Three-dimensional scan converter for ultrasound imaging

Claim 1

A three-dimensional scan converter system for generating real-time orthogonal multiplanar and transparent images in addition to two-dimensional B-scan images in an ultrasound imaging system, comprising: means for ultrasonically scanning a subject to obtain real-time image data representing an image of said subject, said ultrasonic scanning means further comprises transducers and a three-dimensional position control means having a position encoder for indicating current transducer position; image memory means for storing image data representing an image of a subject; two-dimensional scan converter means for converting the stored image data into three-dimensionally formatted stored image data in real-time; image processing means for operating on said three-dimensionally formatted stored image data for successive display of said multiplanar orthogonal images; system software and a CPU, having one or more look-up tables containing scan converter parameters corresponding to said transducer position therein, for downloading said parameters in real-time to said scan converter means; a raster processing means for compounding said transparent image; and display means for displaying said three-dimensional images.

Claim 3

A method for generating real-time orthogonal multiplanar and transparent images in addition to two-dimensional B-scan images in an ultrasound imaging system having transducers, comprising the steps of: ultrasonically scanning with equal intervals between scan planes a subject to obtain two-dimensional image data representing an image of said subject; storing said two-dimensional image data; indicating position of said transducers; downloading scan converter parameters corresponding to a position of said transducers from a look-up table into a scan converter; performing a first two-dimensional scan conversion on said stored image data in a first direction into raster two-dimensional images with controlled line density; storing said resulting first two-dimensionally scan converted image data in said image memory; performing a second two-dimensional scan conversion on said stored resulting first two-dimensionally scan converted image data in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction; storing said resulting second two-dimensionally scan converted image data in raster cubic format in said image memory; displaying stored three-dimensional image data.

Claim 4

A method for generating real-time orthogonal multiplanar and transparent images in addition to two-dimensional B-scan images in an ultrasound imaging system having transducers, comprising the steps of: ultrasonically scanning with equal intervals between scan planes a subject to obtain two-dimensional image data representing an image of said subject; storing said two-dimensional image data; indicating position of said transducers; downloading scan converter parameters corresponding to a position of said transducers from a look-up table into a scan converter; performing a first two-dimensional scan conversion on said stored image data in a first direction into raster two-dimensional images with controlled line density; storing said resulting first two-dimensionally scan converted image data in said image memory; performing a second two-dimensional scan conversion on said stored resulting first two-dimensionally scan converted image data in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction; storing said resulting second two-dimensionally scan converted image data in raster cubic format in said image memory; displaying stored three-dimensional image data.