Ultrasound Strain Imaging via External Tracker Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating reliable, high-quality ultrasound strain images from freehand palpations is challenging due to sensitivity to hand motion and difficulty in controlling compression rates, leading to compromised image quality and potential misinterpretation of artifacts as lesions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an external tracker to synchronize and select optimal RF frames based on measured positions and orientations of the ultrasound probe, minimizing cost functions to achieve desired strain values and aligning images for improved strain imaging, independent of user skill and motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If freehand palpation is used for strain imaging, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and image quality deteriorate due to sensitivity to hand motion and difficulty in controlling compression rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to the user through visual display of strain images and quality metrics. The processor calculates strain values and displays them along with quality indicators that reflect the quality of hand motion, enabling the user to adjust their palpation technique to improve image quality while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the reliance on user skill and manual control with an automated computational system. The processor automatically selects optimal frame pairs, calculates strain values, and evaluates quality metrics, substituting the mechanical skill requirement with an automated image processing and analysis system that ensures reliable results regardless of user expertise
2Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated algorithms are used to compensate for hand motion, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the most critical processing functions: frame pair selection based on quality metrics, strain calculation from selected frames, and quality evaluation. By focusing on these essential functions rather than implementing comprehensive motion compensation algorithms, the system achieves good image quality with reduced computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary selection of optimal frame pairs based on quality metrics before strain calculation. This preliminary action ensures that only high-quality frames are used for strain computation, improving image quality while avoiding the need for complex post-processing corrections
3Productivity
If the frame rate is increased to capture more RF frames, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of time for processing and selecting frame pairs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and uses only the most relevant frames for strain calculation by applying quality metrics to select optimal frame pairs. This selective approach processes a subset of frames rather than all captured frames, reducing processing time while maintaining productivity benefits from high frame rate acquisition
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of all captured frames using quality metrics to identify optimal candidates before strain calculation. This preliminary sorting and selection process enables efficient processing of high frame rate data by pre-identifying the most useful frames for subsequent strain computation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improved ultrasound strain imaging includes using data from a tracking system to enhance the quality of ultrasound strain image and to reduce the dependency of image quality of the user's expertise. The tracking information is synchronized with the RF frames and interpolated to find the transformation corresponding to each frame. The RF frames with their transformations are incorporated into calculation of ultrasound strain images. The tracking system may be an optical tracker, electromagnetic tracker, accelerometer, or a structured light system. The structured light system may also be used for probe calibration, by calibrating the surface of the probe pre-operatively. In addition, a relative Young's Modulus may be calculated using tracking information that is independent from the distribution of input force.