# US 12,599,367 B2 · Methods and systems for generating 3D pleural surfaces > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,599,367 B2 - Document ID: US12599367B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/331,049 - Filed: 2023-06-07 - Published: 2024-12-12 - Granted: 2026-04-14 - Earliest claimed: 2023-06-07 - Assignees: GE Precision Healthcare LLC - Applicants: GE Precision Healthcare LLC - Inventors: Menachem Halmann; Carmit Shiran; Radhika Madhavan; Alex Sokulin; Lev Greenberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12599367B2 ## CPC - A61B 8/5207: {involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data, e.g. for generating an image} - A61B 8/08: Clinical applications (A61B8/02, A61B8/04, A61B8/06 take precedence) - A61B 8/145: {characterised by scanning multiple planes} - A61B 8/4483: {characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer} - A61B 8/466: {adapted to display 3D data} - A61B 8/483: {involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data} - A61B 8/5215: {involving processing of medical diagnostic data} - A61B 8/5269: {involving detection or reduction of artifacts} - G16H 30/20: for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA ## Abstract Various methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a three-dimensional (3D) pleural surface viewed from an inside of the lung and looking outward based on ultrasound imaging signals. The 3D pleural surface may be generated from 2D or 3D ultrasound images. The method further comprises shading the generated 3D pleural surface via at least one virtual light source positioned as if inside the lung. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for imaging a lung of a patient, comprising: generating an image of a three-dimensional (3D) pleural surface viewed from an inside of the lung and looking outward based on volumetric ultrasound data; and displaying the image of the 3D pleural surface, the image of the 3D pleural surface generated by: detecting a bottom edge of a pleura in the volumetric ultrasound data; removing ultrasound data from below the bottom edge of the pleura in the volumetric ultrasound data to create a new ultrasound dataset; and generating the image of the 3D pleural surface from the new ultrasound dataset. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein ultrasound imaging signals are captured by positioning a one-dimensional (1D), 1.5-dimensional (1.5D), or matrix (two-dimensional, 2D) probe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein ultrasound imaging signals are captured by positioning a probe capable of live 3D imaging to acquire the volumetric ultrasound data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein an outside of the patient is toward a top of the image and an inside of the lung is towards a bottom of the image. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising shading the 3D pleural surface via at least one virtual light source positioned as if inside the lung at an acute angle relative to the 3D pleural surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the shading comprises: highlighting a pleural irregularity of the 3D pleural surface and positioning the at least one virtual light source within the inside of the lung at the acute angle relative to the pleural irregularity. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein a position of the at least one virtual light source is controlled via user input. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying and displaying B-lines for the 3D pleural surface. ### Claim 9 A system, comprising: a display device; and a processor configured with instructions in non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the processor to: generate an image of a three-dimensional (3D) pleural surface viewed from an inside of a lung and looking outward, and output the image of the 3D pleural surface for display on the display device, wherein generating the image of the 3D pleural surface comprises: detecting a bottom edge of a pleura in volumetric ultrasound data; removing ultrasound data from below the bottom edge of the pleura in the volumetric ultrasound data to create a new ultrasound dataset; and generating the image of the 3D pleural surface from the new ultrasound dataset. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising an ultrasound probe configured to capture volumetric ultrasound data and/or two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured with instructions in the non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the processor to: construct a 3D mesh from a series of 2D images; and generate the 3D pleural surface from the 3D mesh. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured with instructions in the non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the processor to: generate the 3D pleural surface by stacking a series of 2D images. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, further comprising a deep learning model trained for real-time and/or not real-time pleura detection in volumetric data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured with instructions in the non-transitory memory that, when executed, cause the processor to: apply at least one virtual light source to the 3D pleural surface by positioning a virtual light source within the inside of the lung. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising a user interface communicably coupled to the processor and the display device, the user interface configured to receive inputs adjusting a position, a color, a brightness, and/or other characteristics of the virtual light source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting and outputting a representative 2D image of the 3D pleural surface, the representative 2D image including a pleural irregularity also shown in the 3D pleural surface.