Automatic closed loop ultrasound plane steering for target localization in ultrasound imaging and associated devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system includes processor circuitry configured to: receive a plurality of images of a patient's body at different imaging planes from an ultrasound transducer array; determining a first imaging plane based on a first image of the plurality of images by applying a first prediction network, where a second image of the plurality of images is based on the first imaging plane, and where the second image of the plurality of images is based on the second imaging plane. The second image comprises an imaging view of at least one of an anatomical structure of the patient body or a medical device within the anatomical structure; applying a second prediction network to the second image to generate segmentation data; and outputting a display image based on the segmentation data comprising an indication of the first portion of the at least one of the anatomical structure or the medical device to a display.

Description

technical field [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to ultrasound imaging, and in particular to providing automatic closed-loop ultrasound plane steering for localization of target anatomy and / or medical devices. Background technique [0002] Ultrasound can provide radiation-free, safe, and real-time dynamic imaging of anatomical structures and / or medical devices during medical procedures (eg, diagnosis, intervention, and / or treatment). In recent years, minimally invasive endovascular approaches have been introduced to treat diseases such as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and structural heart disease (SHD), often under image guidance. In particular, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging can provide visualization of soft tissue structures and medical and / or interventional devices moving through complex anatomy. Additionally, ultrasound imaging can provide view guidance to facilitate percutaneous procedures such as biopsy, vasc...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0003] However, 3D volume acquisition comes at the cost of reduced spatio-temporal resolution

Furthermore, when the object of interest (e.g., an anatomical structure or medical device) has a small size and / or thin geometry (e.g., as in the examples discussed above), the small-sized and / or thin-profile object may only appear in A small fraction of the total voxel counts within the 3D ultrasound volume, and thus can be easily missed

Given the reduced spatio-temporal resolution, visualization of small-sized and / or fine-profile structures can be challenging in 3D ultrasound

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