Apparatus and method for automatic ultrasound segmentation for visualization and measurement

An ultrasonagraphic method, comprising:

• generating, using an ultrasound transducer probe, sonogram image information during each one of a plurality of ultrasound scans of a human subject;
• receiving, at an ultrasound image data processor, the sonogram image information from the ultrasound transducer probe;
• generating, at the ultrasound image data processor, a plurality of time indexed sonogram images that each include the corresponding sonogram image information and a corresponding time of acquisition of the sonogram image information;
• determining a location and an orientation of the ultrasound transducer probe during each one of the plurality of ultrasound scans of the human subject;
• determining time indexed location information for each one of the plurality of ultrasound scans of the human subject based on the determined location and orientation of the ultrasound transducer probe;
• and
• generating a plurality of location and time indexed sonogram images based on the each one of the time indexed sonogram image information portions and the corresponding time indexed location information;
• combining the received plurality of location and time indexed sonogram images to generate a composite sonogram image information,
• wherein the orientation of the ultrasound transducer probe does not change during each one of the plurality of ultrasound scans of the human subject, and
• wherein the location of a moveable ultrasonic transmitter within the ultrasound transducer probe automatically changes by a predefined lateral distance during each one of the plurality of ultrasound scans of the human subject.

An ultrasonagraphic method, comprising:

• generating, using an ultrasound transducer probe, sonogram image information during each one of a plurality of ultrasound scans of a human subject;
• generating, at the ultrasound image data processor, a plurality of time indexed sonogram images that each include the sonogram image information and a time of acquisition of the sonogram image information;
• dividing, at an ultrasound image data processor, the time indexed sonogram images into a plurality of macroblocks;
• identifying, at the ultrasound image data processor, a graphical artifact in a selected macroblock that is one of the plurality of macroblocks;
• determining, at the ultrasound image data processor, relative location of the time indexed sonogram images based on a change in location of the selected macroblock;
• and
• generating a plurality of location and time indexed sonogram images based on the each one of the time indexed sonogram image information portions and the corresponding time indexed location information;
• combining the received plurality of location and time indexed sonogram images to generate a composite sonogram image information.