3D ultrasound imaging system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system comprising:an image processor configured to receive at least one set of volume data resulting from a three-dimensional ultrasound scan of a body and to provide corresponding display data,an anatomy detector configured to detect a position and orientation of an anatomical object of interest within the at least one set of volume data,a slice generator for generating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the at least one set of volume data, wherein said slice generator is configured to define respective slice locations based on the results of the anatomy detector for the anatomical object of interest so as to obtain a set of two-dimensional standard views of the anatomical object of interest, wherein the slice generator is further configured to define for each two-dimensional standard view which anatomical features of the anatomical object of interest are expected to be contained, andan evaluation unit for evaluating a quality factor for each of the generated plurality of two-dimensional slices by comparing each of the slices with the anatomical features expected for the respective two-dimensional standard view.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 781,059, filed on Sep. 29, 2015, which is the U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT / IB2014 / 060004, filed on Mar. 20, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 807,885, filed on Apr. 3, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to three-dimensional ultrasound imaging. In particular, the present invention relates to the generation and evaluation of two-dimensional standard views from three-dimensional ultrasonic volume data. An exemplary technical application of the present invention is the generation of two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) images based on one or more obtained three-dimensional TEE scans.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A transesophageal echocardiogram is an alternative way to perform ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about an improved ultrasound imaging system that allows for quicker, more comfortable, and more reliable analysis of anatomical objects such as the human heart. The system generates 2D slices that can be simultaneously displayed on the screen, making it easy for doctors to compare different standard views. Compared to manually acquiring 2D standard views with a 2D ultrasound scanner, the system selected the best generated 2D slice for each standard view, reducing the amount of scans needed. The user only has to acquire enough 3D ultrasound scans until a "green light" is received for each standard view, even if the usual protocols are not followed.

Problems solved by technology

This is a tedious and long procedure, which may take about 20 to 30 minutes.

The whole TEE procedure is quite uncomfortable for the patient.

Moreover, this process is relatively error-prone.

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