Ultrasonic image display method and system for nerve block

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ultrasound image display system for nerve block, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions, the instructions being stored in the memory and executable by the processor to enable the system to perform the following operations: acquiring a first image including a needle body and a second image, wherein the second image is an image captured temporally after the first image; determining a first needle body portion in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value; and displaying an angle adjustment prompt on the display if a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than the first threshold value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical image processing, and in particular to an ultrasonic image display method and system for nerve block. Background Art

[0002] Nerve block technology is a crucial diagnostic and therapeutic tool in medicine, playing an irreplaceable role in anesthesiology, pain medicine, and rehabilitation medicine. Its importance lies in the following aspects: 1. Precision treatment and reduction of systemic effects: By directly injecting drugs around specific nerves, pain transmission can be precisely blocked, enabling targeted anesthesia and analgesia, avoiding the side effects of general anesthesia or systemic analgesics (such as respiratory depression and gastrointestinal reactions). Nerve block technology can significantly reduce opioid usage, reduce the risk of addiction, and reduce related complications. 2. Alternative or adjunctive therapy for general anesthesia: For patients with poor cardiopulmonary function who cannot tolerate general anesthesia (such as the elderly and those with comorbidities), nerve block technology can reduce anesthetic risks and facilitate intraoperative hemodynamic stability. 3. Promote rapid postoperative recovery: Nerve block technology can effectively control acute postoperative pain, promote early patient mobility, reduce complications such as deep vein thrombosis and lung infection, and lower hospitalization costs, thus aligning with the goals of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). 4. Treatment of neuropathic pain: As a core means of chronic pain management, it can be used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, etc., and improve symptoms by blocking abnormal nerve signals.

[0003] As a widely used modern imaging technology, the development of ultrasound has significantly improved the accuracy and safety of nerve blocks, reducing the risk of complications (such as nerve injury and pneumothorax). The core of ultrasound-guided nerve blocks is to clearly visualize the needle. However, in-plane techniques, the needle must remain parallel to the ultrasound probe at all times. Any slight deviation from parallelism will cause the needle to "disappear." Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to address the defects of the prior art, the present invention proposes an ultrasound image display method for nerve block. The method of the present invention can identify the risk of the needle "disappearing" in advance by comparing the grayscale of the needle in each frame, and display relevant information on the display to prevent the needle from "disappearing"; in addition, the method of the present invention can adjust the frame rate of the captured video frames in real time, so as to obtain images at a higher frame rate before the needle is about to "disappear", thereby obtaining more information; in addition, the method of the present invention allows automatic storage of images before the needle "disappears" so that medical staff can obtain auxiliary information from these images.

[0005] The present invention provides an ultrasonic image display system for nerve block, comprising:

[0006] A processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the system to perform the following operations: acquiring a first image and a second image including a needle body, wherein the second image is an image captured temporally after the first image; determining a first needle body portion in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether a difference between a grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value; and displaying an angle adjustment prompt on a display if a difference between a grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than the first threshold value.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the instructions can also be executed by the processor to enable the system to perform the following operations: after displaying the angle adjustment prompt, obtain a third image including the needle body, wherein the third image is an image captured temporally after the second image; determine the second needle body part in the third image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determine whether the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates more from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image; if the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates more from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, display a reverse angle adjustment prompt on the display.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the instructions can also be executed by the processor to enable the system to perform the following operations: determine whether the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body part and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold value; if the grayscale of the second needle body part does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body part and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than the second threshold value, continue to display the angle adjustment prompt; if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body part and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than the second threshold value, stop displaying the angle adjustment prompt or reverse the angle adjustment prompt.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the original frame rate of the acquired image is a first frame rate, wherein the instructions can also be executed by the processor to cause the system to perform the following operations: if the grayscale of the needle body in the first image differs from that of the first needle body part by more than a first threshold value, the first frame rate is increased and a timer is started; if the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, the timer is reset and the increased first frame rate is further increased; if the grayscale of the second needle body part does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the grayscale of the second needle body part differs from that of the needle body in the first image by more than a second threshold value, the increased first frame rate is reduced; if the timer times out, the frame rate of the current acquired image is restored to the first frame rate; if the grayscale of the second needle body part differs from that of the needle body in the first image by less than the second threshold value, the frame rate of the current acquired image is restored to the first frame rate.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the instructions can also be executed by the processor to cause the system to perform the following operations: if the grayscale of the needle body in the first image differs from the grayscale of the first needle body part by more than a first threshold value, start storing the acquired image; if the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, start displaying the stored image on the display; if the grayscale of the second needle body part does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, do not display the stored image on the display; if the grayscale of the second needle body part differs from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image by less than a second threshold value, delete the stored image.

[0011] The present invention also provides an ultrasound image display method for nerve block, comprising the following steps: acquiring a first image and a second image including a needle body, wherein the second image is an image captured temporally after the first image; determining a first needle body portion in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value; and displaying an angle adjustment prompt on the display if a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than the first threshold value.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: after displaying the angle adjustment prompt, acquiring a third image including the needle body, wherein the third image is an image captured temporally after the second image; determining a second needle body portion in the third image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates more from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image; and displaying a reverse angle adjustment prompt on the display if the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates more from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: determining whether the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body part and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold value; if the grayscale of the second needle body part does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body part and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than the second threshold value, continuing to display the angle adjustment prompt; if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body part and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than the second threshold value, stopping displaying the angle adjustment prompt or reversely adjusting the angle prompt.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the original frame rate of the acquired image is a first frame rate, wherein the method further includes: if the grayscale of the needle body in the first image differs from that of the first needle body part by more than a first threshold value, increasing the first frame rate and starting a timer; if the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, resetting the timer and further increasing the increased first frame rate; if the grayscale of the second needle body part does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the grayscale of the second needle body part differs from that of the needle body in the first image by more than a second threshold value, reducing the increased first frame rate; if the timer times out, restoring the frame rate of the current acquired image to the first frame rate; if the grayscale of the second needle body part differs from that of the needle body in the first image by less than the second threshold value, restoring the frame rate of the current acquired image to the first frame rate.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes: if the grayscale of the needle body in the first image differs from that of the first needle body part by more than a first threshold value, starting to store the captured image; if the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, starting to display the stored image on the display; if the grayscale of the second needle body part does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, not displaying the stored image on the display; if the grayscale of the second needle body part differs from that of the needle body in the first image by less than a second threshold value, deleting the stored image.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] The present invention proposes an ultrasound image display system and method for nerve block. By comparing the grayscale of the needle in each frame, the present invention can identify the risk of the needle "disappearing" in advance and display relevant information on the display to prevent the needle from "disappearing"; in addition, the method of the present invention can adjust the frame rate of the captured video frames in real time, so as to obtain images at a higher frame rate before the needle is about to "disappear", thereby obtaining more information; in addition, the method of the present invention allows automatic storage of images before the needle "disappears" so that medical staff can obtain auxiliary information from these images. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an existing ultrasound-guided nerve block system.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a method flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an image including a needle body.

[0021] Figure 42 is a schematic diagram of a display angle adjustment prompt according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 is another schematic diagram including an image of a needle body.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram showing a prompt for reverse angle adjustment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is an exemplary block diagram of an ultrasound image display system for nerve block according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 The figure is a schematic diagram of an example of an ultrasound image display system for nerve block implemented based on a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an existing ultrasound-guided nerve block system. As shown, the existing ultrasound-guided nerve block system includes a host computer, which includes an ultrasound image display screen 101 and an injection parameter display screen 102. The host computer can be a computer with professional software installed. The computer has well-known computer components and its memory stores software specifically for ultrasound-guided nerve block operations (this software is currently available, such as the AcuSee surgical guidance system from Zhendian Technology (Suzhou) Medical Technology Co., Ltd.). The system also includes an ultrasound probe 2, a connecting cable 3, and a puncture guide frame 4. The pumping system includes a syringe plunger 604, a pressure sensor 602 on the plunger surface, a syringe 603, and a syringe side clamp 604. The system also includes a pump tube 7, a puncture needle 8, and a control button 801 at the end of the needle. Press the control button 801 at the end of the puncture needle. A short press can remotely control the injection pump and push the syringe push rod 604. The pressure sensor 602 can measure the injection pressure (such as anesthetics) and transmit the parameters to the host. If the current pressure is greater than the set pressure, the host's injection parameter display screen 102 will display: "Pressure is too high" and an alarm will be sounded to remind the operator to manually adjust the needle tip position; if the current pressure is within the set pressure range, the host's injection parameter display screen 102 will display: "Pressure is normal", and the operator can proceed to the next step; the operator continues to press the control button 801 at the end of the puncture needle to complete the injection operation. During the injection process, the host's injection parameter display screen 102 continues to display "Run". When the control button 801 is released, the injection is stopped and the host's injection parameter display screen 102 displays "Pause".

[0028] As described in the background, existing ultrasound-guided nerve block procedures carry the risk of the needle "disappearing." (It should be understood that this refers to the needle disappearing from the display, meaning that the needle's grayscale becomes so close to the background's grayscale that the human eye cannot distinguish it from the background.) Once the needle "disappears," especially if the operator is inexperienced, panic and anxiety can cause the needle to puncture other tissues, adversely affecting the patient. Even experienced operators find it difficult to quickly adjust the needle's angle so that it reappears on the display. Furthermore, once the needle "disappears," the operator cannot see it on the display, making it difficult to determine its current position. Our research team discovered that current ultrasound-guided nerve block systems fail to provide early warning of the risk of needle "disappearance" and provide insufficient operator guidance, which prevents them from adjusting the needle's direction in a timely manner. The method proposed in this invention aims to address these technical issues.

[0029] Figure 2 1 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the method according to the present invention includes the following steps:

[0030] Step 1: Acquire a first image and a second image including the needle body, wherein the second image is an image acquired temporally after the first image; in one example, for example, if the first image is acquired at time t, the second image may be an image acquired at time t+t1, wherein t1 may be any value such as 0.1s, 0.2s, 0.3s, 0.4s, 0.5s, 1s, etc., and the value may be freely set by the operator on the setting interface of the software; an example of the first image and the second image can be seen in Figure 3 It should be noted that, since the actual ultrasound image is not clear enough, a schematic diagram is used in the present invention to illustrate the ultrasound image so as to clearly express the specific embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is just a schematic diagram, so in order to clearly show the content in the diagram, Figure 3 The size ratio of the needle body to the display screen has been adjusted. In real ultrasound images, the needle body may be larger than Figure 3 In addition, it should be understood that Figure 3 For illustrative purposes, the background is shown as black and the needle body is shown as white (in the first image). In actual ultrasound images, the background may be a gray background with a grayscale greater than 0, and the needle body may be a gray needle body with a grayscale less than 255. Figure 3As shown, in the first image, the operator has just inserted the needle into the patient's body, so the needle body remains parallel to the ultrasound probe. At this time, the contrast between the needle body and the background is the largest. In the second image, the operator has further inserted the needle body into the patient's body so that the needle body can reach the medication position. However, due to the forward movement of the needle body, the needle body may gradually deviate from being parallel to the ultrasound probe. At this time, the needle body changes from white to gray (the contrast between the needle body and the background decreases. When the contrast decreases to a certain extent, the naked eye cannot distinguish the needle body from the background, and the needle body "disappears"), and the length of the needle body in the second image is longer than that in the first image.

[0031] Step 2: Determine the first needle body portion in the second image that corresponds to the needle body in the first image; the first needle body portion is the portion in the subsequent frame (i.e., the second image) that corresponds to the original length in the first image; Figure 3 In the image, the portion outlined in red is the first needle body. The primary purpose of determining the first needle body portion is to more accurately determine the grayscale difference between the needle body in the first and second images. Specifically, our research team discovered that in the second image, because the needle body and the ultrasound probe are no longer parallel, the grayscale from the needle tip to the needle tail on the far right of the display (this tail is not the actual needle tail, but only the tail of the needle body that can be displayed on the display) is a gradual gradient. Calculating the grayscale of the needle body outside the red frame may result in erroneous judgments.

[0032] The sample code for determining the portion of the first needle body in the second image that corresponds to the needle body in the first image is as follows: "import cv2

[0033] import numpy as np

[0034] cap = cv2.VideoCapture('needle_video.mp4')

[0035] # Read the reference frame (first frame)

[0036] ret, ref_frame = cap.read()

[0037] gray_ref = cv2.cvtColor(ref_frame, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

[0038] # Hough line detection parameter settings

[0039] hough_params = {

[0040] 'rho': 1,

[0041] 'theta': np.pi / 180,

[0042] 'threshold': 50,

[0043] 'minLineLength': 30,

[0044] 'maxLineGap': 10

[0045] }

[0046] # Detect needles in the reference frame

[0047] edges_ref = cv2.Canny(gray_ref, 50, 150)

[0048] lines_ref = cv2.HoughLinesP(edges_ref, **hough_params)

[0049] # Select the longest line segment as the target needle

[0050] ref_needle = max(lines_ref, key=lambda x: np.linalg.norm(x[0][2:]-x[0][:2]))

[0051] x1_ref, y1_ref, x2_ref, y2_ref = ref_needle[0]

[0052] ref_length = np.hypot(x2_ref-x1_ref, y2_ref-y1_ref)

[0053] # Calculate the direction vector of the reference needle

[0054] direction = np.array([x2_ref-x1_ref, y2_ref-y1_ref]) / ref_length

[0055] whilecap.isOpened():

[0056] ret, frame = cap.read()

[0057] if not ret:

[0058] break

[0059] # Current frame processing

[0060] gray = cv2.cvtColor(frame, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

[0061] edges = cv2.Canny(gray, 50, 150)

[0062] lines = cv2.HoughLinesP(edges, **hough_params)

[0063] if lines is not None:

[0064] # Find the best matching line segment

[0065] best_match = None

[0066] min_cost = float('inf')

[0067] for line in lines:

[0068] x1, y1, x2, y2 = line[0]

[0069] curr_vec = np.array([x2-x1, y2-y1])

[0070] # Calculate direction similarity

[0071] cos_sim = np.dot(direction, curr_vec) / (np.linalg.norm(curr_vec)+1e-5)

[0072] # Calculate position similarity (midpoint distance)

[0073] mid_ref = [(x1_ref+x2_ref) / 2, (y1_ref+y2_ref) / 2]

[0074] mid_curr = [(x1+x2) / 2, (y1+y2) / 2]

[0075] pos_dist = np.linalg.norm(np.array(mid_ref) - np.array(mid_curr))

[0076] # Comprehensive cost function

[0077] cost = (1 - cos_sim) * 100 + pos_dist * 0.1

[0078] if cost <min_cost:

[0079] min_cost = cost

[0080] best_match = line[0]

[0081] ifbest_match is not None:

[0082] x1, y1, x2, y2 = best_match

[0083] curr_length = np.hypot(x2-x1, y2-y1)

[0084] # Determine the endpoint correspondence

[0085] ref_points = np.array([[x1_ref, y1_ref], [x2_ref, y2_ref]])

[0086] curr_points = np.array([[x1, y1], [x2, y2]])

[0087] # Calculate the distance matrix between endpoints

[0088] dist_matrix = np.linalg.norm(ref_points[:, None] - curr_points,axis=2)

[0089] # Get the best endpoint match

[0090] matches = np.unravel_index(np.argmin(dist_matrix), dist_matrix.shape)

[0091] base_point = curr_points[matches[1]]

[0092] # Calculate the original length part

[0093] original_end = base_point + direction * ref_length

[0094] # Convert to integer coordinates

[0095] base_point = tuple(map(int, base_point))

[0096] original_end = tuple(map(int, original_end))

[0097] # Draw the original part (green)

[0098] cv2.line(frame, base_point, original_end, (0, 255, 0), 2)

[0099] # Draw the current complete detection results (red)

[0100] cv2.line(frame, (x1, y1), (x2, y2), (0, 0, 255), 2)

[0101] # Display the results

[0102] cv2.imshow('Needle Tracking', frame)

[0103] if cv2.waitKey(30)&0xFF == ord('q'):

[0104] break

[0105] cap.release()

[0106] cv2.destroyAllWindows()". It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned code is only an exemplary code for implementing step 2, and any other code that can implement the function of step 2 is applicable to the present invention. The code for implementing step 2 can be programmed by a specialized programmer.

[0107] Step 3: Determine whether the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body part is greater than a first threshold value; Figure 3 In the example, the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is 0, and the grayscale of the first needle body part is Figure 3 The grayscale average value of the needle body part framed by the red frame is represented;

[0108] Step 4: If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body part is greater than the first threshold value, an angle adjustment prompt is displayed on the display. The first threshold value needs to be adaptively adjusted according to the proficiency of the operators in each hospital. The present invention does not make specific limitations. As a principle, if the first threshold value is set to a smaller value, the needle body will slightly deviate from the parallelism of the ultrasound probe, and the display will display an angle adjustment prompt. This setting is more suitable for operators with lower proficiency, because this setting can prompt the operator to adjust the needle body angle as early as possible. However, this setting causes angle adjustment prompts to appear frequently on the screen. For experienced operators, the frequent appearance of angle adjustment prompts may interfere with them. An example of displaying an angle adjustment prompt can be seen in Figure 4 ,exist Figure 4 In the ultrasound imaging system, the display can be divided into two parts, the main part is used to display ultrasound images, and the part above the display is used to specifically display prompt information.

[0109] Furthermore, the method further comprises:

[0110] After the angle adjustment prompt is displayed, a third image including the needle body is acquired, wherein the third image is acquired temporally after the second image. In one example, if the second image is acquired at time t+t1, the third image may be acquired at time t+2×t1, wherein t1 may be any value such as 0.1s, 0.2s, 0.3s, 0.4s, 0.5s, or 1s, and the value may be freely set by the operator on the setting interface of the software.

[0111] Determine a second needle body portion in the third image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; the method for determining the second needle body portion can refer to the description of step 2;

[0112] Determine whether the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image; During the research process, our research team found that once the needle body deviates from the parallelism with the ultrasound probe, the operator cannot accurately judge in which direction to adjust the needle body to make it return to parallelism with the ultrasound probe. Therefore, the adjustment angle prompt is displayed on the monitor, and after the operator adjusts the needle body angle, two situations may occur. One situation is as follows Figure 5 As shown in the third image shown on the upper right, the needle tends to return to being parallel to the ultrasound probe, so the needle (and the second needle portion) is Figure 5 The grayscale of the third image shown on the upper right is closer to the grayscale of the needle body in the first image. Figure 5 As shown in the third image shown on the lower right, the needle tends to deviate further from parallel with the ultrasound probe, so the needle (and the second needle portion) is Figure 5The grayscale in the third image shown in the lower right side deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image;

[0113] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, a reverse angle adjustment prompt is displayed on the display. An example of displaying a reverse angle adjustment prompt on the display can be found in Figure 6 It should be understood that the reverse adjustment angle should not be adjusted specifically in a direction that is 180 degrees different from the current adjustment direction, but should be adjusted in a direction different from the current adjustment direction, so as to prevent the needle body from deviating from the parallel position with the ultrasound probe and further worsening the situation.

[0114] Furthermore, the method further comprises:

[0115] Determine whether the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold value; the second threshold value needs to be adaptively adjusted according to the proficiency of the operators in each hospital, and the present invention does not make a specific limitation. As a principle, if the second threshold value is set to a small value, the display may display the angle adjustment prompt for a long time. This setting is more suitable for operators with low proficiency because it can continuously prompt the operator how to adjust the needle body angle. However, this setting causes the angle adjustment prompt to appear on the screen for a long time, which may be annoying to experienced operators.

[0116] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than a second threshold value, continue to display the angle adjustment prompt;

[0117] If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the angle adjustment prompt is stopped or the angle adjustment prompt is reversely displayed.

[0118] Furthermore, the original frame rate of the captured image is a first frame rate. In an example, the first frame rate may be 15 frames / s, 20 frames / s, 25 frames / s, or 30 frames / s.

[0119] The method further includes:

[0120] If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, the first frame rate is increased and a timer is started. In one example, assuming the original frame rate is 15 frames / s, the first frame rate can be increased to 30 frames / s. The reason for this operation is that our research team found that the image information during the period after the needle body has deviated from the parallelism with the ultrasound probe but before the needle body "disappears" is extremely important for subsequent processing after the needle body "disappears". Therefore, collecting more images in this stage is beneficial for subsequent processing. In addition, when operators tried to operate the test prototype (confidential experiment), they generally reported that after the frame rate was increased, even if there was no angle adjustment prompt, the operators could more accurately judge the changes in the grayscale of the needle body, so that the operators could adjust the needle body angle in time to prevent the needle body from suddenly "disappearing". In one example, the timer timeout period can be set to 10 seconds.

[0121] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, the timer is reset and the first frame rate that has been increased is further increased. In one example, assuming that the original frame rate is 15 frames / s and the first frame rate that has been increased after the previous increase is, for example, 30 frames / s, then after further increasing the first frame rate, the frame rate may be 60 frames / s.

[0122] if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than a second threshold value, reducing the increased first frame rate;

[0123] If the timer times out, the frame rate of the currently captured image is restored to the first frame rate;

[0124] If the grayscale difference between the second needle portion and the grayscale of the needle in the first image is less than the second threshold, the frame rate of the currently captured image is restored to the first frame rate. It should be understood that if the grayscale difference between the second needle portion and the grayscale of the needle in the first image is less than the second threshold, the frame rate of the currently captured image is restored to the first frame rate regardless of whether the timer has expired at this time.

[0125] Furthermore, the method further comprises:

[0126] If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, start storing the acquired image;

[0127] If the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, the stored image begins to be displayed on the display; because the grayscale of the second needle body part deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, this indicates that the operator's adjustment of the angle has caused the needle body to further deviate from the parallelism with the ultrasound probe. Our research team found that in this case, there is a high probability that the needle body will "disappear" if the operator further operates. Displaying the stored image at this time helps the operator determine whether the needle body can be restored by adjusting the needle body angle after it "disappears"; for example, in certain nerve areas, the operator is strictly prohibited from adjusting the needle body angle, but at this time the needle body has "disappeared". Without the operation of the present invention, the operator cannot determine whether the needle body is located in an area where the operator is strictly prohibited from adjusting the needle body angle. In this embodiment of the present invention, since the stored image is provided to the operator, the operator can determine whether the needle body is located in an area where the operator is strictly prohibited from adjusting the needle body angle; and then the operator can choose to continue the operation, or remove the needle and start the operation again from the initial step;

[0128] if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, not displaying the stored image on the display;

[0129] If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold value, the stored image is deleted.

[0130] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of an ultrasound image display system for nerve block according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the ultrasound image display system 700 for nerve block includes:

[0131] First module 702: Acquire a first image and a second image including a needle body, wherein the second image is acquired after the first image in time;

[0132] Second module 704: determining a first needle body portion in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image;

[0133] The third module 706: determining whether the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold;

[0134] Fourth module 708: If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, display an angle adjustment prompt on the display.

[0135] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an ultrasound image display system for nerve block implemented based on a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8As shown, an ultrasound image display system 802 for nerve block may include at least one processor 804, a memory (e.g., a non-volatile memory) 806, a storage 808, and a communication interface 810, and the at least one processor 804, the memory 806, the storage 808, and the communication interface 810 are connected together via a bus 812. The at least one processor 804 executes at least one computer-readable instruction stored or encoded in the memory (i.e., the above-mentioned elements implemented in the form of software).

[0136] In one example, instructions are stored in the memory and are executable by the processor to cause the system to:

[0137] Acquire a first image and a second image including the needle body, wherein the second image is acquired temporally after the first image;

[0138] determining a portion of the first needle body in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image;

[0139] determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold;

[0140] If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, an angle adjustment prompt is displayed on the display.

[0141] Furthermore, the instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the system to perform the following operations:

[0142] After the angle adjustment prompt is displayed, a third image including the needle body is acquired, wherein the third image is acquired after the second image in terms of time;

[0143] determining a portion of a second needle body in the third image corresponding to the needle body in the first image;

[0144] determining whether the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image;

[0145] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, a reverse angle adjustment prompt is displayed on the display.

[0146] Furthermore, the instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the system to perform the following operations:

[0147] determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold;

[0148] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than a second threshold value, continue to display the angle adjustment prompt;

[0149] If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the angle adjustment prompt is stopped or the angle adjustment prompt is reversely displayed.

[0150] Furthermore, the original frame rate of the captured image is the first frame rate.

[0151] The instructions can also be executed by the processor to enable the system to perform the following operations:

[0152] If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold, increasing the first frame rate and starting a timer;

[0153] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, resetting the timer and further increasing the increased first frame rate;

[0154] if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than a second threshold value, reducing the increased first frame rate;

[0155] If the timer times out, the frame rate of the currently captured image is restored to the first frame rate;

[0156] If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the frame rate of the currently acquired image is restored to the first frame rate.

[0157] Furthermore, the instructions can be executed by the processor to cause the system to perform the following operations:

[0158] If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, start storing the acquired image;

[0159] If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, starting to display the stored image on the display;

[0160] if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, not displaying the stored image on the display;

[0161] If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold value, the stored image is deleted.

[0162] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic image display system for nerve block, characterized in that: The system includes: processor; a memory coupled to the processor; as well as Instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the system to: Acquire a first image and a second image including the needle body, wherein the second image is acquired temporally after the first image; determining a first needle body portion in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold; If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, displaying an angle adjustment prompt on the display; After displaying the angle adjustment prompt, acquiring a third image including the needle body, wherein the third image is an image acquired after the second image in terms of time; determining a second needle body portion in the third image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, a reverse angle adjustment prompt is displayed on the display.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the system to: determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than the second threshold value, continue to display the angle adjustment prompt; If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the display of the angle adjustment prompt or the reverse angle adjustment prompt is stopped.

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that The original frame rate of the captured image is the first frame rate, The instructions can also be executed by the processor to enable the system to perform the following operations: If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold, increasing the first frame rate and starting a timer; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, resetting the timer and further increasing the increased first frame rate; if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than the second threshold value, reducing the increased first frame rate; If the timer times out, restoring the frame rate of the currently captured image to the first frame rate; If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the frame rate of the currently acquired image is restored to the first frame rate.

4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the system to: If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, start storing the acquired image; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, starting to display the stored image on the display; if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, not displaying the stored image on the display; If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than the second threshold value, the stored image is deleted.

5. A method for displaying an ultrasonic image for nerve block, characterized in that: Methods include: Acquire a first image and a second image including the needle body, wherein the second image is acquired temporally after the first image; determining a first needle body portion in the second image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold; If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, displaying an angle adjustment prompt on the display; After displaying the angle adjustment prompt, acquiring a third image including the needle body, wherein the third image is an image acquired after the second image in terms of time; determining a second needle body portion in the third image corresponding to the needle body in the first image; determining whether the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, a reverse angle adjustment prompt is displayed on the display.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: determining whether a difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than a second threshold; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than the second threshold value, continue to display the angle adjustment prompt; If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the display of the angle adjustment prompt or the reverse angle adjustment prompt is stopped.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The original frame rate of the captured image is a first frame rate, wherein the method further includes: If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold, increasing the first frame rate and starting a timer; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, resetting the timer and further increasing the increased first frame rate; if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, and if the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is greater than the second threshold value, reducing the increased first frame rate; If the timer times out, restoring the frame rate of the currently captured image to the first frame rate; If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is smaller than the second threshold value, the frame rate of the currently acquired image is restored to the first frame rate.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the difference between the grayscale of the needle body in the first image and the grayscale of the first needle body portion is greater than a first threshold value, start storing the acquired image; If the grayscale of the second needle body portion deviates further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, starting to display the stored image on the display; if the grayscale of the second needle body portion does not deviate further from the grayscale of the needle body in the first image, not displaying the stored image on the display; If the difference between the grayscale of the second needle body portion and the grayscale of the needle body in the first image is less than the second threshold value, the stored image is deleted.

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