Cardiac Motion Estimation via Combined B-mode and TDI Optical Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cardiac motion estimation in echocardiographic images suffer from inter and intra-observer variability, and existing techniques either rely heavily on tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) or speckle tracking, which are angle-dependent and prone to noise, limiting their accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A novel approach, TDIOF (Tissue Doppler Optical Flow), combines B-mode intensity constancy, motion smoothness, and Doppler/B-mode velocity similarity within an optical flow framework to calculate cardiac motion, integrating TDI and speckle tracking data for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is used for cardiac motion estimation, then velocity measurement capability is improved, but angle dependency increases causing reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines TDI and speckle tracking methods into a unified optical flow framework. TDI provides velocity constraints while speckle tracking provides intensity constancy constraints, creating a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of both methods to overcome their individual limitations regarding angle dependency and noise sensitivity
2Reliability
If speckle tracking is used for cardiac motion estimation, then angle independence is improved, but noise sensitivity increases causing reduced accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates speckle tracking's angle-independent intensity constancy constraint with TDI's velocity constraint in a combined optical flow energy function. This merging allows the system to maintain angle independence while using TDI velocity information to guide the optimization and reduce the impact of noise on the intensity-based speckle tracking
3Ease of operation
If visual grading by observer is used for cardiac motion analysis, then ease of operation is improved, but inter and intra-observer variability increases causing reduced accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated computerized image analysis that performs cardiac motion estimation without requiring manual visual grading by observers. The system uses the combined TDI-speckle tracking optical flow method to automatically compute motion fields, eliminating inter- and intra-observer variability while maintaining ease of use through automated processing
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
TDIOF outperforms both TDI and speckle tracking methods by providing more accurate cardiac motion estimation, reducing errors and enhancing the reliability of myocardial motion analysis, especially in noisy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
TDI computes the tissue motion based on the Doppler phenomenon
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cardiac motion estimation includes: receiving a set of echocardiographic images of a heart, the echocardiographic images including B-mode ultrasonic images and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) images; and calculating, by the image processing machine, a motion field representing the motion of the heart using the B-mode ultrasonic images and applying a velocity constraint from the TDI images. A system for cardiac motion estimation, includes: an imaging device configured to acquire a set of echocardiographic images of a heart, the echocardiographic images including B-mode ultrasonic images and TDI images; a data storage device in communication with the imaging device and configured to store the set of echocardiographic images; an image processing machine in communication with the data storage device and configured to calculate a motion field representing the motion of the heart using the B-mode ultrasonic images and applying a velocity constraint from the TDI images.