Anatomically Aligned MPR Views for 3D Echocardiography Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging systems face difficulties in understanding the location and orientation of 2D planar slices with respect to the 3D volume and patient anatomy during multi-planar reconstruction, making navigation and visualization challenging.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging system that integrates a 3D anatomical model aligned with 2D MPR views, providing orientation and navigation assistance by registering and displaying a 3D model in conjunction with 3D and 2D images, allowing interactive manipulation for improved visualization and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-planar reconstruction is used to generate multiple 2D planes from 3D volume, then the ability to display multiple views of the imaged structure is improved, but the difficulty of understanding the location and orientation of the 2D planar slices with respect to the 3D volume and patient anatomy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference indicator (such as a 3D model or orientation marker) as an intermediary element that mediates between the 2D planar slices and the 3D volume. This reference indicator provides visual cues about the orientation and location of each 2D slice within the 3D anatomical context, making it easier for users to understand spatial relationships without directly viewing the complex 3D volume itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional visual dimension by incorporating 3D reference indicators or orientation markers into the 2D display. These indicators provide depth and orientation information that would otherwise be lost in flat 2D representations, allowing users to mentally reconstruct the 3D spatial relationships from 2D views.
2Productivity
If multiple 2D planar views are presented in association with 3D volume, then the effectiveness of displaying 3D image dataset is improved, but the complexity of navigating to and viewing desired areas of interest increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the reference indicator updates dynamically in response to user interactions with the 2D planar views. When users navigate through different slices or adjust viewing parameters, the reference indicator provides immediate visual feedback about the current orientation and location, helping users understand the consequences of their navigation actions and plan subsequent movements more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical navigation through 3D space with a simplified 2D interface enhanced by visual reference indicators. Instead of requiring users to mentally manipulate 3D coordinates and orientations, the system substitutes this mechanical navigation task with intuitive 2D scrolling and zooming operations guided by visual cues from the reference indicators.
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method provide an automatic aligned and co-oriented display of a 3D anatomical model adjacent to one or more 2D MPR views of a 3D echocardiographic image dataset. The 3D model is presented in alignment with the displayed 3D and 2D images to provide an indication of the orientation of each of the 3D volume and 2D planar views with respect to the 3D model and to one another. The 3D model can include labels or information regarding an anatomical feature(s) of interest to enable the user to readily visualize the disposition of the 2D planar view relative to the anatomical feature(s) in the 3D model. While interacting with the 2D views or 3D model, the 2D views and 3D anatomical model will change orientation simultaneously, with the representation of the 2D plane in the 3D model moving in correspondence with the 2D image.