3D Strain Gauge Visualization for Cardiac Motion Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic diagnostic methods fail to adequately observe the three-dimensional complex movement of heart tissue, particularly the movement between endomyocardial and epimyocardial layers, as they only display motion on a single plane, limiting the visualization of heart wall motion.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that collects volume data over multiple cardiac cycles, generates motion vector information using pattern matching, and sets three-dimensional strain gauges to display the movement between endomyocardial and epimyocardial layers in a three-dimensional manner, allowing for the visualization of strain gauges on multiple planes and sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If strain gauges are displayed on only one plane using conventional methods, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to observe three-dimensional complicated heart wall motion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from displaying strain gauges on a single two-dimensional plane to visualizing them in three-dimensional space. By setting multiple strain gauges at different spatial positions and projecting them onto arbitrary sections, the system captures and displays the three-dimensional complicated movement of heart wall tissue, thereby preventing loss of spatial motion information.
2Measurement precision
If three-dimensional strain gauges are implemented to visualize complex heart wall motion, then measurement precision of wall motion is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple scanning and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heart wall tissue into multiple discrete strain gauge measurement points distributed throughout the three-dimensional volume. By dividing the complex three-dimensional motion analysis into multiple independent strain gauge measurements at specific locations, the system achieves precise local wall motion measurement while managing computational complexity through structured data organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary ultrasonic volume scanning to acquire three-dimensional tissue data before conducting strain gauge analysis. Motion vector information is generated in advance through pattern matching processing, and strain gauges are pre-positioned at optimal locations based on the volume data, enabling efficient subsequent analysis without requiring complex real-time processing.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional single-plane strain gauge display is used, then ease of operation is maintained and device complexity is low, but the ability to detect and measure three-dimensional tissue movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual three-dimensional model of the heart tissue by copying and processing ultrasonic echo data into volume data. Strain gauges are virtually positioned and projected onto arbitrary sections without requiring physical three-dimensional measurement devices, thereby reducing the difficulty of detecting three-dimensional tissue movement while maintaining ease of operation through software-based implementation.
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
Enables intuitive recognition and visualization of the complex three-dimensional movement of heart tissue, providing a more accurate representation of wall motion and allowing for the observation of movements that were previously unseen in traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a data collection unit that collects volume data over one or more periods of movement of tissue of a subject body, which moves periodically, by ultrasonically scanning the tissue of the subject body
Implementation Method 2
a motion vector information generating unit that generates motion vector information on the region of interest in time phases other than the predetermined time phase by processing using pattern matching
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of strain gauges defined by gauge endpoints are set in each time phase using motion vector information of tissue, and a three-dimensional strain gauge image in which each strain gauge is disposed at a three-dimensional position corresponding to, for example, an ultrasonic image in each time phase is generated and displayed. Moreover, an MPR image is set on volume data and is displayed in a predetermined form in a state where gauge coordinates are projected thereon.