System and method for contrast enhanced ultrasound quantification imaging

Abstract

Systems and methods, and computer readable storage media, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for contrast enhanced ultrasound quantization imaging are provided. One of the methods includes: for each location in a region of interest, acquiring a time-varying ultrasound signal relative to the region of interest over a time period; for each location, setting a global threshold for the obtained ultrasound signal that varies over time; for each location, determining a relative moment at which the time-varying ultrasonic signal reaches the global threshold; and generating a structural image of the region of interest based at least on the relative time of each determined position, where the generated structural image displays different times at which the ultrasound signals corresponding to different positions in the region of interest reach the global threshold.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to contrast-enhanced ultrasound quantified imaging, and more particularly to methods and systems for visualizing color-coded time-series of vascular structures of contrast-enhanced ultrasound quantified images. Background technique [0002] Ultrasound imaging provides a wealth of medical information with applications in diagnosis, health monitoring, and assessment. Many ultrasound imaging systems utilize injectable ultrasound contrast agents to obtain the high-contrast images desired to visualize organ structures inside the human body. For example, the structure of blood vessels can help medical experts assess disease conditions and prescribe treatments. [0003] Conventional ultrasound imaging derives intensity information from B-mode images, which show the acoustic impedance of a two-dimensional cross-section of tissue. However, B-mode image information is insufficient to resolve weak tissue boundaries or sma...

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Problems solved by technology

However, B-mode image information is insufficient to resolve weak tissue boundaries or small blood vessels in vivo

That is, in B-mode images, small vessels may appear blurred or not imaged at all due to the limited resolution and constraints of grayscale imaging

Also, after injecting a contrast agent through a blood vessel, it takes some time for the concentration of the contrast agent to reach a recognizable level in the region of interest that is to be imaged with ultrasound

Therefore, although the ultrasound image can enhance over time, this image enhancement does not reflect the perfusion or flow rate of the contrast agent (or blood) in the vessel

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