3D Landmark Guidance for Fetal Heart Ultrasound Probe Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of accurately diagnosing congenital heart diseases in fetuses is hindered by inadequate expertise in acquiring and interpreting fetal cardiac images due to the small and fast-beating fetal heart, leading to suboptimal diagnostic rates and missed opportunities for early intervention.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a 3D landmark model to guide the positioning of an imaging probe by identifying anatomical landmarks, ensuring the probe is oriented and positioned correctly to capture desired views of the fetal heart, thereby facilitating precise imaging and reducing shadow artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual imaging techniques are used, then the imaging process is simple and quick, but the accuracy of probe positioning and orientation is insufficient leading to suboptimal diagnostic rates
Solution Approach 1:
A 3D landmark model serves as an intermediary between the imaging probe and the anatomical structure. The model contains virtual representations of anatomical landmarks that guide probe positioning and orientation, enabling accurate imaging without requiring complex manual manipulation skills
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of probe positioning is replaced with an automated computational system. The system automatically processes ultrasound images, identifies anatomical landmarks, generates a 3D landmark model, and determines optimal probe orientation, eliminating the need for manual expertise in achieving precise positioning
2Measurement precision
If manual interpretation of fetal cardiac images is performed, then the process is flexible and adaptive, but the diagnostic accuracy is limited due to inadequate expertise and the small, fast-beating fetal heart
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically processing ultrasound images to generate a 3D landmark model before the clinician needs to interpret the images. This preliminary processing identifies anatomical landmarks and determines optimal imaging planes, reducing the time and expertise required for subsequent manual interpretation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by displaying the generated 3D landmark model and indicating whether the current probe orientation is within a predetermined range of the desired orientation. This feedback loop enables clinicians to quickly adjust probe positioning to achieve optimal diagnostic views
3Manufacturing precision
If the imaging probe is positioned manually without guidance, then the operation is straightforward and quick, but shadow artifacts are introduced and desired views are not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the operator by displaying the 3D landmark model and indicating whether the current probe orientation is within the desired range. This feedback enables operators to easily achieve correct positioning without increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter space from manual trial-and-error positioning to guided positioning based on calculated optimal orientations. By transforming the positioning problem into a parameter optimization problem solved by the 3D landmark model, the system improves image quality while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
There is proposed a mechanism for determining whether or not an imaging probe, such as an ultrasound imaging probe, is at a desired orientation and/or position with respect to an anatomical structure. Image data of the imaging probe is processed to generate a 3D landmark model that contains anatomical landmarks of the anatomical structure. The 3D landmark model is then processed to determine whether or not the imaging probe is at the desired orientation and/or position.