Automated segmentation of tri-plane images for real time ultrasonic imaging

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system which acquires a plurality of standard view planes of the heart comprising:

• a matrix array probe configured to acquire a 3D volume image data of a heart;
• a memory comprising data of a geometrical heart model;
• a segmentation and tracking processor configured to automatically register the heart image data and the heart model and to segment from the heart image data in a plurality of predetermined view planes that are determined based on key landmarks in the heart model;
• and
• an image display that is responsive to the segmentation and tracking processor and configured to display images of the plurality of view planes,
• wherein the segmentation and tracking processor is further operable to track the acquisition of successive images of the plurality of view planes for updating of the displayed images.