An ultrasonic contrast imaging method, device, display method and ultrasonic equipment

Abstract

This application discloses an ultrasound contrast imaging method, apparatus, display method, and ultrasound device. The method includes: acquiring an ultrasound contrast image sequence; constructing an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence; wherein each row in the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence, and each column in the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast image; constructing a coefficient matrix, and performing a filtering operation on a target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence. Therefore, the ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ultrasound contrast imaging technology, and more specifically, to an ultrasound contrast imaging method, apparatus, method for displaying ultrasound contrast images, an ultrasound device, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Contrast-enhanced ultrasound microflow imaging can clearly show the perfusion process of the contrast agent entering the target blood vessel and reaching its maximum brightness. Furthermore, the sequence of perfusion processes can be observed in the subsequent time-series images presented using the grayscale information of the perfusion. However, during the acquisition of these time-series images, the patient's respiratory movements and body movements can cause deviations in the position of the blood vessels in the sequence. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress these deviations in image content before generating the corresponding target images.

[0003] In related technologies, motion suppression algorithms are used to calibrate the motion between sequential images, and then grayscale information from the same location in different images is used for processing to generate the final result. However, since respiratory motion may cause local irregular motion between images, the above-mentioned methods cannot completely calibrate such errors, resulting in poor ultrasound contrast imaging effects.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the imaging effect of ultrasound contrast imaging is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide an ultrasound contrast imaging method, apparatus, ultrasound contrast image display method, ultrasound device, and computer-readable storage medium, which improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an ultrasound contrast imaging method, comprising:

[0007] Acquire ultrasound contrast imaging sequences;

[0008] An image matrix is ​​constructed based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image;

[0009] A coefficient matrix is ​​constructed, and a filtering operation is performed on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein, the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0010] The acquisition of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence includes:

[0011] An ultrasonic pulse is emitted toward the object to be tested, and the ultrasonic echo signal returned by the object to be tested is received. The original ultrasonic contrast image is obtained after signal processing of the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0012] The original ultrasound contrast image is projected to obtain the corresponding projection result image, and an ultrasound image sequence is constructed based on the projection result image corresponding to each frame of the original ultrasound contrast image.

[0013] The step of constructing an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence includes:

[0014] A pixel sequence is constructed based on the pixel values ​​of the same location in each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence.

[0015] The image matrix is ​​obtained by horizontally arranging the pixel sequence corresponding to each position in order of position.

[0016] The step of constructing an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence includes:

[0017] Construct the pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence;

[0018] The pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image is arranged vertically according to the frame order to obtain the image matrix.

[0019] The target ultrasound contrast image is the actual ultrasound contrast image obtained.

[0020] The filtering operation on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix includes:

[0021] Calculate the temporary hybrid matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix;

[0022] Construct a temporary matrix; wherein the temporary matrix has 1 row, the same number of columns as the coefficient matrix, a first element of 1, and all other elements of 0;

[0023] Calculate the product of the temporary mixing matrix and the temporary matrix to obtain the mixing matrix;

[0024] The product of the mixing matrix and the image matrix is ​​calculated to obtain the predicted image matrix;

[0025] The target ultrasound imaging image is filtered based on the predicted image matrix.

[0026] The step of calculating the temporary hybrid matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix includes:

[0027] Calculate the product of the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix to obtain the first intermediate matrix;

[0028] The second intermediate matrix is ​​obtained by inverting the first intermediate matrix.

[0029] Calculate the product of the second intermediate matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix to obtain a temporary mixed matrix.

[0030] The step of filtering the actual acquired target ultrasound contrast image based on the predicted image matrix includes:

[0031] Compare the nth element in the predicted image matrix with the pixel value of the nth position in the actually acquired target ultrasound contrast image;

[0032] If the difference is greater than a preset value, the pixel value of the nth position in the target ultrasound contrast image is replaced with the nth element in the prediction image matrix.

[0033] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an ultrasound contrast imaging device, comprising:

[0034] The acquisition module is used to acquire ultrasound contrast imaging image sequences;

[0035] A construction module is used to construct an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein, each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image;

[0036] A filtering module is used to construct a coefficient matrix and perform filtering operations on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0037] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a method for displaying ultrasound contrast images, comprising:

[0038] Obtain the target ultrasound contrast imaging image according to the above ultrasound contrast imaging method;

[0039] The ultrasound contrast imaging image is displayed based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence and the target ultrasound contrast imaging image.

[0040] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides an ultrasonic device, comprising:

[0041] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0042] A processor is used to execute the computer program to implement the steps of the ultrasound contrast imaging method described above.

[0043] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the ultrasound contrast imaging method described above.

[0044] As can be seen from the above scheme, the ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application includes: acquiring an ultrasound contrast image sequence; constructing an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence; each row in the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence, and each column in the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast image; constructing a coefficient matrix, and performing a filtering operation on a target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein, the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0045] The ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application filters the target ultrasound contrast image based on historical ultrasound contrast images received over a period of time prior to the target ultrasound contrast image, i.e., an ultrasound contrast image sequence. Specifically, it predicts the pixel value of each pixel in the target ultrasound contrast image based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence and replaces the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​using the predicted values. Since irregular local motion between images can cause excessive differences between the actual and predicted pixel values ​​of local pixels, replacing the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​can reduce the errors caused by irregular local motion between images due to breathing. Therefore, the ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect. This application also discloses an ultrasound contrast imaging device, an ultrasound contrast image display method, an ultrasound device, and a computer-readable storage medium, which can achieve the same technical effects.

[0046] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort. The drawings are used to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain this disclosure, but do not constitute a limitation of this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0048] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating an ultrasound contrast imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0049] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an ultrasound contrast imaging sequence according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0050] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another ultrasound contrast imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating yet another ultrasound contrast imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0052] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of an ultrasound contrast imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0053] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of an ultrasonic device according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0055] The ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application can be applied to ultrasound equipment. The ultrasound equipment obtains an ultrasound contrast image sequence based on probe detection information, optimizes each ultrasound contrast image in the sequence, and outputs ultrasound video based on the optimized ultrasound contrast images. The optimization process can include noise reduction, filtering, deblurring, and artifact removal. When filtering is required on the latest frame of the ultrasound contrast image sequence, an image matrix and a coefficient matrix are constructed based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence, and the latest frame of the ultrasound contrast image is filtered based on the image matrix and coefficient matrix. Of course, the ultrasound contrast imaging method can also be applied to servers or other terminal devices. These devices acquire an ultrasound contrast image sequence from the ultrasound equipment, optimize each ultrasound contrast image, generate ultrasound video based on the optimized ultrasound contrast images, and then return the ultrasound video to the ultrasound equipment.

[0056] This application discloses an ultrasound contrast imaging method that improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

[0057] See Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating an ultrasound contrast imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment is shown below. Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0058] S101: Acquire ultrasound contrast imaging sequence;

[0059] The execution subject in this embodiment can be an ultrasound device, and the purpose is to perform filtering operations on the acquired target ultrasound contrast-enhanced image, which can specifically be a vascular angiography image. In this step, historical ultrasound contrast-enhanced images within a certain period preceding the target ultrasound contrast-enhanced image are obtained, i.e., an ultrasound contrast-enhanced image sequence.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, this step includes: transmitting an ultrasonic pulse to the object to be tested, receiving the ultrasonic echo signal returned by the object to be tested, processing the ultrasonic echo signal to obtain a raw ultrasound contrast image; projecting the raw ultrasound contrast image to obtain a corresponding projection result image, and constructing an ultrasound image sequence based on the projection result image corresponding to each frame of the raw ultrasound contrast image. In a specific implementation, an ultrasonic pulse is first transmitted to the object to be tested through a probe, the probe responds to and receives the ultrasonic echo signal returned by the object to be tested, and then processes the received ultrasonic echo signal to output raw ultrasound contrast images at multiple times. Here, the specific structure of the probe, its transmission and reception process, and signal processing can all be implemented through the corresponding functional modules of a commonly used ultrasound imaging system, and will not be elaborated here. The acquired n-length frame of raw ultrasound contrast image is projected to obtain the projection result image corresponding to the n-length frame of raw ultrasound contrast image. In this context, for a given frame of original ultrasound contrast imaging (USI) within an nLength set of frames, such as the i-th frame (where i is a positive integer and 1 ≤ i ≤ nLength), the i-th set of USI images is projected using any frame from that set as a projection template to obtain the projected image of the i-th frame. The i-th set of USI images is a sequence of several frames of original ultrasound contrast imaging (USI) images within the projection period that include the i-th frame. Figure 2 As shown, the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence includes nLength frames of ultrasound contrast imaging images.

[0061] In one embodiment, acquiring the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence further includes: acquiring ultrasound contrast images; performing motion suppression on the ultrasound contrast images; and constructing an ultrasound contrast image sequence based on the motion-suppressed ultrasound contrast images within a preset frame range. Motion suppression of the ultrasound contrast images can be implemented based on template matching. For example, a template contrast image can be acquired, the ultrasound contrast image can be compared with the template contrast image, and data in the ultrasound contrast image that does not match the template contrast image can be removed based on the comparison result.

[0062] After acquiring ultrasound contrast images, motion suppression is applied to mitigate deviations in image content. Then, an ultrasound contrast image sequence is constructed within a preset frame range based on the motion-suppressed ultrasound images. The specific data for the preset frame range is not limited here; those skilled in the art can set it flexibly according to actual conditions. The motion suppression function can eliminate adverse effects such as ghosting caused by image superposition due to probe movement or patient breathing.

[0063] S102: Construct an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein, each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image;

[0064] In this step, an image matrix corresponding to the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence is constructed. Each row in the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging in the sequence, and each column corresponds to a location in the ultrasound contrast imaging image. That is, the element in the i-th row and j-th column of the image matrix is ​​the pixel value of the j-th location in the i-th frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence. The pixel value can be represented by grayscale value, RGB value, etc.

[0065] As one possible implementation, this step includes: constructing a pixel sequence based on the pixel values ​​of pixels at the same location in each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence; and horizontally arranging the pixel sequences corresponding to each location according to their positional order to obtain an image matrix. In a specific implementation, a pixel sequence is constructed based on the pixel values ​​of pixels at the same location in each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence, and all pixel sequences are horizontally arranged to represent an image matrix in matrix form.

[0066] As another feasible implementation, this step includes: constructing a pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of the ultrasound contrast-enhanced image sequence; and arranging the pixel sequences corresponding to each frame of the ultrasound contrast-enhanced image vertically according to frame order to obtain an image matrix. In a specific implementation, each frame of the ultrasound contrast-enhanced image sequence is expanded into a row vector in row-major order, that is, the pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of the ultrasound contrast-enhanced image is constructed, and all pixel sequences are arranged vertically to represent an image matrix in matrix form.

[0067] The image matrix is ​​specifically as follows:

[0068]

[0069] Where Img_i(pixel j) is the pixel value of the j-th position in the i-th frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, 1≤i≤nLength, 0≤j≤pixelSum, and pixelSum is the total number of pixels contained in each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image.

[0070] S103: Construct a coefficient matrix and perform filtering on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0071] In practical implementation, the coefficient matrix can be constructed based on the polynomial function, which can be expressed as: f(x)=a0+a1x+a2x 2 +…+a nOrder x nOrder , where nOrder is the order of the polynomial fitting, and the number of rows in the coefficient matrix is ​​the total number of ultrasound contrast images contained in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0072] In this embodiment, the last frame of an ultrasound contrast-enhanced image sequence can be filtered using the ultrasound contrast-enhanced image sequence. For example, the 11th frame can be filtered using the ultrasound contrast-enhanced images from frames 1-10. Alternatively, the next frame of the ultrasound contrast-enhanced image sequence can be filtered, the difference being the coefficient matrix used. For example, the 10th frame can be filtered using the ultrasound contrast-enhanced images from frames 1-10.

[0073] Specifically, if the target contrast-enhanced ultrasound image is the next frame in a sequence of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images, then the coefficient matrix is:

[0074]

[0075] Where nOrder is the order of the polynomial fitting. In specific implementation, a similar idea to the Savitzky-Golay filter is adopted, using the principle of least squares to predict the grayscale information of the next frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence. A preset value is set, and the predicted grayscale information is compared with the grayscale information of the next frame of the actually acquired ultrasound contrast imaging sequence. If the difference is greater than the preset value, the grayscale information of the next frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image will be replaced by the predicted value. In the process of continuously acquiring the target ultrasound image, the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence within the preset frame range before the target ultrasound image is continuously filtered, and finally the entire ultrasound contrast imaging image processing process is completed.

[0076] If the target contrast-enhanced ultrasound image is the last frame in the contrast-enhanced ultrasound image sequence, then the coefficient matrix is:

[0077]

[0078] In practice, a similar idea to the Savitzky-Golay filter is used, and the grayscale information of the last frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence can be directly filtered out using the principle of the least squares method.

[0079] Of course, this embodiment can also filter the last frame of ultrasound contrast imaging and the next frame of ultrasound contrast imaging in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence at the same time. This embodiment does not limit the filtering order. The last frame of ultrasound contrast imaging in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence can be filtered first, and then the next frame of ultrasound contrast imaging in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence can be predicted and filtered. Alternatively, the next frame of ultrasound contrast imaging in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence can be predicted and filtered first, and then the last frame of ultrasound contrast imaging in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence can be filtered.

[0080] The ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application provides a filtering method for the target ultrasound contrast imaging image based on historical ultrasound contrast imaging images received within a certain period prior to the target ultrasound contrast imaging image, i.e., an ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence. Specifically, it predicts the pixel value of each pixel in the target ultrasound contrast imaging image based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence and replaces the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​using the predicted values. Since irregular local motion between images can cause excessive differences between the actual and predicted pixel values ​​of local pixels, replacing the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​using the predicted values ​​can reduce the errors caused by irregular local motion between images due to respiration on the target ultrasound contrast imaging image. Therefore, the ultrasound contrast imaging method provided in this application improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

[0081] This application discloses an ultrasound contrast imaging method. Compared with the previous embodiment, this embodiment further explains and optimizes the technical solution. Specifically:

[0082] See Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another ultrasound contrast imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, it includes:

[0083] S201: Acquire ultrasound contrast imaging sequence;

[0084] S202: Construct an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein, each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image;

[0085] S203: Construct a coefficient matrix, and predict the next frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix to obtain a predicted image matrix;

[0086] S204: Filter the actual acquired next frame ultrasound contrast image based on the predicted image matrix.

[0087] In this embodiment, prediction and filtering are performed on the next frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence. First, the coefficient matrix A is constructed as follows:

[0088]

[0089] Secondly, a temporary blending matrix is ​​calculated based on the coefficient matrix and its transpose. Specifically, the product of the coefficient matrix and its transpose is calculated to obtain the first intermediate matrix. The inverse of the first intermediate matrix is ​​then performed to obtain the second intermediate matrix. Finally, the product of the second intermediate matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix is ​​calculated to obtain the temporary blending matrix. That is, the temporary blending matrix HmatrixTmp = (A T ·A) -1 ·A T .

[0090] Next, construct a temporary matrix; the temporary matrix has 1 row, the same number of columns as the coefficient matrix, a first element of 1, and all other elements of 0. The temporary matrix Tmp = [1 0 0 … 0], with a total length of nOrder+1.

[0091] Then, the product of the temporary blending matrix and the temporary matrix is ​​calculated to obtain the blending matrix, i.e., the blending matrix Hmatrix = Tmp · HmatrixTmp. The product of the blending matrix and the image matrix is ​​calculated to obtain the predicted image matrix, i.e., the predicted image matrix PreImg = Hmatrix · FsImage, where FsImage is the image matrix.

[0092] Finally, the acquired target ultrasound contrast image is filtered based on the predicted image matrix. Specifically, the pixel value of the nth element in the predicted image matrix is ​​compared with the pixel value of the nth position in the acquired target ultrasound contrast image. If the difference is greater than a preset value, the pixel value of the nth position in the target ultrasound contrast image is replaced with the nth element in the predicted image matrix. The latest target ultrasound contrast image is then output based on the latest pixel values ​​at each position.

[0093] Therefore, this embodiment predicts and filters the next frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image based on historical ultrasound contrast imaging images, i.e., ultrasound contrast imaging image sequences. This can reduce the error caused by irregular local motion between images due to respiration on the next frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image, thereby improving the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

[0094] This application discloses an ultrasound contrast imaging method. Compared to the first embodiment, this embodiment further explains and optimizes the technical solution. Specifically:

[0095] See Figure 4A flowchart illustrating another ultrasound contrast imaging method according to an exemplary embodiment, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes:

[0096] S301: Acquire ultrasound contrast imaging sequence;

[0097] S302: Construct an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein, each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image;

[0098] S303: Construct a coefficient matrix, and perform a filtering operation on the target ultrasound contrast image as the last frame of the ultrasound contrast image sequence based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix.

[0099] In this embodiment, the last frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence is filtered based on the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence. First, the coefficient matrix A is constructed as follows:

[0100]

[0101] Secondly, a temporary mixing matrix is ​​calculated based on the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix. A temporary matrix is ​​constructed, and the mixing matrix is ​​calculated. The specific process is similar to that described in the above embodiments, except that the coefficient matrix used is different, which will not be repeated here.

[0102] Finally, the product of the mixing matrix and the image matrix is ​​calculated to obtain the filtered ultrasound contrast image of the last frame in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0103] Therefore, this embodiment, based on historical ultrasound contrast imaging images, i.e., ultrasound contrast imaging image sequences, filters the last frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image in the sequence, which can reduce the error caused by irregular local motion between images due to respiration on the last frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image, thereby improving the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

[0104] The following describes an ultrasound contrast imaging device provided in the embodiments of this application. The ultrasound contrast imaging device described below and the ultrasound contrast imaging method described above can be referred to each other.

[0105] See Figure 5 A structural diagram of an ultrasound contrast imaging apparatus is shown according to an exemplary embodiment, as follows: Figure 5 As shown, it includes:

[0106] The acquisition module 501 is used to acquire ultrasound contrast imaging image sequences;

[0107] Construction module 502 is used to construct an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence; wherein, each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast image;

[0108] The filtering module 503 is used to construct a coefficient matrix and perform filtering operations on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence.

[0109] The ultrasound contrast imaging device provided in this application provides an ultrasound contrast imaging apparatus that filters the target ultrasound contrast imaging image based on historical ultrasound contrast imaging images received over a period of time prior to the target ultrasound contrast imaging image, i.e., an ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence. Specifically, it predicts the pixel value of each pixel in the target ultrasound contrast imaging image based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence and replaces the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​using the predicted values. Since irregular local motion between images can cause excessive differences between the actual and predicted pixel values ​​of local pixels, replacing the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​using the predicted values ​​can reduce the errors caused by irregular local motion between images due to respiration on the target ultrasound contrast imaging image. Therefore, the ultrasound contrast imaging device provided in this application improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect.

[0110] Based on the above embodiments, as a preferred embodiment, the acquisition module 501 includes:

[0111] The processing unit is used to transmit ultrasonic pulses to the object to be detected, receive ultrasonic echo signals returned by the object to be detected, and obtain the original ultrasound contrast image after performing signal processing on the ultrasonic echo signals.

[0112] The first construction unit is used to project the original ultrasound contrast image to obtain the corresponding projection result image, and to construct an ultrasound image sequence based on the projection result image corresponding to each frame of the original ultrasound contrast image.

[0113] Based on the above embodiments, as a preferred embodiment, the construction module 502 includes:

[0114] The second construction unit is used to construct a pixel sequence based on the pixel values ​​of the same position in each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence.

[0115] The first arrangement unit is used to horizontally arrange the pixel sequence corresponding to each position according to the position order to obtain an image matrix.

[0116] Based on the above embodiments, as a preferred embodiment, the construction module 502 includes:

[0117] The third construction unit is used to construct the pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence;

[0118] The second arrangement unit is used to vertically arrange the pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image according to the frame order to obtain an image matrix.

[0119] Based on the above embodiments, as a preferred embodiment, the target ultrasound contrast image is an actually acquired ultrasound contrast image; the filtering module 503 includes:

[0120] The first calculation unit is used to calculate a temporary hybrid matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix;

[0121] The fourth construction unit is used to construct a temporary matrix; wherein the temporary matrix has 1 row, the same number of columns as the coefficient matrix, the first element is 1, and the remaining elements are 0;

[0122] The second calculation unit is used to calculate the product of the temporary mixing matrix and the temporary matrix to obtain the mixing matrix;

[0123] The third calculation unit is used to calculate the product of the mixing matrix and the image matrix to obtain the predicted image matrix;

[0124] The filtering unit is used to perform filtering operations on the actual acquired target ultrasound contrast image based on the predicted image matrix.

[0125] Based on the above embodiments, as a preferred embodiment, the first computing unit includes:

[0126] The first calculation subunit is used to calculate the product of the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix to obtain the first intermediate matrix;

[0127] The inverse sub-unit is used to perform an inverse operation on the first intermediate matrix to obtain the second intermediate matrix;

[0128] The second calculation subunit is used to calculate the product of the second intermediate matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix to obtain a temporary hybrid matrix.

[0129] Based on the above embodiments, as a preferred embodiment, the filtering unit includes:

[0130] The comparison subunit is used to compare the nth element in the predicted image matrix with the pixel value of the pixel at the nth position in the actually acquired target ultrasound contrast image;

[0131] The replacement subunit is used to replace the pixel value of the nth position of the target ultrasound contrast image with the nth element of the prediction image matrix when the difference is greater than a preset value.

[0132] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0133] The following describes a method for displaying ultrasound contrast images according to an embodiment of this application. The display method includes:

[0134] Obtain the target ultrasound contrast imaging image according to the above ultrasound contrast imaging method;

[0135] The ultrasound contrast imaging image is displayed based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence and the target ultrasound contrast imaging image.

[0136] The method for acquiring the target ultrasound contrast imaging image has been described in detail in the embodiments of the relevant ultrasound contrast imaging method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0137] In practice, the target ultrasound contrast image can be placed at the end of the ultrasound contrast image sequence and synthesized into a new ultrasound contrast image sequence, which can then be displayed.

[0138] The above embodiments filter the target ultrasound contrast image based on historical ultrasound contrast images received within a certain period prior to the target ultrasound contrast image, i.e., an ultrasound contrast image sequence. Specifically, this involves predicting the pixel value of each pixel in the target ultrasound contrast image based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence, and replacing the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​using the predicted values. Since irregular local motion between images can cause significant differences between the actual and predicted pixel values ​​of certain local pixels, replacing the pixel values ​​of pixels with large discrepancies with the predicted values ​​can reduce the errors caused by irregular local motion between images due to respiration. This improves the ultrasound contrast imaging effect, resulting in display ultrasound contrast images with higher clarity and accuracy.

[0139] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program modules, and in order to implement the method of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application also provide an ultrasonic device. Figure 6 This is a structural diagram illustrating an ultrasonic device according to an exemplary embodiment, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the ultrasound equipment includes:

[0140] Communication interface 1 enables information exchange with other devices, such as network devices;

[0141] Processor 2 is connected to communication interface 1 to enable information exchange with other devices and to execute the ultrasound contrast imaging method provided by one or more of the above-mentioned technical solutions when running a computer program. The computer program is stored in memory 3.

[0142] Of course, in practical applications, the various components of the ultrasonic equipment are coupled together through bus system 4. It can be understood that bus system 4 is used to achieve communication and connection between these components. In addition to the data bus, bus system 4 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, in... Figure 5 The general will label all buses as Bus System 4.

[0143] The memory 3 in this embodiment is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the ultrasound device. Examples of such data include any computer program used to operate the ultrasound device.

[0144] It is understood that memory 3 can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or both. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM), flash memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM); magnetic surface memory can be disk storage or magnetic tape storage. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SSRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus Random Access Memory (DRRAM).The memory 2 described in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0145] The methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be applied to processor 2, or implemented by processor 2. Processor 2 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in processor 2 or by instructions in the form of software. The processor 2 may be a general-purpose processor, DSP, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. Processor 2 can implement or execute the methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a storage medium, which is located in memory 3. Processor 2 reads the program in memory 3 and completes the steps of the aforementioned method in combination with its hardware.

[0146] When processor 2 executes the program, it implements the corresponding processes in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0147] In an exemplary embodiment, this application also provides a storage medium, namely a computer storage medium, specifically a computer-readable storage medium, such as a memory 3 that stores a computer program, which can be executed by a processor 2 to complete the steps described in the aforementioned method. The computer-readable storage medium may be a memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or CD-ROM.

[0148] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it performs the steps of the above method embodiments. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as mobile storage devices, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0149] Alternatively, if the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause an ultrasound device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as mobile storage devices, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0150] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for ultrasound contrast imaging, characterized in that, include: Acquire ultrasound contrast imaging sequences; An image matrix is ​​constructed based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image; A coefficient matrix is ​​constructed, and a filtering operation is performed on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein, the number of rows of the coefficient matrix is ​​the total number of ultrasound contrast images contained in the ultrasound contrast image sequence, the target ultrasound contrast image is the actually acquired ultrasound contrast image, and the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence; The filtering operation on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix includes: A predicted image matrix is ​​determined based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein, the predicted image matrix is ​​used to describe the pixel value of each pixel in the target ultrasound contrast image predicted based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence; Compare the nth element in the predicted image matrix with the pixel value of the nth position in the actually acquired target ultrasound contrast image; If the difference is greater than a preset value, the pixel value of the nth position in the target ultrasound contrast image is replaced with the nth element in the prediction image matrix.

2. The ultrasound contrast imaging method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acquisition of the ultrasound contrast imaging sequence includes: An ultrasonic pulse is emitted toward the object to be tested, and the ultrasonic echo signal returned by the object to be tested is received. The original ultrasonic contrast image is obtained after signal processing of the ultrasonic echo signal. The original ultrasound contrast image is projected to obtain the corresponding projection result image, and an ultrasound image sequence is constructed based on the projection result image corresponding to each frame of the original ultrasound contrast image.

3. The ultrasound contrast imaging method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The construction of the image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence includes: A pixel sequence is constructed based on the pixel values ​​of the same location in each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence. The image matrix is ​​obtained by horizontally arranging the pixel sequence corresponding to each position in order of position.

4. The ultrasound contrast imaging method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The construction of the image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence includes: Construct the pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; The pixel sequence corresponding to each frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image is arranged vertically according to the frame order to obtain the image matrix.

5. The ultrasound contrast imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The step of determining the predicted image matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix includes: Calculate the temporary hybrid matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix; Construct a temporary matrix; wherein the temporary matrix has 1 row, the same number of columns as the coefficient matrix, a first element of 1, and all other elements of 0; Calculate the product of the temporary mixing matrix and the temporary matrix to obtain the mixing matrix; The product of the mixing matrix and the image matrix is ​​calculated to obtain the predicted image matrix.

6. The ultrasound contrast imaging method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The calculation of the temporary hybrid matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix includes: Calculate the product of the coefficient matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix to obtain the first intermediate matrix; The second intermediate matrix is ​​obtained by inverting the first intermediate matrix. Calculate the product of the second intermediate matrix and the transpose of the coefficient matrix to obtain a temporary mixed matrix.

7. An ultrasound contrast imaging device, characterized in that, include: The acquisition module is used to acquire ultrasound contrast imaging image sequences; A construction module is used to construct an image matrix based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence; wherein, each row of the image matrix corresponds to a frame of ultrasound contrast imaging image in the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence, and each column of the image matrix corresponds to a position of the ultrasound contrast imaging image; A filtering module is used to construct a coefficient matrix and perform filtering operations on the target ultrasound contrast image based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein, the number of rows of the coefficient matrix is ​​the total number of ultrasound contrast images contained in the ultrasound contrast image sequence, the target ultrasound contrast image is the actually acquired ultrasound contrast image, and the target ultrasound contrast image is the last frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence and / or the next frame ultrasound contrast image in the ultrasound contrast image sequence; Specifically, the filtering module is used to: determine a predicted image matrix based on the coefficient matrix and the image matrix; wherein the predicted image matrix describes the pixel value of each pixel in the target ultrasound contrast image predicted based on the ultrasound contrast image sequence; compare the nth element in the predicted image matrix with the pixel value of the pixel at the nth position in the actually acquired target ultrasound contrast image; if the difference is greater than a preset value, replace the pixel value of the pixel at the nth position in the target ultrasound contrast image with the nth element in the predicted image matrix.

8. A method for displaying ultrasound contrast images, characterized in that, include: Acquire a target ultrasound contrast imaging image according to any one of claims 1-6; The ultrasound contrast imaging image is displayed based on the ultrasound contrast imaging image sequence and the target ultrasound contrast imaging image.

9. An ultrasonic device, characterized in that, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor for executing the computer program to implement the steps of the ultrasound contrast imaging method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the ultrasound contrast imaging method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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