KR100998443B1 - Ultrasound system and method for processing ultrasound data considering scan conversion - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are an ultrasound system and a method for performing an image enhancement process on ultrasound data before scan conversion in consideration of geometric information and depth after the scan conversion. The system and method may transmit and focus an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines to form a frame, transmit an ultrasound signal to the object, and receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object to receive a plurality of received signals for each of the plurality of frames. First image enhancement for forming a plurality of received signals, forming ultrasonic data for each frame using a plurality of received signals, setting a plurality of regions in each frame using ultrasonic data, and performing different image processing on each of the plurality of regions. Perform a second image enhancement process to apply different weights to the frames according to the geometric information and the depth in consideration of the geometric information and the depth after the scan conversion, and scan the first and second image-enhanced ultrasound data. And convert the scan-converted ultrasound data into an ultrasound image.

Ultrasound, scan conversion, geometric information, depth

Description

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ULTRASOUND DATA CONSIDERING SCAN CONVERSION

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic system, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic system and method for processing ultrasonic data in consideration of scan conversion.

Ultrasound systems have non-invasive and non-destructive properties and are widely used in the medical field for obtaining information inside an object. Ultrasound systems are very important in the medical field because they can provide a doctor with a high-resolution image of the internal tissue of a subject without the need for a surgical operation to directly incise and observe the subject.

Generally, an ultrasonic system includes an ultrasonic probe, a digital beam former, an ultrasonic data forming unit, a scan converter, and a display unit. The ultrasound probe transmits an ultrasound signal to the object and receives an ultrasound signal (that is, an ultrasound echo signal) reflected from the object to form a received signal. The ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of transducer elements operative to convert ultrasonic and electrical signals. The digital beam former analog-to-digital converts a received signal input from each conversion element of the ultrasonic probe, and then time-delays the converted digital signal in consideration of the location of each conversion element, and adds the time-delayed reception signals to focus the digital reception. To form a beam. An ultrasonic data forming unit, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP) forms ultrasonic data by performing an envelope detection process on the digital reception focusing beam. The scan conversion unit performs a scan conversion for converting the scan line of the ultrasound data so that the ultrasound data formed by the ultrasound data forming unit can be displayed on the display area of the display unit. The display unit displays the scan-converted ultrasound data on the screen as an ultrasound image.

Conventionally, an image enhancement process is performed on ultrasound data after scan conversion or ultrasound data before scan conversion to enhance an image quality of an ultrasound image. Since the size of the ultrasound data after the scan conversion is larger than that of the ultrasound data before the scan conversion, it takes a long time to perform the image enhancement process. On the other hand, since the size of the ultrasound data before the scan conversion is smaller than that of the ultrasound data after the scan conversion, it may take less time to perform the image enhancement process. There is a problem that the same image enhancement effect as that of performing the enhancement process cannot be obtained.

According to the present invention, a plurality of regions are set in each frame using different ultrasound data before scan conversion, different image enhancement processing is performed in each region, and geometric information and depth after scan conversion are determined. The present invention provides an ultrasound system and method for enhancing image quality of an ultrasound image by performing image enhancement processing to apply different weights according to geometric definition information and depth to each frame.

The ultrasound system according to the present invention transmits and focuses an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines for forming a frame, transmits an ultrasound signal to an object, and receives an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object, for each of the plurality of frames. A transceiver for operating to form a plurality of received signals; An ultrasonic data forming unit operable to form ultrasonic data for each frame using the plurality of received signals; The geometric information is set in each frame in consideration of geometric information and depth after first image enhancement processing and scan conversion, which set a plurality of regions in each frame by using the ultrasonic data and perform different image processing on each of the plurality of regions. And an ultrasonic data processor operable to perform a second image enhancement process that applies different weights according to depths. A scan converter configured to scan-convert the ultrasound data subjected to the first and second image enhancement processing; And a display unit operable to display the scan-converted ultrasound data as an ultrasound image.

In addition, the ultrasonic data processing method according to the present invention includes a) transmitting and focusing ultrasonic signals along a plurality of scan lines for forming a frame, transmitting ultrasonic signals to an object, and receiving ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the object. Forming a plurality of received signals for each frame of; b) forming ultrasonic data for each frame using the plurality of received signals; c) performing a first image enhancement process of setting a plurality of regions in each frame by using the ultrasound data and performing different image processing on each of the plurality of regions; d) performing a second image enhancement process of applying different weights to the respective frames according to the geometric information and the depth in consideration of the geometric information and the depth after the scan conversion; e) scan converting the ultrasound data subjected to the first and second image enhancement processing; And f) displaying the scan-converted ultrasound data as an ultrasound image.

According to the present invention, the image enhancement process can be performed on the ultrasound data before the scan conversion in consideration of the geometric information and the depth after the scan conversion, so that the time required for the image enhancement process can be reduced, and the ultrasound after the scan conversion is performed. Similar to the image enhancement process for the data, the image quality of the ultrasound image may be enhanced.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasound system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transmitter / receiver 110 includes a convex probe, a linear probe, and a trapezodal including at least one transducer element (not shown) operable to mutually convert an ultrasonic signal and an electrical signal. trapezoidal probes, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probes, and the like. The transceiver 110 transmits and concentrates an ultrasonic signal along a plurality of scanlines for forming a frame, transmits an ultrasonic signal to the object, and reflects an ultrasonic signal (ie, an ultrasonic echo signal) from the object. Receive a signal, to form a plurality of received signals for each of the plurality of frames. Meanwhile, the transceiver 110 transmits a stress applied from the outside to the object. In the present embodiment, the transceiver 110 forms a received signal including information such as sound of speed, attenuation, nonlinear characteristics, elasticity, and the like of the ultrasonic echo signal. Here, the elastic information includes at least one of elastic modulus information and strain information.

The user input unit 120 is implemented as a control panel, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and receives a user's selection of a transceiver, an ultrasound diagnosis mode, a request for displaying an ultrasound image, and the like.

When the selection of the transceiver is input from the user input unit 120, the controller 130 controls the activation of the transceiver 110 corresponding to the selection of the transceiver. When the ultrasound diagnosis mode selection is input from the user input unit 120, the controller 130 controls transmission and reception of an ultrasound signal and controls the formation, storage, and processing of ultrasound data. When the ultrasound image display request is input from the user input unit 120, the controller 130 controls the display of the ultrasound image. The controller 130 controls the operation of each component of the ultrasound system 100.

The digital beam former 140 analog-to-digital converts a received signal input from the transceiver 110 and then converts the digital signal into consideration of the position and focus point of each conversion element of the transceiver 110. Time delays are added and the time delayed digital signals are summed to form a digital receive focused beam.

The ultrasonic data forming unit 150 is implemented by a digital signal processor (DSP) or the like, and forms an ultrasonic data by performing an envelope detection process on the digital receiving focused beam input from the digital beam former 140. In the present exemplary embodiment, the ultrasonic data forming unit 150 may include the positions of multiple sampling points on each scan line, data obtained at each point, sound of speed of the ultrasonic echo signal, attenuation, nonlinear characteristics, Ultrasound data including information such as elasticity is formed.

The storage unit 160 stores the ultrasound data formed by the ultrasound data forming unit 150 for each frame.

The ultrasound data processor 170 may use image data processing to set a plurality of areas in each frame and perform different image processing on each area by using the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit 160 to enhance the quality of the ultrasound image. Hereinafter, an image enhancement process (hereinafter, referred to as a second image) in which different frames are assigned different weights according to geometric information and depth in consideration of geometric information and depth after the first image enhancement process and scan conversion. Referred to as reinforcement treatment). In the present embodiment, the ultrasound data processor 170 includes a first ultrasound data processor 171 that operates to perform a first image enhancement process, and a second ultrasound data processor 172 that operates to perform a second image enhancement process. do.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first ultrasonic data processing unit 171 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic data extractor 211 extracts ultrasonic data from the storage 160 for each frame.

The reference information forming unit 212 forms reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas by analyzing the ultrasound data extracted by the ultrasound data extracting unit 211. In more detail, the reference information forming unit 212 analyzes the ultrasound data to form reference information including edge information, texture information, and tissue characteristic information. Here, the boundary can be detected using the change of the brightness value by the differential operator. In the present embodiment, the boundary may be detected using a boundary mask such as Sobel, Prewitt, Robert, or Canny mask. Alternatively, a boundary may be detected from a difference of an eigen value using a structure tensor. In addition, the texture may be detected using Local Standard Deviation (LSD), Gray Level Difference Statistics (SGLDM), Neighborhood Gray Tone Difference Matrix (NGTDM), Fractal Dimension Texture Analysis (FDTA), or the like. In addition, the tissue characteristics may detect tissue characteristics using information such as sound of speed, attenuation, nonlinear characteristics, and elasticity included in the ultrasound data. As an example, lesion tissue such as cancer tissue may detect tissue characteristics by using different information such as speed of sound, attenuation, nonlinear characteristics, elasticity, and the like compared to general tissue.

The area setting unit 213 sets a plurality of areas in each frame by using the reference information formed by the reference information forming unit 212. That is, the area setting unit 213 uses reference information including boundary information, texture information, and tissue characteristic information, and includes a region corresponding to a boundary (hereinafter referred to as a first region) and a region corresponding to a lesion (hereinafter, The second area), the area corresponding to the soft homogenous tissue (hereinafter referred to as the third area) and the noise (especially the speckle noise) (hereinafter referred to as the fourth area). Is set in each frame. In the present exemplary embodiment, the area setting unit 213 sets the first area in each frame using the boundary information of the reference information, and uses the texture information and the tissue characteristic information of the reference information to respectively determine the second area in the first area. A third area having a constant texture but not a first area and a second area by using the texture information of the reference information in each frame, and setting the first area and the second by using the texture information of the reference information. A fourth region in which the texture is not constant but not the region is set in each frame.

The image enhancement processor 214 performs the first image enhancement process according to a plurality of areas set in each frame. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image enhancement processor 214 uses a boundary enhancement filter to emphasize the first area, a path enhancement process to emphasize the second area, a third filter using an average filter, and the like. A first image enhancement process is performed, including a uniforming process for making the area smoother and more uniform, and a process for removing the fourth area.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first ultrasonic data processing unit 171 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic data extractor 221 extracts ultrasonic data from the storage 160 for each frame.

The motion estimator 222 estimates the motion between the frames by using the ultrasound data extracted by the ultrasound data extractor 221. In the present embodiment, the motion estimator 222 estimates motion between frames using optical flow, block matching, and the like.

The reference information forming unit 223 analyzes ultrasonic data of each frame estimated by the motion estimation unit 222 to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas. The reference information forming unit 223 performs the same function as the reference information forming unit 212 in the first embodiment and thus will not be described in detail.

The area setting unit 224 sets a plurality of areas in each frame by using the reference information formed by the reference information forming unit 223. The area setting unit 224 performs the same function as the area setting unit 213 in the first embodiment and thus will not be described in detail.

The image enhancement processor 225 performs the first image enhancement process according to a plurality of areas set in each frame. The image enhancement processor 225 performs the same function as the image enhancement processor 214 in the first embodiment and thus will not be described in detail.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first ultrasonic data processing unit 171 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic data extractor 231 extracts ultrasonic data from the storage 160 for each frame.

The reference information forming unit 232 analyzes ultrasonic data of each frame extracted by the ultrasonic data extracting unit 231 and forms reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of regions. The reference information forming unit 232 performs the same function as the reference information forming unit 212 in the first embodiment and thus will not be described in detail.

The area setting unit 233 sets a plurality of areas in each frame by using the reference information formed by the reference information forming unit 232. The area setting unit 233 performs the same function as the area setting unit 213 in the first embodiment and thus will not be described in detail.

The area processor 234 compares a plurality of areas set in each frame by the area setting unit 233, detects areas that suddenly change inconsistently, and removes the detected areas.

The image enhancement processor 235 performs the first image enhancement process according to a plurality of areas set in each frame. The image enhancement processor 235 performs the same function as the image enhancement processor 214 in the first embodiment and thus will not be described in detail.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the second ultrasound data processor 172 may perform image enhancement processing (hereinafter, second image) on the ultrasound data subjected to the first image enhancement process in consideration of geometric information and depth after the scan conversion. Referred to as reinforcement treatment). In the present exemplary embodiment, the second ultrasound data processor 172 may use geometry after scan conversion to obtain the same image enhancement processing result as that of performing image enhancement processing (edge enhancement, noise removal, etc.) on the ultrasound data after scan conversion. The second image enhancement process is performed on the ultrasound image data subjected to the first image enhancement process in consideration of the angle and the distance. In addition, the second ultrasound data processor 172 performs a second image enhancement process on the ultrasound data to reinforce the edge portion and to remove noise as the depth deepens.

The scan converter 180 scan-converts the ultrasound data subjected to the second image enhancement process by the second ultrasound data processor 172. The display 190 displays the scan-converted ultrasound data on the screen as an ultrasound image.

While the invention has been described and illustrated by way of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first ultrasonic data processing unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first ultrasonic data processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first ultrasonic data processing unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (21)

As an ultrasonic system, Transmitting and focusing an ultrasound signal along a plurality of scan lines for forming a frame to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object to form a plurality of received signals for each of the plurality of frames Transmitting and receiving unit; An ultrasonic data forming unit operable to form ultrasonic data for each frame using the plurality of received signals; The geometric information is set in each frame in consideration of geometric information and depth after first image enhancement processing and scan conversion, which set a plurality of regions in each frame by using the ultrasonic data and perform different image processing on each of the plurality of regions. And an ultrasonic data processor operable to perform a second image enhancement process that applies different weights according to depths. A scan converter configured to scan-convert the ultrasound data subjected to the first and second image enhancement processing; And A display unit operable to display the scan-converted ultrasound data as an ultrasound image Ultrasound system comprising a. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is further operated to transmit a stress applied from the outside to the object. The ultrasound system of claim 2, wherein the received signal includes information about sound velocity, attenuation, nonlinear characteristics, and elasticity of the ultrasound echo signal. The ultrasonic data processing unit of claim 3, wherein the ultrasonic data processing unit A first ultrasound data processor operable to perform the first image enhancement process; And A second ultrasound data processor operable to perform the second image enhancement process Ultrasound system comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the first ultrasonic data processing unit A reference information forming unit operable to analyze the ultrasound data to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas; An area setting unit operable to set a plurality of areas in each frame by using the reference information; And An image enhancement processor configured to perform the first image enhancement process on each frame by using the plurality of areas. Ultrasound system comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the first ultrasonic data processing unit A motion estimator operative to estimate motion between frames using the ultrasonic data; A reference information forming unit operable to analyze the motion estimated ultrasound data to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas; An area setting unit operable to set a plurality of areas in each frame by using the reference information; And An image enhancement processor configured to perform the first image enhancement process on each frame by using the plurality of areas. Ultrasound system comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the first ultrasonic data processing unit A reference information forming unit operable to analyze the ultrasound data to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas; An area setting unit operable to set a plurality of areas in each frame by using the reference information; An area processing unit operable to compare the plurality of areas set in each of the frames, detect an area that is changed inconsistently, and remove the detected area; And An image enhancement processor configured to perform the first image enhancement process on each frame by using the plurality of areas. Ultrasound system comprising a. The ultrasound system of claim 5, wherein the reference information includes edge information, texture information, and tissue characteristic information. The ultrasound system of claim 8, wherein the tissue characteristic information includes information of the sound velocity, the attenuation, the nonlinear characteristic, and the elasticity. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the region setting unit corresponds to a first region corresponding to a boundary, a second region corresponding to a lesion, a third region corresponding to soft homogenous tissue, and noise using the reference information. And an ultrasonic system operative to set a fourth region. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the image enhancement processor is configured to perform the first image enhancement process of emphasizing the first region and the second region, uniformizing the third region, and removing the fourth region. Ultrasound system operative to. Ultrasonic data processing method, a) transmitting and focusing an ultrasonic signal along a plurality of scan lines for forming a frame, transmitting an ultrasonic signal to an object and receiving an ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the object, thereby forming a plurality of received signals for each of the plurality of frames Doing; b) forming ultrasonic data for each frame using the plurality of received signals; c) performing a first image enhancement process of setting a plurality of regions in each frame by using the ultrasound data and performing different image processing on each of the plurality of regions; d) performing a second image enhancement process of applying different weights to the respective frames according to the geometric information and the depth in consideration of the geometric information and the depth after the scan conversion; e) scan converting the ultrasound data subjected to the first and second image enhancement processing; And f) displaying the scan-converted ultrasound data as an ultrasound image Ultrasonic data processing method comprising a. The method of claim 12, wherein step a) Transmitting stress from the outside to the object Ultrasonic data processing method further comprising. The ultrasound data processing method of claim 13, wherein the received signal includes information on a sound velocity, attenuation, nonlinear characteristics, and elasticity of the ultrasound echo signal. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein step c) Analyzing the ultrasound data to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas; Setting a plurality of areas in each frame using the reference information; And Performing the first image enhancement process on the frames using the plurality of regions. Ultrasonic data processing method comprising a. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein step c) Estimating motion between frames using the ultrasonic data; Analyzing the motion estimated ultrasound data to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas; Setting a plurality of areas in each frame using the reference information; And Performing the first image enhancement process on the frames using the plurality of regions. Ultrasonic data processing method comprising a. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein step c) Analyzing the ultrasound data to form reference information for dividing each frame into a plurality of areas; Setting a plurality of areas in each frame using the reference information; Comparing the plurality of areas set in each of the frames, detecting an area that changes inconsistently, and removing the detected area; And Performing the first image enhancement process on the frames using the plurality of regions. Ultrasonic data processing method comprising a. The ultrasound data processing method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the reference information includes edge information, texture information, and tissue characteristic information. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the tissue characteristic information includes information of the sound velocity, the attenuation, the nonlinear characteristic, and the elasticity. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the area setting step is Setting a first region corresponding to a boundary, a second region corresponding to a lesion, a third region corresponding to soft homogenous tissue, and a fourth region corresponding to noise using the reference information Ultrasonic data processing method comprising a. The method of claim 19, wherein the image enhancement processing step Performing the first image enhancement process to emphasize the first region and the second region, equalize the third region, and remove the fourth region; Ultrasonic data processing method comprising a.

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