Single-vessel ultrasonic blood perfusion imaging method and system based on double probes

Abstract

The invention provides a single-vessel ultrasonic blood perfusion imaging method and system based on double probes, and the method comprises the steps: injecting a nano-droplet contrast agent into a tested vein or artery, the nano-droplet contrast agent being in a non-activated liquid phase state in a blood vessel; selecting a focus point in the upstream blood vessel A1 as a mark point X of a single upstream artery blood vessel by a user in a man-machine interaction mode; the first probe carries out time-sharing ultrasonic imaging and ultrasonic focusing on the upstream blood vessel A1 and the mark point X through a self-defined ultrasonic sequence, and the ultrasonic focusing activates the liquid-phase nano-droplet contrast agent at the mark point X into gas-phase microbubbles; and then the second probe obtains an ultrasonic video V of the downstream blood perfusion imaging area A2, namely downstream blood perfusion imaging of the marked blood vessel A1. According to the method, the strategy of'division and treatment 'is adopted, blood vessel marking and perfusion imaging tasks are distributed to the double probes respectively, the spatial range and flexibility of blood vessel marking and perfusion imaging are remarkably improved through cooperation, and perfusion analysis of specific blood vessels is better facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasound imaging technology, specifically to a single-vessel ultrasound blood flow perfusion imaging method and system based on dual probes. Background Technology

[0002] Clinical ultrasound perfusion imaging is usually based on microbubble contrast agents. When the microbubble contrast agent flows into the imaging area of ​​the ultrasound probe, it enhances all blood vessels, so it is impossible to observe the blood perfusion of a specific blood vessel.

[0003] In recent years, Arterial Labeling Ultrasound Subtraction Angiography (ALUSA), developed to meet the needs of single-vessel imaging, has filled the long-standing gap in single-vessel imaging technology in the field of ultrasound perfusion imaging, providing an invaluable technical means for urgent needs such as finding superior blood supply and assessing collateral circulation.

[0004] However, while ALUSA can perform single vessel labeling and downstream perfusion imaging, its approach and implementation only consider a single probe. This limits ALUSA to the limited imaging field of view of a single ultrasound probe, making it unable to image other blood flow perfusion areas flowing into and out of the probe's imaging area. Furthermore, it directly restricts the vessel labeling points to the imaging field of a single probe. Ultimately, this makes it difficult for ALUSA to achieve whole-body vessel labeling and imaging, significantly hindering the widespread adoption of ultrasound single-vessel perfusion imaging technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method and system based on dual probes, in order to solve the technical problem of difficulty in achieving whole-body vascular labeling and imaging in existing ultrasound single-vessel perfusion imaging technology.

[0006] The advantages of this invention are as follows: Unlike the past single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging technology, which "stacks" all operations such as vessel labeling and downstream perfusion imaging onto a single ultrasound probe, this invention takes a different approach and adopts a "divide and conquer" strategy. It separates the upstream vessel labeling and activation task and the downstream blood flow perfusion region imaging task into two ultrasound probes. Through synergistic cooperation, it significantly improves the spatial range and flexibility of vessel labeling and perfusion imaging, which is more conducive to the perfusion analysis of specific vessels.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes, comprising: 1) Considering that ultrasound single-vessel blood flow perfusion imaging requires the cooperation of contrast agents, nano-droplet contrast agents are first injected into the subject's vein or artery. These nano-droplet contrast agents are in an inactive liquid phase state in the blood vessel at this time, and are in a dark signal state under ultrasound. 2) In order to achieve accurate marking of the upstream single blood vessel A1, the user sets a focus marker point X in A1 through human-computer interaction. 3) In order to ensure the activation efficiency of nano-droplets at marker point X, the first probe performs time-division ultrasound imaging and ultrasound focusing on the upstream blood vessel A1 and marker point X through a custom ultrasound sequence. Ultrasound focusing activates the liquid phase nano-droplet contrast agent at marker point X into gas phase microbubbles. 4) In order to achieve downstream blood flow perfusion imaging of the marked blood vessel A1, the second probe is further used to acquire the ultrasound video V of the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging region A2.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging system based on a dual-probe setup, comprising: 1) The first probe marking module is configured to allow the user to place a marker point X in the upstream blood vessel A1 via human-computer interaction; 2) The first probe time-sharing focusing-imaging module is configured to control the first probe to perform time-sharing ultrasound imaging and ultrasound focusing on the upstream blood vessel A1 and the marker point X through a custom ultrasound sequence. The ultrasound focusing will activate the liquid-phase nano-droplet contrast agent at the marker point X as gas-phase microbubbles. 3) The second probe imaging module is configured to control the second probe to acquire the ultrasound video V of the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging region A2, which is the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging of the marked blood vessel A1. According to a third aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the dual-probe-based single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method as described in any one of claims 1 to 2.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, one embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on a dual-probe as described in any one of claims 1 to 2. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2The diagram shown is a schematic of a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 The diagram shown is a flowchart of the placement of the ultrasound focusing marker point X on the first probe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 The image shown is a contour diagram of the upstream blood vessel A1 provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 5 The image shows the blood perfusion area during the injection of ultrasound microbubble contrast agent according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 6 The image shows the downstream blood perfusion region A2 of the A1 vessel provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 7 The diagram shown is a flowchart for calculating the arrival time of ultrasound contrast agent in the downstream blood perfusion region A2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 8 The image shown is a time distribution diagram of ultrasound contrast agent arrival in the downstream blood perfusion region A2 provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 9 The image shows a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging system based on dual probes provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments implemented by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Exemplary Single-Vessel Ultrasonic Perfusion Imaging Method Based on Dual Probes It should be understood that real blood vessels exist in three-dimensional space and extend considerably in all spatial directions. Therefore, a single ultrasound probe cannot completely encompass the entire vascular region. This leads to the dilemma that the downstream perfusion region to be imaged is far from the upstream feeding vessel when performing single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging, greatly limiting the applicable scenarios for single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging. This invention takes a different approach, employing a divide-and-conquer strategy to separate the downstream perfusion region to be imaged and the upstream feeding vessel to be labeled, proposing a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes.

[0022] Figure 1The diagram shown is a flowchart of a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes according to an embodiment of the present invention. To measure the downstream blood perfusion region A2 within the imaging field of view of the second probe, it is necessary to accurately identify the vessel contour of the upstream vessel A1 included in the imaging field of view of the first probe. An ultrasound focusing marker X is then placed within vessel A1, and the first probe continuously focuses ultrasound onto the marker X, transforming the liquid-phase nanodroplet contrast agent within A1 into gaseous microbubbles. The nanodroplet state transforms into a microbubble gaseous state, resulting in a liquid-gas transition within A1. The ultrasound signal within A1 changes from dark to bright, while other unmarked vessels remain in a dark signal state. This ensures that only the ultrasound signal of the downstream blood perfusion region A2 of A1 is highlighted within the imaging field of view of the second probe.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, this single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes includes: Step 101: Inject nanodroplet contrast agent into the subject's vein or artery, wherein the nanodroplet contrast agent is in an inactive liquid phase state within the blood vessel.

[0024] When these nanodroplet contrast agents are in an unactivated liquid phase state within the blood vessel, they appear as a dark signal under ultrasound. The preferred concentration of the nanodroplets is 1 × 10⁻⁶. 4 -1×10 12 The concentration of nanodroplets is [number] per mL. It should be understood that the concentration of nanodroplets can be adjusted according to the specific application scenario, and the embodiments of the present invention do not specifically limit the concentration of nanodroplets.

[0025] Step 102: The user selects the focal point within the upstream blood vessel A1 as the marker point X of the upstream single artery through human-computer interaction.

[0026] To place ultrasound focusing markers within the upstream vessel A1, the method flow provided in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: Figure 3 As shown: First, with the nanodroplet ultrasound contrast agent in an inactive state, ultrasound video V1 of the upstream blood vessel A1 is acquired. Then, based on V1, the vessel contour of the upstream blood vessel A1 is obtained through a filter, preferably a singular value decomposition spatiotemporal filter. Finally, one or more ultrasound focusing marker points X are set within the A1 vessel contour via an interactive method. The interactive method includes setting ultrasound focusing marker points by clicking one or more target points within the A1 vessel contour using an interactive peripheral, or by manually inputting the coordinates of one or more target points.

[0027] Figure 4The image shown is the contour map of the upstream blood vessel A1 obtained by using a singular value decomposition spatiotemporal filter based on ultrasound video V1. It should be noted that as long as the ultrasound data used to identify the contour of the upstream blood vessel A1 is acquired in an inactive state with the nanodroplet ultrasound contrast agent, the specific method for obtaining the contour of the upstream blood vessel A1 is not limited in this embodiment of the invention.

[0028] Step 103: Then the first probe performs time-division ultrasound imaging and ultrasound focusing on the upstream blood vessel A1 and the marker point X through a custom ultrasound sequence. The ultrasound focusing will activate the liquid-phase nanodroplet contrast agent at the marker point X as a gas-phase microbubble.

[0029] The customized ultrasound sequence consists of multiple focusing-imaging units, each comprising a focusing activation pulse and an imaging pulse. In this invention, the "time percentage" of the focusing activation pulse refers to the ratio of its duration to the total cycle time of the focusing-imaging unit. This ratio should be set based on the anatomical or physiological characteristics of blood vessel A1 and the activation state of the nanodroplet at marker point X. The calculation formula is as follows:

[0030] The focusing activation pulse of each imaging unit is excited by ultrasonic focused wave, and the mechanical index is preferably 1.2-1.8. Only the nanodroplet at the marked point X undergoes liquid-gas transition, and the ultrasonic signal in A1 changes from dark to bright, while other unmarked blood vessels remain in a dark signal state. The imaging pulse of each imaging unit is excited by any one of plane wave, focused wave, divergent wave, or wide beam excitation. The mechanical index is preferably 0.8.

[0031] Step 104: Then the second probe acquires the ultrasound video V of the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging region A2, which is the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging of the marked blood vessel A1.

[0032] The second probe acquires ultrasound video V by emitting imaging pulses and continuously receiving echo signals. The imaging pulses can optionally be plane waves, focused waves, divergent waves, or wide beams. Preferably, the pulse repetition frequency of the imaging pulses is 2–10 kHz, and the mechanical index is less than or equal to 0.8.

[0033] In this embodiment, the time point at which the second probe acquires the ultrasound video V is synchronized with the start time when the first probe activates the marker point X, to achieve timing coordination. However, this synchronization relationship is only an example of one implementation of the present invention and does not constitute a limitation of the present invention. Singular value filtering is then applied to the ultrasound video V to obtain... Figure 6 The downstream blood perfusion region A2 of vessel A1 is shown. If conventional ultrasound microbubble contrast agents are used, the blood perfusion region obtained within the imaging area of ​​the second probe at this time is as follows. Figure 5As shown, all blood perfusion areas in the imaging field of the second probe show an enhanced effect, therefore it is impossible to observe the blood perfusion of a specific blood vessel A1.

[0034] Step 105: Based on ultrasound video V, obtain the ultrasound contrast agent arrival time distribution map of region A2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the time point at which the second probe acquires the ultrasound video V is synchronized with the start time when the first probe activates the marker point X. Figure 7 The steps shown are used to calculate the ultrasound contrast agent arrival time distribution map of the downstream blood flow perfusion region A2.

[0036] The specific steps are as follows: First, extract the time-intensity curve of each pixel in multiple frames of ultrasound blood flow images within the imaging plane, calculate the average intensity of each pixel, then set an intensity threshold, discard pixels with an average intensity lower than the threshold, and obtain blood flow signal pixels. Finally, calculate the slope of the time-intensity curve of each blood flow signal pixel, and determine the arrival time of the ultrasound contrast agent corresponding to the blood flow signal pixel based on the slope, thus obtaining an arrival time distribution map. Figure 8 The image shows the arrival time distribution of ultrasound contrast agent in downstream blood perfusion region A2 provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The color bars on the right represent different arrival times.

[0037] Exemplary dual-probe single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging system Figure 9 The image shows a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging system based on a dual-probe setup provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the modules of the single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging system based on a dual-probe setup are configured as follows:

[0038] The first probe marking module is configured to allow the user to place a marker point X in the upstream blood vessel A1 via human-computer interaction.

[0039] The first probe time-sharing focusing-imaging module is configured to control the first probe to perform time-sharing ultrasound imaging and ultrasound focusing on the upstream blood vessel A1 and the marker point X through a custom ultrasound sequence. The ultrasound focusing will activate the liquid-phase nanodroplet contrast agent at the marker point X as a gas-phase microbubble.

[0040] The second probe imaging module is configured to control the second probe to acquire ultrasound video V of the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging region A2, which is the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging of the marked blood vessel A1.

[0041] The signal synchronization module is configured to synchronize the first probe time-division focusing-imaging module and the second probe imaging module.

[0042] Exemplary electronic devices This embodiment relates to an electronic device suitable for performing a single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on a dual-probe setup. The electronic device includes the following main components: Processor: The processor executes computer program instructions, controls the operation of the device, and coordinates the work between various modules. Based on the computer program instructions in memory, the processor is responsible for executing the dual-probe-based single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method as described in claims 1 to 2. Its functions include image acquisition, data processing, synchronization control, and imaging module startup.

[0043] Memory: The memory stores computer program instructions that direct the processor to operate the device to perform each step of ultrasound perfusion imaging. These computer program instructions include, but are not limited to: image acquisition control, vessel contour extraction, ultrasound focusing marker setting, ultrasound contrast agent activation, image analysis and processing, and generating downstream perfusion region and arrival time distribution maps. The memory may also store other information related to the operating system, data interface, and device control.

[0044] When the electronic device is started, the processor executes steps according to the computer program instructions stored in the memory, as detailed in the preceding claims, thereby completing the entire process of single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging based on dual probes.

[0045] Exemplary computer program products and computer-readable storage media This embodiment relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions. When executed by a processor, these computer program instructions cause the processor to perform the dual-probe-based single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method as described in claims 1 to 2. The storage medium includes, but is not limited to: Computer-readable storage media: Computer-readable storage media can be various forms of storage devices, such as hard disks, solid-state drives, optical disks, flash memory, cloud storage, etc., capable of storing and transmitting computer program instructions. The computer program instructions are designed to instruct a processor to execute the described ultrasound blood flow perfusion imaging method according to predetermined steps, including image acquisition, marker setting, activation of ultrasound contrast agent, image analysis, and blood flow region calculation, etc.

[0046] Program Instruction Function: The program instructions enable the processor to control the device to operate and process according to the method steps of claims 1 to 2. Specifically, these instructions cover key steps from ultrasound image acquisition, image synchronization, activation operation, blood flow analysis, to generating blood flow perfusion region and arrival time distribution maps. The computer-readable storage medium provides the necessary software support for implementing this method and can be implemented in different storage media formats, enabling the device to automatically execute the ultrasound blood flow perfusion imaging method according to the program instructions, thereby completing the blood flow analysis task in medical diagnosis.

Claims

1. A method for ultrasound blood flow perfusion imaging, characterized in that, A dual-probe ultrasound imaging method was employed, utilizing nanodroplet contrast agents to achieve downstream blood flow perfusion imaging through upstream single-vessel labeling in an upstream artery. The specific steps were as follows: 1) Injecting nanodroplet contrast agents into the subject's vein or artery, where the nanodroplet contrast agents were in an inactive liquid phase within the vessel; 2) Selecting a focal point within the upstream vessel A1 as the label point X for the upstream single artery via a human-computer interaction; 3) Then, the first probe performed time-division ultrasound imaging and ultrasound focusing on the upstream vessel A1 and the label point X using a customized ultrasound sequence, where the ultrasound focusing activated the liquid-phase nanodroplet contrast agent at the label point X into gas-phase microbubbles; 4) Then, the second probe acquired the ultrasound video V of the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging region A2, which is the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging of the labeled vessel A1.

2. The ultrasound blood flow perfusion imaging method (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The custom ultrasound sequence used by the first probe is a customized time-division focusing-imaging sequence, specifically including: 1) The custom ultrasound sequence consists of multiple focusing-imaging units, each focusing-imaging unit including a focusing activation pulse and an imaging pulse; 2) The duration of the focusing activation pulse in the focusing-imaging unit is set according to the anatomical or physiological characteristics of blood vessel A1 and the activation state of the nanodroplet at the marker point X; 3) The focusing activation pulse adopts an ultrasound focusing wave excitation method.

3. An ultrasound blood perfusion imaging system, characterized in that, Specifically, it includes the following modules: 1) A first probe marking module, configured to place a marker point X in the upstream blood vessel A1 through human-computer interaction; 2) A first probe time-sharing focusing-imaging module, configured to control the first probe to perform time-sharing ultrasound imaging and ultrasound focusing on the upstream blood vessel A1 and the marker point X through a custom ultrasound sequence, and the ultrasound focusing activates the liquid-phase nano-droplet contrast agent at the marker point X into gas-phase microbubbles; 3) A second probe imaging module, configured to acquire the ultrasound video V of the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging region A2 by controlling the second probe, which is the downstream blood flow perfusion imaging of the marked blood vessel A1.

4. An electronic device, comprising: The processor and memory, wherein computer program instructions are stored in the memory, and when the processor is executed, the computer program instructions cause the processor to perform the single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on dual probes as described in any one of claims 1 to 2.

5. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the single-vessel ultrasound perfusion imaging method based on a dual-probe setup as described in any one of claims 1 to 2.

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