Ultrasound Volume Rendering Depth Extraction for 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical imaging techniques only allow for 2D printing of images, despite the ability to generate 3D/4D images, limiting the ability to produce physical three-dimensional representations of medical data.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes depth from volume rendering to generate 3D mesh data from volumetric medical imaging datasets, enabling 3D printing by converting these images into a format suitable for 3D printers, such as STL file format, allowing for the creation of physical volume representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional 2D printing is used for medical imaging, then the printing process is simple and available, but the ability to produce three-dimensional representations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by converting 2D ultrasound images into 3D mesh data through depth map generation and surface reconstruction algorithms. This allows the system to maintain printing availability while enabling three-dimensional representations of anatomical structures, resolving the contradiction between simple printing processes and 3D representation capability
2Manufacturing precision
If 3D mesh data is generated from volumetric imaging, then accurate 3D printouts are produced, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex processing pipeline into distinct modules: volumetric data acquisition, depth map generation, surface extraction, mesh generation, and printing data conversion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall processing efficiency, thus achieving high 3D printout accuracy without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces depth maps as an intermediary representation between volumetric imaging data and final 3D mesh models. This intermediate step simplifies the transformation process by providing a direct depth information layer that facilitates accurate surface reconstruction and mesh generation, thereby improving manufacturing precision while managing processing complexity
3Productivity
If automated workflow is implemented for 3D printing, then productivity increases, but control over selective printing of desired parts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control mechanisms that allow users to interactively adjust printing parameters, select specific anatomical regions for printing, and modify mesh data before generation. This dynamic interactivity maintains high productivity through automation while preserving user control over selective printing of desired parts, resolving the contradiction between workflow efficiency and operational flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for utilizing depth from volume rendering for 3D printing. Three-dimensional (3D) mesh data may be generated based on one or more volume rendered images and/or volumetric datasets corresponding thereto, obtained during medical imaging (e.g., based on echo ultrasound signals during ultrasound imaging). Generating the 3D mesh data may comprise computing a plurality of depth values, where each depth value corresponds to a particular voxel in the volumetric medical imaging datasets. The 3D mesh data may be configured to enable producing a physical volume representation of one or more objects and/or structures in the one or more volume rendered images. Thus, the 3D mesh data may be used for 3D printing. For example, 3D printing data may be generated based on the 3D mesh data. The 3D printing data may be configured and formatted based on a pre-defined 3D printing standard or file format.