Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Contrast Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, aligning contrast-enhanced live images with reference images is challenging due to the absence of tissue structure characteristics in contrast mode, making it difficult to synchronize and compare these images effectively.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry that aligns live images with reference images using fundamental images, which are acquired prior to the live images, by employing a technique that alternates between contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced scans to generate volume data, allowing for the display and synchronization of both images for accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contrast-enhanced imaging is used to obtain only contrast agent echoes, then the contrast agent visualization is improved, but the tissue structure depiction is lost making alignment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into two distinct modes: contrast-enhanced imaging for detecting contrast agent echoes and non-contrast-enhanced imaging for capturing tissue structure. By separating these functions into different imaging passes, the system preserves tissue structure information in the non-contrast mode while maintaining contrast agent detection capability in the contrast mode, resolving the contradiction between the two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-contrast-enhanced fundamental image serves as an intermediary that provides tissue structure information. This intermediary image is used to facilitate alignment between the contrast-enhanced live image and the reference image, acting as a bridge that transfers alignment information from the tissue-structure-rich fundamental image to the contrast-agent-specific harmonic image.
2Ease of operation
If non-contrast fundamental images are used for alignment, then tissue structure is depicted enabling alignment, but contrast agent information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The non-contrast fundamental image acts as an intermediary for the alignment process. It provides the necessary tissue structure information to enable easy alignment between images, while the contrast agent information is preserved in the harmonic image data. The intermediary fundamental image facilitates alignment without requiring the loss of contrast agent information, as the alignment parameters can be transferred to the harmonic image afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment operation is performed preliminarily using the non-contrast fundamental image before final contrast-enhanced image processing. By completing the alignment step using the tissue-structure-rich fundamental image first, the system preserves contrast agent information in the harmonic image while still achieving accurate alignment through the preliminary operation.
3Loss of information
If alternating contrast and non-contrast scans are performed, then both tissue structure and contrast agent information are obtained, but imaging time is doubled
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system performs periodic alternation between contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced scans. This periodic action allows the acquisition of both contrast agent information (in harmonic mode) and tissue structure information (in fundamental mode) through systematic alternation of imaging modes, ensuring complete information gathering while maintaining an organized acquisition sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-contrast fundamental imaging is performed as a preliminary action to establish alignment reference before the contrast-enhanced imaging sequence. By completing the tissue structure capture first, the system can then proceed with contrast agent imaging using the pre-established reference, optimizing the sequence to minimize total imaging time while ensuring both information types are acquired.
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 enables precise alignment and comparison of live and reference images, improving medical image interpretation by ensuring that tissue structures are clearly depicted in the alignment process, facilitating effective diagnostic procedures.
Implementation Method 1
when ultrasonic imaging is conducted using a contrast agent in the contrast mode, special transmission and reception of ultrasonic wave are used to obtain only the echoes caused by the contrast agent
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes memory circuitry configured to store a program and processing circuitry configured, by executing the program, to perform alignment between one of live images and one of reference images. The live images include a fundamental image and a harmonic image both of which are acquired by contrast imaging, the reference images are acquired prior to the live images, and the alignment is performed by using the fundamental image as one of the live images.