A multi-modal acoustic imaging system based on projection geometry regulation and a control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of multi-modal acoustic imaging system and control method based on projection geometry regulation, and the system includes transducer array, projection geometry multi-modal controller (θ=arctan (β_s / β_r), β_r² + β_s²=1), beamformer, multi-modal signal processing unit and display unit.The switching of projection angle θ makes the system switch between B mode ([0.1,0.3] rad), Doppler mode ([0.4,0.6] rad), elastic imaging mode ([0.7,0.9] rad), realizes the synchronous acquisition and real-time fusion of multi-modal data.The application can be applied to B mode and elastic imaging fusion auxiliary early detection of tumor, Doppler and B mode fusion blood vessel imaging and other clinical scenarios.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of multimodal acoustic imaging and medical imaging technology, specifically to a multimodal acoustic imaging system and its control method based on projection geometry control. This invention can be applied to multimodal acoustic imaging scenarios such as human soft tissue imaging, vascular imaging, blood flow imaging, and elastography. Background Technology

[0002] Single-modal acoustic imaging (such as B-mode grayscale imaging) can only provide morphological information of tissues and cannot comprehensively reflect their mechanical properties, hemodynamic state, and elastic characteristics. Multimodal acoustic imaging, by integrating multiple imaging modes (B-mode, Doppler, elastography, velocimetry, etc.) on the same system, provides more comprehensive diagnostic information. Existing multimodal acoustic imaging systems have the following problems: (i) Each mode switches independently, making synchronous data acquisition impossible. The existing system requires reconfiguration of imaging parameters when switching between different modalities, and cannot achieve synchronous acquisition and real-time fusion of multimodal data. (ii) Lack of a unified regulatory framework among modalities Imaging parameters for different modes (beamforming, gain, filtering, etc.) are adjusted independently by different control parameters, lacking a coordinated control method based on a unified theoretical framework. (iii) Projection geometry control was not introduced into multimodal acoustic imaging Projection geometry theory has not yet been used for the unified control of multimodal acoustic imaging. To address the above problems, this invention provides a multimodal acoustic imaging system and its control method based on projection geometry control. Summary of the Invention

[0003] (a) Purpose of the invention This invention aims to solve the technical problems in existing multimodal acoustic imaging, such as the need for reconfiguration of modal switching, the lack of a unified control framework, and the absence of projection geometry control. (II) Technical Solution This invention provides a multimodal acoustic imaging system based on projection geometry control, characterized in that it includes: A transducer array is used to transmit sound waves to human tissue and receive echo signals. A projection geometry multimodal controller is connected to the transducer array and is used to switch the system between multiple imaging modes by switching the projection angle θ, wherein the projection angle is defined as θ = arctan(β_s / β_r) and satisfies β_r² + β_s² = 1; A beamformer is connected to the projection geometry multimodal controller; A multimodal signal processing unit is used to reconstruct acoustic parameter images of different modes from the beamformed signal; A display unit is used to display images of various modalities or fused images. Work mode: B mode: θ∈[0.1, 0.3]rad; Doppler mode: θ∈[0.4, 0.6]rad; Elastic imaging mode: θ∈[0.7, 0.9]rad. (III) Beneficial Effects Unified control: Achieve unified switching and coordinated control of multiple modes through projection angle; Synchronous acquisition: Supports synchronous acquisition and real-time fusion of multimodal data; Simplified system: A single projection angle parameter replaces multiple sets of independent control parameters. Detailed Implementation

[0004] Example 1: Fusion Imaging of B-mode and Doppler Modes The system is configured to alternate between B mode (θ=0.2rad) and Doppler mode (θ=0.5rad) acquisition using a projection geometry multimodal controller. The B mode image provides tissue morphology, while the Doppler image provides blood flow information, and the two are displayed overlaid. Example 2: Elastic Imaging Mode The system was switched to elastography mode (θ=0.8rad), and shear waves were generated in the tissue by stimulating the tissue with acoustic radiation force pulses. The propagation speed of the shear waves was tracked, and the tissue elastic modulus image was reconstructed for the assessment of liver fibrosis and the differentiation between benign and malignant breast masses. Example 3: Fusion Imaging of Mode B and Elastography B-mode images and elastography images are acquired alternately in the same system. B-mode images show the tissue anatomy, while elastography shows the tissue stiffness distribution. The two are fused together to help identify early tumors (malignant tumors have significantly higher stiffness than normal tissue). Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the multimodal acoustic imaging system based on projection geometry control according to the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of multimodal switching of projection angle in this invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the fusion of mode B and elastic imaging in this invention. Terminology Explanation

[0006] Terminology Meaning The projection angle (θ) is a geometric parameter describing the projection direction in fiber bundle projection mapping. θ = arctan(β_s / β_r) satisfies β_r² + β_s² = 1. Multimodal acoustic imaging integrates multiple acoustic imaging modes (B-mode, Doppler, elastography, etc.) in the same system. Elastography is a modal imaging technique that measures tissue stiffness to obtain images; differences in stiffness reflect the pathological state of the tissue.

Claims

1. A multimodal acoustic imaging system based on projection geometry control, characterized in that, include: A transducer array is used to transmit sound waves to human tissue and receive echo signals. A projection geometry multimodal controller is connected to the transducer array and is used to switch the system between multiple imaging modes by switching the projection angle θ, wherein the projection angle is defined as θ = arctan(β_s / β_r) and satisfies β_r² + β_s² = 1; A beamformer is connected to the projection geometry multimodal controller; A multimodal signal processing unit is used to reconstruct acoustic parameter images of different modes from the beamformed signal; A display unit is used to display images of various modalities or fused images.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple imaging modes include at least two of the following: B-mode, Doppler mode, and elastography mode.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projection angle range corresponding to the B mode is [0.1, 0.3] rad, the projection angle range corresponding to the Doppler mode is [0.4, 0.6] rad, and the projection angle range corresponding to the elastic imaging mode is [0.7, 0.9] rad.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system supports alternating acquisition and real-time fusion display of various imaging modes.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes a synchronization trigger module for controlling the timing synchronization of each imaging mode.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multimodal signal processing unit extracts tissue morphology information from the B-mode signal, blood flow velocity information from the Doppler mode signal, and tissue elastic modulus information from the elastography mode signal.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes a fusion display module for overlaying images of two or more modalities.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transducer array is a phased array transducer array or a linear transducer array.

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system supports rapid switching between imaging modes with a switching time of less than 10ms.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system also includes an image storage module for storing images of each modality and fused images.

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