Ultrasonic Probe Body Movement Correction for Deep Tissue Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic imaging technologies face challenges in accurately measuring and correcting body movement of a target object, especially in deep areas, which affects the signal-to-noise ratio and contrast of ultrasonic images, making it difficult to extract and image tissue changes or blood vessel structures effectively over time.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic imaging apparatus that uses an ultrasonic probe with piezoelectric elements to measure body movement in a two-dimensional imaging plane, applying cross-correlation or least square methods to set measuring areas and perform accumulating or subtracting processing on time-series images to correct for body movement, thereby enhancing image quality and contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic waves are irradiated in deep areas, then imaging capability is achieved, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases due to sound pressure reduction and nonlinear signal fading
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging depth range is segmented into multiple depth zones, with each zone processed separately using divided imaging areas. This allows optimization of ultrasonic wave parameters for each depth segment, maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio in deep areas by reducing dispersion effects within each segmented zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a depth dimension segmentation approach, dividing the imaging space into multiple depth layers. By processing each depth layer independently with appropriate sound pressure levels, the system maintains high signal-to-noise ratio across varying depths while achieving comprehensive deep area imaging capability.
2Measurement precision
If body movement correction is applied to extract blood vessel structures, then imaging precision improves, but measurement accuracy of body movement becomes critical and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary body movement measurement and correction before blood vessel structure extraction. By measuring body movement in advance using cross-correlation or least square methods and applying correction processing to time-series images, the system eliminates movement artifacts that would otherwise degrade the accuracy of subsequent blood vessel structure extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where body movement is continuously measured and correction results are fed back into the image processing pipeline. The measured body movement parameters are used to adjust and correct subsequent images, creating a closed-loop system that progressively improves both movement measurement accuracy and blood vessel extraction precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If time-series images are accumulated or subtracted to detect tissue changes, then therapy effect judgment capability improves, but body movement correction becomes necessary and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal body movement correction module that serves multiple functions: it corrects images for both blood vessel structure extraction and tissue change detection, and works with both accumulation and subtraction processing modes. This multi-functional approach enables therapy effect judgment capability while avoiding the need for separate correction systems for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on the specific application (blood vessel extraction vs. tissue change detection). By changing parameters such as correction intensity, processing mode (accumulation or subtraction), and analysis focus, the system achieves versatile therapy effect judgment capability while managing complexity through parameter-based adaptation rather than structural complexity.
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 allows for precise imaging of tissue form changes and blood vessel structures by improving the signal-to-noise ratio and contrast, enabling accurate and shareable images among medical professionals, even in deep areas, and facilitating the detection of tissue changes and therapy effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a target object, and acquiring two-dimensional tomographic images of the target object
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic probe with piezoelectric elements
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic imaging apparatus for imaging information changing with time and displaying it in real time, composed of an ultrasonic probe (2), having piezoelectric elements arranged in an array form that transmit ultrasonic waves to a target object (1) and acquires a reflection signal from the target object; a body movement measuring unit (12) that constitutes a two-dimensional ultrasonic image using the reflection signal acquired by the ultrasonic probe, sets, in the image plane, a plurality of measuring areas used for measuring the body movement of the target object, and measures the body movement and deformation amounts in the measuring areas; and an image accumulating (subtracting) unit for accumulating or subtracting images using body movement measured by the body movement measurement unit.