Imaging method and device of intravascular ultrasonic image and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of medical image processing, in particular to an imaging method and device of an intravascular ultrasonic image and electronic equipment. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring an original echo signal; according to the voltage threshold value of the previous frame of ultrasonic image, determining the actual time length of the residual wave influence of the current frame of ultrasonic image; according to the afterwave influence optimization duration of the previous frame of ultrasonic image and the afterwave influence actual duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image, determining the afterwave influence optimization duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image; adjusting vertical coordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the afterwave influence optimization duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image in the original echo signal into a voltage threshold value of the previous frame of ultrasonic image to obtain an adjusted echo signal; and imaging by adjusting the echo signal to obtain a current frame of ultrasonic image. The technical problem that in the prior art, ring artifacts appear in an intravascular ultrasonic image due to the residual vibration effect of a transducer, and the quality of the ultrasonic image is affected can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical image processing, and particularly to an imaging method, device and electronic device for intravascular ultrasound images. Background Art

[0002] In existing intravascular imaging technologies, intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) catheters have been widely favored. This technology uses an ultrasound transducer installed at the end of the catheter to display the cross-sectional image inside the blood vessel lumen in real time. During the operation, first, the catheter is inserted into the blood vessel, and then the transducer inside the catheter emits a transmission pulse in the form of oscillation. After emitting the transmission pulse, the transducer stops oscillating; when the pulse signal contacts substances such as blood and the blood vessel wall inside the blood vessel, it will bounce back to form a reflected pulse. The transducer absorbs the reflected pulse and then converts the reflected pulse into an echo signal. Finally, multiple echo signals are used for imaging to obtain an ultrasound image.

[0003] In the above technical solution, although an intravascular ultrasound image can be obtained, since the time interval between the time point when the transducer emits the transmission pulse and the time point when it receives the reflected pulse is very short, after the transducer stops oscillating, due to inertia, there will still be after-vibration, and the after-vibration will also affect the reflected pulse received by the transducer, resulting in inaccurate voltage values in the starting time period of the echo signal. Usually, it is manifested that the amplitude of the echo signal affected by after-vibration is much larger than the amplitude of the echo signal not affected by after-vibration in the corresponding time period.

[0004] In actual operation, when intravascular ultrasound images are formed using echo signals affected by the after-vibration of the transducer, it will cause circular artifacts to appear in the ultrasound images, ultimately affecting the quality of the ultrasound images. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present application is to provide an imaging method, device and electronic device for intravascular ultrasound images, which can solve the technical problem that circular artifacts appear in intravascular ultrasound images due to the influence of transducer after-vibration in the prior art, affecting the quality of the ultrasound images.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images. The method includes:

[0007] Obtain multiple original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasound image;

[0008] According to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image, determine the actual duration of the after-wave influence of the current frame of ultrasound image as the average value of the duration between the starting time point and the first time point in the multiple original echo signals; the first time point is the time point corresponding to when the vertical coordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image;

[0009] Optimize the duration according to the afterglow effect of the previous frame of ultrasound image and the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image, and determine the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image; adjust the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image among the multiple original echo signals to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image to obtain multiple adjusted echo signals;

[0010] Perform imaging through the multiple adjusted echo signals to obtain the current frame of ultrasound image.

[0011] Preferably, the method further includes:

[0012] Determine the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the multiple original echo signals at the second time point as the voltage threshold of the current frame of ultrasound image;

[0013] The second time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each of the original echo signals decreases to a difference less than a preset difference between preset interval durations.

[0014] Preferably, the determining the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image according to the afterglow effect optimized duration of the previous frame of ultrasound image and the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image includes:

[0015] Determine the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image through the following formula:

[0016] Δt′2 = a×Δt2 + (1 - a)×Δt′1;

[0017] In the formula, Δt′2 is the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image;

[0018] Δt2 is the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image;

[0019] Δt′1 is the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous frame of ultrasound image;

[0020] a is a preset calculation weight, and the value range of a is 0 ≤ a ≤ 1.

[0021] Preferably, the method further includes:

[0022] Update the voltage threshold of the current frame of ultrasound image to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image, and update the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasound image to the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous frame of ultrasound image;

[0023] Repeat the obtaining of the multiple original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasound image until multiple frames of ultrasound images are obtained.

[0024] Preferably, before obtaining a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasonic image, the method further includes:

[0025] Obtain a plurality of initial echo signals required for imaging the first frame of ultrasonic image; determine the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the plurality of initial echo signals at the second time point as the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image;

[0026] According to the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image, determine the average value of the duration between the starting time point and the third time point among the plurality of initial echo signals as the actual after - wave influence duration of the first frame of ultrasonic image; the third time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each initial echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image;

[0027] Update the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasonic image, and update the actual after - wave influence duration of the first frame of ultrasonic image to the optimized after - wave influence duration of the previous frame of ultrasonic image.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present application provides an imaging device for intravascular ultrasonic images, the device includes: a signal acquisition module, a first after - wave duration determination module, a second after - wave duration determination module, a signal adjustment module, and an imaging module;

[0029] The signal acquisition module is configured to acquire a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasonic image;

[0030] The first after - wave duration determination module is configured to, according to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasonic image, determine the average value of the duration between the starting time point and the first time point among the plurality of original echo signals as the actual after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image; the first time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasonic image;

[0031] The second after - wave duration determination module is configured to determine the optimized after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image according to the optimized after - wave influence duration of the previous frame of ultrasonic image and the actual after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image;

[0032] The signal adjustment module is configured to adjust the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimized after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image among the plurality of original echo signals to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasonic image, to obtain a plurality of adjusted echo signals;

[0033] The imaging module is configured to perform imaging by using a plurality of the adjusted echo signals to obtain the current frame of ultrasonic image.

[0034] Preferably, the device further includes: a voltage threshold determination module;

[0035] The voltage threshold determination module is configured to determine, as the voltage threshold of the current frame of ultrasonic image, the average value of the ordinate voltage values of a plurality of the original echo signals at a second time point;

[0036] The second time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each of the original echo signals decreases to a difference less than a preset difference between preset interval durations.

[0037] Preferably, the second after - wave duration determination module includes: a calculation unit;

[0038] The calculation unit determines the optimized after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image through the following formula:

[0039] Δt′2 = a×Δt2+(1 - a)×Δt′1;

[0040] In the formula, Δt′2 is the optimized after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image;

[0041] Δt2 is the actual after - wave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image;

[0042] Δt′1 is the optimized after - wave influence duration of the previous frame of ultrasonic image;

[0043] a is a preset calculation weight, and the value range of a is 0 ≤ a ≤ 1

[0044] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, including a memory and a processor. A computer program is stored on the memory and can run on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, the imaging method of the intravascular ultrasonic image as described above is implemented.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer - readable storage medium. A computer program is stored on the computer - readable storage medium, and the program code enables the processor to execute the imaging method of the intravascular ultrasonic image as described above.

[0046] Advantageous effects:

[0047] The present application provides a method for imaging intravascular ultrasound images. First, the actual duration of the afterwave influence on the current frame of ultrasound images in multiple original echo signals affected by the transducer after-vibration is determined through the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound images. Then, the actual duration of the afterwave influence on the current frame of ultrasound images is optimized by the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous frame of ultrasound images, and the optimized duration of the afterwave influence on the current frame of ultrasound images that can better correspond to the shape of the circular artifact is obtained. Then, all voltage values within the optimized duration of the afterwave influence on the current frame of ultrasound images in the multiple original echo signals are adjusted to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound images, and the adjusted echo signals with the influence of the transducer after-vibration eliminated are obtained. Finally, the current frame of ultrasound images without circular artifacts is obtained by imaging the adjusted echo signals. In summary, the present application can solve the technical problem in the prior art that the circular artifacts appear in the intravascular ultrasound images due to the influence of the transducer after-vibration, which affects the quality of the ultrasound images.

[0048] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the following specification, and, in part, will be obvious from the specification, or will be understood by implementing the present application. The objectives and other advantages of the present application are achieved and obtained by the structures specifically pointed out in the specification, the claims, and the drawings.

[0049] To make the above objectives, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious and understandable, the following specifically enumerates preferred embodiments and, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, makes the following detailed description. Description of the Drawings

[0050] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0051] Figure 1 It is a schematic flowchart of the first embodiment of the method for imaging intravascular ultrasound images provided by the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the transducer transmitting and receiving echo signals provided by the present application;

[0053] Figure 3 It is an unprocessed ultrasound image obtained by imaging through the original echo signals provided by the present application;

[0054] Figure 4 It is the current frame of ultrasound images obtained by imaging through the adjusted echo signals provided by the present application;

[0055] Figure 5Schematic logic diagram of the first embodiment of the intravascular ultrasound image imaging method provided by this application;

[0056] Figure 6 Flow schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the intravascular ultrasound image imaging method provided by this application;

[0057] Figure 7 Schematic structural diagram of the intravascular ultrasound image imaging device provided by this application;

[0058] Figure 8 Schematic structural diagram of the catheter structure applied in the intravascular ultrasound image imaging device provided by this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0059] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0060] To facilitate the understanding of this embodiment, the embodiments of this application will be introduced in detail below.

[0061] First, this application provides a first embodiment of the intravascular ultrasound image imaging method, as Figure 1 shown Figure 1 Flow schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the intravascular ultrasound image imaging method provided by this application. In the embodiments of this application, the method includes:

[0062] S210: Obtain a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasound image.

[0063] Specifically, in the embodiments of this application, in order to eliminate the circular artifacts in the intravascular ultrasound image, it is necessary to collect a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the ultrasound image before imaging the ultrasound image. The original echo signal refers to the echo signal converted from the original unprocessed reflected pulse formed by the tissue reflection received by the transducer.

[0064] S220: According to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image, determine the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the current frame of ultrasound image as the average value of the duration between the start time point and the first time point among the plurality of original echo signals; the first time point is the time point corresponding to when the vertical coordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image.

[0065] Specifically, since the voltage values in the starting time period of the original echo signals corresponding to the transducers affected by after-vibration are all inaccurate, the first thing to be confirmed in the embodiments of the present application is the length of the starting time period affected by the transducer after-vibration among the multiple original echo signals that need to be imaged for the current frame of ultrasound image, that is, the "actual duration of the after-wave impact on the current frame of ultrasound image".

[0066] Since there are differences among different original echo signals, in order to neutralize the differences, it is necessary to take the average value. The way to take the average value can be determined according to requirements, and the present application does not make specific limitations and will not be elaborated here.

[0067] The actual duration of the after-wave impact on the current frame of ultrasound image is confirmed by the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image. As Figure 2 shown, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the transducer transmitting and receiving echo signals provided by the present application. Among them, the pulse signal before the starting time point is the signal band transmitted by the transducer, and the pulse signal after the starting time point is the signal band received by the transducer, that is, the original echo signal. Figure 2 The band with a larger amplitude and continuous extension along the time axis after the starting time point in Figure 2 is the original echo signal. The band with a continuously decreasing amplitude after the starting time point in Figure 2 is the band generated by the vibration of the transducer after-vibration, which is usually determined manually and is only used for comparison and illustration here and does not participate in the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application. According to Figure 2 it can be seen that the amplitude of the original echo signal affected by the transducer after-vibration always shows very violently. Compared with the amplitude of the original echo signal not affected by after-vibration in the corresponding time period, the peak value and valley value of the original echo signal affected by the transducer after-vibration are much higher. Therefore, when the ordinate voltage value in the original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold, that is, when reaching the first time point, it can be confirmed that the voltage values corresponding to the remaining time points after the first time point of each original echo signal are no longer affected by the transducer after-vibration.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, the voltage threshold can be the stable voltage value of the blood echo signal segment in the stable stage of the original echo signal, or the stable voltage value of the blood echo signal segment in the stable stage measured for different models of factory transducers. The meaning of the stable voltage value is that the change rate of the voltage value within the unit interval time is less than the preset difference. The unit interval time can be 1s or other time lengths, which can be specifically determined according to actual requirements. The specific value of the preset difference can be 0.1v or other voltage differences, which can also be specifically determined according to actual requirements, and the present application does not make specific limitations.

[0069] S230: Determine the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image based on the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous frame of ultrasonic image and the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image.

[0070] Specifically, there is a positive correlation between the duration between the starting time point and the first time point in the original echo signal and the radial width of the circular artifacts in the unprocessed ultrasonic image obtained directly by imaging multiple original echo signals; the longer the duration between the starting time point and the first time point in the original echo signal, the wider the radial width of the circular artifacts in the unprocessed ultrasonic image will be correspondingly.

[0071] It should be emphasized that the "unprocessed ultrasonic image" in the subsequent description refers to the ultrasonic image obtained directly by imaging multiple original echo signals, which can be regarded as the control reference object in the embodiments of the present application.

[0072] Therefore, although the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image has been confirmed, since the voltage value threshold is obtained empirically, the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image cannot always adapt to the radial width of the circular artifacts in the unprocessed ultrasonic image; in addition, the circular artifacts also have the situation of uneven thickness, so the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image cannot accurately correspond to the width of the circular artifacts.

[0073] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application optimize the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame based on the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous frame of ultrasonic image in an iterative update manner. After optimization, the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image is obtained. At this time, it is considered that the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image has overcome the application dilemma of the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current frame of ultrasonic image.

[0074] It should be clear that the "optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame of ultrasonic image" is confirmed through the previous frame of ultrasonic image; it should be emphasized that multiple original echo signals used for the imaging of the "previous frame of ultrasonic image" and multiple original signals used for the imaging of the current frame of ultrasonic image all originate from the same transducer; it should also be emphasized that the annular artifacts in the "previous frame of ultrasonic image" should have been eliminated. If the annular artifacts in the "previous frame of ultrasonic image" are not completely eliminated, it indicates that the "actual duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame" of the original echo signal corresponding to the "previous frame of ultrasonic image" is relatively large. Therefore, it is necessary to make a manual - experience correction for the "optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame of ultrasonic image". The correction method is usually to extend the uncorrected "optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame of ultrasonic image" to obtain the corrected "optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame of ultrasonic image". After the above - mentioned processing, the "optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame of ultrasonic image" can be confirmed as the basis for effectively eliminating in advance the annular artifacts that would appear in the "unprocessed ultrasonic image" according to the natural law, and thus can be used as the optimization basis for the "optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the current frame of ultrasonic image".

[0075] In some embodiments, the optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the current frame of ultrasonic image is determined by the following formula:

[0076] Δt′2=a×Δt2+(1 - a)×Δt′1;

[0077] In the formula, Δt′2 is the optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the current frame of ultrasonic image;

[0078] Δt2 is the actual duration of the after - wave influence of the current frame of ultrasonic image;

[0079] Δt′1 is the optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the previous frame of ultrasonic image;

[0080] a is a pre - set calculation weight, and the value range of a is 0 ≤ a ≤ 1. The specific value of a can be set according to requirements and actual situations based on manual experience.

[0081] S240: Adjust the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimization duration of the after - wave influence of the current frame of ultrasonic image among multiple original echo signals to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasonic image to obtain multiple adjusted echo signals.

[0082] Specifically, after confirming the actual duration of the afterwave influence on the current-frame ultrasound image, all the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimized duration of the afterwave influence in multiple original echo signals can be adjusted to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image, obtaining multiple adjusted echo signals. The purpose of adjusting the ordinate of the original echo signal is to reduce the amplitude of the wave affected by the transducer after-vibration in the original echo signal, so that the voltage value corresponding to the duration between the starting time point and the first time point in the adjusted echo signal can represent the voltage value when not affected by the transducer after-vibration.

[0083] S250: Image using multiple adjusted echo signals to obtain the current-frame ultrasound image.

[0084] Specifically, by imaging using multiple adjusted echo signals, a current-frame ultrasound image without ring artifacts can be obtained. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, Figure 3 is the unprocessed ultrasound image obtained by imaging using the original echo signal provided by this application. Since Figure 3 it is directly obtained by imaging using the original echo signal, ring artifacts exist in the unprocessed ultrasound image. Figure 4 is the current-frame ultrasound image obtained by imaging using the adjusted echo signal provided by this application. Since Figure 4 it is obtained by imaging using the adjusted echo signal, and since the adjusted echo signal has been optimized, which is equivalent to eliminating the influence of the transducer after-vibration, so Figure 4 it does not have ring artifacts. Therefore, from the comparison between Figure 3 and Figure 4 it can be seen that the embodiment of this application can effectively reduce the influence of the transducer after-vibration on the original echo signal.

[0085] In a specific operation, the weight a can be artificially determined by conducting a preset experiment. In the preset experiment, multiple groups of original echo signals can be obtained. Then, based on the time acquisition order of the multiple groups of original echo signals, the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first group of original echo signals is determined as the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the first group of original echo signals. Then, the value of a is preset, and then according to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the first group of original echo signals, the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the second group of original echo signals, and the corresponding formula, the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the second group of original echo signals is determined. The ordinate voltage values of all time points within the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the second group of original echo signals in the second group of original echo signals are adjusted accordingly to obtain the second group of adjusted echo signals corresponding to the second group of original echo signals. Then, image using the second group of adjusted echo signals, and determine whether the value of a is appropriate by observing whether the ring artifacts in the ultrasound image corresponding to the second group of adjusted echo signals have been completely eliminated; subsequently, the value of a can be continuously adjusted using the third group of original echo signals until an appropriate value of a is obtained.

[0086] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, as Figure 5 shown, Figure 5 This is the logical schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images provided by the present application. First, the "actual duration of afterwave influence on the current frame ultrasound image" of the actually afterwave-influenced transducer among multiple original echo signals is determined by the "voltage threshold of the previous frame ultrasound image", and then the "actual duration of afterwave influence on the current frame ultrasound image" is optimized by the "optimized duration of afterwave influence on the previous frame ultrasound image" to obtain the "optimized duration of afterwave influence on the current frame ultrasound image" that can better correspond to the shape of the annular artifact. Then, all voltage values within the "optimized duration of afterwave influence on the current frame ultrasound image" among the multiple original echo signals are adjusted to the "voltage threshold of the previous frame ultrasound image" to obtain an adjusted echo signal with the influence of transducer aftervibration eliminated. Finally, the current frame ultrasound image without annular artifacts is obtained by imaging the adjusted echo signal.

[0087] Second, the present application provides a second embodiment of the imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images. In the embodiments of the present application, the method further includes:

[0088] Determine the average value of the ordinate voltage values of multiple original echo signals at a second time point as the voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image;

[0089] The second time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal decreases to a difference less than a preset difference between preset interval durations.

[0090] Specifically, after obtaining multiple original echo signals, the "voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image" can be determined. Since the voltage threshold can be the blood echo signal segment in the stable stage of the original echo signal, when the voltage value in the original echo signal is in the stable stage, it can indicate entering the blood echo signal segment.

[0091] The determination method of the "stable stage" is that when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal decreases to a difference less than a preset difference between preset interval durations, it can be considered that the change amplitude of the voltage value within the preset interval duration has become stable, that is, entering the blood echo signal segment.

[0092] The preset interval duration and the preset difference can be set according to human experience according to requirements and actual situations. The present application does not make specific limitations and will not be elaborated here.

[0093] In summary, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for confirming the "voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image". By implementing this confirmation method, the "voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image" can be obtained through the original echo signal, which has the advantages of being simple and easy to operate.

[0094] Third, the present application provides a third embodiment of the imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images. The difference from the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0095] Updating the voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image to the voltage threshold of the previous frame ultrasound image, and updating the optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the current frame ultrasound image to the optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the previous frame ultrasound image.

[0096] Repeatedly obtain multiple original echo signals required for imaging the current frame ultrasound image until multiple frames of ultrasound images are obtained.

[0097] Specifically, both the "optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the previous frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous frame ultrasound image" are determined by the "previous frame ultrasound image".

[0098] During the imaging-related process of the "current frame ultrasound image", the "optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the current frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image" are also confirmed. In practice, the "optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the current frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image" need to be correspondingly updated to the "optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the previous frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous frame ultrasound image" for the optimization basis when imaging the next "current frame ultrasound image".

[0099] In summary, in the embodiment of the present application, by correspondingly updating the "optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the current frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the current frame ultrasound image" to the "optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the previous frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous frame ultrasound image", an iterative optimization ultrasound image imaging method is provided, which can make the subsequent ultrasound images not have annular artifacts.

[0100] Fourth, the present application provides a fourth embodiment of the imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images, as Figure 6 shown Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the fourth embodiment of the imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images provided by the present application. The difference from the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment is that in the embodiment of the present application, the method further includes:

[0101] S110: Obtain multiple initial echo signals required for imaging the first frame ultrasound image; determine the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the multiple initial echo signals at the second time point as the voltage threshold of the first frame ultrasound image.

[0102] Specifically, in the embodiments of the present application, the "first-frame ultrasound image" may not be used for imaging, and only needs to provide the "optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image" as the starting data for iterative update for the subsequent adjacent "current-frame ultrasound image".

[0103] It should be clear that since the first-frame ultrasound image is the starting frame, there is no such data available for its optimization. The so-called "voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image" and "actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image" are both determined entirely based on multiple initial echo signals.

[0104] The steps for determining the "voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image" are the same as those for determining the "voltage threshold of the current-frame ultrasound image". After obtaining multiple initial echo signals required for the imaging of the "first-frame ultrasound image", the "voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image" can be determined based on the multiple initial echo signals.

[0105] S120: According to the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image, the average value of the duration between the starting time point and the third time point among the multiple initial echo signals is determined as the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image; the third time point is the time point corresponding to when the vertical coordinate voltage value in each initial echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image.

[0106] Specifically, the purpose and determination steps of the third time point are similar to those of the first time point. The difference lies in that the basis for confirming the first time point and the basis for confirming the third time point are different. The basis for confirming the first time point is the "voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image", and the basis for confirming the third time point is the "voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image".

[0107] S130: Update the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image, and update the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image.

[0108] Specifically, when both the "voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image" and the "actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image" are determined, the "voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image" and the "actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image" can be correspondingly updated to the "optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image" for use as the optimization basis when imaging the next "current-frame ultrasound image".

[0109] In summary, the embodiments of the present application further provide a method for determining the "optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous ultrasound image", that is, by operating on a plurality of initial echo signals required for the imaging of the "first ultrasound image", obtaining the "voltage threshold of the first ultrasound image" and the "actual duration of the afterglow effect of the first ultrasound image", and then correspondingly updating the "voltage threshold of the first ultrasound image" and the "actual duration of the afterglow effect of the first ultrasound image" to the "optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous ultrasound image" and the "voltage threshold of the previous ultrasound image", and using them as the optimization basis for the imaging of the next "current ultrasound image".

[0110] Fifth, the present application provides an imaging device for intravascular ultrasound images, such as Figure 7 shown, such as Figure 7 shown, Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the imaging device for intravascular ultrasound images provided by the present application. The device includes: a signal acquisition module 410, a first afterglow duration determination module 420, a second afterglow duration determination module 430, a signal adjustment module 440, and an imaging module 450.

[0111] The signal acquisition module 410 is configured to acquire a plurality of original echo signals required for the imaging of the current ultrasound image.

[0112] Specifically, as Figure 8 shown, such as Figure 8 shown, Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the catheter structure applied in the imaging device for intravascular ultrasound images provided by the present application. The transducer 4102 is located at the front end of the catheter 4101.

[0113] The first afterglow duration determination module 420 is configured to, according to the voltage threshold of the previous ultrasound image, determine the average value of the durations between the start time points and the first time point in the plurality of original echo signals as the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current ultrasound image; the first time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the previous ultrasound image.

[0114] The second afterglow duration determination module 430 is configured to determine the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current ultrasound image according to the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the previous ultrasound image and the actual duration of the afterglow effect of the current ultrasound image.

[0115] The signal adjustment module 440 is configured to adjust the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimized duration of the afterglow effect of the current ultrasound image in the plurality of original echo signals to the voltage threshold of the previous ultrasound image, so as to obtain a plurality of adjusted echo signals.

[0116] An imaging module 450 for imaging by multiple adjusted echo signals to obtain a current frame of ultrasonic image.

[0117] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a voltage threshold determination module;

[0118] The voltage threshold determination module is configured to determine, as the voltage threshold of the current frame of ultrasonic image, the average value of the ordinate voltage values of multiple original echo signals at a second time point; the second time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal decreases to a difference less than a preset difference within a preset interval duration.

[0119] In some embodiments, the second afterwave duration determination module 430 includes: a calculation unit;

[0120] The calculation unit determines the optimized afterwave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image through the following formula:

[0121] Δt′2 = a×Δt2+(1 - a)×Δt′1;

[0122] In the formula, Δt′2 is the optimized afterwave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image; Δt2 is the actual afterwave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image; Δt′1 is the optimized afterwave influence duration of the previous frame of ultrasonic image; a is a preset calculation weight, and the value range of a is 0≤a≤1.

[0123] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes: an update module;

[0124] The update module is configured to update the voltage threshold of the current frame of ultrasonic image to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasonic image, and update the optimized afterwave influence duration of the current frame of ultrasonic image to the optimized afterwave influence duration of the previous frame of ultrasonic image;

[0125] And, the signal acquisition module 410 is further configured to repeatedly acquire multiple original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasonic image until multiple frames of ultrasonic images are obtained.

[0126] In some embodiments, the voltage threshold determination module is further configured to acquire multiple initial echo signals required for imaging the first frame of ultrasonic image; determine, as the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image, the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the multiple initial echo signals at the second time point;

[0127] The first afterwave duration determination module 420 is further configured to, according to the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image, determine, as the actual afterwave influence duration of the first frame of ultrasonic image, the average value of the durations between the starting time point and a third time point in the multiple initial echo signals; the third time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each initial echo signal decreases to the voltage threshold of the first frame of ultrasonic image;

[0128] The update module is further configured to update the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image, and update the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image.

[0129] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, the steps of S210 to S250 provided in the above embodiment are implemented.

[0130] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is run by a processor, the steps of S210 to S250 in the above embodiment are executed.

[0131] The computer program product provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a computer-readable storage medium storing program code. The instructions included in the program code can be used to execute the imaging method of the intravascular ultrasound image described in the foregoing method embodiments. For specific implementation, reference can be made to the method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0132] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems and devices described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0133] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

[0134] If the above-mentioned functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memories (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memories (RAM, Random Access Memory), magnetic disks, or optical discs.

[0135] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to this application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0136] Finally, it should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are only specific implementation manners of this application, used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, rather than limiting it. The protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or can easily think of changes, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features; and these modifications, changes, or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An imaging method for intravascular ultrasound images, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtaining a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current-frame ultrasound image; According to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image, determining the average value of the duration between the starting time point and the first time point in the plurality of original echo signals as the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image; the first time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image; Determining the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image according to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image and the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image; adjusting the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image in the plurality of original echo signals to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image to obtain a plurality of adjusted echo signals; Performing imaging through the plurality of adjusted echo signals to obtain the current-frame ultrasound image.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determining the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the plurality of original echo signals at the second time point as the voltage threshold of the current-frame ultrasound image; The second time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to a difference less than a preset difference between preset interval durations.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The determining the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image according to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image and the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image includes: Determining the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image through the following formula: Δt2 ′ = a × Δt2 + (1 - a) × Δt1 ′ ; where Δt2 ′ is the optimized duration of the afterwave effect of the current frame of ultrasound image; Δt2 is the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image; Δt1 ′ Optimization duration for the afterglow effect of the previous frame of ultrasound image; a is a preset calculation weight, and the value range of a is 0≤a≤1.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method further includes: Updating the voltage threshold of the current-frame ultrasound image to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image, and updating the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the current-frame ultrasound image to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image; Repeating the obtaining of a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current-frame ultrasound image until multiple frames of ultrasound images are obtained.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein Before obtaining a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current-frame ultrasound image, the method further includes: Obtaining a plurality of initial echo signals required for imaging the first-frame ultrasound image; determining the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the plurality of initial echo signals at the second time point as the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image; According to the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image, determining the average value of the duration between the starting time point and the third time point in the plurality of initial echo signals as the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image; the third time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each initial echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image; Updating the voltage threshold of the first-frame ultrasound image to the voltage threshold of the previous-frame ultrasound image, and updating the actual duration of the afterwave influence of the first-frame ultrasound image to the optimized duration of the afterwave influence of the previous-frame ultrasound image.

6. An imaging device for intravascular ultrasound images, characterized in that, The device includes: a signal acquisition module, a first afterglow duration determination module, a second afterglow duration determination module, a signal adjustment module, and an imaging module; The signal acquisition module is configured to acquire a plurality of original echo signals required for imaging the current frame of ultrasound image; The first afterglow duration determination module is configured to, according to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image, determine the average value of the durations between the start time points and the first time points among the plurality of original echo signals as the actual afterglow influence duration of the current frame of ultrasound image; the first time point is the time point corresponding to when the ordinate voltage value in each original echo signal drops to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image; The second afterglow duration determination module is configured to determine the optimized afterglow influence duration of the current frame of ultrasound image according to the optimized afterglow influence duration of the previous frame of ultrasound image and the actual afterglow influence duration of the current frame of ultrasound image; The signal adjustment module is configured to adjust the ordinate voltage values corresponding to all time points within the optimized afterglow influence duration of the current frame of ultrasound image among the plurality of original echo signals to the voltage threshold of the previous frame of ultrasound image to obtain a plurality of adjusted echo signals; The imaging module is configured to perform imaging through the plurality of adjusted echo signals to obtain the current frame of ultrasound image.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device further includes: a voltage threshold determination module; The voltage threshold determination module is configured to determine the average value of the ordinate voltage values of the plurality of original echo signals at the second time point as the voltage threshold of the current frame of ultrasound image; The second time point is the time point corresponding to when the difference between the ordinate voltage values in each original echo signal drops to less than a preset difference within a preset interval duration.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second afterglow duration determination module includes: a calculation unit; The calculation unit determines the optimized afterglow influence duration of the current frame of ultrasound image through the following formula: Δt2 2 = a × Δt2 + (1 - a) × Δt1 ′ ; where Δt2 ′ is the optimization duration of the afterwave effect of the current-frame ultrasound image; Δt2 is the actual afterglow influence duration of the current frame of ultrasound image; Δt1 ′ Optimization duration for the aftereffect of the previous frame of ultrasound image; a is a preset calculation weight, and the value range of a is 0≤a≤1.

9. An electronic device, comprising: A memory and a processor, wherein a computer program is stored on the memory and can run on the processor, and characterized in that when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the intravascular ultrasound image imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 above.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed by the processor, it implements the intravascular ultrasound image imaging method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 above.

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