3D Vector Flow Reconstruction From Multi-Plane Color Doppler

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound imaging technologies struggle to derive full 3D vector flow information from color Doppler data, often requiring full 3D volume acquisitions that reduce framerate and fail to provide accurate flow information outside the beam orientation.

Innovation Solution

A method to derive 3D vector flow fields from color Doppler ultrasound data by obtaining data from multiple adjacent acquisition locations, using a flow divergence equation and solving it to match the acquired data, leveraging the incompressibility of fluids to model blood flow accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a full 3D volume acquisition is performed to reconstruct a 3D flow field, then complete 3D flow information is obtained, but the framerate is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D flow information completenessVSAvoidframerate

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent acquires color Doppler data from multiple 2D acquisition locations (excessive action in 2D sampling) rather than performing a full 3D volume acquisition, thereby obtaining sufficient information to reconstruct 3D flow fields without the time penalty of complete volumetric sampling. This partial sampling approach maintains framerate while achieving 3D flow reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of full 3D volumetric acquisition with a computational approach using a flow divergence equation and optimization algorithm to reconstruct 3D flow fields from 2D color Doppler measurements, thereby avoiding the framerate reduction inherent in full 3D scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If color Doppler data from multiple adjacent acquisition locations is acquired, then 3D vector flow accuracy is improved, but data acquisition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D vector flow accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a standardized color Doppler acquisition protocol at multiple locations rather than requiring specialized ultrafast scanning hardware or custom probe configurations. The same basic acquisition mechanism is applied universally across multiple 2D planes, simplifying the overall system requirements while achieving 3D flow reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a flow divergence equation and optimization algorithm as an intermediary computational layer that processes the multi-location color Doppler data. This mathematical intermediary transforms the complex multi-location acquisition data into accurate 3D vector flow fields, managing the complexity through algorithmic processing rather than hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard color Doppler acquisition is used, then system compatibility is maintained, but flow information outside beam orientation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem compatibilityVSAvoidflow information outside beam orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for the inherent limitation of color Doppler (which only measures flow along the beam orientation) by acquiring data at multiple 2D acquisition locations oriented differently in 3D space. By combining measurements from multiple angular perspectives, the system reconstructs complete 3D vector flow information, effectively adding dimensional coverage to overcome the single-direction measurement limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges color Doppler flow measurements from multiple adjacent acquisition locations into a unified 3D vector flow field through the flow divergence equation. This combination process integrates the limited directional information from each individual location to reconstruct complete 3D flow vectors, recovering the flow information that would be lost in any single beam orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate derivation of 3D vector flow information without requiring a full 3D ultrasound acquisition, improving accuracy and framerate by utilizing additional acquisition locations and physical constraints.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining color Doppler ultrasound data from a plurality of acquisition locations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12471879B2Methods and systems for obtaining a 3D vector flow field

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

The invention provides a method for obtaining a 3D vector flow field from color Doppler ultrasound data. The method includes obtaining color Doppler ultrasound data from a plurality of acquisition locations, wherein the plurality of acquisition locations comprises a target acquisition location and one or more additional acquisition locations, wherein the one or more additional acquisition locations is adjacent the target acquisition location. A 3D vector flow field is then derived from the obtained color Doppler ultrasound data.