Ultrasound Caliper and Guide Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound image diagnosis systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently measuring targets on medical images due to the need for precise calibration and alignment of calipers and guides, which can be operator-dependent and prone to errors, especially when the measurement target's orientation changes.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus with a control circuit that defines and displays calipers and guides integrally, allowing them to be moved and aligned based on predefined distances and angles, ensuring accurate measurement regardless of the target's orientation, and automatically adjusts their positions and sizes to match the display scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual calibration and alignment of calipers and guides is performed, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but operator dependency and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines multiple calibration patterns (first through fourth patterns) with predetermined positional relationships between calipers and guides. These patterns are prepared in advance and can be automatically selected and applied based on the measurement target, eliminating the need for manual calibration during the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the positional relationship parameters between calipers and guides by selecting from predefined patterns. The control circuit changes parameters such as distance, angle, and orientation based on the selected calibration pattern, enabling automatic adaptation to different measurement scenarios without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If precise manual alignment of calipers and guides is performed, then measurement accuracy improves, but operator dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically selecting the appropriate calibration pattern and adjusting the positional relationship between calipers and guides. The control circuit identifies the measurement target and autonomously configures the measurement tools, eliminating the need for operator skill and judgment in alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple calibration patterns with different positional relationships are pre-defined and stored in the system. When a measurement is needed, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate pre-prepared pattern, removing the burden of manual alignment from the operator.
3Ease of operation
If calipers and guides are displayed separately, then individual adjustment flexibility is maintained, but measurement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the display and control of calipers and guides into an integrated unit. When a calibration pattern is selected, the control circuit simultaneously positions both the caliper and guide according to the predefined relationship, allowing them to be moved and adjusted together as a coordinated pair rather than separate independent elements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual calibration for each measurement target is performed, then adaptability to different targets is achieved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides universal calibration patterns that can be applied to various measurement targets. The multiple predefined patterns cover different measurement scenarios and target types, allowing a single set of calibration patterns to serve multiple measurement functions without requiring custom calibration for each specific target.
Solution Approach 2:
Comprehensive calibration patterns are prepared in advance to cover various measurement scenarios. The system stores multiple patterns with different positional relationships, enabling rapid selection and application appropriate to the specific measurement target without performing manual calibration procedures each time.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus includes a display and a control circuit. The display is configured to display an ultrasound image generated based on an echo signal of ultrasound waves transmitted to a site to be diagnosed. The control circuit is configured to measure a measurement target on the ultrasound image of the site to be diagnosed displayed on the display. The control circuit performs a definition function to define the distance between a caliper used to measure the measurement target and a guide used to arrange the caliper at the position of the measurement target, a display control function to control the display of the caliper and the guide arranged to be separated by the distance defined such that the caliper and the guide are integrally movable on the ultrasound image, and a measurement function to measure the measurement target using the caliper.