Ultrasound Apparatus Needle Visualization via Dynamic Beam Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses face difficulties in clearly visualizing needles during paracentesis procedures due to the influence of lesion position and needle insertion angle, often relying on operator experience, and may generate artifacts or fail to visualize the needle due to grating lobes during oblique scanning.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that acquires multiple ultrasound data sets using different transmission/reception settings, generates high-resolution tissue and puncture needle images through image processing, and displays a composite image to enhance visualization of both tissue and needle, while controlling transmission/reception conditions to minimize grating lobes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If oblique scanning is performed to visualize the needle vertically, then needle visualization is improved, but grating lobes occur causing artifacts in the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the beam angle parameter dynamically during scanning. It performs scanning at multiple different beam angles (including 0 degrees and non-zero angles) rather than fixed oblique scanning, allowing optimal visualization of the needle at different positions while avoiding grating lobe artifacts by adjusting the angle parameter adaptively
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the beam angle during the scanning process. Instead of using a fixed oblique angle, the beam angle is changed based on the detected position of the puncture needle, enabling the system to adapt to different needle positions and orientations while minimizing artifacts
2Area of stationary object
If general ultrasound scanning is used for monitoring, then broad tissue coverage is achieved, but needle visibility deteriorates due to lesion position and insertion angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scanning process into two distinct phases: a first scanning phase that covers a broad area to locate the puncture needle, and a second scanning phase that focuses on visualizing the needle with optimized beam angles. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both broad tissue coverage and precise needle visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary broad-area scanning to detect the position and orientation of the puncture needle before performing detailed needle visualization scanning. This preliminary detection action enables subsequent optimization of beam angles for better needle visibility while maintaining awareness of the overall tissue area
3Loss of information
If needle extraction image is generated by subtracting general scanning from oblique scanning, then needle extraction is achieved, but image quality degrades due to grating lobes and artifact generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the puncture needle image by performing subtraction processing between the first scanning image (broad coverage) and the second scanning image (optimized for needle visualization). This extraction method isolates the needle signal from the tissue background while avoiding the grating lobe artifacts that would otherwise contaminate the extracted image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that uses the difference between two scanning images to isolate the needle signal. By using the first scanning image as a reference and subtracting it from the second scanning image, the system acts as an intermediary filter that extracts needle information while eliminating artifacts
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
Enables clear and reliable visualization of both living body tissue and puncture needles during paracentesis, improving procedural accuracy and safety by providing a high-quality composite image that reduces reliance on operator experience.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe 12, an input device 13, a monitor 14, an ultrasound transmission unit 21, an ultrasound reception unit 22
Implementation Method 2
acquire a plurality of first echo signals by transmitting a plurality of first ultrasound waves to a living body P and receiving reflected waves from the living body P
Data Source
AI summary
In general, according to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is used to observe a position and puncture direction of a puncture needle in an object in a paracentesis, and comprises data acquisition unit, image generation unit and a display. The data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of first ultrasound data concerning an inside of the object, acquire a plurality of second ultrasound data concerning the inside of the object, and acquire a plurality of third ultrasound data concerning the inside of the object. The image generation unit generates a tissue image displaying a living body tissue by using the first ultrasound data, generate a puncture image displaying the puncture needle based on image processing using the second ultrasound data and the third ultrasound data, and generate a composite image visualizing the living body tissue and the puncture needle by using the tissue image and the puncture image.