Color Doppler Freeze-Frame Selection for Fast-Moving Ultrasound Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses struggle to accurately capture and display a desired still image of a fast-moving object due to the delay in inputting a freeze command, often missing the optimal frame.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a controller that determines a recommended color doppler image frame based on color mapping information and machine learning models to automatically select and display the frame with optimal color mapping, even when the freeze command is input at an off-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the freeze command is input manually by the user, then the user can select a still image, but for fast moving objects the desired frame is often missed because the command is input after the optimal frame has already passed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of capturing desired frameVSAvoiddelay in inputting freeze command
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of color mapping information for multiple candidate frames before the user needs to make a selection. By pre-calculating color mapping values and identifying optimal frames in advance, the system prepares the best candidate frames so that when the freeze command is eventually issued, the selection can be made immediately without time delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically evaluates color mapping information and selects optimal freeze frames without requiring manual user intervention. The controller autonomously analyzes the color mapping values of multiple frames, determines which frames have optimal color mapping, and presents these as recommended freeze frames, allowing the system to serve itself in the frame selection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system displays multiple color doppler image frames sequentially, then the user has more options, but the user still must manually select the desired frame which may not be the optimal one

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of available framesVSAvoidmanual selection process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically evaluates color mapping information and selects optimal freeze frames without requiring manual user intervention. The controller autonomously analyzes the color mapping values of multiple frames, determines which frames have optimal color mapping, and presents these as recommended freeze frames, allowing the system to serve itself in the frame selection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user by displaying recommended freeze frames that are automatically selected based on color mapping analysis. This feedback mechanism guides the user toward the optimal frames without requiring them to manually evaluate each frame's color mapping quality, thus simplifying the operation while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system uses automatic frame selection based on color mapping, then the optimal frame can be captured, but the device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of frame selectionVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of color mapping information for multiple candidate frames before the user needs to make a selection. By pre-calculating color mapping values and identifying optimal frames in advance, the system prepares the best candidate frames so that when the freeze command is eventually issued, the selection can be made immediately without time delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically evaluates color mapping information and selects optimal freeze frames without requiring manual user intervention. The controller autonomously analyzes the color mapping values of multiple frames, determines which frames have optimal color mapping, and presents these as recommended freeze frames, allowing the system to serve itself in the frame selection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures that the apparatus displays the frame with the most appropriate color mapping, enhancing user convenience and diagnostic accuracy by automatically selecting the desired image frame, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a probe (P) configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasound reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

determine a recommended color doppler image frame based on color mapping information of a plurality of color doppler image frames

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor mapping:

Implementation Method 3

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may obtain a doppler image that represents a moving object by using the doppler effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4393411B1Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP4393411B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4393411B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4393411B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including a probe configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object, a display module, an input device, a storage, and a controller configured to obtain a plurality of color doppler image frames based on processing of the echo signal, store the plurality of color doppler image frames in the storage, and control the display module to sequentially display the plurality of color doppler image frames, wherein the controller is configured to determine a recommended color doppler image frame based on color mapping information of the plurality of color doppler image frames in response to receiving an image freeze command through the input device, and control the display module to display the recommended color doppler image frame as a freeze image.