Ultrasound Quantification System for Live Scan Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound quantification workflows in critical care settings are inefficient, requiring sonographers to pause imaging to initiate quantification, which is not feasible due to time constraints and patient instability.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound quantification system that automatically performs quantification analysis on received images without user input, notifying the user when the analysis is complete and allowing for review during live scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sonographer pauses imaging to initiate quantification, then quantification accuracy is improved, but imaging speed and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when proper imaging conditions are met and pre-processing the images for quantification before the user needs the results. The quantification algorithm is automatically triggered and begins processing while the sonographer continues imaging, eliminating the need to pause for initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically monitoring imaging quality, triggering quantification when conditions are appropriate, and managing the entire workflow without user intervention. The quantification algorithm self-activates based on automatic detection of proper image acquisition, freeing the sonographer from manual initiation tasks.
2Productivity
If the quantification algorithm processes images in real-time during live scanning, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary quality assessment and automatic triggering of quantification based on pre-established criteria. Image quality metrics are continuously monitored and compared against threshold conditions, allowing the system to prepare and trigger quantification automatically when conditions are met, without requiring complex real-time user decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where quantification results and image quality metrics are continuously monitored and used to adjust processing parameters. The automatic triggering system uses feedback from image quality analysis to determine when to activate quantification, creating a self-regulating workflow that manages complexity through automated control loops.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) for automated ultrasound quantification, comprising: (i) receiving (120) a plurality of ultrasound images of a subject as a user is performing an ultrasound of the subject; (ii) automatically providing (130) the received plurality of ultrasound images of the subject to a quantification algorithm; (iii) automatically performing (140) a quantification analysis of the provided plurality of ultrasound images, wherein the quantification analysis is performed without requiring a user activation or input to the quantification algorithm; (iv) automatically notifying (150) the user of the ultrasound quantification system, while the user is still performing the ultrasound of the subject, that a quantification of the provided plurality of ultrasound images is available for review; (v) receiving (160) input directing the system to provide the quantification analysis to the user; and (vi) displaying (170), to the user via the user interface, the quantification analysis.