Ultrasound Lesion Cross-Section Normalization Under Variable Scan Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses struggle to accurately reproduce the structure of a lesion part in cross-sectional images due to fluctuations in scanning speed, leading to inconsistencies in temporal intervals between frame images and hindering precise diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a pseudo orthogonal cross section generation unit that sets cross section extraction lines on frame images, a displacement amount estimation unit to adjust for varying scanning speeds, and an image deformation unit to non-rigidly deform the cross-sectional images, ensuring consistent pixel intervals and accurate reproduction of the lesion structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pixel values are arranged in time series from multiple frame images to generate a cross-sectional image, then the examination can be performed without switching the ultrasound probe, but the temporal intervals between frame images become inconsistent due to scanning speed fluctuations, causing inaccurate reproduction of lesion structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter by introducing standardized time intervals between frame images. The control unit adjusts the frame image acquisition timing to maintain constant time intervals regardless of ultrasound probe scanning speed, thereby ensuring consistent spatial sampling in the generated cross-sectional image while preserving the ease of continuous examination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring the actual time intervals between acquired frame images and comparing them against the standardized time interval requirement. The control unit then adjusts subsequent frame image acquisition timing based on this feedback to maintain consistent temporal sampling, ensuring accurate lesion structure reproduction
2Productivity
If the ultrasound probe is moved at varying speeds to capture frame images, then the examination can be performed efficiently, but the temporal intervals between frame images are not constant, making accurate diagnosis difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the standardized time interval parameter before frame image acquisition begins. The control unit is configured to enforce this time interval constraint from the outset, ensuring that frame images are acquired at predetermined regular intervals regardless of probe movement speed variations during the examination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of frame image acquisition timing. The control unit continuously adapts the acquisition schedule during the examination to maintain constant time intervals, allowing the system to accommodate varying probe speeds while ensuring consistent sampling for accurate diagnosis
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a control method of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which can obtain a cross-sectional image in which a structure of a lesion part is accurately reproduced. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus generates a cross-sectional image orthogonal to an observation plane on the basis of a video which is acquired during scanning by an ultrasound probe and in which a lesion part is imaged, and includes a pseudo orthogonal cross section generation unit that sets a cross section extraction line passing through the lesion part on one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the video, and generates a pseudo orthogonal cross-sectional image orthogonal to the observation plane by arranging, in time series, pixel values on the cross section extraction line in the plurality of frame images; and a pseudo orthogonal cross section deformation unit that non-rigidly deforms the pseudo orthogonal cross-sectional image in a horizontal direction to generate a normalized pseudo orthogonal cross-sectional image.