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WO2020037674A1 - 一种超声成像装置和方法、超声弹性检测装置和方法 - Google Patents

一种超声成像装置和方法、超声弹性检测装置和方法 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020037674A1
WO2020037674A1 PCT/CN2018/102319 CN2018102319W WO2020037674A1 WO 2020037674 A1 WO2020037674 A1 WO 2020037674A1 CN 2018102319 W CN2018102319 W CN 2018102319W WO 2020037674 A1 WO2020037674 A1 WO 2020037674A1
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Prior art keywords
ultrasonic
pulsed
transmitting
ultrasonic waves
focus
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PCT/CN2018/102319
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李双双
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Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd
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Application filed by Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd, Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co Ltd filed Critical Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Priority to CN201880095868.0A priority Critical patent/CN112533539B/zh
Priority to PCT/CN2018/102319 priority patent/WO2020037674A1/zh
Publication of WO2020037674A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020037674A1/zh
Priority to US17/174,142 priority patent/US11879972B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
    • G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52019—Details of transmitters
    • G01S7/5202—Details of transmitters for pulse systems
    • G01S7/52022—Details of transmitters for pulse systems using a sequence of pulses, at least one pulse manipulating the transmissivity or reflexivity of the medium
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Clinical applications
    • A61B8/0858—Clinical applications involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/48—Diagnostic techniques
    • A61B8/485—Diagnostic techniques involving measuring strain or elastic properties
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S15/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
    • G01S15/88—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S15/89—Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
    • G01S15/8906—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques
    • G01S15/8909—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration
    • G01S15/8915—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration using a transducer array
    • G01S15/8927—Short-range imaging systems; Acoustic microscope systems using pulse-echo techniques using a static transducer configuration using a transducer array using simultaneously or sequentially two or more subarrays or subapertures
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52019—Details of transmitters
    • G01S7/5202—Details of transmitters for pulse systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52023—Details of receivers
    • G01S7/52036—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation
    • G01S7/52042—Details of receivers using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation determining elastic properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/52—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00
    • G01S7/52017—Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S15/00 particularly adapted to short-range imaging
    • G01S7/52085—Details related to the ultrasound signal acquisition, e.g. scan sequences
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/54—Control of the diagnostic device

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an ultrasonic device.
  • Ultrasound elastography is mainly used to reflect the degree of elasticity or softness of tissues. It has been increasingly used in the auxiliary detection of cancerous lesions in tissues, discrimination of benign and malignant tumors, and evaluation of prognosis recovery.
  • ultrasonic shear wave elastography One method of ultrasonic elastography is ultrasonic shear wave elastography.
  • shear waves there are two main methods of generating shear waves in tissues.
  • One is to generate shear waves into tissues by means of external force vibration.
  • the other is to use the acoustic radiation force effect of ultrasound to emit a certain length of ultrasound pulse into the tissue, which can generate the corresponding shear wave to propagate in a direction perpendicular to the emission direction.
  • the shear wave generated by the method based on the acoustic radiation force is very weak. Therefore, in order to increase the amplitude of the generated shear wave, it is often necessary to set a specific focus position to generate a relatively strong shear wave source at the focal point. However, this also results in a smaller propagation range of the shear wave, which can only obtain elastic results in a very limited range.
  • the main technical problem solved by this application is how to expand the propagation range of the shear wave.
  • an embodiment provides a method for generating a shear wave, including:
  • the array elements on the ultrasound probe used to transmit pulsed ultrasonic waves emit pulsed ultrasonic waves to the region of interest;
  • the pulsed ultrasound forms at least two focal points in the sound field
  • the pulsed ultrasonic wave pushes the tissue, and uses at least two focal points as shear wave sources to form shear wave bands that propagate in a direction perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasonic wave emission direction.
  • an embodiment provides a shear wave ultrasonic elasticity detection method, including:
  • the array elements on the ultrasound probe used to transmit pulsed ultrasonic waves emit pulsed ultrasonic waves to the region of interest;
  • the pulsed ultrasound forms at least two focal points in the sound field
  • the pulsed ultrasound pushes the tissue, and uses at least two focal points as shear wave sources to form shear wave bands that propagate in a direction perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasound emission direction;
  • the array element for transmitting detection ultrasonic waves continuously transmits detection ultrasonic waves of a predetermined duration to the propagation path of the shear wave band, and receives echo signals of the detection ultrasonic waves;
  • the elastic characteristic amount is calculated from the echo signal.
  • an ultrasound imaging method including:
  • the array elements of each group emit ultrasonic waves into the tissue according to the transmission parameters, and focus on the focal point corresponding to the array elements;
  • An ultrasound image is generated based on the echo signal.
  • an embodiment provides an ultrasonic elasticity detection device including an ultrasonic probe, a transmitting and receiving controller, and a data processor; the ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of array elements for transmitting pulsed ultrasonic waves, and the array The element is used to at least transmit a pulsed ultrasonic wave to the area of interest and form at least two focal points in the sound field.
  • the pulsed ultrasonic wave pushes the tissue and uses at least two focal points as shear wave sources to form a propagating wave in a direction perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasonic wave emission direction
  • the shear wave band; the ultrasonic probe is further configured to continuously transmit a predetermined length of detection ultrasonic waves to the propagation path of the shear wave band and receive echoes of the ultrasonic waves; the transmission and reception controller is used to generate ultrasonic transmission parameters, and The ultrasonic emission parameters are output to an ultrasonic probe.
  • the ultrasonic emission parameters include pulsed ultrasonic parameters or detected ultrasonic parameters.
  • the data processor is used to calculate the elastic characteristic quantity according to the echo of the ultrasonic wave.
  • an embodiment provides an ultrasound imaging device, including an ultrasound probe, a transmitting and receiving controller, and a data processor; the transmitting and receiving controller is configured to move an ultrasonic wave along a region of interest of a biological tissue to be measured.
  • the transmitting direction determines at least two focal points, and the transmitting and receiving controller is further configured to generate ultrasonic transmitting parameters according to the determined at least two focal points, and output the ultrasonic transmitting parameters to an ultrasonic probe;
  • the ultrasonic probe includes an array of multiple Array elements, the ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic waves to a region of interest of the biological tissue to be measured according to ultrasonic emission parameters, and receives echoes of the ultrasonic waves;
  • the ultrasonic parameters enable the array elements for transmitting ultrasonic waves to be divided into at least two groups The ultrasound emitted by each group is focused on a focal point;
  • the data processor is configured to generate an ultrasound image according to the echo signal.
  • an embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium including a program, and the program can be executed by a computer to implement the foregoing method.
  • the pulsed ultrasonic waves are converged into multiple focal points in the sound field in the same pulsed ultrasonic wave transmission, under the combined action of multiple focal points, a shear wave propagating in a direction perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasonic wave emitting direction is formed Band, thereby expanding the propagation range of the shear wave in the tissue, so that the detection of ultrasonic waves can elastically detect a wide range of tissues.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ultrasonic elastography device in an embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of ultrasonic focusing emitted by an array element
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of generating and detecting a shear wave in an embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a connection between a transmitting and receiving controller and an array element
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of delay output of transmission parameters to an array element
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of shear waves generated by multi-focus
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of shear waves generated by a comprehensive shear wave source
  • 8a is a schematic diagram of a shear wave generated at 5 focal points
  • FIG. 8b is a schematic diagram of generating shear waves at multiple focal points distributed along a curve
  • 8c is a schematic diagram of a shear wave generated by a bending-type integrated shear wave source
  • FIG. 8d is a schematic diagram of multi-focus generated by ultrasonic waves with a certain deflection angle.
  • connection and “connection” in this application include direct and indirect connections (connections) unless otherwise specified.
  • the transmission element is divided into at least two groups Focus on the above-mentioned focal points respectively, and finally form a strong and uniform linear sound field band along the emission direction.
  • shear waves can be propagated to both sides, thereby expanding the generation of shear waves. And spread.
  • the structure of the ultrasonic elastography apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 1 and includes an ultrasound probe 101, a transmitting and receiving controller 102, a data processor 105, a display device 106, and a memory 107.
  • the ultrasonic elastography apparatus 100 further includes a transmitting and receiving circuit 103 and an echo signal processor 104.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 is signal-connected to the ultrasonic probe 101 through the transmitting and receiving circuit 103, and the ultrasonic probe 101 transmits through
  • the receiving circuit 103 is signal-connected to the echo signal processor 104, the output terminal of the echo signal processor 104 is connected to the data processor 105, and the output terminal of the data processor 105 is connected to the display device 106.
  • the memory 107 is connected to the data processor 105.
  • the ultrasound probe 101 is used to implement the mutual conversion of electrical pulse signals and ultrasound waves, thereby transmitting ultrasound waves to a detected biological tissue (such as biological tissue in a human body or an animal body) 108 and receiving ultrasonic echoes reflected by the tissue.
  • the ultrasound probe 101 includes multiple array elements, which are also referred to as ultrasonic transducers.
  • the multiple array elements are arranged in a row to form a linear array, or are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix to form a surface array.
  • a convex array can also be constructed.
  • the array element is used to transmit ultrasonic waves according to the excitation electric signal, or transform the received ultrasonic waves into electric signals.
  • each array element can be used to transmit ultrasonic waves to biological tissues in the region of interest, and can also be used to receive ultrasonic echoes returned by the tissue.
  • ultrasonic detection it is possible to control which array elements are used to transmit ultrasonic waves, which array elements are used to receive ultrasonic waves, or to control the array elements to be used to transmit ultrasonic waves or receive ultrasonic echoes by transmitting and receiving sequences.
  • All array elements participating in ultrasonic emission can be simultaneously excited by electrical signals, thereby transmitting ultrasonic waves simultaneously; or the array elements participating in ultrasonic emission can also be excited by several electrical signals with a certain time interval, thereby continuously transmitting ultrasonic waves with a certain time interval.
  • adjacent array elements are usually formed into an array element group, and the array elements of the array element group are simultaneously transmitted or received to increase the working aperture.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 is configured to generate a transmitting sequence and output the transmitting sequence to an ultrasound probe.
  • the transmitting sequence is used to control part or all of multiple array elements to transmit ultrasonic waves to biological tissues in a region of interest.
  • the transmitting sequence also provides transmitting parameters (for example, the amplitude, frequency, number of waves, wave angle, wave shape and / or focus position of the ultrasonic wave, etc.).
  • the wave pattern, transmission direction and focus position of the transmitted ultrasound can be controlled by adjusting the transmission parameters.
  • the wave pattern of the ultrasound can be pulsed ultrasound, plane wave, etc.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 controls the adjacent array elements to transmit pulsed ultrasonic waves by transmitting parameters.
  • the ultrasonic waves 202 emitted by each array element 201 are synthesized by spatial superposition.
  • the ultrasound beam, the synthesized ultrasound beam will converge, forming a focal point 204 at the focused position.
  • the synthetic ultrasonic beam forms a sound field 203.
  • the sound field refers to the space covered or passed by the synthetic ultrasonic beam. It is an energy distribution field in space after an ultrasonic emission. In this energy distribution field, the energy is not uniformly distributed, and generally the energy is highest at the gathering position. The farther away from the focus position, the lower the energy. At the left and right positions, when the energy decays to a certain extent relative to the maximum energy, it is considered to be the boundary of the sound field.
  • the transmitted ultrasonic waves can be controlled to form a specific sound field range and focus position.
  • the ultrasonic wave 202 exerts a downward instantaneous force on the tissue at the focal point 204.
  • the focal point 204 is generated to spread to the sides in the tissue.
  • the shear wave 205 and the focal point 204 are also referred to as a shear wave source, and the propagation direction of the shear wave 205 is perpendicular to the direction of the ultrasonic beam.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 controls the adjacent array elements to transmit ultrasonic waves to the shear wave propagation path for a period of time through the transmitting parameters. At the same time, the transmitting and receiving controller 102 controls the receiving elements. Receive echoes from ultrasound. The shear wave generated in this way can only propagate in a small range, and it can only detect the elastic characteristic amount of tissue in a small range.
  • the transmitting and receiving circuit 103 is connected between the ultrasonic probe and the transmitting and receiving controller 102 and the echo signal processor 104, and is used for transmitting the transmitting sequence of the transmitting and receiving controller 102 to the ultrasonic probe 101, and transmitting the received signal by the ultrasonic probe 101.
  • the ultrasonic echo signal is transmitted to the echo signal processor 104.
  • the echo signal processor 104 is configured to process an ultrasonic echo signal, for example, perform processing such as filtering, amplification, and beam combining on the ultrasonic echo signal to obtain ultrasonic echo data.
  • the echo signal processor 104 may output the ultrasonic echo data to the data processor 105, or may store the ultrasonic echo data in the memory 107 first.
  • the data processor 105 reads the ultrasonic echo data from the memory 107.
  • the memory 107 is used to store data and programs, and the programs may include a system program of an ultrasound device, various application programs, or algorithms that implement various specific functions.
  • the data processor 105 is configured to acquire ultrasonic echo data and obtain relevant parameters or images by using a related algorithm. For example, the data processor 105 may generate an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo data, or generate an elastic image based on the ultrasound echo data.
  • the array elements for transmitting pulsed ultrasonic waves are divided into at least two groups. For example, there are N array elements for transmitting pulsed ultrasonic waves.
  • the adjacent N1 array elements form the first group and the adjacent N2 arrays.
  • configuring the transmission parameters For example, configure the transmission angle and focus position in the transmission parameters so that each array element corresponds to a focus.
  • the ultrasonic waves emitted by N array elements converge to form a synthetic ultrasonic beam. Since different groups of array elements have different focal positions, the ultrasonic waves are synthesized.
  • n focal points are formed, and each focal point becomes a shear wave source, generating a shear wave propagating in a direction perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasonic wave emission direction.
  • the n focal points form n perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasonic wave emission direction.
  • the shear wave propagates in the direction of the direction, thus becoming a shear wave band. Expand the propagation range of shear waves.
  • the distance between adjacent focal points can be adjusted.
  • the adjacent shear wave sources When the adjacent shear wave sources are close enough, the adjacent shear wave sources can affect each other, increasing the vibration amplitude of the shear wave source, and thus The amplitude of the shear wave can be increased, the influence of interference on the shear wave can be reduced, and the detection signal-to-noise ratio can be improved.
  • the transmit / receive controller 102 also performs delay processing according to the distance from the array element to the focus when outputting a control signal to the ultrasound probe, so that the ultrasound pulses transmitted by each array element in the same array group arrive at the same time.
  • the focus position corresponding to this group.
  • the ultrasonic pulses emitted by the array elements reach the focus position at the same time, which can maximize the intensity of the ultrasonic wave at the focus position and maximize the amplitude of the shear wave source formed at the focus position.
  • the pulsed ultrasonic waves emitted by all the array element groups can also reach the corresponding focal position of each group at the same time, so that each shear wave source can vibrate synchronously, so that adjacent shear wave sources can generate the same direction.
  • the effect is conducive to increasing the amplitude of the shear wave.
  • Different array elements in each group have relative transmission delays according to the distance from the array element to the focus, so that the pulsed ultrasonic waves emitted by different array elements in the group reach the corresponding focus of the group at the same time.
  • the following uses the generation of three focal points as an example to explain the process of generating and detecting shear waves. As shown in FIG. 3, it includes the following steps:
  • Step 10 The transmitting and receiving controller 102 generates a transmitting parameter.
  • the transmission parameters include the amplitude of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse, the number of waves, the angle of the wave, and the focus position.
  • the number of focus points is determined first.
  • the number of focus points can be designed in advance, or the number of focus points can be determined according to the value entered by the user in the dialog window.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 determines three focus positions according to the number of focus points and the position of the region of interest.
  • the generally determined focus position is located at the focus position of the synthetic ultrasonic beam, and is the focus Allocate array elements, and then output the transmission parameters to the corresponding array elements.
  • the transmission and reception controller 102 outputs the transmission parameters to multiple array elements 201 through the connection line 109, and the focus position in the output transmission parameters is output.
  • Table 1 The corresponding relationship with array elements is shown in Table 1 below:
  • the array elements that receive the same focus position parameter can be regarded as belonging to the same array group.
  • the number of array elements in each array group can be the same or different.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 determines an appropriate probe element to transmit according to the depth of focus and the intensity of the focus, such as the position of the array element and the number of array elements.
  • the number of elements in each array element group will affect the intensity of the focus.
  • the intensity of the focus can be determined according to the F number index.
  • F number directly affects the shape of the sound field and the width of the sound field boundary. The relationship between the number of array elements and F number of each array group is as follows:
  • Fnumber is a characteristic value representing the strength of the focus
  • the depth of focus refers to the distance from the focal point to the tissue surface
  • the emission aperture refers to the maximum width formed by all participating elements that focus on the focal point.
  • the width of the transmitting element is also called emission.
  • the aperture, the width of the transmitting array elements are proportional to the number of array elements.
  • step 11 the transmitting / receiving controller 102 determines a delay in outputting the transmission parameter to each array element.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 can know the distance from the array element to the focus position according to the array element and the focus position. Based on the distance and the propagation speed of the sound wave in the tissue, it can calculate the time when the ultrasound reaches the focus position, and then can determine the Delay of array element transmitting ultrasound.
  • step 12 the transmitting and receiving controller 102 controls the ultrasonic probe 101 to transmit pulsed ultrasonic waves.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 transmits the transmitting parameter 206 to each element 201 for transmitting ultrasonic waves after a delay.
  • the element 201 transmits ultrasonic waves according to the transmitting parameter 206.
  • the ultrasonic waves reach the respective focus positions (ie, the focal points) 204 at the same time.
  • the ultrasound emitted by the elements of group 1 is focused on the first focus 204a
  • the ultrasound emitted by the elements of group 2 is focused on the second focus 204b
  • the ultrasound emitted by the elements of group 3 is focused Focus on the third focus 204c.
  • the ultrasonic probe can focus the pulsed ultrasonic wave to the corresponding focusing position of each array element group through one transmission.
  • Step 13 The shear wave source generates a shear wave band.
  • three focal points form three shear wave sources, a first focal point 204a forms a first shear wave 205a, a second focal point 204b forms a second shear wave 205b, and a third focal point 204c forms a third shear wave 205c.
  • Each of the three shear waves propagates in a direction perpendicular to the pulsed ultrasonic wave emission direction, thereby forming a shear wave band 205d.
  • the three focal points connected together are equivalent to form a similar
  • the shear wave source in a linear range is shown in Figure 7. After this comprehensive shear wave source is generated, the energy in this area is the strongest and the amplitude is the largest. It will propagate to both sides and form a larger depth range. A shear wave band 205 propagating to both sides is generated.
  • Step 14 Continuously emit detection ultrasonic waves on the propagation path of the shear wave band.
  • the transmitting and receiving controller 102 outputs the transmitting parameters to the array element for transmitting and detecting ultrasonic waves on the ultrasonic probe 101.
  • the transmitting parameters include ultrasonic type, transmitting frequency, transmitting angle, transmitting duration and amplitude, etc.
  • the array elements provide a shear wave band according to the transmitting parameters.
  • the detection ultrasonic wave 207 of a predetermined duration is continuously transmitted on the propagation path of the radio wave, and the array element for receiving on the ultrasound probe receives the echo 208 of the detection ultrasonic wave.
  • Step 15 Beam combining the echo signals.
  • Step 16 Calculate the elastic characteristic amount according to the synthesized echo signal.
  • the tissue located on the propagation path of the shear wave band is displaced by the shear wave.
  • the data processor can determine the amount of displacement of the tissue during the passage of the shear wave based on the two frames of ultrasonic echo data before and after the tissue is displaced. Differentiating the displacement with time, the propagation velocity C s of the shear wave in the tissue can be calculated. The following relationship exists between the shear wave propagation velocity C s and the tissue elastic modulus E:
  • ⁇ is the tissue density.
  • the shear wave velocity there is a one-to-one relationship between the shear wave velocity and the elastic modulus, and the degree of softness and hardness of the tissue can be characterized by the shear wave velocity.
  • multiple focal points are formed in the sound field, thereby generating a shear wave band propagating in the region of interest, thereby expanding the propagation range of the shear wave in the tissue, so that the detection ultrasonic wave can be elastic to a large range of tissue.
  • Detection Compared with the scheme of transmitting pulsed ultrasonic waves and detecting ultrasonic waves multiple times in this embodiment, elasticity detection of a wide range of tissues can be achieved by transmitting pulsed ultrasonic waves and detecting ultrasonic waves one time, thereby improving the detection speed and being detected. Comfort.
  • the focal points may also be two, four, or five.
  • the array elements are divided into five groups and focused respectively.
  • the five focal points in the sound field At the five focal points in the sound field.
  • multiple focal points are distributed along a straight line in the sound field.
  • multiple focal points are distributed along a curve in the sound field, as shown in FIG. 8b, or multiple focal points are distributed in other shapes in the sound field.
  • the irregularly distributed, eventually formed integrated shear wave source may be shown in Figure 8c.
  • the present invention does not require that the focal position be always in a direction perpendicular to the probe, that is, it is not required that the direction of the synthesized ultrasonic beam is perpendicular to the probe.
  • the direction of the synthetic ultrasonic beam may also have a certain deflection angle with respect to the normal line of the probe, and the effect caused is similar to the effect of implementing a certain angle of deflection emission under the focus setting of the vertical emission described above.
  • the solution of the present invention can also be applied to ultrasound array elements arranged in different forms, such as linear arrangement, convex arrangement, and annular arrangement.
  • the solution of the present invention is not limited to being applied to shear wave imaging, and is also applicable to other imaging methods.
  • the array elements used to transmit ultrasonic waves are divided into at least two groups, and the ultrasonic waves emitted by each group are focused on a focal point; the echoes of the ultrasonic waves are received at the same time.
  • the focus position usually means the position with higher sound energy, and the position with higher sound energy, the amplitude of the received echo is also larger, so the image in the focus area is usually brighter and higher resolution than the image far away from the focus area.
  • the range of the focal area can be extended along the depth direction to a certain extent, thereby improving the uniformity in the depth direction of the B-type image.
  • the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
  • the storage medium may include: a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a hard disk, etc.
  • the computer executes the program to realize the above functions.
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Abstract

一种剪切波产生方法及装置，包括：阵元一次性向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波，脉冲超声波在声场内至少形成两个焦点，以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带。本发明同时公开一种剪切波超声弹性检测方法极其装置，由于在同一次脉冲超声波发射中，脉冲超声波在声场内会聚成多个焦点，在多个焦点的联合作用下，形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带，从而扩大剪切波在组织内的传播范围，使得检测超声波可对大范围的组织进行弹性检测。

Description

一种超声成像装置和方法、超声弹性检测装置和方法 技术领域
本发明涉及一种超声设备。
背景技术
超声弹性成像主要用于反映组织的弹性或软硬程度，在组织癌症病变的辅助检测、良恶性判别、预后恢复评价等方面得到越来越多应用。
超声弹性成像的一种方式是超声剪切波弹性成像，利用超声剪切波弹性成像来检测组织的软硬程度的基本原理是：在组织内部产生剪切波，检测剪切波的传播参数(比如传播速度)，对于各向同性的弹性组织，剪切波的传播速度与组织弹性模量之间存在下列关系：杨氏模量E＝3ρCs 2。可见，剪切波速度与弹性模量存在一一对应的关系，因此可根据剪切波速度来反映组织间的硬度差异。由于该方法可以得到定量的硬度测量结果，使得医生的诊断更加方便客观，因此受到了医生的广泛关注和欢迎。
在组织中产生剪切波的方法主要分为两种，一种是通过外力振动的方式来产生剪切波传入组织。另一种是利用超声波的声辐射力效应，向组织中发射一个特定长度的超声脉冲，即可产生相应的剪切波沿着与发射方向垂直的方向传播。基于声辐射力的方法产生的剪切波非常微弱，因此，为了增加所产生的剪切波的幅度，往往需要设定一个特定的聚焦位置，以在焦点处产生相对较强的剪切波源。但是，这也同时导致了剪切波的传播范围变小，仅仅能够获得非常有限范围内的弹性结果。
发明内容
本申请主要解决的技术问题是如何扩大剪切波的传播范围。
根据第一方面，一种实施例中提供一种剪切波产生方法,包括：
超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波；
所述脉冲超声波在声场内至少形成两个焦点；
所述脉冲超声波推动组织，并分别以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成 沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带。
根据第二方面，一种实施例中提供一种剪切波超声弹性检测方法,包括：
超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波；
所述脉冲超声波在声场内至少形成两个焦点；
所述脉冲超声波推动组织，并分别以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带；
用于发射检测超声波的阵元向剪切波带的传播路径上持续发射预定时长的检测超声波，并接收该检测超声波的回波信号；
根据回波信号计算弹性特征量。
根据第三方面，一种实施例中提供一种超声成像方法，包括：
在被测生物组织的感兴趣区域内，沿超声波发射方向确定至少两个焦点；
向超声探头上用于发射超声波的阵元输出发射参数，所述发射参数使得用于发射超声波的阵元分成至少两个组，每个组对应一个焦点；
每个组的阵元按照发射参数向组织内发射超声波，并聚焦在该组阵元对应的焦点上；
接收所述超声波的回波信号；
根据所述回波信号生成超声图像。
根据第四方面，一种实施例中提供一种超声弹性检测装置，包括超声探头、发射接收控制器和数据处理器；所述超声探头包括用于发射脉冲超声波的多个阵元，所述阵元至少用于向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波并在声场内至少形成两个焦点，所述脉冲超声波推动组织并分别以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带；所述超声探头还用于向剪切波带的传播路径上持续发射预定时长的检测超声波，并接收超声波的回波；所述发射接收控制器用于产生超声波发射参数，并将超声波发射参数输出给超声探头，超声波发射参数包括脉冲超声波参数或检测超声波参数；数据处理器用于根据超声波的回波计算弹性特征量。
根据第五方面，一种实施例中提供一种超声成像装置，包括超声探头、发射接收控制器和数据处理器；所述发射接收控制器用于在被测生 物组织的感兴趣区域内、沿超声波发射方向确定至少两个焦点，所述发射接收控制器还用于根据确定的至少两个焦点产生超声波发射参数，并将超声波发射参数输出至超声探头；所述超声探头包括阵列式排布的多个阵元，所述超声探头按照超声波发射参数向被测生物组织的感兴趣区域发射超声波，并接收所述超声波的回波；所述超声波参数使得用于发射超声波的阵元分成至少两个组，每个组发射的超声波聚焦在一个焦点上；数据处理器用于根据所述回波信号生成超声图像。
根据第六方面，一种实施例中提供一种计算机可读存储介质，包括程序，所述程序能够被计算机执行以实现上述的方法。
本发明实施例中，由于在同一次脉冲超声波发射中，脉冲超声波在声场内会聚成多个焦点，在多个焦点的联合作用下，形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带，从而扩大剪切波在组织内的传播范围，使得检测超声波可对大范围的组织进行弹性检测。
附图说明
图1为一种实施例中超声弹性成像装置的结构示意图；
图2为阵元发射的超声波聚焦示意图；
图3为一种实施例中剪切波的产生和检测流程图；
图4为发射接收控制器与阵元连接示意图；
图5为发射参数延时输出到阵元示意图；
图6为多焦点产生剪切波示意图；
图7为综合的剪切波源产生剪切波示意图；
图8a为5焦点产生剪切波示意图；
图8b为沿曲线分布的多焦点产生剪切波示意图；
图8c为弯曲型综合的剪切波源产生剪切波示意图；
图8d为具有一定的偏转角度超声波产生的多焦点示意图。
具体实施方式
下面通过具体实施方式结合附图对本发明作进一步详细说明。其中不同实施方式中类似元件采用了相关联的类似的元件标号。在以下的实施方式中，很多细节描述是为了使得本申请能被更好的理解。然而，本 领域技术人员可以毫不费力的认识到，其中部分特征在不同情况下是可以省略的，或者可以由其他元件、材料、方法所替代。在某些情况下，本申请相关的一些操作并没有在说明书中显示或者描述，这是为了避免本申请的核心部分被过多的描述所淹没，而对于本领域技术人员而言，详细描述这些相关操作并不是必要的，他们根据说明书中的描述以及本领域的一般技术知识即可完整了解相关操作。
另外，说明书中所描述的特点、操作或者特征可以以任意适当的方式结合形成各种实施方式。同时，方法描述中的各步骤或者动作也可以按照本领域技术人员所能显而易见的方式进行顺序调换或调整。因此，说明书和附图中的各种顺序只是为了清楚描述某一个实施例，并不意味着是必须的顺序，除非另有说明其中某个顺序是必须遵循的。
本文中为部件所编序号本身，例如“第一”、“第二”等，仅用于区分所描述的对象，不具有任何顺序或技术含义。而本申请所说“连接”、“联接”，如无特别说明，均包括直接和间接连接(联接)。
针对利用脉冲超声波的声辐射力效应产生剪切波的情况，在本发明实施例中，在同一次脉冲超声波发射中，沿发射方向选定至少两个焦点，并将发射阵元分成至少两组，分别聚焦到上述焦点位置上，最终沿发射方向形成一段较强且均匀的线性声场带，在该声场带的深度范围内，均可产生剪切波向两边传播，从而扩大剪切波的产生及传播范围。
请参考图1，超声弹性成像装置100的结构如图1所示，包括超声探头101、发射接收控制器102、数据处理器105、显示装置106和存储器107。在一具体实施例中，超声弹性成像装置100还包括发射和接收电路103和回波信号处理器104，发射接收控制器102通过发射和接收电路103与超声探头101信号连接，超声探头101通过发射和接收电路103与回波信号处理器104信号连接，回波信号处理器104的输出端与数据处理器105连接，数据处理器105的输出端与显示装置106连接。存储器107与数据处理器105连接。
超声探头101用于实现电脉冲信号和超声波的相互转换，从而实现向被检测生物组织(例如人体或动物体中的生物组织)108发射超声波并接收组织反射回的超声回波。本实施例中，超声探头101包括多个阵元，阵元也称为超声换能器，多个阵元排列成一排构成线阵，或排布成二维矩阵构成面阵，多个阵元也可以构成凸阵列。阵元用于根据激励电 信号发射超声波，或将接收的超声波变换为电信号。因此每个阵元可用于向感兴趣区域的生物组织发射超声波，也可用于接收经组织返回的超声波回波。在进行超声检测时，可通过发射序列和接收序列控制哪些阵元用于发射超声波，哪些阵元用于接收超声波，或者控制阵元分时隙用于发射超声波或接收超声回波。参与超声波发射的所有阵元可以被电信号同时激励，从而同时发射超声波；或者参与超声波发射的阵元也可以被具有一定时间间隔的若干电信号激励，从而持续发射具有一定时间间隔的超声波。实际应用中，通常使相邻的多个阵元组成一个阵元组，使该阵元组的阵元同时进行发射或接收的操作，以增大工作孔径。
发射接收控制器102用于产生发射序列，并将发射序列输出至超声探头，发射序列用于控制多个阵元的部分或者全部向感兴趣区域的生物组织发射超声波，发射序列还提供发射参数(例如超声波的幅度、频率、发波次数、发波角度、波型和/或聚焦位置等)。根据不同的用途，通过调整发射参数可控制发射超声波的波型、发射方向和聚焦位置，超声波的波型可以是脉冲超声波、平面波等。在需要产生剪切波时，通常情况下，发射接收控制器102通过发射参数控制相邻的若干阵元发射脉冲超声波，如图2所示，各阵元201发射的超声波202经空间叠加后合成超声波束，合成超声波束会产生会聚，在聚焦位置形成焦点204。合成超声波束形成声场203，声场是指合成超声波束覆盖或经过的空间，是一次超声发射后在空间的能量分布场，在这个能量分布场中，能量不是均匀分布的，一般在聚集位置能量最高，越是远离聚焦位置能量越低。在左右位置，当能量相对于最大能量衰减到一定程度就认为是声场的边界。通过发射参数可控制发射的超声波形成特定的声场范围和聚焦位置。超声波202在焦点204处对组织产生一向下的瞬间作用力，当该作用力消失后，由于组织之间的粘连和组织具有一定的弹性，从而在组织内产生以焦点204为中心向两侧传播的剪切波205，焦点204因此也被称为剪切波源，剪切波205的传播方向与超声波束的方向垂直。当需要对剪切波进行检测时，发射接收控制器102通过发射参数控制相邻的若干阵元向剪切波传播路径上发射超声波并持续一段时间，同时，发射接收控制器102控制接收阵元接收超声波的回波。这种方式产生的剪切波只能在较小的范围内传播，也只能检测小范围内组织的弹性特征量。
发射和接收电路103连接在超声探头和发射接收控制器102及回波 信号处理器104之间，用于根据将发射接收控制器102的发射序列传输给超声探头101，并将超声探头101接收的超声回波信号传输给回波信号处理器104。
回波信号处理器104用于对超声回波信号进行处理，例如对超声回波信号进行滤波、放大、波束合成等处理，得到超声回波数据。在具体实施例中，回波信号处理器104可以将超声回波数据输出给数据处理器105，也可以将超声回波数据先存储在存储器107中，在需要基于超声回波数据进行运算时，数据处理器105从存储器107中读取超声回波数据。
存储器107用于存储数据和程序，程序可包括超声设备的系统程序、各种应用程序或实现各种具体功能的算法。
数据处理器105用于获取超声回波数据，并采用相关算法得到所需要的参数或图像。例如，数据处理器105可根据超声回波数据生成超声图像，或根据超声回波数据生成弹性图像。
本实施例中，用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元被分成至少两组，例如，用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元共有N个，相邻的N1个阵元组成第1组，相邻的N2个阵元组成第2组，……，相邻的Nn个阵元组成第n组，N1、N2、……、Nn为正整数，且N1+N2+……+Nn＝N，通过配置发射参数，例如配置发射参数中的发射角度和聚焦位置，使每个阵元组对应一个焦点。当相邻的N个阵元发射脉冲超声波时，由于声透镜的作用，N个阵元发射的超声波产生会聚，形成合成超声波束，由于不同组的阵元具有不同的聚焦位置，因此在合成超声波束所限定的声场内形成n个焦点，每个焦点成为一个剪切波源，产生一个沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波，n个焦点形成n个沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波，从而成为一个剪切波带。扩大剪切波的传播范围。通过对聚焦位置进行控制，可调整相邻焦点之间的距离，当相邻剪切波源之间足够近时，相邻剪切波源之间可相互影响，增加剪切波源的振动幅度，从而还可使剪切波的幅度增大，减小干扰对剪切波的影响，提高检测的信噪比。
在较佳的实施例中，发射接收控制器102还在向超声探头输出控制信号时根据阵元到焦点的距离进行延时处理，使同一阵元组中的各阵元发射的超声脉冲同时到达该组对应的聚焦位置。各阵元发射的超声脉冲 同时到达聚焦位置，可使得聚焦位置处的超声波强度最大，在聚焦位置处形成的剪切波源的振幅最大。在更进一步改善的实施例中，还可以使所有阵元组发射的脉冲超声波同时到达各组对应的聚焦位置，从而使各剪切波源同步振动，使相邻剪切波源之间产生同向的影响，有利于增大剪切波的振幅。
各组中不同的阵元根据该阵元到焦点的距离具有相对的发射延时，使得该组中不同阵元发射的脉冲超声波同时到达该组对应的焦点。
下面以产生3个焦点为例，说明剪切波的产生和检测流程，如图3所示，包括以下步骤：
步骤10，发射接收控制器102产生发射参数。发射参数中包括发射的超声脉冲的幅度、发波次数、发波角度和聚焦位置等参数。
对于聚焦位置参数，首先确定焦点数，焦点数可通过预先设计，也可以根据用户在对话窗口输入的数值确定焦点数。当焦点数确定后，例如焦点数是3个，发射接收控制器102根据焦点数和感兴趣区域的位置确定3个聚焦位置，通常确定的聚焦位置位于合成超声波束的聚焦部位，并为各焦点分配阵元，然后将发射参数输出给对应的阵元，如图4所示，发射接收控制器102分别通过连接线109将发射参数输出给多个阵元201，其输出的发射参数中聚焦位置和阵元的对应关系如下表1所示：
表1
Figure PCTCN2018102319-appb-000001
由上表可知，接收到相同聚焦位置参数的阵元可视为属于同一个阵元组。每个阵元组的阵元数可以相同，也可以不同。
在改进的实施例中，发射接收控制器102根据聚焦深度和聚焦强度确定合适的探头阵元来发射，比如阵元位置、阵元数目。当聚焦位置确定后，每个阵元组的阵元数将影响聚焦的强弱，聚焦的强弱可以根据F number指数来判断，Fnumber直接影响声场的形态及声场边界的宽窄。每个阵元组的阵元数和F number的关系如下：
F number＝聚焦深度/发射孔径.......................(1)
其中，Fnumber为表征聚焦强弱的特征值，聚焦深度指焦点距组织表面的距离，发射孔径指所有聚焦到该焦点的参与发射的阵元所形成的最大宽度范围，发射阵元宽度又叫发射孔径，发射阵元宽度和阵元数成正比。
F number越大，说明聚焦越弱，会聚部分的声场相对越宽越分散。F number越小，说明聚焦越强，会聚部分的声场相对越窄越集中。
由公式(1)可知，当聚焦位置确定后，即可根据所需要的F number确定每个阵元组的阵元数。
步骤11，发射接收控制器102确定向每个阵元输出发射参数的延时。
由于阵元到各自的聚焦位置的距离不同，因此各阵元发出的超声波到达各自聚焦位置的时间业不同，为使各发出的超声波同时到达各自聚焦位置的时间，可以控制某些阵元延时发射超声波。发射接收控制器102根据阵元和聚焦位置，可得知该阵元到聚焦位置的距离，根据距离和声波在组织中的传播速度可计算出超声波到达该聚焦位置的时间，并进而可确定该阵元发射超声波的延时。
步骤12，发射接收控制器102控制超声探头101发射脉冲超声波。
发射接收控制器102将发射参数206经过延时后被传送给用于发射超声波的每个阵元201，如图5所示，阵元201在接收到发射参数206后，根据发射参数206发射超声波202，超声波同时到达各自的聚焦位置(即焦点)204。如图6所示，例如，在同一时刻，组1的阵元发射的超声波聚焦在第一焦点204a，组2的阵元发射的超声波聚焦在第二焦点204b，组3的阵元发射的超声波聚焦在第三焦点204c。
经过上述处理后，超声探头可通过一次发射使脉冲超声波同步聚焦在各阵元组对应的聚焦位置。
步骤13，剪切波源产生剪切波带。
本实施例中，三个焦点形成三个剪切波源，第一焦点204a形成第一 剪切波205a，第二焦点204b形成第二剪切波205b，第三焦点204c形成第三剪切波205c，三个剪切波分别沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播，从而形成一个剪切波带205d。通过对聚焦点位置进行控制，当三个焦点在物理位置上相邻近，并且同步同向振动时，可使得三个点的剪切波源相互作用，三个焦点连通在一起相当于形成一个类似直线范围的剪切波源，如图7所示，这个综合的剪切波源产生后，在该区域的能量最强，振幅最大，它会向两边传播开来，形成在较大的一段深度范围内产生了向两边传播的剪切波带205。
步骤14，向剪切波带的传播路径上持续发射检测超声波。发射接收控制器102向超声探头101上用于发射检测超声波的阵元输出发射参数，发射参数包括超声波型、发射频率、发射角度、发射时长和幅度等，阵元根据发射参数向剪切波带的传播路径上持续发射预定时长的检测超声波207，同时超声探头上用于接收的阵元接收该检测超声波的回波208。
本实施例中，由于在感兴趣区域形成了一个在组织内传播的剪切波带，因此只要有剪切波经过的范围内，都可以对剪切波传播路径范围内的各个位置进行检测。
步骤15，对回波信号进行波束合成。
步骤16，根据合成后的回波信号计算弹性特征量。
位于剪切波带传播路径上的组织在剪切波作用下产生位移，数据处理器根据组织发生位移前后的两帧超声回波数据，可确定出组织在剪切波行经时的位移量。将位移对时间进行求导，即可计算出剪切波在该组织内的传播速度C s。剪切波的传播速度C s与组织弹性模量E之间存在下列关系：
Figure PCTCN2018102319-appb-000002
其中，ρ为组织密度。也就是说，剪切波速度与弹性模量存在一一对应的关系，通过剪切波速度可表征组织的软硬程度。
本实施例通过在声场内形成多个焦点，由此产生在感兴趣区域传播的剪切波带，从而扩大了剪切波在组织内的传播范围，使得检测超声波可对大范围的组织进行弹性检测。本实施例相比于通过多次发射脉冲超声波和多次发射检测超声波的方案而言，可通过一次发射脉冲超声波和检测超声波即可实现对大范围组织的弹性检测，提高了检测速度和被检测者的舒适度。
本实施例中，以3个焦点为例进行说明，在其它的实施例中，焦点也可以有两个、四个或五个，如图8a所示，阵元被分出五组，分别聚焦在声场内的五个焦点处。本实施例中，多个焦点在声场内沿直线分布，在其它的实施例中，多个焦点在声场内沿曲线分布，如图8b所示，或多个焦点在声场内呈其它形状分布或不规则分布，最终形成的综合剪切波源可能如图8c所示。另外，本发明也不要求焦点位置总是位于与探头垂直的方向，即不要求合成超声波束的方向与探头垂直。如图8d所示，合成超声波束的方向也可以相对于探头的法线具有一定的偏转角度，其造成的效果类似于在上述垂直发射的焦点设置下实施一定角度的偏转发射的效果。
本发明的方案也可适用于不同形态排列的超声阵元，比如直线排列、凸形排列、环形排列等。
本发明的方案也不仅限于应用于剪切波成像中，也适用于其他成像方法。比如在B图像中，通过设定超声波参数，使得用于发射超声波的阵元分成至少两个组，每个组发射的超声波聚焦在一个焦点上；同时接收所述超声波的回波。由于焦点位置通常意味着声能量较高的位置，而声能量较高的位置，接收回波的幅度也比较大，因此通常焦点区域的图像比远离焦区位置的图像更亮，分辨率更高。应用本发明的方案后，可以一定程度上沿深度方向扩长焦区的范围，从而提升B型图像的深度方向的均匀度。
本领域技术人员可以理解，上述实施方式中各种方法的全部或部分功能可以通过硬件的方式实现，也可以通过计算机程序的方式实现。当上述实施方式中全部或部分功能通过计算机程序的方式实现时，该程序可以存储于一计算机可读存储介质中，存储介质可以包括：只读存储器、随机存储器、磁盘、光盘、硬盘等，通过计算机执行该程序以实现上述功能。例如，将程序存储在设备的存储器中，当通过数据处理器执行存储器中程序，即可实现上述全部或部分功能。另外，当上述实施方式中全部或部分功能通过计算机程序的方式实现时，该程序也可以存储在服务器、另一计算机、磁盘、光盘、闪存盘或移动硬盘等存储介质中，通过下载或复制保存到本地设备的存储器中，或对本地设备的系统进行版本更新，当通过数据处理器执行存储器中的程序时，即可实现上述实施方式中全部或部分功能。
以上应用了具体个例对本发明进行阐述，只是用于帮助理解本发 明，并不用以限制本发明。对于本发明所属技术领域的技术人员，依据本发明的思想，还可以做出若干简单推演、变形或替换。

Claims (18)

  1. 一种剪切波产生方法,其特征在于包括：
    超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波；
    所述脉冲超声波在声场内至少形成两个焦点；
    所述脉冲超声波推动组织，并分别以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带。
  2. 一种剪切波超声弹性检测方法,其特征在于包括：
    超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波；
    所述脉冲超声波在声场内至少形成两个焦点；
    所述脉冲超声波推动组织，并分别以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带；
    用于发射检测超声波的阵元向剪切波带的传播路径上持续发射预定时长的检测超声波，并接收该检测超声波的回波信号；
    根据回波信号计算弹性特征量。
  3. 如权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元被分成至少两个组，每个组发射的脉冲超声波聚焦成一个焦点。
  4. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于在阵元发射脉冲超声波之前还包括，向超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元输出一次发射的脉冲超声波参数，通过所述脉冲超声波参数使阵元分成对应各自焦点的至少两个组。
  5. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，各组中不同的阵元根据该阵元到焦点的距离具有相对的发射延时，使得该组中不同阵元发射的脉冲超声波同时到达该组对应的焦点。
  6. 如权利要求5所述的方法，其特征在于，不同组发射的脉冲超声波同时到达各组对应的焦点。
  7. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，各组内的阵元数根据以下公式确定：
    Fnumber＝聚焦深度/发射孔径
    其中，Fnumber为表征聚焦强弱的特征值，聚焦深度指焦点距组织表面的距离，发射孔径指聚焦到该焦点的发射阵元宽度，所述发射阵元宽度和阵元数成正比。
  8. 如权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述至少两个焦点在声场内呈直线或曲线分布。
  9. 一种超声成像方法，其特征在于包括：
    在被测生物组织的感兴趣区域内，沿超声波发射方向确定至少两个焦点；
    向超声探头上用于发射超声波的阵元输出发射参数，所述发射参数使得用于发射超声波的阵元分成至少两个组，每个组对应一个焦点；
    每个组的阵元按照发射参数向组织内发射超声波，并聚焦在该组阵元对应的焦点上；
    接收所述超声波的回波信号；
    根据所述回波信号生成超声图像。
  10. 一种超声弹性检测装置，其特征在于，包括超声探头、发射接收控制器和数据处理器；
    所述超声探头包括用于发射脉冲超声波的多个阵元，所述阵元至少用于向感兴趣区域发射脉冲超声波并在声场内至少形成两个焦点，所述脉冲超声波推动组织并分别以至少两个焦点为剪切波源形成沿与脉冲超声波发射方向垂直的方向传播的剪切波带；所述超声探头还用于向剪切波带的传播路径上持续发射预定时长的检测超声波，并接收超声波的回波；
    所述发射接收控制器用于产生超声波发射参数，并将超声波发射参数输出给超声探头，超声波发射参数包括脉冲超声波参数或检测超声波参数；
    数据处理器用于根据超声波的回波计算弹性特征量。
  11. 如权利要求10所述的装置，其特征在于，超声探头上用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元被分成至少两个组，每个组对应一个焦点。
  12. 如权利要求11所述的装置，其特征在于，通过所述脉冲超声波参数使得用于发射脉冲超声波的阵元分成至少两个组。
  13. 如权利要求11所述的装置，其特征在于，各组中不同的阵元根据该阵元到焦点的距离具有相对的发射延时，使得该组中不同阵元发 射的脉冲超声波同时到达该组对应的焦点。
  14. 如权利要求13所述的装置，其特征在于，不同组发射的脉冲超声波同时到达各组对应的焦点。
  15. 如权利要求10所述的装置，其特征在于，各组内的阵元数根据以下公式确定：
    Fnumber＝聚焦深度/发射孔径
    其中，Fnumber为表征聚焦强弱的特征值，聚焦深度指焦点距组织表面的距离，发射孔径指聚焦到该焦点的发射阵元宽度，所述发射阵元宽度和阵元数成正比。
  16. 如权利要求10所述的装置，其特征在于，所述至少两个焦点在声场内呈直线或曲线分布。
  17. 一种超声成像装置，其特征在于，包括超声探头、发射接收控制器和数据处理器；
    所述发射接收控制器用于在被测生物组织的感兴趣区域内、沿超声波发射方向确定至少两个焦点，所述发射接收控制器还用于根据确定的至少两个焦点产生超声波发射参数，并将超声波发射参数输出至超声探头；
    所述超声探头包括阵列式排布的多个阵元，所述超声探头按照超声波发射参数向被测生物组织的感兴趣区域发射超声波，并接收所述超声波的回波；所述超声波参数使得用于发射超声波的阵元分成至少两个组，每个组发射的超声波聚焦在一个焦点上；
    数据处理器用于根据所述回波信号生成超声图像。
  18. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其特征在于，包括程序，所述程序能够被计算机执行以实现如权利要求1-9中任一项所述的方法。
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