Ultrasound imaging system and method for identifying connected regions
AssigneeGE Precision Healthcare LLC
InventorChristian Perrey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various methods and systems are provided for identifying connected regions in ultrasound images. An exemplary method includes acquiring ultrasound video data of an anatomical region while a force is being applied to induce movement within the anatomical region, the ultrasound video data including a plurality of ultrasound images. The method includes identifying two or more connected regions in one of the plurality of ultrasound images, generating a modified ultrasound image by graphically distinguishing the first connected region from the second connected region, and causing a display device to display the modified image.
Claims22
A method of ultrasound imaging, comprising:
- acquiring, with an ultrasound probe, ultrasound video data of an anatomical region while an external force is being applied to induce movement within the anatomical region, where the ultrasound video data comprises a plurality of ultrasound images;
- designating, with a processor, two or more connected regions in one of the plurality of ultrasound images and a boundary between the two or more connected regions, the two or more connected regions including a first connected region and a second connected region, where each of the two or more connected regions represents an interconnected tissue group that moves as a unit in response to the external force;
- generating, with the processor, a modified ultrasound image based on the one of the plurality of ultrasound images, by graphically distinguishing the first connected region from the second connected region;
- and
- causing, with the processor, a display device to display the modified ultrasound image,
- wherein the first connected region is an anterior rectal wall of the anatomical region and the second connected region is a posterior vaginal wall of the anatomical region.
An ultrasound imaging system comprising:
- an ultrasound probe;
- a display device;
- and
- a processor in electronic communication with the ultrasound probe and the display device, wherein the processor is configured to:
- control the ultrasound probe to acquire ultrasound video data of an anatomical region while an external force is being applied to induce movement within the anatomical region, where the ultrasound video data comprises a plurality of ultrasound images;
- designate two or more connected regions and a boundary between the two or more connected regions in one of the plurality of ultrasound images, the two or more connected regions including a first connected region and a second connected region, where each of the two or more connected regions represents an interconnected tissue group that moves as a unit in response to the external force;
- automatically generate a modified ultrasound image based on the one of the plurality of images by graphically distinguishing the first connected region from the second connected region;
- and
- cause the display device to display the modified ultrasound image,
- wherein the first connected region is an anterior rectal wall of the anatomical region and the second connected region is a posterior vaginal wall of the anatomical region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.