Ultrasound system and method of forming ultrasound image

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image and a display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 a probe operable to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object containing a periodically moving object and to receive ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;   a processor operable to generate volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals;   a display unit to display a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data; and   a user input unit to receive user inputs regarding reference image setup information and M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image,   wherein the processor is configured to generate a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data, the cut plane designated based on the reference image setup information and to generate a M-mode line on the reference image which is designated based on the M-mode line setup information, and   M-mode images are generated and displayed based on the M-mode line on the reference image which is designated using the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.   
     
     
         12 . The ultrasound system of  claim 11 , wherein the user input unit is further configured to receive rotation information upon the 3-dimensional ultrasound image, and
 the processor is configured to control a rotation of the 3-dimensional ultrasound image displayed on the display unit based on the rotation information so that the reference image and the M-mode line can be designated by a user using the 3-dimensional image rotated to any one of a plurality of viewing angles.   
     
     
         13 . The ultrasound system of  claim 12 , wherein the processor is configured to determine a moving period of the moving object and interpolate the volume data to contain a same number of frames in each moving period. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 using a probe to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object containing a periodically moving object and receiving ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;   generating volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals;   displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data;   receiving user inputs regarding reference image setup information and M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image;   generating a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data, the cut plane being designated based on the reference image setup information;   generating a M-mode line on the reference image which is designated based on the M-mode line setup information; and   displaying M-mode images based on the M-mode line on the reference image which is designated using the 3-dimensional ultrasound image.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 receiving a user input regarding rotation information upon the displayed 3-dimensional ultrasound image; and   rotating the displayed 3-dimensional ultrasound image based on the rotation information so that the reference image and the M-mode line can be designated by a user using the 3-dimensional image rotated to any one of a plurality of viewing angles.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining a moving period of the moving object; and   interpolating the volume data to contain a same number of frames in each moving period.   
     
     
         17 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 a probe operable to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object containing a periodically moving object and to receive ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;   a processor operable to generate volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals and a period of the moving object;   a display unit to display a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data; and   a user input unit to receive a user input as to M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image,   wherein the processor is configured to generate a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data, and to generate a M-mode line on the reference image based on the M-mode line setup information, and   M-mode images corresponding to the M-Mode line on the reference image are generated and displayed.   
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 transmitting ultrasound signals, by a probe, to a target object containing a periodically moving object and receiving ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object;   generating volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals and a period of the moving object;   displaying a 3-dimensional ultrasound image constructed based on the volume data;   receiving a user input as to M-mode line setup information associated with the 3-dimensional ultrasound image;   generating a reference image representing a plane cut through the 3-dimensional ultrasound image using the volume data;   generating a M-mode line on the reference image based on the M-mode line setup information; and   displaying M-mode images corresponding to the M-Mode line on the reference image.