Methods and apparatuses for creating orientation markers and 3D ultrasound imaging systems using the same

A three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging system comprising:

• a probe used to scan an ultrasound imaging space using scanning parameters to obtain original volume data;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• reconstruct the original volume data to obtain a 3D image of a target in the ultrasound imaging space;
• build a first geometric model representing the ultrasound imaging space based on the scanning parameters;
• obtain a section image of the target based on the original volume data or the 3D image;
• obtain section parameters of a section window in which the section image is displayed and build a section geometric model based on the section parameters;
• and
• obtain an orientation marker by drawing the first geometric model according to a 3D viewing direction and drawing the section geometric model according to a section viewing direction, wherein a spatial position relationship between the first geometric model and the section geometric model of the orientation marker indicates a spatial position relationship between the 3D view and the section view;
• and
• a monitor which displays the orientation marker and displays the 3D image in the 3D view direction and the section image in the section view direction.

A method for providing an orientation marker in a display of a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging system, the method comprising:

• obtaining scanning parameters;
• building a first geometric model based on the scanning parameters, wherein the first geometric model is an icon which is separate from a 3D image of a target in an ultrasound imaging space and represents the ultrasound imaging space;
• determining a 3D viewing direction of the 3D image;
• obtaining section parameters of a section window in which a section image of the target is displayed;
• determining a section viewing direction of the section image;
• building a section geometric model based on the section parameters;
• displaying an orientation marker by drawing the first geometric model according to the 3D viewing direction and drawing the section geometric model according to the section viewing direction in the first geometric model, wherein a spatial position relationship between the first geometric model and the section geometric model of the orientation marker indicates a spatial position relationship between the 3D image and the section image.