Translation of ultrasound array responsive to anatomical orientation

Abstract

A medical imaging system configured to analyze an acquired image to determine the imaging plane and orientation of the image. The medical imaging system may be further configured to determine a location of an aperture to acquire a key anatomical view and transmit instructions to a controller to move the aperture to the location. A sonographer may not need to move the ultrasound probe for the medical imaging system to move the aperture to the location. An ultrasound probe may include a transducer array that may have one or more degrees of freedom of movement within the probe. The transducer array may be translated by one or more motors that receive instructions from the controller to position the aperture.

Description

Background technique [0001] Fetal images are often taken several times during pregnancy to ensure that the fetus is developing properly. Acquire key anatomical views as defined by standard practice guidelines. Most fetal images are acquired by an ultrasound imaging system operated by a trained sonographer. In order to obtain critical anatomical views, careful manipulation of the ultrasound transducer is required to precisely align the imaging plane of the transducer with the fetal anatomy. This can be difficult even for experienced practitioners due to the variety of fetal positions, that is, the position and connection of the fetus in the womb. [0002] Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound can be used to reduce the need to finely move the transducer. The volume can be acquired using a matrix array transducer or by mechanically sweeping a two-dimensional array transducer across the volume. Sonographers can generate multiplanar reconstruction views (MPR) from the acquired 3D v...

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Problems solved by technology

In addition to increasing medical costs, this is inconvenient for the subject due to time or travel constraints

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