Ultrasonic Image Processing for Tumor Ablation Boundary Mapping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic imaging methods for evaluating tumor ablation treatments lack quantitative data references, particularly in three-dimensional representations, leading to inconsistencies in measuring ablation effects and incomplete coverage of tumor boundaries.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic image processing system and method that involves obtaining multiple sets of three-dimensional image data, establishing a spatial mapping relationship, segmenting target areas, and displaying reconstructed images with marked boundaries to provide comparative and quantitative assessments of tumor ablation effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-dimensional ultrasound contrast imaging is used to measure tumor ablation, then the long diameter of the ablated area can be obtained, but the consistency between ultrasound sections and locations cannot be guaranteed and the entire ablated area cannot be represented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ultrasound imaging to three-dimensional reconstruction to comprehensively evaluate tumor ablation. By acquiring ultrasound images from multiple angles and reconstructing them into a three-dimensional model, the system overcomes the limitation of single-section measurement and provides complete spatial coverage of the ablated area, ensuring measurement consistency across different sections and locations.
2Loss of information
If three-dimensional ultrasound contrast imaging is used to separate states of target area, then spatial information is improved, but quantitative data reference for ablation effects is still not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary segmentation of the tumor boundary and ablated area in the three-dimensional reconstruction before quantitative analysis. By pre-defining regions of interest and establishing spatial relationships between the tumor and ablated areas, the system prepares the data structure necessary for subsequent quantitative evaluation, enabling accurate calculation of ablation coverage and volume ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides quantitative feedback by calculating and displaying the ratio of ablated area to tumor area, as well as volume-based metrics. This feedback mechanism allows clinicians to objectively assess whether the ablation has achieved complete coverage of the tumor, enabling data-driven decisions about whether additional ablation sessions are needed.
3Measurement precision
If multiple ablation sessions are performed to treat large tumors, then complete tumor coverage is improved, but the simple measurement of long diameter cannot represent the entire ablated area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional reconstruction to capture the complete spatial extent of the ablated area across multiple ablation sessions. Instead of relying on single-dimension long diameter measurements that miss lateral coverage, the system reconstructs the full three-dimensional morphology of the ablated volume, providing comprehensive evaluation of whether cumulative ablation has achieved complete tumor coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary segmentation and spatial mapping of the tumor boundary before comparing it with the ablated area. By pre-establishing the reference tumor geometry and its spatial relationship with subsequent ablation zones, the system can accurately determine whether each ablation session contributes to complete tumor coverage and identify any remaining untreated regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic image processing system comprising: a data receiving module for acquiring multiple sets of three-dimensional image data corresponding to a single target tissue; an image analyzing module for dividing, on the basis of any one group of the multiple sets of three-dimensional image data, a target region to obtain a three-dimensional volume structure boundary of the target region, and a safety boundary generated by outward expansion or inward contraction along the three-dimensional volume structure boundary; an image mapping module for establishing a spatial mapping relation between the multiple sets of three-dimensional image data, and according to the spatial mapping relation, mapping the three-dimensional volume structure boundary and the safety boundary of the target region to the other sets of three-dimensional image data; and an image marking module for marking, in a displayed image, corresponding three-dimensional volume structure boundaries and safety boundaries of the target region in the multiple sets of three-dimensional image data, or regions within the three-dimensional volume structure boundaries and safety boundaries. The system is capable of solving the problem in the prior art in which collection, analysis and quantitative display cannot be performed on the ultrasonic images during the treatment process.