Ultrasonic imaging method, ultrasonic imaging operation method and ultrasonic imaging system

Abstract

The invention provides an ultrasonic imaging method, an ultrasonic imaging operation method and an ultrasonic imaging system. The ultrasonic imaging method comprises the following steps: acquiring an ultrasonic image of a tissue, wherein the ultrasonic image comprises a plurality of sub-regions; determining ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region; determining a dispersion parameter of each sub-region based on the ultrasonic measurement parameter of each sub-region; determining uniformity data of the ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameter of each sub-region; determining a region of interest on the ultrasonic image at least based on the uniformity data meeting the first preset condition; and performing sound attenuation quantitative calculation at least based on the region of interest to obtain a sound attenuation quantitative result of the region of interest. By adopting the method, the distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameters is determined to be closer to the region of interest of the whole tissue based on uniformity data screening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of ultrasonic imaging technology, and particularly relates to an ultrasonic imaging method, an ultrasonic imaging operation method and an ultrasonic imaging system. Background Art

[0002] When an organ or tissue is diseased, its parameters such as viscosity, elasticity, sound velocity, and sound attenuation often change accordingly. Therefore, in clinical practice, quantitative or qualitative measurements are often used to assist in the diagnosis or monitoring of the condition. Common examples include detecting the degree of liver fibrosis through liver elasticity or judging the degree of liver steatosis through the liver sound attenuation coefficient. Currently, ultrasonic imaging and its derived quantitative imaging techniques in clinical practice have become the most commonly used quantitative imaging techniques due to their superior non-invasiveness, high safety, low cost and other characteristics.

[0003] However, current devices are limited by equipment, technology, time, cost, etc., and usually cannot directly measure the entire organ or tissue, but often can only select a certain section or a certain local area for sampling measurement. The biggest problem with this measurement method is that the accuracy of the result extremely depends on the selection of the measurement section or the measurement area within the section. Currently, many quantitative imaging techniques in clinical practice have problems such as poor repeatability within the section or difficulty in selecting between sections. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, in view of the above technical problems, it is necessary to provide an ultrasonic imaging method, an ultrasonic imaging operation method and an ultrasonic imaging system, which can determine an interested region where the distribution of ultrasonic measurement parameters is closer to the whole tissue based on the screening of uniformity data.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging method, including:

[0006] Obtaining an ultrasonic image of a tissue, where the ultrasonic image includes a plurality of sub-regions;

[0007] Determining ultrasonic measurement parameters of each of the sub-regions;

[0008] Based on the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each of the sub-regions, determining a dispersion parameter for each of the sub-regions, where the dispersion parameter is used to characterize the dispersion degree of the distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in each of the sub-regions;

[0009] Based on the dispersion parameters of each of the sub-regions, determining uniformity data of the ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the uniformity degree of the distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the ultrasonic image;

[0010] Determining an interested region on the ultrasonic image based at least on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition;

[0011] Performing quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation based at least on the region of interest to obtain a quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the region of interest, where the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation includes at least one of an acoustic attenuation parameter and an acoustic attenuation image.

[0012] In a second aspect, the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging method, including:

[0013] Determining a first ultrasonic image of tissue in a first ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0014] Determining a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image;

[0015] Determining uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image;

[0016] Determining a scanning section based at least on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition;

[0017] Obtaining an imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scanning section.

[0018] In a third aspect, the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging method, including:

[0019] Determining a first ultrasonic image of tissue in a first ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0020] Determining a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image;

[0021] Determining uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image;

[0022] Determining a target region in the first ultrasonic image according to the uniformity data;

[0023] Determining an imaging result of the target region in the first ultrasonic imaging mode.

[0024] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging operation method, including:

[0025] Receiving a selection instruction of a user for a first ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0026] Emitting a first ultrasonic wave to tissue based on the first ultrasonic imaging mode, receiving a first echo based on the first ultrasonic wave, and obtaining a first echo signal;

[0027] Determining a first ultrasonic image of the tissue in the first ultrasonic imaging mode according to the first echo signal;

[0028] Determine a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image;

[0029] Determine uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image;

[0030] Determine a scanning section based on the uniformity data that meets a preset condition;

[0031] Receive an ultrasonic imaging mode switching instruction from a user, and in response to the ultrasonic imaging mode switching instruction, switch the first ultrasonic imaging mode to a second ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0032] Emit a second ultrasonic wave to the tissue based on the scanning section, receive a second echo based on the second ultrasonic wave, and obtain a second echo signal;

[0033] Determine an imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the second echo signal.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an ultrasonic imaging system, including:

[0035] An ultrasonic probe;

[0036] A transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, configured to excite the ultrasonic probe to emit ultrasonic waves to a tissue and receive an echo signal;

[0037] A processor, configured to execute the ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of the above based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic wave;

[0038] A display, configured to display the result executed by the processor.

[0039] For the above ultrasonic imaging method, ultrasonic imaging operation method, and ultrasonic imaging system, the dispersion parameter is determined based on the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region of the ultrasonic image, and the dispersion parameter is converted into uniformity data to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameter in the ultrasonic image. The region of interest where the distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameter is closer to the whole tissue is screened and determined based on the uniformity data, and the scanning region for quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation is determined based on the quality control of the region of interest, so that the result of the quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation is closer to the whole, thereby effectively improving the accuracy and reliability of the measurement result. Description of the Drawings

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without creative efforts, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic imaging system in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of an ultrasonic imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 3 is a graph of sound attenuation measurement results in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 4 is a nomogram of divergence parameters and uniformity values in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5 is the present application Figure 3 is a uniformity distribution diagram of the sound attenuation measurement result graph shown in the present application;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of an ultrasonic imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 7 is an ultrasonic image in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 8 is an ultrasonic image in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of an ultrasonic imaging method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 10 is an ultrasonic image in an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0051] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application more obvious, the following will describe in detail the exemplary embodiments according to the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the present application is not limited by the exemplary embodiments described here. Based on the embodiments of the present application described in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts should fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0052] In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a more thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present application may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, some well-known technical features are not described in order to avoid obscuring the present application.

[0053] It should be understood that the present application can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments presented herein. On the contrary, providing these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0054] The purpose of the terms used herein is only to describe specific embodiments and is not a limitation of the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprising" and / or "including", when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the related listed items.

[0055] To thoroughly understand the present application, detailed structures will be presented in the following description to illustrate the technical solutions proposed by the present application. Optional embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. However, in addition to these detailed descriptions, the present application may also have other implementation manners.

[0056] Next, first refer to Figure 1 Describe an ultrasonic imaging system according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural block diagram of an ultrasonic imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] As Figure 1 shown, the ultrasonic imaging system 100 includes an ultrasonic probe 110, a transmitting circuit 130, a receiving circuit 140, a processor 160, and a display 170. Further, the ultrasonic imaging system may further include a transmit / receive selection switch 120 and a beam synthesis module 150. The transmitting circuit 130 and the receiving circuit 140 may be connected to the ultrasonic probe 110 through the transmit / receive selection switch 120.

[0058] The ultrasonic probe 110 includes a plurality of transducer elements. The plurality of transducer elements can be arranged in a row to form a linear array, or arranged in a two-dimensional matrix to form a planar array, and the plurality of transducer elements can also form a convex array. The transducer elements are used to transmit ultrasonic waves according to the excitation electrical signals, or convert the received ultrasonic waves into electrical signals. Therefore, each transducer element can be used to realize the mutual conversion between electrical pulse signals and ultrasonic waves, so as to transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue in the target area of the object to be measured, and can also be used to receive the ultrasonic echoes reflected by the tissue. During ultrasonic detection, which transducer elements are used to transmit ultrasonic waves and which transducer elements are used to receive ultrasonic waves can be controlled through the transmission sequence and the reception sequence, or the transducer elements can be controlled to be used for transmitting ultrasonic waves or receiving the echoes of ultrasonic waves in different time slots. The transducer elements participating in ultrasonic wave transmission can be simultaneously excited by electrical signals to transmit ultrasonic waves simultaneously; alternatively, the transducer elements participating in ultrasonic beam transmission can also be excited by a plurality of electrical signals with a certain time interval to continuously transmit ultrasonic waves with a certain time interval.

[0059] During the ultrasonic imaging process, the processor 160 controls the transmission circuit 130 to send the delayed and focused transmission pulses to the ultrasonic probe 110 through the transmit / receive selection switch 120. The ultrasonic probe 110 is excited by the transmission pulses to transmit an ultrasonic beam to the tissue in the target area of the object to be measured. After a certain time delay, it receives the ultrasonic echo with tissue information reflected from the tissue in the target area and reconverts this ultrasonic echo into an electrical signal. The receiving circuit 140 receives the electrical signals generated by the conversion of the ultrasonic probe 110, obtains the ultrasonic echo signals, and sends these ultrasonic echo signals to the beam synthesis module 150. The beam synthesis module 150 performs processing such as focusing delay, weighting, and channel summation on the ultrasonic echo data, and then sends it to the processor 160. The processor 160 performs processing such as signal detection, signal enhancement, data conversion, and logarithmic compression on the ultrasonic echo signals to form an ultrasonic image. The ultrasonic image obtained by the processor 160 can be displayed on the display 170 or stored in the memory 180.

[0060] Optionally, the processor 160 can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof, and can use a single or multiple application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a single or multiple general integrated circuits, a single or multiple microprocessors, a single or multiple programmable logic devices, or any combination of the foregoing circuits and / or devices, or other suitable circuits or devices. Moreover, the processor 160 can control other components in the ultrasonic imaging system 100 to perform the corresponding steps of the methods in the various embodiments of this specification.

[0061] The display 170 is connected to the processor 160. The display 170 can be a touch display screen, a liquid crystal display screen, etc.; or, the display 170 can be an independent display such as a liquid crystal display or a television outside the ultrasonic imaging system 100; or, the display 170 can be the display screen of an electronic device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, etc. Among them, the number of the displays 170 can be one or more.

[0062] The display 170 can display the ultrasonic image obtained by the processor 160. In addition, while displaying the ultrasonic image, the display 170 can also provide a graphical interface for the user to perform human-computer interaction. One or more controlled objects are set on the graphical interface, and the user is provided with a human-computer interaction device to input operation instructions to control these controlled objects, so as to perform corresponding control operations. For example, an icon is displayed on the graphical interface, and the icon can be operated by using the human-computer interaction device to perform a specific function, such as drawing a region of interest box on the ultrasonic image, etc.

[0063] Optionally, the ultrasonic imaging system 100 can further include other human-computer interaction devices outside the display 170, which are connected to the processor 160. For example, the processor 160 can be connected to the human-computer interaction device through an external input / output port. The external input / output port can be a wireless communication module, a wired communication module, or a combination of both. The external input / output port can also be implemented based on USB, bus protocols such as CAN, and / or wired network protocols, etc.

[0064] Among them, the human-computer interaction device can include an input device for detecting the input information of the user. The input information can be, for example, a control instruction for the ultrasonic wave emission / reception timing, an operation input instruction for drawing points, lines or boxes on the ultrasonic image, or can also include other instruction types. The input device can include one or a combination of multiple of a keyboard, a mouse, a roller, a trackball, a mobile input device (such as a mobile device with a touch display screen, a mobile phone, etc.), a multi-functional knob, etc. The human-computer interaction device can also include an output device such as a printer.

[0065] The ultrasonic imaging system 100 can further include a memory 180 for storing instructions executed by the processor, storing received ultrasonic echoes, storing ultrasonic images, etc. The memory can be a flash card, a solid-state memory, a hard disk, etc. It can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory, a removable memory and / or a non-removable memory, etc.

[0066] It should be understood that Figure 1 The components included in the illustrated ultrasonic imaging system 100 are only schematic, and it can include more or fewer components. This application is not limited thereto.

[0067] Next, reference will be made to Figure 2 describe the ultrasonic imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented in the above ultrasonic imaging system 100. Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of an ultrasonic imaging method 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] As Figure 2 shown, the ultrasonic imaging method 200 according to an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0069] Step S210, obtaining an ultrasonic image of a tissue, where the ultrasonic image includes a plurality of sub-regions;

[0070] Step S220, determining ultrasonic measurement parameters of each of the sub-regions.

[0071] Specifically, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to perform a scan of ultrasonic imaging, emit a first ultrasonic wave to the tissue, receive a first echo of the first ultrasonic wave, obtain a first echo signal, and generate an ultrasonic image of the tissue according to the first echo signal. Tissue ultrasonic imaging is called a gray-scale imaging mode or a B-mode, and the ultrasonic image can also be called a gray-scale image or a B-image.

[0072] Divide the ultrasonic image into a plurality of sub-regions. Among them, all the sub-regions may include the same number of image pixels, or at least two of the sub-regions may include different numbers of image pixels. In addition, the contour of the sub-region may be a regular shape such as a rectangle or a trapezoid, or an irregular shape. Determine the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region based on the first echo signal. The ultrasonic measurement parameters include at least one of a gray value, a liver-kidney ratio, a sound velocity, a blood flow rate, and an elasticity value.

[0073] Step S230, determining a dispersion parameter of each of the sub-regions based on the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each of the sub-regions, where the dispersion parameter is used to characterize the dispersion degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in each of the sub-regions;

[0074] Step S240, determining uniformity data of the ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameter of each of the sub-regions, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in the ultrasonic image.

[0075] Specifically, each sub-region includes ultrasonic measurement parameters of a plurality of image pixels. Calculate and statistically analyze the dispersion degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region to determine the dispersion parameter of each sub-region, and then convert the dispersion parameter of each sub-region into uniformity data of each sub-region. The uniformity data of the ultrasonic image includes the uniformity data of each sub-region.

[0076] The dispersion parameters include one or more of standard deviation, coefficient of variation, range, interquartile range, and median. The dispersion parameters are used to characterize the dispersion degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in each sub-region. The uniformity data is used to characterize the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the ultrasonic image. From a statistical perspective, the accuracy of sampling measurement depends on the similarity between the sampling distribution and the overall distribution. That is, it can be considered that the closer the distribution in the measurement region is to the overall, the more accurate the measurement result and the higher the reliability of the measurement result. In particular, for homogeneous organs or tissues with diffuse lesions, their overall distribution is relatively uniform. Therefore, the more uniform the spatial distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the measurement region, the more accurate and reliable the measurement result. That is, the higher the spatial uniformity, the more effective the measurement section or region, and the more accurate the measurement result.

[0077] Step S250, determine the region of interest on the ultrasonic image based at least on the uniformity data that meets the first preset condition.

[0078] Specifically, the first preset condition is set based on the type of the uniformity data. If the larger the uniformity data, the higher the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the ultrasonic image, then the first preset condition is set to be greater than or equal to a certain preset threshold. If the smaller the uniformity data, the higher the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the ultrasonic image, then the first preset condition is set to be less than or equal to a certain preset threshold. If the closer the uniformity data is to a certain standard value, the higher the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the ultrasonic image, then the first preset condition is set to that the difference from the standard value is less than or equal to a certain preset threshold.

[0079] The uniformity data of the ultrasonic image includes the uniformity data of each sub-region. Determine whether the uniformity data of each sub-region meets the first preset condition. If the uniformity data of some or all sub-regions meets the first preset condition, then determine the region of interest on the ultrasonic image based on the sub-regions that meet the first preset condition. Among them, the region of interest can be the region composed of all sub-regions that meet the first preset condition, or a part of the sub-regions that meet the first preset condition.

[0080] If the uniformity data of all sub-regions do not meet the first preset condition, then control the ultrasonic probe 110 to perform ultrasonic imaging scanning on another section to obtain the ultrasonic image of another section of the tissue. Determine the uniformity data of the ultrasonic image of another section according to the above steps, and determine whether it meets the first preset condition. If it still does not meet, then adjust the section again to obtain ultrasonic imaging until an ultrasonic image that meets the first preset condition is obtained, and determine the region of interest on the ultrasonic image.

[0081] The ultrasonic imaging method 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the uniformity data of the ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameter of the ultrasonic measurement parameter of the ultrasonic image, which is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the ultrasonic measurement parameter in the ultrasonic image, so as to analyze and determine a more uniform region of interest, that is, to select a region of interest closer to the overall distribution.

[0082] Step S260, performing quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation at least based on the region of interest to obtain a quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the region of interest, where the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation includes at least one of an acoustic attenuation parameter and an acoustic attenuation image.

[0083] Specifically, after determining the region of interest, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to switch to the acoustic attenuation imaging mode and scan based on the region of interest, emit a second ultrasonic wave to the tissue, receive a second echo of the second ultrasonic wave to obtain a second echo signal, and perform quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation according to the second echo signal.

[0084] It should be noted that the region of interest is a region on the ultrasonic image determined based on the ultrasonic measurement parameter of the ultrasonic image. The region scanned in the acoustic attenuation imaging mode is actually the corresponding region with the best match to the region of interest on the ultrasonic image, not necessarily the region of interest itself on the ultrasonic image. In addition, the region scanned in the acoustic attenuation imaging mode can be only the corresponding region of the region of interest, or can be a region including a region other than the corresponding region of the region of interest, that is, the region scanned in the acoustic attenuation imaging mode is greater than or equal to the corresponding region of the region of interest.

[0085] Finally, obtaining the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the region of interest is actually obtaining the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the corresponding region of the region of interest. Among them, the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation includes at least one of an acoustic attenuation parameter and an acoustic attenuation image. It should be noted that the acoustic attenuation image is determined by analyzing the acoustic attenuation parameter, so the acoustic attenuation parameter can be determined through the acoustic attenuation image.

[0086] The embodiment of the present invention determines the scanning region of the quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation based on the region of interest determined by the uniformity data of the ultrasonic image, making the result of the quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation closer to the whole, thereby effectively improving the accuracy and reliability of the measurement result. The embodiment of the present invention is particularly applicable when quantitative analysis or evaluation of the overall condition of a homogeneous or diffusely diseased organ is required, and the applicable scope includes but is not limited to various imaging methods such as acoustic attenuation imaging, shear wave elastography, sound velocity, liver texture, and liver-kidney ratio.

[0087] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic imaging method 200 further includes: determining a first quality control parameter of the ultrasonic image; determining a first region of interest on the ultrasonic image based on the first quality control parameter that meets a second preset condition; the determining the region of interest on the ultrasonic image based at least on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition includes: determining a second region of interest on the ultrasonic image based on the uniformity data that conforms to a preset uniformity threshold; determining the region of interest according to the first region of interest and the second region of interest.

[0088] Specifically, a first quality control parameter of the ultrasonic image is determined based on the first echo signal. The first quality control parameter is a certain measurement parameter for the conventional quality control of the ultrasonic image or an evaluation parameter of the accuracy, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement technique at the algorithm level, such as an elastogram, a confidence map, a shear wave propagation path map, avoiding the position of blood vessels, avoiding non-target tissue structures, etc. A first region of interest is determined on the ultrasonic image based on the first quality control parameter that meets the second preset condition. The first region of interest is a region determined to be better based on the first quality control parameter. The first region of interest is all or part of the region on the ultrasonic image where the first quality control parameter meets the second preset condition. The setting of the second preset condition is related to the type of the first quality control parameter. For example, the second preset condition for the conventional quality control related to acoustic attenuation includes selecting the region of the liver parenchyma on the B image as much as possible and avoiding tissues such as large blood vessels and the gallbladder.

[0089] In addition, when determining the region of interest for acoustic attenuation quantitative calculation, a sub-region of the uniformity data that conforms to the preset uniformity threshold is determined, and all or part of the region on the ultrasonic image that conforms to the sub-region is determined as the second region of interest. Among them, the preset uniformity threshold is set based on the type of the uniformity data, and no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.

[0090] The region of interest is determined according to the first region of interest and the second region of interest. Among them, the region of interest can be one of the first region of interest and the second region of interest, or a part of one of the first region of interest and the second region of interest, or all or part of the overlapping region of the first region of interest and the second region of interest. In addition, there is no sequence requirement for the steps of determining both the first region of interest and the second region of interest.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present application, the uniformity data quality control is combined with the conventional quality control technology to determine the region of interest. The selected region of interest meets multiple quality control requirements, and the imaging result of the region of interest is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0092] In one embodiment, after the ultrasound imaging system 100 determines the uniformity data of the ultrasound image, the ultrasound imaging system 100 automatically takes the area where the uniformity data that meets the preset uniformity threshold is located in the ultrasound image as the second region of interest in the ultrasound image, without the need for the user to issue an instruction, reducing the user operation process and being more intelligent.

[0093] In addition, the ultrasound imaging system 100 can also receive an instruction from the user, and then take the area where the uniformity data that meets the preset uniformity threshold is located in the ultrasound image as the second region of interest based on the user's instruction, so as to enable the user to control the progress of the operation process.

[0094] In one embodiment, after determining the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation of the region of interest, in order to facilitate the user to more comprehensively understand the selection basis of the region of interest determined by the ultrasound imaging system 100, the ultrasound imaging system 100 simultaneously displays the uniformity data and the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation of the region of interest. In addition, the first quality control parameter of the region of interest can also be displayed simultaneously.

[0095] It should be noted that one or more of the uniformity data, the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation, and the first quality control parameter of the region of interest can be selectively displayed based on the user's instruction. When displaying, for the sake of intuitiveness, the uniformity data, the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation, and the first quality control parameter can all be converted into corresponding images. Since the area scanned by the ultrasound imaging is relatively large, the displayed area can not only be limited to the region of interest, but can also include the entire section.

[0096] In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging method 200 further includes: determining the acoustic attenuation uniformity data of the acoustic attenuation parameter of the region of interest based on the acoustic attenuation parameter of the region of interest; determining the target region on the region of interest at least according to the acoustic attenuation uniformity data; and determining the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation of the target region based on the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation of the region of interest.

[0097] Specifically, when performing the quantitative calculation of the acoustic attenuation based on the region of interest, a more suitable target region can be further determined on the basis of the region of interest. After determining the quantitative result of the acoustic attenuation of the region of interest, the region of interest is also divided into multiple sub-regions, and the division of the sub-regions of the region of interest is similar to the division method of the sub-regions of the ultrasound image in the above embodiment. Based on the acoustic attenuation dispersion parameter of the acoustic attenuation parameter of each determined sub-region of the region of interest, the acoustic attenuation uniformity data of the acoustic attenuation parameter of the region of interest is further determined.

[0098] Determine a target region on the region of interest at least according to the sound attenuation uniformity data. For example, determine the target region as the sub-region in the region of interest where the sound attenuation uniformity data meets the third preset condition. Based on the sound attenuation quantitative result of the region of interest, determine the sound attenuation quantitative result of the target region. The setting method of the third preset condition is similar to that of the first preset condition. In this embodiment, the target region is further screened and determined based on the sound attenuation uniformity data of the region of interest to obtain the sound attenuation quantitative result, and the sound attenuation quantitative result of the target region is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0099] In one embodiment, the step of determining a target region on the region of interest at least according to the sound attenuation uniformity data includes: determining a second quality control parameter of the region of interest; determining the target region on the region of interest according to the sound attenuation uniformity data and the second quality control parameter of the region of interest.

[0100] Specifically, determine the second quality control parameter of the region of interest based on the second echo signal. The second quality control parameter and the first quality control parameter can be the same parameter or different parameters.

[0101] Determine the target region on the region of interest according to the sound attenuation uniformity data and the second quality control parameter of the region of interest. First, determine a third region of interest on the region of interest based on the second quality control parameter that meets the fourth preset condition. The fourth region of interest is a region determined to be better based on the second quality control parameter. The fourth preset condition can be the same as or different from the second preset condition. In addition, determine the fourth region of interest based on the sub-region of the sound attenuation uniformity degree in the region of interest that meets the preset uniformity threshold.

[0102] Among them, the target region can be one of the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest, or a partial region of one of the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest, or all or part of the overlapping region of the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest. In addition, there is no sequence requirement for the steps of determining both the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest. In the embodiment of the present application, the sound attenuation uniformity data and the second quality control parameter of the region of interest are combined to determine the target region. The selected target region meets multiple quality control requirements, and the imaging result of the target region is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0103] In one embodiment, after determining the sound attenuation quantitative result of the target region, in order to facilitate the user to more comprehensively understand the selection basis of the target region determined by the ultrasonic imaging system 100, the ultrasonic imaging system 100 simultaneously displays the sound attenuation uniformity data, the second quality control parameter, and the sound attenuation quantitative result of the target region.

[0104] It should be noted that, based on the user's instructions, one or more of the sound attenuation uniformity data, the second quality control parameter, and the sound attenuation quantitative result of the target area can be selectively displayed. When displaying, for the sake of intuitiveness, the sound attenuation uniformity data, the second quality control parameter, and the sound attenuation quantitative result can all be converted into corresponding images. Since the area scanned by ultrasonic imaging is relatively large, the displayed area may not be limited to the target area only, but may also include the entire section.

[0105] In one embodiment, each sub-region of the ultrasonic image contains ultrasonic measurement parameters of multiple image pixel points. At least one dispersion parameter of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region is calculated, and the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region is determined based on the dispersion parameter of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region. The dispersion parameters include, but are not limited to, indicators such as standard deviation, coefficient of variation, extreme difference, interquartile range, and median.

[0106] If the dispersion parameter of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region includes only one indicator, for example, only the standard deviation is calculated, then the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region is determined based on the corresponding relationship between the preset indicator and the uniformity. Among them, the corresponding relationship between the preset indicator and the uniformity includes: the dispersion parameter of each sub-region is the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region, that is, the determined dispersion parameter is directly used as the uniformity value, or the difference between the preset value and the dispersion parameter of each sub-region is the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region. The preset value can be set to any value according to one's own needs.

[0107] If the dispersion parameter of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region includes at least two indicators, then the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region is determined according to the preset indicator calculation strategy. The preset indicator calculation strategy is normalization, weighting, or nomogram. For example, normalization is performed relative to the acceptance threshold (the result of normalization can be a decimal, a percentage, or a value from 0 to 100), or the multiple indicators in the dispersion parameter are weighted and then synthesized, or the uniformity value is set as the degree of change compared to a certain standard value (that is, the fluctuation state compared to the ideal value), or the dispersion parameter and the uniformity value are corresponded through a non-formulaic method such as a nomogram. This embodiment only provides some examples of the conversion method from the dispersion parameter to the uniformity value. In practice, the operator or the manufacturer can flexibly set and change it according to the parameter characteristics, clinical experience, or research purpose. According to different conversion methods and calculation results, it can be that the smaller the uniformity value, the higher the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in the ultrasonic image; it can also be that the larger the uniformity value, the higher the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in the ultrasonic image; or even it can be that the closer the uniformity value is to a certain value, the higher the uniformity degree of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in the ultrasonic image. It should be noted that the same method is used to calculate the uniformity data of different sub-regions in the ultrasonic image.

[0108] Normalize the dispersion parameter with respect to the acceptance threshold to obtain the uniformity value. Figure 3 The left side is the graph of the sound attenuation measurement results. Figure 3 The left side contains sub-region 1 and sub-region 2. Figure 3 The right side shows the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each image pixel in sub-region 1 and sub-region 2. Calculate the uniformity value SUI of sub-region 1 and sub-region 2 according to the following formula. In the formula: CV(x) is the coefficient of variation, Std(x) is the standard deviation, and Mean(x) is the mean value. C Threshold represents the acceptance threshold of the coefficient of variation, usually 15%; SUI is the calculated uniformity value. The smaller the calculated uniformity value, the higher the degree of uniformity of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in this sub-region. According to the formula, the uniformity value of sub-region 1 is determined to be 0.2, and the uniformity value of sub-region 2 is 2.4. Then, the degree of uniformity of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in sub-region 1 is higher than that in sub-region 2.

[0109] Comprehensively weight multiple dispersion parameters to obtain the uniformity value. The calculation formula for the uniformity value of the sub-region is as follows:

[0110]

[0111] In the formula, Std(x) is the standard deviation, IQR(x) is the interquartile range, and max(x), min(x) are the maximum and minimum values respectively. are the weights of the standard deviation, interquartile range, and extreme difference respectively, which can be 40%, 30%, 30%. At this time, the smaller the calculated uniformity value SUI, the higher the degree of uniformity of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in this sub-region.

[0112] Correspond the dispersion parameter and the uniformity value in a non-formulaic way. The nomogram of a certain example is as Figure 4 shown. Among them, the larger the uniformity value SUI, the higher the degree of uniformity of the ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in this sub-region.

[0113] It should be noted that the determination method of the uniformity value of each sub-region of the region of interest is the same as that of each sub-region of the ultrasonic image, so it will not be repeated here.

[0114] In one embodiment, determine the dispersion parameter of each sub-region according to the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region, and then determine the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region. The uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region can be directly used as the uniformity data of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region. The uniformity data of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each sub-region form the uniformity data of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of the ultrasonic image.

[0115] Alternatively, after determining the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each sub-region, determine the corresponding color according to the numerical value of the uniformity value, fill it into the corresponding sub-region, and generate a uniformity distribution map of the ultrasonic image based on the uniformity value of each sub-region. As Figure 5 shown is Figure 3 the uniformity distribution map of the sound attenuation measurement result map shown. First, obtain Figure 3 the sound attenuation measurement result map shown, calculate the uniformity value of the sound attenuation data for each sub-region separately, and then combine the calculation results of each sub-region to form a sound attenuation uniformity distribution map.

[0116] Or, after determining the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each sub-region, eliminate the sub-regions whose uniformity values do not meet the preset uniformity threshold, and generate a measurement preference distribution map based on the uniformity values of the remaining sub-regions after eliminating the sub-regions whose uniformity values do not meet the preset uniformity threshold. Compared with the uniformity distribution map, the sub-regions whose uniformity values do not meet the preset uniformity threshold are eliminated in the measurement preference distribution map, that is, the measurement preference distribution map is obtained after screening the uniformity distribution map based on the preset uniformity threshold.

[0117] It should be noted that the method of determining the sound attenuation uniformity data of the region of interest based on the uniformity values of each sub-region is the same as the method of determining the uniformity data of the ultrasonic image based on the uniformity values of each sub-region, so it will not be repeated here.

[0118] The uniformity distribution map in this embodiment is the spatial uniformity distribution of a certain ultrasonic measurement parameter in each sub-region within a relatively large region. This uniformity distribution map can intuitively reflect the spatial uniformity at different positions within the section or imaging region, which is conducive to intuitively judging the section or region with better uniformity.

[0119] In clinical practice, due to the large volume of human tissues, ultrasonic examinations are often performed by scanning a certain region or section, and a suitable section needs to be selected from multiple sections as the final measurement section (such as sound attenuation measurement, STQ, etc.). Taking liver examination as an example, quantitative examinations are usually carried out in the right intercostal space, and obviously different intercostal spaces correspond to different tissue sections. Moreover, even when carried out in the same intercostal space, as the ultrasonic probe moves along the intercostal space or the probe angle is deflected, the actual scanned tissue section will also change. At this time, there may be a situation where multiple sections all meet the conventional technical quality control standards (such as elastogram, confidence map, shear wave propagation path map, avoiding blood vessel positions, avoiding non-target tissue structures, etc.), but there are still differences in quantitative measurement values or the measurement results are unstable, and it is still impossible to judge whether the current result is reliable.

[0120] Refer to Figure 6Describe the ultrasonic imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can be implemented in the above ultrasonic imaging system 100. Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of an ultrasonic imaging method 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] As Figure 6 shown, the ultrasonic imaging method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0122] Step S310, determine a first ultrasonic image of the tissue in a first ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0123] Step S320, determine a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image.

[0124] Specifically, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to perform ultrasonic imaging scanning in the first ultrasonic imaging mode, emit a first ultrasonic wave to the tissue, receive a first echo of the first ultrasonic wave, obtain a first echo signal, and generate a first ultrasonic image of the tissue according to the first echo signal. The first ultrasonic imaging mode is a B imaging mode or a certain quantitative imaging mode, such as an acoustic attenuation imaging mode, a shear wave elastography mode, etc. Determine the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image based on the first echo signal, and the first ultrasonic measurement parameter includes at least one of a gray value, a liver-kidney ratio, a sound velocity, a blood flow, and an elasticity value.

[0125] Step S330, determine uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image.

[0126] Specifically, determine a dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image according to the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, and then convert the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image into uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image. The uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image.

[0127] Step S340, determine a scanning section based at least on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition.

[0128] Specifically, the first preset condition is set based on the type of uniformity data. If the greater the uniformity data, the higher the degree of uniformity of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter distributed in the first ultrasonic image, the first preset condition is set to be greater than or equal to a certain preset threshold. If the smaller the uniformity data, the higher the degree of uniformity of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter distributed in the first ultrasonic image, the first preset condition is set to be less than or equal to a certain preset threshold. If the uniformity data is closer to a certain standard value, the higher the degree of uniformity of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter distributed in the first ultrasonic image, the first preset condition is set to have a difference from the standard value less than or equal to a certain preset threshold.

[0129] If the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image meets the first preset condition, determine the section corresponding to the first ultrasonic image as the scanning section. If the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image does not meet the first preset condition, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to perform a scan of the first ultrasonic imaging on another section to obtain the first ultrasonic image of the other section of the tissue. Determine the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic image of the other section according to the above steps, and determine whether it meets the first preset condition. If it still does not meet the condition, adjust the section again to obtain the first ultrasonic imaging until the first ultrasonic image that meets the first preset condition is obtained, and determine the corresponding scanning section.

[0130] In addition, the ultrasonic probe 110 performs a scan in the first ultrasonic imaging mode to obtain the first ultrasonic image. When the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image of a certain section meets the first preset condition, directly determine the section as the scanning section.

[0131] Alternatively, whenever the first ultrasonic image with the uniformity data meeting the first preset condition is scanned, mark and save the first ultrasonic image, and then continue to perform a scan in the first ultrasonic imaging mode to obtain another first ultrasonic image with the uniformity data meeting the first preset condition, that is, multiple first ultrasonic images with the uniformity data meeting the first preset condition can be obtained. Based on the uniformity data of the multiple first ultrasonic images, select the section corresponding to the best first ultrasonic image and determine it as the scanning section.

[0132] Step S350, obtain the imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scanning section.

[0133] Specifically, after determining the scanning section, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to switch to the second ultrasonic imaging mode and perform a scan based on the scanning section, emit the second ultrasonic wave to the tissue, receive the second echo of the second ultrasonic wave, obtain the second echo signal, and obtain the imaging result in the second ultrasonic imaging mode according to the second echo signal. Among them, the second ultrasonic imaging mode includes but is not limited to the acoustic attenuation imaging mode and the shear wave elastography mode, and the second ultrasonic imaging mode is not the B imaging mode.

[0134] It should be noted that the scanning section plane is the optimal section plane determined based on the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image. What is actually scanned by the second ultrasonic imaging mode is the corresponding section plane whose matching degree with the scanning section plane is higher than the preset matching degree threshold, and it is not necessarily the scanning section plane itself. The preset matching degree threshold is set based on the required accuracy of the scanning.

[0135] When the first ultrasonic imaging mode is attenuation imaging and the second ultrasonic imaging mode is shear wave elastography, as Figure 7 shown, from left to right are the attenuation image, the attenuation uniformity distribution map, and the elastic result within the most uniform region determined based on the attenuation uniformity distribution map.

[0136] The ultrasonic imaging method 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the scanning section plane based on the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image to guide the scanning area of the second ultrasonic imaging mode, so that the second ultrasonic imaging mode selects a section plane closer to the overall distribution for scanning.

[0137] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic imaging method 300 further includes: determining the first quality control parameter of the first ultrasonic image; determining the first scanning section plane based on the first quality control parameter that meets the second preset condition; the determining the scanning section plane based at least on the uniformity data that meets the first preset condition includes: determining the second scanning section plane based on the uniformity data that meets the preset uniformity threshold; determining the scanning section plane according to the first scanning section plane and the second scanning section plane.

[0138] Specifically, the first quality control parameter of the first ultrasonic image is determined based on the first echo signal. The first quality control parameter is a certain measurement parameter for the conventional quality control of the first ultrasonic image or an evaluation parameter of the accuracy, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement technology at the algorithm level, such as an elastic quality map, a confidence map, a shear wave propagation path map, avoiding the position of blood vessels, avoiding non-target tissue structures, etc.

[0139] If the first quality control parameter of the first ultrasonic image meets the second preset condition, the section plane corresponding to the first ultrasonic image is determined as the first scanning section plane. The ultrasonic probe 110 in the first ultrasonic imaging mode continuously scans to obtain the first ultrasonic images of multiple section planes, and correspondingly determines one or more first scanning section planes. The setting of the second preset condition is related to the type of the first quality control parameter. For example, the second preset condition for the conventional quality control related to attenuation includes trying to select the region of the liver parenchyma on the B image and avoiding tissues such as large blood vessels and gallbladders.

[0140] In addition, if the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image meets the preset uniformity threshold, the section corresponding to the first ultrasonic image is determined as the second scanning section. The preset uniformity threshold is set based on the type of the uniformity data, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. Similarly, since the first ultrasonic images of multiple sections are obtained, one or more second scanning sections are correspondingly determined.

[0141] The scanning section is determined according to the first scanning section and the second scanning section. The scanning section can be one of the first scanning section and the second scanning section. If there are multiple first scanning sections and multiple second scanning sections, the scanning section can be one of the first scanning sections, and the matching degree between the first scanning section and one of the second scanning sections is higher than the preset matching degree threshold, or the scanning section can be one of the second scanning sections, and the matching degree between the second scanning section and one of the first scanning sections is higher than the preset matching degree threshold. The matching degree is used to characterize the similarity degree between two sections, and the preset matching degree threshold can be freely set according to needs. In addition, the steps of determining both the first scanning section and the second scanning section have no sequence.

[0142] In the embodiment of the present application, the uniformity data quality control is combined with the conventional quality control technology to determine the scanning section. The selected scanning section meets multiple quality control requirements, and the imaging result of the scanning section is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0143] In one embodiment, in step S330, determining the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image includes: dividing the first ultrasonic image into multiple first sub-regions; determining the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region based on the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region, where the dispersion parameter is used to characterize the dispersion degree of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in each first sub-region; and determining the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region.

[0144] Specifically, the first ultrasonic image is divided into multiple first sub-regions. All the first sub-regions may contain the same number of image pixels, or at least two of the first sub-regions may contain different numbers of image pixels. In addition, the contour of the first sub-region can be a regular figure such as a rectangle or a trapezoid, or an irregular figure. The first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region is determined based on the first echo signal.

[0145] Each first sub-region contains first ultrasonic measurement parameters of a plurality of image pixel points. The dispersion degree of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region is calculated and statistically analyzed to determine the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region. Then, the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region is converted into the uniformity data of each first sub-region. The uniformity data of the first ultrasonic image includes the uniformity data of each first sub-region.

[0146] The dispersion parameter includes one or more of the standard deviation, coefficient of variation, extreme difference, interquartile range, and median. The dispersion parameter is used to characterize the dispersion degree of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in each first sub-region. The uniformity data is used to characterize the uniformity degree of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters distributed in the first ultrasonic image.

[0147] In one embodiment, each first sub-region of the first ultrasonic image contains first ultrasonic measurement parameters of a plurality of image pixel points. At least one dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region is calculated, and the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region is determined based on the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region. The dispersion parameter includes, but is not limited to, indicators such as the standard deviation, coefficient of variation, extreme difference, interquartile range, and median.

[0148] If the dispersion parameter of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region only includes one indicator, for example, only the standard deviation is calculated, then the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region is determined based on the corresponding relationship between the preset indicator and the uniformity. Among them, the corresponding relationship between the preset indicator and the uniformity includes: the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region is the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region, that is, the determined dispersion parameter is directly used as the uniformity value, or the difference between the preset value and the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region is the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region. The preset value can be set to any value according to one's own needs.

[0149] If the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region includes at least two indicators, the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region is determined according to a preset indicator calculation strategy. The preset indicator calculation strategy is normalization, weighting or nomogram. For example, normalization is performed relative to an acceptance threshold (the result of normalization can be a decimal, a percentage or a value from 0 to 100), or it is obtained by comprehensively weighting multiple indicators in the dispersion parameter, or the uniformity value is set as the degree of change compared to a certain standard value (that is, the fluctuation state compared to the ideal value), or the dispersion parameter and the uniformity value are corresponded by non-formulaic methods such as nomogram. This embodiment only provides some examples of the conversion method from the dispersion parameter to the uniformity value. In practice, it can be flexibly set and changed by the operator or the manufacturer according to the parameter characteristics, clinical experience or research purpose. According to different conversion methods and calculation results, it can be that the smaller the uniformity value, the higher the uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image; or it can be that the larger the uniformity value, the higher the uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image; or even it can be that the closer the uniformity value is to a certain value, the higher the uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image. It should be noted that the uniformity data of different first sub-regions in the first ultrasonic image is calculated in the same way.

[0150] The dispersion parameter of each first sub-region is determined according to the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region, and then the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region is determined. The uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region can be directly used as the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region, and the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region forms the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image.

[0151] Or, after determining the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region, the corresponding color is determined according to the numerical size of the uniformity value and filled into the corresponding first sub-region, and a uniformity distribution map of the first ultrasonic image is generated according to the uniformity value of each first sub-region.

[0152] Or, after determining the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each first sub-region, the first sub-regions with uniformity values not meeting the preset uniformity threshold are excluded, and a measurement preference distribution map is generated according to the uniformity values of the remaining first sub-regions after excluding the first sub-regions with uniformity values not meeting the preset uniformity threshold. Compared with the uniformity distribution map, the first sub-regions with uniformity values not meeting the preset uniformity threshold are excluded from the measurement preference distribution map, that is, the measurement preference distribution map is obtained after screening the uniformity distribution map based on the preset uniformity threshold.

[0153] The uniformity distribution map in this embodiment shows the spatial uniformity distribution of a certain first ultrasonic measurement parameter in each first sub-region within a relatively large area. This uniformity distribution map can intuitively reflect the spatial uniformity at different positions within the cross-section, facilitating an intuitive judgment of the cross-section with better uniformity.

[0154] In one embodiment, without segmenting the first ultrasonic image, taking the first ultrasonic image as a whole, determining the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic image based on all the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image, and then determining the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image according to the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic image, that is, each first ultrasonic image obtains a unique uniformity value.

[0155] Alternatively, as described in the above embodiment, the first ultrasonic image is divided into multiple first sub-regions, and the uniformity value of each first sub-region is calculated separately. It should be noted that after dividing the first ultrasonic image into multiple first sub-regions, for those first sub-regions where some first ultrasonic measurement parameters do not meet the preset threshold, in order to reduce the data processing volume, the uniformity data of this type of first sub-region can be selected not to be calculated, and the preset threshold is set based on the type of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter.

[0156] In one embodiment, step S350, obtaining the imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scan cross-section includes: determining the second ultrasonic image of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scan cross-section; determining the second ultrasonic measurement parameter of the second ultrasonic image; the second ultrasonic image includes multiple second sub-regions; determining the uniformity data of the second ultrasonic image based on the second ultrasonic measurement parameter of each second sub-region; determining the second sub-region where the uniformity data satisfying the preset uniformity threshold is located as the target region; obtaining the imaging result of the target region in the second ultrasonic imaging mode.

[0157] Specifically, when performing a scan in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scan cross-section, a more suitable target region can be further determined on the basis of the scan cross-section. Emitting a second ultrasonic wave to the tissue based on the scan cross-section, receiving the second echo of the second ultrasonic wave to obtain a second echo signal, and obtaining the second ultrasonic image in the second ultrasonic imaging mode according to the second echo signal. The matching degree between the cross-section corresponding to the second ultrasonic image and the scan cross-section is higher than the preset matching degree threshold.

[0158] The second ultrasonic image is divided into a plurality of second sub-regions, the second ultrasonic measurement parameters of each second sub-region are determined based on the second echo signal, and the uniformity data of the second ultrasonic image is determined according to the second ultrasonic measurement parameters of each second sub-region. The determination method of the uniformity data of the second ultrasonic image is the same as that of the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic image in the above embodiment, so it will not be described one by one.

[0159] The second sub-regions in the second ultrasonic image whose uniformity data meets the preset uniformity threshold are determined, all or part of their regions are determined as the target region, and the imaging result of the target region in the second ultrasonic imaging mode is obtained. In this embodiment, the target region is further screened and determined based on the uniformity data of the second ultrasonic measurement parameters to obtain the imaging result in the second ultrasonic imaging mode, which is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0160] In one embodiment, the second quality control parameter of the second ultrasonic image is determined based on the second echo signal. The second quality control parameter and the first quality control parameter may be the same parameter or different parameters.

[0161] The target region is determined on the second ultrasonic image according to the uniformity data and the second quality control parameter of the second ultrasonic image. First, the third region of interest is determined on the region of interest based on the second quality control parameter that meets the fourth preset condition. The fourth region of interest is the region that is determined to be better based on the second quality control parameter. In addition, the fourth region of interest is determined based on the second sub-regions in the second ultrasonic image whose uniformity degrees meet the preset uniformity threshold.

[0162] Among them, the target region may be one of the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest, or a part of one of the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest, or all or part of the overlapping region of the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest. In addition, there is no sequence for determining the third region of interest and the fourth region of interest. In the embodiment of the present application, the uniformity data and the second quality control parameter of the second ultrasonic image are combined to determine the target region. The selected target region meets multiple quality control requirements, and the imaging result of the target region is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0163] In one embodiment, after determining the imaging result of the target region in the second ultrasonic imaging mode, in order to facilitate the user to more comprehensively understand the selection basis of the target region determined by the ultrasonic imaging system 100, the ultrasonic imaging system 100 simultaneously displays the uniformity data, the second quality control parameter, and the imaging result in the second ultrasonic imaging mode of the target region.

[0164] It should be noted that, based on the user's instructions, one or more of the uniformity data of the target area, the second quality control parameter, and the imaging result in the second ultrasound imaging mode can be selectively displayed. When displaying, for the sake of intuitiveness, both the uniformity data and the second quality control parameter can be converted into corresponding images. Since the area scanned by ultrasound imaging is large, the displayed area can not only be limited to the target area, but also include the entire section.

[0165] In one embodiment, the uniformity data of the first ultrasound images of multiple sections in the first ultrasound imaging mode is obtained and displayed in real time, and the section with the most uniform distribution is selected to enter the imaging scan of the second ultrasound imaging mode, so as to obtain the imaging result of the second ultrasound imaging mode.

[0166] Taking the acoustic attenuation imaging mode as an example, generally, the B-image is first examined. After observing the liver tissue, the region of interest to be measured is selected based on the user's instructions. At the same time, the ultrasound imaging system 100 calculates and displays the uniformity data within the region of interest in real time. At this time, the position and angle of the probe can be adjusted or changed. Finally, the section with the highest uniformity is selected to enter the acoustic attenuation imaging mode, and the relevant ultrasonic wave emission, echo reception, and signal processing processes are carried out to obtain the acoustic attenuation result (acoustic attenuation parameter or acoustic attenuation distribution image) within the region of interest.

[0167] Among them, the calculation of the uniformity data can also be directly performed and displayed for the entire B-image field of view, not only limited to the region of interest. In addition, while using the uniformity data for quality control, the ultrasound imaging system 100 can also combine the uniformity data quality control with conventional quality control techniques to make a judgment. The conventional quality control techniques related to acoustic attenuation include trying to select the region of the liver parenchyma on the B-image and avoiding tissues such as large blood vessels and gallbladders.

[0168] In one embodiment, after measuring and obtaining the first ultrasound images of multiple different sections in the first ultrasound imaging mode multiple times, by comparing the uniformity data of the first ultrasound images within each section, the first ultrasound image corresponding to the section with the most uniform spatial distribution is selected as the final imaging result for output. Taking the acoustic attenuation imaging mode as an example again, when the conventional quality control techniques such as the basic image and frame-to-frame stability have met the standards, but the measurement repeatability is still not good, the acoustic attenuation uniformity distribution map can be compared, and the section with a more uniform acoustic attenuation distribution is selected as the effective measurement section, and the corresponding first ultrasound image is selected as the final measurement value. As Figure 8 shown, Figure 8 On the left are the acoustic attenuation ultrasound images of two different sections respectively. The conventional quality control techniques such as the basic image and frame-to-frame stability have met the standards, but the measurement repeatability is still not good. Figure 8 On the right are the acoustic attenuation uniformity data of the acoustic attenuation ultrasound images of the two sections respectively. Based on the acoustic attenuation uniformity data, the measurement results of the section with a more uniform spatial distribution are more in line with the actual situation.

[0169] Another common situation in clinical practice is that after obtaining the measurement value distribution of the region of interest in a certain section, it is also necessary to further select a suitable local measurement region within the region of interest to obtain the output and display of quantitative parameters. For example, in shear wave elastography, generally, the elastic distribution image within the region of interest is first displayed, and then the user selects a local region within the elastic image, such as a breast lesion region, etc., to calculate and display the local elastic quantitative result. When there are obvious lesion morphological manifestations, the local measurement region is relatively easy to identify. However, in cases such as liver fibrosis, hepatitis, fatty liver, or some prostate cancers, the tissue shows diffuse lesions, and the tissue morphological features within the region of interest are similar. At this time, it is impossible to select a measurement region. Without quantitative assistance, it is extremely easy to have errors in visual judgment and it is difficult to repeat.

[0170] Reference Figure 9 Describe the ultrasonic imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and this method can be implemented in the above ultrasonic imaging system 100. Figure 9 It is a schematic flowchart of the ultrasonic imaging method 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0171] As Figure 9 shown, the ultrasonic imaging method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0172] Step S410, determining a first ultrasonic image of the tissue in a first ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0173] Step S420, determining a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image.

[0174] Specifically, controlling the ultrasonic probe 110 to scan in the first ultrasonic imaging mode, emitting a first ultrasonic wave to the tissue, receiving a first echo of the first ultrasonic wave, obtaining a first echo signal, and generating a first ultrasonic image of the tissue according to the first echo signal. The first ultrasonic imaging mode is a certain quantitative imaging mode, such as an acoustic attenuation imaging mode, a shear wave elastography mode, etc. Determining a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image based on the first echo signal, and the first ultrasonic measurement parameter includes at least one of a gray value, a liver-kidney ratio, a sound velocity, a blood flow volume, and an elastic value.

[0175] Step S430, determining uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image.

[0176] Specifically, a dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image is determined, and then the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image is converted into uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image. The uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image.

[0177] Step S440: Determine the target region in the first ultrasonic image according to the uniformity data.

[0178] Specifically, the first ultrasonic image is divided into a plurality of first sub-regions. Each first sub-region contains the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of a plurality of image pixel points. The uniformity data of each first sub-region is determined according to the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region. The determination method of the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image is the same as that described in the above embodiments, so it will not be described one by one here.

[0179] All or part of the first sub-regions in the first ultrasonic image whose uniformity data meets the first preset condition are determined as the target region in the first ultrasonic image. The first preset condition is set based on the type of the uniformity data. If the larger the uniformity data, the higher the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image, the first preset condition is set to be greater than or equal to a certain preset threshold. If the smaller the uniformity data, the higher the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image, the first preset condition is set to be less than or equal to a certain preset threshold. If the closer the uniformity data is to a certain standard value, the higher the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image, the first preset condition is set to be that the difference from the standard value is less than or equal to a certain preset threshold.

[0180] If the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image does not meet the first preset condition, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to perform a scan of the first ultrasonic imaging on another section to obtain the first ultrasonic image of another section of the tissue. Determine the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic image of the other section according to the above steps, and determine whether it meets the first preset condition. If it still does not meet the condition, adjust the section again to obtain the first ultrasonic imaging until the first ultrasonic image that meets the first preset condition is obtained, and determine the corresponding target region.

[0181] Step S450: Determine the imaging result of the target region in the first ultrasonic imaging mode.

[0182] Specifically, to determine the imaging result of the target region in the first ultrasonic imaging mode, since the target region is a partial region of the first ultrasonic image, the imaging result of the target region in the first ultrasonic imaging mode can be directly obtained from the first ultrasonic image.

[0183] Alternatively, control the ultrasonic probe 110 to scan the target area in the first ultrasonic imaging mode, emit first ultrasonic waves to the tissue, receive first echoes of the first ultrasonic waves, obtain a first echo signal, and generate an imaging result based on the first echo signal. It should be noted that the obtained imaging result is actually the area whose matching degree with the target area in the scan is higher than the preset matching degree threshold, and is not necessarily the target area itself.

[0184] The ultrasonic imaging method 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention determines the target area of the first ultrasonic image based on the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image, so that the imaging result of the obtained target area in the first ultrasonic imaging mode is closer to the overall distribution and the inspection accuracy is higher.

[0185] In one embodiment, there are multiple first ultrasonic images. In step S440, determining the target area in the first ultrasonic image according to the uniformity data includes: determining a target ultrasonic image from multiple first ultrasonic images according to the uniformity data of each first ultrasonic image; determining the target area in the target ultrasonic image based at least on the uniformity data that meets the first preset condition.

[0186] Specifically, the ultrasonic probe 110 scans in the first ultrasonic imaging mode to obtain a first ultrasonic image. When the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image of a certain section meets the first preset condition, the target area of the first ultrasonic image is further determined according to the uniformity data.

[0187] Alternatively, whenever a first ultrasonic image with uniformity data meeting the first preset condition is scanned, mark and save the first ultrasonic image, and then continue to scan in the first ultrasonic imaging mode to obtain another first ultrasonic image with uniformity data meeting the first preset condition. That is, multiple first ultrasonic images with uniformity data meeting the first preset condition can be obtained, and the best first ultrasonic image is selected based on the uniformity data of multiple first ultrasonic images and determined as the target ultrasonic image.

[0188] After determining the target ultrasonic image from multiple first ultrasonic images, determine the target area according to the uniformity data of each first sub - area in the target ultrasonic image. For example, all or part of the first sub - areas in the target ultrasonic image with uniformity data exceeding the preset uniformity threshold are determined as the target area.

[0189] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic imaging method 400 further includes: determining a first quality control parameter of the target ultrasonic image; determining a first target area on the target ultrasonic image based on the first quality control parameter that meets a second preset condition; determining a target area in the target ultrasonic image at least based on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition, including: determining a second target area on the target ultrasonic image based on the uniformity data that meets a preset uniformity threshold; determining the target area according to the first target area and the second target area.

[0190] Specifically, a first quality control parameter of a first ultrasonic image is determined based on a first echo signal. The first quality control parameter is a certain measurement parameter for the routine quality control of the first ultrasonic image or an evaluation parameter of the accuracy, stability, and signal-to-noise ratio of the measurement technology at the algorithm level. For example, an elastogram, a confidence map, a shear wave propagation path map, avoiding the positions of blood vessels, avoiding non-target tissue structures, etc.

[0191] A first target area is determined on the target ultrasonic image based on the first quality control parameter that meets a second preset condition. The first target area is an area determined to be better based on the first quality control parameter. The first target area is all or part of the area on the target ultrasonic image where the first quality control parameter meets the second preset condition. The setting of the second preset condition is related to the type of the first quality control parameter. For example, the second preset condition for the routine quality control related to acoustic attenuation includes preferably selecting an area of the liver parenchyma on the B image and avoiding tissues such as large blood vessels and the gallbladder.

[0192] In addition, a first sub-area of the uniformity data that meets the preset uniformity threshold on the target ultrasonic image is determined, and all or part of the area of the first sub-area that meets the requirements on the target ultrasonic image is determined as the second target area. Among them, the preset uniformity threshold is set based on the type of the uniformity data, and no specific limitation is made in this embodiment.

[0193] The target area is determined according to the first target area and the second target area. Among them, the target area can be one of the first target area and the second target area, or a part of one of the first target area and the second target area, or all or part of the overlapping area of the first target area and the second target area. In addition, the steps of determining the first target area and the second target area do not have a sequence.

[0194] In the embodiment of the present application, the uniformity data quality control is combined with the routine quality control technology to determine the target area. The selected target area meets multiple quality control requirements, and the imaging result of the target area is closer to the overall distribution and has higher credibility.

[0195] In one embodiment, after determining the imaging result of the target region in the first ultrasound imaging mode, in order to facilitate the user to more comprehensively understand the selection basis of the target region determined by the ultrasound imaging system 100, the ultrasound imaging system 100 simultaneously displays the uniformity data of the target region, the first quality control parameter, and the imaging result in the first ultrasound imaging mode.

[0196] It should be noted that one or more of the uniformity data of the target region, the first quality control parameter, and the imaging result in the first ultrasound imaging mode can be selectively displayed based on the user's instruction. When displaying, for the sake of intuitiveness, both the uniformity data and the first quality control parameter can be converted into corresponding images. Since the area scanned by ultrasound imaging is large, the displayed area can not only be limited to the target region, but also include the entire section.

[0197] In one embodiment, the uniformity data includes any one of a uniformity value, a uniformity distribution map, and a measurement preference distribution map. The uniformity value is a parameter used to measure the spatial distribution uniformity of a certain ultrasound measurement parameter. The uniformity distribution map is the spatial uniformity distribution of a certain ultrasound measurement parameter at multiple positions in a certain section or imaging region. The measurement preference distribution map is a quantitative result distribution map that meets the quality control requirements and is screened or marked according to the uniformity value result.

[0198] As Figure 10 shown, after calculating the quantitative result distribution map ( Figure 10 upper left) and the uniformity distribution map ( Figure 10 lower left) within the region of interest, spatial positions with a uniformity value meeting the requirements are screened out with a specific preset uniformity threshold, and the positions that do not meet the requirements are removed (or marked) within the quantitative result distribution map to obtain a new quantitative result distribution map, which is the "measurement preference distribution map" ( Figure 10 lower right). At this time, a local measurement region can be selected according to the conventional quality control method ( Figure 10 the elasticity confidence map in the upper right). Alternatively, when calculating the "measurement preference distribution map", the uniformity distribution map and the conventional quality control method (elasticity confidence map) are combined for threshold calculation, and then the user can select any position on the "measurement preference distribution map" as the measurement region to obtain valid results. In this embodiment, it is equivalent to the system helping the user to complete the screening process in advance and marking it on the quantitative result distribution map, making the subsequent operations of the user simpler. The marking method can adopt the color hollowing method, or use special color lines to mark on the elastic result map, or lower the overall color brightness of the non-conforming region and other various methods.

[0199] An embodiment of the present application provides a quality control method for selecting the most suitable section among multiple sections or directly and quantitatively selecting a more suitable local measurement area after obtaining an imaging result map by displaying uniformity data such as uniformity value numbers, uniformity distribution maps, and measurement preference distribution maps based on the spatial uniformity of parameters such as gray scale, elasticity, and acoustic attenuation of a measurement section or a measurement area. It can make the measurement section or measurement area closer to the overall distribution, reduce sampling errors, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of measurement results, and is conducive to solving the complaints of clinicians about the difficulty in selecting between sections and the poor repeatability within a section.

[0200] It is worth mentioning that the method of the present application is suitable for observing diffuse lesions, but it is also applicable to focal lesions. Because the field of view of ultrasonic imaging is very large, and focal lesions only account for a very small part. The uniformity within the entire observation section will also affect the final imaging. In the case of very large focal lesions, it may also be necessary to select the area with the lowest uniformity or the highest uniformity for different feature analyses.

[0201] In some embodiments of the present application, an ultrasonic imaging operation method is provided, including:

[0202] Receiving a selection instruction from the user for a first ultrasonic imaging mode;

[0203] Emitting a first ultrasonic wave to the tissue based on the first ultrasonic imaging mode, receiving a first echo based on the first ultrasonic wave, and obtaining a first echo signal;

[0204] Determining a first ultrasonic image of the tissue in the first ultrasonic imaging mode according to the first echo signal;

[0205] Determining a first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image;

[0206] Determining uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image;

[0207] Determining a scanning section based on the uniformity data that meets a preset condition;

[0208] Receiving an ultrasonic imaging mode switching instruction from the user, and switching the first ultrasonic imaging mode to a second ultrasonic imaging mode in response to the ultrasonic imaging mode switching instruction;

[0209] Emitting a second ultrasonic wave to the tissue based on the scanning section, receiving a second echo based on the second ultrasonic wave, and obtaining a second echo signal;

[0210] Determine the imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the second echo signal.

[0211] To avoid repetition, the specific details of each step in the embodiments of the present application can refer to the description of the previous embodiments.

[0212] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic imaging operation method further includes: obtaining the quality control result of the scan section, where the quality control result includes quality control parameters and / or quality control images; and simultaneously displaying the quality control result of the scan section and the uniformity data of the scan section.

[0213] To avoid repetition, the specific details of each step in the embodiments of the present application can refer to the description of the previous embodiments.

[0214] In one embodiment, the quality control result of the scan section includes the quality control result of all the scan sections, or the quality control result of the region of interest determined in the scan section, or the quality control result of the local region selected from the region of interest.

[0215] To avoid repetition, the specific details of each step in the embodiments of the present application can refer to the description of the previous embodiments.

[0216] In one embodiment, the uniformity data of the scan section includes the uniformity data of all the scan sections, or the uniformity data of the region of interest determined in the scan section, or the uniformity data of the local region selected from the region of interest.

[0217] To avoid repetition, the specific details of each step in the embodiments of the present application can refer to the description of the previous embodiments.

[0218] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have their own emphases. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0219] In some embodiments of the present application, an ultrasonic imaging system is provided, including:

[0220] An ultrasonic probe;

[0221] A transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit, configured to excite the ultrasonic probe to emit ultrasonic waves to the tissue and receive echo signals;

[0222] A processor, configured to execute the ultrasonic imaging method according to any one of the above based on the echo signals of the emitted ultrasonic waves;

[0223] A display, configured to display the result executed by the processor.

[0224] In some embodiments of the present application, a computer device is provided, including one or more processors; a memory; and one or more applications, wherein the one or more applications are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to perform the steps of the above ultrasonic imaging method. The steps of the ultrasonic imaging method herein may be the steps in the ultrasonic imaging methods of the above various embodiments.

[0225] In some embodiments of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, storing a computer program, which is loaded by a processor, so that the processor performs the steps of the above ultrasonic imaging method. The steps of the ultrasonic imaging method herein may be the steps in the ultrasonic imaging methods of the above various embodiments.

[0226] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes of implementing the methods in the above embodiments can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it may include the processes of the embodiments of the above various methods. Any reference to a memory, storage, database, or other medium used in the various embodiments provided in the present application may include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memories. Non-volatile memory may include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, or optical memory, etc. Volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc.

[0227] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of concise description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope recorded in this specification.

[0228] The above has introduced in detail an ultrasonic imaging method, an ultrasonic imaging operation method, and an ultrasonic imaging system provided by the embodiments of the present application. Specific examples are used herein to elaborate on the principles and implementation manners of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the present invention; at the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manners and application scopes. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that, Comprising: Obtaining an ultrasonic image of an organization, the ultrasonic image including a plurality of sub-regions; Determining ultrasonic measurement parameters for each of the sub-regions; Based on the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each of the sub-regions, determining a dispersion parameter for each of the sub-regions, the dispersion parameter being used to characterize the degree of dispersion of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in each of the sub-regions; Based on the dispersion parameters of each of the sub-regions, determining uniformity data of the ultrasonic image, the uniformity data being used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the ultrasonic measurement parameters in the ultrasonic image; Determining a region of interest on the ultrasonic image at least based on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition; Performing quantitative calculation of acoustic attenuation at least based on the region of interest to obtain a quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the region of interest, wherein the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation includes at least one of an acoustic attenuation parameter and an acoustic attenuation image.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determining a first quality control parameter of the ultrasonic image; Determining a first region of interest on the ultrasonic image based on the first quality control parameter that meets a second preset condition; The determining a region of interest on the ultrasonic image at least based on the uniformity data that meets a first preset condition includes: Determining a second region of interest on the ultrasonic image based on the uniformity data that conforms to a preset uniformity threshold; Determining the region of interest according to the first region of interest and the second region of interest.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The determining a second region of interest on the ultrasonic image based on the uniformity data that conforms to a preset uniformity threshold includes: Automatically taking, in the ultrasonic image, the region where the uniformity data that conforms to the preset uniformity threshold is located as the second region of interest; Or, based on a user's instruction, taking, on the ultrasonic image, the region where the uniformity data that conforms to the preset uniformity threshold is located as the second region of interest.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Simultaneously displaying the uniformity data of the region of interest and the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Based on the acoustic attenuation parameter of the region of interest, determining acoustic attenuation uniformity data of the acoustic attenuation parameter of the region of interest; Determining a target region on the region of interest at least according to the acoustic attenuation uniformity data; Based on the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the region of interest, determining the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the target region.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The determining a target region on the region of interest at least according to the acoustic attenuation uniformity data includes: Determining a second quality control parameter of the region of interest; Determining the target region on the region of interest according to the acoustic attenuation uniformity data and the second quality control parameter of the region of interest.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Simultaneously displaying the acoustic attenuation uniformity data, the second quality control parameter, and the quantitative result of acoustic attenuation of the target region.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining the uniformity data of the ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameters of each of the sub-regions includes: Determining a uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters of each of the sub-regions according to the dispersion parameters of each of the sub-regions; Alternatively, determine the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each of the sub-regions according to the dispersion parameter of each sub-region, and generate a uniformity distribution map of the ultrasonic image according to the uniformity value of each sub-region; Alternatively, determine the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each of the sub-regions according to the dispersion parameter of each sub-region, eliminate the sub-regions whose uniformity values do not meet the preset uniformity threshold, and generate a measurement preference distribution map according to the uniformity values of the remaining sub-regions after eliminating the sub-regions whose uniformity values do not meet the preset uniformity threshold.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The determination of the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each of the sub-regions according to the dispersion parameter of each sub-region includes: If the dispersion parameter only includes one index, determine the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each of the sub-regions based on the preset correspondence between the index and the uniformity; If the dispersion parameter includes at least two indexes, determine the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each of the sub-regions according to the preset index calculation strategy.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The preset correspondence between the index and the uniformity includes: The dispersion parameter of each sub-region is the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each sub-region; Alternatively, the difference between the preset value and the dispersion parameter of each sub-region is the uniformity value of the ultrasonic measurement parameters for each sub-region.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The preset index calculation strategy is normalization, weighting or nomogram.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The dispersion parameter includes one or more indexes of standard deviation, coefficient of variation, extreme difference, interquartile range and median.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The ultrasonic measurement parameters include at least one of gray value, liver-kidney ratio, sound velocity, blood flow volume, and elasticity value.

14. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that, including: Determine the first ultrasonic image of the tissue in the first ultrasonic imaging mode; Determine the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image; Determine the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the degree of uniformity of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters in the first ultrasonic image; Determine the scanning section at least based on the uniformity data that meets the first preset condition; Obtain the imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scanning section.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The method further includes: Determine the first quality control parameter of the first ultrasonic image; Determine the first scanning section based on the first quality control parameter that meets the second preset condition; The determination of the scanning section at least based on the uniformity data that meets the first preset condition includes: Determine the second scanning section based on the uniformity data that meets the preset uniformity threshold; Determine the scanning section according to the first scanning section and the second scanning section.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein The determination of the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of the first ultrasonic image includes: Divide the first ultrasonic image into multiple first sub-regions; Determine the dispersion parameter of each first sub-region based on the first ultrasonic measurement parameters of each first sub-region, where the dispersion parameter is used to characterize the degree of dispersion of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameters in each first sub-region; Determine the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameter of each of the first sub-regions.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The determining the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image based on the dispersion parameter of each of the first sub-regions includes: Determine the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each of the first sub-regions according to the dispersion parameter of each of the first sub-regions; Alternatively, determine the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each of the first sub-regions according to the dispersion parameter of each of the first sub-regions, and generate a uniformity distribution map of the first ultrasonic image according to the uniformity value of each of the first sub-regions; Alternatively, determine the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of each of the first sub-regions according to the dispersion parameter of each of the first sub-regions, eliminate the first sub-regions whose uniformity values do not meet the preset uniformity threshold, and generate a measurement preference distribution map according to the uniformity values of the remaining first sub-regions after eliminating the first sub-regions whose uniformity does not meet the preset uniformity threshold.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein The determining the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image includes: Determine the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic image according to the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of all or part of the first ultrasonic image, and determine the uniformity value of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image according to the dispersion parameter of the first ultrasonic image.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that The obtaining the imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scanning section includes: Determine the second ultrasonic image of the tissue in the second ultrasonic imaging mode based on the scanning section; Determine the second ultrasonic measurement parameter of the second ultrasonic image; the second ultrasonic image includes a plurality of second sub-regions; Based on the second ultrasonic measurement parameter of each of the second sub-regions, determine the uniformity data of the second ultrasonic image; Determine the second sub-regions where the uniformity data satisfying the preset uniformity threshold is located as the target regions; Obtain the imaging result of the target regions in the second ultrasonic imaging mode.

20. An ultrasonic imaging method, characterized in that, Includes: Determine the first ultrasonic image of the tissue in the first ultrasonic imaging mode; Determine the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image; Determine the uniformity data of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter of the first ultrasonic image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the uniformity degree of the distribution of the first ultrasonic measurement parameter in the first ultrasonic image; Determine the target regions in the first ultrasonic image according to the uniformity data; Determine the imaging result of the target regions in the first ultrasonic imaging mode.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, There are multiple first ultrasonic images, and the determining the target regions in the first ultrasonic image according to the uniformity data includes: Determine the target ultrasonic image from multiple first ultrasonic images according to the uniformity data of each of the first ultrasonic images; Determine the target regions in the target ultrasonic image at least based on the uniformity data satisfying the first preset condition.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The method further includes: Determine the first quality control parameter of the target ultrasonic image; Determine a first target region on the target ultrasound image based on the first quality control parameter that meets the second preset condition; Determine a target region in the target ultrasound image based at least on the uniformity data that meets the first preset condition, including: Determine a second target region on the target ultrasound image based on the uniformity data that meets the preset uniformity threshold; Determine the target region according to the first target region and the second target region.

23. An ultrasonic imaging operation method, characterized in that, Include: Receive a selection instruction from the user for the first ultrasound imaging mode; Emit a first ultrasonic wave to the tissue based on the first ultrasound imaging mode, receive a first echo based on the first ultrasonic wave, and obtain a first echo signal; Determine a first ultrasound image of the tissue in the first ultrasound imaging mode according to the first echo signal; Determine a first ultrasound measurement parameter of the first ultrasound image; Determine the uniformity data of the first ultrasound measurement parameter of the first ultrasound image, where the uniformity data is used to characterize the uniformity degree of the distribution of the first ultrasound measurement parameter in the first ultrasound image; Determine a scanning section based on the uniformity data that meets the preset condition; Receive an ultrasound imaging mode switching instruction from the user, and switch the first ultrasound imaging mode to a second ultrasound imaging mode in response to the ultrasound imaging mode switching instruction; Emit a second ultrasonic wave to the tissue based on the scanning section, receive a second echo based on the second ultrasonic wave, and obtain a second echo signal; Determine an imaging result of the tissue in the second ultrasound imaging mode based on the second echo signal.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein Further include: Obtain a quality control result of the scanning section, where the quality control result includes a quality control parameter and / or a quality control image; Simultaneously display the quality control result of the scanning section and the uniformity data of the scanning section.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The quality control result of the scanning section includes the quality control result of all the scanning sections, or the quality control result of the region of interest determined in the scanning section, or the quality control result of the local region selected from the region of interest.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The uniformity data of the scanning section includes the uniformity data of all the scanning sections, or the uniformity data of the region of interest determined in the scanning section, or the uniformity data of the local region selected from the region of interest.

27. An ultrasound imaging system, characterized in that it includes: An ultrasound probe; A transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit for exciting the ultrasound probe to emit ultrasonic waves to the tissue and receiving echo signals; A processor for performing the ultrasound imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 based on the echo signal of the transmitted ultrasonic wave; A display for displaying the result executed by the processor.

Images