Ultrasound Diagnosis Microbubble Trajectory Feature Point Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses are limited in their ability to accurately diagnose blood vessels that extend vertically or at an angle through a cross-sectional image, leading to potential degradation in diagnosis accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a feature point detection unit that identifies specific trajectories of microbubbles in the ultrasound images, allowing for the creation of messages instructing the user to obtain ultrasound images from different cross-sectional angles, thereby enhancing the visualization of blood vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ultrasound images are obtained from a single cross-sectional plane, then the imaging process is simple and quick, but blood vessels extending vertically or at an angle cannot be visualized, degrading diagnosis accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidimaging process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from single-plane imaging to multi-plane imaging by acquiring ultrasound images from multiple cross-sectional planes (first, second, and third planes) and synthesizing them into a three-dimensional blood vessel image. This dimensional expansion enables visualization of blood vessels extending in various directions, resolving the limitation of single-plane imaging while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple cross-sectional images are acquired to improve blood vessel visualization, then diagnosis accuracy improves, but the imaging time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidimaging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting blood vessel trajectories and determining optimal second and third planes before acquiring additional ultrasound images. This pre-planning ensures that the necessary planes are identified in advance, allowing efficient image acquisition without unnecessary delays or repeated scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from blood vessel trajectory detection to dynamically determine which additional planes should be imaged. By analyzing the detected trajectories and identifying where blood vessels extend beyond the first plane, the system selectively acquires only the necessary second and third plane images, minimizing imaging time while ensuring complete blood vessel visualization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system automatically determines additional imaging planes based on blood vessel trajectories, then complete blood vessel visualization is achieved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood vessel visualization completenessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting blood vessel trajectories from the acquired ultrasound images and autonomously determining the optimal second and third planes for additional imaging. This automated trajectory-based plane determination eliminates the need for manual planning by operators, reducing processing complexity while achieving complete blood vessel visualization.

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 improves the diagnosis accuracy by enabling the user to visualize and diagnose blood vessels extending through multiple cross-sectional angles, rather than being limited to a single plane.

Implementation Method 1

the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus transmits an ultrasonic beam from a transducer array, in which a plurality of elements are arranged, toward the inside of the subject and receives an ultrasonic echo from the subject in the transducer array

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic beam transmission and reception: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

the microbubbles of the contrast media introduced into the subject show a nonlinear response accompanied with deformation or destruction due to the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the transducer array of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNonlinear response of microbubbles: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentEP3685755B1Ultrasonic diagnostic device and method for controlling ultrasonic diagnostic device
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP3685755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3685755B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3685755B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided arc an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and a method of controlling an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of improving diagnosis accuracy of a user for a subject. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus (1) includes an ultrasound probe (21) that has a transducer array (2), an imaging unit (11) that performs transmission and reception of an ultrasonic beam from the transducer array (2) toward a subject, into which contrast media including microbubbles is introduced, and images a reception signal output from the transducer array (2) to generate an ultrasound image, a display unit (7) that displays the generated ultrasound image, a bubble tracking unit (8) that tracks movement of the microbubbles based on the ultrasound image generated corresponding to one section to acquire trajectories of the microbubbles in the one section and displays the acquired trajectories on the display unit (7), and a feature point detection unit (9) that detects, as a feature point, a trajectory, in which a distance between a start point and an end point in a prescribed time range is less than a prescribed, among the acquired trajectories of the microbubbles and displays the detected feature point on the display unit (7).