Ultrasound STIC Imaging for Placenta Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound image diagnosis apparatuses face difficulties in displaying three-dimensional images of blood flow in the placenta and umbilical cord in real time due to the minimal movement of these structures, making it hard to visualize and identify blood flow pulses effectively.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) processing, which involves specifying the cycle of pulses in these structures using color Doppler signals, rearranging two-dimensional images based on the cycle, and generating three-dimensional images to display blood flow motion accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If STIC processing is applied to visualize fetal heart, then real-time three-dimensional image display is improved, but applicability to placenta and umbilical cord blood flow is worsened due to minimal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for cycle specification from motion-based (suitable for fetal heart) to blood flow velocity-based (suitable for placenta and umbilical cord). By using color Doppler signals to specify pulse cycles through blood flow velocity rather than relying on mechanical motion, the system can effectively visualize blood flow in structures with minimal movement while maintaining real-time three-dimensional image display capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the STIC processing system universal by enabling it to handle multiple types of targets with different movement characteristics. The system can now process both highly mobile structures (fetal heart) and minimally mobile structures (placenta and umbilical cord blood flow) using the same basic framework, but with adapted cycle specification methods appropriate for each target type
2Measurement precision
If traditional ultrasound imaging is used for placenta and umbilical cord, then structural imaging is obtained, but blood flow motion visualization is worsened due to minimal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces color Doppler signals as an intermediary to detect blood flow motion. Instead of directly visualizing mechanical movement of the placenta and umbilical cord (which is minimal), the system uses color Doppler signals as an intermediary measure to detect blood flow velocity, which serves as a proxy for blood flow motion. This intermediary approach enables effective visualization of blood flow dynamics in structures with minimal mechanical movement
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 allows for clear and accurate visualization of blood flow in the placenta and umbilical cord, enabling reliable observation of their motion and structure, even with minimal movement, by specifying pulse cycles and displaying images along the time axis.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus transmits ultrasound waves into a subject from an ultrasound probe 2, and receives reflected waves
Implementation Method 2
receive reflected waves caused by acoustic impedance mismatch inside the subject
Implementation Method 3
specifying the cycle of pulses in a part that performs periodic motion based on blood flow information
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a generation unit. The acquisition unit specifies the cycle of pulses in a part that performs periodic motion based on blood flow information in the part. The generation unit rearranges a plurality of two-dimensional images of the part based on the cycle to generate a three-dimensional image.