Ultrasound Image Compositing for Clearer Anatomical Structure Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging technologies struggle to isolate and emphasize structures of interest, such as bone tissue, from other tissue types and fluid, leading to difficulty in relating image locations to patient anatomy and often requiring multiple images for complete structure capture.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound scanning system with a tracking system to track the transducer assembly and generate composite representations of anatomical structures, adjusting visual parameters based on capture time, and filtering out non-structural image portions to enhance the visibility of structures of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional ultrasound imaging is used to capture anatomical structures, then the entire image including extraneous data is displayed, but the structures of interest cannot be effectively isolated and emphasized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasound image into two distinct components: a binary mask representing the anatomical structure of interest and a composite representation combining the masked structure with filtered background images. This segmentation allows the structure of interest to be isolated and emphasized separately from extraneous data, directly resolving the contradiction by enabling effective isolation without requiring overly complex processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the anatomical structure of interest from the full ultrasound image by applying a binary mask that isolates only the relevant regions. This extraction process removes extraneous data while preserving the critical anatomical information, enabling clear visualization of structures of interest without the clutter of unnecessary image portions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple ultrasound images are used to capture complete structures, then complete structure information is obtained, but the imaging process becomes more time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ultrasound images into a single composite representation by combining the binary mask of the anatomical structure with filtered background images. This merging process integrates complete structure information from multiple captures into one unified image, maintaining measurement precision while reducing the time required to process and review multiple separate images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary filtering of background images and pre-processing of the binary mask before generating the final composite representation. This preliminary action prepares the image data in advance, allowing complete structure capture to be achieved more efficiently without requiring multiple sequential imaging operations.
3Loss of information
If the entire ultrasound image is displayed, then complete anatomical context is provided, but structures of interest are difficult to relate to patient anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by creating a composite representation where the binary mask (high contrast, clear boundaries) is combined with filtered background images. This local quality improvement makes the anatomical structure of interest stand out with enhanced clarity and proper anatomical context, directly addressing the difficulty in relating structures to patient anatomy while preserving complete anatomical information.
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
Enhances the visibility and clarity of structures of interest in ultrasound images, allowing for more accurate and efficient imaging without the need for multiple images and reducing reliance on ionizing radiation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound transducer assembly configured to obtain ultrasound scan data of an anatomical region
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and ultrasound imaging apparatuses and systems that facilitate improved ultrasound imaging that emphasizes structures of interest are disclosed. With this technology, position data for a transducer assembly is continuously obtained along with ultrasound scan data captured via the transducer assembly. Image processing techniques are applied to ultrasound images generated from the ultrasound scan data to identify structure(s) of interest included therein and highlight the identified structures on a composite representation generated from the ultrasound images. The intensity of portions of the resulting composite representation is then adjusted to reflect the time in which the associated ultrasound scan data was captured. The composite representation is then output to an augmented reality headset or superimposed over an image of the patient to facilitate improved visibility and relation of the structures of interest.