Dynamic Scan Region Control for Moving Ultrasound Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in achieving both high image quality and real-time responsiveness, particularly when scanning moving regions of interest, such as organs within the abdomen, which requires adjusting the scan region and can be stressful for patients and operators, especially during breathing cycles.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a region-of-interest setting unit, inter-reception-data movement-amount calculating unit, scan-region control unit, image creating unit, and display control unit that dynamically adjusts the scan region and displays ultrasound images along a time sequence to maintain image quality and responsiveness without requiring patients to hold their breath.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If scanning density is increased to improve image quality, then spatial resolution is improved, but scan rate decreases and real-time responsiveness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scan region adjustable and adaptable to moving targets. The system dynamically modifies the scan region boundaries based on detected target movement, allowing the scan parameters to change in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high scanning density within a dynamically adjusted region rather than a fixed region, maintaining both spatial resolution and real-time responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of scan region boundaries based on target movement detection. By calculating movement amounts from inter-reception-data and adjusting scan region parameters accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between scanning density for image quality and scan rate for real-time responsiveness. The scan region is expanded or contracted based on actual target displacement rather than using a fixed conservative boundary.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scan region is widened to include moving region of interest, then region of interest is included in ultrasound image, but scan time increases and real-time responsiveness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of target movement using inter-reception-data before final image creation. By calculating movement amounts from intermediate reception data and pre-adjusting the scan region boundaries accordingly, the system prepares the optimal scan region in advance. This preliminary action ensures the region of interest is included without requiring excessive scan region expansion, thus maintaining real-time responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously detecting target position changes and using this information to adjust the scan region. The movement amount calculated from inter-reception-data feeds back into the scan region control, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to target movement. This feedback mechanism ensures the scan region is precisely sized to include the moving region of interest without unnecessary expansion that would increase scan time.
3Productivity
If scan region is adjusted frequently to track moving region of interest, then real-time responsiveness is maintained, but stress on operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically detect target movement and adjust scan regions without operator intervention. The movement detection unit calculates displacement from inter-reception-data, and the scan region control unit automatically modifies boundaries based on these calculations. This automation eliminates the need for operators to manually track and adjust scan regions, maintaining real-time responsiveness while significantly reducing operator burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of scan regions by operators with an automated computational system. Instead of operators physically adjusting controls to track moving targets, the system uses algorithmic processing of inter-reception-data to calculate movement and automatically updates scan region parameters. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated processing maintains real-time performance while reducing operator stress.
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 solution reduces stress on patients and operators by allowing continuous scanning without the need for patients to hold their breath, while maintaining image quality and responsiveness, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe in contact with a body surface of a subject, and receives an ultrasonic wave reflected from an internal tissue of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
A region-of-interest setting unit sets a region of interest to be included in an ultrasound image. A first movement-amount calculating unit sequentially calculates a movement amount of the set region of interest between reception data along the time sequence as a first movement amount. A transmitting-receiving delay-amount computing unit computes a delay amount for sequentially shifting a scan region of an ultrasonic beam based on the sequentially calculated first movement amount. A computation/control circuit performs control so as to generate a high voltage pulse based on the computed delay amount. A second movement-amount calculating unit sequentially calculates a movement amount of the region of interest between image data along the time sequence as a second movement amount. A display-position correcting unit performs a correction such that the region of interest included in the image data is to be displayed at the same display position, based on the second movement amount.