WO2021218077A1

WO2021218077A1 - Prostate elasticity measurement method and ultrasonic imaging system

Info

Publication number: WO2021218077A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/123706
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李双双; 兰帮鑫
Original assignee: 深圳迈瑞生物医疗电子股份有限公司
Priority date: 2020-04-26
Filing date: 2020-10-26
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Also published as: CN114245726A; CN113545806A

Abstract

A prostate elasticity measurement method and an ultrasonic imaging system (100). The method comprises: control an ultrasonic probe (110) to transmit a first ultrasonic wave to a prostate part, and receive an ultrasonic echo to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal; a processor (116) obtains a B-mode ultrasonic image on the basis of the first ultrasonic echo signal; control the ultrasonic probe (110) to transmit a second ultrasonic wave to track a shear wave, and receive an ultrasonic echo to obtain a second ultrasonic echo signal; the processor (116) obtains a shear wave elasticity image on the basis of the second ultrasonic echo signal; the processor (116) determines a prostate outer gland area according to the B-mode ultrasonic image, determines an elasticity measurement value of the prostate outer gland area on the basis of the shear wave elasticity image, determines at least one target measurement position within the prostate outer gland area according to the elasticity measurement value, generates a target measurement area by using the at least one target measurement position as a reference, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area; control a display device (118) to display the elasticity measurement result. The system (100) comprises the ultrasonic probe (110), a transmit circuit (112), a receive circuit (114), the processor (116), and the display device (118).

Description

***弹性测量方法和超声成像***Method for measuring prostate elasticity and ultrasound imaging system

说明书manual

技术领域Technical field

本申请涉及超声成像技术领域，更具体地涉及一种***弹性测量方法和超声成像***。This application relates to the technical field of ultrasound imaging, and more specifically to a method for measuring prostate elasticity and an ultrasound imaging system.

背景技术Background technique

***癌是男性泌尿生殖***最常见的恶性肿瘤之一，近年来其发病率和死亡率都呈明显上升趋势。超声是临床上用于筛查***病变最为常用的手段，而超声弹性成像技术能够反映病灶及周围组织的软硬程度，在癌症诊断中有着独特的诊断价值和优势，近年来已经越来越广泛的应用于***疾病的临床诊断中。弹性成像技术主要包括应变弹性成像和剪切波弹性成像，其中剪切波弹性成像指的是形成在组织内传播的剪切波，识别和检测组织内部产生的剪切波及其传播参数，并对这些参数进行成像，从而可视化地呈现组织的硬度差异。Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the male genitourinary system. In recent years, its morbidity and mortality have shown an obvious upward trend. Ultrasound is the most commonly used method in clinical screening of prostate lesions, and ultrasound elastography technology can reflect the softness and hardness of the lesion and surrounding tissues. It has unique diagnostic value and advantages in cancer diagnosis. It has become more and more extensive in recent years. Used in the clinical diagnosis of prostate disease. Elastography technology mainly includes strain elastography and shear wave elastography. Shear wave elastography refers to the formation of shear waves propagating in the tissue, identifying and detecting the shear waves and their propagation parameters generated inside the tissue, and These parameters are imaged to visualize the difference in tissue stiffness.

弹性成像能够反映***的组织硬度，但若要得到具体的参数，还需要选定测量区域以进行弹性测量。***在组织结构上分为内腺和外腺，其中，***癌高发于***外腺，因此***弹性测量主要应用于外腺区域。然而，用户难以通过弹性图像区分***外腺区域，并且大部分***癌都是弥漫性的，而非结节性的，病灶的边界难以区分，因而用户在进行弹性测量的过程中通常会遇到难以选定测量位置的问题。除此之外，若要在多个测量区域进行弹性测量往往需要消耗很长的时间。Elastography can reflect the tissue stiffness of the prostate, but if you want to get specific parameters, you need to select the measurement area for elasticity measurement. The prostate is divided into internal glands and external glands in terms of tissue structure. Among them, prostate cancer occurs frequently in the external glands of the prostate. Therefore, the measurement of prostate elasticity is mainly used in the area of the external glands. However, it is difficult for users to distinguish the extra-prostatic gland area through elastic images, and most prostate cancers are diffuse rather than nodular, and the boundaries of the lesion are difficult to distinguish. Therefore, users usually encounter problems in the process of elasticity measurement. It is difficult to select the measurement location. In addition, it often takes a long time to perform elasticity measurement in multiple measurement areas.

发明内容Summary of the invention

在发明内容部分中引入了一系列简化形式的概念，这将在具体实施方式部分中进一步详细说明。本发明的发明内容部分并不意味着要试图限定出所要求保护的技术方案的关键特征和必要技术特征，更不意味着试图确定所要求保护的技术方案的保护范围。A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the content of the invention, which will be explained in further detail in the specific implementation section. The content of the present invention does not mean to try to limit the key features and necessary technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to try to determine the protection scope of the claimed technical solution.

本申请实施例第一方面提供了一种***弹性测量方法，应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述方法包括：The first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a method for measuring prostate elasticity, which is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and the method includes:

控制所述超声探头向被测对象的***部位发射第一超声波，接收所述第一超声波的超声回波以获得第一超声回波信号；Controlling the ultrasonic probe to transmit a first ultrasonic wave to the prostate of the subject, and receiving the ultrasonic echo of the first ultrasonic wave to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal;

所述处理器对所述第一超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的B型超声图像；The processor performs signal processing on the first ultrasound echo signal to obtain a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate;

控制所述超声探头向所述***部位发射第二超声波，以追踪在所述***部位传播的剪切波，接收所述第二超声波的超声回波以获得第二超声回波信号；Controlling the ultrasound probe to transmit a second ultrasound to the prostate to track the shear wave propagating in the prostate, and receiving the ultrasound echo of the second ultrasound to obtain a second ultrasound echo signal;

所述处理器对所述第二超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的剪切波弹性图像；The processor performs signal processing on the second ultrasonic echo signal to obtain a shear wave elastic image of the prostate;

所述处理器根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述剪切波弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；Determining, by the processor, an extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image, and determining an elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area based on the shear wave elasticity image;

所述处理器根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置；Determining, by the processor, at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area;

所述处理器以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；The processor generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area;

控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。Controlling the display device to display the elasticity measurement result.

本申请实施例第二方面提供了一种***弹性测量方法，应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述方法包括：The second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a method for measuring prostate elasticity, which is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and the method includes:

控制所述超声探头对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的B型超声图像和弹性图像；Controlling the ultrasound probe to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain B-mode ultrasound images and elastic images of the prostate of the subject;

所述处理器根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；Determining, by the processor, an extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image, and determining an elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area based on the elastic image;

本申请实施例第三方面提供了一种***弹性测量方法，应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述方法包括：The third aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a method for measuring prostate elasticity, which is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and the method includes:

所述处理器根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域内至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值；Determining, by the processor, an extra-prostatic gland area based on the B-mode ultrasound image, and determining an elasticity measurement value corresponding to at least one pixel in the extra-prostatic gland area based on the elastic image;

所述处理器根据所述至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值确定弹性测值满足预设要求的至少一个目标像素点；Determining, by the processor, at least one target pixel point whose elasticity measurement value meets a preset requirement according to the elasticity measurement value corresponding to the at least one pixel point;

所述处理器根据所述至少一个目标像素点生成目标测量区域，根据所述目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；Generating, by the processor, a target measurement area according to the at least one target pixel point, and obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area;

本申请实施例第四方面提供一种超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述处理器用于控制所述超声探头和所述显示设备执行本申请实施例第一方面的***弹性测量方法。The fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device. The processor is used to control the ultrasound probe and the display device to perform the One aspect of prostate elasticity measurement method.

本申请实施例第五方面提供一种超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述处理器用于控制所述超声探头和所述显示设备执行本申请实施例第二方面的***弹性测量方法。A fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device. The processor is used to control the ultrasound probe and the display device to perform the first Two methods of measuring prostate elasticity.

本申请实施例第六方面提供一种超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述处理器用于控制所述超声探头和所述显示设备执行本申请实施例第三方面的***弹性测量方法。According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, an ultrasound imaging system is provided. The ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device. The processor is used to control the ultrasound probe and the display device to execute the first Three methods of measuring prostate elasticity.

根据本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法和超声成像***基于B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，根据与B型超声图像对应的弹性图像获得***外腺区域的弹性测值，进而根据***外腺区域的弹性测值在***外腺区域选择目标测量位置，从而解决了在进行***弹性测量时难以确定测量区域的问题。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate and the ultrasound imaging system according to the embodiments of the present application determine the extra-prostatic gland area based on the B-mode ultrasound image, and obtain the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elastic image corresponding to the B-mode ultrasound image, and then according to the extra-prostatic gland The elasticity measurement value of the area selects the target measurement position in the outer gland area of the prostate, which solves the problem that the measurement area is difficult to determine when the prostate elasticity measurement is performed.

附图说明Description of the drawings

为了更清楚地说明本申请实施例中的技术方案，下面将对实施例描述中所需要使用的附图作简单地介绍，显而易见地，下面描述中的附图仅仅是本发明的一些实施例，对于本领域普通技术人员来讲，在不付出创造性劳动性的前提下，还可以根据这些附图获得其他的附图。In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings used in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative labor.

在附图中：In the attached picture:

图1示出根据本申请实施例的超声成像***的示意性框图；Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system according to an embodiment of the present application;

图2示出根据本发明一实施例的***弹性测量方法的示意性流程图；Fig. 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for measuring prostate elasticity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

图3A示出根据本发明一实施例的***部位的B型超声图像；Fig. 3A shows a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

图3B示出在图3A所示的B型超声图像中确定的***外腺区域；Fig. 3B shows the area of the extra-prostatic glands determined in the B-mode ultrasound image shown in Fig. 3A;

图4A示出根据本发明另一实施例的***部位的B型超声图像；Fig. 4A shows a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate according to another embodiment of the present invention;

图4B示出在图4A所示的B型超声图像中确定的***外腺区域；Fig. 4B shows the area of the extra-prostatic glands determined in the B-mode ultrasound image shown in Fig. 4A;

图5示出根据本发明一实施例的在***外腺区域确定的测量区域的示意图；Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a measurement area determined in an extra-prostatic gland area according to an embodiment of the present invention;

图6示出根据本发明一实施例的在***外腺区域确定的多个备选测量区域的示意图；Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of multiple candidate measurement areas determined in the extra-prostatic gland area according to an embodiment of the present invention;

图7示出根据本申请另一实施例的超声成像***的示意性框图；Fig. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system according to another embodiment of the present application;

图8示出根据本发明另一实施例的***弹性测量方法的示意性流程图；Fig. 8 shows a schematic flow chart of a method for measuring prostate elasticity according to another embodiment of the present invention;

图9示出根据本发明又一实施例的***弹性测量方法的示意性流程图。Fig. 9 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for measuring prostate elasticity according to another embodiment of the present invention.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

为了使得本申请的目的、技术方案和优点更为明显，下面将参照附图详细描述根据本申请的示例实施例。显然，所描述的实施例仅仅是本申请的一部分实施例，而不是本申请的全部实施例，应理解，本申请不受这里描述的示例实施例的限制。基于本申请中描述的本申请实施例，本领域技术人员在没有付出创造性劳动的情况下所得到的所有其它实施例都应落入本申请的保护范围之内。In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application more obvious, the exemplary embodiments according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited by the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of this application described in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work should fall within the protection scope of this application.

在下文的描述中，给出了大量具体的细节以便提供对本申请更为彻底的理解。然而，对于本领域技术人员而言显而易见的是，本申请可以无需一个或多个这些细节而得以实施。在其他的例子中，为了避免与本申请发生混淆，对于本领域公知的一些技术特征未进行描述。In the following description, a lot of specific details are given in order to provide a more thorough understanding of this application. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that this application can be implemented without one or more of these details. In other examples, in order to avoid confusion with this application, some technical features known in the art are not described.

应当理解的是，本申请能够以不同形式实施，而不应当解释为局限于这里提出的实施例。相反地，提供这些实施例将使公开彻底和完全，并且将本申请的范围完全地传递给本领域技术人员。It should be understood that this application can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments presented here. On the contrary, the provision of these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art.

在此使用的术语的目的仅在于描述具体实施例并且不作为本申请的限制。在此使用时，单数形式的“一”、“一个”和“所述/该”也意图包括复数形式，除非上下文清楚指出另外的方式。还应明白术语“组成”和/或“包括”，当在该说明书中使用时，确定所述特征、整数、步骤、操作、元件和/或部件的存在，但不排除一个或更多其它的特征、整数、步骤、操作、元件、部件和/或组的存在或添加。在此使用时，术语“和/或”包括相关所列项目的任何及所有组合。The purpose of the terms used here is only to describe specific embodiments and not as a limitation of the present application. When used herein, the singular forms of "a", "an" and "the/the" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "composition" and/or "including", when used in this specification, determine the existence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not exclude one or more other The existence or addition of features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, and/or groups. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of related listed items.

为了彻底理解本申请，将在下列的描述中提出详细的结构，以便阐释本申请提出的技术方案。本申请的可选实施例详细描述如下，然而除了这些详细描述外，本申请还可以具有其他实施方式。In order to thoroughly understand this application, a detailed structure will be proposed in the following description to explain the technical solution proposed by this application. The optional embodiments of the present application are described in detail as follows, however, in addition to these detailed descriptions, the present application may also have other implementation manners.

下面，首先参考图1描述根据本申请一个实施例的超声成像***，图1示出了根据本申请实施例的超声成像***100的示意性结构框图。Hereinafter, first, an ultrasound imaging system according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

如图1所示，超声成像***100包括超声探头110、发射电路112、接收电路114、处理器116和显示设备118。进一步地，超声成像***还可以包括发射/接收选择开关120和波束合成电路122，发射电路112和接收电路114可以通过发射/接收选择开关120与超声探头110连接。As shown in FIG. 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 device 118. Further, the ultrasound imaging system may further include a transmission/reception selection switch 120 and a beam combining circuit 122, and the transmission circuit 112 and the reception circuit 114 may be connected to the ultrasound probe 110 through the transmission/reception selection switch 120.

具体地，超声探头110包括多个换能器阵元，多个换能器阵元可以排列成一排构成线阵，或排布成二维矩阵构成面阵，多个换能器阵元也可以构成凸阵列。换能器用于根据激励电信号发射超声波，或将接收的超声波转换为电信号，因此每个阵元可用于实现电脉冲信号和超声波的相互转换，从而实现向被测对象的目标区域的组织发射超声波、也可用于接收经组织反射回的超声波回波。在进行超声成像时，可通过发射序列和接收序列控制哪些换能器用于发射超声波，哪些换能器用于接收超声波，或者控制换能器分时隙用于发射超声波或接收超声波的回波。参与超声波发射的换能器可以同时被电信号激励，从而同时发射超声波；或者，参与超声波束发射的换能器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。Specifically, the ultrasound probe 110 includes multiple transducer array elements. The multiple transducer array elements may be arranged in a row to form a linear array, or arranged in a two-dimensional matrix to form a surface array, and multiple transducer array elements may also be arranged. Form a convex array. The transducer is used to transmit ultrasonic waves according to the excitation electric signal, or convert the received ultrasonic waves into electric signals, so each element can be used to realize the mutual conversion of electric pulse signals and ultrasonic waves, so as to realize the transmission to the tissue of the target area of the measured object Ultrasound can also be used to receive ultrasonic echoes reflected by the tissue. When performing ultrasound imaging, you can control which transducers are used to transmit ultrasonic waves and which transducers are used to receive ultrasonic waves through the transmit sequence and receive sequence, or control the transducers to be used to transmit ultrasonic waves or receive ultrasonic echoes in time slots. The transducers participating in the ultrasonic emission can be excited by electrical signals at the same time, so as to simultaneously emit ultrasonic; or, the transducers participating in the ultrasonic beam emission can also be excited by several electrical signals with a certain time interval, so as to continuously transmit the signals with a certain time interval. Ultrasound.

在一个实施例中，换能器既用于发射生成B型超声图像的超声波，又用于对被测对象的目标区域施加声辐射力脉冲以产生剪切波。在另一个实施例中，超声成像***100还可以包括振动器。在进行瞬时弹性检测时，振动器在处理器116的控制下产生机械振动，从而在被测对象的目标区域产生在组织中传播的剪切波。振动器可以为设置在超声探头110内部的内置式振动器，也可以是单独设置的外置式振动器。In one embodiment, the transducer is used to emit ultrasonic waves that generate B-mode ultrasound images, and also to apply acoustic radiation force pulses to the target area of the object to be measured to generate shear waves. In another embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system 100 may further include a vibrator. During the instantaneous elasticity detection, the vibrator generates mechanical vibration under the control of the processor 116, thereby generating a shear wave propagating in the tissue in the target area of the object to be measured. The vibrator may be a built-in vibrator provided inside the ultrasonic probe 110, or may be an external vibrator provided separately.

在超声成像过程中，发射电路112将经过延迟聚焦的发射脉冲通过发射/接收选择开关120发送到超声探头110。超声探头110受发射脉冲的激励而向被测对象的目标区域的组织发射超声波束，经一定延时后接收从目标区域的组织反射回来的带有组织信息的超声回波，并将此超声回波重新转换为电信号。接收电路114接收超声探头110转换生成的电信号，获得超声回波信号，并将这些超声回波信号送入波束合成电路122，波束合成电路122对超声回波数据进行聚焦延时、加权和通道求和等处理，然后送入处理器116。During the ultrasound imaging process, the transmitting circuit 112 transmits the delayed-focused transmission pulse to the ultrasound probe 110 through the transmission/reception selection switch 120. The ultrasound probe 110 is excited by the transmitted pulse to emit an ultrasound beam to the tissue of the target area of the object to be measured, and after a certain delay, it receives the ultrasound echo with tissue information reflected from the tissue of the target area, and returns the ultrasound to The wave is converted back into an electrical signal. The receiving circuit 114 receives the electrical signals converted and generated by the ultrasonic probe 110, obtains ultrasonic echo signals, and sends these ultrasonic echo signals to the beam synthesis circuit 122. The beam synthesis circuit 122 performs focusing delay, weighting and channeling on the ultrasonic echo data The summation and other processing are then sent to the processor 116.

处理器116对超声回波信号进行信号检测、信号增强、数据转换、对数压缩等处理形成超声图像。具体地，处理器116可以对超声回波信号进行常规的B型超声图像处理，生成B型超声图像；处理器116也可以对追踪剪切波的超声回波信号进行弹性成像处理，计算用于生成弹性图像的弹性测值，以根据该弹性测值生成相应的弹性图像。处理器116还可以选定具体的测量区域，根据测量区域内的弹性测值获得定量的弹性测量结果。处理器116得到的超声图像(例如B型超声图像、弹性图像等)和弹性测量结果可以在显示设备118上显示，也可以存储于存储器124中。The processor 116 performs signal detection, signal enhancement, data conversion, logarithmic compression and other processing on the ultrasonic echo signal to form an ultrasonic image. Specifically, the processor 116 can perform conventional B-mode ultrasound image processing on the ultrasound echo signals to generate a B-mode ultrasound image; the processor 116 can also perform elastography processing on the ultrasound echo signals that track shear waves, and calculate for The elasticity measurement value of the elasticity image is generated to generate a corresponding elasticity image according to the elasticity measurement value. The processor 116 may also select a specific measurement area, and obtain a quantitative elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value in the measurement area. The ultrasound images (for example, B-mode ultrasound images, elastic images, etc.) and elastic measurement results obtained by the processor 116 may be displayed on the display device 118 or stored in the memory 124.

可选地，处理器116可以实现为软件、硬件、固件或其任意组合，并且可以使用单个或多个专用集成电路(Application Specific Integrated Circuit，ASIC)、单个或多个通用集成电路、单个或多个微处理器、单个或多个可编程逻辑器件、或者前述电路和/或器件的任意组合、或者其他适合的电路或器件。并且，处理器116可以控制所述超声成像***100中的其它组件以执行本说明书中的各个实施例中的方法的相应步骤。Optionally, the processor 116 may be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof, and may use a single or multiple application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), single or multiple general integrated circuits, single or multiple A microprocessor, single or multiple programmable logic devices, or any combination of the foregoing circuits and/or devices, or other suitable circuits or devices. In addition, the processor 116 may control other components in the ultrasound imaging system 100 to execute the corresponding steps of the methods in the various embodiments in this specification.

显示设备118与处理器116连接，显示设备118可以为触摸显示屏、液晶显示屏等；或者，显示设备118可以为独立于超声成像***100之外的液晶显示器、电视机等独立显示设备；或者，显示设备118可以是智能手机、平板电脑等电子设备的显示屏，等等。其中，显示设备118的数量可以为一个或多个。例如，显示设备118可以包括主屏和触摸屏，主屏主要用于显示超声图像，触摸屏主要用于人机交互。The display device 118 is connected to the processor 116, and the display device 118 may be a touch display screen, a liquid crystal display screen, etc.; or, the display device 118 may be an independent display device such as a liquid crystal display or a TV set independent of the ultrasound imaging system 100; or The display device 118 may be a display screen of an electronic device such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, and so on. The number of display devices 118 may be one or more. For example, the display device 118 may include a main screen and a touch screen. The main screen is mainly used for displaying ultrasound images, and the touch screen is mainly used for human-computer interaction.

显示设备118可以显示处理器116得到的超声图像。此外，显示设备118在显示超声图像的同时还可以提供给用户进行人机交互的图形界面，在图形界面上设置一个或多个被控对象，提供给用户利用人机交互装置输入操作指令来控制这些被控对象，从而执行相应的控制操作。例如，在图形界面上显示图标，利用人机交互装置可以对该图标进行操作，用来执行特定的功能，例如在超声图像上绘制出感兴趣区域框、选择是否接受***自动确定的弹性测量区域等。The display device 118 can display the ultrasound image obtained by the processor 116. In addition, the display device 118 can also provide the user with a graphical interface for human-computer interaction while displaying the ultrasound image. One or more controlled objects are set on the graphical interface, and the user can use the human-computer interaction device to input operation instructions to control These controlled objects can perform corresponding control operations. For example, display an icon on the graphical interface, and use the human-computer interaction device to operate the icon to perform specific functions, such as drawing an area of interest frame on the ultrasound image, and selecting whether to accept the elasticity measurement area automatically determined by the system Wait.

可选地，超声成像***100还可以包括显示设备118之外的其他人机交互装置，其与处理器116连接，例如，处理器116可以通过外部输入/输出端口与人机交互装置连接，外部输入/输出端口可以是无线通信模块，也可以是有线通信模块，或者两者的组合。外部输入/输出端口也可基于USB、如CAN等总线协议、和/或有线网络协议等来实现。Optionally, the ultrasound imaging system 100 may also include other human-computer interaction devices other than the display device 118, which are connected to the processor 116. For example, the processor 116 may be connected to the human-computer interaction device through an external input/output port, and the external The input/output port can be a wireless communication module, a wired communication module, or a combination of the two. The external input/output ports can also be implemented based on USB, bus protocols such as CAN, and/or wired network protocols.

其中，人机交互装置可以包括输入设备，用于检测用户的输入信息，该输入信息例如可以是对超声波发射/接收时序的控制指令，可以是在超声图像上绘制出点、线或框等的操作输入指令，或者还可以包括其他指令类型。输入设备可以包括键盘、鼠标、滚轮、轨迹球、移动式输入设备(比如带触摸显示屏的移动设备、手机等等)、多功能旋钮等等其中之一或者多个的结合。人机交互装置还可以包括诸如打印机之类的输出设备。Among them, the human-computer interaction device may include an input device for detecting user input information. The input information may be, for example, a control command for the ultrasound transmission/reception timing, and may be a point, line, or frame drawn on the ultrasound image. Operation input instructions, or other instruction types may also be included. The input device may include one or a combination of a keyboard, a mouse, a scroll wheel, a trackball, a mobile input device (such as a mobile device with a touch display screen, a mobile phone, etc.), a multi-function knob, and so on. The human-computer interaction apparatus may also include an output device such as a printer.

超声成像***100还可以包括存储器124，用于存储处理器执行的指令、存储接收到的超声回波、存储超声图像，等等。存储器可以为闪存卡、固态存储器、硬盘等。其可以为易失性存储器和/或非易失性存储器，为可移除存储器和/或不可移除存储器等。The ultrasound imaging system 100 may further include a memory 124 for storing instructions executed by the processor, storing received ultrasound echoes, storing ultrasound images, and so on. The memory may be a flash memory card, solid state memory, hard disk, etc. It can be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory, a removable memory and/or a non-removable memory, etc.

应理解，图1所示的超声成像***100所包括的部件只是示意性的，其可以包括更多或更少的部件。本申请对此不限定。It should be understood that the components included in the ultrasound imaging system 100 shown in FIG. 1 are only schematic, and may include more or fewer components. This application is not limited to this.

下面，将参考图2描述根据本申请一个实施例的***弹性测量方法，所述***弹性测量方法应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***至少包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，具体可以参见图1所示的超声成像***100。图2是本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法200的一个示意性流程图。Hereinafter, a method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate is applied to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound imaging system at least includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device. For details, see The ultrasound imaging system 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a method 200 for measuring prostate elasticity according to an embodiment of the present application.

如图2所示，所述***弹性测量方法200包括如下步骤：As shown in FIG. 2, the method 200 for measuring prostate elasticity includes the following steps:

在步骤S210，控制所述超声探头向被测对象的***部位发射第一超声波，接收所述第一超声波的超声回波以获得第一超声回波信号；In step S210, control the ultrasonic probe to transmit a first ultrasonic wave to the prostate of the subject, and receive the ultrasonic echo of the first ultrasonic wave to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal;

在步骤S220，所述处理器对所述第一超声回波信号进行信号处理，得到所述***部位的B型超声图像；In step S220, the processor performs signal processing on the first ultrasound echo signal to obtain a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate;

在步骤S230，控制所述超声探头向所述***部位发射第二超声波，以追踪在所述***部位传播的剪切波，接收所述第二超声波的超声回波以获得第二超声回波信号；In step S230, the ultrasound probe is controlled to transmit a second ultrasound to the prostate to track the shear wave propagating in the prostate, and the ultrasound echo of the second ultrasound is received to obtain a second ultrasound echo signal ；

在步骤S240，所述处理器对所述第二超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的剪切波弹性图像；In step S240, the processor performs signal processing on the second ultrasonic echo signal to obtain a shear wave elastic image of the prostate;

在步骤S250，所述处理器根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述剪切波弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；In step S250, the processor determines the extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image, and determines the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area based on the shear wave elasticity image;

在步骤S260，所述处理器根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域确定至少一个目标测量位置；In step S260, the processor determines at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area;

在步骤S270，所述处理器以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域内的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；In step S270, the processor generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value in the at least one target measurement area;

在步骤S280，控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。In step S280, the display device is controlled to display the elasticity measurement result.

本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法200用于对***进行剪切波弹性成像后对具体的测量区域进行弹性测量，以得到定量的弹性测量结果。其中，处理器根据与剪切波弹性图像对应的B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，再在***外腺区域内自动选取弹性测值满足预设要求的位置确定目标测量位置，以目标测量位置为基准确定目标测量区域，统计目标测量区域内的弹性测值以得到测量结果，从而解决了***弹性测量的测量区域难以确定的问题，并且可以同时选择多个满足预设要求的位置进行自动测量，节省了测量时间。The method 200 for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to the embodiment of the present application is used to perform a shear wave elastography of the prostate and then perform elasticity measurement on a specific measurement area to obtain a quantitative elasticity measurement result. Among them, the processor determines the extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image corresponding to the shear-wave elasticity image, and then automatically selects the position in the extra-prostatic gland area where the elasticity measurement meets the preset requirements to determine the target measurement position, and the target measurement position Determine the target measurement area as a benchmark, and calculate the elasticity measurement value in the target measurement area to obtain the measurement result, thus solving the problem that the measurement area of the prostate elasticity measurement is difficult to determine, and multiple locations that meet the preset requirements can be selected at the same time for automatic measurement , Saving measurement time.

示例性地，在步骤S210中，结合图1，发射电路112向超声探头110中的每个换能器阵元发送经过适当延时的电信号，由换能器将电信号转化为第一超声波发射至被测对象的目标区域；超声探头110中的换能器接收目标区域返回的第一超声波的超声回波并转换为电信号，以获得第一超声回波信号，经过信号放大、模数变换等处理后传递给波束合成电路122进行波束合成处理，然后将该波束合成后的第一超声回波信号送入处理器116，之后在步骤S220，处理器116对第一超声回波信号进行对数压缩、动态范围调整、数字扫描变换等处理，以形成用于体现目标区域组织形态结构的B型超声图像，并输出该B型超声图像至显示设备118进行显示，用户可以实时观测B型超声图像，从而根据需要调节检查的范围、超声探头放置的角度等。Exemplarily, in step S210, with reference to FIG. 1, the transmitting circuit 112 sends an electric signal with a proper delay to each transducer element in the ultrasonic probe 110, and the transducer converts the electric signal into the first ultrasonic wave. Transmit to the target area of the object to be measured; the transducer in the ultrasonic probe 110 receives the ultrasonic echo of the first ultrasonic wave returned from the target area and converts it into an electrical signal to obtain the first ultrasonic echo signal, which is amplified and modulus After transformation and other processing, it is passed to the beam synthesizing circuit 122 for beam synthesizing processing, and then the beam synthesized first ultrasonic echo signal is sent to the processor 116, and then in step S220, the processor 116 performs the beam synthesis on the first ultrasonic echo signal. Logarithmic compression, dynamic range adjustment, digital scan conversion, etc. are processed to form a B-mode ultrasound image that reflects the tissue morphology and structure of the target area, and the B-mode ultrasound image is output to the display device 118 for display, and the user can observe the B-mode in real time Ultrasound image, so as to adjust the scope of inspection, the angle of ultrasonic probe placement, etc. as needed.

在生成并显示B型超声图像后，进入弹性图像采集准备状态，确定B型超声图像中用于生成弹性图像的感兴趣区域(ROI)。作为一例，可以由用户手动框选出B型超声图像上的感兴趣区域框，并根据检测到的用户输入指令确定感兴趣区域的位置。感兴趣区域框可以是矩形，也可以是圆形、椭圆、扇形等形状。例如，用户可以通过鼠标或触控屏等输入装置在B型超声图像上绘制感兴趣区域框。After generating and displaying the B-mode ultrasound image, enter the elastic image acquisition preparation state, and determine the region of interest (ROI) in the B-mode ultrasound image for generating the elastic image. As an example, the user can manually select the region of interest frame on the B-mode ultrasound image, and determine the location of the region of interest according to the detected user input instruction. The region of interest frame can be rectangular, or circular, elliptical, fan-shaped, and so on. For example, the user can draw a region of interest frame on the B-mode ultrasound image through an input device such as a mouse or a touch screen.

作为另一种实现方式，可以基于相关的机器识别算法在B型超声图像上自动确定感兴趣区域的位置，即自动生成感兴趣区域框。在其他示例中，还可以通过半自动检测的方式来获取感兴趣区域，例如，首先基于机器识别算法自动检测B型超声图像上的感兴趣区域的位置，并在B型超声图像上显示可编辑的感兴趣区域框，允许用户通过鼠标、触控屏等调节其高度、宽度和位置，以确定感兴趣区域的具***置。As another implementation manner, the location of the region of interest can be automatically determined on the B-mode ultrasound image based on the relevant machine recognition algorithm, that is, the region of interest frame can be automatically generated. In other examples, the region of interest can also be obtained through semi-automatic detection. For example, the location of the region of interest on the B-mode ultrasound image is automatically detected based on the machine recognition algorithm, and the editable is displayed on the B-mode ultrasound image. The area of interest frame allows the user to adjust the height, width and position of the area of interest through the mouse, touch screen, etc. to determine the specific location of the area of interest.

之后，显示设备118将已确定的感兴趣区域的坐标信息传输给处理器116，处理器116根据感兴趣区域的坐标信息确定出感兴趣区域在组织中的位置，从而在后续对感兴趣区域进行弹性成像。在一些实施例中，感兴趣区域也可以通过其它方式选择，例如默认超声探头的某个位置下方预定距离处设为感兴趣区域，根据显示的超声图像，用户可以通过移动超声探头的方式来调整感兴趣区域，从而改变弹性成像的位置。After that, the display device 118 transmits the determined coordinate information of the region of interest to the processor 116, and the processor 116 determines the position of the region of interest in the tissue according to the coordinate information of the region of interest, so as to perform subsequent operations on the region of interest. Elastography. In some embodiments, the region of interest can also be selected in other ways. For example, by default, a predetermined distance below a certain position of the ultrasound probe is set as the region of interest. According to the displayed ultrasound image, the user can adjust it by moving the ultrasound probe. Region of interest, thereby changing the position of elastography.

当确定感兴趣区域的位置后，进入弹性成像模式的扫描阶段，在该阶段中对上文中确定的感兴趣区域进行弹性成像。在该阶段，首先生成在被测对象的目标区域内传播的剪切波。在一个实施例中，可以通过声辐射力聚焦冲击在感兴趣区域的组织内部产生剪切波。具体地，可以通过超声探头110向感兴趣区域的组织发射一系列超声推动脉冲，以在组织中基于声辐射力产生剪切波的传播。在另一个实施例中，也可以通过振动器对被测对象施加机械振动，从而在感兴趣区域的组织内部产生剪切波。该振动器可以设置在超声探头110内部，也可以是设置于超声探头110外部的独立的振动器。When the position of the region of interest is determined, enter the scanning phase of the elastography mode, in which elastography is performed on the region of interest determined above. In this stage, the shear wave that propagates in the target area of the measured object is first generated. In one embodiment, a shear wave can be generated inside the tissue of the region of interest by focusing and impacting the acoustic radiation force. Specifically, a series of ultrasound push pulses can be transmitted to the tissue in the region of interest through the ultrasound probe 110 to generate shear wave propagation in the tissue based on the acoustic radiation force. In another embodiment, a vibrator can also be used to apply mechanical vibration to the object to be measured, so as to generate a shear wave inside the tissue of the region of interest. The vibrator may be arranged inside the ultrasonic probe 110 or may be an independent vibrator arranged outside the ultrasonic probe 110.

之后，在步骤S230，发射电路112激励超声探头110向确定的感兴趣区域发射追踪剪切波的第二超声波并接收第二超声波的回波，以获得第二超声回波信号。在步骤S240，处理器116根据第二超声波信号计算感兴趣区域的弹性测值，例如剪切波速度、杨氏模量或剪切模量中的至少一个。之后，基于弹性测值的分布生成剪切波弹性图像，在剪切波弹性图像中，可以通过不同的颜色、灰度或填充方式标识出不同属性硬度组织。例如，可以根据感兴趣区域多个位置处的弹性测值进行伪彩色映射叠加在B型超声图像的感兴趣区域框内，即可以形成感兴趣区域的剪切波弹性图像。After that, in step S230, the transmitting circuit 112 excites the ultrasonic probe 110 to transmit the second ultrasonic wave tracking the shear wave to the determined region of interest and receive the echo of the second ultrasonic wave to obtain the second ultrasonic echo signal. In step S240, the processor 116 calculates the elasticity measurement value of the region of interest according to the second ultrasonic signal, such as at least one of the shear wave velocity, the Young's modulus, or the shear modulus. After that, a shear wave elastic image is generated based on the distribution of elastic measured values. In the shear wave elastic image, different colors, gray levels, or filling methods can be used to identify tissues with different properties and hardness. For example, pseudo-color mapping can be performed based on the elasticity measurement values at multiple positions in the region of interest and superimposed in the region of interest frame of the B-mode ultrasound image, that is, a shear wave elastic image of the region of interest can be formed.

示例性地，可以采用以下方法计算弹性测值：根据所接收的第二超声回波信号计算剪切波传播路径上某点的位移量，当该点的位移最大时，认为剪切波到达了该点。通过剪切波到达各点的时间可定位出剪切波的传播路径或传播轨迹，从而可绘制出剪切波轨迹图，根据剪切波的轨迹线可得到剪切波传播路径上各点的斜率，斜率即为剪切波速度。根据剪切波速度与杨氏模量、剪切模量之间的关系，当得到剪切波速度后，可进一步计算出其他弹性测值，比如杨氏模量、剪切模量等。Exemplarily, the following method can be used to calculate the elasticity measurement value: the displacement of a certain point on the shear wave propagation path is calculated according to the received second ultrasonic echo signal. When the displacement of the point is the largest, it is considered that the shear wave has reached That point. The propagation path or trajectory of the shear wave can be located by the time when the shear wave reaches each point, so that the shear wave trajectory can be drawn. According to the trajectory of the shear wave, the propagation path of the shear wave can be obtained. Slope, the slope is the shear wave velocity. According to the relationship between shear wave velocity and Young's modulus and shear modulus, when the shear wave velocity is obtained, other elastic measurement values, such as Young's modulus and shear modulus, can be further calculated.

之后，处理器可以将带有感兴趣区域标识的B型超声图像和弹性图像合并为一帧图像。在本申请实施例中，既可以将弹性成像准备阶段得到的带有感兴趣区域标识的B型超声图像和弹性图像结果合成为一帧图像，也可以在弹性扫描阶段交替进行目标区域的B型超声成像和感兴趣区域的弹性成像或基于同一组超声回波信号分别生成B型超声成像和弹性图像，之后根据弹性采集准备阶段获得的感兴趣区域的位置信息，将感兴趣区域标识添加到弹性扫描阶段实时生成的B型超声图像上，将实时生成的B型超声图像和弹性图像合并为一帧图像。也就是说，步骤S220中的B型超声图像既可以是在采集弹性图像之前生成的，也可以是在采集弹性图像的过程中生成的。之后，处理器116可以将合成后的图像数据输出到显示设备118，以便在显示设备118的显示界面上进行显示。After that, the processor may merge the B-mode ultrasound image with the region of interest identification and the elastic image into one frame of image. In the embodiment of the present application, either the B-mode ultrasound image with the region of interest identification and the result of the elastic image obtained in the elastography preparation stage can be synthesized into one frame of image, or the B-mode target area can be alternately performed during the elastic scanning stage. Ultrasound imaging and elasticity imaging of the region of interest or generate B-mode ultrasound imaging and elasticity images respectively based on the same set of ultrasound echo signals, and then add the region of interest identification to the elasticity based on the position information of the region of interest obtained in the elastic acquisition preparation stage On the B-mode ultrasound image generated in real time during the scanning phase, the B-mode ultrasound image and the elasticity image generated in real time are combined into one frame of image. In other words, the B-mode ultrasound image in step S220 may be generated before the elastic image is acquired, or may be generated in the process of acquiring the elastic image. After that, the processor 116 may output the synthesized image data to the display device 118 for display on the display interface of the display device 118.

在步骤S250中，处理器首先根据B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，具体的工作流可以实现为以下任意一种形式：In step S250, the processor first determines the extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image, and the specific workflow can be implemented in any of the following forms:

1)在采集弹性图像前的B型超声成像模式下，即在获得B型超声图像的过程中，实时确定B型超声图像中的***外腺区域，之后保持超声探头的位置和方向，采集与B型超声图像相对应的剪切波弹性图像；1) In the B-mode ultrasound imaging mode before the elastic image is acquired, that is, in the process of obtaining the B-mode ultrasound image, determine the area of the external prostate in the B-mode ultrasound image in real time, and then maintain the position and direction of the ultrasound probe, and collect and Shear wave elastic image corresponding to B-mode ultrasound image;

2)在得到B型超声图像之后、采集弹性图像之前的弹性图像采集准备状态下，确定B型超声图像的***外腺区域，之后保持超声探头的位置和方向，采集与B型超声图像相对应的剪切波弹性图像；2) After obtaining the B-mode ultrasound image and before acquiring the elastic image in the elastic image acquisition preparation state, determine the extra-prostatic gland area of the B-mode ultrasound image, then maintain the position and direction of the ultrasound probe, and collect the corresponding B-mode ultrasound image Shear wave elasticity image;

3)在弹性成像模式下，即在获得与B型超声图像对应的剪切波弹性图像的过程中，确定B型超声图像中的***外腺区域；3) In the elastography mode, that is, in the process of obtaining the shear wave elastic image corresponding to the B-mode ultrasound image, determine the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image;

4)获得与B型超声图像对应的剪切波弹性图像以后，确定B型超声图像的***外腺区域。4) After obtaining the shear wave elastic image corresponding to the B-mode ultrasound image, determine the extra-prostatic gland area of the B-mode ultrasound image.

其中，可以在B型超声图像中确定***内腺区域和***外腺区域，也可以只确定其中的***外腺区域。可以先确定B型超声图像中的***区域，再将***外腺区域分割为***外腺区域和***内腺区域，也可以直接识别和分割出B型超声图像中的***外腺区域。Among them, the intra-prostatic gland area and the extra-prostatic gland area can be determined in the B-mode ultrasound image, or only the extra-prostatic gland area can be determined. The prostate area in the B-mode ultrasound image can be determined first, and then the extra-prostatic gland area can be divided into the extra-prostatic gland area and the intra-prostatic gland area, or the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image can be directly identified and segmented.

在一个示例中，处理器可以采用边缘检测的图像分割方法识别和分割出B型超声图像中的***外腺区域或B型超声图像中的***外腺区域和***内腺区域。参照图3A和图3B，在图3A所示的B型超声图像中由于灰度级或结构突变产生的不连续性即为边缘，***内腺、***外腺和其他组织区域在B型超声图像中具有灰度或结构的不连续性，可以通过包括但不限于微分算子等边缘检测算法等边缘检测算法检测B型超声图像中的不连续性，从而实现对***外腺区域、***内腺区域及其他组织区域的识别和分割，图3B示出了在图3A所示的B型超声图像中分割出的***内腺区域和***外腺区域。In one example, the processor may use an image segmentation method of edge detection to identify and segment the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image or the extra-prostatic gland area and the intra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image. 3A and 3B, in the B-mode ultrasound image shown in Figure 3A, the discontinuity caused by gray-scale or structural mutations is the edge. The prostate gland, the outer prostate, and other tissue regions are in the B-mode ultrasound image. The discontinuities in the B-mode ultrasound image can be detected by edge detection algorithms including but not limited to edge detection algorithms such as differential operators, so as to realize the detection of the outer gland area of the prostate and the inner prostate gland. For the identification and segmentation of regions and other tissue regions, FIG. 3B shows the intra-prostatic gland region and the extra-prostatic gland region segmented in the B-mode ultrasound image shown in FIG. 3A.

在另一个示例中，处理器可以采用机器学习算法进行图像分割，例如，可以采用训练好的深度学习神经网络模型分割出B型超声图像中的***外腺区域，或分割出B型超声图像中的***内腺区域和***外腺区域。该类方法通过堆叠卷积层和全连接层来对预先构建的数据库进行特征的学习，从而直接得到输入图像的待分割区域及其相应类别。图4A和图4B分别示出了***部位的B型超声图像和在该B型超声图像中分割出的***内腺区域和***外腺区域。In another example, the processor can use a machine learning algorithm for image segmentation. For example, a trained deep learning neural network model can be used to segment the extra-prostatic gland area in a B-mode ultrasound image, or segment a B-mode ultrasound image. The inner glandular area of the prostate and the outer glandular area of the prostate. This type of method learns the features of the pre-built database by stacking the convolutional layer and the fully connected layer, so as to directly obtain the region to be segmented and its corresponding category of the input image. Figures 4A and 4B respectively show a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate, and an intra-prostatic gland region and an extra-prostatic gland region segmented from the B-mode ultrasound image.

或者，也可以采用图像特征识别算法分割出B型超声图像中的***外腺区域，或分割出B型超声图像中的***内腺区域和***外腺区域。例如，可以对B型超声图像中每一个像素点周围预定邻域的图像块进行特征提取，接着，将提取到的特征与预先构建的数据库中的特征进行匹配，利用分类器对提取到的特征进行分类，以确定所述特征所对应的图像块的类别，即根据所述图像块的特征将所述图像块划分为***外腺区域的图像块、***内腺区域的图像块和其他区域的图像块，从而实现对B型超声图像中***外腺区域的分割。Alternatively, the image feature recognition algorithm can also be used to segment the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image, or segment the intra-prostatic gland area and the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image. For example, feature extraction can be performed on image blocks in a predetermined neighborhood around each pixel in a B-mode ultrasound image, and then the extracted features can be matched with features in a pre-built database, and a classifier can be used to compare the extracted features The classification is performed to determine the category of the image block corresponding to the feature, that is, the image block is divided into the image block of the gland area outside the prostate, the image block of the gland area inside the prostate, and other areas according to the characteristics of the image block. Image block, so as to realize the segmentation of the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image.

以上仅作为示例提供了几种确定***外腺区域的方式，但需要注意的是，除了以上方式以外，处理器还可以采用任何合适的图像识别或分割算法对B型超声图像进行分割，本申请实施例对所采用的具体算法不做限制。以上对基于B型超声图像确定***外腺区域进行了具体说明，可以理解的是，还可以基于C型超声图像、三维超声图像或者其他能够看到***外腺结构的图像确定***外腺区域，具体方法可参考上述基于B型超声图像的图像识别或分割算法进行理解，此处不再赘言。The above is just an example to provide several ways to determine the extra-prostatic gland area, but it should be noted that in addition to the above methods, the processor can also use any suitable image recognition or segmentation algorithm to segment the B-mode ultrasound image. This application The embodiment does not limit the specific algorithm used. The above specifically describes the determination of the extra-prostatic gland area based on B-mode ultrasound images. It is understandable that the extra-prostatic gland area can also be determined based on C-mode ultrasound images, three-dimensional ultrasound images or other images that can see the structure of the extra-prostatic glands. The specific method can be understood by referring to the above-mentioned image recognition or segmentation algorithm based on B-mode ultrasound images, which will not be repeated here.

在B型超声图像中确定***外腺区域以后，处理器可以根据B型超声图像与剪切波弹性图像的对应关系确定弹性图像中的***外腺区域。由于剪切波弹性图像是基于弹性测值的分布生成的，因而可以根据剪切波弹性图像中***外腺区域所在的位置得到***外腺区域的弹性测值，例如***外腺区域每个像素点所对应的剪切波速度、剪切模量或杨氏模量。After determining the extra-prostatic gland area in the B-mode ultrasound image, the processor may determine the extra-prostate gland area in the elasticity image according to the corresponding relationship between the B-mode ultrasound image and the shear wave elastic image. Since the shear wave elasticity image is generated based on the distribution of elasticity measurement values, the elasticity measurement value of the outer prostate area can be obtained according to the location of the outer prostate area in the shear wave elasticity image, such as each pixel of the outer prostate area. The shear wave velocity, shear modulus or Young's modulus corresponding to the point.

在一些实施例中，在B型超声图像中确定***外腺区域以后，可以在B型超声图像或剪切波弹性图像上显示***外腺区域所在的位置。例如，可以如图3B所示的显示***内腺区域与***外腺区域之间的分界线，或者如图4B所示的显示***外腺区域的轮廓线，以便于用户直观地了解超声图像中的***外腺区域。In some embodiments, after the extra-prostatic gland area is determined in the B-mode ultrasound image, the location of the extra-prostatic gland area can be displayed on the B-mode ultrasound image or shear wave elasticity image. For example, the dividing line between the inner prostate gland area and the outer prostate gland area may be displayed as shown in FIG. 3B, or the contour line of the outer prostate gland area may be displayed as shown in FIG. 4B, so that the user can intuitively understand the ultrasound image The outer glandular area of the prostate.

之后，在步骤S240中，根据***外腺区域的弹性测值在***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置。如图5所示，在B型超声图像501上绘制有感兴趣区域框502，剪切波弹性图像503叠加在另一相同的B型超声图像的感兴趣区域框502中。在基于B型超声图像501确定了***外腺区域504以后，根据剪切波弹性图像503获得了***外腺区域504的弹性测值，并根据所获得的弹性测值在***外腺区域504中确定了目标测量位置，并以目标测量位置为基准确定了目标测量区域505。After that, in step S240, at least one target measurement position is determined in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area. As shown in FIG. 5, a region of interest frame 502 is drawn on the B-mode ultrasound image 501, and the shear wave elastic image 503 is superimposed on the region of interest frame 502 of another same B-mode ultrasound image. After determining the extra-prostatic gland area 504 based on the B-mode ultrasound image 501, the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area 504 is obtained according to the shear wave elasticity image 503, and the obtained elasticity measurement value is in the extra-prostatic gland area 504 The target measurement position is determined, and the target measurement area 505 is determined based on the target measurement position.

图5所示的目标测量区域505为***外腺区域504中弹性测值最高的区域，但在其他实施例中，目标测量区域也可以为***外腺区域中弹性测值最低的区域、弹性测值中值所在的区域或弹性测值满足其他预设标准的区域。此外，图5所示的目标测量区域为以目标测量位置为圆心的圆形区域，但本申请实施例的目标测量区域的形状不限于此，在其他实施例中，目标测量区域的形状也可以实现为椭圆形、正方形、长方形或四角星形等其他形状，具体可以由超声成像***预先设定或由用户自行设定。The target measurement area 505 shown in FIG. 5 is the area with the highest elasticity measurement value in the extraprostatic gland area 504, but in other embodiments, the target measurement area may also be the area with the lowest elasticity measurement value in the extraprostatic gland area, or the elasticity measurement area. The area where the median value is located or the area where the elasticity measurement meets other preset standards. In addition, the target measurement area shown in FIG. 5 is a circular area with the target measurement position as the center, but the shape of the target measurement area in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the shape of the target measurement area may also be It can be realized in other shapes such as ellipse, square, rectangle or four-pointed star, which can be preset by the ultrasound imaging system or set by the user.

参照图6，其中示出了本申请一个实施例的确定目标测量位置的具体方案。如图6所示，在该实施例中，首先将***外腺区域601划分为至少两个子区域，图6中将***外腺区域601划分为4个子区域，其中的虚线表示相邻子区域之间的分界线。各个子区域的面积可以相等或不等，子区域的数量和面积可以由超声成像***预先设定。也可以由用户自行设定。Referring to FIG. 6, it shows a specific solution for determining a target measurement position according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the extra-prostatic gland area 601 is first divided into at least two sub-areas. In Fig. 6, the extra-prostatic gland area 601 is divided into 4 sub-areas, and the dashed line represents the number of adjacent sub-areas. The dividing line between. The area of each sub-region can be equal or unequal, and the number and area of the sub-region can be preset by the ultrasound imaging system. It can also be set by the user.

之后，根据至少两个子区域的弹性测值确定每个子区域对应的备选测量位置。具体地，对于每个子区域来说，获取该子区域中各个像素点所对应的弹性测值，并将满足预设条件的弹性测值所对应的像素点作为备选测量位置。所述预设条件取决于预期测量区域的特征，例如，当期望在***外腺区域弹性测值最高的区域进行弹性测量，以得到***病灶的弹性测量结果时，可以将子区域内每个像素点所代表的弹性测值从大到小进行排列，并将弹性测值最大的一个像素点作为该子区域的备选测量位置。在图6的示例中，在4个子区域中的每个子区域内分别确定一个备选测量位置，共得到4个备选测量位置。After that, the candidate measurement position corresponding to each sub-region is determined according to the elasticity measurement values of the at least two sub-regions. Specifically, for each subregion, the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point in the subregion is obtained, and the pixel point corresponding to the elasticity measurement value that meets the preset condition is used as the candidate measurement position. The preset conditions depend on the characteristics of the expected measurement area. For example, when it is desired to perform elasticity measurement in the area with the highest elasticity measurement value in the extra-prostatic gland area to obtain the elasticity measurement result of the prostate lesion, each pixel in the sub-region can be The elasticity measurement values represented by the points are arranged from large to small, and the pixel with the largest elasticity measurement value is used as the candidate measurement position of the sub-region. In the example of FIG. 6, a candidate measurement position is determined in each of the 4 subregions, and a total of 4 candidate measurement positions are obtained.

类似地，用户感兴趣的区域不只包括弹性测值最高的区域，在一些情况下，弹性测值最低的区域、弹性测值中值所对应的区域或弹性测值满足其它条件的区域也具有研究价值，用户也可能希望对这些区域进行研究分析，因而可以根据相应的标准选择子区域内的备选测量位置，具体标准可以由***预先设定，或由用户在预设的多个标准中选择所需的一个或多个标准。例如，备选测量位置可以是子区域中所有像素点所对应的弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数(例如极大值的75％)或极小值的倍数(例如极小值的2倍)等。Similarly, the area of interest to the user does not only include the area with the highest elasticity measurement value. In some cases, the area with the lowest elasticity measurement value, the area corresponding to the median elasticity measurement value, or the area where the elasticity measurement value satisfies other conditions can also be studied. Value, users may also want to research and analyze these areas, so they can select alternative measurement locations in the sub-area according to the corresponding criteria. The specific criteria can be preset by the system or selected by the user from multiple preset criteria. One or more standards required. For example, the candidate measurement position can be the maximum value, minimum value, median value, quantile of the maximum value (for example, 75% of the maximum value) or the elasticity measurement value corresponding to all the pixels in the subregion. Multiples of the minimum value (for example, 2 times the minimum value), etc.

之后，在备选测量位置中选择最终的目标测量位置。具体地，首先基于每个备选测量位置分别生成备选测量区域。例如，可以以每个备选测量位置为圆心确定预定大小的圆形备选测量区域，备选测量区域的半径例如为2.5mm或3mm，但不限于此。在图6的示例中，在每个子区域中分别确定了一个圆形的备选测量区域602。After that, select the final target measurement position among the alternative measurement positions. Specifically, firstly, candidate measurement areas are respectively generated based on each candidate measurement location. For example, a circular candidate measurement area of a predetermined size may be determined with each candidate measurement position as the center, and the radius of the candidate measurement area is, for example, 2.5 mm or 3 mm, but is not limited thereto. In the example of FIG. 6, a circular candidate measurement area 602 is respectively determined in each sub-area.

之后，根据每个备选测量区域内的弹性测值获得该备选测量区域的备选弹性测量结果。例如，可以获得每个备选测量区域内所有像素点所对应的弹性测值，并计算弹性测值的平均值、最小值、最大值、四分位值或标准差等统计结果以作为该备选测量区域内的备选弹性测量结果，并将满足预设条件的备选弹性测量结果对应的备选测量位置确定为最终的目标测量位置。After that, the candidate elasticity measurement result of the candidate measurement area is obtained according to the elasticity measurement value in each candidate measurement area. For example, the elasticity measurement values corresponding to all the pixels in each candidate measurement area can be obtained, and the statistical results such as the average, minimum, maximum, quartile or standard deviation of the elasticity measurement values can be calculated as the backup Select the candidate elasticity measurement results in the measurement area, and determine the candidate measurement position corresponding to the candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition as the final target measurement position.

其中，满足预设条件的备选弹性测量结果可以是所有备选弹性测量结果中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数等。此处的预设条件可以与选择备选测量位置时所使用的条件相一致，例如，当备选测量位置是子区域内弹性测值最大的一个像素点时，则将所有备选弹性测量结果中的极大值所对应的备选测量位置确定为最终的目标测量位置，从而使最终选定的目标测量位置位于***外腺区域内测值最大的区域。Among them, the candidate elasticity measurement results that meet the preset condition may be the maximum value, the minimum value, the median value, the quantile of the maximum value, or the multiple of the minimum value among all the candidate elasticity measurement results. The preset conditions here can be consistent with the conditions used when selecting the alternative measurement positions. For example, when the alternative measurement position is a pixel with the largest elasticity measurement value in the sub-region, then all alternative elasticity measurement results The candidate measurement position corresponding to the maximum value in is determined as the final target measurement position, so that the finally selected target measurement position is located in the area with the largest measured value in the outer gland area of the prostate.

在另一实施例中，可以采用如下方式确定目标测量位置：以***外腺区域内的每个像素点为基准生成备选测量区域，并根据备选测量区域内的弹性测值确定与每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果，从所述每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果，并将满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果对应的像素点作为至少一个目标测量位置。其中，满足预设条件的备选测量结果包括但不限于所有备选弹性测量结果中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数等。In another embodiment, the target measurement position can be determined in the following way: generate candidate measurement areas based on each pixel point in the outer gland area of the prostate, and determine the corresponding measurement area according to the elasticity measurement value in the candidate measurement area. The candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to the candidate measurement area is determined, from the candidate elasticity measurement results corresponding to each candidate measurement area, at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies the preset condition is determined, and the one that satisfies the preset condition is determined The pixel point corresponding to the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result is used as the at least one target measurement position. Among them, the candidate measurement results that meet the preset conditions include, but are not limited to, the maximum value, the minimum value, the median value, the quantile of the maximum value, or the multiple of the minimum value in all the candidate elasticity measurement results.

除此之外，还可以采用如下方式确定目标测量位置：首先将***外腺区域划分为至少两个子区域，以每个子区域内的每个像素点为基准生成对应的备选测量区域，并根据备选测量区域的弹性测值确定与每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；根据每个子区域的每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；从满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果中确定至少一个目标弹性测量结果；将所述至少一个目标弹性测量结果对应的像素点作为至少一个目标测量位置。例如，在每一个子区域内，以每个像素点作为备选测量区域的圆心，计算对其周围一定半径的圆形区域内的所有像素点对应的弹性测值的平均值，即为与该作为圆心的像素点对应的备选测量结果。之后，比较每个子区域中每个像素点所对应的备选弹性测量结果，将满足预设条件的备选测量结果所对应的像素点确定为该子区域中的备选测量位置。最后，在多个备选测量位置中选择最终的目标测量位置。In addition, the following method can also be used to determine the target measurement position: firstly divide the extra-prostatic gland area into at least two sub-areas, and generate corresponding candidate measurement areas based on each pixel in each sub-area, and based on The elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area determines the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area; according to the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area of each sub-region, at least one that satisfies the preset condition is determined Candidate elasticity measurement result; determine at least one target elasticity measurement result from at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets a preset condition; use a pixel point corresponding to the at least one target elasticity measurement result as the at least one target measurement position. For example, in each sub-area, take each pixel as the center of the candidate measurement area, and calculate the average value of the elasticity measurement values corresponding to all the pixels in a circular area with a certain radius around it. The candidate measurement result corresponding to the pixel as the center of the circle. After that, the candidate elasticity measurement results corresponding to each pixel point in each sub-region are compared, and the pixel points corresponding to the candidate measurement results that meet the preset conditions are determined as the candidate measurement positions in the sub-region. Finally, the final target measurement position is selected among multiple candidate measurement positions.

与上文参照图6所描述的方法相比，以上两个方案对每个像素点周围的区域均进行了统计，因而能够得到绝对结果，尤其适用于对测量精度要求较高的场景。Compared with the method described above with reference to FIG. 6, the above two schemes have performed statistics on the area around each pixel point, so that absolute results can be obtained, which is especially suitable for scenes that require high measurement accuracy.

本申请实施例所提供的确定目标测量位置的第三种方案包括：获取***外腺区域内的每个像素点所对应的弹性测值；从所述每个像素点所对应的弹性测值中确定满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值；将满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值所对应的像素点作为至少一个目标测量位置。也就是说，本方案仅根据单点的弹性测值选择目标测量位置，而无需划分区域，也不需要计算备选测量结果，因而计算量较小，计算速度较快。The third solution for determining the target measurement position provided by the embodiment of the present application includes: obtaining the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point in the extra-prostatic gland area; from the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point At least one elasticity measurement value that meets the preset requirement is determined; the pixel point corresponding to the at least one elasticity measurement value that meets the preset requirement is used as the at least one target measurement position. That is to say, this solution only selects the target measurement position based on the elastic measurement value of a single point, without dividing the area, nor calculating the candidate measurement results, so the calculation amount is small and the calculation speed is faster.

其中，可以将***的外腺区域内每个像素点所代表的弹性测值从大到小进行排列，并将其中满足预设要求的弹性测值所对应的一个或多个像素点确定为目标测量位置。示例性地，满足预设要求的弹性测值包括但不限于所有像素点所对应的弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位(例如极大值的75％)或极小值的倍数(例如极小值的2倍)等。Among them, the elasticity measurement value represented by each pixel in the outer gland area of the prostate can be arranged from large to small, and one or more pixels corresponding to the elasticity measurement value that meets the preset requirements can be determined as the target Measuring position. Exemplarily, the elasticity measurement values that meet the preset requirements include, but are not limited to, the maximum, minimum, median, and maximum quantiles of the elastic measurement values corresponding to all pixels (for example, the maximum value 75%) or a multiple of the minimum value (for example, 2 times the minimum value), etc.

例如，当希望对病灶区域进行弹性测量时，可以将弹性测值中的极大值所对应的像素点作为目标测量位置，但由于本方案基于单点测值选择目标测量位置，有时会出现特异值，例如绝大多数弹性测值都在一定范围内，而少部分数值远超绝大多数弹性测值，这部分弹性测值可能是不准确的或者不具备参考价值的。因此，在希望对病灶区域进行弹性测量时，也可以将弹性测值中的极大值的75％左右所对应的像素点作为目标测量位置，该位置可以排除特异值的影响，更能体现最终的目标测量位置。For example, when you want to measure the elasticity of the lesion area, you can use the pixel point corresponding to the maximum value in the elasticity measurement value as the target measurement position. However, because this solution selects the target measurement position based on the single-point measurement value, it may sometimes be specific For example, most of the measured values of elasticity are within a certain range, and a small part of the values far exceed most of the measured values of elasticity. This part of the measured values of elasticity may be inaccurate or have no reference value. Therefore, when you want to measure the elasticity of the lesion area, you can also use the pixel point corresponding to about 75% of the maximum value in the elasticity measurement value as the target measurement position. This position can exclude the influence of the specific value and better reflect the final The target measurement position.

在一个实施例中，处理器可以首先根据***外腺区域的弹性测值排除异常测量点，并根据排除异常测量点之后***外腺区域的弹性测值在***外腺区域确定目标测量位置。示例性地，异常测量点可以是弹性测值高于某一预设阈值或低于某一预设阈值的测量点。由此，可以避免异常测量点对确定目标测量位置造成的干扰。In one embodiment, the processor may first exclude abnormal measurement points according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area, and determine the target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area after the abnormal measurement point is excluded. Exemplarily, the abnormal measurement point may be a measurement point whose elasticity measurement value is higher than a certain preset threshold or lower than a certain preset threshold. As a result, interference caused by abnormal measurement points on determining the target measurement position can be avoided.

在步骤S270，处理器以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域内的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果。In step S270, the processor generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value in the at least one target measurement area.

具体地，处理器可以将选定的每个目标测量位置周围一定区域确定为最终的目标测量区域，并计算最终的目标测量区域内的弹性测值的统计结果，以得到最终的弹性测量结果。其中，目标测量位置可以是目标测量区域的中心。目标测量区域的形状包括但不限于圆形、椭圆形、正方形、长方形或四角星形，其形状和面积可以由超声成像***预先设定，也可以由用户自行选择。Specifically, the processor may determine a certain area around each selected target measurement position as the final target measurement area, and calculate the final elastic measurement result in the target measurement area to obtain the final elastic measurement result. Among them, the target measurement position may be the center of the target measurement area. The shape of the target measurement area includes, but is not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, or a four-pointed star. The shape and area can be preset by the ultrasound imaging system, or can be selected by the user.

示例性地，当采用分区的方式选择目标测量位置时，最终的目标测量区域的形状和面积可以与每个分区中的备选测量区域一致，则此时可以直接将最终的目标测量位置所对应的备选弹性测量结果作为最终的弹性测量结果。最终的目标测量区域的形状和面积也可以不同于备选测量区域，例如当备选测量区域是圆形时，最终的目标测量区域可以是不同大小的正方形、矩形等，则此时可以重新计算最终测量结果。Exemplarily, when the target measurement location is selected in a partitioned manner, the shape and area of the final target measurement area can be consistent with the candidate measurement areas in each partition, and then the final target measurement location can be directly corresponded The alternative elasticity measurement result is used as the final elasticity measurement result. The shape and area of the final target measurement area can also be different from the candidate measurement area. For example, when the candidate measurement area is a circle, the final target measurement area can be a square, rectangle, etc. of different sizes, and it can be recalculated at this time. Final measurement result.

在一个实施例中，在确定目标测量位置以后，可以显示目标测量位置所在的位置，并由用户选择是否采用该目标测量位置。可选地，也可以在确定目标测量位置以后，由用户选择是否采用该测量区域。具体地，基于该目标测量位置生成至少一个目标测量区域，显示至少一个目标测量区域，例如显示以该目标测量位置为圆心的圆形测量框，接收用户对至少一个目标测量区域的确认指令，以确定至少一个选定的目标测量区域；根据至少一个选定的目标测量区域内的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果。当然，也可以跳过用户选择的步骤，直接基于选定的目标测量位置生成目标测量区域并获得弹性测量结果。In one embodiment, after the target measurement location is determined, the location of the target measurement location may be displayed, and the user can choose whether to adopt the target measurement location. Optionally, after the target measurement location is determined, the user can choose whether to use the measurement area. Specifically, at least one target measurement area is generated based on the target measurement position, at least one target measurement area is displayed, for example, a circular measurement frame centered on the target measurement position is displayed, and a user's confirmation instruction for the at least one target measurement area is received to At least one selected target measurement area is determined; the elasticity measurement result is obtained according to the elasticity measurement value in the at least one selected target measurement area. Of course, it is also possible to skip the step of user selection and directly generate the target measurement area based on the selected target measurement position and obtain the elasticity measurement result.

最后，在步骤S280中，处理器控制显示器显示步骤S270中获得的弹性测量结果。Finally, in step S280, the processor controls the display to display the elasticity measurement result obtained in step S270.

参照上文的描述可知，目标测量位置的数目可以为一个，也可以为多个。当只有一个目标测量位置时，可以直接输出对应的弹性测量结果。而当目标测量位置为多个时，弹性测量结果的输出方式包括但不限于以下几种：With reference to the above description, it can be known that the number of target measurement positions may be one or multiple. When there is only one target measurement position, the corresponding elasticity measurement result can be directly output. When there are multiple target measurement positions, the output methods of elasticity measurement results include but are not limited to the following:

作为第一种方式，可以获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得。之后，分别显示所述多个弹性测量结果，由此，无需手动测量即可一次获得多个测量区域的测量结果，节省了操作时间。As a first way, multiple elasticity measurement results can be obtained, wherein each elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position. After that, the multiple elasticity measurement results are displayed respectively, so that the measurement results of multiple measurement areas can be obtained at one time without manual measurement, which saves operation time.

作为第二种方式，可以获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；对多个所述弹性测量结果进行统计运算，以获得统计结果，例如对多个弹性测量结果求平均值或中值等，最终显示所求得的统计结果，该统计结果可能不同于每个单独的测量结果。As a second way, a plurality of elasticity measurement results can be obtained, wherein each elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position; statistical calculation is performed on the plurality of elasticity measurement results To obtain statistical results, such as averaging or median of multiple elasticity measurement results, and finally display the obtained statistical results, which may be different from each individual measurement result.

作为第三种方式，可以获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；对多个目标测量位置所对应的弹性测量结果进行比较，以在其中确定最终测量结果并进行显示、该最终测量结果例如为多个弹性测量结果中的最大值、最小值或中值等。除此之外，以上三种方式也可以相互结合，例如同时显示每个测量结果、统计结果和最终测量结果。As a third way, multiple elasticity measurement results can be obtained, wherein each elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position; the elasticity measurement corresponding to the multiple target measurement positions The results are compared to determine and display the final measurement result. The final measurement result is, for example, the maximum, minimum, or median of a plurality of elasticity measurement results. In addition, the above three methods can also be combined with each other, such as displaying each measurement result, statistical result, and final measurement result at the same time.

基于以上描述，本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法200基于B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并自动选择在***外腺区域内选择目标测量位置，基于选定的目标测量位置生成测量区域并获得弹性测量结果，从而解决了在进行***弹性测量时难以确定测量区域的问题，且无需用户手动选择测量区域，节省了操作时间。Based on the above description, the prostate elasticity measurement method 200 of the embodiment of the present application determines the external prostate area based on the B-mode ultrasound image, and automatically selects the target measurement location in the external prostate area, generates the measurement area based on the selected target measurement location and The elasticity measurement result is obtained, thereby solving the problem that the measurement area is difficult to determine when the prostate elasticity measurement is performed, and the user does not need to manually select the measurement area, saving operation time.

本申请实施例还提供了一种超声成像***，参照图7，该超声成像***700包括超声探头710、处理器720和显示设备730，处理器720可以控制超声探头710和显示设备实现上述***弹性测量方法200。该超声成像***700可以包括参照图1描述的超声成像***100中的部分或全部部件，各个部件的相关描述可以参照上文。以下仅对超声成像***700的主要功能进行描述，而省略以上已经描述过的细节内容。The embodiment of the present application also provides an ultrasound imaging system. Referring to FIG. 7, the ultrasound imaging system 700 includes an ultrasound probe 710, a processor 720, and a display device 730. The processor 720 can control the ultrasound probe 710 and the display device to achieve the above-mentioned prostate elasticity. Method of measurement 200. The ultrasound imaging system 700 may include part or all of the components in the ultrasound imaging system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, and the relevant description of each component may refer to the above. In the following, only the main functions of the ultrasound imaging system 700 are described, and the details that have been described above are omitted.

具体地，处理器720用于控制所述超声探头710向被测对象的***部位发射第一超声波，接收所述第一超声波的超声回波以获得第一超声回波信号；所述处理器720对所述第一超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的B型超声图像；处理器720还用于控制所述超声探头710向所述***部位发射第二超声波，以追踪在所述***部位传播的剪切波，接收所述第二超声波的超声回波以获得第二超声回波信号；所述处理器720对所述第二超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的剪切波弹性图像；所述处理器720根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述剪切波弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；所述处理器720根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置；所述处理器720以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；所述处理器720还用于控制所述显示设备730显示所述弹性测量结果。Specifically, the processor 720 is configured to control the ultrasonic probe 710 to transmit a first ultrasonic wave to the prostate of the subject, and receive the ultrasonic echo of the first ultrasonic wave to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal; the processor 720 Perform signal processing on the first ultrasound echo signal to obtain a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate; the processor 720 is also used to control the ultrasound probe 710 to transmit a second ultrasound to the prostate to track the The shear wave propagated in the prostate part receives the ultrasonic echo of the second ultrasound to obtain a second ultrasonic echo signal; the processor 720 performs signal processing on the second ultrasonic echo signal to obtain the Shear wave elasticity image; the processor 720 determines the area of the outer prostate gland based on the B-mode ultrasound image, and determines the elasticity measurement value of the area of the outer prostate gland based on the shear wave elasticity image; the processor 720 Determine at least one target measurement position in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area; the processor 720 generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and according to the measured value The elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area obtains an elasticity measurement result; the processor 720 is further configured to control the display device 730 to display the elasticity measurement result.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置，包括：将所述***外腺区域划分为至少两个子区域；根据所述至少两个子区域的弹性测值确定每个子区域对应的备选测量位置；以所述每个子区域对应的备选测量位置为基准生成每个备选测量位置对应的备选测量区域，根据所述每个备选测量位置对应的备选测量区域的弹性测值获得每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；从所述每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；将所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果对应的备选测量位置确定为所述至少一个目标测量位置。In one embodiment, the determining at least one target measurement position in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area includes: dividing the extraprostatic gland area into at least two sub-areas; Determine the candidate measurement location corresponding to each subregion according to the elasticity measurement values of the at least two subregions; generate a candidate measurement region corresponding to each candidate measurement location based on the candidate measurement location corresponding to each subregion, Obtain the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area according to the elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area corresponding to each candidate measurement location; and obtain the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area Determine at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets a preset condition in the above; determine the candidate measurement position corresponding to the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition as the at least one target measurement position.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述至少两个子区域的弹性测值确定每个子区域对应的备选测量位置，包括：获取每个子区域中各个像素点所对应的弹性测值；将每个子区域中满足预设条件的弹性测值所对应的像素点作为所述每个子区域对应的备选测量位置，所述满足预设条件的弹性测值包括：所述子区域中所有像素点所对应的弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。In one embodiment, the determining the candidate measurement position corresponding to each sub-region according to the elasticity measurement values of the at least two sub-regions includes: obtaining the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point in each sub-region; The pixel points corresponding to the elasticity measurement values that meet the preset conditions in the area are used as candidate measurement positions corresponding to each sub-region, and the elasticity measurement values that meet the preset conditions include: all the pixels in the sub-region correspond to The maximum value, minimum value, median value, quantile of the maximum value, or multiple of the minimum value in the elasticity measurement value.

在一个实施例中，所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果包括：所述备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。In an embodiment, the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies the preset condition includes: a maximum value, a minimum value, a median value, and a maximum value in the candidate elasticity measurement results corresponding to the candidate measurement area. The quantile of the value or the multiple of the minimum value.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置，包括：以所述***外腺区域内的每个像素点为基准生成对应的备选测量区域，并根据所述备选测量区域的弹性测值确定与每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；从所述每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；将所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果对应的像素点作为所述至少一个目标测量位置。In an embodiment, the determining at least one target measurement position in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area includes: taking each pixel point in the extraprostatic gland area as The benchmark generates the corresponding candidate measurement area, and determines the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area according to the elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area; from the candidate measurement area corresponding to each candidate measurement area Determine at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies a preset condition from the elasticity measurement result; use a pixel point corresponding to the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies the preset condition as the at least one target measurement position.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置，包括：将所述***外腺区域划分为至少两个子区域；以每个子区域内的每个像素点为基准生成对应的备选测量区域，并根据所述备选测量区域的弹性测值确定与每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；根据每个子区域的每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；从所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果中确定至少一个目标弹性测量结果；将所述至少一个目标弹性测量结果对应的像素点作为所述至少一个目标测量位置。In one embodiment, the determining at least one target measurement position in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area includes: dividing the extraprostatic gland area into at least two sub-areas; A corresponding candidate measurement area is generated based on each pixel point in each sub-region, and the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area is determined according to the elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area; The candidate elasticity measurement results corresponding to each candidate measurement area of the sub-regions determine at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition; at least one target is determined from the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition Elasticity measurement result; the pixel point corresponding to the at least one target elasticity measurement result is used as the at least one target measurement position.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量中心，包括：获取所述***外腺区域内的每个像素点所对应的弹性测值；从所述每个像素点所对应的弹性测值中确定满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值；将所述满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值所对应的像素点作为所述至少一个目标测量位置。In one embodiment, the determining at least one target measurement center in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area includes: obtaining the location of each pixel in the extraprostatic gland area A corresponding elasticity measurement value; determine at least one elasticity measurement value that meets a preset requirement from the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point; As the at least one target measurement position.

在一个实施例中，所述满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值包括：所述像素点所对应的弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。In an embodiment, the at least one elasticity measurement value that meets the preset requirement includes: quantiles of the maximum value, the minimum value, the median value, and the maximum value among the elasticity measurement values corresponding to the pixel point Or a multiple of the minimum value.

在一个实施例中，当存在多个所述目标测量位置时，所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果包括：获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；所述显示所述弹性测量结果包括：显示所述多个弹性测量结果。In an embodiment, when there are multiple target measurement positions, the obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area includes: obtaining a plurality of elasticity measurement results, wherein each of the The elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position; the displaying the elasticity measurement result includes: displaying the multiple elasticity measurement results.

在一个实施例中，当存在多个所述目标测量位置时，所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果包括：获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；对所述多个弹性测量结果进行统计运算，以获得统计结果；所述显示所述弹性测量结果包括：显示所述统计结果。In an embodiment, when there are multiple target measurement positions, the obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area includes: obtaining a plurality of elasticity measurement results, wherein each of the The elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position; statistical calculation is performed on the multiple elasticity measurement results to obtain the statistical result; the displaying the elasticity measurement result includes: displaying the statistics result.

在一个实施例中，当存在多个所述目标测量位置时，所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果包括：获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；对所述多个弹性测量结果进行比较，以在所述多个弹性测量结果中确定最终测量结果；所述显示所述弹性测量结果包括：显示所述最终测量结果。In an embodiment, when there are multiple target measurement positions, the obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area includes: obtaining a plurality of elasticity measurement results, wherein each of the The elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position; the multiple elasticity measurement results are compared to determine the final measurement result among the multiple elasticity measurement results; the display The elasticity measurement result includes: displaying the final measurement result.

在一个实施例中，所述弹性测值包括剪切波速度、剪切模量和杨氏模量中的至少一项。In one embodiment, the measured elasticity value includes at least one of shear wave velocity, shear modulus, and Young's modulus.

在一个实施例中，所述弹性测量结果包括所述测量区域的弹性测值的平均值、最小值、最大值、四分位值和标准差中的至少一项。In one embodiment, the elasticity measurement result includes at least one of the average value, minimum value, maximum value, quartile value, and standard deviation of the elasticity measurement value of the measurement area.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，包括：在得到所述剪切波弹性图像之后，根据所述B型超声图像确定所述前列腺外腺区域。In one embodiment, the determining the extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image includes: after obtaining the shear wave elastic image, determining the extra-prostate gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image.

在一个实施例中，在生成所述至少一个目标测量区域后，处理器720还用于控制显示设备730显示所述至少一个目标测量区域；所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果，包括：接收用户对所述至少一个目标测量区域的确认指令，以确定至少一个选定的目标测量区域；根据所述至少一个选定的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得所述弹性测量结果。In one embodiment, after generating the at least one target measurement area, the processor 720 is further configured to control the display device 730 to display the at least one target measurement area; the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area is Obtaining the elasticity measurement result includes: receiving a user's confirmation instruction for the at least one target measurement area to determine at least one selected target measurement area; obtaining the elasticity measurement value of the at least one selected target measurement area Elasticity measurement results.

在一个实施例中，所述目标测量位置为所述目标测量区域的中心。In an embodiment, the target measurement position is the center of the target measurement area.

在一个实施例中，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置包括：根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值排除所述***外腺区域的异常测量点；根据排除所述异常测量点之后所述***外腺区域的弹性测值确定所述目标测量位置。In one embodiment, the determining at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area includes: excluding the prostate according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area An abnormal measurement point in the outer gland area; the target measurement position is determined according to the elasticity measurement value of the outer gland area of the prostate after the abnormal measurement point is excluded.

基于以上描述，本申请实施例的超声成像***基于B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并自动选择在***外腺区域选择目标测量位置，以选定的目标测量位置为基准生成测量区域并获得弹性测量结果，从而解决了在进行***弹性测量时难以确定测量区域的问题，且无需用户手动选择测量区域，节省了操作时间。Based on the above description, the ultrasound imaging system of the embodiment of the present application determines the extra-prostatic gland area based on the B-mode ultrasound image, and automatically selects the target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area, generates the measurement area based on the selected target measurement position, and obtains The elasticity measurement result solves the problem that the measurement area is difficult to be determined when the prostate elasticity measurement is performed, and the user does not need to manually select the measurement area, which saves operation time.

下面，将参考图8描述根据本申请另一个实施例的***弹性测量方法，所述***弹性测量方法应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***至少包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备。图8是本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法800的一个示意性流程图。如图8所示，***弹性测量方法800包括如下步骤：Hereinafter, a method for measuring prostate elasticity according to another embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 8. The method for measuring prostate elasticity is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, and the ultrasound imaging system at least includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device. FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a method 800 for measuring prostate elasticity according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, a method 800 for measuring prostate elasticity includes the following steps:

在步骤S810，控制所述超声探头对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的超声图像和弹性图像；In step S810, control the ultrasound probe to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain ultrasound images and elastic images of the prostate of the subject;

在步骤S820，所述处理器根据所述超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；In step S820, the processor determines the extra-prostatic gland area according to the ultrasound image, and determines the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area based on the elastic image;

在步骤S830，所述处理器根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置；In step S830, the processor determines at least one target measurement position in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area;

在步骤S840，所述处理器以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；In step S840, the processor generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area;

在步骤S850，控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。In step S850, the display device is controlled to display the elasticity measurement result.

根据本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法800与上文所述的***弹性测量方法200大体上类似，二者的不同之处主要在于***弹性测量方法800不限定弹性图像和超声图像的获取方式。例如，步骤S810中获取的弹性图像和超声图像可以是采用上文所述的扫描方式实时采集的，也可以是从存储介质中提取的已保存的图像。The prostate elasticity measurement method 800 according to the embodiment of the present application is substantially similar to the prostate elasticity measurement method 200 described above, and the difference between the two is mainly that the prostate elasticity measurement method 800 does not limit the acquisition methods of the elasticity image and the ultrasound image. For example, the elastic image and the ultrasound image acquired in step S810 may be acquired in real time using the scanning method described above, or may be saved images extracted from a storage medium.

并且，在***弹性测量方法800中，步骤S810中获取的弹性图像不仅包括上文所述的剪切波弹性图像，也包括应变弹性图像。剪切波弹性图像的实现方式可参考前述描述内容进行理解；对于应变弹性图像，其通过压力弹性成像实现，具体方式主要是通过手持超声探头对目标组织施加压力，获取目标组织被压缩前后两帧超声回波信息，再通过特定的算法计算出压缩前后对应位置发生的位移，即为目标组织在两个不同时刻空间位置变化信息，通过对位移求轴向梯度，进而得到目标组织区域各点的应变值，根据目标组织区域各点的应变值以图像形式表现出来，即应变弹性图像。应变弹性图像可直观反映不同组织间的软硬差别或弹性差别，在相同外力压缩下，应变越大，表示组织越软，应变越小，则表示组织越硬。Moreover, in the prostate elasticity measurement method 800, the elasticity image acquired in step S810 includes not only the shear wave elasticity image described above, but also the strain elasticity image. The implementation of shear wave elastic images can be understood with reference to the foregoing description; for strain elastic images, it is achieved through pressure elastic imaging, and the specific method is mainly to apply pressure to the target tissue through a handheld ultrasound probe to obtain two frames before and after the target tissue is compressed. Ultrasonic echo information, and then use a specific algorithm to calculate the displacement of the corresponding position before and after compression, that is, the spatial position change information of the target tissue at two different moments. By calculating the axial gradient of the displacement, the displacement of each point in the target tissue area is obtained. The strain value is expressed in the form of an image according to the strain value of each point in the target tissue area, that is, the strain elasticity image. The strain elastic image can directly reflect the difference in softness or elasticity between different tissues. Under the same external force compression, the greater the strain, the softer the tissue, and the smaller the strain, the harder the tissue.

另外，步骤S810中获取的超声图像不仅包括上文所述的B型超声图像，也可包括C型超声图像、三维超声图像或者其他能够看到***外腺结构的图像。因此，步骤S820中根据超声图像确定***外腺区域也不仅包括上文所述的根据B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，还可以基于C型超声图像、三维超声图像或者其他能够看到***外腺结构的图像确定***外腺区域，具体方法可参考前述基于B型超声图像的图像识别或分割算法进行理解，此处不再赘言。In addition, the ultrasound image acquired in step S810 includes not only the B-mode ultrasound image described above, but also a C-mode ultrasound image, a three-dimensional ultrasound image, or other images that can see the structure of the glands outside the prostate. Therefore, determining the extra-prostatic gland area based on the ultrasound image in step S820 not only includes determining the extra-prostatic gland area based on the B-mode ultrasound image described above, but also based on the C-mode ultrasound image, three-dimensional ultrasound image, or other types that can see the extra-prostate gland area. The image of the gland structure determines the gland area outside the prostate. The specific method can be understood by referring to the aforementioned image recognition or segmentation algorithm based on B-mode ultrasound images, which will not be repeated here.

除此之外，步骤S820至步骤S850与***弹性测量方法200中的步骤S230至步骤S260大体上类似，具体可以参阅上文中的相关描述，为了简洁，此处不再赘述相同的细节内容。In addition, steps S820 to S850 are substantially similar to steps S230 to S260 in the prostate elasticity measurement method 200. For details, please refer to the relevant description above. For brevity, the same details will not be repeated here.

本申请实施例还提供了一种超声成像***，该超声成像***可以用于实现上述***弹性测量方法800。继续参照图7，该超声成像***700可以包括超声探头710、处理器720和显示设备730。除此之外，超声成像***700也可以包括如上文所述的超声成像***100中的超声探头、发射电路、接收电路、发射/接收选择开关和波束合成电路中的部分或全部部件。An embodiment of the present application also provides an ultrasound imaging system, which can be used to implement the prostate elasticity measurement method 800 described above. With continued reference to FIG. 7, the ultrasound imaging system 700 may include an ultrasound probe 710, a processor 720 and a display device 730. In addition, the ultrasonic imaging system 700 may also include part or all of the ultrasonic probe, the transmitting circuit, the receiving circuit, the transmitting/receiving selection switch, and the beam combining circuit in the ultrasonic imaging system 100 as described above.

其中，所述处理器720可以通过软件、硬件、固件或其任意组合来实现，可以使用电路、单个或多个专用集成电路、单个或多个通用集成电路、单个或多个微处理器、单个或多个可编程逻辑器件、或者前述电路和/或器件的任意组合、或者其他适合的电路或器件，并且处理器720可以控制所述超声成像***700中的其它组件以执行期望的功能。Wherein, the processor 720 may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof, and may use a circuit, a single or multiple application-specific integrated circuits, a single or multiple general integrated circuits, a single or multiple microprocessors, and a single Or multiple programmable logic devices, or any combination of the foregoing circuits and/or devices, or other suitable circuits or devices, and the processor 720 may control other components in the ultrasound imaging system 700 to perform desired functions.

具体地，处理器720用于：控制超声探头710对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的超声图像和弹性图像；处理器720根据所述超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；处理器720根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置；处理器720以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；控制所述显示设备730显示所述弹性测量结果。其中，所述弹性图像包括剪切波弹性图像或应变弹性图像；所述超声图像包括B型超声图像、C型超声图像或三维超声图像。Specifically, the processor 720 is configured to: control the ultrasound probe 710 to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain ultrasound images and elastic images of the prostate of the subject; the processor 720 determines the extraprostatic glands according to the ultrasound images Area, and determine the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area based on the elasticity image; the processor 720 determines at least one target measurement position in the extraprostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extraprostatic gland area; processing The device 720 generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, obtains an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area, and controls the display device 730 to display the elasticity measurement result. Wherein, the elastic image includes a shear wave elastic image or a strain elastic image; the ultrasound image includes a B-mode ultrasound image, a C-mode ultrasound image, or a three-dimensional ultrasound image.

基于以上描述，根据本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法800和超声成像***基于超声图像确定***外腺区域，并自动选择在***外腺区域内选择目标测量位置，从而解决了在进行***弹性测量时难以确定测量区域的问题。Based on the above description, the prostate elasticity measurement method 800 and the ultrasound imaging system according to the embodiments of the present application determine the extra-prostatic gland area based on the ultrasound image, and automatically select the target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area, thereby solving the problem of performing prostate elasticity measurement. It is difficult to determine the problem of the measurement area.

下面，将参考图9描述根据本申请另一个实施例的***弹性测量方法，所述***弹性测量方法应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***至少包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备。图9是本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法900的一个示意性流程图。如图9所示，***弹性测量方法900包括如下步骤：Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 9, a method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to another embodiment of the present application will be described. The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate is applied to an ultrasound imaging system that includes at least an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device. FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a method 900 for measuring prostate elasticity according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, a method 900 for measuring prostate elasticity includes the following steps:

在步骤S910，控制所述超声探头对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的超声图像和弹性图像；In step S910, control the ultrasound probe to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain ultrasound images and elastic images of the prostate of the subject;

在步骤S920，所述处理器根据所述超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域内至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值；In step S920, the processor determines the extra-prostatic gland area according to the ultrasound image, and determines the elasticity measurement value corresponding to at least one pixel in the extra-prostatic gland area based on the elastic image;

在步骤S930，所述处理器根据所述至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值确定弹性测值满足预设要求的至少一个目标像素点；In step S930, the processor determines at least one target pixel point whose elasticity measurement value meets a preset requirement according to the elasticity measurement value corresponding to the at least one pixel point;

在步骤S940，所述处理器根据所述至少一个目标像素点生成目标测量区域，根据所述目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；In step S940, the processor generates a target measurement area according to the at least one target pixel point, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area;

在步骤S950，控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。In step S950, the display device is controlled to display the elasticity measurement result.

相比于上文所述的***弹性测量方法200和***弹性测量方法800，本实施例的***弹性测量方法900的不同之处主要在于：在步骤S940，处理器根据至少一个目标像素点生成目标测量区域。也就是说，不限制每个目标像素点对应一个目标测量区域，而是多个目标像素点可以对应一个目标测量区域，目标测量区域可以是包含多个或者全部目标像素点的区域。Compared with the prostate elasticity measurement method 200 and the prostate elasticity measurement method 800 described above, the main difference of the prostate elasticity measurement method 900 in this embodiment is that: in step S940, the processor generates a target according to at least one target pixel. Measurement area. That is, it is not limited that each target pixel point corresponds to a target measurement area, but multiple target pixels may correspond to one target measurement area, and the target measurement area may be an area containing multiple or all target pixels.

此外，在步骤S930中，处理器直接根据***外腺区域至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值确定弹性测值满足预设要求的至少一个目标像素点，即直接根据每个像素点的弹性测值是否满足预设要求来确定是否将该像素点作为目标像素点，而无需根据备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果确定目标像素点。在一个实施例中，弹性测值满足预设要求包括位于第一阈值范围内的弹性测值。示例性地，处理器可以将弹性测值大于预设阈值的像素点均作为目标像素点，目标测量区域可以是由目标像素点构成的区域。In addition, in step S930, the processor directly determines at least one target pixel whose elasticity measurement meets the preset requirements according to the elasticity measurement value corresponding to at least one pixel in the extra-prostatic gland area, that is, directly according to the elasticity measurement value of each pixel. Whether to meet the preset requirements to determine whether to use the pixel as the target pixel, without determining the target pixel according to the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to the candidate measurement area. In one embodiment, the elasticity measurement value meeting the preset requirement includes the elasticity measurement value within the first threshold range. Exemplarily, the processor may use pixel points whose elasticity measurement values are greater than a preset threshold value as the target pixel points, and the target measurement area may be an area formed by the target pixel points.

在另一个实施例中，弹性测值满足预设要求包括：弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。此时，目标测量区域可以是以目标像素点为中心的区域。In another embodiment, the elasticity measurement value meeting the preset requirement includes: the maximum value, the minimum value, the median value, the quantile of the maximum value, or the multiple of the minimum value in the elasticity measurement value. At this time, the target measurement area may be an area centered on the target pixel point.

本申请实施例还提供了一种超声成像***，该超声成像***可以用于实现上述***弹性测量方法900。继续参照图7，该超声成像***700可以包括超声探头710、处理器720和显示设备730。除此之外，超声成像***700也可以包括如上文所述的超声成像***100中的超声探头、发射电路、接收电路、发射/接收选择开关和波束合成电路中的部分或全部部件。The embodiment of the present application also provides an ultrasound imaging system, which can be used to implement the prostate elasticity measurement method 900 described above. With continued reference to FIG. 7, the ultrasound imaging system 700 may include an ultrasound probe 710, a processor 720 and a display device 730. In addition, the ultrasonic imaging system 700 may also include part or all of the ultrasonic probe, the transmitting circuit, the receiving circuit, the transmitting/receiving selection switch, and the beam combining circuit in the ultrasonic imaging system 100 as described above.

具体地，处理器720用于：控制所述超声探头710对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的超声图像和弹性图像；根据所述超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域内至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值；根据所述至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值确定弹性测值满足预设要求的至少一个目标像素点；根据所述至少一个目标像素点生成目标测量区域，根据所述目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；控制所述显示设备730显示所述弹性测量结果。Specifically, the processor 720 is configured to: control the ultrasound probe 710 to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain an ultrasound image and an elastic image of the prostate of the subject; and determine the extra-prostatic gland area based on the ultrasound image , And determine the elasticity measurement value corresponding to at least one pixel point in the extra-prostatic gland region based on the elasticity image; determine at least one target pixel whose elasticity measurement value meets the preset requirement according to the elasticity measurement value corresponding to the at least one pixel point Point; generate a target measurement area according to the at least one target pixel point, obtain an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area; control the display device 730 to display the elasticity measurement result.

基于以上描述，根据本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法900和超声成像***基于超声图像确定***外腺区域，并自动选择在***外腺区域内选择目标像素点，从而解决了在进行***弹性测量时难以确定测量区域的问题。Based on the above description, the prostate elasticity measurement method 900 and the ultrasound imaging system according to the embodiments of the present application determine the extra-prostatic gland area based on the ultrasound image, and automatically select the target pixel points in the extra-prostatic gland area, thereby solving the problem of performing prostate elasticity measurement. It is difficult to determine the problem of the measurement area.

此外，根据本申请实施例，还提供了一种计算机存储介质，在所述计算机存储介质上存储了程序指令，在所述程序指令被计算机或处理器运行时用于执行本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法200、***弹性测量方法800或***弹性测量方法900的相应步骤。所述存储介质例如可以包括智能电话的存储卡、平板电脑的存储部件、个人计算机的硬盘、只读存储器(ROM)、可擦除可编程只读存储器(EPROM)、便携式紧致盘只读存储器(CD-ROM)、USB存储器、或者上述存储介质的任意组合。所述计算机可读存储介质可以是一个或多个计算机可读存储介质的任意组合。In addition, according to an embodiment of the present application, a computer storage medium is also provided, and program instructions are stored on the computer storage medium. The corresponding steps of the elasticity measurement method 200, the prostate elasticity measurement method 800, or the prostate elasticity measurement method 900. The storage medium may include, for example, a memory card of a smart phone, a storage component of a tablet computer, a hard disk of a personal computer, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), USB memory, or any combination of the above storage media. The computer-readable storage medium may be any combination of one or more computer-readable storage media.

此外，根据本申请实施例，还提供了一种计算机程序，该计算机程序可以存储在云端或本地的存储介质上。在该计算机程序被计算机或处理器运行时用于执行本申请实施例的***弹性测量方法的相应步骤。In addition, according to an embodiment of the present application, a computer program is also provided, and the computer program can be stored in a cloud or a local storage medium. When the computer program is run by a computer or a processor, it is used to execute the corresponding steps of the prostate elasticity measurement method in the embodiment of the present application.

尽管这里已经参考附图描述了示例实施例，应理解上述示例实施例仅仅是示例性的，并且不意图将本申请的范围限制于此。本领域普通技术人员可以在其中进行各种改变和修改，而不偏离本申请的范围和精神。所有这些改变和修改意在被包括在所附权利要求所要求的本申请的范围之内。Although the exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above-described exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes and modifications therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. All these changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application as required by the appended claims.

本领域普通技术人员可以意识到，结合本文中所公开的实施例描述的各示例的单元及算法步骤，能够以电子硬件、或者计算机软件和电子硬件的结合来实现。这些功能究竟以硬件还是软件方式来执行，取决于技术方案的特定应用和设计约束条件。专业技术人员可以对每个特定的应用来使用不同方法来实现所描述的功能，但是这种实现不应认为超出本申请的范围。A person of ordinary skill in the art may realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraint conditions of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

在本申请所提供的几个实施例中，应该理解到，所揭露的设备和方法，可以通过其它的方式实现。例如，以上所描述的设备实施例仅仅是示意性的，例如，所述单元的划分，仅仅为一种逻辑功能划分，实际实现时可以有另外的划分方式，例如多个单元或组件可以结合或者可以集成到另一个设备，或一些特征可以忽略，或不执行。In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed device and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other divisions in actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or It can be integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not implemented.

在此处所提供的说明书中，说明了大量具体细节。然而，能够理解，本申请的实施例可以在没有这些具体细节的情况下实践。在一些实例中，并未详细示出公知的方法、结构和技术，以便不模糊对本说明书的理解。In the instructions provided here, a lot of specific details are explained. However, it can be understood that the embodiments of the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and technologies are not shown in detail, so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

类似地，应当理解，为了精简本申请并帮助理解各个发明方面中的一个或多个，在对本申请的示例性实施例的描述中，本申请的各个特征有时被一起分组到单个实施例、图、或者对其的描述中。然而，并不应将该本申请的方法解释成反映如下意图：即所要求保护的本申请要求比在每个权利要求中所明确记载的特征更多的特征。更确切地说，如相应的权利要求书所反映的那样，其发明点在于可以用少于某个公开的单个实施例的所有特征的特征来解决相应的技术问题。因此，遵循具体实施方式的权利要求书由此明确地并入该具体实施方式，其中每个权利要求本身都作为本申请的单独实施例。Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to simplify this application and help understand one or more of the various aspects of the invention, in the description of the exemplary embodiments of this application, the various features of this application are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment or figure. , Or in its description. However, the method of this application should not be interpreted as reflecting the intention that the claimed application requires more features than the features explicitly recorded in each claim. More precisely, as reflected in the corresponding claims, the point of the invention is that the corresponding technical problems can be solved with features that are less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the specific embodiment are thus explicitly incorporated into the specific embodiment, wherein each claim itself serves as a separate embodiment of the application.

本领域的技术人员可以理解，除了特征之间相互排斥之外，可以采用任何组合对本说明书(包括伴随的权利要求、摘要和附图)中公开的所有特征以及如此公开的任何方法或者设备的所有过程或单元进行组合。除非另外明确陈述，本说明书(包括伴随的权利要求、摘要和附图)中公开的每个特征可以由提供相同、等同或相似目的的替代特征来代替。Those skilled in the art can understand that in addition to mutual exclusion between the features, any combination of all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and any method or device disclosed in this manner can be used. Processes or units are combined. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature providing the same, equivalent or similar purpose.

此外，本领域的技术人员能够理解，尽管在此所述的一些实施例包括其它实施例中所包括的某些特征而不是其它特征，但是不同实施例的特征的组合意味着处于本申请的范围之内并且形成不同的实施例。例如，在权利要求书中，所要求保护的实施例的任意之一都可以以任意的组合方式来使用。In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not other features, the combination of features of different embodiments means that they are within the scope of the present application. Within and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any one of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

本申请的各个部件实施例可以以硬件实现，或者以在一个或者多个处理器上运行的软件模块实现，或者以它们的组合实现。本领域的技术人员应当理解，可以在实践中使用微处理器或者数字信号处理器(DSP)来实现根据本申请实施例的一些模块的一些或者全部功能。本申请还可以实现为用于执行这里所描述的方法的一部分或者全部的装置程序(例如，计算机程序和计算机程序产品)。这样的实现本申请的程序可以存储在计算机可读介质上，或者可以具有一个或者多个信号的形式。这样的信号可以从因特网网站上下载得到，或者在载体信号上提供，或者以任何其他形式提供。The various component embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, or by software modules running on one or more processors, or by a combination of them. Those skilled in the art should understand that a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP) may be used in practice to implement some or all of the functions of some modules according to the embodiments of the present application. This application can also be implemented as a device program (for example, a computer program and a computer program product) for executing part or all of the methods described herein. Such a program for implementing the present application may be stored on a computer-readable medium, or may 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.

应该注意的是上述实施例对本申请进行说明而不是对本申请进行限制，并且本领域技术人员在不脱离所附权利要求的范围的情况下可设计出替换实施例。在权利要求中，不应将位于括号之间的任何参考符号构造成对权利要求的限制。本申请可以借助于包括有若干不同元件的硬件以及借助于适当编程的计算机来实现。在列举了若干装置的单元权利要求中，这些装置中的若干个可以是通过同一个硬件项来具体体现。单词第一、第二、以及第三等的使用不表示任何顺序。可将这些单词解释为名称。It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the application, and those skilled in the art can design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses should not be constructed as a limitation to the claims. The application can be realized by means of hardware including several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims listing several devices, several of these devices may be embodied in the same hardware item. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc. do not indicate any order. These words can be interpreted as names.

以上所述，仅为本申请的具体实施方式或对具体实施方式的说明，本申请的保护范围并不局限于此，任何熟悉本技术领域的技术人员在本申请揭露的技术范围内，可轻易想到变化或替换，都应涵盖在本申请的保护范围之内。本申请的保护范围应以权利要求的保护范围为准。The above are only specific implementations of this application or descriptions of specific implementations. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to this. Anyone familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed in this application can easily Any change or replacement should be covered in the scope of protection of this application. The protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

一种***弹性测量方法，应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，其特征在于，所述方法包括：A method for measuring prostate elasticity is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and is characterized in that the method includes:

控制所述超声探头向被测对象的***部位发射第一超声波，接收所述第一超声波的超声回波以获得第一超声回波信号；Controlling the ultrasonic probe to transmit a first ultrasonic wave to the prostate of the subject, and receiving the ultrasonic echo of the first ultrasonic wave to obtain a first ultrasonic echo signal;

所述处理器对所述第一超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的B型超声图像；The processor performs signal processing on the first ultrasound echo signal to obtain a B-mode ultrasound image of the prostate;

控制所述超声探头向所述***部位发射第二超声波，以追踪在所述***部位传播的剪切波，接收所述第二超声波的超声回波以获得第二超声回波信号；Controlling the ultrasound probe to transmit a second ultrasound to the prostate to track the shear wave propagating in the prostate, and receiving the ultrasound echo of the second ultrasound to obtain a second ultrasound echo signal;

所述处理器对所述第二超声回波信号进行信号处理得到所述***部位的剪切波弹性图像；The processor performs signal processing on the second ultrasonic echo signal to obtain a shear wave elastic image of the prostate;

所述处理器根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述剪切波弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；Determining, by the processor, an extra-prostatic gland area according to the B-mode ultrasound image, and determining an elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area based on the shear wave elasticity image;

所述处理器根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置；Determining, by the processor, at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area;

所述处理器以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；The processor generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area;

控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。Controlling the display device to display the elasticity measurement result.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置，包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein the determining at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area comprises:

将所述***外腺区域划分为至少两个子区域；Dividing the extra-prostatic gland area into at least two sub-areas;

根据所述至少两个子区域的弹性测值确定每个子区域对应的备选测量位置；Determining the candidate measurement position corresponding to each sub-region according to the elasticity measurement values of the at least two sub-regions;

以所述每个子区域对应的备选测量位置为基准生成每个备选测量位置对应的备选测量区域，根据所述每个备选测量位置对应的备选测量区域的弹性测值获得每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；The candidate measurement area corresponding to each candidate measurement location is generated based on the candidate measurement location corresponding to each sub-region, and each candidate measurement area is obtained according to the elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area corresponding to each candidate measurement location. Alternative elasticity measurement results corresponding to the alternative measurement area;

从所述每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；Determine at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition from the candidate elasticity measurement results corresponding to each candidate measurement area;

将所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果对应的备选测量位置确定为所述至少一个目标测量位置。The candidate measurement position corresponding to the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition is determined as the at least one target measurement position.
根据权利要求2所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述至少两个子区域的弹性测值确定每个子区域对应的备选测量位置，包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 2, wherein the determining the candidate measurement position corresponding to each sub-region according to the elasticity measurement values of the at least two sub-regions comprises:

获取每个子区域中各个像素点所对应的弹性测值；Obtain the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel in each sub-region;

将每个子区域中满足预设条件的弹性测值所对应的像素点作为所述每个子区域对应的备选测量位置，所述满足预设条件的弹性测值包括：所述子区域中所有像素点所对应的弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。The pixel point corresponding to the elasticity measurement value satisfying the preset condition in each subregion is taken as the candidate measurement position corresponding to each subregion, and the elasticity measurement value satisfying the preset condition includes: all pixels in the subregion The maximum value, minimum value, median value, quantile of the maximum value, or multiple of the minimum value in the elasticity measurement value corresponding to the point.
根据权利要求2所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果包括：所述备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。The method for measuring prostate elasticity according to claim 2, wherein the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies a preset condition comprises: a maximum value in the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to the candidate measurement area , Minimum, median, quantile of maximum, or multiple of minimum.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置，包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein the determining at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area comprises:

以所述***外腺区域内的每个像素点为基准生成对应的备选测量区域，并根据所述备选测量区域的弹性测值确定与每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；A corresponding candidate measurement area is generated based on each pixel point in the extra-prostatic gland area, and the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area is determined according to the elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area ；

从所述每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；Determine at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition from the candidate elasticity measurement results corresponding to each candidate measurement area;

将所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果对应的像素点作为所述至少一个目标测量位置。The pixel point corresponding to the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies the preset condition is used as the at least one target measurement position.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置，包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein the determining at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area comprises:

将所述***外腺区域划分为至少两个子区域；Dividing the extra-prostatic gland area into at least two sub-areas;

以每个子区域内的每个像素点为基准生成对应的备选测量区域，并根据所述备选测量区域的弹性测值确定与每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果；Generate a corresponding candidate measurement area based on each pixel point in each sub-region, and determine the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area according to the elasticity measurement value of the candidate measurement area;

根据每个子区域的每个备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果确定满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果；Determine at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition according to the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to each candidate measurement area of each subregion;

从所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果中确定至少一个目标弹性测量结果；Determining at least one target elasticity measurement result from the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that meets the preset condition;

将所述至少一个目标弹性测量结果对应的像素点作为所述至少一个目标测量位置。The pixel point corresponding to the at least one target elasticity measurement result is used as the at least one target measurement position.
根据权利要求5或6所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述满足预设条件的至少一个备选弹性测量结果包括：所述备选测量区域对应的备选弹性测量结果中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。The method for measuring prostate elasticity according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the at least one candidate elasticity measurement result that satisfies a preset condition comprises: the extreme of the candidate elasticity measurement result corresponding to the candidate measurement area Maximum value, minimum value, median value, quantile of maximum value, or multiple of minimum value.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量中心，包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein the determining at least one target measurement center in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area comprises:

获取所述***外腺区域内的每个像素点所对应的弹性测值；Obtaining the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point in the outer gland area of the prostate;

从所述每个像素点所对应的弹性测值中确定满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值；Determine at least one elasticity measurement value that meets a preset requirement from the elasticity measurement value corresponding to each pixel point;

将所述满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值所对应的像素点作为所述至少一个目标测量位置。The pixel point corresponding to the at least one elastic measurement value that meets the preset requirement is used as the at least one target measurement position.
根据权利要求8所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述满足预设要求的至少一个弹性测值包括：所述像素点所对应的弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 8, wherein the at least one elasticity measurement value that meets a preset requirement comprises: a maximum value, a minimum value, and a minimum value among the elasticity measurement values corresponding to the pixel points. The median, the quantile of the maximum, or the multiple of the minimum.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，当存在多个所述目标测量位置时，所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the target measurement positions, the obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area comprises:

获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；Obtaining a plurality of elasticity measurement results, wherein each elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position;

所述显示所述弹性测量结果包括：显示所述多个弹性测量结果。The displaying the elasticity measurement result includes: displaying the multiple elasticity measurement results.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，当存在多个所述目标测量位置时，所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the target measurement positions, the obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area comprises:

获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；Obtaining a plurality of elasticity measurement results, wherein each elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position;

对所述多个弹性测量结果进行统计运算，以获得统计结果；Performing statistical operations on the multiple elasticity measurement results to obtain statistical results;

所述显示所述弹性测量结果包括：显示所述统计结果。The displaying the elasticity measurement result includes: displaying the statistical result.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，当存在多个所述目标测量位置时，所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the target measurement positions, the obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area comprises:

获得多个弹性测量结果，其中，每个所述弹性测量结果基于各自目标测量位置对应的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得；Obtaining a plurality of elasticity measurement results, wherein each elasticity measurement result is obtained based on the elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area corresponding to the respective target measurement position;

对所述多个弹性测量结果进行比较，以在所述多个弹性测量结果中确定最终测量结果；Comparing the multiple elasticity measurement results to determine a final measurement result among the multiple elasticity measurement results;

所述显示所述弹性测量结果包括：显示所述最终测量结果。The displaying the elasticity measurement result includes: displaying the final measurement result.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述弹性测值包括剪切波速度、剪切模量和杨氏模量中的至少一项。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein the measured elasticity value includes at least one of shear wave velocity, shear modulus, and Young's modulus.
根据权利要求13所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述弹性测量结果包括所述测量区域的弹性测值的平均值、最小值、最大值、四分位值和标准差中的至少一项。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 13, wherein the elasticity measurement result includes at least one of the average, minimum, maximum, quartile, and standard deviation of the elasticity measurement values of the measurement area. One item.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述B型超声图像确定***外腺区域，包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 1, wherein the determining the area of the outer prostate according to the B-mode ultrasound image comprises:

在得到所述剪切波弹性图像之后，根据所述B型超声图像确定所述***外腺区域。After the shear wave elasticity image is obtained, the extra-prostatic gland area is determined according to the B-mode ultrasound image.
根据权利要求1所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，在生成所述至少一个目标测量区域后，还包括：The method for measuring prostate elasticity according to claim 1, wherein after generating the at least one target measurement area, the method further comprises:

显示所述至少一个目标测量区域；Displaying the at least one target measurement area;

所述根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果，包括：The obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area includes:

接收用户对所述至少一个目标测量区域的确认指令，以确定至少一个选定的目标测量区域；Receiving a user confirmation instruction for the at least one target measurement area to determine at least one selected target measurement area;

根据所述至少一个选定的目标测量区域的弹性测值获得所述弹性测量结果。The elasticity measurement result is obtained according to the elasticity measurement value of the at least one selected target measurement area.
根据权利要求1至16中任一项所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述目标测量位置为所述目标测量区域的中心。The method for measuring prostate elasticity according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the target measurement position is the center of the target measurement area.
根据权利要求1至16中任一项所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置包括：The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the determining at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area comprises :

根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值排除所述***外腺区域的异常测量点；Excluding abnormal measurement points in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the measured value of the elasticity of the extra-prostatic gland area;

根据排除所述异常测量点之后所述***外腺区域的弹性测值确定所述目标测量位置。The target measurement position is determined according to the elasticity measurement value of the outer prostate area after excluding the abnormal measurement point.
一种***弹性测量方法，应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，其特征在于，所述方法包括：A method for measuring prostate elasticity is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and is characterized in that the method includes:

控制所述超声探头对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的超声图像和弹性图像；Controlling the ultrasound probe to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain ultrasound images and elastic images of the prostate of the subject;

所述处理器根据所述超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域的弹性测值；Determining, by the processor, an extra-prostatic gland area based on the ultrasound image, and determining an elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area based on the elastic image;

所述处理器根据所述***外腺区域的弹性测值在所述***外腺区域内确定至少一个目标测量位置；Determining, by the processor, at least one target measurement position in the extra-prostatic gland area according to the elasticity measurement value of the extra-prostatic gland area;

所述处理器以所述至少一个目标测量位置为基准生成至少一个目标测量区域，根据所述至少一个目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；The processor generates at least one target measurement area based on the at least one target measurement position, and obtains an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the at least one target measurement area;

控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。Controlling the display device to display the elasticity measurement result.
根据权利要求19所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述弹性图像包括剪切波弹性图像或应变弹性图像。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 19, wherein the elasticity image comprises a shear wave elasticity image or a strain elasticity image.
根据权利要求19或20所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述超声图像包括B型超声图像、C型超声图像或三维超声图像。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the ultrasound image comprises a B-mode ultrasound image, a C-mode ultrasound image, or a three-dimensional ultrasound image.
一种***弹性测量方法，应用于超声成像***，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，其特征在于，所述方法包括：A method for measuring prostate elasticity is applied to an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and is characterized in that the method includes:

控制所述超声探头对被测对象的***部位进行扫描，以获取被测对象的***部位的超声图像和弹性图像；Controlling the ultrasound probe to scan the prostate of the subject to obtain ultrasound images and elastic images of the prostate of the subject;

所述处理器根据所述超声图像确定***外腺区域，并基于所述弹性图像确定所述***外腺区域内至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值；Determining, by the processor, an extra-prostatic gland area based on the ultrasound image, and determining an elasticity measurement value corresponding to at least one pixel in the extra-prostatic gland area based on the elastic image;

所述处理器根据所述至少一个像素点对应的弹性测值确定弹性测值满足预设要求的至少一个目标像素点；Determining, by the processor, at least one target pixel point whose elasticity measurement value meets a preset requirement according to the elasticity measurement value corresponding to the at least one pixel point;

所述处理器根据所述至少一个目标像素点生成目标测量区域，根据所述目标测量区域的弹性测值获得弹性测量结果；Generating, by the processor, a target measurement area according to the at least one target pixel point, and obtaining an elasticity measurement result according to an elasticity measurement value of the target measurement area;

控制所述显示设备显示所述弹性测量结果。Controlling the display device to display the elasticity measurement result.
根据权利要求22所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述弹性测值满足预设要求包括位于第一阈值范围内的弹性测值。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 22, wherein the elasticity measurement value that satisfies a preset requirement comprises an elasticity measurement value within a first threshold range.
根据权利要求22所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述弹性测值满足预设要求包括：所述弹性测值中的极大值、极小值、中值、极大值的分位数或极小值的倍数。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to claim 22, wherein the elasticity measurement value meets a preset requirement comprises: a maximum value, a minimum value, a median value, and a maximum value of the elasticity measurement value. The number of digits or multiples of the minimum value.
根据权利要求22至24中任一项所述的***弹性测量方法，其特征在于，所述超声图像包括B型超声图像、C型超声图像或三维超声图像；所述弹性图像包括剪切波弹性图像或应变弹性图像。The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the ultrasound image includes a B-mode ultrasound image, a C-mode ultrasound image, or a three-dimensional ultrasound image; and the elasticity image includes shear wave elasticity. Image or strain elastic image.
一种超声成像***，其特征在于，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述处理器用于控制所述超声探头和所述显示设备执行权利要求1至18中任一项所述的***弹性测量方法。An ultrasound imaging system, wherein the ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and the processor is used to control the ultrasound probe and the display device to perform any one of claims 1 to 18. The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate.
一种超声成像***，其特征在于，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述处理器用于控制所述超声探头和所述显示设备执行权利要求19至21中任一项所述的***弹性测量方法。An ultrasound imaging system, characterized in that the ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and the processor is used to control the ultrasound probe and the display device to perform any one of claims 19 to 21 The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate.
一种超声成像***，其特征在于，所述超声成像***包括超声探头、处理器和显示设备，所述处理器用于控制所述超声探头和所述显示设备执行权利要求22至25中任一项所述的***弹性测量方法。An ultrasound imaging system, wherein the ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display device, and the processor is used to control the ultrasound probe and the display device to perform any one of claims 22 to 25 The method for measuring the elasticity of the prostate.