Medical Imaging Spatial Synchronization via Weighted Transfer Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging systems face challenges in accurately synchronizing ultrasound image data with 3D medical image data, particularly as the distance from the calibration position increases, leading to misalignment issues that require frequent recalibration.
Innovation Solution
A medical imaging apparatus and method that determine multiple transfer functions between ultrasound and 3D medical image data at various positions of the ultrasound probe, allowing for improved spatial synchronization by weighting these functions based on the probe's position and distance to calibration points, enabling precise alignment over a larger area with reduced technical effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single calibration position is used for spatial synchronization, then the calibration process is simple and quick, but the synchronization accuracy deteriorates with increasing distance from the calibration position
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration space is segmented into multiple calibration positions rather than using a single calibration point. The system determines transfer functions at multiple discrete positions (first calibration position, second calibration position, etc.), creating localized calibration zones that maintain high accuracy across the entire imaging volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and weights transfer functions based on the current ultrasound probe position. The computation unit calculates weighted combinations of transfer functions from different calibration positions, with weights determined by the distance to each calibration position, allowing the system to adapt to any location in the imaging volume.
2Measurement precision
If multiple calibration positions are used to improve synchronization accuracy, then the spatial alignment precision improves across larger areas, but the device complexity and calibration effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of calibration positions from a single point to multiple points in space. By introducing multiple calibration positions with different spatial coordinates, the system expands the accurate calibration coverage area while managing complexity through systematic weighting and combination of transfer functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The computation unit acts as an intermediary that combines multiple transfer functions from different calibration positions. It calculates weighted combinations of these transfer functions based on probe position, mediating between the multiple calibration data sources and the final synchronized image output.
3Measurement precision
If recalibration is performed frequently to maintain accuracy, then the synchronization precision is maintained, but the productivity and efficiency of the imaging process decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration at multiple positions beforehand, storing transfer functions for each calibration position. This preliminary action creates a library of calibrated transfer functions that can be dynamically combined during imaging without requiring frequent recalibration, thus maintaining accuracy while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ultrasound acquisition unit including an ultrasound probe for acquiring ultrasound image data of a patient. An image data interface is provided for receiving 3D medical image data of the patient and a position determining unit for determining a position of the ultrasound probe. A calibration unit determines a transfer function between the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data at a plurality of positions (C) of the ultrasound probe and provides a corresponding plurality of calibrated transfer functions and calibration positions. A computation unit synchronizes the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe and the plurality of calibrated transfer functions, said computation unit is further adapted to weight the calibrated transfer functions on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe.