Visual Data Delivery System for 3D Image Plane Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasound and 3D imaging systems lack the capability for users to perform 3D image interactions, such as adjusting the anatomical view, at the display system without direct access to the actual 3D image data, due to limitations in data transfer bandwidth and computation power.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that processes a sequence of 3D images to generate 2D image data, allowing users to adjust the 2D image plane remotely and receive updated 2D image data for display, without the need for direct access to the 3D image data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If 3D image data is continuously streamed in real-time, then the physician can obtain timely critical insights into patient status, but the data transfer bandwidth between subsystems becomes insufficient and bottlenecks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time data streaming speedVSAvoiddata transfer volume
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential 2D video sequence data from the full 3D image data for transmission to the display system. By taking out only the necessary visual information rather than transmitting the complete 3D dataset, the system achieves real-time streaming capability while significantly reducing data transfer volume and avoiding bandwidth bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the 3D image data into a 2D video sequence representation that can be efficiently transmitted. This segmentation approach divides the complex 3D data structure into a simplified 2D format that maintains clinical utility while reducing the overall data quantity requiring transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If 3D image data is transmitted to the display system, then users can view the body from different viewpoints, but the computation power required at the display system becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D image interaction capabilityVSAvoidcomputation power
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary processing of the 3D image data at the ultrasound system to generate the 2D video sequence before transmission. By conducting the complex 3D data processing and extraction operations in advance at the acquisition system rather than at the display system, the patent eliminates the need for high computation power at the display end while still enabling 3D image interaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If all 3D image data is transferred between subsystems, then complete image information is available, but the cable transfer bandwidth is insufficient and real-time streaming cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data completenessVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the 3D image data in the form of a 2D video sequence that captures the essential visual information. This copied representation maintains sufficient image quality for clinical diagnosis and interaction while occupying far less bandwidth, enabling real-time streaming across the cable connection without information loss that would compromise clinical utility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4377900B1A visual data delivery system, a display system and methods of operating the same
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4377900B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4377900B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4377900B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to an aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method of operating a visual data delivery system. The method comprises: processing (901) a sequence of 3-dimensional, 3D, images of a body to generate first 2-dimensional, 2D, image data representing a first sequence of 2D images of the body, wherein the 2D images are images of the body in a 2D image plane through the 3D images, and wherein an amount of data representing the first 2D image data is less than an amount of data representing the 3D images from which the first 2D image data is generated; sending (903) the first 2D image data to a display system for display of the first sequence of 2D images of the body by the display system; receiving (905) a 2D image plane adjustment indication from the display system, wherein the 2D image plane adjustment indication indicates a required rotation and/or translation of the 2D image plane; processing (907) the sequence of 3D images and/or a further sequence of 3D images to generate second 2D image data representing a second sequence of 2D images of the body, wherein the 2D images in the second sequence of 2D images are images of the body in the rotated and/or translated 2D image plane; and sending (909) the second 2D image data to the display system for display of the second sequence of 2D images of the body by the display system.