Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Frame Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging, defects in frames of ultrasound images due to object deviation from the region of interest (ROI) or changes in object size lead to errors in analysis, making the examination time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method that analyze the type of movement and change in size of an object within the ROI by calculating differences between the time intensity curve and a fitting curve, using a user interface to quickly identify and select defective frames, and determining threshold values based on average and standard deviation differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual deletion of defective frames is performed by the user, then analysis accuracy is improved, but examination time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidexamination time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and identifies defective frames through algorithmic analysis of TIC deviations, object position tracking, and size change detection, eliminating the need for manual user intervention in frame deletion while maintaining high analysis accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of user review and deletion is replaced with an automated computational system that uses mathematical models, threshold comparisons, and pattern recognition to identify and flag defective frames for automatic exclusion from analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If TIC-based analysis is performed without defect detection, then analysis speed is improved, but analysis accuracy deteriorates due to defective frames

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidanalysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated detection and identification of defective frames before the main analysis process, pre-filtering the data set to exclude problematic frames and ensuring that subsequent analysis is performed only on valid frames, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors frame quality metrics during the analysis process, using feedback from position tracking, size change detection, and TIC deviation analysis to dynamically identify and exclude defective frames, ensuring accurate results while maintaining efficient processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10646203B2Ultrasound diagnosis method and apparatus for analyzing contrast enhanced ultrasound image

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method for analyzing a contrast enhanced ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method determine, by analysis, causes of defects in a frame of an ultrasound image based on a time intensity curve and allow visual display of the defective frame based on the determined causes. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis method and apparatus may provide a user interface for quick access to causes of defects in a frame of the ultrasound image and to a position of the defective frame.