Method and system for ultrasound acquisition and processing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for acquiring and processing ultrasound waves, in which the sequential processing comprises: for at least one block of basic data (Bi) of order i, performing a computer-implemented block processing operation (TBi) of order i; the block processing operation (TBi) comprises: performing a basic processing operation for at least one data sub-block (SBij) in order j; the basic processing operation comprises: combining data of data sub-blocks (SBij) of order j to generate a basic image, the block processing operation (TBi) of order i being performed during acquisition of order i + k0, where k0 is an integer greater than 0, and i + k0 is less than or equal to N.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for acquiring and processing ultrasound waves for ultrasound imaging.

[0003] For example, this method is one of the super-resolution acquisition and processing methods of ultrasound.

[0004] The resolution of conventional ultrasound acquisition systems is limited by diffraction phenomena and is typically on the order of the wavelength of the ultrasound waves used by the acquisition system.

[0005] By super-resolution, we mean a higher resolution than the maximum resolution achievable by conventional ultrasound acquisition systems, which is equal to the diffraction limit of the acquired ultrasound waves.

[0006] When we say super-resolution ultrasound images, we mean images with a resolution finer than the diffraction limit of the ultrasound waves used to collect the image. Typically, the resolution of the generated images is improved by 2 to 20 times compared to this diffraction limit.

[0007] Super-resolution ultrasound imaging is typically based on the injection of ultrasound contrast agents in the form of millions of gas microbubbles into the bloodstream, which are detected, localized, and tracked on consecutive images to generate a reconstructed image of the imaged vessel.

[0008] In the literature, the term ultrasound localization microscopy or ULM and all its variants, such as ultrafast ULM or uULM, transcranial ULM or tULM, induction ULM or sULM, deep ULM or dULM, super-resolution ultrasound SR-US, and super-resolution microvascular imaging or SR-MI, refer to ultrasound super-resolution processing techniques that share common features: the use of ultrasound contrast agents, a step of detecting the signals of these contrast agents, and a step of reconstructing super-resolution ultrasound images. Background Art

[0009] Generating a super-resolution ultrasound image involves an acquisition device repeatedly acquiring a sequence using an ultrasound probe to generate successive blocks of data. Each block of data is generated during the acquisition sequence.

[0010] Each acquisition sequence includes a large number of repetitions of a basic acquisition sequence. Each basic acquisition sequence generates a data sub-block. Therefore, each data block is composed of multiple data sub-blocks.

[0011] Each data block is stored in the acquisition device's buffer memory and then transferred to the processing device's internal memory before the next data block is acquired. Due to the limited speed of transferring and writing data to the computer's internal memory, this operation can take hundreds of milliseconds to several seconds in the case of very large 3D data.

[0012] Once all data blocks have been acquired, they are processed block by block by the processing device. This processing begins by loading the data from internal memory into the computer's accessible memory (RAM). The data is then sent from the RAM to the graphics processing unit (GPU) RAM, where it undergoes channel formation and tissue echo cancellation. The data is then transferred back to the computer's RAM, where microbubbles are detected, localized, and tracked over time.

[0013] Then, the method comprises a step of reconstructing a super-resolution image. This step comprises accumulating tracking results obtained for each block and for different blocks.

[0014] In the case of very large 3D data, processing a block of data may take seconds to minutes.

[0015] This approach has a number of drawbacks. The acquisition of new data blocks must be stopped while the data is written to the processing device's internal memory, which increases idle time during the acquisition process. Furthermore, once data processing has begun, the results are only available after all data blocks have been acquired. Finally, large amounts of raw data (10Gb-1000Gb) must be saved by the processing device during acquisition and part of the processing, which can lead to RAM saturation. Finally, additional transfer time is introduced during processing, making it particularly time-consuming (>1 hour).

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to limit at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages. Summary of the Invention

[0017] To this end, the present invention provides a method for acquiring and processing ultrasound waves, the method comprising sequentially acquiring N basic data blocks of order i, where i=1 to N, and sequentially processing the basic data blocks by a computer; the order i of each original basic data block is the acquisition order number of the data block in the N data blocks; the sequential acquisition comprises: for each basic data block, acquiring a data block of order i; the acquisition of the data block of order i comprises performing acquisition of J data sub-blocks of order j, where j=1 to J, and J is greater than 1; the sub-block acquisition comprises: for each transmit / receive configuration of a set of at least one transmit / receive configuration defined by a transmit subaperture and a receive subaperture of an array of transducers, performing a set of at least one separate acquisition sequence, the at least one separate acquisition sequence comprising:

[0018] ■ Transmitting the ultrasound beam to the patient’s area of ​​interest through the transmit subaperture,

[0019] ■ Receive the echo generated by the region of interest under the action of the ultrasound beam through the receiving sub-aperture to generate an electrical signal,

[0020] ■ Preprocessing, which involves digitizing the signals from the electrical signal to generate a basic data set,

[0021] The sequential processing comprises, for at least one elementary data block of order i, performing a computer-implemented block processing of order i; the block processing comprises, for at least one data sub-block of order j, performing elementary processing; the elementary processing comprises combining data of the data sub-blocks of order j to generate an elementary image,

[0022] Block processing of order i is performed during acquisition of order i+k0, where k0 is an integer greater than 0 and i+k0 is less than or equal to N.

[0023] Advantageously, J is between 2 and 2000.

[0024] Advantageously, N is between 2 and 10,000.

[0025] Advantageously, the block processing of order i comprises: for each of a plurality of data sub-blocks of order j of the block of order i, performing a basic processing comprising combining data of the data sub-blocks of order j to generate a plurality of basic images, and enhancing a basic image of order j using the basic image of order j and at least one other basic image generated for another data sub-block.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the processing of a block of order i is performed during the acquisition of a data block of order i+1.

[0027] In one embodiment, block processing of order i is performed only during the acquisition of data blocks of order i+k0.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the method comprises, during the acquisition of data blocks of order i+k0, providing to a user via a user interface information from data generated during the processing of blocks of order i.

[0029] In one embodiment, the base processing includes enhancing a signal from a contrast agent on the base image relative to other signals to obtain an enhanced base image.

[0030] Advantageously, the block processing of order i comprises performing, for each of a plurality of data sub-blocks of order j, a basic processing comprising combining data of the data sub-blocks of order j to generate a plurality of basic images, and enhancing the basic image of order j using the basic image of order j and at least one other basic image generated for other data sub-blocks.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the basic processing comprises detecting a signal from a contrast agent on a basic image or on an image from the basic image to obtain a set of positions of the contrast agent.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the i-order block processing comprises tracking the contrast agent on a plurality of base images or images derived from the base images.

[0033] Advantageously, the block processing of order i comprises performing basic processing on each of a plurality of data sub-blocks of order j, the basic processing comprising combining data of the data sub-blocks of order j to generate a plurality of basic images, the block processing comprising tracking a contrast agent on the plurality of basic images or on images derived from the basic images to obtain a set of positions of the contrast agent.

[0034] Advantageously, the processing of the blocks of order i comprises a step of reconstructing an image representing the set of contrast agent positions.

[0035] Advantageously, the sequential processing comprises performing block processing on a plurality of blocks to generate a plurality of images, the sequential processing comprising globally reconstructing a global image from the plurality of images generated during the sequential processing.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the block processing of order i includes elementary processing performed in parallel on each sub-block of data.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the individual acquisition sequences comprise storing the elementary data sets in a first memory, the method comprising performing, at least in part before the block processing, transferring the elementary data blocks of order i to a second memory.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first memory and the second memory are random access memories, and the basic data block is transferred from the first memory to the second memory without passing through the other memory.

[0039] The present invention also relates to an ultrasound acquisition and processing system configured to implement the method according to the present invention.

[0040] Advantageously, the acquisition and system comprises hardware and software means configured to implement the method according to the invention.

[0041] Advantageously, the acquisition and processing system comprises:

[0042] - an acquisition system comprising a transducer array and configured to perform the acquisition step,

[0043] - A processing system configured to carry out sequential processing steps.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the acquisition system comprises a first memory, and the processing system is intended to be communicatively connected to the acquisition system, the processing system comprising a second memory.

[0045] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions causing the system according to the invention to implement the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0046] The present invention also relates to a computer-readable medium having a computer program recorded thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are described as follows:

[0048] Figure 1 : Separate acquisition sequence;

[0049] Figure 2 : The collection step according to the method of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 3 : Data sub-block collection step;

[0051] Figure 4 : An example of the timing of the data block acquisition and block processing phases in the method according to the present invention;

[0052] Figure 5 : Examples of processing steps in the method according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 6 : Hardware elements of an example of a system configured to implement the method according to the present invention are shown in block diagram form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The present invention relates to a method for acquiring and processing ultrasound waves. For example, the method is intended for use in super-resolution imaging. Advantageously, but not necessarily, the method is a super-resolution imaging process. The present invention also relates to an acquisition and processing system configured to implement the method.

[0055] Advantageously, the acquisition and processing system comprises hardware and software means configured to implement the method.

[0056] The method is advantageously, but not necessarily, carried out after a step of intravenously injecting into the individual a contrast agent comprising a single contrast agent (eg in the form of gas microbubbles).These contrast agents injected into the body are exogenous.

[0057] Alternatively, the method can be performed without this type of prior injection step, utilizing endogenous contrast agents, such as red blood cells.

[0058] The method includes: i The acquisition and sequential ultrasonic processing of i = 1 to N, N is the ultrasonic raw data block B acquired and processedi The number of

[0059] Therefore, i is an integer.

[0060] collection

[0061] The method includes the following steps: i Collect the steps of A in order.

[0062] This step is implemented by the acquisition system SA, which includes a probe S. The probe S includes Figure 6 An array R of transducers TR is referenced in . Subapertures of the array R can be defined, each subaperture consisting of one or more transducers TR of the array R.

[0063] For example, each subaperture consists of all transducers TR in the R network.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, the transmitting subaperture SOo and the receiving subaperture SOo' are defined, and the transmitting / receiving configuration C characterized by a pair (SOo, SOo') is defined. h The receiving subaperture SOo' can be different from or the same as the transmitting subaperture SOo. h The configured subaperture pairs are different.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown, the transmit subaperture SOo is the receive subaperture SOo'.

[0066] The acquisition of the ultrasound data block Bi comprises repeating (preferably multiple times) a separate acquisition sequence si hk , the acquisition sequence si hk include Figure 1 The following steps are shown:

[0067] - Emitted through the transmit sub-aperture SOo of the array R of transducers hk Ultrasonic beam W k (refer to Figure 6 ),

[0068] - receiving R through the receiving subaperture SOo' of the array R of transducers TR hk In the ultrasonic beam W k The echo emitted by the surrounding environment under the action of the electromagnetic wave generates an electrical signal.

[0069] - Computer-implemented pre-processing of PT by the acquisition system kh , pretreatment PT kh This involves digitizing the electrical signal to generate the basic data set RF ijhk, and possibly (but not necessarily) performing one or more other operations on the received echo, such as filtering and / or demodulation (carrier suppression) and / or time gain compensation (TGC) and / or resampling of the digitized signal,

[0070] Among the transducers TR of the array R, only the transducers of the transmitting subaperture transmit signals to produce the signal generated in the transmitting step E. hk The ultrasonic beam W emitted during k .

[0071] The electrical signals processed during the pre-processing phase, in particular the digitized electrical signals, are only included in the reception step R hk The electrical signals generated by the individual transducers in the receiving subaperture during the receiving step R hk The electrical signal generated by the transducer TR of the array R during.

[0072] exist Figure 1 In , the received echo is represented in the form of multiple time signals, which correspond to the time evolution of the signal received by each transducer in the receiving sub-aperture SOo'.

[0073] Basic Dataset RF ijhk exist Figure 1 The time samples of the signal received by each transducer in the receive subaperture are shown in a table and include time samples of the signal received by each transducer in the receive subaperture. Each box corresponds to a time sample of a transducer in the receive subaperture. The boxes with black circles correspond to the time samples marked with black circles.

[0074] Advantageously, the separate acquisition sequence si hk Including the basic data set RF ijhk Storage MEM hk Step in the first memory.

[0075] Each individual sequence si hk Advantageously, the ultrasound beam emitted during the receiving step is designed so that it insonifies the individual region of interest containing the contrast agent (e.g. in the form of microbubbles) and so that echoes from the region of interest are received during the receiving step. In this way, the raw ultrasound data originate from the patient's region of interest containing the contrast agent during the acquiring step.

[0076] Alternatively, the contrast agent can be endogenous. For example, in vascular ultrasound, red blood cells can be used.

[0077] Advantageously, the region of interest is a region of the patient comprising blood vessels in which an endogenous or exogenous contrast agent is present during the acquisition phase.

[0078] Advantageously, the circulating contrast agent moves relative to the region of interest.

[0079] If the region of interest includes a blood vessel, the contrast agent advantageously moves in the blood vessel due to blood flow in the blood vessel.

[0080] In the following we will consider non-limiting examples in which the acquisition involves a region comprising a contrast agent in the form of microbubbles.The steps described below in relation to these microbubbles are also valid for other types of contrast agents.

[0081] like Figure 2 As shown, the acquisition step A includes a basic acquisition sequence se h , where the same transmit / receive configuration C is used h To implement K separate acquisition sequences si hk (where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1) to collect K basic data sets RF ijhk .

[0082] Preferably, K is between 1 and 100.

[0083] Separate acquisition sequence si hk are different from each other because the ultrasonic beam W k Having different spatial and / or temporal (frequency) characteristics. For example, in one embodiment, the K ultrasound beams may be a family of plane waves transmitted at different angles relative to an R grating. In another embodiment, K beams are transmitted corresponding to waves whose respective amplitudes differ from each other by a predetermined scalar factor.

[0084] The method comprises a data sub-block SB ij The collection steps of sb j , the data sub-block SB ij The collection steps of sb j Includes H basic acquisition steps h Implementation, h = 1 to H, where H is an integer greater than or equal to 1, using different transmit / receive configurations C h to execute.

[0085] For example, H is equal to 1, corresponding to a single transmit / receive configuration C h＝1 .

[0086] Preferably, H is between 1 and 100.

[0087] h is an integer.

[0088] Data block B i Basic collection steps A i Including data sub-block SB ij The collection steps of sb j This step is performed J times to collect J data sub-blocks SBij J is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Typically, J is between 1 and 2000. Advantageously, J is i Can be the same, but some data block B i Different J values ​​are also possible.

[0089] Preferably, J is greater than or equal to 2, more preferably greater than or equal to 10, for example greater than or equal to 15 or 20.

[0090] Preferably, J is less than or equal to 1000 or 2000.

[0091] Advantageously, the product of J*N is greater than or equal to 4.

[0092] Advantageously, the product of J*N is between 50,000 and 150,000.

[0093] The larger the product, the better the resolution of the final image.

[0094] Data sub-block SB ij The acquisition is performed continuously in the time sequence defined by index j, where index j represents the jth implementation of the sub-block acquisition step, denoted as sb j .

[0095] In other words, the index j is an integer.

[0096] When the sub-block SB for collecting data is executed ij The collection steps of sb j When different C h The transmit / receive configuration (h=1 to H) performs the basic acquisition sequence se h When H*K basic data sets RF are obtained ijhk Basic data sub-block SB ij ,like Figure 3 As shown. N original data blocks B i The sequential acquisition step A includes performing the basic acquisition step A i , with ultrasound data block B of acquisition order i i Basic Collection Steps A i Execute N times continuously to collect N data blocks B i Data block B i The acquisition is performed continuously in the time sequence defined by index i, where index i represents the basic acquisition step A i The i-th implementation of .

[0097] N is an integer greater than 1. N is advantageously determined such that N*J*H*K is between 1000 and 10,000,000. In a typical embodiment, N=300, J=1000, H=4 and K=5, i.e., N*J*H*K=6,000,000.

[0098] Preferably, N is greater than or equal to 2, 10, 15 or 20, more preferably greater than or equal to 100.

[0099] Preferably, N is less than or equal to 1000 or 10000. Advantageously, N is greater than J. This limits the size of the memory and results in faster access to the image.

[0100] Alternatively, N is less than or equal to J.

[0101] To generate a number of data blocks B equal to N i , original data block B i Collection step A i Repeat N-1 times. The result is a set B, such that B={B1,…,B i ,…,B N}Original data block B i . Step A of index i i Corresponding to the i eme A collection of original data blocks i Implementation of steps and realization of data block B with order i i The collection of.

[0102] Figure 3 Two transmit / receive configurations C1 and C4 of an ultrasound probe S are shown. Configuration C1 features a transmit subaperture SO1 which is also a receive subaperture of the same configuration C1. Configuration C4 features a transmit subaperture SO4 which is also a receive subaperture of the same configuration C4.

[0103] Also shown is the use of corresponding transmit / receive configurations C1 and C (4) Each acquisition sequence si implemented during the basic acquisition sequences se1 and se4 1k and si 4k (k=1 to 5) emission step E hk , and the basic data sets RF generated during these basic acquisition sequences ijhk .

[0104] In other words, usually the index k is an integer.

[0105] Figure 4 It shows the acquisition and processing of two consecutive acquired data blocks B according to the time sequence represented by the t axis i and B (i+1) The various steps involved.

[0106] Each original data block B i Includes J data sub-blocks SB ij , j = 1 to J, where J is an integer greater than or equal to 1, these data sub-blocks are used to collect data sub-blocks SB ij Steps of sb j collected during the corresponding J implementation periods.

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown, the original data block B i The data is stored in step m i This step is advantageously performed on the data block B in the i-th order. i Collection step A i During the implementation, to generate the i-th order data block B i .

[0108] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the storing step m i Included in data block B i Collection Step A i MEM implemented during the period hk Storage steps.

[0109] Advantageously, the separate acquisition sequence si hk Executed at frequencies between 100 Hz and 20,000 Hz.

[0110] Advantageously, the separate acquisition sequence si hk Performed at a frequency between 100 Hz and 5000 Hz, for example 5000 Hz.

[0111] A high acquisition frequency means shorter acquisition time for N data blocks and better contrast agent monitoring. However, at 5000 Hz or below, it is easier to ensure patient safety.

[0112] Sequential processing

[0113] The method according to the invention comprises a data block B implemented by a computer, a processing system (eg a processing device DT) i as we will see below.

[0114] The sequential processing steps include: for at least one data block B i , and preferably for each data block B i , data block B is implemented by the computer i The block processing step TB of order i i , hereinafter referred to as the block processing TB of the data block of order i i or block processing TB of order i i or block processing.

[0115] Generally speaking, the sequential processing step comprises: for at least one data block Bi, and preferably for a plurality of data blocks, a block processing TB of the data block of order i i .

[0116] Advantageously, but not necessarily, the sequential processing step comprises block processing of each data block of order i, where i=1 to N.

[0117] According to the present invention, Figure 4 As shown, in the data block B of order i+k0 i+k0 Collection step A i+k0 During this period, the data block B of order i less than N is implemented i Block processing TB i , where k0 is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and i+k0 is less than or equal to N.

[0118] In other words, the data block B of order i is smaller than N i Block processing step TB i At least partially in data block B of order i+k0 i+k Collection step A i+k0 During implementation, where k0 is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and i+k0 is less than or equal to N.

[0119] exist Figure 4 In the non-limiting example shown, k0 is equal to 1, so in data block B i+1 Collection step A i+1 During this period, data block B of order i was implemented i Block processing TB i In other words, data block B of order i i Block processing step TB i is the data block B immediately following order i i The data block B of order i+1 collected later i+1 Collection of A i+1 implemented during the period.

[0120] Therefore, the present invention relates to another data block B i+k0 During the subsequent acquisition period, for example, during the acquisition period of the next block (ie, the order is i+1), the data block B of order i is processed. i This has the advantage of limiting or even eliminating dead time during acquisition.

[0121] Furthermore, once block processing of a data block has been completed, the data generated by the block processing can be transmitted to a display device to provide real-time visual feedback to the user. Thus, the method minimizes downtime before displaying data generated from the acquired raw data.

[0122] Therefore, according to a particular embodiment, the block processing step TB i Includes: data block B in order i+k0 i+k0 Collection of A i+k0 During this time, AFF is displayed on the display of the output interface INTS of the human-machine interface INT. i ,refer to Figure 6 , AFF i is from the block processing TB in order i i Information representation of data generated during the period.

[0123] Finally, if necessary, the method according to the invention can erase, i.e. delete, B i The original data of the original data block as they are in the TB after the corresponding block processing has been performed i This further reduces time and memory costs.

[0124] When block processing TB i Included in B (i) When locating or tracking the position of microbubbles on an image generated by a block data sub-block, the data obtained is very small because it consists of the continuous positions of individual microbubbles. This data can be transferred to an internal memory, i.e., a read-only memory, of a processing system, such as a microcomputer, without affecting or slowing down the rest of the processing.

[0125] Data block B at order i+k0 i+k0 Collection of A i+k0 During this period, the data block B of order i that is less than N i Block processing TB i (where k0 is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and i+k0 is less than or equal to N), can be performed for one or more data blocks of different orders i, for example, for one i, multiple i, or for any i less than or equal to N-k0. This applies to all previously described embodiments described below.

[0126] Therefore, in the case of execution for any i less than or equal to N-k0, this means that the data block B for each order i less than N-k0 i The processing is the data block B in order i+k0 i+k0 Collection of A i+k0 During implementation, k0 is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and i+k0 is less than or equal to N. This enhances the advantages of the present invention.

[0127] Advantageously, for at least one block processing TBi of data blocks Bi in order i, i, data blocks B in order i+k0 i+k0 Collection of A i+k0The period starts and the data block B in the i+1 order i+l The acquisition period ends at , where l is less than or equal to Ni. Thus, the processing of the i-th order block is completed before the acquisition of the i+1-th order data block. This makes the data generated during the block processing available more quickly and limits the memory space required to store the data acquired from block i.

[0128] exist Figure 4 In the particular embodiment shown, k0 = 1. This minimizes the delay between data acquisition and the start of data processing.

[0129] exist Figure 4 In the specific embodiment shown, the i-th order data block B i Block processing TB i In the i-th order data block B i+1 Collection of A i+1 The period starts and is greater than the i-th order data block B i+1 Collection of A i+1 In other words, the data block B of order i i Block processing TB i Only in data block B i+1 Collection of A i+1 This minimizes the time it takes to generate a block and process TB. i The time required to obtain the final results of the data block i is minimized, and thus the time required to display them, or more generally, the time required to make these results available to the user. Since the processing of the data block of order i is already completed, this also makes it possible to minimize the processing of the data block B of order i+1. i+1 The acquisition ends with the data block B of order i+1 i+1 The display provides the user with a means of feedback about the acquisition, particularly to help maintain stable positioning.

[0130] Advantageously, for multiple i or for any i less than or equal to N-k0, the data block B of the i-th order i Block processing TB i Data block B in the i+k0th order i+k0 Collection of A i+k0 The period starts and the B in the i+k0th order i+k0 The data block collection period ends. Therefore, the i-th order data block B i The processing of is completed before the acquisition of the data block of order i+k0. One advantage is that the data obtained during the acquisition of various data blocks can be provided to the user. This makes it possible, for example, to reconstruct the final image over time and thus to track its evolution during the data acquisition.

[0131] Or, for at least one i, for a plurality of i, or for any i such that i+k0 is less than or equal to N, the i-th order data block B i Processing of data block B in the order i+k0 i+k0 The data block B in the order of i+k0 begins to be collected during i+k0 The collection ends after .

[0132] The block processing steps are performed in an order defined by the order in which the data blocks, either sequence i or non-sequence i, were acquired.

[0133] Block Processing

[0134] Figure 5 A flowchart showing the steps involved in an example of a process T comprising for each data block B of order i i Implementing a block processing step TB corresponding to the super-resolution processing step i .

[0135] Block processing step TB i Including for each SB ij Basic processing of data sub-blocks TB ij .

[0136] Alternatively, the block processing of order i includes processing the data sub-block SB ij At least one of the sub-blocks SB or from j=1 to J ij Multiple sub-blocks SB extracted from ij Perform basic processing TB ij .

[0137] For example, the block processing of order i includes processing of data sub-blocks SB of order j=1 to J. ij Each of the basic processing TB ij In other words, the block processing of order i includes the implementation of J basic processing TB ij .

[0138] Advantageously, the basic treatment of TB ij Combination COMB from data sub-block SB ij Steps to generate basic image IE ij .

[0139] Basic treatment TB ij Basically and advantageously, the steps listed below are computer-implemented:

[0140] -Combination COMB from data sub-block SB ij Data to generate basic image IE ij ,

[0141] - Enhance the AM signal from microbubbles to improve the image quality from the basic IE ij Generate enhanced basic image IA ij ,

[0142] - Detect DE in enhanced base image IA ii on the microbubbles to obtain enhanced basic images in IA ii Microbubble MI detected on ijm The position set P ijm ,

[0143] - Localize the detected microbubbles LO to generate a set of sub-pixel or sub-voxel locations PSi of the microbubbles jm , where m=1 to M, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0144] For a given i, the basic processing steps TB ij The basic data sub-block SB ij The acquisition order j may be implemented in the time sequence defined by the acquisition order j or in another time sequence.

[0145] The combination step COMB is used to switch from time space to distance space. For example, the basic image is two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

[0146] For base image IE ij By , we mean a grid of pixels or voxels whose corresponding intensities represent the acoustic properties of the medium surrounding the probe in the corresponding coordinates. The coordinates of a pixel or voxel represent the position of a point in the surrounding environment relative to the probe.

[0147] Then, data block B of order i i Block processing TB i Including, for data block B i Generated different enhanced basic images IA ij (j=1 to J) or on at least a portion, ie, on at least a plurality of these enhanced basic images, for microbubble MI ijm The step of time tracking SU is performed to obtain a set of positions of the contrast agent (eg, microbubbles).

[0148] For example, suppose that in all IA ij The microbubbles are tracked on the enhanced basic images (j=1 to J) and no microbubbles disappear. We calculate the number of detected M microbubbles Mi m Each of them gets J positions PS ijm .

[0149] Note that the LO positioning step is optional. The tracking step may comprise tracking the position P of the microbubble obtained during the detection step DE. ijm, instead of tracking the more precise position PS obtained during the localization step LO ijm .

[0150] Then, the block processing step TB i It can include the i TB of data blocks i The data generated during the block processing are the image reconstruction step RE.

[0151] For example, the reconstruction step RE comprises reconstructing the image IR i Steps, the image IR i Indicates that from the i-th order data block B i The corresponding data sub-block SB ij Generated different enhanced basic images AM ij The paths followed by different microbubbles are represented in the corresponding data sub-blocks SB. ij The position of the microbubble P is followed ijm or PS ijm Then, the processing step T may include: starting from the i-th order data block B i The i-th order block processing TB i The data generated during the step of performing a global reconstruction REG of the global image IG, for example from the image IR reconstructed during the reconstruction step RE i A step of global reconstruction REG of the global image IG is performed, for example, from images IR i=1 to N i A step of global reconstruction REG of the global image IG is performed.

[0152] In other words, the global reconstruction step REG of the global image IG is based on a plurality of images IR generated for different i or for all i from 1 to N. i To execute.

[0153] When the method comprises the positioning step LO, the image IR i And any global image IG is a super-resolution image.

[0154] The steps listed above are performed by conventional methods known to those skilled in the art and will not be described here. Non-limiting examples of the methods used are given below.

[0155] Combination COMB comes from data sub-block SB ij Data to generate basic image IE ij The step advantageously comprises combining ij At least one basic data set RF collected by index i and index j ijhk data.

[0156] Used to generate basic image IEij Data sub-block SB ij The step of combining COMB of the data advantageously comprises combining the data sub-blocks SB ij Multiple basic data sets RF collected by index i and index j ijhk data.

[0157] Combined from data sub-block SB ij Data to generate basic image IE ij The COMB step advantageously comprises combining the data sub-blocks SB ij Each basic data set RF collected by index i and index j ijhk data.

[0158] For example, the combining step COMB comprises a beamforming step.

[0159] In one embodiment, the channel forming step is performed using a Delay & Sum method.

[0160] For example, in the case of 2D plane wave imaging, there is a single subaperture defined by transducers arranged along the probe axis. k The angle α with the normal direction is k Emitted plane wave. Basic image IE ij By combining τ(x,x′,α k ) The signal collected by the transducer with delayed processing is obtained:

[0161]

[0162] in,

[0163]

[0164] Where x is the coordinate of the point along the probe axis in the probe-relative reference frame; z is the coordinate of the point along the normal to the probe axis in the probe-relative reference frame; and x' is the coordinate of the transducer along the probe axis in the probe-relative reference frame.

[0165] The sum is calculated at the x' coordinate of each transducer and at each angle α from k = 1 to K k On the.

[0166] In the case of a single angle α, the summation is performed only over the x' coordinate.

[0167] In the case of multiple transmit / receive configurations, the basic image IE ijj By combining τ(x,x′,α k ) The signal collected by the transducer with delayed processing is obtained:

[0168]

[0169] The summation is done at the x' coordinates of the different transducers, the corresponding α (k) The results are performed on different transmit / receive configurations with angles h=1 to H.

[0170] The COMB step can be performed by other methods known to those skilled in the art based on mathematical models, for example, by path training in Fourier space using adaptive or multivariate methods. Alternatively, the COMB step can be performed by a learning method using, for example, a neural network that is trained to reconstruct the basic image from the sub-block data.

[0171] In a specific embodiment, the basic acquisition step is h Including executing multiple separate acquisition sequences hk , where k = 1 to K, K is an integer greater than 1. These separate acquisition sequences si hk The difference is that, as mentioned above, in their corresponding emission steps E hk The spatial and / or temporal characteristics of the beams transmitted during this period are different.

[0172] In basic treatment of TB ij The combining step COMB performed during the process comprises, for example, a plurality of channel forming steps, the respective channel forming steps using the data sub-blocks SB. ij The data acquired during the acquisition period under the influence of the corresponding beam transmissions are combined to form multiple intermediate images and a combination step, such as averaging these intermediate images to form a basic image. This method is called "combination" or "coherent compounding." It increases image contrast and resolution. Combining multiple images reduces noise and thus increases contrast. Combining images acquired using independent beams increases resolution.

[0173] Alternatively, K is equal to 1.

[0174] Alternatively and / or additionally, for acquiring sub-block SB ij Steps of sb j Includes implementation of multiple basic acquisition sequences h , where h = 1 to H, H is an integer greater than 1. These basic acquisition sequences se h In the transmit / receive configuration used C h This type of approach allows the probe to handle a greater number of transducers than the number of available electronic processing channels.

[0175] In this case, the combining step COMB advantageously comprises the known step of concatenating the data acquired with the different transmit / receive configurations in order to reassemble the entire field of view. This step is performed before the channel forming step.

[0176] For example, the combining step includes a joining step for data acquired by the various base sequences.

[0177] Alternatively, H=1.

[0178] The enhancement step AM is performed to obtain the image ij Additional signal improvements stem from the basic image IE of microbubbles ij Signal, you can use only IE ij Base image or this image and other IEs where j' is different from j (ij)(') In other words, this step improves the contrast between the two types of signals.

[0179] In a specific embodiment, the basic image IE is implemented using all images generated for the j-th order sub-block of the i-th order block. ij The enhancement step AM comprises, for example, enhancing the signal from the microbubbles compared to the signal from the surrounding tissue, such as the wall of the blood vessel in which the microbubbles circulate.

[0180] The enhancement step AM includes, for example, a filtering step to remove the tissue signal from the base image and retain only the microbubble signal. This step is, for example, called "clutter filtering" or "clutter filtering." For example, it includes applying a spatiotemporal filter of the singular value decomposition (SVD) type to separate the echoes from the microbubbles and the echoes from the tissue.

[0181] Alternatively, the enhancement step AM uses a nonlinear strategy. This involves, for example, a specific processing method based on the transmission of a specific beam during the acquisition phase. For example, the beam can be defined to perform phase inversion, known as "pulse inversion," amplitude modulation, such as long-set amplitude modulation (AMLE), CHIRP transmission, transmission using Golay codes, or other equivalent strategies.

[0182] The above method uses the basic image IE ij and at least one other basic image generated for another sub-block of the i-th order block to enhance the IE ij Base image.

[0183] For example, these methods use all base images generated for blocks of order i to implement base image IE ij Enhancement step, i.e. all images IE generated for index i and j = 1 to j ij .

[0184] For example, the microbubble detection step DE is performed by searching for local maxima of pixel or voxel intensities in the enhanced image. This step generally enables microbubbles to be localized to the nearest pixel or voxel.

[0185] The microbubble localization step LO consists in improving the accuracy of the microbubble positions obtained in the detection step DE. This is advantageously a localization method with sub-pixel or sub-voxel accuracy.

[0186] For example, the localization step LO is performed, for example, by weighted averaging the intensities of adjacent pixels / voxels, by interpolation (e.g., using a Gaussian, cubic, spline, or Lanczos kernel), by fitting a Gaussian function (often referred to as "Gaussian fit"), by an algorithm that uses the radial symmetry of the signal from an isolated microbubble or, more generally, from an isolated contrast agent, and which explicitly calculates the position as the point that minimizes the distance to the current line of spatial gradient, or any other equivalent method. Interpolation and Gaussian fitting methods are of higher precision. Weighted averaging methods are also of higher precision.

[0187] For example, the microbubble tracking step SU is implemented using a nearest neighbor method, which includes dividing the sub-block SB closest to ij+1 The microbubbles are assigned to the sub-block SB ij or by using the Kuhn-Munkres algorithm, also known as the Hungarian method, which consists in minimizing the sum of the distances between all microbubbles in sub-block (i, j) and all microbubbles in sub-block (i, j+1). These methods can also be combined with Kalman filters to incorporate a priori assumptions into these tracking methods.

[0188] Of course, block processing TB i Further steps may be included.

[0189] For example, block processing TB i A microbubble position correction step may be included, which may be combined with the block processing step TB i The other steps in are performed in parallel and include steps for estimating displacements (eg due to patient breathing) and a correction step using these displacements to correct the base image or the enhanced image or directly the microbubble positions calculated during the localization step.

[0190] Block processing can include steps for correcting various aberrations caused by ultrasound waves propagating through biological tissues, such as skull bone or fat layers. For example, these corrections can use microbubbles to determine general patterns in aberrations and use these patterns to correct for delays during combined COMB.

[0191] The method may comprise the step of processing the microbubble trajectories to correct for spatial and temporal sampling artifacts.

[0192] For example, the reconstruction steps RE and REG are performed by accumulation.

[0193] For example, gridding the space into voxels of predefined size and processing TB in blocks i During the follow-up phase or during the first treatment of TB i (i=1 to N) During subsequent phases, each time a contrast agent (e.g., microbubbles) is detected in that voxel, the value of each voxel is increased. This creates a representation of the blood volume in the observed area. For each voxel, the average velocity of microbubbles passing through it can also be represented.

[0194] Alternatively, basic treatment of TB ij include Figure 5 Some steps are shown, such as a combining step COMB and possibly an enhancing step and / or a detecting step and / or a localizing step LO and / or a tracking step SU and / or a reconstruction step RE.

[0195] Advantageously, the block processing TB of order i i comprising, for example, performing an enhancement step AM on each sub-block to obtain an enhanced image IA ij (j=1 to J) After that, the enhanced image IA is generated based on the block of order i. ij (i.e. from j = 1 to J), the image reconstruction step is performed using a random optical wave imaging method called SOFI instead of the detection, localization and tracking steps. The final resolution is improved compared to the resolution of the enhanced image. times.

[0196] Alternatively, ultrasensitive Doppler imaging methods are known, in which the reconstruction step RE comprises generating different data sub-blocks SB for a given i ij The enhanced images obtained (j=1 to J) are temporally averaged.

[0197] Alternatively, after performing the enhancement step AM on each sub-block to obtain the enhanced image IA ij The method then comprises a texture tracking step, more commonly known as Speckle Tracking, in order to obtain an image sequence.

[0198] Alternatively, the block processing step TB i Include the combination step COMB to obtain IE ij The reconstruction step RE is to reconstruct the image by ij All or part of the image IE obtained by the sub-block ij Averaging is performed to obtain what is better known as a B-mode image.

[0199] Acquisition and processing system

[0200] Figure 6 A block diagram of a system SYS according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is configured to implement the method according to the present invention.

[0201] The SYS system includes, for example, an acquisition system SA and a processing system. Figure 6 In the non-limiting example shown, the processing system is a processing device DT.

[0202] Alternatively, the processing system includes different elements that can communicate via wired or wireless means.

[0203] The acquisition system SA includes a probe S and an acquisition device DA.

[0204] The probe S comprises an array R of transducers TR.

[0205] The array of transducers TR can be one-dimensional. The transducers TR are then arranged in a line. For example, the line is straight (in which case the array is linear) or curved. Alternatively, as Figure 6 In the example shown, the transducers TR are arranged in rows and columns on a flat or curved surface. Advantageously, the transducers TR are evenly distributed in space. In one variant, the transducers TR are randomly distributed in space to form a sparse array probe (parsimonious probe). Another variant uses a probe called RCA (Raw-Column Arrays), in which elements in the same row and column are interconnected.

[0206] The acquisition device DA comprises an emitter EM, a controller CTR, a possible multiplexer MUX, a pre-processing module MPR including an analog-to-digital converter CAN, a first memory MT and a probe communication system CO1 .

[0207] The acquisition system DA is configured to carry out the acquisition step A of the method according to the invention.

[0208] The multiplexer MUX selectively addresses the transmit and receive subapertures.

[0209] Each transducer TR transmits an ultrasound pulse when excited by the transmitter EM through the multiplexer MUX.

[0210] The controller CTR is capable of controlling other elements of the acquisition device DA.

[0211] The controller CTR is configured to hk control:

[0212] - a transmitter EM so that it generates a defined excitation for the TR transducer, causing the transmitting subaperture SOo receiving this excitation to emit an ultrasound beam W defined by its temporal and spatial characteristicsk ,

[0213] - A multiplexer MUX allowing the excitation to be transmitted to the transducers of the transmitting sub-aperture SOo.

[0214] For example, the transmitter EM generates an excitation signal of a defined wave waveform and a predetermined frequency and applies different delays to the signal to generate a corresponding basic excitation signal intended to excite the corresponding transducer TR of the transmitting subaperture SOo, thereby defining the W intended to be emitted by the subaperture SOo. k The direction of the beam.

[0215] The controller CTR controls the switch configuration of the multiplexer MUX so that the multiplexer transmits the corresponding excitation element signal to the corresponding transducer TR of the transmitting sub-aperture SOo, so that the array of transducers TR transmits W k Transmit beam.

[0216] The controller CTR is configured to hk The multiplexer MUX is controlled so that only the transducer TR receiving the sub-aperture SOo' will act as W (k) The electrical signal generated as a result of the emission of the ultrasonic beam is transmitted to the pre-processing device MPR.

[0217] The pre-processing device MPR may further comprise, for example, at least one filter and / or a demodulator and / or a time gain compensator and / or a sampler.

[0218] The controller CTR is programmed to control the elements of the acquisition device DA so that the latter performs the acquisition step A.

[0219] In one embodiment, the controller CTR comprises, for example, a set of at least one processor operatively coupled to a memory storing a program executed by the controller CTR for causing the acquisition system DA to perform the acquisition step A.

[0220] The multiplexer MUX transmits the signals received by the transducers TR of the receiving subaperture SOo' to a pre-processing device MPR comprising an analog-to-digital converter CAN in order to generate a digital raw data set RF from the echo signals. ijhk In the storage step MEM hk These data sets are stored in the memory MT of the acquisition device ACQ.

[0221] Advantageously, the first memory MT is a RAM memory, for example, a buffer memory of the acquisition device DA.

[0222] The acquisition device DA comprises a set of at least one communication systems CO1 enabling the acquisition device DA to communicate with the probe S and with a set of at least one communication systems CO2 of the processing device DT in order to be able to transfer data from the memory MT of the acquisition device ACQ to the processing device DT, for example to the second memory MDT of the processing device DT.

[0223] The controller CTR is capable of controlling the communication system C1 of the acquisition device DA so as to transmit data to the communication system CO2 of the processing device DT.

[0224] The processing system, for example the processing device DT, comprises a second memory MDT, a processing unit UT and a human-machine interface INT, the human-machine interface INT comprising an input interface INTE and an output interface INTS.

[0225] Advantageously, as Figure 4 As shown, in the block processing step TB i Previously, the method included converting data block B i Transmission step TRA to the second memory MDT i This has the advantage of clearing the first memory MT and enabling the acquisition method to continue without saturating the first MT memory. Figure 4 In the specific example shown, when the data block B of order i i The transfer steps of TRA i When the block TBi of order i is completed, the processing of the block TBi of order i begins. Alternatively, the block processing step TBi of order i is completed in the transmission step TRA of order i. i In other words, the transmission step is at least partially carried out during the block processing step TB i Once the sub-block is transferred from the first memory MT to the second memory MDT, the block processing TB i You can start now.

[0226] For example, the transmission step TRA i Executed by the communication system CO1 under the control of the controller CTR.

[0227] For example, the transmission step TRA i B in the i+k0th order i+k0 A of data block i+k0 Executed during the acquisition period, during which the i-th order data block B is executed or started i Block processing step TB i .

[0228] exist Figure 1 In the specific example shown, k0 = 1. The smaller k0 is, the smaller the size of the first memory MT is.

[0229] This applies to at least one i, for example all i less than or equal to N-k0.

[0230] Advantageously, in the transmission step TRA i During this period, B is erased from the first MT memory (i) Data block. Transfer data from the first memory MT to TRA i to the second memory MDT, so that in B (i+k)(0) The data acquired during the acquisition of the data blocks can be stored in the first memory MT.

[0231] Advantageously, the second memory MDT is a RAM memory of the processing device DT. One advantage is that the storage speed is fast.

[0232] Advantageously, the data block Bi is transferred directly from the first memory to the second memory MDT without passing through another memory.

[0233] In a particular embodiment, the second memory MDT is GPU memory.

[0234] The processing unit UT is configured to implement the processing step T or at least the block processing step TB of the method according to the invention. i .

[0235] In one embodiment, for example, the processing unit UT includes a set of at least one processor operatively coupled to a memory storing a program executed by the processing unit UT for causing the processing unit UT to perform the processing steps T.

[0236] The processing unit UT and / or the controller CTR are configured to synchronize the operations performed by the acquisition system SA and the processing system in order to implement the method according to the invention.

[0237] Processing TB in blocks i The data generated during this period is stored in the second memory MDT.

[0238] This data may then be transferred to an internal memory of the processing system DT, eg the processing device DT.

[0239] Advantageously, the data are transmitted after acquisition step A.

[0240] Advantageously, these data are transmitted after processing step T.

[0241] Advantageously, the elementary image EI generated during the block processing ij and / or the enhanced image IA generated during block processing ij and position P ijm , any enhanced position PS ijm , any position sequence of various microbubbles and in block processing TBi Any image IR generated during i At the same time, the data are stored in the second memory MDT.

[0242] This enables data generated during the processing of the corresponding block to be stored in the second memory. This enables calculations using data generated during the processing of different sub-blocks of the block processing, such as enhancement using different base images generated during block processing, tracking or reconstruction.

[0243] Alternatively, an improved position PS ijm Replace the position P in the second memory MDT ijm .

[0244] In another variant that is compatible with the previous variant, the location sequence replaces the enhanced location in the second MDT memory.

[0245] In a further variant compatible with the preceding variant, the position P generated during block processing ijm and / or any enhanced position PSi (m) and / or any position sequence of various microbubbles replacing the basic image IE generated during block processing ij and / or the enhanced image IA generated during block processing ij .

[0246] Replacing the image with the location in the second memory significantly reduces the amount of memory occupied and the time required to transfer the data stored in the second memory to another memory.

[0247] In one embodiment, when processing TB in a block i During the process, one or more enhanced images IA are generated. ij When the enhanced image IA ij Replace in block processing TB (i) The basic image IE generated during ij .

[0248] Or, process TB in chunks i Each basic image IE generated during ij And each enhanced image IA ij At the same time, the data are stored in the second memory MDT.

[0249] Advantageously, this applies to each block processing TB performed in the processing step T i Data generated during the period.

[0250] Thus, at the end of the processing step T, the second memory MDT stores the data generated during the processing of each block, or stores the data generated during the processing of each block in each block processing TB. iAt the end, the data in the second memory MDT is retained.

[0251] The data retained in the second memory MDT may then be transferred to an internal memory of the processing system (eg the processing device DT).

[0252] The transmission of these data is advantageously carried out after the acquisition step A.

[0253] Advantageously, these data are transmitted after T processing steps.

[0254] Alternatively, the data is stored directly in the internal memory of the processing device.

[0255] Advantageously, the processing device DT or the processing system is configured to implement AFF i display step, and the processing unit UT is configured to generate data to be displayed during this step.

[0256] This step includes displaying the output from the block processing step TB i This step can be performed in the block processing step TB i At the end of implementation, Figure 5 The examples shown may be implemented at any other point during the block processing steps, as long as data has been generated.

[0257] For example, this involves displaying the position P generated by one or more data sub-blocks. ijm The constructed image IR i Images in IE ij IA ij One of, or a table of numerical values, indicators, or fractions corresponding to those positions.

[0258] If the displayed data is not the data obtained during steps COMB, AM, DE, LO, SU, then the block processes step TB i Advantageously, a step is included for calculating the data to be displayed from the data calculated during one of these steps, so that the data to be displayed are displayed during the display step. Advantageously, each block processing step TB i Including display step AFF i .

[0259] Or at least one block handles TB i Including display step AFF i .

[0260] When basic treatment TB ij Include only Figure 5 When performing some of the steps COMB, AM, DE, LO, SU shown, the processing unit UT is advantageously configured to control the processing of the block TB.i The data generated during this process are transmitted to a second processing unit of the processing system, such as another processing device or a server, via the system CO2. The second processing unit is advantageously configured to implement the remaining steps selected from COMB, AM, DE, LO, SU or at least one of these steps.

[0261] The RE reconstruction step can be implemented by the processing unit UT or by the second processing unit. In the latter case, the processing unit UT is advantageously configured to control the transmission via the system CO2 to the second processing unit of the treatment system.

[0262] Advantageously, in the block processing step T i Basic processing steps implemented during TB ij (from j=1 to J) are executed in parallel, i.e. simultaneously. This enables fast processing of SB ij In other words, data block B can be processed quickly i .

[0263] Alternatively, the basic processing steps TB are performed in parallel for a plurality of sub-blocks selected from the sub-blocks of the block of order i. ij .

[0264] The system, in particular the memory and processing unit, and the communication system are configured, in particular designed, to enable the method according to the invention to be implemented. This configuration is achieved, for example, by experimental means.

[0265] hardware

[0266] From a hardware perspective, the processing system and controller CTR can be considered as a computer interacting with a computer program.

[0267] The processing system DT and the acquisition device DA comprise at least one computer, such as a microcomputer, a computer network, an electronic component, a tablet computer, a smartphone or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0268] The data processing unit UT, any second processing unit and the controller CTR each comprise, for example, a computer comprising a set of at least one processor and possibly a memory operatively coupled to the computer.

[0269] The memory includes, for example, a computer-readable medium, which is a tangible device that can be read by a reader of the processing unit, can store electronic instructions, and is connected to the communication systems CO1, CO2.

[0270] In other words, a computer-readable medium is a tangible medium. In other words, it is not itself a transient signal, such as a radio wave or other freely propagating electromagnetic wave, such as a light pulse or an electronic signal. Such a computer-readable storage medium is, for example, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any combination thereof.

[0271] Examples of readable media include optical disks, magneto-optical disks, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic cards, or optical cards.

[0272] Each of the first memory MT and the second memory MDT may be of one of the types described above.

[0273] The readable medium may include an operating system and a loader according to the present invention. It may include registers adapted to record parameter variables created and modified during execution of the above-mentioned program. The computer program containing the software instructions may then be stored on the readable medium.

[0274] Alternatively, program instructions are obtained from an external source and downloaded over a network. This is particularly true for application programs.

[0275] The data processing unit UT, any second processing unit and the controller CTR each comprise a computer, i.e. at least one electronic data processing circuit designed to manipulate and / or convert data represented by electronic or physical quantities in registers and / or memories of the evaluation system into other similar data corresponding to physical data in register memories or other types of display devices, transmission devices or storage devices.

[0276] The data processing unit UT and / or any second processing unit and / or the controller CTR comprises, for example, a memory for storing data operatively coupled to the data processing circuitry and a reader adapted to read a computer-readable medium.

[0277] The steps of the method according to the invention are performed, for example, by causing the processing circuits of the data processing unit UT, of a possible second processing unit and of the controller CTR to read a predetermined program stored on hardware such as a memory, so that their data processing circuits perform calculations, control communications and read and / or write data to the memory.

[0278] For example, processing steps are performed on a processing device, such as a single computer, or on a distributed system among multiple computers (particularly through the use of cloud computing).

[0279] The data processing unit UT, any second processing unit and the controller CTR each comprise at least one computer comprising at least the elements listed below: a set of one or more processors (e.g. at least one central processing unit (CPU) and / or at least one graphics processing unit (GPU) and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one digital signal processor (DSP)) capable of interpreting instructions in the form of computer programs and / or hardware elements (e.g. electronic circuit boards), wherein the steps of the method according to the invention are implemented in the hardware elements.

[0280] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit UT includes a GPU graphics processor. Alternatively, the processing unit includes a central processing unit (CPU).

[0281] The invention relates to a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit, cause a system S to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention, ie to execute the functional blocks of the system according to the invention.

[0282] The program product may include a computer-readable recording medium.

[0283] Alternatively, the program instructions are obtained from an external source and downloaded via a network. This is particularly true for application programs. In this case, the computer program product comprises a computer-readable data carrier on which the program instructions are stored, or a data carrier signal on which the program instructions are encoded.

[0284] The program instructions may be in the form of source code, computer executable form, or any intermediate form between source code and computer executable form, such as a form obtained by converting the source code by an interpreter, assembler, compiler, linker, or locator. Alternatively, the program instructions may be microcode, firmware instructions, state definition data, configuration data for an integrated circuit (e.g., VHDL), or object code. The program instructions may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, such as object-oriented programming languages ​​(C++, JAVA, Python), or procedural programming languages ​​(e.g., C).

[0285] The communication systems CO1 and CO2 enable communication between system components and possibly between at least one system component and a device external to the system. The communication systems may establish physical links between system components and / or between system components and devices external to the system, and / or establish remote (wireless) communication links between system components and / or between system components and devices external to the system.

[0286] A communication system may include any hardware, firmware, and / or software suitable for communicating information between components of a device to which the communication system belongs (e.g., via a data bus) or with components external to the device. To enable data communication between different devices to which the communication system belongs, these systems include firmware and / or software hardware that enables the establishment of wired or wireless communication links, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, or Ethernet, between them.

[0287] The user interface INT enables a user to enter data or commands in order to be able to interact with the program according to the invention.

[0288] The user interface INT includes, for example, an output interface INTS and an input interface INTE.

[0289] Input interfaces include, for example, a keyboard or a pointing interface such as a mouse, an optical pen, a touchpad, a remote control, a voice recognition device, or a haptic device.

[0290] The output interface INTS is designed to output information to the user in a sensory or electrical manner, for example, visually or auditorily. The output interface includes, for example, a display. Then, the display step AFF i There may be a step of recovering information from the data generated during the processing of the blocks of order i through the output interface INTS in a manner other than a display.

[0291] The output interface INTS may be an input device INTE, for example in the case of a touch screen tablet computer.

[0292] The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions enabling a system according to the present invention to execute the steps of the method according to the present invention, and to a computer-readable medium having the computer program recorded thereon.

[0293] Specific material implementation plan

[0294] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the DA acquisition device includes a housing that encloses and / or supports the Figure 6 DA acquisition device elements shown. The DA acquisition device forms an object intended to be connected to an S-probe.

[0295] exist Figure 6 In the particular embodiment shown, the processing system is a processing device DT, such as a microcomputer, designed to be connected to the acquisition device DA via wired or wireless communication, such as via a Wifi network.

[0296] Alternatively, the acquisition device DA is integrated into the processing device DT.

[0297] In a particular embodiment, the processing device DT is a microcomputer, such as a laptop or a portable personal computer.

[0298] For example, the processing device DT may be mounted on wheels so that a human can easily move it.

[0299] Alternatively, the processing system includes a first processing device including a second memory MDT and a processing unit. The processing system also includes an output device including an interface INT or an output interface INTS communicatively connected to the processing device (e.g., wirelessly or by wire) via a communication system CO2. For example, the output device is a phone or a tablet. Alternatively, the processing unit UT is distributed between the first processing device and the output device, such that the output device performs a portion of the block processing.

Claims

1. A method for collecting and processing ultrasound waves, the method comprising: N basic data blocks of order i (B i ), wherein i=1 to N, and the computer-implemented basic data blocks (B i ) of the sequence processing (T); each original basic data block (B i ) is the order i of the data blocks (B i )’s collection sequence number; The sequential acquisition (A) includes: for each basic data block, the data block of order i (B i ) collection (A i ); the data block of order i (B i ) collection (A i ) includes performing J data sub-block acquisitions of order j (SB ij ), where j=1 to J, J is greater than 1; the sub-block acquisition includes: for at least one transmit / receive configuration (C) defined by a transmit subaperture (SOo) and a receive subaperture (SOo') of an array (R) of transducers (TR); h ) set of each transmit / receive configuration (C h ), perform at least one separate acquisition sequence (si ijhk ), the at least one separate acquisition sequence (si ijhk )include: ■ The ultrasonic beam (W) is transmitted through the transmitting sub-aperture (SOo) k )Emit(E hk ) to the patient's region of interest, ■ Receive (R) through the receiving sub-aperture (SOo') hk ) an echo generated by the region of interest under the action of the ultrasound beam to generate an electrical signal, ■Pretreatment (PT hk ), including digitizing the signal in the electrical signal to generate a basic data set (RF hkji ), The sequential processing (T) comprises: for at least one basic data block (B i ), performs computer-implemented block processing of order i (TB i ); the block processing (TB i ) includes: for at least one data sub-block (SB of order j ij ), perform basic processing (TB ij ); the basic treatment (TB ij ) includes: combining (COMB) the data of the data sub-blocks of order j to generate a basic image (IE ij ), The block processing (TB i ) in the order i+k0 collection (A i+k0 ) period, where k0 is an integer greater than 0, and i+k0 is less than or equal to N.

2. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein: J is between 2 and 2000.

3. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein: N is between 2 and 10,000.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The block processing (TB i ) in the data block (B i+1 ) collection (A i+1 ) period.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The block processing (TB i ) only in the data block (B i+k0 ) collection (A i+k0 ) period.

6. The method according to claim 1 , comprising the step of collecting data blocks at the order i+k0. i+k0 ) period, the block processing (TB) from the order i is provided to the user through the user interface (INT) i ) information about the data generated during the period.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The basic treatment (TB ij ) includes relative to other signal enhancement (AM) from the basic image (IE ij ) to obtain an enhanced basic image (IAij).

8. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein The block processing (TB i ) includes: for multiple data sub-blocks (SB of order j ij ) in each, perform basic processing (TB ij ); the basic treatment (TB ij ) includes a combined (COMB) order j of data sub-blocks (SB ij ) data to generate multiple basic images (IE ij ), using the basic image of order j (IE ij ) and at least one other basic image generated for another data sub-block to enhance (AM) the basic image (IE) of order j ij ).

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The basic treatment (TB ij ) includes detecting from the basic image or from the basic image (IE ij ) to obtain the contrast agent position set (PS ijm ).

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The block processing (TB i ) includes: for multiple data sub-blocks (SB of order j ij ) in each, perform basic processing (TB ij ); the basic treatment (TB ij ) includes a combined (COMB) order j of data sub-blocks (SB ij ) data to generate multiple basic images (IE ij ), the block processing (TB i ) includes tracking (SU) a contrast agent on a plurality of base images or on images derived from a base image to obtain a set of contrast agent positions.

11. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein The block processing (TB i ) includes reconstructing (RE) an image (IR) representing a set of contrast agent positions i ) steps.

12. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein Sequential processing (T) includes performing said block processing (TB) on a plurality of blocks. i ) to generate multiple images (IR i ), the sequential processing (T) comprises generating from a plurality of images (IR i ) in which global reconstruction (REG) and global image (IG).

13. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The block processing (TB i ) includes basic processing (TB) implemented in parallel for corresponding data sub-blocks ij ).

14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The separate acquisition sequence (si ijhk ) comprises storing the basic data set in a first memory (MT); the method comprises performing, at least in part before the block processing (TBi), a transfer of the basic data blocks of order i to a second memory (MDT).

15. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein: The first memory (MT) and the second memory (MDT) are random access memories, and the basic data block is transferred from the first memory (MT) to the second memory (MDT) without passing through the other memory.

16. An ultrasound acquisition and processing system configured to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims, the acquisition and processing system comprising: ■ an acquisition system (SA) comprising an array (R) of transducers (TR) and configured to carry out the acquisition step, ■ A processing system (DT) configured to carry out sequential processing steps (T).

17. The system according to claim 16, configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein: The acquisition system (SA) comprises the first memory (MT), the processing system (DT) is intended to be communicatively connected to the acquisition system (SA), and the processing system (SA) comprises the second memory (MDT).

18. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein the instructions cause the system of claim 16 to perform the steps of the method of claim 1.

19. A computer-readable medium having recorded thereon the computer program according to claim 18.

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