Ultrasound Imaging Apparatus Motion-Adaptive Image Plane Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound imaging systems face challenges in visualizing dynamic behavior due to their reliance on probe position and direction, making it difficult to align image planes with motion, which complicates the visualization of moving objects or organs.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging apparatus and method that receives three-dimensional ultrasound data as a continuous stream, detects motion and its direction, and adjusts the spatial rotation angle of image planes in real time to align two-dimensional images with the motion, allowing for improved visualization of dynamic behavior independently of probe orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If image planes are determined on the basis of probe position and steering direction, then the system can provide images corresponding to probe orientation, but the visualization of dynamic behavior becomes complicated and requires complex handling
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines image planes based on detected motion directions without requiring manual user intervention. The motion detection unit detects motion in the volume, and the image processing unit automatically orients image planes according to the detected motion directions, making the system self-adjusting and eliminating complex user handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter of image planes dynamically based on detected motion directions. Instead of fixed probe-oriented planes, the image plane orientation is continuously adjusted according to the motion parameters detected in the volume, allowing simple visualization of dynamic behavior.
2Measurement precision
If image planes are fixed relative to probe position, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot automatically align with motion directions for optimal dynamic visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The motion detection unit acts as an intermediary between the ultrasound acquisition and image processing units. It detects motion directions in the volume and provides this information to the image processing unit, which then uses it to automatically orient image planes, achieving precise motion alignment without direct complex coupling between acquisition and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static probe-oriented image planes to dynamic motion-adapted image planes. The image plane orientation is no longer fixed but continuously adjusts according to the detected motion directions, enabling precise alignment with dynamic behavior while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.
3Productivity
If manual adjustment of image planes is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and real-time visualization capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The motion detection unit performs preliminary detection of motion directions in the volume before image plane determination. This preliminary action provides the necessary orientation information in advance, allowing the image processing unit to quickly generate appropriately oriented images without manual adjustment delays, thus improving real-time productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where motion detection results directly influence image plane orientation. The detected motion directions are fed back to the image processing unit, which automatically adjusts image plane orientation accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that rapidly adapts to changing conditions and maintains high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound imaging apparatus (16) is disclosed for providing two-dimensional ultrasound images of a patient. The ultrasound imaging apparatus comprises an input interface (18) for receiving three-dimensional ultrasound data of a volume of the patient from an ultrasound acquisition unit as a continuous data stream and a motion detection unit (22) for determining a motion of an object in the three-dimensional ultrasound data and a direction of the motion in the three-dimensional ultrasound data. An image processing unit (20) determines a spatial rotation angle (46) of an image plane (32, 34) within the volume on the basis of the determined direction of the motion and determines two-dimensional ultrasound image data on the basis of the three-dimensional ultrasound data in the image plane within the volume. The two-dimensional image data is provided via an output interface to a display unit (26).