Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Composite Image Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses fail to separately display three-dimensional elastic images, three-dimensional blood flow images, and three-dimensional tomographic images, leading to potential hiding of regions of interest like tumors due to mixed elastic and blood flow information.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a signal transmission unit, signal receiving unit, and a display unit that creates and combines multiple projected images from volume data using predetermined combination rates to display composite images, allowing for separate recognition of three-dimensional elastic, blood flow, and tomographic images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple types of volume data (elastic, blood flow, tomographic) are displayed simultaneously using a single projected image, then comprehensive information can be obtained, but the images become mixed and regions of interest may be hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display of multiple volume data types into separate projected images. The projected image creation unit generates individual projected images for elastic information, blood flow information, and tomographic information, rather than mixing them in a single image. This segmentation allows each type of information to be clearly visualized separately while maintaining comprehensive coverage of all data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for differentiation by creating multiple projected images that can be displayed in different layers or positions. The projected image combination unit combines these separate projected images into a composite projected image with multiple layers, allowing elastic information, blood flow information, and tomographic information to occupy different spatial dimensions in the display, thereby preventing mixing while maintaining comprehensiveness.
2Measurement precision
If the opacity of the three-dimensional tomographic image is adjusted to recognize elastic image shapes, then elastic information becomes visible, but blood flow information may be obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display into separate projected images for different data types. The projected image creation unit creates distinct projected images for elastic information and blood flow information, allowing each to be optimized independently for visibility without compromising the other. This eliminates the need to adjust opacity at the expense of other information types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multi-layered composite projected images where elastic information, blood flow information, and tomographic information are placed in different layers. This dimensional separation allows the opacity of the tomographic image to be adjusted for elastic information recognition without obscuring blood flow information, as they occupy different layers in the composite display.
3Device complexity
If a single composite projected image combines all volume data, then display complexity is reduced, but individual image recognition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the composite projected image into multiple distinct layers, each containing specific types of information (elastic information, blood flow information, tomographic information). The projected image combination unit creates this multi-layered structure, allowing the display system to maintain relative simplicity while enabling clear recognition of individual image types through layer separation and selective visualization.
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 clear and separate visualization of three-dimensional elastic, blood flow, and tomographic images, preventing regions of interest from being obscured by other image information.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe having transducers through which an ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received; a signal transmission unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave to an object through the ultrasonic probe
Implementation Method 2
a signal receiving unit that receives a reflected echo signal reflected from the object
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image display method for appropriately displaying a three-dimensional elastic image, a three-dimensional blood flow image, and a three-dimensional tomographic image such that the images can be separately recognized, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes projected image creation units that create a plurality of projected images from the plurality of types of volume data and a projected image combination unit that creates a composite projected image by combining the plurality of projected images on the basis of a predetermined combination rate, and the display unit displays the composite projected image.