US6014473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple ultrasound image registration system, method and transducer
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
•
Filing: 1997-08-22
•
Granted: 2000-01-11
•
Expires: 2017-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer having an image data array and a tracking array at each end of the image data array. The tracking arrays are oriented transversely to the image data array. Images from the image data array are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional representation of the target. The relative movement between respective frames of the image data is automatically estimated by a motion estimator, based on frames of data from the tracking arrays. As the transducer is rotated about the azimuthal axis of the image data array, features of the target remain within the image planes of the tracking arrays. Movements of these features in the image planes of the tracking arrays are used to estimate motion as required for the three-dimensional reconstruction. Similar techniques estimate motion within the plane of an image to create an extended field of view.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Hossack
- 👤 John W. Sliwa, Jr.
- 👤 Samuel H. Maslak
- 👤 Edward A. Gardner
- 👤 Gregory L. Holley
- 👤 David J. Napolitano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 04:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/13; A61B8/14; A61B8/145; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8934; G01S15/8979; G01S15/8993; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52085; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/20; G06T7/246; G01S15/66; G01S15/87; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52034; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206; G01S7/52065; G01S7/52071
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for registering ultrasonic image information acquired from a target, said method comprising the following steps: (a) acquiring a plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information with a single ultrasonic transducer array or with at least two ultrasonic transducer arrays in a substanially fixed relationship with each other, said array or arrays moved between least some of the sets of image information, said plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information comprising a plurality of image data sets and a plurality of tracking sets, both the image data sets and the tracking sets representative of respective portions of tissue in the target; (b) automatically determining a component of motion based on a comparison of at least a portion of the tracking sets representing tissue acquired at different times in step (a); and (c) automatically using the component of motion determined in step (b) to register selected ones of the image data sets acquired in step (a) with respect to one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for registering ultrasonic image information acquired from a target, said method comprising the following steps: (a) acquiring a plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information with a single ultrasonic transducer array or with at least two ultrasonic transducer arrays in a substanially fixed relationship with each other, said array or arrays moved between least some of the sets of image information, said plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information comprising a plurality of image data sets and a plurality of tracking sets, both the image data sets and the tracking sets representative of respective portions of tissue in the target; (b) automatically determining a component of motion based on a comparison of at least a portion of the tracking sets representing tissue acquired at different times in step (a); and (c) automatically using the component of motion determined in step (b) to register selected ones of the image data sets acquired in step (a) with respect to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer array comprises an imaging array and at least one tracking array, wherein the imaging array defines an image plane, wherein the tracking array defines a tracking plane, and wherein the image plane is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the tracking plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the sets of image information are oriented substantially parallel to one another, and wherein step (c) forms an extended field of view.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein at least some of the tracking sets do not intersect at least some of the image data sets.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of cross-correlating said at least a portion of the tracking sets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one tracking array comprises first and second tracking arrays, each positioned adjacent a respective end of the imaging array to acquire tracking sets in respective first and second tracking planes, and wherein step (b) determines the component of motion in both said first and second tracking planes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data sets comprise information selected from the group consisting of B-mode information, color Doppler velocity information, color Doppler energy information, and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of determining a second component of motion based on a comparison of at least some of the selected image data sets, and wherein step (c) comprises the step of using the second component of motion to register said image data sets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data sets are acquired using a different frequency than that used in acquiring the tracking sets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of using dual beamformers to simultaneously acquire the image data sets and the tracking sets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein step (a) comprises the step of using respective bandpass filtering in association with the respective beamformers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) provides the tracking sets as scan-converted data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) provides the tracking sets as acoustic line data, prior to scan conversion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) performs the comparison using every Nth pixel of the tracking sets, where N is an integer greater than zero.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of combining a plurality of measures of the component of motion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of combining comprises the step of assigning weights to individual measures of the component of motion, each weight indicative of quality of the respective measure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of assigning weights comprises the step of comparing spatially adjacent measures of the component of motion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of assigning weights comprises the step of comparing successive measures of the component of motion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of assigning weights uses fuzzy logic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the combining step comprises the step of discarding low-quality measures of the component of motion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (d) indicating to an operator when the component of motion determined in step (b) is outside a preferred range of values.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (d) alerting an operator when the determining step (b) is not operating effectively.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step (a) comprises the step of operating the imaging and tracking arrays in parallel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 23 wherein step (a) comprises the step of operating the imaging and tracking arrays at differing voltage levels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (d) interpolating between a plurality of measures of the component of motion determined in step (b).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sets of image information are acquired in step (a) using a plurality of separate frequencies.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sets of image information are acquired in step (a) using a plurality of different bandwidths.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tracking sets comprise sets acquired using a plurality of different ultrasonic frequencies.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tracking sets comprise sets acquired using a plurality of different ultrasonic bandwidths.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of generating curve-fitted values derived from a plurality of measures of the component of motion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of adaptively varying a time interval between time of acquisition of the tracking sets used in determining the component of motion to cause the component of motion to approach a selected range.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of averaging a plurality of pixels of at least one of the tracking sets prior to determining the component of motion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of automatically varying intensity mapping of the tracking sets acquired in step (a) to enhance motion detection.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (d) filtering at least said portion of the tracking sets of image information prior to the comparison of step (b).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of repeatedly using a first one of the tracking sets of image information as a reference in a plurality of successive ones of the comparison of step (b) until the component of motion is determined with respect to said first tracking set of image information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of performing the comparison over a search region of the tracking sets of image information, wherein the search region is elongated in shape in a direction substantially aligned with the component of motion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of performing the comparison over a variable search region of the tracking set.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 37 wherein step (b) comprises the step of positioning the variable search region based on a previously-determined component of motion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 37 wherein step (b) comprises the step of sizing the variable search region based on variability of a plurality of previously-determined components of motion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of performing a series of comparisons of the tracking sets, wherein the comparisons differ in resolution in at least one of spatial and signal level resolution.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of correlating two non-parallel lines of image information included in two of the tracking sets of image information acquired in step (a) to determine vector components of the component of motion, said vector components aligned with said lines.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of (d) forming data-compressed versions of at least some of the image data sets and tracking sets acquired in step (a) prior to at least one of steps (b) and (c).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising the step of (e) applying data decompression to the data-compressed versions of step (d) prior to at least one of steps (b) and (c).
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of (d) using the registered image data sets to form a 2D image in a plane obliquely oriented with respect to the image plane.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises the step of utilizing in the comparison only the tracking sets that correspond to selected portions of a cycle selected from the group consisting of an ECG cycle and a breathing cycle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the information of the tracking sets used in the comparison of step (b) is selected from the group consisting of envelope-detected data prior to scan conversion, RF beamformer signals prior to envelope detection, and baseband beamformer signals prior to envelope detection.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data sets are acquired using a different frequency than that used in acquiring the tracking sets.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data sets are acquired using a different bandwidth than that used in acquiring the tracking sets.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data sets are acquired using a different azimuthal focus than that used in acquiring the tracking sets.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of using a different logarithmic compression of signal level for the image data sets than for the tracking sets.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the at least one transducer array comprises a first transducer array and at least one additional transducer array, wherein the image data sets are acquired using the first transducer array, and wherein the tracking sets are acquired using the at least one additional transducer array.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the first and at least one additional transducer arrays are co-linear and axially spaced from one another.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the first and at least one additional transducer arrays are positioned alongside of and laterally spaced from one another.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) further comprises the step of automatically varying intensity mapping of the tracking sets to enhance motion detection.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data sets and the tracking sets are acquired using different transducer arrays.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 55 wherein the acquiring step comprises the step of multiplexing signals to the different transducer arrays via a common set of signal conductors.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image data and tracking sets each comprise a plurality of scan lines, and wherein sets of one or more scan lines of the image data sets are interleaved in time with sets of one or more scan lines of the tracking sets.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of forming multiple simultaneous transmit beams with the at least one transducer array.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of forming multiple simultaneous receive beams with the at least one transducer array.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the step of coherently forming at least the tracking sets.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of (d) indicating to an operator when tissue contact is lost for a transducer array included in the at least one transducer array.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected ones of the image data sets comprise consecutively acquired image frames.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the selected ones of the image data sets comprise non-consecutively acquired image frames separated in time by at least one intervening image frame.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises the step of smoothly interpolating between the image data sets at a boundary between the selected image data sets.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for detecting an erroneous motion estimate comprising the following steps: (a) providing an ultrasonic transducer comprising an imaging transducer array and at least three tracking transducer arrays, each tracking transducer array comprising at least one transducer element; (b) collecting tracking data from each of the tracking transducer arrays; (c) developing at least three motion estimates from the tracking data, each motion estimate associated with a respective tracking transducer array; and (d) detecting an unreliable one of the motion estimates based on a comparison of the motion estimates.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for detecting an erroneous motion estimate comprising the following steps: (a) providing an ultrasonic transducer comprising an imaging transducer array and at least three tracking transducer arrays, each tracking transducer array comprising at least one transducer element; (b) collecting tracking data from each of the tracking transducer arrays; (c) developing at least three motion estimates from the tracking data, each motion estimate associated with a respective tracking transducer array; and (d) detecting an unreliable one of the motion estimates based on a comparison of the motion estimates.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
217 words
A method for registering ultrasonic image information acquired from a target, said method comprising the following steps: (a) acquiring a plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information with a single ultrasonic transducer array or with at least two ultrasonic transducer arrays in a substanially fixed relationship with each other, said array, or arrays moved between at least some of the sets of image information, said plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information comprising a plurality of image data sets and a plurality of tracking sets, both the image data sets and the tracking sets representative of respective portions of tissue in the target; (b) automatically determining a component of motion based on a comparison of at least a portion of the tracking sets representing tissue acquired at different times in step (a); and (c) automatically using the component of motion determined in step (b) to register selected ones of the image data sets acquired in step (a) with respect to one another; wherein step (a) comprises the step of transmitting ultrasonic energy concentrated near a fundamental frequency into a target; and wherein at least one of the image data sets and the tracking data sets comprises a selectively received harmonic component of received ultrasonic echo information, said harmonic component concentrated near a harmonic of the fundamental frequency.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
217 words
A method for registering ultrasonic image information acquired from a target, said method comprising the following steps: (a) acquiring a plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information with a single ultrasonic transducer array or with at least two ultrasonic transducer arrays in a substanially fixed relationship with each other, said array, or arrays moved between at least some of the sets of image information, said plurality of sets of ultrasonic image information comprising a plurality of image data sets and a plurality of tracking sets, both the image data sets and the tracking sets representative of respective portions of tissue in the target; (b) automatically determining a component of motion based on a comparison of at least a portion of the tracking sets representing tissue acquired at different times in step (a); and (c) automatically using the component of motion determined in step (b) to register selected ones of the image data sets acquired in step (a) with respect to one another; wherein step (a) comprises the step of transmitting ultrasonic energy concentrated near a fundamental frequency into a target; and wherein at least one of the image data sets and the tracking data sets comprises a selectively received harmonic component of received ultrasonic echo information, said harmonic component concentrated near a harmonic of the fundamental frequency.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 66 wherein the image data sets comprise the selectively received harmonic component.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 66 wherein the tracking data sets comprise the selectively received harmonic component.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 66 wherein the image data sets and the tracking data sets both comprise the selectively received harmonic component.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 67 wherein the tracking data sets comprise a second selectively received harmonic component of received ultrasonic echo information.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 70 wherein the first-mentioned and second selectively received harmonic components differ in bandwidth.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 66 wherein steps (a)-(c) are performed during a medical ultrasound examination session, and wherein the method comprises the further step of (d) maintaining the target free of additional non-linear contrast agent throughout the entire medical ultrasound examination session.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |