A method for displaying an ultrasound image and an ultrasound blood flow imaging system

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a kind of display method of ultrasonic image and ultrasonic blood flow imaging system, for realizing the compound display of any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density.The embodiment of the present application method includes: control ultrasonic probe to the region of interest of the measured person who has injected ultrasonic contrast medium emits ultrasonic beam;Receive the ultrasonic echo signal returned by region of interest;Ultrasonic echo signal is carried out super-resolution data processing, to obtain the positioning information of contrast medium microbubble;Blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each position in region of interest are obtained based on the positioning information of contrast medium microbubble, wherein, blood flow direction includes the first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasonic beam of ultrasonic probe and the second direction away from scanning direction;According to first color bar reference map, blood flow velocity and blood flow direction are color-coded, to obtain the speed direction compound super-resolution image after encoding;Speed direction compound super-resolution image is displayed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasound imaging technology, and in particular to a method for displaying ultrasound images and an ultrasound blood flow imaging system. Background Technology

[0002] Blockages, obstructions, and lesions in the microcirculation are precursors to many diseases, and observing changes in microvessels is beneficial for early diagnosis. Microcirculation refers to the blood circulation between arterioles and venules in a vascular network. It is both the peripheral part of the circulatory system and an important component of organs. Normally, the blood flow in the microcirculation adapts to the metabolic level of human tissues and organs, maintaining normal life activities and metabolism. When the metabolism and function of tissues and organs become abnormal, microcirculation will change to some extent. Therefore, microcirculation is closely related to the occurrence and development of diseases and has important physiological, pathological, pharmacological, and clinical significance, playing a crucial role in the early diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

[0003] However, due to the diffraction limit of ultrasound in the far field, the ability of routine clinical ultrasound contrast imaging to display the details of microvascular structures is limited. Super-Resolution Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (SR-CEUS), a novel imaging method with ultra-high spatial resolution, borrows the principles of fluorescence microscopy positioning techniques from optical super-resolution imaging. By locating and tracking the movement trajectories of isolated microbubbles, it constructs vascular images at the micrometer scale. Therefore, super-resolution contrast imaging technology solves the problem of microvascular visualization and has become a powerful tool for observing microblood flow.

[0004] Current super-resolution contrast imaging methods mainly include microbubble density imaging, microbubble blood flow velocity imaging, and microbubble blood flow direction imaging. However, these different imaging modes can only provide isolated information features of the target area, which means that doctors need to view multiple images separately during diagnosis and treatment, thus increasing the complexity of diagnosis. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method for displaying ultrasound images and an ultrasound blood flow imaging system, which enables the composite display of any two of the three parameters: blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density. This allows the same image to display multiple features of a target area, avoiding the need for doctors to repeatedly switch between multiple images and improving the convenience and efficiency of disease diagnosis.

[0006] The first aspect of this application provides a method for displaying an image, the method comprising:

[0007] The ultrasound probe is controlled to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest.

[0008] Receive ultrasonic echo signals returned from the region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of ultrasonic beams returned from multiple microbubbles in the region of interest;

[0009] The ultrasound echo signal is subjected to super-resolution data processing to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles;

[0010] Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each location in the region of interest are obtained, wherein the blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction;

[0011] Based on the first color bar reference image, the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction are color encoded to obtain an encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes first multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the blood flow velocity.

[0012] Displaying the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction.

[0013] A second aspect of this application provides a method for displaying an image, the method comprising:

[0014] The ultrasound probe is controlled to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest.

[0015] Receive ultrasonic echo signals returned from the region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of ultrasonic beams returned from multiple microbubbles in the region of interest;

[0016] The ultrasound echo signal is subjected to super-resolution data processing to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles;

[0017] Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data at various locations in the region of interest are obtained, wherein the blood flow ultrasound data includes at least two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density, and the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction.

[0018] Based on the sixth color bar reference image, color encoding is performed on any two of them to obtain an encoded composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the other of the two.

[0019] The composite super-resolution image is displayed.

[0020] A third aspect of this application provides a method for displaying ultrasound images, the method comprising:

[0021] The ultrasound probe is controlled to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest.

[0022] Receive ultrasonic echo signals returned from the region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of ultrasonic beams returned from multiple microbubbles in the region of interest;

[0023] The ultrasound echo signal is subjected to super-resolution data processing to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles;

[0024] Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data at each location in the region of interest are obtained, wherein the blood flow ultrasound data includes any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density;

[0025] Based on the color bar reference image, color encoding is performed on any two of them to obtain an encoded composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the other of the two.

[0026] The composite super-resolution image is displayed.

[0027] A fourth aspect of this application provides an ultrasound blood flow imaging system, characterized in that it includes:

[0028] The transmit / receive sequence control module is used to output a transmit / receive sequence to the ultrasonic probe and control the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic beams and receive echoes from the ultrasonic beams.

[0029] The ultrasound probe is used to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, and to receive the ultrasound echo signal returned from the region of interest, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest.

[0030] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0031] A processor is configured to implement, when executing a computer program stored in memory, a method for displaying ultrasound images provided by a first aspect of the embodiments of this application, a second aspect of the embodiments of this application, or a third party aspect of the embodiments of this application.

[0032] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0033] This application provides a method for composite display of ultrasound images, comprising: controlling an ultrasound probe to emit an ultrasound beam toward a region of interest (ROI) of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles flowing with the blood within the blood vessels of the ROI; receiving ultrasound echo signals returned from the ROI, the ultrasound echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of the ultrasound beam returned by the multiple microbubbles within the ROI; performing super-resolution data processing on the ultrasound echo signals to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles; and obtaining the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each location within the ROI based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles. The blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction; the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction are color-coded according to a first color bar reference image to obtain a coded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, wherein the encoding result of the same pixel in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes first multi-dimensional color information, the first dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the blood flow velocity; the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image is displayed.

[0034] Because the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image in this embodiment can simultaneously display multiple features of the target area, it avoids doctors having to switch repeatedly between multiple images, thus improving the convenience and efficiency of doctors in diagnosing diseases. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the ultrasound blood flow imaging system in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of encoding a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image using a first color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another process of encoding a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image using a first color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of encoding a density-direction composite super-resolution image using a second color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another process of encoding a density-direction composite super-resolution image using a second color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the display of blood flow velocity and direction at any location in a composite super-resolution image along the velocity direction, as described in the embodiments of the application.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the blood flow velocity and direction at any location in a density-direction composite super-resolution image, as described in the embodiments of the application.

[0043] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the simultaneous display of a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and a density-direction composite super-resolution image in an embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the blood flow direction map encoded using the third color bar reference map in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the blood flow velocity map encoded using the fourth color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the microbubble density map encoded using the fifth color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application;

[0048] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the sixth color bar reference image in the embodiments of this application;

[0049] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image encoded using the sixth color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 16 This is another schematic diagram of the sixth color bar reference image in the embodiments of this application;

[0051] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of a density-angle composite super-resolution image encoded using the sixth color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 18 This is another schematic diagram of the sixth color bar reference image in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of a velocity-density composite super-resolution image encoded using the sixth color bar reference image in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0055] This invention provides a method for displaying ultrasound images and an ultrasound blood flow imaging system, which enables the composite display of any two of the three parameters: blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density. This allows the same image to display multiple features of a target area, avoiding the need for doctors to repeatedly switch between multiple images and improving the convenience and efficiency of disease diagnosis.

[0056] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0057] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0058] Ultrasound vector flow imaging can calculate the velocity magnitude and direction of target points within blood vessels using speckle tracking or multi-angle deflection transmission and reception and Doppler principles. This method can produce clear ultrasound flow images when used for imaging large blood vessels. However, when imaging small and medium-sized blood vessels with weaker blood flow signals, the accuracy of the calculated velocity magnitude and direction is very low. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging primarily involves injecting an ultrasound contrast agent into the region of interest (ROI). The contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles within the blood vessels of ROI that flow with the blood. The strong reflection of the ultrasound beam by these microbubbles facilitates the identification of the vascular region.

[0059] Based on the aforementioned characteristics of ultrasound contrast agents, this invention provides a method for displaying ultrasound images and an ultrasound blood flow imaging system. The method involves transmitting an ultrasound beam to the region of interest (ROI) of a subject injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, then receiving microbubble echo signals obtained from the echoes of the ultrasound beam returned by multiple microbubbles within the ROI. Super-resolution processing is then performed on the received microbubble echo signals to obtain the location information of the contrast agent microbubbles. Further, based on the location information of the contrast agent microbubbles, the blood flow velocity and direction at each location within the ROI are obtained. The blood flow velocity and direction are then color-coded according to a first color bar reference image to obtain a coded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. Finally, this velocity-direction composite super-resolution image is displayed. This display method allows for the display of multiple blood flow features of a target region within the same image, thereby avoiding repeated switching between multiple images for the doctor and improving the convenience and efficiency of disease diagnosis.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasound blood flow imaging system is provided; please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 The ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100 includes an ultrasound probe 110, a transmit / receive sequence control module 120, a processor 130, a memory 140, and a display module 150. The ultrasound probe 110 is signal-connected to the processor 130 via the transmit / receive sequence control module 120, and the processor 130 is also signal-connected to the memory 140 and the display 150.

[0061] The ultrasound probe 110 includes a transducer (not shown) composed of multiple array elements arranged in an array. These elements can be arranged in a row to form a linear array, or in a two-dimensional matrix to form a planar array; they can also form a convex array. Each element is used to transmit an ultrasonic beam according to an excitation electrical signal, or to convert a received ultrasonic beam into an electrical signal. Therefore, each element can be used to achieve the mutual conversion between electrical pulse signals and ultrasonic beams, thereby enabling the transmission of ultrasonic beams to the target tissue (e.g., organs, tissues, blood vessels, etc. in the human or animal body) and the reception of echoes of ultrasonic beams reflected back from the tissue. During ultrasound detection, the transmission and reception sequences can be used to control which elements are used to transmit and which are used to receive ultrasonic beams, or to control the elements to be used in time-slotted manner for transmitting or receiving echoes of ultrasonic beams.

[0062] The array elements participating in the emission of an ultrasonic beam can be simultaneously excited by electrical signals, thereby emitting ultrasonic waves at the same time; or the array elements participating in the emission of an ultrasonic beam can be excited by several electrical signals with a certain time interval, thereby continuously emitting ultrasonic waves with a certain time interval.

[0063] In this embodiment, the ultrasound probe 110 is used to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest (ROI) M of the subject after injecting an ultrasound contrast agent and to receive the echo of the ultrasound beam returning from the RIO M, outputting an ultrasound echo signal. After the ultrasound contrast agent is injected into the RIO M of the subject, the ultrasound contrast agent will form multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the RIO M. Utilizing the strong reflection capability of the microbubbles on the ultrasound beam, the echo of the ultrasound beam returning from the multiple microbubbles in the RIO region can be obtained, i.e., the microbubble echo signal.

[0064] The transmit / receive sequence control module 120 is used to generate transmit and receive sequences. The transmit sequence controls some or all of the multiple array elements to transmit ultrasonic waves towards the target tissue. Transmit sequence parameters include the position and number of array elements, and ultrasonic beam transmission parameters (e.g., amplitude, frequency, number of transmissions, transmission interval, transmission angle, waveform, focusing position, etc.). The receive sequence controls some or all of the multiple array elements to receive the echoes of the ultrasonic beams reflected by the tissue. Receive sequence parameters include the position and number of array elements, and echo reception parameters (e.g., reception angle, depth, etc.). The ultrasonic beam parameters in the transmit sequence and the echo parameters in the receive sequence will differ depending on the purpose of the ultrasonic beam echo or the image and / or detection type generated by the ultrasonic beam echo.

[0065] In this embodiment, the transmit / receive sequence control module 120 outputs a transmit / receive sequence to the ultrasound probe 110, controlling the ultrasound probe 110 to transmit an ultrasound beam towards the region of interest (ROI) of the subject injected with ultrasound contrast agent and to receive the echo of the ultrasound beam returning from ROI. In this embodiment, the waveform transmitted by the ultrasound probe 110 towards the ROI via the transmit sequence can be a planar ultrasound beam or a focused ultrasound beam, preferably a planar wave. In some embodiments, the transmit sequence can also control the ultrasound probe 110 to alternately transmit beams of the two waveforms towards the ROI.

[0066] The processor 130 is used to output transmission sequence parameters and reception sequence parameters to the transmission and reception sequence control module 120. The transmission and reception sequence control module 120 receives the ultrasound echo signal output by the ultrasound probe 110, processes the ultrasound echo signal to obtain the blood flow velocity magnitude and blood flow velocity direction at the target point in the blood vessel, and performs color encoding on the above blood flow velocity and blood flow direction according to the first color bar reference image to obtain the encoded velocity direction composite super-resolution image. The velocity direction composite super-resolution image obtained by the processor 130 can be stored in the memory 140, and the velocity direction composite super-resolution image can also be displayed on the display 150.

[0067] Optionally, the display 150 in the ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100 can be a touch screen, an LCD screen, or a separate display device such as an LCD screen or a television, independent of the ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100; or the display 150 can be the screen of an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet, etc. The number of displays 150 can be one or more.

[0068] Optionally, the memory 140 in the ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100 can be a flash memory card, solid-state memory, hard disk, etc. It can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory, removable memory and / or non-removable memory, etc.

[0069] Optionally, the processor 140 in the ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100 can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. It can use circuits, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more general-purpose integrated circuits, one or more microprocessors, one or more programmable logic devices, or any combination of the foregoing circuits and / or devices, or other suitable circuits or devices, so that the processor 140 can perform the corresponding steps of the methods in the various embodiments of this specification.

[0070] It should be understood that Figure 1The components included in the illustrated ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100 are merely illustrative and may include more or fewer components. For example, the ultrasound blood flow imaging system 100 may also include input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, scroll wheel, trackball, etc., and / or may include output devices such as a printer. The corresponding external input / output ports may be wireless communication modules, wired communication modules, or a combination of both. External input / output ports may also be implemented based on USB, bus protocols such as CAN, and / or wired network protocols. This invention is not limited in this respect.

[0071] The following describes the method for displaying ultrasound images in the embodiments of this application. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 One embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application includes:

[0072] 201. Control the ultrasound probe to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest.

[0073] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment of the application, the processor 130 can control the ultrasound probe 110 (convex array ultrasound probe or phased array probe) to emit a divergent ultrasound beam towards the region of interest of the subject who has been injected with ultrasound contrast agent in super-resolution contrast imaging mode. This is because the imaging field of view of the divergent ultrasound emitted by the convex array probe / phased array probe (referred to as divergent wave) is generally larger than that of the planar ultrasound emitted by the linear array ultrasound probe (referred to as planar wave). At the same time, the frequency range of the convex array ultrasound probe or phased array probe is lower, which can reduce the attenuation of ultrasound in tissues, thereby increasing the detection depth while increasing the field of view.

[0074] Furthermore, before performing super-resolution contrast imaging, a contrast agent needs to be injected into the region of interest. The contrast agent is a solution containing contrast agent microbubbles. After the ultrasound contrast agent is injected into the region of interest, multiple microbubbles can be formed in the blood vessels of the region of interest, flowing with the blood. The contrast agent microbubbles have high echogenicity, that is, they have a strong ability to reflect ultrasound waves. The echogenicity of the medium in the contrast agent microbubbles is very different from that of human tissue. Therefore, the region of interest containing contrast agent microbubbles can produce ultrasound images with high contrast due to the high echogenicity difference.

[0075] Optionally, the region of interest in this embodiment can be the area of ​​the patient that needs to be measured, such as the trunk, heart, neck, etc., and the specific location of the region of interest is not limited here.

[0076] 202. Receive an ultrasonic echo signal returned from a region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signal including a microbubble echo signal obtained based on the echo of an ultrasonic beam returned from multiple microbubbles within the region of interest;

[0077] After an ultrasonic beam is emitted toward the region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signal returned from the region of interest can be received by the receiving probe in the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic echo information here mainly includes the microbubble echo signal obtained based on the return of the ultrasonic beam from multiple microbubbles in the region of interest.

[0078] 203. Perform super-resolution data processing on the ultrasound echo signal to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles;

[0079] After obtaining the ultrasound echo signal returned by the microbubbles in the region of interest, super-resolution data processing can be performed on the ultrasound echo signal in the region of interest. That is, through a series of complex algorithm processing, the resolution limit of traditional ultrasound images can be broken, thereby obtaining the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, that is, the position information of the contrast agent microbubbles in the region of interest.

[0080] 204. Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, obtain the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each location in the region of interest, wherein the blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction;

[0081] Once the location information of the contrast agent microbubbles in the region of interest is obtained, the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction information at each location in the region of interest can be calculated based on this location information. Here, the blood flow velocity can be understood as the velocity of the microbubbles in the blood vessel, and the blood flow direction can be understood as the flow direction of the microbubbles in the blood vessel.

[0082] Specifically, in this embodiment, the blood flow direction is defined as two directions, namely a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction away from the scanning direction, or a first direction toward the ultrasound probe and a second direction away from the ultrasound probe.

[0083] 205. Based on the first color bar reference image, the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction are color encoded to obtain an encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, wherein the encoding result of the same pixel in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes first multi-dimensional color information, the first dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the blood flow velocity.

[0084] After obtaining the blood flow velocity and direction at each location in the region of interest, the blood flow velocity and direction at each location can be color-coded using the first color bar reference image to obtain a coded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. In this velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, the encoding result of the same pixel simultaneously contains first multi-dimensional color information, that is, the encoding result of the same pixel simultaneously contains multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to represent the first direction or the second direction, while the second dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to represent the blood flow velocity.

[0085] Specifically, the multidimensional color information here includes, but is not limited to, color information and brightness information.

[0086] The process of encoding the blood flow velocity and direction at the same location using the first color bar reference image will be described in the following embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0087] 206. Display the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction.

[0088] After obtaining the velocity direction composite super-resolution image in step 205, the velocity direction composite super-resolution image is further displayed, so that the user can obtain multiple blood flow features (i.e., blood flow velocity and blood flow direction) in the same velocity direction composite super-resolution image, thus avoiding the problem of the user repeatedly switching between multiple images.

[0089] In this embodiment, after obtaining the blood flow velocity and direction at each location in the region of interest, the blood flow velocity and direction at each location can be encoded using the first color bar reference image to obtain a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. The encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image contains blood flow features in two dimensions (i.e., blood flow velocity and blood flow direction), allowing users to obtain blood flow features in two dimensions simultaneously through this velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. This also avoids the inefficiency caused by users repeatedly switching between blood flow velocity and blood flow direction images.

[0090] Optionally, in the above Figure 2 In addition to one or more corresponding embodiments, another optional embodiment provided in this application may further include:

[0091] The first color bar reference image includes a first color and a second color that are distinct from each other. The first color has multiple brightness values, and the second color has multiple brightness values. The first color is used to represent a first direction, and the second color is used to represent a second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the first color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction. The first multidimensional color information includes the first color and multiple brightness values ​​of the first color; or, the first multidimensional color information includes the second color and multiple brightness values ​​of the second color.

[0092] This application describes a first color bar pattern, and a velocity-direction composite image pattern obtained by encoding the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each location using the first color bar pattern.

[0093] To make it easier to understand, the following example is provided, for reference... Figure 3 As shown:

[0094] The first color bar in this embodiment includes a first color and a second color (such as yellow and blue) that are distinct from each other. The first color (such as yellow) has multiple brightness values ​​(such as first brightness value 30, second brightness value 60, etc.). In the field of image processing, brightness values ​​can be described by integers between 0 and 255. The second color (such as blue) has multiple brightness values ​​(such as first brightness value 30, second brightness value 60, etc.). Here, the first color is used to represent a first direction of blood flow (such as the direction toward the probe), and the second color is used to represent a second direction of blood flow (such as the direction away from the probe). The multiple brightness values ​​of the first color represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction (where one blood flow velocity corresponds to one brightness value), and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction.

[0095] In the embodiments of this application, the first color bar includes a first color and a second color that are distinct from each other. The first color and the second color can both be single colors, or they can both contain multiple colors, forming a color system, such as a yellow family, a blue family, a red family, a warm color family, or a cool color family. For example, a warm color family corresponds to the first color, and a cool color family corresponds to the second color. A warm color family refers to a color system composed of at least two colors from warm tones such as red, pink, and yellow; a cool color family can be a color system composed of at least two colors from cool tones such as blue and purple. The definitions of colors in subsequent color bars are similar to those in the reference diagram.

[0096] In this way, after obtaining the blood flow velocity and direction at location A in the region of interest, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include:

[0097] The velocity feature of blood flow velocity is extracted, the directional feature of blood flow direction is extracted, and the velocity feature and directional feature are combined to obtain a composite feature. Based on the first color bar reference image, the composite feature is color encoded to obtain the encoded velocity and directional super-resolution image.

[0098] Specifically, in this embodiment, a mapping table can be pre-set to determine the brightness value corresponding to the magnitude of blood flow velocity and the color corresponding to the blood flow velocity. Then, after obtaining the composite features from the composite velocity features and direction features, the composite features are color-coded using the first color bar reference image. That is, the brightness value and color of the velocity magnitude and velocity direction at position A are determined, and then the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at position A are encoded using the color of the brightness value to obtain the encoded velocity direction super-resolution image at position A.

[0099] If the blood flow velocity and direction at each location are color-coded using this method, then super-resolution images of the encoded velocity direction at each location in the region of interest can be obtained.

[0100] Furthermore, in the encoded velocity-direction super-resolution image, the first multidimensional color information of the same pixel includes a first color and multiple brightness values ​​of the first color, or includes a second color and multiple brightness values ​​of the second color.

[0101] Furthermore, to improve the convenience of viewing the encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a first color bar reference image at a preset distance from the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, and set the first color bar reference image as a bar reference image, so that users can quickly identify the first color representing the first direction and the second color representing the second direction, as well as the multiple brightness values ​​of the first color representing multiple blood flow velocities in the first direction and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color representing multiple blood flow velocities in the second direction through the bar-shaped first color bar reference image, thereby improving the convenience of users to identify the encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0102] In this embodiment of the application, a style of a first color bar reference image and a method for encoding the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each position using the first color bar reference image are provided. This encoding method allows users to distinguish the blood flow direction by color and the blood flow velocity by brightness value, thereby improving the convenience and accuracy of users in identifying blood flow velocity and blood flow direction.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first color bar reference image is displayed near the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the direction and magnitude of blood flow velocity in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image after viewing the first color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of user recognition of the direction and magnitude of blood flow velocity in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0104] Optionally, in the above Figure 2 In addition to one or more corresponding embodiments, another optional embodiment provided in this application may further include:

[0105] The first color bar reference image includes a first brightness value and a second brightness value that are distinct from each other, multiple colors having the first brightness value, and multiple colors having the second brightness value. The first brightness value is used to represent a first direction, the second brightness value is used to represent a second direction, the multiple colors having the first brightness value are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction, and the multiple colors having the second brightness value are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction. The first multidimensional color information includes the first brightness value and multiple colors having the first brightness value, or the first multidimensional color information includes the second brightness value and multiple colors having the second brightness value.

[0106] This application describes another style of the first color bar, and the process of encoding the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each location using the other style of the first color bar.

[0107] To make it easier to understand, the following example is provided, for reference... Figure 4 As shown:

[0108] In this embodiment, the first color bar includes a first brightness value and a second brightness value that are distinct from each other (for ease of viewing, two brightness values ​​with a large difference are generally selected, such as brightness value 10 and brightness value 245), multiple colors with the first brightness value, and multiple colors with the second brightness value. The first brightness value is used to represent the first direction of blood flow, the second brightness value is used to represent the second direction of blood flow, and the multiple colors with the first brightness value are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction (e.g., one color corresponds to one blood flow velocity magnitude), and the multiple colors with the second brightness value are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction.

[0109] In this way, after obtaining the blood flow velocity and direction at a certain location in the region of interest, the color and brightness values ​​corresponding to the blood flow velocity and direction at that location can be determined according to a pre-set mapping table. Then, the blood flow velocity and direction at that location can be encoded using these color and brightness values. If the blood flow velocity and direction at each location in the region of interest are color encoded in this way, the encoded velocity direction super-resolution image at each location can be obtained.

[0110] Furthermore, in the encoded velocity-direction super-resolution image, the first multidimensional color information of the same pixel includes a first brightness value and multiple colors having the first brightness value, or includes a second brightness value and multiple colors having the second brightness value.

[0111] Furthermore, to improve the convenience of viewing the encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a first color bar reference image at a preset distance from the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, and set the first color bar reference image as a bar reference image. This allows users to quickly identify the first brightness value representing the first direction and the second brightness value representing the second direction, as well as multiple colors with the first brightness value representing multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction and multiple colors with the second brightness value representing multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction through the bar-shaped first color bar reference image, thereby improving the convenience of users to identify the encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0112] In this embodiment of the application, another style of the first color bar reference image is provided, and a method for encoding the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each position using the first color bar reference image of this style is provided. This encoding method allows users to distinguish the blood flow direction by brightness value and distinguish the blood flow velocity by different colors of the same brightness value, thereby improving the convenience and accuracy of users in identifying blood flow velocity and blood flow direction.

[0113] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first color bar reference image is displayed near the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the direction and magnitude of blood flow velocity in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image after viewing the first color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of user recognition of the direction and magnitude of blood flow velocity in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0114] In the above Figure 2 Based on one or more corresponding embodiments, another optional embodiment provided in this application may further include: obtaining the microbubble density at multiple locations in the region of interest based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles.

[0115] Specifically, the bubble density here does not represent the number of bubbles per unit volume, but rather the probability that a certain location contains a bubble. For example, if a bubble is identified at location A in the first super-resolution image, the bubble density at that location can be considered to be 1. If a bubble is also identified at location A in the second super-resolution image, the bubble density at that location can be considered to be 2. In other words, the higher the bubble density, the greater the probability that a bubble is present at that location.

[0116] Furthermore, after obtaining the microbubble density at multiple locations in the region of interest, another optional embodiment provided by this application may further include: color encoding the microbubble density and blood flow direction according to the second color bar reference image to obtain an encoded density-direction composite super-resolution image, wherein the encoding result of the same pixel in the density-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes second multi-dimensional color information, the first dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the microbubble density.

[0117] Specifically, in this embodiment, the encoding result of the same pixel in the density-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes second multi-dimensional color information. Here, the second multi-dimensional color information is used to distinguish the first multi-dimensional color information in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. The first dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information is used to represent the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information is used to represent the microbubble density. This embodiment of the application uses the first dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information and the second dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information to represent the blood flow direction and the microbubble density respectively, thereby improving the convenience of simultaneously viewing the microbubble density and the blood flow direction in the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0118] For ease of understanding, the encoding process of density-direction composite super-resolution images will be described below. Optionally, in another alternative embodiment provided in this application, it may also include:

[0119] The second color bar reference image includes a third color and a fourth color that are distinct from each other. The third color has multiple brightness values, and the fourth color has multiple brightness values. The third color is used to represent a first direction, and the fourth color is used to represent a second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the third color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction. The second multidimensional color information includes the third color and multiple brightness values ​​of the third color, or the second multidimensional color information includes the fourth color and multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color.

[0120] To make it easier to understand, the following example is provided, for reference... Figure 5 As shown:

[0121] The second color bar in this embodiment includes a distinct third color and a fourth color (such as yellow and blue). The third color (such as yellow) has multiple brightness values ​​(such as a first brightness value of 30, a second brightness value of 60, etc.). In the field of image processing, brightness values ​​can be described by integers between 0 and 255. The fourth color (such as blue) has multiple brightness values ​​(such as a first brightness value of 30, a second brightness value of 60, etc.). Here, the third color is used to represent a first direction in the blood flow direction (such as the direction towards the probe), and the fourth color is used to represent a second direction in the blood flow direction (such as the direction away from the probe). The multiple brightness values ​​of the third color represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction (where one microbubble density corresponds to one brightness value), and the multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction.

[0122] In this way, after obtaining the microbubble density and blood flow direction at position B in the region of interest, the color and brightness values ​​of the corresponding microbubble density and blood flow direction at position B can be determined according to the pre-set mapping table. Then, the color and brightness values ​​are used to encode the microbubble density and blood flow direction at position B. If the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each position in the region of interest are color-coded in this way, the encoded density direction super-resolution image at each position can be obtained.

[0123] Furthermore, in the encoded density-direction super-resolution image, the second multidimensional color information of the same pixel includes a third color and multiple brightness values ​​of the third color, or includes a fourth color and multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color.

[0124] Furthermore, to improve the ease of viewing the encoded density-direction composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a second color bar reference image at a preset distance from the density-direction composite super-resolution image, and set the second color bar reference image as a bar reference image. This allows users to quickly identify the third color representing the first direction and the fourth color representing the second direction, as well as multiple brightness values ​​of the first color representing multiple microbubble densities along the first direction and multiple brightness values ​​of the second color representing multiple microbubble densities along the second direction through the bar-shaped second color bar reference image, thereby improving the ease of user identification of the encoded density-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0125] In this embodiment of the application, a method is provided to encode the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each location based on the pattern of the second color bar reference image and using the second color bar reference image. This encoding method allows users to distinguish the blood flow direction by color and the microbubble density by brightness value, thereby improving the convenience and accuracy of users in identifying microbubble density and blood flow direction.

[0126] Optionally, in another optional embodiment provided in this application, when encoding a density-direction super-resolution image using a second color bar reference image, it may further include:

[0127] The second color bar reference image includes mutually distinguishable third and fourth brightness values, multiple colors having the third brightness value, and multiple colors having the fourth brightness value. The third brightness value is used to represent a first direction, the fourth brightness value is used to represent a second direction, the multiple colors having the third brightness value are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction, and the multiple colors having the fourth brightness value are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction. The second multidimensional color information includes the third brightness value and multiple colors having the third brightness value, or the second multidimensional color information includes the fourth brightness value and multiple colors having the fourth brightness value.

[0128] This application describes another style of the second color bar, and the process of encoding the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each location using the other style of the second color bar.

[0129] To make it easier to understand, the following example is provided, for reference... Figure 6 As shown:

[0130] The second color bar in this embodiment includes mutually distinct third and fourth brightness values ​​(for ease of viewing, two brightness values ​​with a large difference are generally selected, such as brightness value 10 and brightness value 245), multiple colors with third brightness values, and multiple colors with fourth brightness values. The third brightness value is used to represent the first direction of blood flow, the fourth brightness value is used to represent the second direction of blood flow, and the multiple colors with third brightness values ​​are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction (e.g., one color corresponds to one microbubble density), and the multiple colors with fourth brightness values ​​are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction.

[0131] In this way, after obtaining the microbubble density and blood flow direction at position B in the region of interest, the color and brightness values ​​of the corresponding microbubble density and blood flow direction at position B can be determined according to the pre-set mapping table. Then, the color and brightness values ​​are used to encode the microbubble density and blood flow direction at position B. If the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each position in the region of interest are color-coded in this way, the encoded density direction super-resolution image at each position can be obtained.

[0132] Furthermore, in the encoded density-direction super-resolution image, the second multidimensional color information of the same pixel includes a third brightness value and multiple colors having the third brightness value, or includes a fourth brightness value and multiple colors having the fourth brightness value.

[0133] Furthermore, to improve the convenience of viewing the encoded density-direction composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a second color bar reference image at a preset distance from the density-direction composite super-resolution image, and set the second color bar reference image as a bar reference image. This allows users to quickly identify the third brightness value representing the first direction and the fourth brightness value representing the second direction, as well as the multiple colors with the third brightness value representing the density of multiple microbubbles along the first direction and the multiple colors with the fourth brightness value representing the density of multiple microbubbles along the second direction, through the bar-shaped second color bar reference image, thereby improving the convenience of users to identify the encoded density-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0134] In this application embodiment, another style of the second color bar reference image is provided, and a method for encoding the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each location using the second color bar reference image of this style. This encoding method allows users to distinguish the blood flow direction by brightness value and distinguish the microbubble density by different colors of the same brightness value, thereby improving the convenience and accuracy of users in identifying microbubble density and blood flow direction.

[0135] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second color bar reference image is displayed near the density-direction composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the blood flow velocity direction and microbubble density in the density-direction composite super-resolution image after viewing the second color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying the blood flow velocity direction and microbubble density in the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0136] based on Figure 3 or Figure 4 In the described embodiment, after obtaining the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, in another optional embodiment, the following steps may also be performed:

[0137] In response to a parameter display command for any location on a composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction, the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction corresponding to that location are displayed.

[0138] For ease of understanding, Figure 7 A schematic diagram is given showing the blood flow velocity and direction at any location in a composite super-resolution image along the velocity direction, as shown below. Figure 7 As shown, when a parameter display command for any location is triggered in the velocity direction composite super-resolution image, the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction corresponding to that location are displayed. Specifically, in this embodiment, the parameter display command for any location can be achieved by directly clicking any location using an input device (mouse or keyboard), or by first selecting any location using an input device (mouse or keyboard) and then clicking that location to display the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at that location. There are no restrictions on the action command that triggers the parameter display command.

[0139] based on Figure 5 or Figure 6 In the described embodiment, after obtaining the density-direction composite super-resolution image, in another optional embodiment, the following steps may also be performed:

[0140] In response to a parameter display command for any location on a composite super-resolution image in the density direction, the microbubble density and blood flow direction corresponding to that location are displayed.

[0141] For ease of understanding, Figure 8 A schematic diagram is given showing the microbubble density and blood flow direction at any location in a density-direction composite super-resolution image, such as... Figure 8 As shown, when a parameter display command for any location is triggered in the density-direction composite super-resolution image, the microbubble density and blood flow direction corresponding to that location are displayed. Specifically, in this embodiment, the parameter display command for any location can be achieved by directly clicking any location using an input device (mouse or keyboard), or by first selecting any location using an input device (mouse or keyboard) and then clicking that location to display the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at that location. There are no restrictions on the action command that triggers the parameter display command.

[0142] based on Figure 3 or Figure 4 Optionally, in another optional embodiment of the present application, the embodiment may further include: displaying a density-direction composite super-resolution image while displaying a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0143] For ease of understanding, Figure 9 A schematic diagram of synchronously displayed velocity-direction composite super-resolution images and density-direction composite super-resolution images is given. Figure 9 In this embodiment of the application, when displaying the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, the density-direction composite super-resolution image can also be displayed simultaneously, so that users can view the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and the density-direction composite super-resolution image at the same time, thereby improving the convenience for users to obtain multiple parameters (blood flow velocity direction, blood flow velocity magnitude and microbubble density magnitude) at the same time.

[0144] based on Figure 3 or Figure 4 Optionally, in another optional embodiment of the present application, the embodiment may further include: after displaying the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, in response to a first switching display command, switching the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image to a density-direction composite super-resolution image, and displaying the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0145] Specifically, in addition to simultaneously displaying velocity-direction composite super-resolution images and density-direction composite super-resolution images, this application embodiment can also, after displaying the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, switch the display of the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image to the density-direction composite super-resolution image in response to a first switching display command (such as clicking a switching button on the screen or clicking a switching command on the keyboard). Figure 3 or Figure 4 Switch display to Figure 5 or Figure 6 This improves the ease with which users can view corresponding icons when focusing on different information. For example, when a user focuses on blood flow velocity and direction, in response to the first switching command, the corresponding icon will be displayed on the screen. Figure 3 or Figure 4 The velocity direction is combined into a super-resolution image, while when the user focuses on microbubble density and blood flow direction, it is displayed on the screen. Figure 5 or Figure 6 The density-direction composite super-resolution image shown.

[0146] based on Figure 5 or Figure 6 Optionally, in another optional embodiment of the embodiments described above, the following may also be included:

[0147] Based on the third color bar reference image and multiple blood flow directions at various locations, a blood flow direction map is generated and displayed; and / or, based on the fourth color bar reference image and multiple blood flow velocities at various locations, a blood flow velocity map is generated and displayed; and / or, based on the fifth color bar reference image and multiple microbubble densities at various locations, a microbubble density map is generated and displayed.

[0148] Specifically, in addition to generating composite super-resolution images, the embodiments of this application can also generate independent blood flow parameter maps based on each blood flow parameter. For example, a blood flow direction map can be generated based on the blood flow direction parameter, or a blood flow velocity map can be generated based on the blood flow velocity, or a microbubble density map can be generated based on the microbubble density, thereby improving the simplicity and clarity for users to view each blood flow parameter map.

[0149] To facilitate understanding, the process of generating the corresponding blood flow parameter map using each blood flow parameter is described below:

[0150] Please see Figure 10 , Figure 10 The process of generating and displaying a blood flow direction map using a third color bar reference map and multiple blood flow directions at various locations is given:

[0151] exist Figure 10In the diagram, the third color bar includes multiple colors ranging from blue to yellow, and uses these colors to represent different blood flow directions. For example, blue represents blood flow at -150 degrees, while yellow represents blood flow at +150 degrees. Therefore, when encoding the blood flow direction diagram, multiple different colors can be used to encode the blood flow in the corresponding direction, allowing users to identify the blood flow direction at the corresponding location simply by color in the blood flow direction diagram. This improves the convenience of viewing the blood flow direction at different locations in the blood flow direction diagram.

[0152] Please see Figure 11 , Figure 11 The process of generating and displaying a blood flow velocity map using a fourth color bar reference image and multiple blood flow directions at various locations is presented:

[0153] exist Figure 11 In the fourth color bar reference image, there are multiple colors ranging from blue to yellow, and these colors are used to represent different blood flow velocities. For example, in the fourth color bar reference image, blue to yellow represent increasing speeds. Therefore, when encoding the blood flow velocity map, the fourth color bar reference image can be consulted based on the blood flow velocity at the corresponding position to obtain the color corresponding to that blood flow velocity, and this color can be used to fill the blood flow velocity map to obtain the encoded blood flow velocity map.

[0154] In this way, users can obtain the blood flow velocity at a certain location by color in the blood flow velocity map, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining the blood flow velocity at different locations in the blood flow velocity map.

[0155] Please see Figure 12 , Figure 12 The process of generating and displaying a microbubble density map using a fifth color bar reference image and multiple microbubble densities at various locations is presented:

[0156] exist Figure 12 In the fifth color bar reference image, there are multiple colors ranging from black to yellow, and different colors are used to represent different microbubble densities. For example, in the fifth color bar reference image, black to yellow respectively represent increasing microbubble density. Therefore, when encoding the microbubble density map, the fifth color bar reference image can be consulted according to the microbubble density at the corresponding position to obtain the color corresponding to the microbubble density, and the microbubble density map can be filled with this color to obtain the encoded microbubble density map.

[0157] In this way, users can obtain the density of microbubbles at corresponding locations by color in the microbubble density map, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining the density of microbubbles at different locations in the microbubble density map.

[0158] Therefore, this application embodiment can display not only velocity-direction composite super-resolution images, but also density-direction composite super-resolution images, as well as blood flow direction maps, blood flow velocity maps, and microbubble density maps. In order to facilitate users to display only the corresponding images when focusing on different objects, this application embodiment can also switch between velocity-direction composite super-resolution images, density-direction composite super-resolution images, blood flow direction maps, blood flow velocity maps, and microbubble density maps in response to a second switching display command, thereby improving the convenience for users to view different blood flow parameters.

[0159] Specifically, the second switching instruction in this application embodiment may be a button displayed on the screen or an input instruction from an input device. The specific content of the second switching instruction is not limited here.

[0160] based on Figure 2 In the described embodiment, before controlling the ultrasound probe to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of the subject who has been injected with ultrasound contrast agent, alternatively, in another optional embodiment of this application, the following may also be included:

[0161] In tissue imaging mode, or in conventional contrast imaging mode, another ultrasound beam is sent to the target tissue structure of the subject; another ultrasound echo signal is received from the target tissue structure; and based on the other ultrasound echo signal, a tissue ultrasound image and / or contrast image of the target tissue structure is obtained; and the region of interest is determined in the ultrasound image and / or contrast image.

[0162] This application describes the process of determining the region of interest (ROI) of a subject. Specifically, in ultrasound imaging modes, there are generally super-resolution mode and ordinary mode. Super-resolution mode is used to perform ultrasound imaging of the ROI using ultrasound contrast agents, while ordinary mode is used to image the ROI using ultrasound imaging technology. It is easy to understand that before performing super-resolution imaging of the ROI, it is generally necessary to determine the ROI first. The ROI can be any region of the subject, and there is no restriction on the specific location of the ROI.

[0163] In determining the region of interest (ROI), typically, in the tissue imaging mode of an ultrasound blood flow imaging system or in conventional contrast imaging mode, another ultrasound beam (distinct from the ultrasound beam in super-resolution mode), such as a planar ultrasound beam, is sent to the target tissue structure of the subject. The echo signal of this other ultrasound beam returned from the target tissue structure, such as the echo signal of the planar ultrasound beam, is then received. Based on the echo signal of this other ultrasound beam, a tissue ultrasound image and / or contrast imaging image of the target tissue structure is obtained, and the ROI is determined within the ultrasound and / or contrast imaging images. This includes receiving the ROI specified by the user in the ultrasound and / or contrast imaging images.

[0164] The process of determining the region of interest through tissue imaging mode or conventional contrast imaging mode in this embodiment only requires sending a normal conventional beam to the target tissue of the subject, and does not require injecting ultrasound contrast agent into the side-mounted region of interest. This reduces the process of injecting ultrasound contrast agent into the subject, thus avoiding the impact of ultrasound contrast agent on the subject's body, and correspondingly improving the convenience of determining the region of interest.

[0165] The following describes another embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 13 Another embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application includes:

[0166] 1301. Controlling an ultrasound probe to emit an ultrasound beam toward a region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest.

[0167] 1302. Receive an ultrasonic echo signal returned from a region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signal including a microbubble echo signal obtained based on the echo of an ultrasonic beam returned from multiple microbubbles within the region of interest.

[0168] 1303. Perform super-resolution data processing on the ultrasound echo signal to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles;

[0169] It should be noted that steps 1301 to 1303 in the embodiments of this application are different from those in the present application. Figure 2 The steps 201 to 203 in the embodiments are described similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0170] 1304. Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data are obtained at each location in the region of interest, wherein the blood flow ultrasound data includes at least any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density, and the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction.

[0171] Different from Figure 2 In this embodiment, after obtaining the location information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data at various locations within the region of interest are acquired based on the location information of the contrast agent microbubbles. The blood flow ultrasound data here includes at least any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density. Furthermore, the blood flow direction in this embodiment includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction, and is not simply... Figure 2 In the embodiments, the blood flow direction is determined as a first direction and a second direction. Furthermore, the present application example describes the blood flow direction by using multiple blood flow angles relative to the reference direction, thereby making the description of the blood flow direction more accurate and closer to the actual direction of blood flow.

[0172] Specifically, in this application embodiment, when determining blood flow velocity using microbubble location information, it can be based on a marked portion of microbubbles, then calculating the distance that portion of microbubbles moves per unit time, and determining this distance as blood flow velocity. When determining blood flow direction based on microbubble location information, it can be based on a marked portion of microbubbles, describing the movement trend and direction of that portion of microbubbles, and determining this movement trend or direction as blood flow direction. When determining microbubble density based on microbubble location information, it can be determined by the cumulative amount of microbubbles flowing through a certain location, and determining this cumulative amount as microbubble density. Here, it can be seen that the greater the microbubble density at a certain location, the greater the probability that microbubbles appear at that location, and vice versa.

[0173] 1305. Based on the sixth color bar reference image, perform color encoding on any two of the above to obtain an encoded composite super-resolution image, wherein the encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes multi-dimensional color information, the first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the other of the two.

[0174] Once any two of the blood flow ultrasound data are obtained, they can be color-coded according to the sixth color bar reference image to obtain a coded composite super-resolution image. For example, blood flow velocity and blood flow direction can be color-coded, or blood flow velocity and microbubble density can be color-coded, or microbubble density and blood flow direction can be color-coded, etc., to obtain a coded composite super-resolution image.

[0175] In this composite super-resolution image, the encoding result of the same pixel also includes multi-dimensional color information. For example, the first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to represent one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to represent the other of the two.

[0176] When encoding blood flow velocity and direction, the first dimension of color information is used to represent blood flow velocity, and the second dimension of color information is used to represent blood flow direction. Similarly, when encoding blood flow velocity and bubble density, the first dimension of color information is used to represent blood flow velocity, and the second dimension of color information is used to represent bubble density.

[0177] The process of encoding any two using the sixth color bar reference image will be described in the following embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0178] 1306. Display the composite super-resolution image.

[0179] After obtaining the composite super-resolution image in step 1305, the composite super-resolution image is further displayed, so that the user can obtain multiple blood flow features in the same composite super-resolution image, thus avoiding the problem of the user repeatedly switching between multiple images.

[0180] In this embodiment, after obtaining the blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density at each location in the region of interest, the sixth color bar reference image can be used to encode any two of the blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density at each location to obtain a composite super-resolution image. The encoded composite super-resolution image simultaneously contains two dimensions of blood flow features (i.e., blood flow velocity and blood flow direction, or blood flow velocity and microbubble density, or microbubble density and blood flow direction). This allows users to obtain two dimensions of blood flow features simultaneously through the composite super-resolution image, thereby avoiding the inefficiency caused by users repeatedly switching between blood flow velocity maps, blood flow direction maps, and microbubble density maps.

[0181] The following provides a detailed description of composite super-resolution images when blood flow ultrasound data includes any two of the three parameters: blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density:

[0182] I. Blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and blood flow angle.

[0183] Different from Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiments described herein, the blood flow direction is represented by a blood flow angle. For example, a reference direction can be predetermined, and the blood flow direction is represented by the angle between the blood flow direction and the reference direction. Generally, the blood flow angle includes 0 degrees to 360 degrees.

[0184] based on Figure 13In the embodiments described above, if the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, another optional embodiment of this application may further include:

[0185] The sixth color bar reference diagram includes multiple colors representing blood flow angles, each color having multiple brightness values. The multiple colors are used to represent multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities corresponding to the blood flow angles.

[0186] Specifically, in order to make it easier to describe the angle, the sixth color bar reference diagram in this application embodiment is preferably a pie-shaped color bar reference diagram, so as to describe the blood flow direction by various angles relative to the reference direction, which also improves the intuitiveness and convenience of viewing the blood flow direction.

[0187] For ease of understanding, Figure 14 A schematic diagram of a pie chart with color bars is provided. Figure 14 The system uses multiple colors from yellow to green, each representing a different angle. Furthermore, each color has a different brightness value along the radius. These multiple brightness values ​​for each color are used to characterize multiple blood flow velocities corresponding to the given blood flow angle. For example, yellow represents a blood flow angle of 60 degrees, while purple represents a blood flow angle of 240 degrees. Along the radius, as the brightness value changes, the blood flow velocity can increase or decrease, as long as the purpose of using brightness values ​​to represent the magnitude of blood flow velocity is achieved. It should be noted that... Figure 14 The colors and angles mentioned are merely explanations of the correspondence between colors and angles, not limitations.

[0188] based on Figure 14 The pie chart shown is an optional embodiment. The encoding process of the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image is described below:

[0189] The velocity feature of blood flow and the angular feature of blood flow are extracted. The velocity feature and the angular feature are combined to obtain the composite feature. The composite feature is then color-coded using the sixth color bar reference image to obtain the encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0190] For details, please refer to Figure 15 After obtaining the blood flow velocity at position C in the region of interest, the target brightness value corresponding to the blood flow velocity and the target color corresponding to the blood flow angle can be obtained according to the pre-set mapping table. Then, the color corresponding to the blood flow angle and the brightness value corresponding to the blood flow velocity are combined to obtain the target color and target brightness value of the blood flow velocity and blood flow angle at position C. The target brightness value of the target color is then used to fill position C to obtain the encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0191] Furthermore, the multidimensional colors contained in the encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image include a first color with a first target brightness value.

[0192] Furthermore, to improve the convenience of viewing the encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a sixth color bar reference image at a preset distance from the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, and set the second color bar reference image as a pie-shaped color bar reference image. This allows users to quickly identify the target color representing the blood flow angle and multiple brightness values ​​representing different blood flow angles through the pie-shaped sixth color bar reference image, thereby improving the convenience of users in identifying the encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0193] This application provides a detailed description of the process of encoding a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image using a pie chart color bar reference. The encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image allows for intuitive viewing of blood flow velocity and angle through color and brightness values, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining blood flow velocity and angle from the same composite super-resolution image.

[0194] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sixth color bar reference image is displayed near the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the blood flow velocity and blood flow angle in the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image after viewing the sixth color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying the blood flow velocity and blood flow angle in the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0195] II. Blood flow ultrasound data includes microbubble density and blood flow angle.

[0196] based on Figure 13 In the embodiments described above, if the composite super-resolution image includes a density-angle composite super-resolution image, another optional embodiment of this application may further include:

[0197] The sixth color bar reference diagram includes multiple colors representing blood flow angles, each color having multiple brightness values. The multiple colors are used to represent multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities with corresponding blood flow angles.

[0198] Specifically, in order to make it easier to describe the angle, the sixth color bar reference diagram in this application embodiment is preferably a pie-shaped color bar reference diagram, so as to describe the blood flow direction by various angles relative to the reference direction, which also improves the intuitiveness and convenience of viewing the blood flow direction.

[0199] For ease of understanding, Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a pie chart with color bars is provided. Figure 16The system incorporates multiple colors ranging from yellow to green, each representing a different angle. Furthermore, each color has a different brightness value along the radius. These multiple brightness values ​​for each color are used to characterize multiple microbubble densities corresponding to different blood flow angles. For example, yellow represents a blood flow angle of 60 degrees, while purple represents a blood flow angle of 240 degrees. Along the radius, the brightness value can indicate either an increase or decrease in microbubble density, as long as the purpose of using brightness values ​​to represent microbubble density is achieved. It should be noted that... Figure 16 The colors and angles mentioned are merely explanations of the correspondence between colors and angles, not limitations.

[0200] based on Figure 16 The pie chart shown is an optional embodiment. The encoding process of the density-angle composite super-resolution image is described below:

[0201] Density features of microbubble density and angular features of blood flow angle are extracted. The density and angular features are combined to obtain composite features. The composite features are then color-coded using the sixth color bar reference image to obtain the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0202] For details, please refer to Figure 17 After obtaining the microbubble density at position D in the region of interest, the target brightness value corresponding to the microbubble density and the target color corresponding to the blood flow angle can be obtained according to the pre-set mapping table. Then, the color corresponding to the blood flow angle and the brightness value corresponding to the microbubble density are combined to obtain the target color and target brightness value of the microbubble density and blood flow angle at position D. The target brightness value of the target color is then used to fill position D to obtain the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0203] Furthermore, the multidimensional colors contained in the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image include a second color with a second target brightness value.

[0204] Furthermore, to improve the convenience of viewing the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a sixth color bar reference image at a preset distance from the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and set the sixth color bar reference image as a pie-shaped color bar reference image, so that users can quickly identify the target color representing the blood flow angle and multiple brightness values ​​representing different microbubble densities through the pie-shaped sixth color bar reference image, thereby improving the convenience of users to identify the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0205] This application describes in detail the process of encoding density-angle composite super-resolution images using a pie chart color bar reference image. The encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image allows for intuitive viewing of the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each location through color and brightness values, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining microbubble density and blood flow direction in the same composite super-resolution image.

[0206] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sixth color bar reference image is displayed near the microbubble density composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the microbubble density and blood flow direction in the microbubble density composite super-resolution image after viewing the sixth color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying the microbubble density and blood flow direction in the density angle composite super-resolution image.

[0207] III. Blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and microbubble density.

[0208] based on Figure 13 In the embodiments described above, if the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-density composite super-resolution image, another optional embodiment of this application may further include:

[0209] The sixth color bar reference diagram includes multiple colors and multiple brightness values. The multiple colors are used to represent either blood flow velocity or microbubble density, and the multiple brightness values ​​are used to represent the other one. For example, when the color represents blood flow velocity, the brightness value is used to represent microbubble density, and when the color is used to represent microbubble density, the brightness value is used to represent blood flow velocity.

[0210] Optionally, in this embodiment, the sixth color bar reference image is described using a pie chart-like color bar reference image for ease of understanding. Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a pie chart with color bars is provided. Figure 18 The system incorporates multiple colors ranging from yellow to green, with each color representing a different blood flow velocity. Furthermore, each color has a different brightness value along its radius. These multiple brightness values ​​for each color are used to characterize multiple microbubble densities corresponding to the blood flow velocities. For example, yellow represents a blood flow velocity of 10, while purple represents a blood flow velocity of 80. Along the radius, as the brightness value changes, the microbubble density can either increase or decrease, as long as the purpose of using brightness values ​​to represent microbubble density is achieved. It should be noted that... Figure 16 The colors and blood flow speeds mentioned are merely explanations of the correspondence between colors and blood flow speeds, not limitations.

[0211] It should be noted that, Figure 18 Blood flow velocity is characterized by color, while microbubble density is characterized by brightness values. Of course, other methods can also be used... Figure 18 In this study, blood flow velocity is characterized by brightness values, while microbubble density is characterized by color.

[0212] based on Figure 18 The pie chart shown is an optional embodiment. The encoding process of the velocity-density composite super-resolution image is described below:

[0213] Density features of microbubble density and velocity features of blood flow velocity are extracted. Combined density and velocity features are obtained to form composite features. The composite features are then color-coded using the sixth color bar reference image to obtain the encoded velocity-density composite super-resolution image.

[0214] For details, please refer to Figure 19 After obtaining the microbubble density at position E in the region of interest, the target brightness value corresponding to the microbubble density and the target color corresponding to the blood flow velocity can be obtained according to the pre-set mapping table. Then, the target color corresponding to the blood flow velocity and the target brightness value corresponding to the microbubble density are combined to obtain the target color and target brightness value of the microbubble density and blood flow angle at position E. The target brightness value of the target color is then used to fill position E to obtain the encoded velocity density composite super-resolution image.

[0215] Furthermore, the multidimensional colors contained in the encoded velocity-density composite super-resolution image include a third color with a third target brightness value.

[0216] Furthermore, to improve the ease of viewing the encoded velocity-density composite super-resolution image, this embodiment of the application can also display a sixth color bar reference image at a preset distance from the velocity-density composite super-resolution image, and set the sixth color bar reference image as a pie-shaped color bar reference image, so that users can quickly identify the target color representing blood flow velocity and multiple brightness values ​​representing different microbubble densities through the pie-shaped sixth color bar reference image, thereby improving the ease of users to identify the encoded velocity-density composite super-resolution image.

[0217] This application provides a detailed description of the process of encoding velocity-density composite super-resolution images using a pie chart color bar reference image. Furthermore, the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image allows for intuitive viewing of microbubble density and blood flow velocity at each location through color and brightness values, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining microbubble density and blood flow velocity in the same composite super-resolution image.

[0218] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sixth color bar reference image is displayed near the velocity-density composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the microbubble density and blood flow velocity in the velocity-density composite super-resolution image after viewing the sixth color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying microbubble density and blood flow velocity in the velocity-density composite super-resolution image.

[0219] In obtaining Figure 15 , Figure 17 and Figure 19 Following the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density composite super-resolution image, another optional embodiment of this application may further include:

[0220] Display at least two of the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density composite super-resolution image on the same screen.

[0221] To acquire more blood flow ultrasound data, embodiments of this application may display at least two of the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density composite super-resolution image on the same screen, thereby enabling users to acquire three blood flow ultrasound data simultaneously through at least two of the above three images, thus improving the intuitiveness and convenience of acquiring three blood flow ultrasound data simultaneously.

[0222] In obtaining Figure 15 , Figure 17 and Figure 19 Following the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density composite super-resolution image, another optional embodiment of this application may further include:

[0223] Switch between displaying velocity-angle composite super-resolution images, density-angle composite super-resolution images, and velocity-density composite super-resolution images.

[0224] To allow users to simultaneously acquire two blood flow ultrasound data points when focusing on only two specific data points, embodiments of this application can switch between velocity-angle composite super-resolution images, density-angle composite super-resolution images, and velocity-density composite super-resolution images. This allows users to switch between displaying the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image on the screen when focusing on blood flow velocity and angle, the density-angle composite super-resolution image when focusing on microbubble density and blood flow angle, and the velocity-density composite super-resolution image when focusing on microbubble density and blood flow velocity. This enhances the intuitiveness and convenience of acquiring two blood flow ultrasound data points simultaneously.

[0225] based on Figure 13 As an optional embodiment, the embodiments of this application may further include:

[0226] Based on the seventh color bar reference image, multiple blood flow velocities at various locations are color-coded to generate and display a blood flow velocity map; and / or, based on the eighth color bar reference image, multiple blood flow angles at various locations are color-coded to generate and display a blood flow angle map; and / or, based on the eighth color bar reference image, multiple microbubble densities at various locations are color-coded to generate and display a microbubble density map.

[0227] It should be noted that the process of generating and displaying the blood flow velocity map, blood flow angle map, and microbubble density map described above is similar to... Figures 10 to 12 The process described in the text is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0228] The embodiments of this application can also generate and display blood flow velocity maps, blood flow angle maps, and microbubble density maps, so that when users only focus on blood flow velocity, blood flow angle, or microbubble density, they can obtain the physical quantities of interest by viewing the blood flow velocity map, blood flow angle map, and microbubble density map, thereby improving the simplicity of obtaining single blood flow ultrasound data.

[0229] After obtaining the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and the velocity-density super-resolution image, as well as the blood flow velocity image, the blood flow angle image, and the microbubble density image, the embodiments of this application can also switch between these six images to improve the intuitiveness and convenience of viewing different blood flow ultrasound data.

[0230] The following describes the method for displaying ultrasound images in the embodiments of this application. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 20 One embodiment of the ultrasound image display method in this application includes:

[0231] 2001. Controlling an ultrasound probe to emit an ultrasound beam toward a region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest;

[0232] 2002. Receive an ultrasonic echo signal returned from a region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signal including a microbubble echo signal obtained based on the echo of an ultrasonic beam returned from multiple microbubbles within the region of interest;

[0233] 2003. Perform super-resolution data processing on the ultrasound echo signal to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles;

[0234] It should be noted that steps 2001 to 2003 in the embodiments of this application are different from those in the present application. Figure 2 The steps 201 to 203 in the embodiments are described similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0235] 2004. Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data are obtained at each location in the region of interest, wherein the blood flow ultrasound data includes any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density;

[0236] In step 2003, after obtaining the localization information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data at various locations in the region of interest can be obtained based on the localization information of the contrast agent. The blood flow ultrasound data includes any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction, and microbubble density.

[0237] It should be noted here that the blood flow direction in the embodiments of this application can be similar to... Figure 2 The first aspect, which is aligned with the scanning direction of the ultrasonic beam of the ultrasonic probe, and the second aspect, which deviates from the scanning direction, in the embodiment can also be similar to... Figure 13 Multiple blood flow angles relative to the reference direction are given here, and there are no specific restrictions on how the blood flow direction is represented.

[0238] 2005. Based on the color bar reference image, color encoding is performed on any two of the above to obtain an encoded composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the other of the two.

[0239] After obtaining the blood flow ultrasound data, at least two of the three ultrasound blood flow data can be color-coded according to the color bar reference map to obtain the encoded composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image includes multi-dimensional color information, such as color information and brightness information. The first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to represent one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to represent the other of the two.

[0240] When blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and blood flow direction, the composite super-resolution image is a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. When blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and microbubble density, the composite super-resolution image is a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. When blood flow ultrasound data includes microbubble density and blood flow direction, the composite super-resolution image is a density-direction composite super-resolution image.

[0241] Furthermore, the velocity direction in this application can be divided into a first aspect that is consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasonic beam of the ultrasonic probe and a second aspect that is contrary to the scanning direction, or multiple blood flow angles relative to the reference direction. When the blood flow direction is a blood flow angle, the velocity direction composite super-resolution image can also be a velocity angle composite super-resolution image, and the density direction composite super-resolution image can also be a density angle composite super-resolution image.

[0242] Furthermore, the color bar reference image in the embodiments of this application can be a bar-shaped color bar reference image or a pie-shaped color bar reference image, and there are no specific restrictions on the style of the color bar reference image.

[0243] 2006. Display the composite super-resolution image.

[0244] Once the composite super-resolution image is obtained, it can be displayed, such as through the display screen of the ultrasound blood flow imaging system or an external display connected to the ultrasound blood flow imaging system. There are no specific restrictions on the terminal for displaying the composite super-resolution image.

[0245] In this embodiment, after obtaining the blood flow ultrasound data at each location in the region of interest, the blood flow velocity and direction at each location can be encoded using a color bar reference image to obtain a composite super-resolution image. The encoded composite super-resolution image simultaneously contains two dimensions of blood flow features (i.e., blood flow velocity and blood flow direction, or blood flow velocity and microbubble density, or microbubble density and blood flow direction). This allows users to simultaneously obtain two dimensions of blood flow features through the composite super-resolution image, thereby avoiding the inefficiency caused by repeatedly switching between blood flow velocity maps, blood flow direction maps, or microbubble density maps.

[0246] based on Figure 20 In the embodiments described above, when the blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction. When the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0247] The color bar reference image includes a first color and a second color that are distinct from each other. The first color has multiple brightness values, and the second color has multiple brightness values. The first color is used to represent a first direction, and the second color is used to represent a second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the first color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction. The multidimensional color information includes the first color and the multiple brightness values ​​of the first color; or, the first multidimensional color information includes the second color and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color.

[0248] As an optional embodiment, the color bar reference diagram in this application embodiment includes a bar-shaped color bar reference diagram.

[0249] It should be noted that the content described in the embodiments of this application is different from... Figure 3 The descriptions of the embodiments are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0250] This application embodiment encodes velocity-direction composite super-resolution images using color and brightness values, thereby allowing users to view blood flow velocity and direction at different locations within the same velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, avoiding the inefficiency caused by users repeatedly switching between multiple images.

[0251] based on Figure 20 In the embodiments described above, when the blood flow ultrasound data includes microbubble density and blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction. When the composite super-resolution image includes a density-direction composite super-resolution image, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0252] The color bar reference diagram includes a third color and a fourth color that are distinct from each other. The third color has multiple brightness values, and the fourth color has multiple brightness values. The third color is used to represent a first direction, and the fourth color is used to represent a second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the third color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction. The multidimensional color information includes the third color and multiple brightness values ​​of the third color, or the second multidimensional color information includes the fourth color and multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color.

[0253] As an optional embodiment, the color bar reference diagram in this application embodiment includes a bar-shaped color bar reference diagram.

[0254] It should be noted that the content described in the embodiments of this application is different from... Figure 5 The descriptions of the embodiments are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0255] This application embodiment encodes density-direction composite super-resolution images using color and brightness values, thereby allowing users to view microbubble density and blood flow direction at different locations within the same density-direction composite super-resolution image, avoiding the inefficiency caused by users repeatedly switching between multiple images.

[0256] Based on the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and density-direction composite super-resolution image obtained from the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0257] Simultaneous display of composite super-resolution images in the velocity direction and composite super-resolution images in the density direction.

[0258] As another optional example, embodiments of this application may further include the following steps:

[0259] Switch between displaying composite super-resolution images in the velocity direction and composite super-resolution images in the density direction.

[0260] In this embodiment, after obtaining the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and the density-direction composite super-resolution image, the user can choose to display the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and the density-direction composite super-resolution image on the same screen if they want to acquire three ultrasound blood flow data at the same time. If they want to acquire two ultrasound blood flow data at the same time, they can switch between displaying the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and the density-direction composite super-resolution image on the screen, thereby improving the convenience of viewing different blood flow ultrasound data.

[0261] based on Figure 20 In the embodiments described above, when the blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and blood flow direction, and the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction, and when the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0262] The color bar reference image includes multiple colors representing blood flow angles, each color having multiple brightness values. The multiple colors are used to represent multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities with corresponding blood flow angles. The multidimensional color information includes a first target color with a first target brightness value, the first target brightness value being any one of the multiple brightness values, and the first target color being any one of the multiple colors.

[0263] As an optional embodiment, the color bar reference image in this application embodiment includes a pie-shaped color bar reference image.

[0264] As an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may also display a pie-shaped color bar reference image at a preset distance of the distance-velocity-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0265] It should be noted that the pie-shaped color bar reference diagram described in the embodiments of this application is the same as... Figure 14 Similar to the description in [the text], but the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image and [other images]... Figure 15 The descriptions of the embodiments are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0266] This application provides a detailed description of the process of encoding a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image using a pie chart color bar reference. The encoded velocity-angle composite super-resolution image allows for intuitive viewing of blood flow velocity and angle through color and brightness values, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining blood flow velocity and angle from the same composite super-resolution image.

[0267] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a sixth color bar reference image is displayed near the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the blood flow velocity and blood flow angle in the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image after viewing the sixth color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying the blood flow velocity and blood flow angle in the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0268] based on Figure 20 In the described embodiments, when the blood flow ultrasound data includes microbubble density and blood flow direction, and the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction, and when the composite super-resolution image includes a density-angle composite super-resolution image, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0269] The color bar reference image includes multiple colors representing the direction of blood flow angles, each color having multiple brightness values. The multiple colors are used to represent multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities corresponding to the blood flow angles. The multidimensional color information includes a second target color with a second target brightness value, the second target brightness value being any one of the multiple brightness values, and the second target color being any one of the multiple colors.

[0270] As an optional embodiment, the color bar reference image in this application embodiment includes a pie-shaped color bar reference image.

[0271] As an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may also display a pie-shaped color bar reference image at a preset distance of the distance-density-angle composite super-resolution image.

[0272] It should be noted that the pie-shaped color bar reference diagram described in the embodiments of this application is the same as... Figure 16 Similar to the description in [the text], but density-angle composite super-resolution images and Figure 17 The descriptions of the embodiments are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0273] This application describes in detail the process of encoding density-angle composite super-resolution images using a pie chart color bar reference image. The encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image allows for intuitive viewing of the microbubble density and blood flow direction at each location through color and brightness values, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining microbubble density and blood flow direction in the same composite super-resolution image.

[0274] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed near the microbubble density composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the microbubble density and blood flow direction in the microbubble density composite super-resolution image after viewing the sixth color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying the microbubble density and blood flow direction in the density angle composite super-resolution image.

[0275] based on Figure 20 In the embodiments described above, when the blood flow ultrasound data includes blood flow velocity and microbubble density, and the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-density composite super-resolution image, as an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0276] The color bar reference image includes multiple colors and multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to represent either blood flow velocity or microbubble density, and the multiple brightness values ​​are used to represent the other one of blood flow velocity and microbubble density; the multidimensional color information includes a third target color with a third target brightness value, the third target brightness value being any of the multiple brightness values, and the third target color being any of the multiple colors.

[0277] As an optional embodiment, the color bar reference image in this application embodiment includes a pie-shaped color bar reference image.

[0278] As an optional embodiment, this application embodiment may also display a pie-shaped color bar reference image at a preset distance of the distance-velocity-density composite super-resolution image.

[0279] It should be noted that the pie-shaped color bar reference diagram described in the embodiments of this application is the same as... Figure 18 Similar to the description in [the text], but the velocity-density composite super-resolution image and Figure 19 The descriptions of the embodiments are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0280] This application provides a detailed description of the process of encoding velocity-density composite super-resolution images using a pie chart color bar reference image. Furthermore, the encoded density-angle composite super-resolution image allows for intuitive viewing of microbubble density and blood flow velocity at each location through color and brightness values, thereby improving the convenience of obtaining microbubble density and blood flow velocity in the same composite super-resolution image.

[0281] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application display a pie-shaped color bar reference image near the velocity-density composite super-resolution image, enabling users unfamiliar with the encoding method to quickly identify the microbubble density and blood flow velocity in the velocity-density composite super-resolution image after viewing the pie-shaped color bar reference image. This improves the convenience and efficiency of users in identifying microbubble density and blood flow velocity in the velocity-density composite super-resolution image.

[0282] Based on the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density super-resolution image obtained from the above embodiments, as an optional embodiment, the present application embodiment may further perform the following steps:

[0283] Simultaneous display of velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density super-resolution image.

[0284] As an optional embodiment, the present application embodiment may also perform the following steps:

[0285] Switch between displaying velocity-angle composite super-resolution images, density-angle composite super-resolution images, and velocity-density super-resolution images.

[0286] In this embodiment, after obtaining the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density super-resolution image, at least two of the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density super-resolution image can be displayed on the same screen according to the user's needs. For example, if it is desired to acquire three ultrasound blood flow data at the same time, at least two of the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, density-angle composite super-resolution image, and velocity-density super-resolution image can be switched on the screen, thereby improving the convenience of viewing different blood flow ultrasound data.

[0287] It is understood that, in various embodiments of the present invention, the order of the steps does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each step should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0288] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for displaying ultrasound images, characterized in that, The method includes: The ultrasound probe is controlled to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest. Receive ultrasonic echo signals returned from a region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of ultrasonic beams returned from multiple microbubbles within the region of interest; The ultrasound echo signal is subjected to super-resolution data processing to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles; Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, the blood flow velocity and blood flow direction at each location in the region of interest are obtained, wherein the blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction; Based on the first color bar reference image, the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction are color encoded to obtain an encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes first multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the first multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the blood flow velocity. Displaying the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first color bar reference image includes a first color and a second color that are distinct from each other. The first color has multiple brightness values, and the second color has multiple brightness values. The first color is used to represent the first direction, and the second color is used to represent the second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the first color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction. The first multidimensional color information includes the first color and multiple brightness values ​​of the first color; or, the first multidimensional color information includes the second color and multiple brightness values ​​of the second color.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first color bar reference image includes a first brightness value and a second brightness value that are distinct from each other, a plurality of colors having the first brightness value, and a plurality of colors having the second brightness value, wherein the first brightness value is used to represent the first direction, the second brightness value is used to represent the second direction, the plurality of colors having the first brightness value are used to represent a plurality of blood flow velocities along the first direction, and the plurality of colors having the second brightness value are used to represent a plurality of blood flow velocities along the second direction. The first multidimensional color information includes the first brightness value and multiple colors having the first brightness value, or the first multidimensional color information includes the second brightness value and multiple colors having the second brightness value.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, While displaying the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction, the method further includes: The first color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The microbubble density at multiple locations in the region of interest is obtained based on the localization information of the contrast agent microbubbles.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: According to the second color bar reference image, the microbubble density and the blood flow direction are color encoded to obtain an encoded density-direction composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the density-direction composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes second multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the first direction or the second direction, and the second dimension of the second multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the microbubble density.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second color bar reference image includes a third color and a fourth color that are distinct from each other. The third color has multiple brightness values, and the fourth color has multiple brightness values. The third color is used to represent the first direction, and the fourth color is used to represent the second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the third color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction. The second multidimensional color information includes the third color and multiple brightness values ​​of the third color, or the second multidimensional color information includes the fourth color and multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second color bar reference image includes mutually distinguishable third brightness values ​​and fourth brightness values, multiple colors having the third brightness value and multiple colors having the fourth brightness value, the third brightness value being used to characterize the first direction, the fourth brightness value being used to characterize the second direction, the multiple colors having the third brightness value being used to characterize multiple microbubble densities along the first direction, and the multiple colors having the fourth brightness value being used to characterize multiple microbubble densities along the second direction. The second multidimensional color information includes the third brightness value and multiple colors having the third brightness value, or the second multidimensional color information includes a fourth brightness value and multiple colors having the fourth brightness value.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first color bar reference image and the second color bar reference image include bar-shaped color bar reference images.

11. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When displaying the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction, the method further includes: The density-direction composite super-resolution image is also displayed.

12. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, After displaying the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, the method further includes: in response to a first switching display command, switching the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image to the density-direction composite super-resolution image, and displaying the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

13. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the third color bar reference map and multiple blood flow directions at various locations, a blood flow direction map is generated and displayed; And / or, Based on the fourth color bar reference image and multiple blood flow velocities at various locations, a blood flow velocity map is generated and displayed; And / or, A microbubble density map is generated and displayed based on the fifth color bar reference map and the multiple microbubble densities at various locations.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, After generating the blood flow direction map, the blood flow velocity map, and the microbubble density map, the method further includes: In response to a second display switching command, a display switching is performed between the velocity direction composite super-resolution image, the density direction composite super-resolution image, the blood flow direction map, the blood flow velocity map, and the microbubble density map.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, Before controlling the ultrasound probe to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with ultrasound contrast agent, the method further includes: In tissue imaging mode, or in conventional contrast imaging mode, another ultrasound beam is sent to the target tissue structure of the subject. Receive another ultrasound echo signal returned by the target tissue structure; Based on the other ultrasound echo signal, tissue ultrasound images and / or contrast images of the target tissue structure are obtained; The region of interest is determined in the ultrasound image and / or contrast image.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, After obtaining the blood flow velocity and direction at each location in the region of interest based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, the method further includes: Extract the velocity characteristics of the blood flow velocity; Extract the directional features of the blood flow direction; Combining the velocity and direction features yields a composite feature; The step of color-coding the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction according to the first color bar reference image to obtain an encoded velocity-direction composite super-resolution image includes: Based on the first color bar reference image, the composite features are color-coded to obtain the encoded velocity direction composite super-resolution image.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to a user's command to display parameters at any location on the composite super-resolution image, the composite parameters corresponding to that location are displayed. in, When the composite super-resolution image is a velocity-direction composite super-resolution image, the composite parameters include the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction. When the composite super-resolution image is a density-direction composite super-resolution image, the composite parameters include the blood flow density and the blood flow direction.

18. A method for displaying ultrasound images, characterized in that, The method includes: The ultrasound probe is controlled to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest. Receive ultrasonic echo signals returned from a region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of ultrasonic beams returned from multiple microbubbles within the region of interest; The ultrasound echo signal is subjected to super-resolution data processing to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles; Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data at various locations in the region of interest are obtained, wherein the blood flow ultrasound data includes at least two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density, and the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction. Based on the sixth color bar reference image, color encoding is performed on any two of them to obtain an encoded composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the other of the two. The composite super-resolution image is displayed.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes the blood flow angle, and the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image. The sixth color bar reference image includes multiple colors representing the blood flow angle, each color having multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to represent the multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities corresponding to the blood flow angles. The multidimensional color information includes a first target color having a first target brightness value, wherein the first target brightness value is any one of the plurality of brightness values, and the first target color is any one of the plurality of colors.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the microbubble density and the blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes the blood flow angle, and the composite super-resolution image includes a density-angle composite super-resolution image. The sixth color bar reference image includes multiple colors representing the blood flow direction, each color having multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to represent the multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities with corresponding blood flow angles; The multidimensional color information includes a second target color having a second target brightness value, wherein the second target brightness value is any one of the plurality of brightness values, and the second target color is any one of the plurality of colors.

21. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the blood flow velocity and the microbubble density, and the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. The sixth color bar reference image includes multiple colors and multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to characterize either the blood flow velocity or the microbubble density, and the multiple brightness values ​​are used to characterize the other of the blood flow velocity and the microbubble density; The multidimensional color information includes a third target color with a third target brightness value, wherein the third target color is any one of the plurality of colors, and the third target brightness value is any one of the plurality of brightness values.

22. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, a density-angle composite super-resolution image, and a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. The display of the composite super-resolution image includes: At least two of the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and the velocity-density composite super-resolution image are displayed on the same screen.

23. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, a density-angle composite super-resolution image, and a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. The display of the composite super-resolution image includes: The display switches between the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and the velocity-density composite super-resolution image.

24. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the seventh color bar reference image, multiple blood flow velocities at various locations are color-coded to generate and display a blood flow velocity map; And / or, Based on the eighth color bar reference diagram, multiple blood flow angles at various locations are colored to generate and display a blood flow angle diagram; And / or, Based on the eighth color bar reference image, the density of multiple microbubbles at various locations is color-coded to generate and display a microbubble density map.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, a density-angle composite super-resolution image, and a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. The method further includes: The display switches between the blood flow velocity map, the blood flow angle map, the microbubble density map, the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and the velocity-density super-resolution image.

26. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The sixth color bar reference image includes a pie-shaped color bar reference image.

27. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, a density-angle composite super-resolution image, and a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. The method further includes: While displaying the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image; or, While displaying the density-angle composite super-resolution image, the pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the density-angle composite super-resolution image; or, While displaying the velocity density composite super-resolution image, a pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the velocity density composite super-resolution image.

28. A method for displaying ultrasound images, characterized in that, The method includes: The ultrasound probe is controlled to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest. Receive ultrasonic echo signals returned from a region of interest, the ultrasonic echo signals including microbubble echo signals obtained based on the echoes of ultrasonic beams returned from multiple microbubbles within the region of interest; The ultrasound echo signal is subjected to super-resolution data processing to obtain the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles; Based on the positioning information of the contrast agent microbubbles, blood flow ultrasound data at each location in the region of interest are obtained, wherein the blood flow ultrasound data includes any two of blood flow velocity, blood flow direction and microbubble density; Based on the color bar reference image, color encoding is performed on any two of them to obtain an encoded composite super-resolution image. The encoding result of the same pixel in the composite super-resolution image simultaneously includes multi-dimensional color information. The first dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize one of the two, and the second dimension of the multi-dimensional color information is used to characterize the other of the two. The composite super-resolution image is displayed.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction. The blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction. The composite super-resolution image includes a velocity direction composite super-resolution image. The color bar reference image includes a first color and a second color that are distinct from each other. The first color has multiple brightness values, and the second color has multiple brightness values. The first color is used to represent the first direction, and the second color is used to represent the second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the first color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the second color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities along the second direction. The multidimensional color information includes the first color and multiple brightness values ​​of the first color; or, the first multidimensional color information includes the second color and multiple brightness values ​​of the second color.

30. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the microbubble density and the blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes a first direction consistent with the scanning direction of the ultrasound beam of the ultrasound probe and a second direction opposite to the scanning direction, and the composite super-resolution image includes a density-direction composite super-resolution image. The color bar reference image includes a third color and a fourth color that are distinct from each other. The third color has multiple brightness values, and the fourth color has multiple brightness values. The third color is used to represent the first direction, and the fourth color is used to represent the second direction. The multiple brightness values ​​of the third color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the first direction, and the multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities along the second direction. The multidimensional color information includes the third color and multiple brightness values ​​of the third color, or the second multidimensional color information includes the fourth color and multiple brightness values ​​of the fourth color.

31. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the blood flow velocity and the blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction, and the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-angle composite super-resolution image. The color bar reference image includes multiple colors representing the blood flow angles, each color having multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to represent the multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple blood flow velocities corresponding to the blood flow angles. The multidimensional color information includes a first target color having a first target brightness value, wherein the first target brightness value is any one of the plurality of brightness values, and the first target color is any one of the plurality of colors.

32. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the microbubble density and the blood flow direction, the blood flow direction includes multiple blood flow angles relative to a reference direction, and the composite super-resolution image includes a density-angle composite super-resolution image. The color bar reference image includes multiple colors representing the blood flow angle direction, each color having multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to represent the multiple blood flow angles, and the multiple brightness values ​​of each color are used to represent multiple microbubble densities corresponding to the blood flow angle. The multidimensional color information includes a second target color having a second target brightness value, wherein the second target brightness value is any one of the plurality of brightness values, and the second target color is any one of the plurality of colors.

33. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The blood flow ultrasound data includes the blood flow velocity and the microbubble density, and the composite super-resolution image includes a velocity-density composite super-resolution image. The color bar reference image includes multiple colors and multiple brightness values, wherein the multiple colors are used to characterize either the blood flow velocity or the microbubble density, and the multiple brightness values ​​are used to characterize the other of the blood flow velocity and the microbubble density; The multidimensional color information includes a third target color with a third target brightness value, wherein the third target brightness value is any one of the plurality of brightness values, and the third target color is any one of the plurality of colors.

34. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The color bar reference image includes a bar-shaped color bar reference image.

35. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that, The color bar reference image includes a pie chart-shaped color bar reference image.

36. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The display of the composite super-resolution image includes: The velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and the density-direction composite super-resolution image are displayed on the same screen.

37. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The display of the composite super-resolution image includes: Switch between displaying the velocity-direction composite super-resolution image and the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

38. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that, The display of the composite super-resolution image includes: The velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and the velocity-density super-resolution image are displayed on the same screen.

39. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that, The method further includes: Switch between displaying the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image, the density-angle composite super-resolution image, and the velocity-density super-resolution image.

40. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that, The method further includes: The bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the composite super-resolution image in the velocity direction; or, The bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the density-direction composite super-resolution image.

41. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, The method further includes: The pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the velocity-angle composite super-resolution image; or, The pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the density-angle composite super-resolution image; or, The pie-shaped color bar reference image is displayed at a preset distance from the velocity density super-resolution image.

42. An ultrasound blood flow imaging system, characterized in that, include: The transmit / receive sequence control module is used to output a transmit / receive sequence to the ultrasonic probe and control the ultrasonic probe to transmit ultrasonic beams and receive echoes from the ultrasonic beams. The ultrasound probe is used to emit an ultrasound beam toward the region of interest of a subject who has been injected with an ultrasound contrast agent, and to receive the ultrasound echo signal returned from the region of interest, wherein the ultrasound contrast agent forms multiple microbubbles that flow with the blood in the blood vessels of the region of interest. Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor for executing a computer program stored in memory to implement a method for displaying an ultrasound image as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, or any one of claims 18 to 27, or any one of claims 28 to 41.

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