3D Ultrasound Rendering via Precomputed Color Reference Table
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound systems face challenges in performing real-time volume rendering of three-dimensional ultrasound images due to the time-consuming calculations required for gradient calculations at the preprocessing stage, preventing live mode rendering of volume data acquired in real-time.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a three-dimensional color reference table within the ultrasound system, which allows for the storage and retrieval of colors corresponding to intensity accumulation values and shading values throughout depth, enabling efficient volume rendering through ray-casting and gradient intensity calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If gradient calculation is performed at preprocessing stage for each voxel, then manufacturing precision of the rendering process is improved, but productivity is worsened due to time-consuming calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores gradient values for all possible intensity accumulation values and shading values in a three-dimensional color reference table before runtime. This preliminary action eliminates the need for real-time gradient calculations during volume rendering, enabling live mode processing while maintaining rendering precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a pre-computed color reference table that stores gradient calculation results for various intensity and shading combinations. Instead of performing actual gradient calculations during rendering, the system copies and retrieves pre-computed values from this table, significantly reducing processing time while preserving accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If gradient calculation is performed at preprocessing stage, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time is worsened preventing live mode rendering
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs gradient calculations in advance and stores results in a three-dimensional color reference table. This preliminary computation transfers the time-consuming gradient calculation from the rendering stage to an initial setup phase, enabling real-time rendering without sacrificing gradient accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a pre-computed color reference table that can be generated once and reused multiple times. This disposable pre-computation approach converts a repeated expensive operation (gradient calculation) into a single-time setup cost, making real-time rendering economically viable.
3Productivity
If volume rendering is performed without pre-calculated gradients, then productivity is improved for live mode, but manufacturing precision is worsened due to inability to perform accurate gradient-based rendering
Solution Approach 1:
The three-dimensional color reference table serves as an intermediary between the volume data and the final rendered image. It stores pre-computed gradient information that mediates between the raw volume data and the shaded output, enabling accurate gradient-based rendering without real-time calculation overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-calculating gradient values and storing them in the color reference table, the system prepares all necessary gradient information in advance. This preliminary action enables the rendering process to directly use accurate gradient values during live mode without performing time-consuming calculations at rendering time.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
There are provided embodiments for a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system based on a three-dimensional color reference table. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises: a storage unit for storing a three-dimensional color reference table for providing colors corresponding to at least one of intensity accumulation values and shading values throughout depth; and a processing unit configured to form volume data based on ultrasound data corresponding to a target object and perform ray-casting on the volume data to calculate intensity accumulation values and shading values throughout the depth, the processing unit being further configured to apply colors corresponding to the at least one of the calculated intensity accumulation values and the calculated shading values based on the three-dimensional color reference table.