conventional ultrasound image frames and at least one type of test ultrasound image frame. The image quality processor 160 may include image analysis algorithms, artificial intelligence algorithms, one or more deep neural networks (e.g., convolutional neural networks), and / or any suitable form of image analysis technology or machine learning processing function that is configured to determine the image quality of conventional ultrasound image frames and test ultrasound image frames. In various embodiments, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine the image quality of conventional ultrasound image frames and test ultrasound image frames based on the presence or absence of artifacts (such as acoustic decay artifacts, multipath artifacts, reverberation artifacts, posterior acoustic enhancement artifacts, secondary echo artifacts, sidelobes, grating lobes, and / or any suitable image artifacts). Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine the image quality of conventional ultrasound image frames and test ultrasound image frames based on image resolution and penetration and / or any suitable image quality metric.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the image quality processor 160 may be provided as an image analysis tool and / or algorithm that is configured to analyze histogram variations, variations in conventional ultrasound image frames, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may be provided as a deep neural network that may be composed of, for example, an input layer, an output layer, and one or more hidden layers between the input layer and the output layer. Each layer may be composed of a plurality of processing nodes that may be referred to as neurons. For example, the image quality processor 160 may include an input layer that has neurons for each pixel or group of pixels from a conventional ultrasound image frame or a test ultrasound image frame. The output layer may have neurons corresponding to an image quality score. Each neuron in each layer may perform a processing function and pass the processed ultrasound image information to one of the plurality of neurons in the downstream layer for further processing. For example, the neurons in the first layer may learn to identify the edges of structures in the ultrasound image frame. The neurons in the second layer may learn to identify shapes based on the detected edges from the first layer. The neurons in the third layer may learn the position of the identified shapes relative to landmarks in the ultrasound image frame. The processing performed by the image quality processor 160 deep neural network (e.g., convolutional neural network) may assign an image quality score based on an image quality metric with a high probability (e.g., the presence of artifacts, penetration / resolution, etc.). In various embodiments, an image quality score may be provided for the entire frame. Additionally and / or alternatively, the frame may include multiple image quality scores for different parts of the frame. For example, a part of an image frame with artifacts may be scored lower than a part of the image frame without artifacts.

[0032] The image quality processor 160 can be configured to determine whether an image quality score associated with a conventional ultrasound image frame is higher than an image quality score associated with a test ultrasound image frame. For example, the image quality processor 160 can compare the image quality score of the test ultrasound image frame with the image quality score of the conventional ultrasound image frame acquired immediately before the test ultrasound image frame. Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 can compare the image quality score of the test ultrasound image frame with the image quality score of the conventional ultrasound image frame acquired immediately after the test ultrasound image frame. As another example, the image quality processor 160 can compare the image quality score of the test ultrasound image frame with the average image quality score of the conventional ultrasound image frames acquired before the test ultrasound image frame (e.g., up to the previously acquired test ultrasound image frame). The image quality processor 160 can be configured to maintain the first imaging parameter and the second imaging parameter when the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame is superior to that of the test ultrasound image frame, and continue to detect the image quality during the acquisition of the intermittent test ultrasound image frame. The image quality processor 160 can be configured to switch the first imaging parameter and the second imaging parameter and continue to detect the image quality based on the switched first imaging parameter and second imaging parameter when the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame is inferior to that of the test ultrasound image frame. For example, the image quality processor 160 can determine and analyze the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame acquired at a high PRF and the intermittent test ultrasound image frame acquired at a low PRF. When the image quality processor 160 detects an acoustic artifact in the conventional ultrasound image frame that does not exist in the test ultrasound image frame, the image quality processor 160 can change the acquisition of the conventional ultrasound image frame to a low PRF and change the acquisition of the intermittent test ultrasound image frame to a high PRF, resulting in a lower image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame compared to the test ultrasound image frame. When the acoustic artifact no longer exists in the test ultrasound image frame, the image quality processor 160 continues to detect the image quality and can switch back to the acquisition of the conventional ultrasound image frame at a high PRF.

[0033] In various embodiments, the image quality processor 160 can take into account the frame rate or any suitable metric factor when determining whether an image quality score associated with a conventional ultrasound image frame is higher than an image quality score associated with a test ultrasound image frame. For example, the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame that are otherwise assigned the same image quality score can be distinguished based on the frame rate. For example, it can be determined that the image quality of the test ultrasound image frame at a high frame rate exceeds the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame at a low frame rate and the same image quality otherwise.

[0034] The image quality processor 160 can be configured to automatically switch between the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set without feedback, automatically switch with feedback, or prompt the user to switch between the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set. For example, the image quality processor 160 can dynamically switch between the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set in response to image quality analysis without notifying the user of the change. As another example, the image quality processor 160 can dynamically switch between the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set in response to image quality analysis and can present an indication of the imaging parameter change at the display system 134. The indication of the imaging parameter change can be represented by an icon, a text message, or any suitable feedback. For example, when the first imaging parameter set is changed to a low PRF, the image quality processor 160 can present a text message stating "A longer decay time has been applied." In an exemplary embodiment, the image quality processor 160 can dynamically switch between the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set in response to image quality analysis and can present to the split screen display a real-time conventional ultrasound image frame with the new first set of imaging parameters and a currently frozen last acquired conventional ultrasound image frame with the old first set of imaging parameters. In various embodiments, the image quality processor 160 can provide an option to switch back to the old first set of imaging parameters. In another exemplary embodiment, the image quality processor 160 can present a recommendation to switch between the first set of imaging parameters and the second set of imaging parameters and provide optional options to accept or reject the recommendation. In various embodiments, the automatic optimization of the first set of imaging parameters can be defaulted to "on." Additionally and / or alternatively, the automatic optimization can be selectively "turned on" or "turned off" by a user interacting with the ultrasound system 100.

[0035] In a particular embodiment, the image quality processor 160 can be configured to switch the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set only for a portion of a frame. For example, if the image quality score of the first portion of a test ultrasound image frame is higher than the image quality score of the corresponding portion of a conventional ultrasound image frame, but the image quality score of the second portion of the test ultrasound image frame is lower than the image quality score of the corresponding portion of the conventional ultrasound image frame, then the image quality processor 160 can switch the first imaging parameter set and the second imaging parameter set only for a portion of the conventional ultrasound image frame acquired corresponding to the first portion of the test ultrasound image frame.

[0036] The display system 134 can be any device capable of conveying visual information to a user. For example, the display system 134 can include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, and / or any suitable one or more displays. The display system 134 can be operative to present conventional ultrasound image frames, feedback regarding imaging parameter changes, a prompt to change the imaging parameters to recommended imaging parameters, and / or any suitable information.

[0037] Archive 138 can be one or more computer-readable memories integrated with and / or communicatively coupled to ultrasound system 100 (e.g., via a network), such as a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), a server, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a compact storage device, a flash memory, a random access memory, a read-only memory, an electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory, and / or any suitable memory. Archive 138 can include, for example, a database, a library, a set of information, or other memory accessed by and / or in conjunction with signal processor 132. For example, archive 138 is capable of storing data temporarily or permanently. Archive 138 may be capable of storing medical image data, data generated by signal processor 132, and / or instructions readable by signal processor 132, etc. For example, in various embodiments, archive 138 stores conventional ultrasound image frames, test ultrasound image frames, sets of imaging parameters, instructions for determining the image quality of ultrasound image frames, instructions for switching sets of imaging parameters, and feedback instructions.

[0038] The components of ultrasound system 100 can be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, etc. The various components of ultrasound system 100 can be communicatively connected. The components of ultrasound system 100 can be implemented separately and / or integrated in various forms. For example, display system 134 and user input device 130 can be integrated as a touchscreen display.

[0039] Still referring to Figure 1 , training system 200 can include a training engine 210 and a training database 220. Training engine 210 can include suitable logic components, circuits, interfaces, and / or code that can be operative to train the neurons of a deep neural network (e.g., an artificial intelligence model) inferred (i.e., deployed) by image quality processor 160. For example, the artificial intelligence model inferred by image quality processor 160 can be trained for automatically identifying artifacts, penetrations, and / or resolutions in ultrasound image frames. For example, training engine 210 can use database 220 of classified ultrasound image frames to train the deep neural network deployed by image quality processor 160. The ultrasound image frames can include ultrasound image frames of specific anatomical features, including specific artifact types or any suitable ultrasound image frames and features.

[0040] In various embodiments, database 220 of training images can be a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) or any suitable data storage medium. In a particular embodiment, training engine 210 and / or training image database 220 can be a remote system communicatively coupled to ultrasound system 100 via a wired or wireless connection, as Figure 1 shown. Additionally and / or alternatively, some or all of the components of training system 200 can be integrated with ultrasound system 100 in various forms.

[0041] Figure 2 Flowchart 200 shows exemplary steps 302 to 312 that can be used to dynamically adjust imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan according to various embodiments. Refer to Figure 2 , flowchart 300 is shown including exemplary steps 302 to 312. Some embodiments may omit one or more steps, and / or perform the steps in an order different from the listed order, and / or combine certain steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in a particular embodiment. Also, for example, some steps may be performed in a chronological order different from the chronological order listed below, including simultaneously.

[0042] At step 302, ultrasound system 100 acquires a conventional ultrasound image frame based on a first set of imaging parameters. For example, ultrasound system 100 may use ultrasound probe 104 positioned at a scan location above the anatomical structure of interest to acquire a conventional ultrasound image frame according to the first set of imaging parameters. The conventional frame processor 140 of signal processor 132 of ultrasound system 100 may be configured to apply the first set of imaging parameters to acquire a conventional ultrasound image frame. The first set of imaging parameters may include pulse repetition frequency (PRF) (e.g., high PRF or low PRF), harmonic on or off, frequency (e.g., high, medium, or low), aperture, focus position, acoustic power, speckle suppression, time gain compensation (TGC), and / or any suitable imaging parameter. The conventional frame processor 140 may be configured to process the conventional ultrasound image frame for presentation at display system 134 and for image quality analysis.

[0043] At step 304, the ultrasound system 100 intermittently acquires test ultrasound image frames based on a second set of imaging parameters. For example, the ultrasound system 100 may periodically acquire test ultrasound image frames according to the second set of imaging parameters using the ultrasound probe 104 positioned at a scan location above the anatomical structure of interest. For example, the ultrasound system 100 may acquire test ultrasound image frames every ten frames, twenty frames, or any suitable number of frames. The second set of imaging parameters applied to acquire the test ultrasound image frames may have at least one imaging parameter different from the first set of imaging parameters, which are applied to acquire the conventional ultrasound image frames. For example, when the first set of imaging parameters includes a low PRF parameter, the second set of imaging parameters may include a high PRF parameter. As another example, when the first set of imaging parameters includes a harmonic off parameter, the second set of imaging parameters may include a harmonic on parameter. As another example, when the first set of imaging parameters includes a low frequency parameter, the second set of imaging parameters may include a medium or high frequency parameter. The test frame processor 150 of the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to process the test ultrasound image frames for image quality analysis. In various embodiments, the test ultrasound image frames are not displayed at the display system 134. In a particular embodiment, the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to acquire multiple test frames simultaneously. For example, the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to apply the second set of imaging parameters to intermittently acquire a first test ultrasound image frame and apply a third set of imaging parameters to intermittently acquire a second test ultrasound image frame. For example, the second set of imaging parameters may be optimized to improve resolution, and the third set of imaging parameters may be optimized to increase penetration.

[0044] At step 306, the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 may determine a first image quality of a conventional ultrasound image frame. For example, the image quality processor 160 of the signal processor 132 may analyze the image quality of at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frames. The image quality processor 160 may analyze the conventional ultrasound image frames before or after testing the ultrasound image frames. Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may analyze a subgroup or all of the conventional ultrasound image frames between the test ultrasound image frames. The image quality processor 160 may include image analysis algorithms, artificial intelligence algorithms, one or more deep neural networks (e.g., convolutional neural networks), and / or any suitable form of image analysis technology or machine learning processing capabilities configured to determine the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frames. In various embodiments, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frames based on the presence or absence of artifacts (such as acoustic decay artifacts, multipath artifacts, reverberation artifacts, posterior acoustic enhancement artifacts, secondary echo artifacts, sidelobes, grating lobes, and / or any suitable image artifacts). Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frames based on the amount of image resolution and penetration and / or any suitable image quality metric. In a particular embodiment, the image quality processor 160 may be provided as an image analysis tool and / or algorithm configured to provide an image quality score based on histogram variations, variations in the test ultrasound image frames, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may be provided as a deep neural network. The processing performed by the image quality processor 160 deep neural network (e.g., convolutional neural network) may assign an image quality score based on an image quality metric (e.g., presence of artifacts, amount of penetration / resolution, etc.). An image quality score may be provided for the entire frame and / or the frame may include multiple image quality scores for different portions of the frame.

[0045] At step 308, the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 may determine a second image quality of the test ultrasound image frame. For example, the image quality processor 160 of the signal processor 132 may be configured to determine the image quality of the test ultrasound image frame based on the presence or absence of artifacts (such as acoustic decay artifacts, multipath artifacts, reverberation artifacts, posterior acoustic enhancement artifacts, secondary echo artifacts, side lobes, grating lobes, and / or any suitable image artifacts). Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine the image quality of the test ultrasound image frame based on the amount of image resolution and penetration and / or any suitable image quality metric. The image quality metrics applied to evaluate the test ultrasound image frame are the same as those applied to evaluate a conventional ultrasound image frame. In a particular embodiment, the image quality processor 160 may be provided as an image analysis tool and / or algorithm that is configured to provide an image quality score based on histogram variations, variations in conventional ultrasound image frames, and the like. Additionally and / or alternatively, the image quality processor 160 may be provided as a deep neural network. The processing performed by the deep neural network of the image quality processor 160 (e.g., a convolutional neural network) may assign an image quality score based on image quality metrics (e.g., the presence of artifacts, amount of penetration / resolution, etc.). An image quality score may be provided for the entire frame and / or the frame may include multiple image quality scores for different portions of the frame. In various embodiments, in an embodiment where multiple test ultrasound image frame types are acquired at step 304, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine a third image quality of a second type of test ultrasound image frame.

[0046] At step 310, the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 may determine whether the first image quality of a conventional ultrasound image frame is better than the second image quality of a test ultrasound image frame. For example, the image quality processor 160 of the signal processor 132 may be configured to determine whether an image quality score associated with the conventional ultrasound image frame is higher than an image quality score associated with the test ultrasound image frame. For example, the image quality processor 160 may compare the image quality score of the test ultrasound image frame with the image quality score of the conventional ultrasound image frame (or the average image quality score of a plurality of conventional ultrasound image frames). The image quality processor 160 may take into account the frame rate or any suitable metric factor when determining whether the image quality score associated with the conventional ultrasound image frame is higher than the image quality score associated with the test ultrasound image frame. Process 300 may return to step 302 to maintain the first and second imaging parameters when the conventional ultrasound image frame image quality is better than the test ultrasound image frame image quality, and continue to detect image quality when acquiring intermittent test ultrasound image frames. When the conventional ultrasound image frame image quality is worse than the test ultrasound image frame image quality, process 300 may proceed to step 312. In various embodiments, in the embodiment where a plurality of test ultrasound image frame types are acquired at step 304 and image quality is determined at step 308, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to determine whether the first image quality of a conventional ultrasound image frame is better than the third image quality of a second type of test ultrasound image frame.

[0047] At step 312, the signal processor 132 of the ultrasound system 100 may switch the first set of imaging parameters and the second set of imaging parameters. For example, the image quality processor 160 of the signal processor 132 may be configured to switch the first set of imaging parameters and the second set of imaging parameters and continue to detect image quality based on the switched first set of imaging parameters and the second set of imaging parameters when the image quality processor 160 determines that the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame is inferior to the image quality of the test ultrasound image frame at step 310. For example, the image quality processor 160 may change the conventional ultrasound image frame acquisition from high PRF to low PRF and change the intermittent test ultrasound image frame acquisition from low PRF to high PRF when the image quality processor 160 detects a lower image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame compared to the test ultrasound image frame (e.g., due to the presence of acoustic artifacts). As another example, the image quality processor 160 may change the conventional ultrasound image frame acquisition from low frequency to medium frequency or high frequency and change the intermittent test ultrasound image frame acquisition from high frequency or medium frequency to low frequency when the image quality processor 160 detects a lower image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame compared to the test ultrasound image frame (e.g., due to a better combination of image resolution and penetration of the test ultrasound image frame). The switching from the first set of imaging parameters to the second set of imaging parameters may be automatic without feedback, automatic with feedback, or in response to a user selection based on a recommendation with a user selection prompt displayed, etc. The process 300 may return to step 302 to continue detecting the image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame until the ultrasound examination is completed. In various embodiments, in the embodiment where a plurality of test ultrasound image frame types are acquired at step 304 and the image quality is determined at step 308, the image quality processor 160 may be configured to switch the first set of imaging parameters and the third set of imaging parameters and continue to detect image quality based on the switched first set of imaging parameters and the third set of imaging parameters when the image quality processor determines that the first image quality of the conventional ultrasound image frame is inferior to the third image quality of the second type of test ultrasound image frame.

[0048] Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods 300 and systems 100 for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan. According to various embodiments, method 300 may include acquiring 302 a conventional ultrasound image frame by an ultrasound system 100 based on a first set of imaging parameters and displaying the conventional ultrasound image frame at a display system 134 of the ultrasound system 100. Method 300 may include intermittently acquiring 304 a test ultrasound image frame by the ultrasound system 100 based on a second set of imaging parameters. At least one imaging parameter in the second set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters. The test ultrasound image is not displayed at the display system 134. Method 300 may include determining 306, 308 a conventional frame image quality of at least one image frame in the conventional ultrasound image frame and a test frame image quality of the test ultrasound image frame by at least one processor 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100. Method 300 may include applying 312, 302 the second set of imaging parameters by at least one processor 132, 140, 160 and in response to determining 310 that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames and display the additional conventional ultrasound image frames at the display system 134.

[0049] In a representative embodiment, method 300 may include applying 312, 304 a first set of imaging parameters by at least one of processors 132, 150, 160 to intermittently acquire additional test ultrasound image frames in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality. In an exemplary embodiment, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the presence or absence of at least one artifact detected by at least one of processors 132, 160 in at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame. The at least one artifact may include at least one of acoustic decay artifact, multipath artifact, reverberation artifact, posterior acoustic enhancement artifact, secondary echo artifact, side lobe or grating lobe. In various embodiments, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the amount of resolution and penetration in at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame. In a particular embodiment, at least one imaging parameter of a second set of imaging parameters different from the first set of imaging parameters is one of a different pulse repetition frequency, harmonic on or off, frequency, aperture size, focus position, or amount of acoustic power. In a representative embodiment, the application 312, 302 of the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality is performed in one of the following manners: automatically without displaying a notification of the changed imaging parameter, or automatically with a notification of the changed imaging parameter presented at display system 134. In an exemplary embodiment, method 300 may include intermittently acquiring 304 a second test ultrasound image frame by ultrasound system 100 based on a third set of imaging parameters. At least one imaging parameter of the third set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters. The second test ultrasound image is not displayed at display system 134. Method 300 may include determining 308 by at least one processor the second test frame image quality of the second test ultrasound image frame. Method 300 may include applying 312, 302 a third set of imaging parameters by at least one of processors 132, 140, 160 to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames and displaying the additional conventional ultrasound image frames at display system 134 in response to determining that the second test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality. In a particular embodiment, method 300 may include displaying 312, 302 the last image frame of the conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on the first set of imaging parameters, wherein additional conventional ultrasound image frames are acquired based on the second set of imaging parameters, and displaying an optional option to switch back to the first set of imaging parameters.

[0050] Various embodiments provide a system 100 for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan. The system may include an ultrasound system 100, at least one processor 132, 140, 150, 160, and a display system 134. The ultrasound system 100 may be configured to acquire a conventional ultrasound image frame based on a first set of imaging parameters. The ultrasound system 100 may be configured to intermittently acquire a test ultrasound image frame based on a second set of imaging parameters. At least one of the imaging parameters in the second set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters. The test ultrasound image is not displayed. The ultrasound system 100 may be configured to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames based on the second set of imaging parameters. At least one processor 132, 160 may be configured to determine a conventional frame image quality of at least one conventional ultrasound image frame and a test frame image quality of the test ultrasound image frame. At least one processor 132, 140, 160 may be configured to apply the second set of imaging parameters to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames based on the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality. The display system 134 may be configured to present the conventional ultrasound image frames and the additional conventional ultrasound image frames.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of processors 132, 150, 160 is configured to apply a first set of imaging parameters to intermittently acquire additional test ultrasound image frames in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality. In various embodiments, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the presence or absence of at least one artifact detected by at least one of processors 132, 160 in at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame. The at least one artifact may include at least one of acoustic decay artifact, multipath artifact, reverberation artifact, posterior acoustic enhancement artifact, secondary echo artifact, sidelobe or grating lobe. In a particular embodiment, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the amount of resolution and penetration in at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame. In a representative embodiment, at least one imaging parameter of a second set of imaging parameters different from the first set of imaging parameters is one of a different pulse repetition frequency, harmonic on or off, frequency, aperture size, focus position, or amount of acoustic power. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of processors 132, 140, 160 may be configured to automatically apply the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality and not cause the display system 134 to present a notification of the changed imaging parameters. At least one of processors 132, 140, 160 may be configured to automatically apply the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality and present a notification of the changed imaging parameters at the display system 134. In various embodiments, the display system 134 may be configured to present the last image frame in the conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on the first set of imaging parameters, wherein additional conventional ultrasound image frames are acquired based on the second set of imaging parameters, and an optional option to switch back to the first set of imaging parameters.

[0052] Certain embodiments provide a non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program having at least one code segment. The at least one code segment is executable by a machine to cause an ultrasound system to perform step 300. Step 300 may include receiving 302 a conventional ultrasound image frame acquired based on a first set of imaging parameters and displaying the conventional ultrasound image frame at a display system 134 in the ultrasound system 100. Step 300 may include receiving 302 a test ultrasound image frame intermittently acquired based on a second set of imaging parameters. At least one of the imaging parameters in the second set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters. The test ultrasound image is not displayed at the display system 134. Step 300 may include determining 306, 308 a conventional frame image quality of at least one conventional ultrasound image frame and a test frame image quality of the test ultrasound image frame. Step 300 may include applying 312, 302 the second set of imaging parameters to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames and displaying the additional conventional ultrasound image frames at the display system 134 in response to determining 310 that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality.

[0053] In various embodiments, step 300 may include applying 312, 304 the first set of imaging parameters to intermittently acquire additional test ultrasound image frames in response to determining 310 that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality. In a representative embodiment, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the presence or absence of at least one artifact detected in at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame. The at least one artifact may include at least one of acoustic decay artifact, multipath artifact, reverberation artifact, posterior acoustic enhancement artifact, secondary echo artifact, side lobe, or grating lobe. In an exemplary embodiment, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on a resolution amount and a penetration amount of at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frame and the test ultrasound image frame. In a particular embodiment, the applying 312, 302 of the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining 310 that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality is performed in one of the following manners: automatically and without displaying a notification of a change in imaging parameters, or automatically and presenting a notification of a change in imaging parameters at the display system 134.

[0054] As used herein, the term "circuitry" refers to physical electronic components (e.g., hardware) and any software and / or firmware ("code") that is configurable hardware, executed by hardware, and / or otherwise associated with the hardware. For example, as used herein, a particular processor and memory can include a first "circuitry" when executing one or more first codes, and a particular processor and memory can include a second "circuitry" when executing one or more second codes. As used herein, "and / or" means any one or more of the items in a list joined by "and / or". For example, "x and / or y" means any element in the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. As another example, "x, y, and / or z" means any element in the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means serving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms "e.g." and "for example" introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As used herein, circuitry "is operable to" and / or "is configured to" perform a function whenever the circuitry includes the necessary hardware and code (if required) to perform the function, regardless of whether the execution of the function is disabled or not enabled by some user-configurable setting.

[0055] Other embodiments may provide a computer-readable device and / or a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and / or a machine-readable device and / or a non-transitory machine-readable medium, having stored thereon machine code and / or a computer program having at least one code segment executable by a machine and / or a computer, thereby causing the machine and / or the computer to perform the steps described herein for dynamically adjusting imaging parameters during an ultrasound scan.

[0056] Accordingly, the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be implemented in a centralized manner in at least one computer system or in a distributed manner in which different elements are distributed among several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other device suitable for performing the methods described herein is appropriate.

[0057] Various embodiments may also be embedded in a computer program product that includes all the features capable of implementing the methods described herein and, when loaded into a computer system, is capable of executing these methods. A computer program herein refers to any expression of a set of instructions represented in any language, code, or notation, which is intended to cause a system with information processing capabilities to directly perform a particular function or perform a particular function after one or both of the following: a) being transformed into another language, code, or notation; b) being reproduced in a different physical form.

[0058] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An imaging method, the imaging method comprises: acquiring, by an ultrasound system, a conventional ultrasound image frame based on a first set of imaging parameters, and displaying the conventional ultrasound image frame at a display system of the ultrasound system; acquiring, by the ultrasound system, test ultrasound image frames periodically in an interleaved manner based on a second set of imaging parameters, wherein at least one imaging parameter in the second set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters, and wherein the test ultrasound images are not displayed at the display system; determining, by at least one processor of the ultrasound system, a conventional frame image quality of at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frames and a test frame image quality of the test ultrasound image frames; and acquiring, by the at least one processor and in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality, additional conventional ultrasound image frames by applying the second set of imaging parameters and displaying the additional conventional ultrasound image frames at the display system.

2. The method according to claim 1, the method comprising acquiring, by the at least one processor and in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality, additional test ultrasound image frames periodically by applying the first set of imaging parameters.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the presence or absence of at least one artifact detected by the at least one processor in at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test ultrasound image frames, and wherein the at least one artifact comprises at least one of the following: attenuation artifact, multipath artifact, reverberation artifact, posterior acoustic enhancement artifact, secondary echo artifact, side lobe or grating lobe.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on a resolution amount and a penetration amount of at least one of the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test ultrasound image frames.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, at least one imaging parameter in the second set of imaging parameters different from the first set of imaging parameters is one of the following different items: pulse repetition frequency, harmonic on or off, frequency, aperture size, focus position, or acoustic power amount.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the execution of applying the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality is one of the following: automatically executed and no notification of changed imaging parameters is displayed, or automatically executed and a notification of the changed imaging parameters is presented at the display system.

7. The method according to claim 1, the method comprises: acquiring, by the ultrasound system, second test ultrasound image frames periodically based on a third set of imaging parameters, wherein at least one imaging parameter in the third set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters, and wherein the second test ultrasound images are not displayed at the display system; determining, by the at least one processor, a second test frame image quality of the second test ultrasound image frame; and applying, by the at least one processor and in response to determining that the second test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality, the third imaging parameter to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames and displaying the additional conventional ultrasound image frames at the display system.

8. The method according to claim 1, the method comprising: displaying the last image frame of the conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on the first imaging parameter and the additional conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on the second imaging parameter, and displaying an optional option for switching back to the first imaging parameter.

9. An ultrasound system, the ultrasound system comprising at least one processor; wherein, the ultrasound system is configured to: acquire conventional ultrasound image frames based on a first imaging parameter; periodically acquire test ultrasound image frames in an interleaved manner based on a second imaging parameter, wherein at least one imaging parameter in the second imaging parameter is different from the first imaging parameter, and wherein the test ultrasound images are not displayed; and acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames based on the second imaging parameter; the at least one processor is configured to: determine a conventional frame image quality of at least one image frame of the conventional ultrasound image frames and a test frame image quality of the test ultrasound image frames; and apply the second imaging parameter to acquire the additional conventional ultrasound image frames based on the second imaging parameter in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality; and a display system configured to present the conventional ultrasound image frames and the additional conventional ultrasound image frames.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein, the at least one processor is configured to apply the first imaging parameter to periodically acquire additional test ultrasound image frames in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the presence or absence of at least one artifact detected by the at least one processor in at least one image frame of the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test ultrasound image frames, and wherein the at least one artifact includes at least one of the following: acoustic decay artifact, multipath artifact, reverberation artifact, posterior acoustic enhancement artifact, secondary echo artifact, side lobe or grating lobe.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on a resolution amount and a penetration amount of at least one image frame of the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test ultrasound image frames.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein, at least one imaging parameter in the second imaging parameter different from the first imaging parameter is one of the following different items: pulse repetition frequency, harmonic on or off, frequency, aperture size, focus position, or Acoustic power quantity.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein, the at least one processor is configured to apply the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality, one of the following: automatically execute and not cause the display system to present a notification of the changed imaging parameters, or automatically execute and present a notification of the changed imaging parameters at the display system.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein, the display system is configured to present: the last image frame in the conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on the first set of imaging parameters and the additional conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on the second set of imaging parameters, and an optional option to switch back to the first set of imaging parameters.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program having at least one code segment that can be executed by a machine to cause an ultrasound system to perform steps including the following: Receiving conventional ultrasound image frames acquired based on a first set of imaging parameters and displaying the conventional ultrasound image frames at a display system of the ultrasound system; Receiving test ultrasound image frames periodically acquired in an interleaved manner based on a second set of imaging parameters, wherein, at least one imaging parameter in the second set of imaging parameters is different from the first set of imaging parameters, and wherein the test ultrasound images are not displayed at the display system; Determining the conventional frame image quality of at least one image frame in the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test frame image quality of the test ultrasound image frames; and Applying the second set of imaging parameters to acquire additional conventional ultrasound image frames and displaying the additional conventional ultrasound image frames at the display system in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 16, including applying the first set of imaging parameters to periodically acquire additional test ultrasound image frames in response to the determination that the test frame image quality exceeds the conventional frame image quality.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 16, wherein, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the presence or absence of at least one artifact detected in at least one image frame of the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test ultrasound image frames, and wherein the at least one artifact includes at least one of the following: Acoustic decay artifact, Multipath artifact, Echo artifact, Posterior acoustic enhancement artifact, Secondary echo artifact, Side lobe or Grating lobe.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 16, wherein, the conventional frame image quality and the test frame image quality are based on the amount of resolution and penetration of at least one image frame in the conventional ultrasound image frames and the test ultrasound image frames.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 16, wherein, The execution mode of applying the second set of imaging parameters in response to determining that the test frame image quality exceeds the normal frame image quality is one of the following: Automatically execute without displaying a notification of the changed imaging parameters, or Automatically execute and present a notification of the changed imaging parameters at the display system.

Images