Ultrasound Diagnosis Apparatus Texture Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses lack the ability to provide intuitive and realistic ultrasound images, making it difficult for users, especially non-experienced medical practitioners, to analyze ultrasound images effectively.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method that perform texture mapping by selecting and applying texture information, including color, transparency, and normal maps, onto 3D ultrasound volume images, allowing for more intuitive image analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional ultrasound imaging is used, then the imaging process is simple and fast, but the images lack realism and intuitiveness making analysis difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces texture maps and lighting models as intermediary elements between the ultrasound data and the final displayed image. These intermediaries enhance the realism and intuitiveness of the images without requiring fundamental changes to the ultrasound imaging process itself. The texture maps serve as a mediator that adds visual information layers to the base ultrasound data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D grayscale ultrasound images to 3D volume images with texture mapping and lighting effects. This dimensional enhancement adds depth, surface information, and visual realism, making the images more intuitive for analysis while maintaining the underlying ultrasound data structure.
2Reliability
If texture mapping is applied to enhance image realism, then diagnostic capability is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the ultrasound volume data and preparing texture maps before the actual diagnostic viewing. The system segments the volume data, generates surface models, and applies lighting calculations in advance, so that when the user views the image, the intensive processing has already been completed or is being done in the background without interfering with real-time interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic processing where the level of texture mapping and lighting effects can be adjusted based on user needs and system performance. The system can dynamically switch between different rendering modes (e.g., full texture mapping vs. simplified display) to balance diagnostic quality with processing speed, allowing flexible adaptation to different operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a controller configured to recognize an object included in an ultrasound image and search at least one piece of texture information corresponding to the recognized object; a display configured to display the ultrasound image and the searched at least one piece of texture information; a user interface configured to receive an input for selecting one piece of texture information from among the searched at least one piece of texture information; and an image processor configured to perform texture mapping of the selected piece of texture information onto at least one region in the ultrasound image of the object.