Ultrasonic Imaging Valve Motion Tracking for Fetal Heart Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring fetal heart rate using Doppler ultrasound signals face challenges due to errors from maternal or fetal movement, making it difficult to accurately determine the fetal heartbeat.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging apparatus and control method that utilize valve motion within the ultrasound image of the heart to efficiently determine the heart movement period, including deriving the position of valves based on annulus positions and tracking their movement to calculate the heart exercise cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Doppler ultrasound signal is used to measure fetal heart rate, then the measurement can be performed non-invasively, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to errors from maternal or fetal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the fetal heart sound signal from the composite maternal-fetal ultrasound signal by analyzing specific frequency components and temporal patterns characteristic of fetal heartbeats, separating it from maternal movement artifacts and other interfering signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage that uses signal filtering and pattern recognition algorithms to mediate between the raw Doppler signal and the final heart rate measurement, eliminating movement errors through intermediate signal analysis
2Measurement precision
If valve motion is used to determine heart exercise cycle, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasound image into specific anatomical regions containing heart valves, focusing processing only on relevant areas rather than analyzing the entire image, which reduces computational complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification and positioning of heart valve structures in the ultrasound image before conducting motion analysis, preparing the data in advance to simplify subsequent cycle determination processes
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 accurate and efficient measurement of fetal heart movement, reducing errors associated with maternal or fetal movement and providing a reliable method for determining the heart exercise cycle.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer array TA, a transmitter 110 configured to generate transmission signals for the ultrasonic transducer array TA, a receiver 200 configured to receive ultrasonic echo signals reflected from the fetus
Implementation Method 2
the method using the Doppler ultrasound signal has a disadvantage
Data Source
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AI summary
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes : a display; a probe configured to acquire an ultrasound signal of a heart; and a controller configured to generate an ultrasound image of the heart based on the ultrasound signal, control the display to display the ultrasound image of the heart, and determine an exercise cycle of the heart based on the movement of at least one valve included in the ultrasound image, wherein the ultrasound image comprises an atrium and a ventricle of the heart