Volumetric CEUS Parametric Imaging With Color and Opacity Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parametric imaging in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is limited to two-dimensional (2D) imaging, lacking the capability to provide three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) visualization of vascular structures, which is essential for accurately distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for 4D parametric imaging in CEUS that determines color and opacity values for each pixel based on a time-based parameter, such as time of arrival (TOA) of the contrast agent, allowing 3D/4D visualization with adjustable transparency to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If 2D parametric imaging is used, then the imaging system is simpler and easier to operate, but the capability to visualize vascular tortuosity and center-to-rim blood supply patterns is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D parametric imaging to 3D/4D parametric imaging by adding spatial depth and temporal dimensions. The system processes contrast-enhanced ultrasound data to generate three-dimensional volumetric images with color-coded time-based parameters (such as time of arrival), enabling visualization of vascular tortuosity and center-to-rim blood supply patterns that are not visible in 2D images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging process into distinct functional components: acquiring contrast-enhanced ultrasound data, processing the data to extract time-based parameters, assigning color values and opacity values to pixel data, and displaying the resulting 3D/4D images. This segmentation allows complex visualization capabilities to be achieved through modular processing steps rather than a monolithic system.
2Measurement precision
If 3D/4D CEUS parametric imaging is implemented, then vascular tortuosity and blood supply patterns can be visualized, but the system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms ultrasound image data by changing parameters from standard intensity values to color-coded time-based parameters (such as time of arrival) and opacity values. This parameter transformation enables precise characterization of perfusion patterns and vascular architecture, improving diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing benign and malignant lesions while managing system complexity through algorithmic processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces color values and opacity values as intermediary representations between raw ultrasound data and diagnostic interpretation. These intermediary parameters facilitate the visualization of complex vascular patterns by translating time-based contrast agent dynamics into intuitive color and transparency variations, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring direct complex mathematical analysis during diagnosis.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method (200) and a tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium (130) that stores instructions are described. When executed by a processor (120) the instructions cause the processor to: determine a color value of a contrast agent as a function of a selected time-based parameter for each pixel (202); determine an opacity value of the contrast agent for each pixel (204); and a display (140) in communication with the processor and configured to display (206) the color value, and the opacity value for each pixel.