Ultrasound Diagnosis Apparatus Bone Refraction Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses face challenges in generating high-quality images due to refraction and attenuation of ultrasound waves when passing through tissues with significantly different acoustic characteristics, such as bone and other hard tissues, which distort the sound field and reduce image clarity.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus specifies characteristic sites within the scanning range using three-dimensional image data and adjusts transmission/reception conditions based on their acoustic characteristics, applying these changes to improve beam forming and image generation, thereby correcting for refraction and attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If ultrasound waves are transmitted through tissues with different acoustic characteristics (such as bone), then the scanning range is expanded, but the ultrasound waves are refracted and the sound field is disturbed, reducing image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting transmission/reception conditions specifically for regions with characteristic sites (bone or hard tissue) while maintaining standard conditions for other regions. The specifying unit identifies characteristic sites in the scanning range, and the transmission/reception condition change unit modifies ultrasound transmission parameters only for those specific regions, allowing expanded scanning through bone while maintaining image quality in affected areas.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning range includes bone or hard tissue, then the ability to image those regions is improved, but refraction and attenuation of ultrasound waves occur, distorting the sound field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting transmission/reception conditions based on the identified characteristic sites. The transmission/reception condition change unit modifies ultrasound parameters (such as transmission power, reception sensitivity, or focal depth) specifically for regions containing bone or hard tissue, enabling reliable imaging through these challenging structures while compensating for refraction and attenuation effects.
3Manufacturing precision
If ultrasound transmission conditions are adjusted for characteristic sites, then image quality in those regions is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying characteristic sites (bone or hard tissue regions) in the scanning range before actual ultrasound imaging. The specifying unit performs this preliminary identification based on anatomical knowledge or preliminary scans, allowing the system to pre-adjust transmission/reception conditions for those regions, thereby improving image quality without requiring complex real-time adjustments during imaging.
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 enhances the quality of ultrasound images by accurately accounting for the acoustic properties of varying tissues, leading to improved image clarity and consistency across different subjects.
Implementation Method 1
transmits ultrasound waves through the skull and receives reflected waves therefrom
Implementation Method 2
the skull has acoustic characteristics, such as acoustic velocity and attenuation rate, largely different from those of other sites. If a range (scanning range) where ultrasound waves are transmitted and received includes tissue, such as bone, having acoustic characteristics largely different from those of other sites, the ultrasound waves are refracted by the tissue (sound field is disturbed)
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is configured to generate ultrasound image data of a subject through an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a specifying unit, a transmission/reception condition change unit, and an image generator. The specifying unit specifies a characteristic site, which is included in a scanning range related to the ultrasound image data and has specific acoustic characteristics, based on three-dimensional image data of the subject generated in advance. The transmission/reception condition change unit changes transmission/reception conditions of ultrasound waves based on the acoustic characteristics of the characteristic site. The image generator generates the ultrasound image data based on changed transmission/reception conditions.