Ultrasonic imaging method and ultrasonic imaging system

Abstract

An ultrasonic imaging method and an ultrasonic imaging system. The method comprises: acquiring cardiac ultrasonic data of at least three sections, and determining a myocardial structure region according to the cardiac ultrasonic data, the myocardial structure region comprising a plurality of myocardial segment regions; and measuring the myocardial thickness and myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment region, determining whether a first type of myocardial thickness which does not meet a preset condition exists or not according to the measured myocardial thickness, if not, generating a first bull's-eye plot at least according to the myocardial motion parameters, and displaying the first bull's-eye plot, and if yes, generating a second bull's-eye plot according to the myocardial motion parameters and the myocardial thickness, and displaying the second bull's-eye plot, wherein the first bull's-eye plot is a bull's-eye plot in a preset standard form, and the second bull's-eye plot is a bull's-eye plot which is constructed on the basis of the bull's-eye plot in the preset standard form and has a differentiated form. According to the present invention, the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness can be visually presented by means of the bull's-eye plot with the differentiated form.

Description

Ultrasound imaging methods and ultrasound imaging systems

[0001] This application claims priority to the invention patent filed on April 23, 2024, application number 202410494394.4. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to the field of ultrasound imaging technology, and more specifically to an ultrasound imaging method and an ultrasound imaging system. Background Technology

[0003] Ultrasound is a discipline that combines sound, light, electronics, and medicine. Echocardiography uses pulse-echo imaging technology. An ultrasound probe is directed towards the patient, generating two to three cycles of ultrasound pulses. These pulses produce echoes at the boundaries of organs or within tissues. These echoes are detected by the probe, and the signals are processed and presented as specks, forming a visible anatomical image on the screen. The brightness of the specks represents the echo intensity, and the position of each speck corresponds to the anatomical location of the object generating the echo. Positional information is determined by the direction of the pulse wave and the time it takes for the echo to return to the probe. Furthermore, the depth of the object generating the echo can be calculated based on the echo arrival time. With the continuous development of image processing technology and driven by clinical benefits, the use of quantitative analysis methods to assess the motion process of myocardial tissue, and thus determine the contraction of the patient's heart, has become one of the most promising and valuable research directions in the field of echocardiography.

[0004] Longitudinal strain (LS) of the myocardium is one of the most promising indicators for evaluating cardiac function in clinical applications, following ejection fraction (EF). In strain analysis, a bull's-eye diagram is an important display method, showing strain parameters of multiple myocardial segments in the form of concentric rings. Furthermore, pixel-level bull's-eye diagrams can be achieved by color-coding the entire diagram, mapping and displaying strain values ​​point by point. However, existing bull's-eye diagrams do not include myocardial measurements, i.e., thickness information. When a patient experiences abnormal strain in a certain segment of the myocardium, the physician needs to compare the corresponding location on the patient's ultrasound image for observation and measurement to determine whether the abnormal strain is caused by abnormal myocardial morphology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The Summary of the Invention introduces a series of simplified concepts that will be further described in the Detailed Description of the Invention. The Summary of the Invention is not intended to limit the key features and essential features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging method, the method comprising:

[0007] Acquire cardiac ultrasound data from at least three sections, and determine myocardial structural regions based on the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the myocardial structural regions include multiple segmental myocardial regions.

[0008] Measure the myocardial thickness and myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment region, determine whether there is a first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions based on the myocardial thickness, if not, generate and display a first bullseye diagram based at least on the myocardial motion parameters, if there is, generate and display a second bullseye diagram based on the myocardial motion parameters and the myocardial thickness;

[0009] The first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of a preset standard form. The bullseye diagram of the preset standard form includes multiple concentric rings. At least one of the rings is divided into multiple blocks. Each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region. Each block displays at least the myocardial motion parameters corresponding to the myocardial segment region. The size, position, and boundary line thickness of each block are preset.

[0010] The second bullseye diagram is a differentiated bullseye diagram constructed based on the preset standard bullseye diagram. The differentiated form is that at least one of the size, position, and boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram is different from the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, and the size, position, and boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the second type of myocardial thickness that meets the preset condition are the same as the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, so as to highlight the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram.

[0011] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the size of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with a first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard shape, including:

[0012] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets the preset condition, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a first size;

[0013] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a second size, which is different from the first size.

[0014] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a preset threshold; if the myocardial thickness in the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the second size is greater than the first size.

[0015] If the myocardial thickness in the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the second size is smaller than the first size.

[0016] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the location of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with a first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard shape, including:

[0017] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets the preset condition, then there is no gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0018] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then there is a gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram deviates from the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0019] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the thickness of the boundary lines of the blocks corresponding to the myocardial segment region with a first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image differs from the corresponding blocks in the bullseye image of the preset standard shape, including:

[0020] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets the preset condition, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0021] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is different from the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0022] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a preset threshold. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is greater than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image.

[0023] If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is less than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0025] Receive a selection operation for a target block in the second bullseye image, wherein the target block is a block corresponding to a myocardial segment region having the thickness of the first type of myocardium;

[0026] The sub-myocardial thickness at multiple measurement locations in the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block is obtained from the cardiac ultrasound data, and the multiple measurement locations are arranged along the axial direction of the target myocardial segment region;

[0027] The target block displays identifiers corresponding to the plurality of sub-myocardial thicknesses, wherein the identifiers corresponding to the first type of sub-myocardial thickness have a first form, and the identifiers corresponding to the second type of sub-myocardial thickness have a second form. The first type of sub-myocardial thickness is the sub-myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions, and the second type of sub-myocardial thickness is the sub-myocardial thickness that meets the preset conditions.

[0028] In one embodiment, if the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the long axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes an arc extending along the circumferential direction of the second bullseye image; if the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the short axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes a straight line extending along the radial direction of the second bullseye image.

[0029] In one embodiment, the method further includes: measuring sub-myocardial motion parameters at the plurality of measurement locations;

[0030] The sub-myocardial motion parameters at the plurality of measurement locations are displayed in the target block.

[0031] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0032] Determine the cause of the myocardial thickness exhibiting the first type;

[0033] In the second bullseye image, an identifier representing the etiology is displayed at the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness.

[0034] In one embodiment, generating and displaying a second bullseye map based on the myocardial motion parameters and the myocardial thickness further includes:

[0035] The numerical value of the first type of myocardial thickness is displayed inside or around the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram.

[0036] In one embodiment, the method further includes: generating a cardiac ultrasound image based on the cardiac ultrasound data and displaying the cardiac ultrasound image;

[0037] When there is a type of myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions, the location corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the type of myocardial thickness is marked in the cardiac ultrasound image.

[0038] In one embodiment, the method further includes displaying a value of the thickness of the first type of myocardium near a location corresponding to a segmental region of the first type of myocardial thickness.

[0039] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0040] The cardiac ultrasound images display the myocardial motion parameters for each of the myocardial segment regions.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0042] Generate and display curves showing the changes of myocardial motion parameters over time based on the stated myocardial motion parameters.

[0043] In one embodiment, the myocardial motion parameters include at least one of the following: strain, strain rate, velocity, and displacement.

[0044] In one embodiment, the cardiac ultrasound data is ultrasound video data, and at least one of the myocardial motion parameters shown in the first bullseye image, the myocardial motion parameters shown in the second bullseye image, and the values ​​of the first type of myocardial thickness shown in the second bullseye image dynamically changes over time.

[0045] In one embodiment, the at least three sections include at least the parasternal left ventricular long-axis section, the apical four-chamber section, and the apical two-chamber section; or, the at least three sections include at least the basal left ventricular short-axis section, the mid-segment short-axis section of the left ventricular myocardium, and the apical short-axis section.

[0046] A second aspect of this invention provides an ultrasound imaging method, the method comprising:

[0047] Acquire cardiac ultrasound data from at least one cross section, and determine myocardial structural regions based on the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the myocardial structural regions include multiple segmental myocardial regions.

[0048] Measure the myocardial segment parameters of each myocardial segment region. When there are first-type myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, generate and display a second bullseye map based on the myocardial segment parameters.

[0049] The second bullseye diagram is a differentiated bullseye diagram constructed based on a preset standard bullseye diagram. The preset standard bullseye diagram includes multiple concentric rings, at least one of which is divided into multiple blocks. Each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region, and each block displays at least the myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region. The differentiated form is that the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye diagram is different from the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, and the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the second type of myocardial segment parameter that meets the preset condition is the same as the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, so as to highlight the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye diagram.

[0050] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0051] Based on the myocardial segment parameters, determine whether there is a first type of myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset conditions. If it does not exist, generate and display a first bullseye diagram based on the myocardial segment parameters. If it exists, generate and display a second bullseye diagram based on the myocardial segment parameters. The first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0052] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include first myocardial segment parameters and second myocardial segment parameters. If there is no first type of first myocardial segment parameter whose first myocardial segment parameter does not meet the preset condition, then at least a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the second myocardial segment parameter. If there is a first type of first myocardial segment parameter whose first myocardial segment parameter does not meet the preset condition, then a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the first myocardial segment parameter and the second myocardial segment parameter. The block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of first myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye diagram is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0053] Each block of the first bullseye diagram and the second bullseye diagram displays at least the second myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

[0054] In one embodiment, generating and displaying a second bullseye map based on the myocardial segment parameters further includes:

[0055] The values ​​of the first type of first myocardial segment parameters are displayed inside or around the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye image.

[0056] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include third myocardial segment parameters. If there are no first-type third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the third myocardial segment parameters. If there are first-type third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the third myocardial segment parameters. The blocks corresponding to the myocardial segment regions with the first-type third myocardial segment parameters in the second bullseye diagram are different from the corresponding blocks in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0057] Each block of the first bullseye diagram and the second bullseye diagram displays at least the third myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

[0058] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes:

[0059] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a first size;

[0060] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a second size, which is different from the first size.

[0061] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a preset threshold; if the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the second size is greater than the first size.

[0062] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region are less than the preset threshold, then the second size is smaller than the first size.

[0063] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes:

[0064] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then there is no gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form;

[0065] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, then there is a gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram deviates from the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0066] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes:

[0067] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0068] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is different from the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0069] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a preset threshold. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is greater than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image.

[0070] If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is less than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image.

[0071] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes:

[0072] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then the first myocardial segment region is displayed as a planar graphic located in a preset plane in the second bullseye diagram;

[0073] If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, the corresponding block of the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram will be displayed as a three-dimensional graphic protruding from the preset plane.

[0074] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a preset threshold. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram protrudes in the first direction relative to the preset plane.

[0075] If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram will bulge in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the preset plane.

[0076] In one embodiment, the preset condition includes a preset threshold, wherein the height of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram protruding above the preset plane is positively correlated with the extent to which the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region exceeds the preset threshold.

[0077] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0078] The system receives a selection operation for a target block among multiple blocks of the second bullseye map, wherein the target block is a block corresponding to a myocardial segment region having the first type of myocardial thickness.

[0079] Acquire sub-myocardial segment parameters at multiple measurement locations in the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block from the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the multiple measurement locations are arranged along the axial direction of the target myocardial segment region;

[0080] The target block displays an identifier corresponding to each of the sub-myocardial segment parameters, wherein the identifier corresponding to the first type of sub-myocardial segment parameters has a first form, and the identifier corresponding to the second type of sub-myocardial segment parameters has a second form. The first type of sub-myocardial segment parameters are sub-myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, and the second type of sub-myocardial segment parameters are sub-myocardial segment parameters that meet the preset conditions.

[0081] In one embodiment, if the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the long axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes an arc extending along the circumferential direction of the second bullseye image; if the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the short axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes a straight line extending along the radial direction of the second bullseye image.

[0082] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include a first myocardial segment parameter and a second myocardial segment parameter, and the sub-myocardial segment parameters include a first sub-myocardial segment parameter having the same parameter type as the first myocardial segment parameter and a second sub-myocardial segment parameter having the same parameter type as the second myocardial segment parameter;

[0083] The identifier includes a graphic representation of the parameters of the first sub-myocardial segment and a numerical representation of the parameters of the second sub-myocardial segment.

[0084] In one embodiment, the cardiac ultrasound data is ultrasound video data, and the myocardial segment parameters displayed in the second bullseye image change dynamically over time.

[0085] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0086] Determine the cause of the myocardial segment parameters of the first type;

[0087] In the second bullseye image, an identifier representing the etiology is displayed at the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial segment parameter.

[0088] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0089] Generate and display cardiac ultrasound images based on the cardiac ultrasound data;

[0090] When the first type of myocardial segment parameter is present, the location corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial segment parameter is marked in the cardiac ultrasound image.

[0091] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include first myocardial segment parameters and second myocardial segment parameters, and the method further includes:

[0092] When there is a first type of first myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset condition, the value of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter is displayed near the position corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter, and at least one second myocardial segment parameter corresponding to a myocardial segment region is displayed in the cardiac ultrasound image.

[0093] Wherein, the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard form, and each block of the first bullseye image and the second bullseye image displays at least the second myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

[0094] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include third myocardial segment parameters, and the method further includes:

[0095] The third myocardial motion parameter of each myocardial segment region is displayed in the cardiac ultrasound image. When there is a first type of third myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset condition, the first type of third myocardial segment parameter is highlighted in the cardiac ultrasound image.

[0096] Wherein, the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of third myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard form, and each block of the first bullseye image and the second bullseye image displays at least the third myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

[0097] In one embodiment, the method further includes: generating a curve of the myocardial segment parameters changing over time based on the myocardial segment parameters, and displaying the curve of the myocardial segment parameters changing over time.

[0098] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include at least one of the following: strain, strain rate, velocity, displacement, thickness, area, perimeter, and volume.

[0099] In one embodiment, the at least one section includes at least one of the following: parasternal left ventricular long-axis section, apical four-chamber section, apical two-chamber section, basal left ventricular short-axis section, mid-segment left ventricular myocardium short-axis section, and apical short-axis section.

[0100] A third aspect of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

[0101] Ultrasound probe;

[0102] A transmitting circuit is used to excite the ultrasound probe to emit ultrasound waves toward the heart.

[0103] A receiving circuit is used to control the ultrasound probe to receive the echo of the ultrasound waves in order to obtain cardiac ultrasound data from at least three sections.

[0104] A processor is used to execute the steps of the above method to obtain a bullseye diagram;

[0105] A display for showing the bullseye diagram.

[0106] When the ultrasound imaging method and ultrasound imaging system of the present invention measure a first type of myocardial thickness (e.g., abnormal myocardial thickness) that does not meet the preset conditions, a second bullseye image with a differentiated morphology is generated and displayed based on myocardial motion parameters and myocardial thickness. The second bullseye image can intuitively present the myocardial segment region of abnormal myocardial thickness, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency and broadening the information dimension. Attached Figure Description

[0107] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0108] In the attached diagram:

[0109] Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0110] Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0111] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a myocardial segment region determined based on echocardiographic data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0112] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a spot tracking method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0113] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of measuring the myocardial thickness in each myocardial segment region according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0114] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a first bullseye diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0115] Figures 7 to 10 show schematic diagrams of a second bullseye diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0116] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of abnormal myocardial thickness in a cardiac ultrasound image according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0117] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of abnormal myocardial thickness in a cardiac ultrasound image according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0118] Figure 13 shows a schematic flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0119] Figures 14 to 16 show schematic diagrams of a second bullseye diagram according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0120] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments described in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0121] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0122] It should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0123] The purpose of the terms used herein is only to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. When used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprising" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, determine the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups. When used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the relevant listed items.

[0124] To fully understand this invention, a detailed structure will be presented in the following description to illustrate the technical solution proposed by this invention. Optional embodiments of the invention are described in detail below; however, in addition to these detailed descriptions, the invention may have other embodiments.

[0125] Hereinafter, an ultrasound imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG1, which shows a schematic structural block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0126] As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasound imaging system 100 includes an ultrasound probe 110, a transmitting circuit 112, a receiving circuit 114, a processor 116, and a display 118. Further, the ultrasound imaging system may also include a transmit / receive selection switch 120 and a beamforming module 122. The transmitting circuit 112 and the receiving circuit 114 can be connected to the ultrasound probe 110 via the transmit / receive selection switch 120.

[0127] The ultrasonic probe 110 includes multiple transducer elements. 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 transducer element is used to emit ultrasonic waves based on an excitation electrical signal, or to convert received ultrasonic waves into electrical signals. Therefore, each transducer element can be used to achieve the mutual conversion between electrical pulse signals and ultrasonic waves, thereby enabling the emission of ultrasonic waves to the target area of ​​the object being tested, and also to receive ultrasonic wave echoes reflected back from the tissue. During ultrasonic testing, the transmission and reception sequences can be used to control which transducer elements are used to emit ultrasonic waves and which are used to receive ultrasonic waves, or to control the transducer elements to be used in time-slotted manner for emitting ultrasonic waves or receiving ultrasonic wave echoes. Transducer elements participating in ultrasonic wave emission can be simultaneously excited by electrical signals, thus emitting ultrasonic waves simultaneously; alternatively, transducer elements participating in ultrasonic beam emission can be excited by several electrical signals with a certain time interval, thus continuously emitting ultrasonic waves with a certain time interval.

[0128] During ultrasound imaging, the transmitting circuit 112 sends a delayed-focused transmission pulse to the ultrasound probe 110 via the transmit / receive selection switch 120. Excited by the transmission pulse, the ultrasound probe 110 emits an ultrasonic beam towards the tissue of the target area of ​​the object being measured. After a certain delay, it receives the ultrasonic echo reflecting back from the tissue of the target area, carrying tissue information, and converts this ultrasonic echo back into an electrical signal. The receiving circuit 114 receives the electrical signal converted by the ultrasound probe 110, obtains the ultrasonic echo signal, and sends these ultrasonic echo signals to the beamforming module 122. The beamforming module 122 performs focusing delay, weighting, and channel summation on the ultrasonic echo data, and then sends it to the processor 116. The processor 116 performs signal detection, signal enhancement, data conversion, and logarithmic compression on the ultrasonic echo signal to form an ultrasound image. The ultrasound image obtained by the processor 116 can be displayed on the display 118 or stored in the memory 124.

[0129] Optionally, the processor 116 can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof, and can use 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. Furthermore, the processor 116 can control other components in the ultrasound imaging system 100 to perform the corresponding steps of the methods in the various embodiments of this specification.

[0130] The display 118 is connected to the processor 116. The display 118 can be a touch screen, an LCD screen, etc.; or, the display 118 can be an independent display such as an LCD screen or a television, separate from the ultrasound imaging system 100; or, the display 118 can be the screen of an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet, etc. The number of displays 118 can be one or more.

[0131] The display 118 can display the ultrasound images obtained by the processor 116. Furthermore, while displaying the ultrasound images, the display 118 can also provide a graphical user interface for human-machine interaction. One or more controlled objects can be set on the graphical interface, allowing the user to input operation commands using a human-machine interaction device to control these controlled objects and perform corresponding control operations. For example, icons can be displayed on the graphical interface, and the human-machine interaction device can be used to operate these icons to perform specific functions, such as drawing a region of interest bounding box on the ultrasound image.

[0132] Optionally, the ultrasound imaging system 100 may also include other human-machine interface devices besides the display 118, which are connected to the processor 116. For example, the processor 116 may be connected to the human-machine interface device via an external input / output port, which may be a wireless communication module, a wired communication module, or a combination of both. The external input / output port may also be based on USB, bus protocols such as CAN, and / or wired network protocols.

[0133] The human-computer interaction device may include an input device for detecting user input information. This input information may be, for example, control commands for the timing of ultrasound transmission / reception, operational input commands for drawing points, lines, or boxes on an ultrasound image, or other types of commands. The input device may include one or a combination of several of the following: a keyboard, mouse, scroll wheel, trackball, mobile input device (e.g., a mobile device with a touchscreen, a mobile phone, etc.), a multi-function knob, etc. The human-computer interaction device may also include an output device such as a printer.

[0134] The ultrasound imaging system 100 may also include a memory 124 for storing instructions executed by the processor, storing received ultrasound echoes, storing ultrasound images, etc. The memory may be a flash memory card, solid-state memory, hard disk, etc. It may be volatile and / or non-volatile memory, removable memory and / or non-removable memory, etc.

[0135] It should be understood that the components included in the ultrasound imaging system 100 shown in Figure 1 are merely schematic and may include more or fewer components. This invention is not limited thereto.

[0136] The ultrasound imaging method proposed in this embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to FIG2, which is a schematic flowchart of an ultrasound imaging method 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the ultrasound imaging method 200 according to an embodiment of the invention includes the following steps:

[0137] In step S210, at least three sections of echocardiographic data are acquired, and myocardial structural regions are determined based on the echocardiographic data, wherein the myocardial structural regions include multiple segmental myocardial regions.

[0138] In step S220, the myocardial thickness and myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment region are measured. Based on the myocardial thickness, it is determined whether there is a first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions. If not, a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial motion parameters. If it exists, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial motion parameters and myocardial thickness.

[0139] The first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of a preset standard form. The bullseye diagram of the preset standard form includes multiple concentric rings. At least one ring is divided into multiple blocks. Each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region. Each block displays at least the myocardial motion parameters corresponding to the myocardial segment region. The size, position and boundary line thickness of each block are preset.

[0140] The second bullseye diagram is a differentiated bullseye diagram constructed based on the preset standard bullseye diagram. The difference lies in the fact that at least one of the size, position, and boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram is different from the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram. However, the size, position, and boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment with the second type of myocardial thickness (e.g., normal myocardial thickness) that meets the preset condition are the same as the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, so as to highlight the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram.

[0141] When the ultrasound imaging method 200 of this invention measures a first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet preset conditions, it generates and displays a second bullseye image with a differentiated morphology based on myocardial motion parameters and myocardial thickness. The second bullseye image can intuitively present the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness (e.g., abnormal myocardial thickness).

[0142] Specifically, in step S210, at least three sections of echocardiogram data are acquired. This can be acquired in real-time or pre-collected and stored echocardiogram data. For example, for the long axis of the heart, at least the parasternal left ventricular long-axis section, the apical four-chamber section (A4C), and the apical two-chamber section (A2C) of echocardiogram data can be acquired to form a complete disc-shaped bull's-eye image; for the short axis of the heart, at least the basal left ventricular short-axis section, the mid-segment short-axis section of the left ventricular myocardium, and the apical short-axis section of echocardiogram data can be acquired to form a complete disc-shaped bull's-eye image. It should be noted that although a complete bull's-eye image requires at least three sections of echocardiogram data, in this embodiment of the invention, only one or two sections of echocardiogram data can be acquired, and a ring-shaped bull's-eye image can be generated subsequently.

[0143] For example, cardiac ultrasound data of at least one cross-section can be grayscale ultrasound image data (i.e., B-image data). For instance, cardiac ultrasound data can be obtained by performing an ultrasound scan in grayscale imaging mode based on the ultrasound imaging system 100 shown in Figure 1. During the scan, the transmitting circuit 112 sends a set of delayed-focused transmission pulses to the ultrasound probe 110 to excite the ultrasound probe 110 to emit ultrasound waves along the heart region of the target object. The receiving circuit 114 controls the ultrasound probe 110 to receive the ultrasound echo reflected from the target object, converts it into an electrical signal, and the beamforming module 112 performs corresponding delay and weighted summation processing on the ultrasound echo signals obtained from multiple transmissions and receptions to achieve beamforming. The signal is then sent to the processor 116, where it undergoes some or all image post-processing steps such as denoising, smoothing, and enhancement to obtain the cardiac ultrasound data of the target object. Alternatively, cardiac ultrasound data can be directly obtained from the memory 124, obtained from other devices, or downloaded from a server. After obtaining the cardiac ultrasound image data, a cardiac ultrasound image can be generated and displayed based on the cardiac ultrasound data.

[0144] For example, at least one section of echocardiographic data can also be contrast data obtained based on cardiac acoustic contrast imaging techniques. Cardiac acoustic contrast imaging techniques utilize contrast agents to enhance the scattering of ultrasound waves at the gas-liquid plane, thereby increasing the intensity of the echo signal. Cardiac acoustic contrast imaging techniques are mainly divided into myocardial acoustic contrast imaging and intracardiac acoustic contrast imaging. Myocardial acoustic contrast imaging can be used to evaluate myocardial microcirculation perfusion; by assessing myocardial blood flow, it can accurately determine the extent and severity of coronary microcirculation disorders and acute and chronic ischemic heart disease, as well as evaluate the effectiveness and prognosis of reperfusion therapy. Intracardiac acoustic contrast imaging can clearly display cardiac structure and improve the accuracy of cardiac function measurements.

[0145] In other examples, cardiac ultrasound data can also be tissue Doppler data. During tissue Doppler imaging, the processor controls the ultrasound probe to emit Doppler pulse signals towards the target heart and receives the echo signals. Based on the echo signals of the Doppler pulse signals, the tissue Doppler spectrum can be obtained, which can quantitatively describe the motion of myocardial tissue. By color-coding the tissue motion parameters, a tissue Doppler image can be obtained.

[0146] After acquiring echocardiogram data, the myocardial structural regions are determined based on the echocardiogram data. These myocardial structural regions include multiple segmental regions of the myocardium.

[0147] For example, the myocardial structural regions are first determined based on echocardiographic data. This can be achieved by marking the approximate location of the myocardial structural regions using a detection algorithm or model, followed by segmentation or extraction of the regions using a segmentation algorithm. Alternatively, integrated detection and segmentation of the myocardial structural regions can be implemented using a segmentation algorithm or model, which can be semi-automatic or fully automatic. Furthermore, the myocardial structural regions can also be manually labeled by the user. Taking the left ventricle as an example, as shown in Figure 3, based on the above algorithms, complete segmentation results of the myocardial structural regions and / or segmentation results of the endocardium or adventitia can be obtained.

[0148] The aforementioned detection algorithms include, but are not limited to, algorithms based on deep learning, machine learning, and traditional image processing. For example, when using a deep learning method, it is necessary to first collect echocardiogram images and annotations (boundary boxes, i.e., coordinate information) of myocardial structural regions (including key cardiac anatomical structures such as the endocardium, adventitia, or myocardium) by senior physicians. The deep learning network is then trained using, but is not limited to, RCNN, Faster RCNN, SSD, and YOLO. During the network training phase, the error between the detected myocardial structural regions and the annotation results is calculated during iterations. The weights in the network are continuously updated with the aim of minimizing the error. This process is repeated until the detected results gradually approach the true values ​​of the myocardial structural regions, resulting in a trained detection model. This model can automatically detect and extract myocardial structural regions from newly input echocardiogram data.

[0149] When using a detection algorithm that combines traditional image processing with machine learning, candidate regions are first found using image processing methods such as Select Search. These candidate regions are then transformed to a fixed size, and image processing methods are used to extract features such as gradients and textures, including operators like Sift, HoG, and GLCM (Gray Co-occurrence Matrix). Next, the feature vectors of the candidate regions are trained using traditional machine learning algorithms to obtain a classification model for the candidate boxes. Finally, the bounding boxes of the myocardial structure regions are obtained using regression methods.

[0150] The aforementioned segmentation methods include, but are not limited to: boundary extraction of detected ROI regions or full ultrasound images based on deep learning segmentation networks. Major segmentation networks include Unet, FCN, and improved versions thereof. When performing deep learning segmentation, the input image and its corresponding labeled region are used. This labeled region can be a binarized image of the myocardial structure region, or the location information of the myocardial structure region can be written into a labeled file such as XML or JSON. The error between the segmentation result output by the model and the labeled result is calculated, and the error is iteratively minimized until the segmentation result approaches the true value.

[0151] When using multi-task deep learning networks for simultaneous detection and segmentation for boundary extraction, commonly used networks include Mask-RCNN, PolarMask, and SOLO. These networks typically first locate the approximate position of the Region of Interest (ROI) before performing fine-grained segmentation of the target region. Traditional image processing algorithms include region-based segmentation algorithms, such as region growing, watershed algorithms, and Otsu thresholding; and gradient-based segmentation algorithms, such as Sobel and Canny operators. Machine learning-based segmentation methods involve training machine learning segmentation models based on collected ultrasound images and annotation results. These models use SVM, K-means, and C-means to perform binary classification on the grayscale or texture values ​​of image pixels, determining whether each pixel or the texture feature vector representing the current pixel belongs to the myocardial structure region, thereby extracting the boundary contours of the myocardial structure region.

[0152] After identifying the myocardial structural region, it can be divided into multiple myocardial segment regions. There are three main methods for dividing myocardial segment regions: 16 segments, 17 segments, and 18 segments. Within each section of the myocardial structural region, several myocardial segment regions corresponding to that section can be further subdivided. For example, the myocardial structural region can be divided based on image detection or segmentation algorithms, or according to features such as the angle and length of the myocardial segment regions, or even according to a preset template.

[0153] In step S220, the myocardial thickness and myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment are measured. In one embodiment, speckle tracking technology can be used to measure the myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment. Speckle tracking technology tracks the position of the same ultrasound speckle in a cardiac ultrasound image to determine the positional changes of the corresponding myocardial tissue. As shown in Figure 4, ultrasound speckles are spots formed by scattering, reflection, and interference phenomena produced by small structures smaller than the incident ultrasound waves in the myocardial tissue. When the tissue's motion displacement and deformation are small, the speckle pattern of the tissue can be approximated as fixed. Therefore, motion tracking and quantitative measurement of a specific tissue can be achieved by tracking the motion of a specific speckle in a cardiac ultrasound image. Using speckle tracking technology, precise quantitative analysis of the motion of different parts of the heart can be performed. By tracking ultrasound speckles at different locations of the heart (endocardium, middle pericardium, epicardium, myocardial layer, etc.), myocardial motion parameters of the corresponding tissue structures can be obtained, such as strain, strain rate, velocity, and displacement. This information allows for quantitative analysis of the physiological characteristics of the heart tissue. For example, in patients with cardiovascular obstruction, the range of motion of the blood supply part of the obstructed blood vessel will be lower than that of the normally supplied part. During cardiac exercise, the movement of the part affected by the obstructed blood vessel is passive, that is, the movement is generated by the pulling of the surrounding tissues. Therefore, the myocardial motion parameters will show obvious abnormalities.

[0154] When measuring myocardial thickness, each myocardial segment in the echocardiogram can be measured separately, using either automated or manual methods. In one example, the length of the radial line connecting the endocardium and epicardium within the current myocardial segment can be measured to determine the thickness of that segment. Alternatively, a midline can be found for the current myocardial segment, and several perpendicular lines can be drawn through this midline; the lengths of these perpendicular lines can then be measured to obtain the thickness. Furthermore, a deep learning regression model can be used to directly predict the myocardial thickness of a myocardial segment.

[0155] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5, in order to improve the accuracy of myocardial thickness measurement, the maximum and minimum thicknesses of each myocardial segment region can be measured, and the average of the maximum and minimum thicknesses can be used as the myocardial thickness of the corresponding myocardial segment region.

[0156] Next, based on the myocardial thickness, it is determined whether there is a first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions. If not, a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial motion parameters. If it exists, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial motion parameters and myocardial thickness. Specifically, myocardial thickness not meeting the preset conditions includes myocardial thickness not falling within a preset threshold range. This preset threshold range can be a pre-defined range, such as 6mm to 12mm; or it can be a user-defined threshold range.

[0157] The first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of a preset standard form. Referring to Figure 6, the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form includes multiple concentric rings, at least one ring is divided into multiple blocks, each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region, each block displays at least the myocardial motion parameters corresponding to the myocardial segment region, and the size, position and boundary line thickness of each block are preset, which conform to the requirements of the preset standard form.

[0158] The first bullseye diagram can be a 16-, 17-, or 18-segment bullseye diagram. Taking a 17-segment bullseye diagram as an example, it includes three concentric rings, each corresponding to a section of the heart. For example, the outermost ring corresponds to the basal segment at the mitral valve level, containing six myocardial segment regions: the anterior wall basal segment, the anterior septal basal segment, the inferior septal basal segment, the inferior wall basal segment, the inferior lateral wall basal segment, and the anterior septal basal segment; the second ring corresponds to the middle segment, containing six myocardial segment regions: the anterior wall middle segment, the anterior septal middle segment, the inferior septal middle segment, the inferior wall middle segment, the inferior lateral wall middle segment, and the anterior septal middle segment; the third ring corresponds to the apical segment, containing four myocardial segment regions: the anterior wall apical segment, the septal apical segment, the inferior wall apical segment, and the lateral wall apical segment. If a 17-segment model is used, a separate central circle is also set at the center of the bullseye diagram segment model, representing the apical cap. Each of the aforementioned myocardial segment regions displays the corresponding myocardial motion parameters, including strain, strain rate, velocity, and displacement. For example, different colors, grayscale values, and textures can also be used to represent the magnitude of these myocardial motion parameters in the first bullseye plot.

[0159] The second bullseye chart is a differentiated bullseye chart constructed based on a pre-defined standard bullseye chart. The differentiation lies in the fact that at least one of the dimensions, location, and boundary line thickness of the blocks corresponding to myocardial segments with type I myocardial thickness differs from the corresponding blocks in the pre-defined standard bullseye chart. Conversely, the dimensions, location, and boundary line thickness of the blocks corresponding to myocardial segments with type II myocardial thickness (e.g., normal myocardial thickness) are the same as the corresponding blocks in the pre-defined standard bullseye chart. This is to highlight myocardial segments with type I myocardial thickness in the second bullseye chart. By correlating and simultaneously displaying myocardial motion parameters and myocardial thickness, when an abnormality in the myocardial thickness of a certain myocardial segment occurs, doctors can use the bullseye chart to determine which myocardial segment corresponds to the abnormality, improving diagnostic efficiency.

[0160] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, which can be any myocardial segment region. The differentiated morphology regarding size includes: if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets a preset condition, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a first size; if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a second size, which is different from the first size.

[0161] Comparing Figures 6 and 7, it can be seen that the first myocardial segment region exemplarily includes the anterior wall middle segment and the apical cap. In the second bullseye image shown in Figure 7, the width, height, and area of ​​the block 710 corresponding to the anterior wall middle segment are all greater than those of the block corresponding to the anterior wall middle segment in the first bullseye image shown in Figure 6. The diameter and area of ​​the block 720 corresponding to the central apical cap in the second bullseye image shown in Figure 7 are also greater than those of the block corresponding to the central apical cap in the first bullseye image shown in Figure 6. Thus, the myocardial segment region with abnormal myocardial thickness in the anterior wall middle segment and the apical cap can be highlighted in the second bullseye image.

[0162] Furthermore, the preset condition can be a preset threshold. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is enlarged, making the second size of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram larger than the first size of the corresponding block in the first bullseye diagram. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is reduced, making the second size of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram smaller than the first size of the corresponding block in the first bullseye diagram. Thus, the size of the block can quickly indicate to the user whether the myocardial thickness of the current first myocardial segment region is too large or too small.

[0163] In another embodiment, the differentiated morphology regarding location includes: if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets a preset condition, then there is no gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard morphology; if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then there is a gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram deviates from the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard morphology.

[0164] Comparing Figures 6 and 8, it can be seen that the first myocardial segment region exemplarily includes the basal segment and the intermediate segment of the anterior septum. In the first bullseye diagram shown in Figure 6, there are no gaps between the blocks. However, in the second bullseye diagram shown in Figure 8, there are gaps between blocks 810 corresponding to the basal segment of the anterior septum and blocks 820 corresponding to the intermediate segment of the anterior septum, and there are no gaps between the other blocks. By displaying blocks 810 and 820 through cutouts, the basal segment and the intermediate segment of the anterior septum with abnormal myocardial thickness can be highlighted in the second bullseye diagram.

[0165] In another embodiment, the differentiated form regarding the thickness of the boundary lines includes: if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets a preset condition, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is the same as the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form; if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is different from the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second preset standard form bullseye diagram.

[0166] Comparing Figures 6 and 9, it can be seen that the first myocardial segment region exemplarily includes the anterior septal basal segment, the anterior septal intermediate segment, the inferior septal basal segment, and the inferior septal intermediate segment. In the first bullseye diagram shown in Figure 6, the boundary lines of each block are of the same thickness. However, in the second bullseye diagram shown in Figure 9, the boundary lines of blocks 910 (corresponding to the anterior septal basal segment), 920 (corresponding to the inferior septal basal segment), 930 (corresponding to the anterior septal intermediate segment), and 940 (corresponding to the inferior septal intermediate segment) are thicker than the boundary lines of the other blocks, while the boundary lines of the other blocks are of the same thickness. By bolding the boundary lines of blocks 910, 920, 930, and 940, the anterior septal basal segment, anterior septal intermediate segment, inferior septal basal segment, and inferior septal intermediate segment with abnormal myocardial thickness can be highlighted in the second bullseye diagram.

[0167] Furthermore, this preset condition can be a preset threshold. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye image of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the thickness of the boundary lines of other blocks in the second bullseye image; if the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye image of the first myocardial segment region is less than the thickness of the boundary lines of other blocks in the second bullseye image. Thus, the thickness of the boundary lines of the blocks can quickly indicate to the user whether the myocardial thickness of the current first myocardial segment region is too large or too small.

[0168] In one embodiment, the cause of the first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet preset conditions can also be determined, and an identifier representing the cause can be displayed in the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram. The identifier representing the cause can be displayed inside or outside the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness. For example, referring to Figure 10, if the myocardial segment region is abnormally thickened, and it is determined that the abnormal thickening is caused by a myocardial mass, an identifier 1010 representing a myocardial mass can be displayed in the second bullseye diagram to assist the doctor in diagnosis. The identifier 1010 representing a myocardial mass can be displayed in the interval between the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of abnormal myocardial thickness and its adjacent blocks.

[0169] Furthermore, in the second bullseye diagram, the numerical value of the first type of myocardial thickness can also be displayed within or around the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness, so that the user can determine the specific value of the abnormal myocardial thickness upon knowing that it exists. This abnormal myocardial thickness value can be displayed at any suitable location; the specific location is not limited in this embodiment of the invention.

[0170] For example, in the second bullseye diagram shown in Figure 7, the abnormal myocardial thickness (16 mm) of the anterior wall mid-segment can be displayed within block 710 corresponding to the anterior wall mid-segment, and the abnormal myocardial thickness (13 mm) of the apical cap can be displayed within block 710 corresponding to the apical cap. In the second bullseye diagram shown in Figure 8, the abnormal myocardial thickness (20 mm) of the anterior septal base segment can be displayed below block 810 corresponding to the anterior septal base segment, and the abnormal myocardial thickness (20 mm) of the anterior septal mid-segment can be displayed below block 820 corresponding to the anterior septal mid-segment. The values ​​of abnormal myocardial thickness and myocardial motion parameters can be displayed differently to distinguish them, for example, by displaying them with different colors, different fonts, or different sizes.

[0171] Referring to Figure 14, in one embodiment, a selection operation on a target block in the second bullseye image can also be received, and a more specific myocardial thickness can be displayed within the target block. The target block is the block corresponding to a myocardial segment region with a first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image, such as a block corresponding to abnormal myocardial thickness.

[0172] Specifically, for the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block in the echocardiogram data, the sub-myocardial thickness is measured at multiple measurement locations within the target myocardial segment region, with these multiple measurement locations arranged along the axial direction of the myocardial segment region. Identifiers corresponding to the multiple sub-myocardial thicknesses are displayed in the target block. The identifiers corresponding to the first type of sub-myocardial thickness have a first morphology, and the identifiers corresponding to the second type of sub-myocardial thickness have a second morphology. The first type of sub-myocardial thickness represents sub-myocardial thicknesses that do not meet preset conditions, while the second type of sub-myocardial thickness represents sub-myocardial thicknesses that meet preset conditions.

[0173] Referring to Figure 15, which shows an echocardiographic image of the apical four-chamber view, the myocardial structure in this image can be divided into seven myocardial segment regions. The arrows point to the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block, where four measurement positions are set. Measuring the myocardial thickness corresponding to these four measurement positions yields four sub-myocardial thicknesses within the target myocardial segment region, and four markers corresponding to these four sub-myocardial thicknesses are displayed in the target block. By comparing each sub-myocardial thickness with a preset threshold, it can be determined that the sub-myocardial thickness corresponding to the second measurement position closest to the cardiac base is greater than the preset threshold. Therefore, the second marker closest to the periphery is displayed in red (shown as a dashed line in the figure), representing abnormal myocardial thickness; the other markers are displayed in black (shown as solid lines in the figure), also representing abnormal myocardial thickness.

[0174] Figure 15 shows the generation of a bullseye map based on a cardiac ultrasound image from a long-axis section of the heart. Multiple measurement points are arranged longitudinally along the myocardium, so the generated markers can be arcs extending along the circumference of the second bullseye map. Optionally, the generated markers can also be multiple points spaced apart along the radius of the second bullseye map, or the target area can be divided into multiple color blocks along the radius, each color block representing a sub-myocardial thickness. If the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data from a short-axis section of the heart, then multiple measurement points are arranged laterally along the myocardium, and the generated markers can be straight lines extending radially along the second bullseye map, points spaced apart along the circumference of the bullseye map, or multiple color blocks arranged along the circumference of the bullseye map.

[0175] In some embodiments, sub-myocardial motion parameters at multiple measurement locations can also be measured and displayed in the target block. Continuing to refer to Figure 14, four arcs divide the target block into five sub-blocks, each displaying a corresponding sub-strain value.

[0176] In one embodiment, the acquired cardiac ultrasound data is ultrasound video data, i.e., multiple frames of ultrasound image data continuously acquired for each section. Subsequently, a bullseye diagram corresponding to each time moment can be generated based on each video frame in the ultrasound video image, and the bullseye diagrams at multiple time moments are displayed sequentially in chronological order, so that at least one of the myocardial motion parameters displayed in the first bullseye diagram, the myocardial motion parameters displayed in the second bullseye diagram, and the values ​​of the first type of myocardial thickness displayed in the second bullseye diagram dynamically changes over time.

[0177] The first or second bullseye image of this invention can also be displayed in conjunction with echocardiogram images. In one example, as shown in FIG11, myocardial motion parameters for each myocardial segment region can be displayed in echocardiogram images at A4C, A2C, and A3C sections, with the myocardial motion parameters displayed near the corresponding myocardial segment region. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG12, myocardial motion parameters for only myocardial segment regions with abnormal myocardial thickness can be displayed in the echocardiogram image, without displaying myocardial motion parameters for all myocardial segment regions, thereby more clearly presenting myocardial segment regions with abnormal myocardial thickness.

[0178] When no type I myocardial thickness does not meet the preset conditions, the first bullseye image and the echocardiogram image are displayed simultaneously. In this case, the myocardial thickness value may not be displayed in the echocardiogram image. When a type I myocardial thickness does not meet the preset conditions, the second bullseye image and the echocardiogram image are displayed simultaneously. In this case, the location of the myocardial segment region corresponding to the type I myocardial thickness can be marked in the echocardiogram image to allow users to view the tissue structure details of the myocardial segment region corresponding to the type I myocardial thickness. The methods for marking the location of the myocardial segment region corresponding to the type I myocardial thickness include, but are not limited to, displaying the bounding box surrounding the myocardial segment region of the type I myocardial thickness, or overlaying a semi-transparent color block on the myocardial segment region of the type I myocardial thickness.

[0179] Furthermore, when a type I myocardial thickness does not meet the preset conditions, the numerical value of the type I myocardial thickness can be displayed near the location corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the type I myocardial thickness in the echocardiogram image. For example, continuing to refer to Figure 11 or Figure 12, in the echocardiogram image of the A4C section, there are two myocardial segment regions with abnormal myocardial thickness, and the numerical value of abnormal myocardial thickness (15mm, 16mm) is displayed near each region, below the strain value of the corresponding myocardial segment region; in the echocardiogram image of the A2C section, there is one myocardial segment region with abnormal myocardial thickness, and the numerical value of abnormal myocardial thickness (5mm) is displayed near this region; in the echocardiogram image of the A3C section, there is one myocardial segment region with abnormal myocardial thickness, and the numerical value of abnormal myocardial thickness (16mm) is displayed near this region. The numerical value of abnormal myocardial thickness can be dynamically played in the form of digital labels, moving along with the myocardial contraction and relaxation in the echocardiogram image.

[0180] In one embodiment, curves showing the changes of myocardial motion parameters over time can also be generated and displayed based on the myocardial motion parameters. Each myocardial segment region can correspond to one curve showing the changes of myocardial motion parameters over time, and the echocardiogram image of each section can be displayed together with the curves corresponding to the six myocardial segment regions of that section. The curves showing the changes of myocardial motion parameters over time can display the motion of the corresponding myocardial segment region over a period of time.

[0181] In summary, when the ultrasound imaging method 200 of this embodiment of the invention measures a first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions, it generates and displays a second bullseye image with a differentiated morphology based on myocardial motion parameters and myocardial thickness. The second bullseye image can intuitively present the myocardial segment region with abnormal myocardial thickness, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency and broadening the information dimension.

[0182] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging method, referring to FIG13, the ultrasound imaging method 1300 including the following steps:

[0183] In step S1310, at least one section of cardiac ultrasound data is acquired, and a myocardial structure region is determined based on the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the myocardial structure region includes multiple segmental myocardial regions.

[0184] In step S1320, the myocardial segment parameters of each myocardial segment region are measured. When there are first-type myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial segment parameters.

[0185] The second bullseye diagram is a differentiated bullseye diagram constructed based on a preset standard bullseye diagram. The preset standard bullseye diagram includes multiple concentric rings, at least one ring is divided into multiple blocks, each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region, and each block displays at least the myocardial segment parameters corresponding to that myocardial segment region. The differentiated form is that the blocks corresponding to the myocardial segment regions with the first type of myocardial segment parameters in the second bullseye diagram are different from the corresponding blocks in the preset standard bullseye diagram, and the blocks corresponding to the myocardial segments with the second type of myocardial segment parameters that meet the preset conditions are the same as the corresponding blocks in the preset standard bullseye diagram, so as to highlight the myocardial segment regions with the first type of myocardial segment parameters in the second bullseye diagram.

[0186] In one embodiment, it can be determined whether there is a first type of myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset conditions based on the myocardial segment parameter. If it does not exist, a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial segment parameter. If it exists, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the myocardial segment parameter, wherein the first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

[0187] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include a first myocardial segment parameter and a second myocardial segment parameter. The second myocardial segment parameter is the fundamental parameter for presenting the bullseye diagram; that is, each block in both the first and second bullseye diagrams displays at least the corresponding second myocardial segment parameter. The first myocardial segment parameter is the parameter that determines whether the bullseye diagram has a differentiated morphology. Exemplarily, the first and second myocardial segment parameters can be any two different parameters selected from strain, strain rate, velocity, displacement, thickness, area, perimeter, and volume.

[0188] Furthermore, the values ​​of the first type of first myocardial segment parameters can also be displayed inside or around the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of first myocardial segment parameters in the second bullseye image.

[0189] For example, the second myocardial segment parameter is strain, and the first myocardial segment parameter is myocardial thickness. When there is no abnormal myocardial thickness, a first bullseye map is generated based on the strain values ​​of each myocardial segment region, and the strain value of the corresponding myocardial segment region is displayed in each block of the first bullseye map. When there is abnormal myocardial thickness, a second bullseye map is generated based on the strain values ​​of each myocardial segment region and the abnormal myocardial thickness, and the blocks corresponding to the abnormal myocardial thickness are displayed differently in the second bullseye map. In this case, the second bullseye map is used to present the strain of all myocardial segment regions and indicate the myocardial segment region corresponding to the abnormal myocardial thickness.

[0190] In another embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include third myocardial segment parameters, which are both the fundamental parameters for the bullseye pattern and determine whether the bullseye pattern has a differentiated morphology. The third myocardial segment parameters can be any one of strain, strain rate, velocity, displacement, thickness, area, perimeter, or volume.

[0191] Specifically, if there are no first-type third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the third myocardial segment parameters. If there are first-type third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the third myocardial segment parameters. The blocks corresponding to the myocardial segment regions of the first-type third myocardial segment parameters in the second bullseye diagram are different from the corresponding blocks in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form. Furthermore, each block in the first bullseye diagram and the second bullseye diagram displays at least the third myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

[0192] For example, the third myocardial segment parameter is myocardial thickness. When there is no abnormal myocardial thickness, a first bullseye map is generated based on the myocardial thickness of each myocardial segment region, and the myocardial thickness value of the corresponding myocardial segment region is displayed in each block of the first bullseye map. When abnormal myocardial thickness exists, a second bullseye map is generated based on the myocardial thickness of each myocardial segment region and the abnormal myocardial thickness, and the blocks corresponding to the abnormal myocardial thickness are displayed differentially in the second bullseye map. In this case, the second bullseye map is used to present the myocardial thickness of all myocardial segment regions and indicate the myocardial segment region corresponding to the abnormal myocardial thickness.

[0193] The differentiated form of the second bullseye image in this embodiment is similar to that in the previous embodiments. Taking the first myocardial segment region as an example, in one embodiment, the first myocardial segment region can be highlighted by differentiating its size. Specifically, if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet preset conditions, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the first bullseye image has a first size, which is a preset standard size; if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image has a second size, which is different from the first size.

[0194] Furthermore, the preset condition can be a preset threshold, or it can be characterized by the size of the first myocardial segment region to indicate whether the corresponding myocardial segment parameter is too large or too small. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the second size is greater than the first size; if the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the second size is less than the first size.

[0195] In another embodiment, the first myocardial segment region can be highlighted by differentially displaying its location. Specifically, if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet preset conditions, there is no gap between the corresponding block of the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, and the position of the first myocardial segment region is the preset standard position; if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, there is a gap between the corresponding block of the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks.

[0196] In another embodiment, the first myocardial segment region can be highlighted by differentiating the boundary lines of the first myocardial segment region. Specifically, if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet preset conditions, the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is the same as the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram. In this case, the thickness of the boundary line of the first myocardial segment region is the preset standard thickness. If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is different from the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram.

[0197] Furthermore, the preset condition can be a preset threshold, or it can be represented by the thickness of the boundary line of the first myocardial segment region to indicate whether the corresponding myocardial segment parameter is too large or too small. Specifically, if the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block of the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is greater than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye diagram; if the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block of the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is less than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye diagram.

[0198] In some embodiments, the cause of a first type of myocardial segment parameter that does not meet preset conditions can also be determined, and an identifier representing the cause can be displayed in the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye diagram. For example, if it is determined that the abnormal thickening of the myocardial segment parameter is caused by a myocardial mass, an identifier representing the myocardial mass can be displayed.

[0199] In some embodiments, the myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes: if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region is displayed as a planar graphic located in the preset plane in the second bullseye image; if the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is displayed as a three-dimensional graphic protruding from the preset plane.

[0200] As shown in Figure 16, in this embodiment, perspective projection can be used to simulate the human eye's perception of objects as larger when they are closer and smaller when they are farther away. The second bullseye image is displayed as an ellipse, with the area closer to the observation point being larger and the area farther from the observation point being smaller. This makes the main body of the second bullseye image appear as a planar graphic located within a preset plane. To enhance the stereoscopic effect, a trapezoidal base image can also be used to present the preset plane, displaying the second bullseye image on the trapezoidal base image. This trapezoidal base image is used to simulate the deformation of a rectangle in perspective.

[0201] In the bullseye diagram shown in Figure 16, the myocardial thickness corresponding to block 11 (hereinafter referred to as block 11) does not meet the preset condition. Therefore, block 11 is displayed as a cylinder protruding from the preset plane where the main body of the second bullseye diagram is located. Optionally, the three-dimensional graphic can also be a hemisphere or a cone. If the myocardial thickness at multiple locations in the first myocardial segment region can be obtained, the three-dimensional graphic can also be an irregular shape that can characterize the myocardial thickness at different locations. For example, the specific values ​​of the myocardial segment parameters can also be displayed near the three-dimensional graphic, such as the myocardial thickness of 20 mm shown in Figure 16.

[0202] For example, the preset conditions include a preset threshold. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram bulges in a first direction relative to the preset plane. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram bulges in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the preset plane. Preferably, if the myocardial segment parameter is greater than the preset threshold, the corresponding block bulges upward; if the myocardial segment parameter is less than the preset threshold, the corresponding block bulges downward. For example, in Figure 16, the myocardial thickness corresponding to block 11 is greater than the preset threshold, therefore block 11 bulges upward.

[0203] Furthermore, the height of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram protruding above the preset plane is positively correlated with the extent to which the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region exceeds a preset threshold. Specifically, when the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, the larger the myocardial segment parameter, the higher the block height; conversely, when the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, the smaller the myocardial segment parameter, the higher the block height.

[0204] In some embodiments, referring again to Figures 14 and 15, a selection operation on a target block among multiple blocks of a second bullseye image can also be received. The target block is a block corresponding to a myocardial segment region having a first type of myocardial segment parameters. Sub-myocardial segment parameters are measured at multiple measurement locations within the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block in the echocardiogram data. The multiple measurement locations are spaced apart along the extension direction of the target myocardial segment region. An identifier corresponding to each sub-myocardial segment parameter is displayed in the target block, wherein the identifier corresponding to the first type of sub-myocardial segment parameters has a first form, and the identifier corresponding to the second type of sub-myocardial segment parameters has a second form. The first type of sub-myocardial segment parameters are sub-myocardial segment parameters that do not meet preset conditions, and the second type of sub-myocardial segment parameters are sub-myocardial segment parameters that meet preset conditions. In one embodiment, the target block is a block corresponding to a myocardial segment region having a first type of myocardial segment parameters.

[0205] For example, if the echocardiogram data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is echocardiogram data of the long axis section of the heart, then the identifier corresponding to each sub-myocardial segment parameter can be an arc extending along the circumferential direction of the second bullseye diagram. If the echocardiogram data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is echocardiogram data of the short axis section of the heart, then the identifier corresponding to each sub-myocardial segment parameter can be a straight line extending along the radial direction of the second bullseye diagram.

[0206] In one embodiment, the myocardial segment parameters include a first myocardial segment parameter and a second myocardial segment parameter, and the sub-myocardial segment parameters include a first sub-myocardial segment parameter having the same parameter type as the first myocardial segment parameter and a second sub-myocardial segment parameter having the same parameter type as the second myocardial segment parameter; the identifier corresponding to each sub-myocardial segment parameter includes a graphic for characterizing the first sub-myocardial segment parameter and a numerical value for characterizing the second sub-myocardial segment parameter.

[0207] For example, the first myocardial segment parameter is the overall myocardial thickness of the target myocardial segment region, and the sub-myocardial segment parameter is the local myocardial thickness at multiple measurement locations within the target myocardial segment region. The graph displayed in the target block of the bullseye diagram represents the local myocardial thickness at these multiple measurement locations. If the local myocardial thickness does not meet a preset threshold, the corresponding graph is displayed in red; if the local myocardial thickness meets the preset threshold, the corresponding graph is displayed in black.

[0208] The second myocardial segment parameter is the overall myocardial strain in the target myocardial segment region, and the sub-myocardial segment parameter is the local myocardial strain at multiple measurement locations within the target myocardial segment region. The values ​​displayed in the target block of the bullseye diagram represent the local myocardial strain at these multiple measurement locations. For example, if the local myocardial strain does not meet a preset threshold, the corresponding value is displayed in red; if the local myocardial strain meets the preset threshold, the corresponding value is displayed in black.

[0209] In one embodiment, the acquired cardiac ultrasound data is ultrasound video data, i.e., multiple frames of ultrasound images continuously acquired for each section. Subsequently, a second bullseye map corresponding to each time moment can be generated based on each video frame in the ultrasound video images, and the second bullseye maps at multiple time moments are displayed sequentially in chronological order, so that the myocardial segment parameters displayed in the second bullseye maps change dynamically over time.

[0210] The bullseye diagram in this embodiment of the invention can also be displayed in conjunction with a myocardial ultrasound image. Specifically, a myocardial ultrasound image is generated and displayed based on the myocardial ultrasound data; when there are first-type myocardial segment parameters that do not meet preset conditions, the position corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first-type myocardial segment parameter is marked in the myocardial ultrasound image, and the value of the first-type myocardial segment parameter can also be displayed near that position.

[0211] When the myocardial segment parameters include first myocardial segment parameters and second myocardial segment parameters, if there is a first type of first myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset conditions, the value of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter is displayed near the position corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter, and the second myocardial motion parameter of at least one myocardial segment region is displayed in the cardiac ultrasound image.

[0212] When the myocardial segment parameters include the third myocardial segment parameters, the third myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment region can be displayed in the echocardiogram. When there are first-class third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, the first-class third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions are highlighted.

[0213] In one embodiment, curves showing the changes of myocardial segment parameters over time can also be generated and displayed based on the myocardial segment parameters. Each myocardial segment region can correspond to one curve showing the changes of myocardial segment parameters over time, and the echocardiogram image of each section can be displayed together with the curves corresponding to the six myocardial segment regions of that section.

[0214] In summary, when the ultrasound imaging method 1300 of this embodiment of the invention measures a first type of myocardial segment parameter (e.g., abnormal myocardial segment parameter) that does not meet the preset conditions, it generates and displays a second bullseye image with a differentiated morphology based on the first type of myocardial segment parameter. The second bullseye image can intuitively present the myocardial segment region of the abnormal myocardial segment parameter, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency and broadening the information dimension.

[0215] This invention also provides an ultrasound imaging system for implementing the ultrasound imaging method 200 or ultrasound imaging method 1300 described above. The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a processor, and a display. Referring again to FIG1, the ultrasound imaging system can be implemented as the ultrasound imaging system 100 shown in FIG1. ​​The ultrasound imaging system 100 may include an ultrasound probe 110, a transmitting circuit 112, a receiving circuit 114, a processor 116, and a display 118. Optionally, the ultrasound imaging system 100 may further include a transmit / receive selection switch 120, a beamforming module 122, and a memory 124. The transmitting circuit 112 and the receiving circuit 114 can be connected to the ultrasound probe 110 via the transmit / receive selection switch 120. The relevant descriptions of each component can be found in the above descriptions and will not be repeated here.

[0216] The transmitting circuit 112 is used to control the ultrasound probe 110 to transmit ultrasound waves to the heart tissue; the receiving circuit 114 is used to control the ultrasound probe 110 to receive the echo of the ultrasound waves returned by the heart tissue to obtain cardiac ultrasound data; the processor 116 is used to perform ultrasound imaging based on the cardiac ultrasound data; the processor 116 is also used to perform the steps of the ultrasound imaging method 200 or ultrasound imaging method 1300 described above.

[0217] The above only describes the main functions of each component of the ultrasound imaging system. For more details, please refer to the relevant descriptions of ultrasound imaging method 200 and ultrasound imaging method 1300, which will not be repeated here.

[0218] Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

[0219] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0220] In the several embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0221] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0222] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline the invention and aid in understanding one or more of the various aspects of the invention, features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, this approach should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the corresponding claims, its inventive point lies in solving the corresponding technical problem with fewer features than all of those in a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0223] Those skilled in the art will understand that, apart from the mutual exclusion of features, all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or apparatus so disclosed can be combined in any combination. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0224] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not other features, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and to form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0225] The various component embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, or in software modules running on one or more processors, or in a combination thereof. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP) can be used in practice to implement some or all of the functions of some modules according to embodiments of the present invention. The present invention can also be implemented as a device program (e.g., a computer program and a computer program product) for executing a part or all of the methods described herein. Such a program implementing the present invention can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or can have the form of one or more signals. Such a signal can be downloaded from an Internet website, or provided on a carrier signal, or provided in any other form.

[0226] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art may devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between brackets should not be construed as limiting the claims. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third etc. does not indicate any order. These words may be interpreted as names.

[0227] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention or an explanation of that embodiment. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasound imaging method, characterized in that, The method includes: Acquire cardiac ultrasound data from at least three sections, and determine myocardial structural regions based on the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the myocardial structural regions include multiple segmental myocardial regions. Measure the myocardial thickness and myocardial motion parameters of each myocardial segment region, determine whether there is a first type of myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions based on the myocardial thickness, if not, generate and display a first bullseye diagram based at least on the myocardial motion parameters, if there is, generate and display a second bullseye diagram based on the myocardial motion parameters and the myocardial thickness; The first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of a preset standard form. The bullseye diagram of the preset standard form includes multiple concentric rings. At least one of the rings is divided into multiple blocks. Each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region. Each block displays at least the myocardial motion parameters corresponding to the myocardial segment region. The size, position, and boundary line thickness of each block are preset. The second bullseye diagram is a differentiated bullseye diagram constructed based on the preset standard bullseye diagram. The differentiated form is that at least one of the size, position, and boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram is different from the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, and the size, position, and boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the second type of myocardial thickness that meets the preset condition are the same as the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, so as to highlight the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region. The size of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with a first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard shape, including: If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets the preset condition, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a first size; If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a second size, which is different from the first size.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset conditions include a preset threshold. If the myocardial thickness in the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the second size is greater than the first size. If the myocardial thickness in the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the second size is smaller than the first size.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region. The location of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard shape, including: If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets the preset condition, then there is no gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then there is a gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram deviates from the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region. The boundary line thickness of the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with a first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye image differs from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard shape, including: If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region meets the preset condition, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region does not meet the preset condition, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is different from the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The preset conditions include a preset threshold. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is greater than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image. If the myocardial thickness of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is less than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a selection operation for a target block in the second bullseye image, wherein the target block is a block corresponding to a myocardial segment region having the thickness of the first type of myocardium; The sub-myocardial thickness at multiple measurement locations in the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block is obtained from the cardiac ultrasound data, and the multiple measurement locations are arranged along the axial direction of the target myocardial segment region; The target block displays identifiers corresponding to the plurality of sub-myocardial thicknesses, wherein the identifiers corresponding to the first type of sub-myocardial thickness have a first form, and the identifiers corresponding to the second type of sub-myocardial thickness have a second form. The first type of sub-myocardial thickness is the sub-myocardial thickness that does not meet the preset conditions, and the second type of sub-myocardial thickness is the sub-myocardial thickness that meets the preset conditions.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, If the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the long axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes an arc extending along the circumferential direction of the second bullseye image; if the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the short axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes a straight line extending along the radial direction of the second bullseye image.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: measuring sub-myocardial motion parameters at the plurality of measurement locations; The sub-myocardial motion parameters at the plurality of measurement locations are displayed in the target block.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes: Determine the cause of the myocardial thickness exhibiting the first type; In the second bullseye image, an identifier representing the etiology is displayed at the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Generating and displaying a second bullseye map based on the myocardial motion parameters and the myocardial thickness further includes: The numerical value of the first type of myocardial thickness is displayed inside or around the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness in the second bullseye diagram.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Generate and display cardiac ultrasound images based on the cardiac ultrasound data; When the first type of myocardial thickness is present, the location corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness is marked in the cardiac ultrasound image.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The value of the first type of myocardial thickness is displayed near the location corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial thickness.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The cardiac ultrasound images display the myocardial motion parameters for each of the myocardial segment regions.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Generate and display curves showing the changes of myocardial motion parameters over time based on the stated myocardial motion parameters.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The cardiac ultrasound data is ultrasound video data, and at least one of the myocardial motion parameters shown in the first bullseye image, the myocardial motion parameters shown in the second bullseye image, and the values ​​of the first type of myocardial thickness shown in the second bullseye image dynamically changes over time.

17. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The parameter types corresponding to the myocardial motion parameters include at least one of the following: strain, strain rate, velocity, and displacement.

18. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least three sections include at least the parasternal left ventricular long-axis section, the apical four-chamber section, and the apical two-chamber section; or, the at least three sections include at least the basal left ventricular short-axis section, the mid-segment short-axis section of the left ventricular myocardium, and the apical short-axis section.

19. An ultrasound imaging method, characterized in that, The method includes: Acquire cardiac ultrasound data from at least one cross section, and determine myocardial structural regions based on the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the myocardial structural regions include multiple segmental myocardial regions. Measure the myocardial segment parameters of each myocardial segment region. When there are first-type myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, generate and display a second bullseye map based on the myocardial segment parameters. The second bullseye diagram is a differentiated bullseye diagram constructed based on a preset standard bullseye diagram. The preset standard bullseye diagram includes multiple concentric rings, at least one of which is divided into multiple blocks. Each block corresponds to a myocardial segment region, and each block displays at least the myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region. The differentiated form is that the block in the second bullseye diagram corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial segment parameter is different from the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, and the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the second type of myocardial segment parameter that meets the preset condition is the same as the corresponding block in the preset standard bullseye diagram, so as to highlight the myocardial segment region with the first type of myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye diagram.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the myocardial segment parameters, determine whether there is a first type of myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset conditions. If it does not exist, generate and display a first bullseye diagram based on the myocardial segment parameters. If it exists, generate and display a second bullseye diagram based on the myocardial segment parameters. The first bullseye diagram is a bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The myocardial segment parameters include first myocardial segment parameters and second myocardial segment parameters. If there is no first type of first myocardial segment parameter whose first myocardial segment parameter does not meet the preset condition, then at least a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the second myocardial segment parameter. If there is a first type of first myocardial segment parameter whose first myocardial segment parameter does not meet the preset condition, then a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the first myocardial segment parameter and the second myocardial segment parameter. The block corresponding to the myocardial segment region with the first type of first myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye diagram is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form. Each block of the first bullseye diagram and the second bullseye diagram displays at least the second myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, Generating and displaying a second bullseye map based on the myocardial segment parameters further includes: The values ​​of the first type of first myocardial segment parameters are displayed inside or around the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye image.

23. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The myocardial segment parameters include third myocardial segment parameters. If there are no first-type third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a first bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the third myocardial segment parameters. If there are first-type third myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, a second bullseye diagram is generated and displayed based on the third myocardial segment parameters. The blocks corresponding to the myocardial segment regions with the first-type third myocardial segment parameters in the second bullseye diagram are different from the corresponding blocks in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form. Each block of the first bullseye diagram and the second bullseye diagram displays at least the third myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

24. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes: If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a first size; If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram has a second size, which is different from the first size.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The preset conditions include a preset threshold. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the second size is greater than the first size. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the second size is less than the first size.

26. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes: If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then there is no gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form; If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, then there is a gap between the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram and its adjacent blocks, wherein the position of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram deviates from the position of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

27. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes: If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram is the same as the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form. If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, then the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the second bullseye diagram of the first myocardial segment region is different from the thickness of the boundary line of the corresponding block in the bullseye diagram of the preset standard form.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The preset conditions include a preset threshold. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is greater than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the thickness of the boundary line of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image is less than the thickness of the boundary line of other blocks in the second bullseye image.

29. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The myocardial segment region includes a first myocardial segment region, and the differentiated morphology includes: If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region meet the preset conditions, then the first myocardial segment region is displayed as a planar graphic located in a preset plane in the second bullseye diagram; If the myocardial segment parameters of the first myocardial segment region do not meet the preset conditions, the corresponding block of the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram will be displayed as a three-dimensional graphic protruding from the preset plane.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that, The preset conditions include a preset threshold. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is greater than the preset threshold, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram will bulge in the first direction relative to the preset plane. If the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region is less than the preset threshold, then the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye diagram will bulge in a second direction opposite to the first direction relative to the preset plane.

31. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that, The preset conditions include a preset threshold, wherein the height of the block corresponding to the first myocardial segment region in the second bullseye image protruding above the preset plane is positively correlated with the extent to which the myocardial segment parameter of the first myocardial segment region exceeds the preset threshold.

32. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a selection operation for a target block among multiple blocks of the second bullseye map, wherein the target block is a block corresponding to a myocardial segment region having the first type of myocardial segment parameters; Acquire sub-myocardial segment parameters at multiple measurement locations in the target myocardial segment region corresponding to the target block from the cardiac ultrasound data, wherein the multiple measurement locations are arranged along the axial direction of the target myocardial segment region; The target block displays an identifier corresponding to each of the sub-myocardial segment parameters, wherein the identifier corresponding to the first type of sub-myocardial segment parameters has a first form, and the identifier corresponding to the second type of sub-myocardial segment parameters has a second form. The first type of sub-myocardial segment parameters are sub-myocardial segment parameters that do not meet the preset conditions, and the second type of sub-myocardial segment parameters are sub-myocardial segment parameters that meet the preset conditions.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, If the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the long axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes an arc extending along the circumferential direction of the second bullseye image; if the cardiac ultrasound data corresponding to the target myocardial segment region is cardiac ultrasound data in the short axis section of the heart, then the identifier includes a straight line extending along the radial direction of the second bullseye image.

34. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The myocardial segment parameters include first myocardial segment parameters and second myocardial segment parameters, and the sub-myocardial segment parameters include first sub-myocardial segment parameters having the same parameter type as the first myocardial segment parameters and second sub-myocardial segment parameters having the same parameter type as the second myocardial segment parameters; The identifier includes a graphic representation of the parameters of the first sub-myocardial segment and a numerical representation of the parameters of the second sub-myocardial segment.

35. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The cardiac ultrasound data is ultrasound video data, and the myocardial segment parameters shown in the second bullseye image change dynamically over time.

36. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the cause of the myocardial segment parameters of the first type; In the second bullseye image, an identifier representing the etiology is displayed at the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial segment parameter.

37. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Generate and display cardiac ultrasound images based on the cardiac ultrasound data; When the first type of myocardial segment parameter is present, the location corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of myocardial segment parameter is marked in the cardiac ultrasound image.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, The myocardial segment parameters include first myocardial segment parameters and second myocardial segment parameters, and the method further includes: When there is a first type of first myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset condition, the value of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter is displayed near the position corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter, and at least one second myocardial segment parameter corresponding to a myocardial segment region is displayed in the cardiac ultrasound image. Wherein, the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of first myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard form, and each block of the first bullseye image and the second bullseye image displays at least the second myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

39. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, The myocardial segment parameters include third myocardial segment parameters, and the method further includes: The third myocardial motion parameter of each myocardial segment region is displayed in the cardiac ultrasound image. When there is a first type of third myocardial segment parameter that does not meet the preset condition, the first type of third myocardial segment parameter is highlighted in the cardiac ultrasound image. Wherein, the block corresponding to the myocardial segment region of the first type of third myocardial segment parameter in the second bullseye image is different from the corresponding block in the bullseye image of the preset standard form, and each block of the first bullseye image and the second bullseye image displays at least the third myocardial segment parameter corresponding to the myocardial segment region.

40. The method according to claim 19 or 37, characterized in that, The method further includes: Generate and display curves showing the changes of myocardial segment parameters over time based on the stated myocardial segment parameters.

41. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The parameter types corresponding to the myocardial segment parameters include at least one of the following: strain, strain rate, velocity, displacement, thickness, area, perimeter, and volume.

42. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The at least one section includes at least one of the following: parasternal left ventricular long axis section, apical four-chamber section, apical two-chamber section, basal left ventricular short axis section, mid-segment left ventricular myocardium short axis section, and apical short axis section.

43. An ultrasound imaging system, characterized in that, include: Ultrasound probe; A transmitting circuit is used to excite the ultrasound probe to emit ultrasound waves toward the heart. A receiving circuit is used to control the ultrasound probe to receive the echo of the ultrasound waves in order to obtain cardiac ultrasound data. A processor for performing the steps of the ultrasound imaging method according to any one of claims 1-42 to obtain a bullseye image; A display for showing the bullseye diagram.

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