AI Ultrasound Bladder Measurement With Automatic Caliper Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound systems face challenges in accurately measuring bladder volume on touchscreen devices due to precision issues with caliper placement, especially on devices with limited processing capabilities and battery power, and existing automatic tools lack accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An AI model is deployed on a computing device connected to an ultrasound scanner to predict the view of a bladder and automatically place calipers, enabling precise measurements of bladder dimensions, including sagittal and transverse views, on various display sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual caliper placement is performed on touchscreen devices, then user control and adaptability are maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fingertip size limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaliper placement precisionVSAvoidmanual operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs caliper placement without requiring manual user input. The processor analyzes the ultrasound image data and autonomously determines caliper positions based on anatomical landmarks and image features, eliminating the need for manual touchscreen interaction while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen interaction system with an automated image processing system. Instead of using physical fingertip movements on a touchscreen interface, the system uses algorithmic analysis of ultrasound image data to determine caliper positions, substituting mechanical precision requirements with computational precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If automatic caliper placement tools are implemented, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate image analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated operation easeVSAvoidautomatic tool accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameters used for caliper placement from simple image intensity thresholds to multiple anatomical parameters including bladder wall detection, lumen boundary identification, and spatial relationship analysis. This multi-parameter approach improves accuracy while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the processor continuously refines caliper placement based on anatomical landmark detection and image feature analysis. The automated system adjusts caliper positions iteratively to ensure accurate measurement of the bladder lumen, overcoming the inaccuracy of simple automatic tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If complex image analysis algorithms are used to improve accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaliper placement accuracyVSAvoidprocessing energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential image features needed for caliper placement, such as bladder wall boundaries and lumen contours, rather than performing comprehensive image analysis. This selective feature extraction maintains measurement precision while reducing computational energy consumption on battery-powered portable devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual caliper placement is performed on small display devices, then adaptability to various screen sizes is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to reduced pinpoint accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen size compatibilityVSAvoidsmall screen measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12419613B2Systems and methods for automated bladder measurement

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 CLARIUS MOBILE HEALTH CORP

AI summary

A method for automatically measuring a bladder on an ultrasound image feed, acquired from an ultrasound scanner comprises displaying, on a screen that is communicatively connected to the ultrasound scanner, the ultrasound image feed comprising ultrasound image frames of a bladder; deploying an AI model to execute on a computing device communicably connected to the ultrasound scanner, wherein the AI model is trained so that when the AI model is deployed, the computing device identifies and predicts a view of the bladder, from one of a sagittal view and a transverse view; acquiring, at the computing device, a new ultrasound image during ultrasound scanning; processing, using the AI model, the new ultrasound image to identify and predict the view of the bladder, wherein the prediction is an AI model output; wherein if f the AI model output predicts that the new ultrasound image comprises a sagittal view of the bladder, automatically applying one caliper set along a superior-inferior dimension of the bladder and measuring the superior-inferior dimension; and wherein if the AI model output predicts that the new ultrasound image comprises a transverse view of the bladder, applying two caliper sets along each of a length and a width of the bladder and measuring the length and width thereof.