Ultrasound Image Processor Automatic Measurement Template Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasound diagnosis systems require multiple user inputs to measure and acquire measurement objects from standard views, which is inconvenient and time-consuming for medical professionals.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method that minimizes user input by using an image processor to automatically acquire measurement information based on user inputs, shape information, and predetermined templates, allowing for real-time measurement of measurement objects with reduced user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system automatically acquires measurement information based on standard views and shape information, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of acquiring measurement objectsVSAvoidcomplexity of image processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing measurement information templates corresponding to various standard views in advance. When a standard view is acquired, the system automatically matches it with the pre-stored templates to retrieve measurement information, eliminating the need for manual selection and significantly improving productivity without requiring complex real-time processing algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates and stores copies of measurement information templates for different standard views in advance. These templates contain pre-defined measurement objects and their corresponding measurement information. The system simply needs to match the acquired standard view with the appropriate template copy to obtain measurement information automatically, simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple user inputs are required to select and measure each measurement object, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of measurement object selectionVSAvoidconvenience of measurement process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically acquiring measurement information based on the acquired standard view and shape information of the target object. The image processor autonomously identifies measurement objects and extracts measurement information without requiring user selection or input, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters from manual selection mode to automatic acquisition mode. By utilizing shape information extraction and template matching algorithms, the system automatically determines measurement objects based on geometric parameters and pre-stored template parameters, eliminating the need for multiple user inputs while maintaining accuracy through systematic parameter comparison

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2989987B1Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP2989987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2989987B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2989987B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method of more easily determining a measurement object that may be provided from a standard view for a user who is a doctor to read an ultrasound image in an ultrasound diagnosis. A data acquisition unit (310) acquires ultrasound data of a target object. An image processor (320) generates an ultrasound image by using the ultrasound data, acquires a standard view based on the ultrasound image, acquires measurement information that is information regarding measurement objects measurable within the standard view based on the standard view, and acquires at least one of the measurement objects based on the acquired measurement information.