Method of acquiring an ultrasound image

1. A method of acquiring an ultrasound image in an ultrasound imaging system having an array transducer, comprising:

a) setting an image point at a predetermined depth on an ultrasound image acquired based on a reference speed of sound for a target object;

b) setting a range of speed of sound with reference to the reference speed;

c) setting a plurality of speeds of sound in a predetermined interval within the range of speed of sound;

d) acquiring ultrasound images at each speed of sound;

e) calculating an amplitude of an image point set at a predetermined depth of each ultrasound image;

f) determining a real speed of sound in the target object based on the calculated amplitude; and

g) acquiring an ultrasound image based on the determined real speed of sound in the target object.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step a) includes:

a1) selecting the reference speed of sound previously set according to a type of the target object;

a2) checking whether to set a new speed of sound for the target object;

a3) if it is determined to set the new speed of sound at step a2), acquiring the ultrasound image based on the reference speed of sound; and

a4) setting the image point on the acquired ultrasound image at the predetermined depth.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the speed of sound applied to the ultrasound image having highest amplitude at the image point among the calculated amplitudes is determined as a real speed of sound of the target object.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the reference speed of sound image is a mean speed of sound of media consisting of the target object.

5. A method of acquiring an ultrasound image in an ultrasound imaging system having an array transducer, comprising:

a) setting an image point at a predetermined depth on an ultrasound image acquired based on a reference speed of sound for a target object;

b) setting a range of speed of sound with reference to the reference speed;

c) setting a plurality of speeds of sound in a predetermined interval within the range of speed of sound;

d) acquiring ultrasound images at each speed of sound;

e) calculating an amplitude of an image point set at a predetermined depth of each ultrasound image;

f) determining a real speed of sound in the target object based on the calculated amplitude;

g) acquiring a plurality of ultrasound images by steering scan lines in predetermined angles based on the determined real speed of sound; and

h) forming a compound ultrasound image by compounding the acquired ultrasound images.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the step a) includes:

a1) selecting the reference speed of sound previously set according to a type of the target object;

a2) checking whether to set a new speed of sound for the target object;

a3) if it is determined to set the new speed of sound at step a2), acquiring the ultrasound image based on the reference speed of sound; and

a4) setting the image point on the acquired ultrasound image at the predetermined depth.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the speed of sound applied to the ultrasound image having highest amplitude at the image point among the calculated amplitudes is determined as a real speed of sound of the target object.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the reference speed of sound image is a mean speed of sound of media consisting of the target object.