Ultrasonic Diagnosis Needle Visibility via Dynamic Scan Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatuses face challenges in visualizing puncture needles during procedures like biopsy and radio frequency ablation, especially when needles are inserted freehand, due to limitations in angle control and interference from tissue brightness, leading to reduced visibility and artifacts in images.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a scan controller to perform both perpendicular and oblique scans, generating composite image data by detecting the puncture needle's angle and adjusting ultrasound transmission directions to improve visibility, using a combination of image generation and display controllers to enhance needle visibility independently of the needle's angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an oblique scan is performed to improve puncture needle visibility, then the brightness of the puncture needle is increased, but artifacts are produced in the image due to grating lobes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between normal scan and oblique scan modes based on the detected puncture needle angle. When the needle angle deviates from the optimal range for oblique scanning, the system returns to normal scan mode, thereby avoiding artifact generation while maintaining needle visibility when conditions are favorable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scanning parameter (scan angle) based on the detected puncture needle angle. By adjusting the ultrasonic beam transmission angle dynamically, the system optimizes needle visibility while controlling artifact production through selective use of oblique scan parameters.
2Illumination intensity
If an oblique scan is performed to improve puncture needle visibility, then the brightness of the puncture needle is increased, but the brightness of the puncture needle decreases as the puncture needle is displaced from immediately below the ultrasound probe
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the detected puncture needle angle to control the scanning mode. The detection unit continuously monitors the needle angle, and based on this feedback, the control unit switches between normal and oblique scan modes, ensuring optimal needle visibility regardless of needle position or angle changes during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is made dynamic by continuously adapting the scan mode based on real-time needle angle detection. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high needle brightness across various needle positions and angles, overcoming the limitation of fixed-angle oblique scanning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If freehand puncture is performed without a puncture guide, then the angle of the puncture needle is not constant leading to reduced visibility, but the puncture can be performed more flexibly based on positional relationship between lesion and blood vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time feedback from the detection unit that monitors puncture needle angle and position. This feedback enables the control unit to automatically adjust the scanning mode (normal or oblique) to maintain optimal needle visibility, thereby supporting flexible freehand puncture techniques without sacrificing visualization quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is designed to perform multiple scanning functions (normal scan and oblique scan) within a single system. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to various puncture techniques and needle angles, providing universal support for both guided and freehand puncture approaches while maintaining needle visibility.
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 ensures improved visibility of the puncture needle in real-time, reducing artifacts and maintaining frame rate by dynamically adjusting ultrasound transmission conditions based on needle angle and movement, thus facilitating more precise procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe 1 to execute a first scan for performing ultrasound transmission in a first direction relative to a transducer element surface... and a second scan for performing ultrasound transmission in each of a plurality of directions
Implementation Method 2
The detector 182 detects a line segment based on the second ultrasonic image data group
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a scan controller, an image generator, a detector, an image generation controller, an image combiner and a display controller. The scan controller causes to execute a first scan for performing ultrasound transmission in a first direction and a second scan for performing ultrasound transmission in each of a plurality of directions. The image generator generates first ultrasonic image data through the first scan and generates a second ultrasonic image data group through the second scan. The detector detects a line segment based on the second ultrasonic image data group. The image generation controller controls to generate needle image data based on information about the line segment. The image combiner generates composite image data of the first ultrasonic image data and the needle image data. The display controller controls the composite image data to be displayed.