Ultrasonic image compensation method and ultrasonic image compensation system

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic image compensation method and system, comprising: transmitting an ultrasonic signal by an ultrasonic transceiver to an air medium; receiving a reflected ultrasonic signal by the ultrasonic transceiver to obtain an ultrasonic image; obtaining a corrected coordinate point according to the ultrasonic image; obtaining a first time for the ultrasonic signal to be transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the corrected coordinate point; obtaining a second time for the ultrasonic signal to be transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to a reference point; and adjusting a pixel image of the corrected coordinate point according to the first time and the second time; wherein the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point is adjusted to be on the same arc line with the reference point, the arc line has the ultrasonic transceiver as the center, and the pixel image and the reference point have the same distance to the center. The present application can optimize the resolution of the ultrasonic image and increase the imaging quality of the ultrasonic image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasonic technology, and in particular to an ultrasonic image compensation method and ultrasonic image compensation system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid advancements in medical technology, ultrasound detection technology has become increasingly sophisticated. Generally, ultrasound detection utilizes a probe that emits ultrasound signals to the area beneath the skin. Furthermore, the probe uses the reflected ultrasound signals to determine the shape and location of objects invisible to the naked eye beneath the skin for various medical applications.

[0003] In traditional curved ultrasonic transducers, the acoustic lens layer and matching layer are formed using a mold. However, the curvature of the mold and the piezoelectric material assembly lack ideal measurement methods, leading to defects in the ultrasonic image. In other words, because the manufacturing process of the ultrasonic transducer cannot perfectly conform to the design, irregular or distorted pixel defects will appear in the ultrasonic image during imaging.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a novel ultrasonic image compensation method and ultrasonic image compensation system to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel ultrasonic image compensation method and system, which can effectively repair distorted images corresponding to defects in ultrasonic images.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an ultrasonic image compensation method, comprising: transmitting an ultrasonic signal to an air medium via an ultrasonic transceiver; receiving the reflected ultrasonic signal at the ultrasonic transceiver to obtain an ultrasonic image; obtaining a correction coordinate point based on the ultrasonic image; obtaining a first time when the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the correction coordinate point; obtaining a second time when the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to a reference point; and adjusting the pixel image of the correction coordinate point based on the first time and the second time; wherein the pixel image of the correction coordinate point is adjusted to be on the same arc as the reference point, the arc being centered at the ultrasonic transceiver, and the distance from the pixel image to the reference point to the center is the same as that from the reference point to the center.

[0007] Preferably, the step "adjusting the pixel image of the correction coordinate point according to the first time and the second time" specifically includes: obtaining a first distance from the correction coordinate point to the center of the circle; scaling the first distance according to the first time and the second time to generate a correction distance; and adjusting the position of the pixel image of the correction coordinate point so that the distance between the position of the pixel image and the center of the circle is equal to the correction distance.

[0008] Preferably, the method further includes: obtaining a plurality of corrected coordinate points in the ultrasonic image; obtaining the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal; obtaining a plurality of third times within the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal, from the ultrasonic transceiver to the plurality of corrected coordinate points; and adjusting the plurality of pixel images of the plurality of corrected coordinate points according to the plurality of third times and the time of the corresponding reference point.

[0009] Preferably, the step of "adjusting multiple pixel images of multiple correction coordinate points" includes: adjusting multiple grayscale values ​​of multiple pixel images of multiple correction coordinate points so that multiple pixels on each arc extending outward from the center of the circle in the ultrasonic image have uniform grayscale values.

[0010] Preferably, the ultrasonic transceiver is applied to an arc-shaped ultrasonic transceiver, a dual-curvature ultrasonic transceiver, a multi-curvature ultrasonic transceiver, a spherical ultrasonic transceiver, or a non-spherical ultrasonic transceiver.

[0011] Based on the above compensation method, the present invention also provides an ultrasonic image compensation system, the compensation system comprising: an ultrasonic transceiver for transmitting ultrasonic signals to an air medium; a memory for storing data; and a processor coupled to the ultrasonic transceiver and the memory; wherein, after the ultrasonic transceiver transmits the ultrasonic signal, the ultrasonic transceiver receives the reflected ultrasonic signal to obtain an ultrasonic image, the processor obtains a correction coordinate point based on the ultrasonic image, the processor obtains a first time when the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the correction coordinate point, the processor obtains a second time when the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to a reference point from the memory, the processor adjusts the pixel image of the correction coordinate point based on the first time and the second time, and stores at least one parameter for adjusting the correction coordinate point in the memory, the pixel image of the correction coordinate point is adjusted to be on the same arc as the reference point, the arc is centered on the ultrasonic transceiver, and the distance from the pixel image to the reference point is the same.

[0012] Preferably, the processor obtains a first distance from the corrected coordinate point to the center of the circle, the processor scales the first distance according to the first time and the second time to generate a corrected distance, and the processor adjusts the position of the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point so that the distance between the position of the pixel image and the center of the circle is equal to the corrected distance.

[0013] Preferably, the processor obtains multiple corrected coordinate points in the ultrasonic image, the processor obtains the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal, the processor obtains multiple third times within the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal, from the ultrasonic transceiver to the multiple corrected coordinate points, and the processor adjusts the multiple pixel images of the multiple corrected coordinate points based on the multiple third times and the time of the corresponding reference points stored in the memory.

[0014] Preferably, the processor adjusts multiple grayscale values ​​of multiple pixel images at multiple correction coordinate points so that multiple pixels on each arc extending outward from the center in the ultrasonic image have uniform grayscale values.

[0015] Preferably, the ultrasonic transceiver is applied to an arc-shaped ultrasonic transceiver, a hyperbolic ultrasonic transceiver, a multi-curvature ultrasonic transceiver, a spherical ultrasonic transceiver, or a non-spherical ultrasonic transceiver.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the ultrasonic image compensation method and system provided by this invention can effectively repair distorted images corresponding to defects in ultrasonic images. The aforementioned ultrasonic image compensation system can utilize two or more time periods to adjust the distorted image of the defect points according to proportional relationships, thus correcting the image position. In other words, even if the curvature of the ultrasonic probe mold and the piezoelectric material assembly lack ideal measurement methods, leading to defects in the ultrasonic image, image processing using the ultrasonic image compensation method provided by this invention can optimize the resolution of the ultrasonic image and increase its imaging quality. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is an architectural diagram of an embodiment of the ultrasonic image compensation system provided in this invention.

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the relationship between the corrected coordinate point, reference point, first distance, second distance, and center of the circle in the ultrasonic image compensation system.

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shown illustrates the relationship between the corrected coordinate point, reference point, first distance, second distance, and center of the circle in the ultrasonic image compensation system.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The flowchart shown illustrates the ultrasonic image compensation method performed in the ultrasonic image compensation system. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to embodiments.

[0022] Certain terms are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific elements. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same element. This specification and claims do not distinguish elements by differences in name, but rather by differences in function. The term "comprising" throughout the specification and claims is an open-ended term and should be interpreted as "comprising but not limited to".

[0023] Figure 1This is an architectural diagram of an embodiment of the ultrasonic image compensation system 100 provided in this invention. The ultrasonic image compensation system 100 may include an ultrasonic transceiver 10, a memory 11, and a processor 12. The ultrasonic transceiver 10 is used to transmit ultrasonic signals 14 to the air medium 13. The ultrasonic transceiver 10 of this invention may be an arc-shaped ultrasonic transducer, but is not limited thereto. The ultrasonic transceiver 10 may also be applied to a hyperbolic ultrasonic transducer, a multi-curvature ultrasonic transducer, a spherical ultrasonic transducer, or a non-spherical ultrasonic transducer. The memory 11 is used to store data. The memory 11 may be any type of data storage device. The processor 12 is coupled to the ultrasonic transceiver 10 and the memory 11. In the ultrasonic image compensation system 100, after the ultrasonic transceiver 10 transmits the ultrasonic signal 14, the ultrasonic transceiver 10 can receive the reflected ultrasonic signal to obtain an ultrasonic image. Furthermore, receiving the reflected ultrasonic signal mainly involves receiving the reflection from the probe body of the ultrasonic transceiver 10. The ultrasonic transceiver 10 can transmit ultrasonic signals 14 to the air medium 13 in a radial pattern. The processor 12 can obtain correction coordinate points based on the ultrasonic image. As mentioned above, due to the lack of ideal measurement methods for mold curvature and piezoelectric material groups, defects may appear in the ultrasonic image. Therefore, the processor 12 detects defect points (correction coordinate points) in the ultrasonic image and attempts to correct the image of the defect points. The processor 12 can obtain the first time when the ultrasonic signal 14 is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the correction coordinate point. The processor 12 can obtain the second time when the ultrasonic signal 14 is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the reference point from the memory 11. The processor 12 can adjust the pixel image of the correction coordinate point based on the first time and the second time, and store at least one parameter for adjusting the correction coordinate point in the memory 11. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the ultrasonic transceiver 10 can transmit ultrasonic signals 14 to the air medium 13 in a radial pattern. Therefore, the reflection points of ultrasonic signals of the same distance (or transmission time) will form an arc (ARC). In other words, multiple pixels on the same arc (ARC) indicate that the ultrasonic signal travels for the same amount of time, i.e., the same distance. Furthermore, the arc (ARC) is centered at the ultrasonic transceiver 10, and the pixel image of the correction coordinate point is equidistant from the reference point. The pixel image of the correction coordinate point is adjusted to align with the reference point on the same arc. The method by which the ultrasonic image compensation system 100 corrects defects in the ultrasonic image is detailed later.

[0024] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the corrected coordinate point P1, the reference point Pref, the first distance D1, the second distance D2, and the center S in the ultrasonic image compensation system 100. As mentioned earlier, ideally, ultrasonic signals 14 from the same distance (or transmission time) would form an arc ARC at their reflection points. However, due to the lack of ideal measurement methods for mold curvature and piezoelectric material groups, defects can occur in the ultrasonic images. For example, in... Figure 2 In the image, the corrected coordinate point P1 is the defect point. Because the arc (dashed line portion) passing through the corrected coordinate point P1 is distorted, the ultrasonic image will be distorted at the corrected coordinate point P1, thus degrading the image quality. Therefore, the purpose of the image processing performed by the ultrasonic image compensation system 100 is to restore the defective portion of the ultrasonic image and optimize its image quality, as explained below. First, the processor 12 can obtain the first distance D1 from the corrected coordinate point P1 to the center S. The first distance D1 can be derived in any way. For example, the processor 12 can obtain the time when the ultrasonic signal 14a is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the corrected coordinate point P1, such as the first time T1. Since the speed of light C is known, the first distance D1 can be expressed as C × T1. Since the ideal position of the corrected coordinate point P1 should be on the arc ARC, the processor can read any point on the arc ARC from memory 11 and regard it as the reference point Pref. Similarly, the second distance D2 between the reference point Pref and the center S can be expressed as C × T2. The second time T2 is the time it takes for the ultrasonic signal 14b to be transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the reference point Pref. Therefore, in Figure 2 In this process, processor 12 can acquire a first distance D1 between the defect point (corrected coordinate point P1) in the ultrasonic image and the center S. Processor 12 can also acquire a second distance D2 between the reference point Pref in the ultrasonic image and the center S. Next, processor 12 can scale the first distance D1 according to a first time T1 and a second time T2 to generate a corrected distance. Finally, processor 12 can adjust the position of the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point P1 so that the distance between the pixel image position and the center S is equal to the corrected distance. Details are described later.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the corrected coordinate point P2, the reference point Pref, the first distance D1, the second distance D2, and the center S in the ultrasonic image compensation system 100. As mentioned earlier, since the first distance D1 can be expressed as C×T1, and the second distance D2 can be expressed as C×T2, the proportional relationships between the first distance D1, the second distance D2, the first time T1, and the second time T2 can be derived as follows:

[0026]

[0027] Equation (1) shows that distance is proportional to time. Therefore, the processor scales the first distance D1 based on the first time T1 and the second time T2 to generate the corrected distance, which can be expressed as:

[0028]

[0029] As can be seen from equation (2), although the first distance D1 is the distance from the corrected coordinate point P1 to the center S of the circle, it will be distorted due to the curvature of the mold and the lack of an ideal measurement method for the piezoelectric material group. However, since the ratio of the two times is detectable (T2 / T1), the first distance D1 can be corrected to the distance from the arc ARC to the center S of the circle using equation (2). In other words, the ideal value of the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point P1 is the coordinate of the corrected coordinate point P2. For example, in Figure 3 In the middle, the corrected coordinate point P2 falls on the arc ARC.

[0030] In the ultrasonic image compensation system 100, the processor 12 can correct defects in the entire ultrasonic image, as described below. First, the processor 12 can obtain multiple correction coordinate points in the ultrasonic image. The processor 12 can obtain the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal and multiple third times within the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal 14, from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the multiple correction coordinate points. Similarly, the processor 12 can adjust the multiple pixel images of the multiple correction coordinate points based on the multiple third times and the times of the corresponding reference points stored in the memory 11. Furthermore, in the ultrasonic image compensation system 100, the processor 12 can adjust multiple grayscale values ​​of the multiple pixel images of the multiple correction coordinate points so that the multiple pixels on each arc extending outward from the center S in the ultrasonic image have uniform grayscale values.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the ultrasonic image compensation method performed by the ultrasonic image compensation system 100. The process of performing the ultrasonic image compensation method includes steps S401 to S406. Any reasonable changes to the steps or technical modifications fall within the scope of this invention. Steps S401 to S406 are described below:

[0032] Step S401: The ultrasonic transceiver 10 transmits an ultrasonic signal 14 to the air medium 13;

[0033] Step S402: The ultrasonic transceiver 10 receives the reflected ultrasonic signal to obtain an ultrasonic image.

[0034] Step S403: Obtain the corrected coordinate point P1 based on the ultrasonic image;

[0035] Step S404: Obtain the first moment when the ultrasonic signal 14 is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the corrected coordinate point P1.

[0036] Step S405: Obtain the second time when the ultrasonic signal 14 is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver 10 to the reference point Pref;

[0037] Step S406: Adjust and correct the pixel image of coordinate point P1 based on the first time and the second time.

[0038] The details of steps S401 to S406 have been described in detail above, and will not be repeated here. After executing steps S401 to S406, the ultrasonic image compensation system 100 will repair the distorted image corresponding to the defects in the ultrasonic image. Therefore, multiple pixels on each arc extending outward from the center S of the ultrasonic transceiver 10 will have uniform grayscale values. Thus, the ultrasonic image compensation system 100 can optimize the resolution of the ultrasonic image.

[0039] In summary, this invention describes an ultrasonic image compensation method and system. The purpose of the ultrasonic image compensation system is to repair distorted images corresponding to defects in ultrasonic images. The ultrasonic image compensation system can utilize two or more time periods to adjust the distorted image of the defect points according to proportional relationships, so that the image position can be corrected. In other words, even if the mold curvature of the ultrasonic probe and the piezoelectric material assembly lack ideal measurement methods, thus causing defects in the ultrasonic image, the ultrasonic image resolution can be optimized and the imaging quality of the ultrasonic image can be improved by using the ultrasonic image compensation method of this invention.

[0040] The present invention has been described in the above-described embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. It must be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Conversely, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic image compensation method, characterized in that, The compensation method includes: An ultrasonic transceiver transmits an ultrasonic signal to the air medium in a radial pattern; wherein the ultrasonic transceiver is located at the center of the transmission and propagation of the ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic transceiver receives ultrasonic signals reflected by its probe body to obtain ultrasonic images. Based on the ultrasonic image, the corrected coordinate points are obtained; The first moment when the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the corrected coordinate point is obtained; The second time from when the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the reference point is obtained; wherein the reference point is located on a preset arc line centered at the ultrasonic transceiver. Based on the first time and the second time, adjust the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point; Specifically, the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point is adjusted to be on the same preset arc as the reference point, and the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point and the pixel image of the reference point are at the same distance from the center of the circle.

2. The ultrasonic image compensation method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step "adjusting the pixel image of the correction coordinate point based on the first time and the second time" specifically includes: Obtain the first distance from the corrected coordinate point to the center of the circle; Based on the first time and the second time, the first distance is scaled to generate a corrected distance; Adjust the position of the pixel image at the corrected coordinate point so that the distance between the position of the pixel image and the center of the circle is equal to the corrected distance.

3. The ultrasonic image compensation method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method also includes: Multiple corrected coordinate points were obtained from the ultrasonic image; Obtain the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal; Within the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal, the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to multiple third times at multiple corrected coordinate points; and Based on the times of multiple third-party time points and corresponding reference points, adjust the pixel images of multiple correction coordinate points.

4. The ultrasonic image compensation method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The step "Adjusting multiple pixel images at multiple correction coordinate points" includes: Adjust the grayscale values ​​of multiple pixels at multiple correction coordinate points so that the pixels on each arc extending outward from the center of the circle in the ultrasonic image have uniform grayscale values.

5. The ultrasonic image compensation method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, This ultrasonic transceiver is applicable to curved ultrasonic transducers, dual-curvature ultrasonic transducers, multi-curvature ultrasonic transducers, spherical ultrasonic transducers, or non-spherical ultrasonic transducers.

6. An ultrasonic image compensation system, characterized in that, The compensation system includes: An ultrasonic transceiver transmits ultrasonic signals to the air medium in a radial pattern; wherein the ultrasonic transceiver is located at the center of the transmission and propagation of the ultrasonic signal. Memory, used to store data; and The processor is coupled to the ultrasonic transceiver and the memory. In this process, after the ultrasonic transceiver emits the ultrasonic signal, it receives the ultrasonic signal reflected by its probe body to obtain an ultrasonic image. The processor obtains a correction coordinate point based on the ultrasonic image. The processor obtains the first time when the ultrasonic signal is emitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the correction coordinate point. The processor obtains the second time when the ultrasonic signal is emitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to a reference point from the memory. The reference point is located on a preset arc with the ultrasonic transceiver as the center. The processor adjusts the pixel image of the correction coordinate point based on the first time and the second time, and stores at least one parameter for adjusting the correction coordinate point in the memory. The pixel image of the correction coordinate point is adjusted to be on the same preset arc as the pixel image of the reference point, and the distance from the center of the arc is the same for both the pixel image of the correction coordinate point and the pixel image of the reference point.

7. The ultrasonic image compensation system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The processor obtains a first distance from the corrected coordinate point to the center of the circle. The processor scales the first distance based on the first time and the second time to generate a corrected distance. The processor also adjusts the position of the pixel image of the corrected coordinate point so that the distance between the position of the pixel image and the center of the circle is equal to the corrected distance.

8. The ultrasonic image compensation system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The processor obtains multiple correction coordinate points in the ultrasonic image, obtains the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal, obtains multiple third times within the depth supported by the ultrasonic signal, the ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the ultrasonic transceiver to the multiple correction coordinate points, and adjusts the multiple pixel images of the multiple correction coordinate points based on the multiple third times and the time of the corresponding reference points stored in the memory.

9. The ultrasonic image compensation system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The processor adjusts multiple grayscale values ​​of multiple pixel images at multiple correction coordinate points so that multiple pixels on each arc extending outward from the center of the circle in the ultrasonic image have uniform grayscale values.

10. The ultrasonic image compensation system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, This ultrasonic transceiver is applicable to curved ultrasonic transducers, dual-curvature ultrasonic transducers, multi-curvature ultrasonic transducers, spherical ultrasonic transducers, or non-spherical ultrasonic transducers.

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