Identifying clinical markers in spatial compounding ultrasound imaging
AssigneeSiemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
InventorsIsmayil M. Guracar, Wayne J. Gueck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for identifying clinical markers in spatial compounded imaging. For example, an image responsive to less spatial compounding more likely preserves clinical markers than a steered compound image. By displaying both images, clinical markers are identified by the user from one image and other diagnostic information is obtained from the steered compound image. As another example, clinical marker information is identified and added back into or highlighted on a spatial compound image for identification by the user.
Claims35
A method for identifying clinical markers in steered spatial compounding ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
- (a) generating a compound image responsive to electronically steered component frames of data, the electronically steered component frames of data being from a substantially same transducer position, the electronically steered component frames of data responsive to different steering angles;
- (b) generating a marker image responsive to less compounding than the compound image, the marker image displayed adjacent to the compound image and being from the substantially same transducer position;
- and
- (c) updating both the compound image and the marker image substantially continuously.
A system for identifying clinical markers in steered spatial compounding ultrasound imaging, the system comprising:
- a beamformer operable to acquire electronically steered component frames of data responsive to different steering angles from a substantially same transducer position;
- and
- a display operable to display a compound image responsive the electronically steered component frames of data and operable to display a marker image responsive to less compounding than the compound image, the marker image displayed adjacent to the compound image and being acquired from the substantially same transducer position, both the compound image and the marker image substantially continuously updated.
A method for identifying clinical markers in spatial compounding ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
- (a) generating a compound image responsive to component frames of data, a first one of the component frames of data responsive to at least one different scan line angle relative to at least one location in the scanned region than a second one of the component frames of data;
- and
- (b) highlighting at least a first marker in the compound image.
A system for identifying clinical markers in spatial compounding ultrasound imaging, the system comprising:
- a beamformer operable to acquire electronically steered component frames of data at different steering angles;
- a processor operable to identify a first marker;
- and
- a display operable to display a compounded image responsive the electronically steered component frames of data and operable to highlight the first marker in the compound image.
A method for identifying clinical markers in spatial compounding ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
- (a) generating a compound image responsive to component frames of data, a first one of the component frames of data responsive to at least one different scan line angle relative to at least one location in the scanned region than a second one of the component frames of data;
- and
- (b) calculating a similarity associated with the compound image.
A method for displaying a compound ultrasound image, the method comprising:
- (a) generating a compound frame of data responsive to a plurality of component frames of data, each of the plurality of component frames of data spanning substantially a same spatial extent of a region of a target;
- (b) displaying a compound image responsive to the compound frame of data;
- (c) displaying a second display indicative of an extent that the compound frame of data differs from a frame of data representing the same region and responsive to less compounding;
- (d) updating the second display substantially continuously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.