Automated Twinkling Marker Tracking via Color Doppler Video Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound imaging struggles to accurately detect and track biopsy markers or localizers due to the twinkling artifact they exhibit under color Doppler ultrasound, complicating their localization and management in breast cancer treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing color model components from ultrasound video stream data to separate color and grayscale image data, analyze color model components along spatial dimensions, and generate audio cues for marker localization and tracking, enabling real-time detection and navigation without relying on visual monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color Doppler ultrasound is used to image markers, then markers exhibit a twinkling artifact that facilitates their location, but conventional ultrasound imaging struggles to accurately detect and track these markers due to the twinkling artifact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color Doppler video stream data by extracting individual color model components (R, G, B channels) and processing them separately. This segmentation allows the system to analyze the twinkling artifact characteristics in each color channel independently, improving detection accuracy while managing the complexity of the artifact interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial analysis to temporal analysis by examining color model component values across multiple frames and time points. This dimensional shift allows the system to detect the characteristic temporal patterns of twinkling artifacts, enabling accurate marker detection despite the visual complexity of the artifact.
2Ease of operation
If visual monitoring of ultrasound device monitor is used for marker localization, then surgeons can locate markers, but surgeons must rely on visual feedback which limits hands-free operation and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual monitoring mechanism with an audio output system. The processed marker position information is converted into audio signals that provide spatial cues to the surgeon, substituting the mechanical/visual interaction with the monitor with an acoustic feedback system that enables hands-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces audio output as an intermediary between the ultrasound imaging system and the surgeon. This intermediary converts the visual marker location data into auditory spatial cues, allowing the surgeon to locate markers without visual feedback and enabling more efficient hands-free operation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound imaging methods are used, then the imaging system is simple to operate, but the system cannot accurately separate color and grayscale image data to detect twinkling markers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color Doppler video stream into individual color model components and processes each component separately through convolution operations. This segmentation approach enables precise color data separation for marker detection while maintaining manageable processing complexity through systematic, modular analysis of each color channel.
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
The method achieves accurate localization and tracking of twinkling markers with an accuracy of 0.087-0.145 mm and precision of 0.082-0.465 mm, allowing surgeons to navigate markers using audio cues, independent of visual feedback from the ultrasound device monitor.
Implementation Method 1
When imaged under color Doppler ultrasound, some biopsy markers, localizers, or other implanted objects exhibit a twinkling artifact that facilitates their location by the radiologist or surgeon.
Data Source
AI summary
A marker is localized using ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound video stream data are received with a computer system. The ultrasound video stream data are representative of ultrasound data acquired from a subject using an ultrasound system using Doppler imaging. Color image data are extracted from the ultrasound video stream data based on a color model. Marker position data are determined based on values of a color model component in the color image data. The marker position data are output using the computer system.