Preset optimized fast guide for improved image quality

Abstract

The invention relates to a preset optimization fast wizard for improving image quality. Systems and methods for performing ultrasound image acquisition using an ultrasound probe include performing ultrasound image acquisition using an ultrasound probe; activating, by the at least one processor, the user interface; presenting, by the at least one processor via the user interface, one or more image quality characteristics for the ultrasound image acquisition; receiving, by the at least one processor, feedback for adjusting an image quality characteristic of the one or more image quality characteristics, wherein the image quality characteristic includes one or more image quality parameters; adapting, by the at least one processor, the ultrasound image acquisition based on the feedback to adjust the image quality characteristic by modifying the one or more image quality parameters and produce an adapted ultrasound image acquisition; and presenting, by the at least one processor, the ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition via the user interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Certain embodiments relate to ultrasound imaging. More particularly, certain embodiments relate to a preset optimization quick wizard for efficiently configuring and / or adjusting ultrasound images to improve image quality. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasound imaging is a medical imaging technique used to image organs and soft tissues in the human body. Ultrasound imaging uses real-time, non-invasive, high-frequency sound waves to produce two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and / or four-dimensional (4D) (i.e., real-time / continuous 3D images) images.

[0003] Ultrasound imaging is a powerful visualization tool. Ultrasound images are acquired by an ultrasound probe, which can be used to scan anatomical structures to produce the ultrasound image. However, current methods and ultrasound systems for configuring and / or optimizing ultrasound images can be inefficient and / or require a high level of technical knowledge from the user.

[0004] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to those skilled in the art by comparing such systems with certain aspects of the present disclosure as set forth in the remainder of this application with reference to the accompanying figures. Summary of the Invention

[0005] There is provided a system and / or method for providing a preset optimization quick guide for improving image quality, substantially as shown and / or described in connection with at least one of the accompanying drawings, as more fully set forth in the claims.

[0006] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of illustrated embodiments thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system that may be operable to acquire ultrasound images utilizing a preset optimization quick wizard in accordance with various embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2 is an exemplary display of an ultrasound image according to various embodiments.

[0009] Figure 3 is an example illustration including a preset optimization wizard and a table of exemplary image quality characteristics and image parameters.

[0010] Figure 4 is an exemplary display of an adapted ultrasound image according to various embodiments.

[0011] Figure 5is an exemplary display including an ultrasound image and an adapted ultrasound image according to various embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6 is an exemplary display of an exemplary menu including a preset optimization quick guide according to various embodiments.

[0013] Figure 7 is an exemplary display of an exemplary submenu including a preset optimization quick guide according to various embodiments.

[0014] Figure 8 is an exemplary display of a second exemplary menu including a preset optimization quick guide according to various embodiments.

[0015] Figure 9 is an exemplary display of a second exemplary resource menu including a preset optimization quick guide according to various embodiments.

[0016] Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps 1102 through 1118 that may be used to adjust an ultrasound image using a preset optimization quick wizard, according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Certain embodiments may be found in methods and systems for providing a preset optimization quick wizard for efficiently configuring and / or adjusting ultrasound images to improve image quality. Aspects of the present disclosure have the technical effect of providing ultrasound images of improved quality using the preset optimization quick wizard. Various embodiments have the technical effect of assisting a user in configuring an ultrasound system when using the system for the first time and / or modifying ultrasound system settings. Certain embodiments have the technical effect of modifying ultrasound image settings for different types of ultrasound and / or to obtain improved ultrasound images. Certain embodiments have the technical effect of providing a preset optimization wizard for improving the appearance of ultrasound images.

[0018] Certain embodiments have the technical effect of improving the quality of ultrasound images by adjusting image parameters and / or image characteristics of the ultrasound images. Various embodiments have the technical effect of providing enhanced ultrasound image clarity and detail in real-time ultrasound images, thereby facilitating diagnosis using ultrasound images and, in many cases, shortening ultrasound scan times for patients.

[0019] When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the following specific embodiments of the foregoing invention and certain embodiments will be better understood. With respect to the scope of the diagrams showing the functional blocks of various embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, these functional blocks do not necessarily represent the division between the hardware circuit systems. Therefore, for example, one or more functional blocks (e.g., processors or memories) can be implemented in a single piece of hardware (e.g., a general-purpose signal processor or random access memory block, a hard disk, etc.) or multiple pieces of hardware. Similarly, a program can be an independent program, can be included in an operating system as a subroutine, can be a function in an installed software package, etc. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and tools shown in the accompanying drawings. It should also be understood that embodiments can be combined, or other embodiments can be utilized, and structural, logical and electrical changes can be made without departing from the scope of each embodiment. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be regarded as restrictive, and the scope of this disclosure is limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0020] As used herein, elements or steps listed in the singular and beginning with the word "a" or "an" should be understood not to exclude a plurality of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "exemplary embodiments," "various embodiments," "certain embodiments," "representative embodiments," and the like are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also include the features recited. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments that "comprise," "include," or "have" an element or elements having a particular property may include additional elements that do not have that property.

[0021] In addition, as used herein, the term "image" refers broadly to both a visible image and the data representing the visible image. However, many embodiments generate (or are configured to generate) at least one visible image. In addition, as used herein, the phrase "image" is used to refer to an ultrasound mode, which can be one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) or four-dimensional (4D), and includes brightness mode (B mode), motion mode (M mode), color motion mode (CM mode), color flow mode (CF mode), pulsed wave (PW) Doppler, continuous wave (CW) Doppler, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and / or a sub-mode of B mode and / or CF mode, such as harmonic imaging, shear wave elastography (SWEI), strain elastography, tissue velocity imaging (TVI), power Doppler imaging (PDI), B flow, microangiography (MVI), ultrasound-guided attenuation parameters (UGAP), etc. As used herein, the term "ultrasound image" is used to refer to an ultrasound image and / or ultrasound image volume, such as a biplane image, a single 2D image, a rendering of a volume (3D / 4D), a 2D biplane image slice extracted from a volume (3D / 4D), and / or any suitable ultrasound image. In some examples, the ultrasound image can be a still image or an ultrasound segment. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "still image" may be used to refer to a single ultrasound frame, while the term "ultrasound segment" may be used to refer to multiple ultrasound frames acquired in sequence, each ultrasound frame acquired at a different time point. When displayed, each ultrasound frame in an ultrasound segment is displayed sequentially, which allows the ultrasound segment to display motion in a manner similar to a movie. An ultrasound segment, also commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as a cine loop, may include 2D or 3D ultrasound frames acquired over a period of time. In some examples, the ultrasound image and / or ultrasound segment can be displayed in real time and / or stored on a computer-readable medium for subsequent retrieval.

[0022] Furthermore, as used herein, the term processor or processing unit refers to any type of processing unit that can perform the required computations required by various embodiments, such as a single-core or multi-core CPU, an accelerated processing unit (APU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a combination thereof.

[0023] It should be noted that the various embodiments described herein for generating or forming an image may include a process for forming the image that includes beamforming in some embodiments and does not include beamforming in other embodiments. For example, an image may be formed without beamforming, such as by multiplying a matrix of demodulated data by a coefficient matrix such that the product is an image, and wherein the process does not form any "beams." Furthermore, image formation may be performed using channel combining (e.g., synthetic aperture techniques) that may result from more than one transmission event.

[0024] In various embodiments, ultrasound processing to form images, including ultrasound beamforming, such as receive beamforming, is performed, for example, in software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. One specific implementation of an ultrasound system having a software beamformer architecture formed according to various embodiments is described in Figure 1 Shown in.

[0025] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound system 100 operable to obtain an ultrasound volume from a biplane ultrasound scan. Figure 1 , shows an ultrasound system 100 and a training system 200. The ultrasound system 100 includes a transmitter 102, an ultrasound probe 104, a transmit beamformer 110, a receiver 118, a receive beamformer 120, an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter 122, a radio frequency (RF) processor 124, an RF quadrature (RF / IQ) buffer 126, a user input device 130, a signal processor 132, an image buffer 136, a display system 134, and an archive 138.

[0026] The transmitter 102 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to drive the ultrasound probe 104. The ultrasound probe 104 may include a two-dimensional (2D) array of piezoelectric elements. In various embodiments, the ultrasound probe 104 may be a matrix array transducer or any suitable transducer operable to acquire 2D and / or 3D ultrasound image data sets. The ultrasound probe 104 may include a set of transmit transducer elements 106 and a set of receive transducer elements 108 that are generally constructed of identical elements. In certain embodiments, the ultrasound probe 104 may be operable to acquire ultrasound image data covering at least a majority of an anatomical structure, such as the abdomen, heart, fetus, lungs, blood vessels, or any suitable anatomical structure. As non-limiting examples, the ultrasound probe 104 may be a curved probe, a convex probe, or a phased array probe.

[0027] The transmit beamformer 110 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to control the transmitter 102 to drive the set of transmit transducer elements 106 via the transmit sub-aperture beamformer 114 to transmit ultrasound transmit signals into a region of interest (e.g., a person, an animal, an underground cavity, a physical structure, etc.). The transmitted ultrasound signals may be backscattered from structures in the object of interest (such as blood cells or tissue) to generate echoes, which are received by the receive transducer elements 108.

[0028] The set of receive transducer elements 108 in the ultrasound probe 104 may be operable to convert received echoes into analog signals, perform sub-aperture beamforming via the receive sub-aperture beamformer 116, and then communicate to the receiver 118. The receiver 118 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to receive the signals from the receive sub-aperture beamformer 116. The analog signals may be communicated to one or more of the plurality of A / D converters 122.

[0029] The plurality of A / D converters 122 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to convert analog signals from the receiver 118 into corresponding digital signals. The plurality of A / D converters 122 are disposed between the receiver 118 and the RF processor 124. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Thus, in some embodiments, the plurality of A / D converters 122 may be integrated within the receiver 118.

[0030] The RF processor 124 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to demodulate the digital signals output by the plurality of A / D converters 122. Depending on the embodiment, the RF processor 124 may include a complex demodulator (not shown) that may be operable to demodulate the digital signals to form I / Q data pairs representing corresponding echo signals. The RF or I / Q signal data may then be communicated to the RF / IQ buffer 126. The RF / IQ buffer 126 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to provide temporary storage of the RF or I / Q signal data generated by the RF processor 124.

[0031] The receive beamformer 120 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to perform digital beamforming processing, such as summing delayed channel signals received from the RF processor 124 via the RF / IQ buffer 126 and outputting a beam-summed signal. The resulting processed information may be the beam-summed signal output from the receive beamformer 120 and communicated to the signal processor 132. According to some embodiments, the receiver 118, the plurality of A / D converters 122, the RF processor 124, and the beamformer 120 may be integrated into a single beamformer, which may be a digital beamformer. In various embodiments, the ultrasound system 100 includes a plurality of receive beamformers 120.

[0032] The user input device 130 may be used to input patient data, scan parameters, settings, select a protocol and / or template, select displacement parameters to acquire displacement in one or more directions and / or rotational displacement, manipulate the acquired 3D volume, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the user input device 130 may be operable to configure, manage, and / or control the operation of one or more components and / or modules in the ultrasound system 100. In this regard, the user input device 130 may be operable to configure, manage, and / or control the operation of the transmitter 102, the ultrasound probe 104, the transmit beamformer 110, the receiver 118, the receive beamformer 120, the RF processor 124, the RF / IQ buffer 126, the user input device 130, the signal processor 132, the image buffer 136, the display system 134, and / or the archive 138. The user input device 130 may include buttons, rotary encoders, touch screens, motion tracking, voice recognition, a mouse device, a keyboard, a camera, and / or any other device capable of receiving user commands. In certain embodiments, one or more of the user input devices 130 can be integrated into other components, such as the display system 134 or the ultrasound probe 104, for example. For example, the user input device 130 can include a touch screen display.

[0033] The signal processor 132 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to process ultrasound scan data (i.e., the summed IQ signal) to generate an ultrasound image for presentation on the display system 134. The signal processor 132 may be operable to perform one or more processing operations based on a plurality of selectable ultrasound modalities on the acquired ultrasound scan data. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal processor 132 may be operable to perform display processing and / or control processing, among other things. The acquired ultrasound scan data may be processed in real time during a scanning session as echo signals are received. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasound scan data may be temporarily stored in the RF / IQ buffer 126 during a scanning session and processed in a less-than-real-time manner in either online or offline operations. In various embodiments, the processed image data may be presented at the display system 134 and / or stored at an archive 138. The archive 138 may be a local archive, a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a remote archive, or any other suitable device for storing images and related information.

[0034] The signal processor 132 may be one or more central processing units, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and the like. For example, the signal processor 132 may be an integrated component or may be distributed across various locations. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal processor 132 may include an image acquisition processor 140, a settings processor 150, and an adaptation processor 160. The signal processor 132 may be capable of receiving input information from the user input device 130 and / or the archive 138, generating output that may be displayed by the display system 134, and manipulating the output in response to the input information from the user input device 130, among other things. For example, the signal processor 132, the image acquisition processor 140, the settings processor 150, and / or the adaptation processor 160 may be capable of executing any of the methods and / or instruction sets discussed herein according to various embodiments.

[0035] The ultrasound system 100 may be operable to continuously acquire ultrasound scan data at a frame rate appropriate for the imaging situation under consideration. Typical frame rates are in the range of 20 to 120, but may be lower or higher. The acquired ultrasound scan data may be displayed on the display system 134 at the same rate as the frame rate or at a display rate that is slower or faster than the frame rate. An image buffer 136 is included to store processed frames of acquired ultrasound scan data that are not scheduled for immediate display. Preferably, the image buffer 136 has sufficient capacity to store at least several minutes' worth of ultrasound scan data frames. The frames of ultrasound scan data are stored in a manner that allows for easy retrieval based on the order or time of their acquisition. The image buffer 136 may be embodied as any known data storage medium.

[0036] The signal processor 132 may include an image acquisition processor 140 that includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to acquire ultrasound images of anatomical structures, such as cardiac structures, gastrointestinal structures, urinary structures, reproductive structures, cardiac structures, pulmonary structures, and / or any suitable anatomical structures. The ultrasound images may be ultrasound images and / or ultrasound image volumes, such as biplane images, single 2D images, renderings of volumes (3D / 4D), 2D biplane image slices extracted from volumes (3D / 4D), and / or any suitable ultrasound images. In some examples, the ultrasound images are still images and / or ultrasound segments. In some examples, the ultrasound images are acquired and displayed in real time for viewing by a user on the display 134.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the image acquisition processor 140 may acquire ultrasound images of anatomical structures using the ultrasound probe 104. In some examples, the image acquisition processor 140 may capture the ultrasound images and / or display the ultrasound images to a user on the display system 134. In some examples, the image acquisition processor 140 may display the ultrasound images according to default settings and / or preconfigured settings. In some examples, the default settings and / or preconfigured settings may be provided by the settings processor 150 or the adaptation processor 160. As non-limiting examples, the settings may include ultrasound acquisition settings such as image parameters, image characteristics, anatomical structures, etc. In some examples, the image acquisition processor 140 may display the ultrasound images in real time (e.g., a live view) and / or store the ultrasound images in the archive 138 and / or any suitable data storage medium.

[0038] Figure 2 A display 300 is provided that includes a user interface 310, an ultrasound image 320, and a configuration tool 330. The user interface 310 may include the ultrasound image 320 and the configuration tool 330. In some examples, the configuration tool 330 may be a separate user interface 310 on the display 300 and / or may be a separate input device. The user interface 310 may be activated and / or generated by the acquisition processor 140. The ultrasound image 320 may be acquired by the ultrasound probe 104 and positioned on the user interface 310 along with the configuration tool 330.

[0039] The configuration tool 330 can be a knob, a dial, a trackball configuration, and / or another type of user interface. In some examples, the configuration tool 330 can include graphical buttons 332 or other icons representing different functions for a user to provide input for settings associated with the ultrasound image 320. For example, as non-limiting examples, the graphical buttons 332 can represent functions such as: reverting 334 to a previous ultrasound image, switching 336 between the ultrasound image 330 and an ultrasound image with adapted settings, increasing and / or decreasing settings associated with the ultrasound image 330 (e.g., more 340, less 342), saving 344 changes made to settings, providing a split-screen view 350 or side-by-side display depicting both the original ultrasound image and the ultrasound image with the updated settings, and saving 338 current settings as preset settings. Other graphical buttons for other functions may also be present.

[0040] Additionally and / or alternatively, the configuration tool 330 can be used to configure and / or adjust settings associated with the ultrasound image 330, retrieve the settings, and save the settings in the archive 138 and / or any other suitable data storage medium as preset settings. In some examples, these settings can be stored with labels representing anatomical structures (such as kidney, heart, other anatomical structures) and / or other customized labels so that a user can quickly and efficiently retrieve preset image quality settings (such as image quality parameters and / or characteristics) or other settings that have been configured and saved. In some examples, the ultrasound system 100 can include default settings, image quality parameters, and / or image characteristics, which can be updated and / or modified by the configuration tool 330.

[0041] Figure 3 is an example illustration 400 that includes a preset optimization wizard 410 and a table 420 of example settings, the settings table including example image quality characteristics 430 and example image parameters 440 that may be adapted based on the preset optimization wizard 410. The preset optimization wizard 410 may be provided by the settings processor 150 as a user interface that allows a user to input, update, and / or modify the image quality characteristics 430 and / or image parameters 440. In some examples, the preset optimization wizard 410 may include configuration tools, menus, submenus, and / or other user interfaces that provide guidance or information to the user regarding image quality settings and / or allow the user to input, update, and / or modify the image quality characteristics 430 and / or image parameters 440. In some examples, the preset optimization wizard 410 may present different configuration tools, menus, submenus, and / or user interfaces depending on the ultrasound mode being used. For example, the preset optimization wizard 410 may present different image quality characteristics and / or different user parameters to modify the image quality characteristics based on the ultrasound mode being used, as described above and below with respect to Figures 6 to 9 Provide a description.

[0042] The preset optimization wizard 410 may present a question or series of questions to the user regarding image quality and / or image appearance. For example, as non-limiting examples, the preset optimization wizard may present questions to the user such as, "Would you prefer a higher contrast image?", "Would you prefer a darker image?", "Would you prefer a brighter image?", "Would you prefer a higher axial resolution?", etc. The preset optimization wizard may also ask questions with alternatives. For example, the preset optimization wizard may ask questions such as, "Would you prefer a brighter or darker image?", "Would you prefer a lower contrast or higher contrast image?", etc.

[0043] The answers provided by the user may be used to configure adapted image parameters 440 for the ultrasound image, and the image acquisition processor 140 and / or the adaptation processor 160 may use the adapted image parameters to acquire and / or display the ultrasound image. Additionally and / or alternatively, the answers provided by the user may be saved as preset settings in an archive and / or other suitable computer-readable storage medium.

[0044] In some examples, the preset optimization wizard 410 may provide information to the user regarding each image quality setting, such as the settings provided in table 420. In some examples, the setting information may include information regarding image quality characteristics, image parameters, other settings, and the like. The information provided to the user may include information regarding the functionality of the user parameters, such that the user may customize the user parameters based on the effect of each parameter on the ultrasound image. For example, the preset optimization wizard 410 may present information regarding contrast, brightness, and the like in the same user interface as the preset optimization wizard 410, in a separate user interface, as a pop-up, or any other suitable display method.

[0045] The settings table 420 includes image quality (IQ) parameters 430, which are composed of a combination of various adapted image parameters 440 that act as modifiers for image quality characteristics 430. The image quality characteristics 430 may be adapted based on responses provided by the user via the preset optimization wizard 410. The image quality characteristics 430 may relate to the appearance and / or quality of the captured ultrasound image, such as contrast, resolution, brightness, softness, penetration, geometry, etc. Each image quality characteristic may be composed of one or more image parameters. In some examples, an image quality characteristic may be composed of various image parameters that produce improved or customized image quality and / or appearance. In some examples, different image quality characteristics may include one or more of the same image parameters. In some examples, a combination of image parameters (i.e., adapted user parameters) may be modified for each of the image quality characteristics. In some examples, the image quality characteristics 430 and / or image parameters 440 used by the preset optimization wizard 410 are based on the ultrasound scan type and / or mode.

[0046] For example, as a non-limiting example, contrast 431 may include contrast image parameters 441, such as dynamic contrast, color rendering index (CRI) filter, grayscale map, suppression, tone map, monitor settings, speckle reduction imaging (SRI) level, etc. Resolution 432 may include resolution image parameters 442, such as frequency, enhancement, line density, SRI level, etc. Brightness 433 may include brightness image parameters 443, such as gain, power, auto button, monitor settings, etc. Softness 434 may include softness image parameters 444, such as line filter, frame filter, CRI level, enhancement, suppression, SRI level, etc. Penetration 435 may include penetration image parameters 445, such as frequency, TGC, power, gain, focus position, etc. Geometry 436 may include geometric image parameters 446, such as depth, scale, angle, etc. Each of the image parameters 440 that make up image quality characteristics 430 may be set to certain values ​​to form adapted image parameters 440 for each of the image quality characteristics. An image quality characteristic may include a value for each image parameter comprising the image quality characteristic. In some examples, different image quality characteristics may include the same image parameter, and the different image parameters may have the same or different values ​​for the image parameters included in the different image quality characteristics. For example, an image quality parameter for contrast may include a specific value, SRI level, and softness may also include a specific value, SRI level. In some examples, the value of the SRI level for contrast and the value of the SRI level for softness may be the same or different.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 , the signal processor may include a settings processor 150 that includes suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to provide a preset optimization wizard and / or settings related to ultrasound image acquisition and / or display, such as image quality characteristics, image parameters, and / or other settings. The preset optimization wizard 410 may provide a user interface, configuration tools, menus / submenus, and / or other input tools for configuring / updating image quality settings for acquiring and / or displaying ultrasound images. The preset optimization wizard 410 may be an interactive tool for guiding a user to configure, update, and / or modify image quality settings for ultrasound images. In some examples, the preset optimization wizard of the settings processor 150 may solicit user feedback by presenting a question or a series of questions to the preset optimization wizard to customize image quality characteristics and / or image parameters used by the acquisition processor 140 to acquire ultrasound images. The settings processor 150 may ask the user questions about image quality and / or appearance, such as those described above with respect to Figure 3 As stated.

[0048] Additionally and / or alternatively, the settings processor 150 may inquire about the anatomical structure being scanned and / or may load default values ​​and / or preset settings for image quality characteristics and / or image parameters based on the anatomical structure being scanned. The settings processor 150 may then convert or adapt the user's answers to the questions into image settings, such as image quality characteristics and / or image parameters. In some examples, the image quality characteristics and / or image parameters are values. The answers provided by the user may be used to determine the ultrasound image settings used by the image acquisition processor 140 to capture and / or display ultrasound images. In some examples, these settings may be provided by the settings processor 150 to the acquisition processor 140, the adaptation processor 160, and / or may be stored in the archive 138 or other computer-readable medium.

[0049] Additionally and / or alternatively, the preset optimization wizard 410 may provide information about image quality settings, such as image quality characteristics, image parameters, and / or other ultrasound image settings, thereby educating the user about the various settings and how the settings may affect the appearance of the ultrasound image. This information may be stored in an archive or other suitable computer-readable medium. In some examples, the information may be presented to the user upon request (e.g., by the user selecting a setting). In some other examples, the information may be provided within the preset optimization wizard and / or when the user enters feedback on the setting configuration.

[0050] In some examples, once the preset optimization wizard has obtained feedback from the user, the settings processor 150 can provide a configuration tool and / or menu / submenu to allow the user to update and / or modify image quality characteristics and / or image parameters. The configuration tool 330 can be a knob, dial, trackball configuration, and / or another type of user interface that provides the user with functionality such as, by way of non-limiting example, restoring to a previous ultrasound image, switching between the ultrasound image 330 and an ultrasound image with adjusted settings, increasing and / or decreasing settings associated with the ultrasound image 330, persisting changes made to settings, providing a split-screen or side-by-side display depicting both the original ultrasound image and the ultrasound image with the updated settings, saving the current settings as preset settings, and other functionality. Additionally and / or alternatively, the configuration tool 330 of the settings processor 150 can be used to configure and / or adjust settings associated with the ultrasound image 330, retrieve settings, and save settings in the archive 138 and / or any other suitable data storage medium as preset settings.

[0051] In some examples, the image quality characteristics may include image parameters having corresponding values. In some examples, each of the image quality characteristics may be increased or decreased by increasing and / or decreasing the various image parameters that comprise each of the image quality characteristics. For example, the value of each image parameter may be increased and / or decreased when contrast increases or decreases. For example, the image parameters that comprise contrast (such as dynamic contrast, color rendering index (CRI) filter, grayscale map, suppression, tone map, monitor settings, speckle reduction imaging (SRI) level, etc.) may each be individually increased and / or decreased. In some examples, the values ​​of the image parameters that comprise the image quality characteristics may be previously configured and / or saved default settings. In some other examples, the values ​​of the image parameters that comprise the image quality characteristics may be input and / or modified by a user and then saved as preset settings.

[0052] Figure 4 A display 500 is provided that includes a user interface 510, an adapted ultrasound image 520, and a configuration tool 530. The display 500 may include the user interface 510 that includes the ultrasound image 520 and the configuration tool 530. Additionally and / or alternatively, the configuration tool 530 may be a separate user interface on the display 500 and / or may be a separate input device. The user interface 510 may be activated or generated by the acquisition processor 140 and / or the adaptation processor 160. The adapted ultrasound image 520 may be acquired by the ultrasound probe 104 and positioned on the user interface 510 along with the configuration tool 530 by the adaptation processor 160.

[0053] As non-limiting examples, the configuration tool 530 may be configured as a knob, dial, and / or trackball, and / or may include graphical buttons 532 or other icons representing different functions for the user to provide input for settings related to the adapted ultrasound image 520, as described above. For example, the graphical button 532 may represent a function such as reverting to Figure 2 In some examples, as a non-limiting example, the graphic button 532 may be used to Figure 2 The apparatus may further include: a display that allows the user to switch between the original ultrasound image 320 and the adapted ultrasound image 520, adjust the appearance of the ultrasound image 520 by increasing or decreasing image quality characteristics and / or user parameters, save changes made to the image appearance, switch to a split-screen or side-by-side display depicting both the original ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image, save the current settings as a preset setting, and other functions.

[0054] The configuration tool 530 can be a knob, a dial, a trackball configuration, and / or another type of user interface. In some examples, the configuration tool 530 can include graphical buttons 532 or other icons representing different functions for a user to provide input for settings associated with the ultrasound image 520. For example, as non-limiting examples, the graphical buttons 532 can represent functions such as: reverting 534 to a previous ultrasound image, switching 536 between the ultrasound image 520 and an ultrasound image with adapted settings, increasing and / or decreasing settings associated with the ultrasound image 530 (e.g., more 540, less 542), saving 544 changes made to settings, providing a split-screen view 550 or side-by-side display depicting both the original ultrasound image and the ultrasound image with the updated settings, saving 538 current settings as preset settings; other functional graphical buttons 532 may also exist.

[0055] Additionally and / or alternatively, the configuration tool 530 can be used to configure and / or adjust image quality settings associated with the ultrasound image 520, retrieve the image quality settings, and save the settings in the archive 138 and / or any other suitable data storage medium. In some examples, the stored image quality settings can be stored with labels such as kidney, heart, other anatomical structures, and / or other customized labels so that a user can quickly and efficiently retrieve preset image quality settings, such as image quality characteristics, parameters, and / or other settings that have been modified and saved. In some examples, the ultrasound system 100 can include default settings, image quality characteristics, and / or image parameters that can be updated and / or modified by the configuration tool 530.

[0056] refer to Figure 1The signal processor may include an adaptation processor 160 comprising suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to adapt the ultrasound image by modifying image quality characteristics related to the appearance of the ultrasound image. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may receive settings from the settings processor 150, a preset optimization wizard, and / or a user interface, and / or may retrieve settings from the archive 138 and / or any other suitable computer-readable medium. The adaptation processor 160 may obtain and / or modify the appearance of the ultrasound image acquired by the acquisition processor 140 based on image quality characteristics and / or image parameters input by a user. The adaptation processor 160 may use the adapted user parameters obtained via user feedback to obtain a live view of the ultrasound image for display to the user. In some examples, the adaptation processor 160 may provide different views of the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may display the ultrasound image, the adapted ultrasound image, both the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image, or may switch between one or both of the ultrasound images. The image adaptation processor 160 may provide the adapted ultrasound image to a user via the display 134 and / or may store the adapted ultrasound image in the archive 138 and / or other computer-readable media.

[0057] Figure 5 An exemplary display, user interface 610, ultrasound image 620, adapted ultrasound image 630, and configuration tool 640 are provided according to various embodiments. In some examples, the user interface 610 includes the ultrasound image 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630. In some examples, the user interface 610 also includes a configuration tool 640 for modifying and / or updating image quality / appearance-related settings reflected in the adapted ultrasound image 630. Although the ultrasound image 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630 are depicted in a split-screen or side-by-side format, the ultrasound image 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630 may also be depicted separately, and the user may be allowed to select between the ultrasound image 620 (e.g., Figure 2 ), the adapted ultrasound image 630 (e.g., as Figure 4 The ultrasound image 520 depicted in Figure 5 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630. In some examples, the configuration tool 640 may include a graphical button 642 that allows the user to move between the ultrasound image 620, the adapted ultrasound image 630, and a split-screen or side-by-side display of the ultrasound image 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630.

[0058] The configuration tool 640 can be a knob, dial, trackball configuration, and / or another type of user interface 610. In some examples, the configuration tool 640 can include graphical buttons 642 or other icons representing different functions for a user to provide input for settings associated with the ultrasound image 620 and / or the ultrasound image 630. For example, as non-limiting examples, the graphical buttons 642 can represent functions such as: reverting 644 to a previous ultrasound image, switching 646 between the original ultrasound image 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630 with adapted settings, increasing and / or decreasing settings in the ultrasound image 620 and / or the adapted ultrasound image 630 (e.g., more 648, less 650), saving 652 changes made to settings, providing a split-screen view 654 or side-by-side display depicting both the original ultrasound image and the ultrasound image with the updated settings, and saving 656 the current settings as preset settings. Other functional graphical buttons 642 can also be present, which can be pre-programmed or programmed by the user (e.g., customizable interface functions).

[0059] In some examples, such as Figure 3 The preset optimization wizard can be compared with Figure 2 、 Figure 4 or Figure 5 For example, the preset optimization wizard may be presented in the same user interface (e.g., user interface 310, 510, 610) and / or display (e.g., display 300, 500, 600) as the ultrasound image (e.g., ultrasound image 320, 620) and / or the adapted ultrasound image (e.g., adapted ultrasound image 520, 630), may be overlaid on a portion of the user interface and / or display, may be positioned on the display in combination with the ultrasound image, the adapted ultrasound image, the configuration tool (e.g., configuration tool 330, 530, 640), etc.

[0060] The preset optimization wizard guides the user through questions to update the component image quality characteristics (e.g. Figure 3 The image quality characteristics 430) of the user parameters (e.g., Figure 3 The user can modify the ultrasound image 620 by adjusting the image parameters 440 of the user parameter settings. The user can simultaneously view the adapted ultrasound image 630 to view in real time the effects of the changes in the user parameters on the ultrasound image 620, thereby generating the adapted ultrasound image 630. For example, the preset optimization wizard can ask the user whether they prefer higher or lower contrast. The user can use the configuration tool 640 to select "more" 648 or "less" 650. For example, if the user selects "more" 648, the settings processor 150 can adapt the user parameters, such as Figure 3 The adapted image parameters 440 described in .

[0061] Based on the user input, the settings processor 150 may increase the contrast image quality characteristic by increasing the dynamic contrast parameter (e.g., by incrementing the dynamic contrast value by 1 or more), increasing the suppression parameter (e.g., by incrementing the grayscale value by 10 or more), and / or increasing the CRI filter (e.g., by incrementing the level, such as from a low level to a medium level, from a medium level to a high level, etc.), and / or by increasing / decreasing other user parameters that may be used to modify the image quality characteristic. In response to the increase in contrast, the adaptation processor 160 may update the adapted ultrasound image 630. For example, if the user wishes to further adjust the image, the user may again select "more" 648, in which case the settings processor 150 may again increase the values ​​of the dynamic contrast, grayscale, and CRI filter parameters, and these changes may be reflected in the adapted ultrasound image 630. The user may continue to increase the contrast by selecting "more" 648, or the user may also decrease the contrast (e.g., "less" 650), which is reflected by a change in the appearance of the adapted ultrasound image 630 on the display 600. For example, if contrast increases to an unacceptable level in the ultrasound image 630 as viewed on the user interface 610, the user may select "Less" 650 to reduce the contrast by reducing contrast-related image parameters. Once the adapted ultrasound image 630 is acceptable to the user, the user may select "Keep" 652 to select these settings for displaying the ultrasound image 630. Additionally and / or alternatively, the user may select "Save Preset" 656 to save the selected parameters as preset settings. Saving the selected image quality parameters may overwrite the current preset settings, or may prompt the user to save as new settings, default settings, etc. In some examples, once the user saves and / or saves the preset, the preset optimization wizard may provide a notification that the settings have been configured and / or updated, and the user may exit the preset optimization wizard.

[0062] In another example, the preset optimization wizard may ask the user whether they prefer higher or lower brightness. The user may select "More" 648 or "Less" 650 as described. Additionally and / or alternatively, the user may select "Keep" 652, indicating that the brightness is at an acceptable level. The preset optimization wizard may then proceed to the next question, asking, for example, whether the user prefers higher axial resolution. The user may then select "More" 648, "Less" 650, and / or "Keep" 652 as described above. For example, if the user selects "More" 648 to increase axial resolution, the settings processor 150 may increase the frequency parameter (e.g., by increasing the level from harmonics to high), increase the enhancement parameter (e.g., by increasing the level, such as level 2 to level 3), and / or increase or decrease other parameters that make up the axial resolution image quality characteristic, which may simultaneously update the adapted ultrasound image 630 on the display 600. Once the user has achieved an acceptable level of axial resolution, the user may select "Keep" 652 to retain the value of the axial resolution image quality characteristic. The preset optimization user wizard may continue to ask the user whether they prefer higher lateral resolution. In some examples, when the user selects “More” 648, the settings processor 150 may increase the line density parameter (e.g., from a medium level to a high level) and / or increase or decrease other parameters related to resolution image quality characteristics. In some examples, the adapted ultrasound image 630 is updated while the ultrasound image 620 remains on the user interface 610, so that the user can compare the appearance of the two ultrasound images.

[0063] The preset optimization wizard may continue to ask questions about other image quality characteristics until all questions about different image quality characteristics have been asked and / or until the user selects "Save Preset" 656. Saving the selected image quality parameters may overwrite the current preset settings, or may prompt the user to save as new settings, default settings, etc. In some examples, once the user saves and / or saves the preset, the preset optimization wizard may provide a notification that the settings have been configured and / or updated, and the user may exit the preset optimization wizard.

[0064] Figure 6FIG7 is an exemplary display 700 according to various embodiments, including an exemplary user interface 710 for providing a main menu for modifying settings related to image quality / appearance. The display 700 includes the user interface 710, which includes image quality characteristics and / or image parameters that can be individually modified by a user. The user interface, image quality characteristics, and image parameters presented can be based on the ultrasound mode being used. For example, the user interface 710 can be a 2D user interface 710 that includes settings for manually updating image parameters such as Radiance, CRI, SRI, etc. In some examples, the user interface 710 can be a main menu for settings related to 2D ultrasound images, including image parameters 720, 730, 740, and 750 that can be adjusted by the user. In some examples, the image parameters 720 and 730 can be CRI, SRI, Radiance, UltraHD, Augment, etc. Additionally and / or alternatively, the user interface 710 may include image parameters 740 such as angle, beta view, shadow reduction, near field and / or far field, AO, and / or settings 750 such as time gain compensation (TGC). The image parameters 730, 740, 750 may be placed in different parts of the user interface 710, or may be placed in a separate user interface. In some examples, selecting an image parameter 720, 730, 740, 750 from the 2D main menu may generate a submenu, such as the one described below regarding Figure 7 The submenu described.

[0065] Figure 7 8 is an exemplary display 800 according to various embodiments, including an exemplary user interface 810 with a submenu for modifying settings related to image quality / appearance. The display 800 includes a user interface 810 that includes image quality characteristics and / or image parameters that can be individually modified by a user. As a non-limiting example, the user interface 810 may include settings for manually updating image parameters for 2D ultrasound, such as grayscale map, tone map, frame filter, line filter, CRI filter, line density, enhancement, OTI, and suppression. Additionally and / or alternatively, the user interface 810 may include adjustable image parameters 830, such as angle, beta view, shadow reduction, near field and / or far field, AO, and / or settings 840, such as time gain compensation (TGC). The image parameters, image quality characteristics, and / or user interface 910 presented may be based on the ultrasound mode being used. The image parameters 820, 830, 840 may be placed in different sections of the user interface 810 or may be placed in separate user interfaces.

[0066] Figure 89 is an exemplary display 900 according to various embodiments, including a second exemplary user interface 910 of a main menu for modifying settings related to image quality / appearance. The display 900 includes a user interface 910 that includes image quality characteristics and / or image parameters that can be individually modified by a user. The user interface may include settings for manually updating image parameters such as Radiant, CRI, SRI, etc. The image parameters, image quality characteristics, and / or user interface 910 presented may be based on the ultrasound mode used. In some examples, the user interface 910 may be an HD submenu that includes image parameters 920, 930, 940 that can be adjusted by the user. In some examples, the user may select an image parameter such as CRI, SRI, or Radiant. Additionally and / or alternatively, the user may select an image parameter 920 such as Radiantflow, a setting 930 such as angle, quality, WMF, Auto / PRF, and / or a setting 940 such as TGC. In some examples, selecting a setting 920, 930, 940 from the HD main menu may generate a submenu, such as described below with respect to Figure 9 The submenu described.

[0067] Figure 9 FIG1 is an exemplary display 1000 according to various embodiments, including a second exemplary user interface 1010 including a submenu for modifying settings related to image quality / appearance. In some examples, the user interface 1010 is a High Definition (HD) submenu. As non-limiting examples, the user interface 1010 may include image parameters 1020, 1030, 1040, 1050 for manually modifying and / or configuring image quality characteristics and / or characteristics for HD ultrasound, such as HDF map, units, center frequency, flow resolution, line filter artifacts, smoothing up, line density, smoothing down, and integration. Additionally and / or alternatively, as non-limiting examples, the user interface 1010 may include adjustable and / or configurable image parameters 1030, 1040, 1050, such as maximum angle, quality, WMF, Auto / PRF, B-mode quality, time gain compensation (TGC), or other parameters. The image parameters, image quality characteristics, and / or user interface 910 presented may be based on the ultrasound mode being used. The image parameters 1020 , 1030 , 1040 may be placed in different areas of the user interface 1010 , or may be placed in a separate user interface.

[0068] See again Figure 1 The display system 134 may be any device capable of conveying visual information to a user. For example, the display system 134 may include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, and / or any other suitable display or displays. The display system 134 may be operable to present the ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630 and / or any suitable information.

[0069] The archive 138 may be one or more computer-readable memories, such as a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a server, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a CD, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a compact memory, a flash memory, a random access memory, a read-only memory, an electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory, and / or any other suitable memory, that is integrated with the ultrasound system 100 and / or communicatively coupled (e.g., via a network) to the ultrasound system 100. The archive 138 may include, for example, a database, a library, a collection of information, or other memory that is accessed by and / or integrated with the signal processor 132. For example, the archive 138 may be capable of storing data temporarily or permanently. The archive 138 may be capable of storing medical image data, data generated by the signal processor 132, and / or instructions readable by the signal processor 132, etc.

[0070] In various embodiments, the archive 138 stores ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630, instructions for acquiring the ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630, instructions for activating a user interface, instructions for presenting one or more image quality characteristics for acquiring the ultrasound image, instructions for receiving feedback for adjusting the image quality characteristics, instructions for adapting the ultrasound image based on the feedback, instructions for reverting to the ultrasound image, instructions for obtaining the adapted ultrasound image, instructions for further adjusting the image quality characteristics or additional image quality characteristics, and instructions for obtaining the adapted ultrasound image.

[0071] The components of the ultrasound system 100 may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, etc. The various components of the ultrasound system 100 may be communicatively connected. The components of the ultrasound system 100 may be implemented separately and / or integrated in various forms. For example, the display system 134 and the user input device 130 may be integrated into a touch screen display.

[0072] Still see Figure 1, the training system 200 may include a training engine 210 and a training database 220. The training engine 210 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code that may be operable to train neurons of a deep neural network (e.g., an artificial intelligence model) inferred (i.e., deployed) by the image acquisition processor 140, the setup processor 150, and / or the adaptation processor 160. For example, the artificial intelligence model inferred by the setup processor 150 and / or the adaptation processor 160 may be trained to automatically identify adapted user parameters using the database 220 of classified ultrasound images of anatomical structures. For another example, the artificial intelligence model inferred by the setup processor 150 and / or the adaptation processor 160 may be trained to automatically identify image quality characteristics, image parameters, etc. using the database 220 of classified ultrasound images and / or motion parameters.

[0073] In various embodiments, the database of training images 220 may be a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) or any suitable data storage medium. In certain embodiments, the training engine 210 and / or the training image database 220 may be a remote system communicatively coupled to the ultrasound system 100 via a wired or wireless connection, such as Figure 1 Additionally and / or alternatively, components or all of the training system 200 may be integrated with the ultrasound system 100 in various forms. In some examples, the training image database 220 may be integrated with the archive 138, or vice versa.

[0074] Figure 10 1 is a flowchart 1100 illustrating exemplary steps 1102 through 1120 that may be used to adjust an ultrasound image using a preset optimization quick wizard, according to various embodiments. Certain embodiments may omit one or more steps, and / or perform steps in an order different from the order listed, and / or combine certain steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in certain embodiments. For another example, certain steps may be performed in a different chronological order than listed below, including simultaneously.

[0075] At step 1102, the signal processors 132, 140 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to acquire ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630. For example, the image acquisition processor 140 may be configured to acquire ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630 using the ultrasound probe 104. The acquired ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630 may be displayed and / or stored in the archive 138 and / or any suitable computer-readable medium.

[0076] At step 1104, the signal processors 132, 140 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to activate a user interface to display the acquired ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630. For example, the image acquisition processor 140 may be configured to activate a user interface to display the ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630, which may be stored by the acquisition processor 140 in the archive 138 or other suitable computer-readable medium.

[0077] At step 1106, the signal processors 132, 150 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to present one or more image quality characteristics to be used by the image acquisition processor 140 to acquire the ultrasound images 320, 520, 620, 630. For example, the settings processor 150 may be configured to provide a preset optimization wizard 410 as a user interface that allows a user to input, update, and / or modify image quality characteristics, image parameters, and / or other settings. In some examples, the settings processor 150 may store the preset optimization wizard in the archive 138 or other suitable computer-readable medium and / or provide it to the adaptation processor 160.

[0078] At step 1108, the signal processors 132, 150 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to receive feedback for adjusting image quality characteristics. For example, the setup processor 150 may be configured to request user feedback by presenting a question or series of questions to a preset optimization wizard in order to customize image quality characteristics and / or image parameters used by the acquisition processor 140 to obtain ultrasound images. Additionally and / or alternatively, the setup processor 150 may inquire about the anatomical structure being scanned and / or may load default and / or preset settings for image quality characteristics and / or image parameters based on the anatomical structure being scanned. The setup processor 150 may then convert or adapt the user's responses to the questions into image settings, such as image quality characteristics and / or image parameters. The image settings may be stored by the setup processor 150 and / or provided to the adaptation processor 160.

[0079] At step 1110, the signal processors 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to adjust ultrasound image acquisition by the ultrasound probe 104 based on the feedback. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may provide the adapted user parameters to the acquisition processor 140 and / or store the adapted user parameters in an archive and / or a suitable computer-readable storage medium.

[0080] At step 1112, the signal processors 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to obtain an adapted ultrasound image acquisition using the adapted user parameters. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may use the adapted user parameters to obtain an adapted ultrasound image, or the user may adapt an already acquired ultrasound image.

[0081] At step 1114, the signal processors 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to present the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may present the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image for comparison. In some examples, the adaptation processor 160 may simultaneously present the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image, respectively, in a split-screen format, such that a user can switch back and forth between the ultrasound image, the adapted ultrasound image 630, or a split-screen format having both the ultrasound image 620 and the adapted ultrasound image 630.

[0082] At step 1116, the signal processors 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to present the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image so that the user can select whether to maintain the adapted ultrasound image obtained using the adapted user parameters. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may be configured to provide a user interface (such as a configuration tool) to receive input from the user to maintain the adapted image settings.

[0083] At step 1118, the signal processors 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to present the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image so that the user can select to restore the adapted ultrasound image obtained using the adapted user parameters to the ultrasound image without the adapted user parameters. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may be configured to provide a user interface (such as a preset optimization wizard, a configuration tool, a menu, and / or a submenu) to receive input from the user to restore the adapted image settings.

[0084] At step 1120, the signal processors 132, 160 of the ultrasound system 100 may be configured to present the ultrasound image and the adapted ultrasound image so that the user may select to further adjust the image quality parameters or additional image quality characteristics. For example, the adaptation processor 160 may be configured to provide a user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 (e.g., a preset optimization wizard, a configuration tool, a menu, and / or a submenu) to receive input from the user to further adjust the image quality parameters or additional image quality characteristics. If the user selects to further adjust the image quality parameters or additional image quality characteristics, the method 1100 returns to step 1108.

[0085] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method 1100 and system 100 for improving image quality in ultrasound scanning, including performing an ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 using an ultrasound probe 104. The method 1100 includes activating a user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 by at least one processor 132, 140, and presenting, via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810, by the at least one processor 132, 140, one or more image quality characteristics 430 for the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620.

[0086] The method 1100 also includes receiving, by the at least one processor 132, 150, feedback for adjusting image quality characteristics 430 of the one or more image quality characteristics 430, wherein the image quality parameters 430 include adapted image parameters 440. The method 1100 includes adapting, by the at least one processor 132, 160, the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 based on the feedback to adjust the image quality characteristics 430 by modifying the one or more adapted image parameters 440 and generating an adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630, and presenting, by the at least one processor 132, 140, 160, the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes, based on a user selection, performing one of the following operations: resuming, by at least one processor 132, 150, to ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620; obtaining, using the ultrasound probe 104, an adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 using the modified one or more image parameters 140 of the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630; and further adjusting the one or more image quality characteristics 430 or additional image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics 430.

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 1100 further includes modifying additional image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics 430 regarding the ultrasound image acquisition 320 , 620 or the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520 , 630 based on additional user input.

[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the method 1100 further includes saving the modified one or more adapted image parameters 440 as a preset setting. In an exemplary embodiment, presenting, by the at least one processor 132, 140, the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 includes simultaneously displaying the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 in a side-by-side display on the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 is an interactive tool that presents one or more image quality characteristics 430 via a series of questions. In an exemplary embodiment, the series of questions is based on the type of ultrasound scan or the anatomy being scanned.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the ultrasound image acquisition 320 , 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520 , 630 via the user interface 310 , 510 , 610 , 710 , 810 includes displaying the ultrasound image acquisition 320 , 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520 , 630 in a toggle display on the user interface 310 , 510 , 610 , 710 , 810 .

[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, the user interface 310 , 510 , 610 , 710 , 810 is an interactive tool that provides information about the one or more image quality characteristics 430 when the one or more image quality characteristics 430 are presented.

[0093] Various embodiments provide an ultrasound system 100 for improving image quality in ultrasound scanning, the ultrasound system comprising: an ultrasound probe 104 configured to perform ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620, and at least one processor 132, 140 configured to: activate a user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810; present one or more image quality characteristics 430 for the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810; receive feedback for adjusting the one or more image quality characteristics 430, wherein the image quality characteristics include one or more image quality parameters 440; and adjust the image quality characteristics based on the feedback. Ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 to adjust the image quality characteristics 430 by modifying one or more adapted image quality parameters 440 and produce an adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630; presenting the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 via a user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810; and based on a user selection, reverting to the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620; obtaining the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 using the modified one or more adapted image quality parameters 440 of the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630; and further adjusting the image quality parameters or additional image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics 430.

[0094] In a representative embodiment, the at least one processor 132 , 150 is further configured to modify additional image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics 430 regarding the ultrasound image acquisition 320 , 620 or the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520 , 630 based on additional user input.

[0095] In a representative embodiment, the at least one processor 132, 150 is further configured to save the modified one or more adapted image quality parameters 440 as a preset setting. In a representative embodiment, the at least one processor 132, 140, 160 is configured to present the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 by displaying the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 in a side-by-side display or a toggle display on the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810.

[0096] In a representative embodiment, the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 is an interactive tool that presents one or more image quality characteristics 430 via a series of questions. In a representative embodiment, the series of questions is based on the type of ultrasound scan or the anatomy being scanned.

[0097] In a representative embodiment, the user interface 310 , 510 , 610 , 710 , 810 is an interactive tool that provides information about the one or more image quality characteristics 430 when the one or more image quality characteristics 430 are presented.

[0098] Various embodiments provide an ultrasound system 100 for improving image quality in ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound system comprising: an ultrasound probe configured to perform ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620; and at least one processor 132, 140, 150, 160 configured to: activate a user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810; present one or more image quality characteristics 430 of the ultrasound image acquisition via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810; receive feedback regarding image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics 430, wherein the image quality parameters include adapted image quality parameters 440; modify the image quality parameters 440 based on the feedback to adjust the image quality characteristics and generate adapted ultrasound images. image acquisition 520, 630; presenting the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810; presenting options for: reverting to the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620, retaining the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630, or adjusting the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 by further adjusting one or more image quality characteristics 430 or additional image quality characteristics; and based on user selection of these options, reverting to the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620, retaining the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630, or presenting the one or more image quality characteristics 430 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810.

[0099] In a representative embodiment, the at least one processor 132 , 150 is further configured to modify additional image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics 430 regarding the ultrasound image acquisition 320 , 620 or the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520 , 630 based on additional user input.

[0100] In a representative embodiment, the at least one processor 132, 150 is further configured to save the modified characteristics as a preset setting. In a representative embodiment, the at least one processor 132, 140, 160 is configured to present the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 via the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810 by displaying the ultrasound image acquisition 320, 620 and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition 520, 630 in a side-by-side display or a toggle display on the user interface 310, 510, 610, 710, 810.

[0101] As used herein, the term "circuitry" refers to physical electronic components (i.e., hardware) and any software and / or firmware ("code") that can be configured, executed by the hardware, and / or otherwise associated with the hardware. For example, as used herein, when executing one or more first codes, a specific processor and memory may include a first "circuit," and when executing one or more second codes, a specific processor and memory may include a second "circuit." As used herein, "and / or" represents any one or more of the items in a list connected by "and / or." As a non-limiting example, "x and / or y" represents any element in a three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y), (x, z), (z, x)}. As another example, "x, y, and / or z" represents any element in a seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (z, y), (x, y, z)}. As used herein, the term "exemplary" represents a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. As used herein, the terms "for example" and "such as" introduce a list of one or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations. As used herein, circuitry is "capable of" and / or "configured to" perform a function whenever the circuitry includes the necessary hardware and code (if necessary) to perform the function, regardless of whether performance of the function is disabled or not enabled by some user-configurable setting.

[0102] Other embodiments may provide a computer-readable device and / or a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and / or a machine-readable device and / or a non-transitory machine-readable medium having stored thereon machine code and / or a computer program having at least one code segment that can be executed by a machine and / or a computer, thereby causing the machine and / or the computer to perform the steps for acquiring a target ultrasound image having a target view of one or more anatomical structures as described herein.

[0103] Thus, the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present disclosure may be implemented in a centralized manner in at least one computer system, or in a distributed manner, with different elements distributed across several interconnected computer systems. Any type of computer system or other device suitable for executing the methods described herein is suitable.

[0104] The various embodiments may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein and which, when loaded into a computer system, is capable of carrying out these methods. A computer program in this context is any expression of a set of instructions in any language, code or notation, which is intended to cause a system with information processing capabilities to perform certain functions either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion into another language, code or notation; or b) reproduction in a different material form.

[0105] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but rather, the present disclosure is intended to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for improving image quality in ultrasound scanning, the method comprising: performing ultrasound image acquisition using an ultrasound probe; Activate the user interface; presenting, via the user interface, one or more image quality characteristics for the ultrasound image acquisition; receiving feedback for adjusting an image quality characteristic of the one or more image quality characteristics, wherein the image quality characteristics include one or more image quality parameters; adapting the ultrasound image acquisition based on the feedback to adjust the image quality characteristics by modifying the one or more image quality parameters and to produce an adapted ultrasound image acquisition; as well as The ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition are presented via the user interface.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Based on the user selection, do one of the following: resuming the ultrasound image acquisition; obtaining the adapted ultrasound image acquisition with the ultrasound probe using the modified one or more image quality parameters of the adapted ultrasound image acquisition; and The one or more image quality characteristics or additional ones of the one or more image quality characteristics are further adjusted.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Based on additional user input, additional image quality parameters regarding the one or more image quality characteristics of the ultrasound image acquisition or the adapted ultrasound image acquisition are modified. 4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising saving the modified one or more image quality parameters as preset settings.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting the ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition via the user interface comprises: The ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition are simultaneously displayed in a side-by-side display on the user interface. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is an interactive tool that presents the one or more image quality characteristics via a series of questions. The method of claim 6 , wherein the series of questions is based on the type of ultrasound scan or the anatomy being scanned.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein presenting the ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition via the user interface comprises: The ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition are displayed in a toggle display on the user interface.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is an interactive tool that provides information about the one or more image quality characteristics or the one or more image quality parameters when presenting the one or more image quality characteristics or the one or more image quality parameters.

10. An ultrasound system for improving image quality in ultrasound scanning, the ultrasound system comprising: an ultrasound probe configured to perform ultrasound image acquisition; At least one processor configured to perform any one of the methods according to claims 1 to 9.

11. An ultrasound system for improving image quality in ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound system comprising: an ultrasound probe configured to perform ultrasound image acquisition; at least one processor configured to: Activate the user interface; presenting, via the user interface, one or more image quality characteristics of the ultrasound image acquisition; receiving feedback regarding an image quality characteristic of the one or more image quality characteristics, wherein the image quality characteristic comprises an image quality parameter; modifying the image quality parameters based on the feedback to adjust the image quality characteristics and produce an adapted ultrasound image acquisition; presenting the ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition via the user interface; presenting an option to revert to the ultrasound image acquisition, retain the adapted ultrasound image acquisition, or adjust the adapted ultrasound image acquisition by further adjusting the image quality characteristic or additional image quality characteristics of the one or more image quality characteristics; as well as Based on a user selection of the option, reverting to the ultrasound image acquisition, retaining the adapted ultrasound image acquisition, or presenting the one or more image quality characteristics via the user interface.

12. The ultrasound system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to modify the additional image quality characteristic of the one or more image quality characteristics regarding the ultrasound image acquisition or the adapted ultrasound image acquisition based on additional user input. 13 . The ultrasound system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to save the modified image quality parameters as preset settings.

14. The ultrasound system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to present the ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition via the user interface by displaying the ultrasound image acquisition and the adapted ultrasound image acquisition in a side-by-side display or a toggled display on the user interface.

15. The ultrasound system of claim 11, wherein the user interface is an interactive tool that presents the one or more image quality characteristics via a series of questions.

16. The ultrasound system of claim 15, wherein the series of questions is based on the type of ultrasound scan or the anatomy being scanned.

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