Ultrasonic Probe Position Marker Alignment with Volume Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic devices face challenges in accurately and quantitatively measuring blood-flow information due to limitations in positioning and angle correction during Doppler waveform analysis.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic device with a processing circuitry that acquires correspondence relations between ultrasonic image data and volume data from other medical-image diagnostic devices, allowing for precise display and adjustment of position markers on a three-dimensional scan area, enhancing the accuracy and quantitative characteristics of blood-flow information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional Doppler waveform analysis is used with manual positioning, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of blood-flow information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces volume data from external medical imaging devices (CT, MRI) as an intermediary reference system. This external data serves as a mediator that provides pre-acquired three-dimensional anatomical information, allowing the ultrasonic device to leverage already-performed positioning and angle corrections from the reference images without requiring complex internal positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by utilizing positioning and angle correction information that has already been established in previously acquired volume data from CT or MRI scans. Instead of performing new positioning operations, the system reuses the pre-established spatial relationships and angle corrections from the reference imaging, thereby improving measurement precision without adding device complexity
2Measurement precision
If three-dimensional volume data integration is implemented, then the measurement precision of blood-flow information improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the processing circuitry to handle multiple types of medical image data (CT, MRI, and other volume data) through a unified interface and processing framework. The system can accept and process various formats of three-dimensional medical imaging data using the same correlation and registration mechanisms, thereby improving measurement precision across different imaging modalities without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image data from other medical imaging devices as an intermediary that bridges the ultrasonic Doppler measurement system with external anatomical reference information. This intermediary approach allows the system to integrate three-dimensional volume data without requiring direct physical or structural integration with CT or MRI machines, thus managing device complexity while achieving improved measurement precision
3Measurement precision
If precise position marker display is implemented on volume data, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by creating a visual representation (copy) of the position marker's location in the three-dimensional volume data space. Instead of requiring operators to mentally map two-dimensional ultrasonic images to three-dimensional anatomy, the system generates and displays a copied view of the position marker's spatial coordinates within the volume data, providing intuitive visual feedback that improves measurement precision while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by displaying the position marker's location on the three-dimensional volume data back to the operator in real-time. This visual feedback loop allows the operator to see the exact spatial positioning of the marker within the anatomical context provided by the volume data, enabling precise positioning while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive visual confirmation
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
Improves the accuracy and quantitative characteristics of blood-flow information by enabling precise positioning and angle correction, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe (101) to conduct ultrasonic scanning on a three-dimensional area of a subject (P) and to receive a reflected wave from the subject (P)
Implementation Method 2
the Doppler spectrum (Doppler waveform) that represents blood-flow information by using Doppler information (Doppler signals) that is extracted from reflected waves of ultrasound
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe and processing circuitry. The probe conducts ultrasonic scanning on a three-dimensional area of a subject and receives a reflected wave from the subject. The circuitry acquires the correspondence relation between a position in ultrasonic image data on the three-dimensional area based on the reflected wave and a position in volume data on the subject captured by a different medical-image diagnostic device. The circuitry receives, from an operator, an operation to set a position marker, which indicates the position at which blood-flow information is extracted, on a scan area of the ultrasonic image data. The circuitry causes the image generated during a rendering process on the ultrasonic image data to be displayed and causes the position marker to be displayed at a corresponding position on a display image based on at least the volume data in accordance with the correspondence relation.