Multi-Volume Rendering of Single Mode Ultrasound Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging, three-dimensional volume rendering using a single source of image information is often less diagnostically useful, and combining separate renderings for B-mode and flow information does not provide the desired diagnostic insights.
Innovation Solution
The system performs separate renderings for data from the same imaging mode, processing and rendering them differently to enhance specific information, such as opacity rendering for tissue and maximum intensity projection for bones, and then combines these renderings into a single image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single source of image information is used for three-dimensional volume rendering, then the rendering process is simple, but the diagnostic usefulness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the volume rendering process into multiple independent renderings, each processing different aspects of the same imaging mode data with different parameters. This segmentation allows each rendering to optimize for specific diagnostic features while maintaining overall diagnostic usefulness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different rendering parameters and techniques are applied to different aspects of the data to enhance specific features locally. For example, certain renderings emphasize bone structures while others highlight soft tissue, allowing each rendering to have optimized quality for its specific purpose.
2Loss of information
If separate renderings are performed for different imaging modes, then different information is visualized, but the combined diagnostic value is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate renderings from the same imaging mode are combined into a composite visualization. This merging allows diagnostic information from different rendering perspectives to be integrated, providing comprehensive diagnostic value that neither rendering could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite visualization by combining multiple renderings with different characteristics. This composite approach integrates the strengths of each individual rendering to produce a more reliable and comprehensive diagnostic image.
3Loss of information
If multiple modes of imaging are used for three-dimensional rendering, then more information is provided, but the resulting images lack diagnostic usefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing into multiple renderings from the same imaging mode, each with different processing parameters. This segmentation maintains information integrity while avoiding the problems of combining incompatible modes, thereby preserving diagnostic usefulness.
Data Source
AI summary
Separate renderings are performed for data of a same medical imaging mode. The data is processed differently prior to rendering and/or rendered differently to enhance desired image information. For example, a same set of ultrasound B-mode data is rendered with opacity rendering and with maximum intensity projection or surface rendering. The surface or maximum intensity projection highlights strong transitions associated with bones. The opacity rendering maintains tissue information. Different sets of B-mode data may be separately rendered, such as one set processed to emphasize contrast agent response and another set processed to emphasize tissue. The separate renderings are aligned and combined. The combined rendering is output as an image.