Ultrasound ROI Shaping for Cervical Elasticity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging apparatuses lack the ability to set a Region of Interest (ROI) that accurately corresponds to the shape of the cervix canal, which hinders the acquisition of precise elasticity information for the cervix.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging apparatus with a display unit and input unit that allows users to select points corresponding to the cervix canal, enabling the controller to set and display a ROI with a shape matching the cervix canal, and calculate elasticity ratios between regions within and outside the cervix canal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional rectangular or circular ROI is used in ultrasound elasticity imaging, then the ROI can be easily set and displayed, but it cannot accurately correspond to the actual shape of the cervix canal, resulting in imprecise elasticity information acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The ROI shape is made dynamic and adaptable by allowing it to be defined by user-selected points along the cervix canal path rather than being fixed to a geometric shape. The controller dynamically generates the ROI boundary based on these selected points, enabling the ROI to conform to the actual anatomical structure of the cervix canal while maintaining ease of operation through simple point selection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of ROI shape from fixed geometric forms (rectangle, circle) to a flexible form defined by coordinate points. By allowing users to select key points along the cervix canal path and having the controller generate the boundary based on these points, the system transforms the ROI from a rigid geometric shape to an adaptable anatomical contour, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing operational complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually select points along the cervix canal path, then the ROI can be customized to match the cervix shape, but the operation becomes more complex compared to using a default ROI
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating the ROI boundary and spacing lines based on the user-selected points. Instead of requiring users to manually define the entire ROI geometry, the controller pre-processes the point selections to create the complete ROI structure, including the boundary curve and equidistant spacing lines, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the selected points as a template or copy to generate the full ROI boundary. By creating an idealized curve that passes through or near the selected points and then generating the ROI based on this copied geometric structure, the system achieves high adaptability to various cervix shapes while keeping the user interface simple and intuitive
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
This approach effectively acquires and displays reliable elasticity information of the cervix, aiding in determining cervical health and risk assessment for premature birth.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasound imaging apparatus irradiates ultrasound signals to a target part inside an object from the surface of an object, and noninvasively acquires section images about soft tissue of the object or images about blood vessels of the object by using echo ultrasound signals reflected from the object
Implementation Method 2
Evaluation of cervical stiffness during pregnancy using semiquantitative ultrasound elastography by E. Hernandez-Andrade et al discloses a method used to estimate the average tissue displacement (strain) within a defined region of interest when oscillator compression is applied, to evaluate cervical stiffness during pregnancy using ultrasound-derived elastography
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of setting a region of interest having a shape corresponding to a shape of the cervix canal in an elasticity image of the cervix and displaying the region of interest, and a control method thereof. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a display unit configured to display an ultrasound elasticity image and a controller configured to select a point included in a path corresponding to the cervix canal in the elasticity image of the cervix displayed on the display unit, configured to set a region of interest having a shape corresponding to a shape of at least one portion of the cervix canal based on the selected point, and configured to display the region of interest on the display unit.