Playback mode in an optoacoustic imaging system

• US 10,278,589 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2017
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Zalev, Jason, Clingman, Bryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Moyer, Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US15/661,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20170332916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 382128-134
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/466 adapted to display 3D data 3D imaging and stereoscopic displays in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S15/8993 and G01S7/52068, respectively; 3D image rendering G06T15/00; manipulating 3D models for computer graphics G06T19/00

Abstract

An optoacoustic imaging system includes a handheld probe and a computing subsystem. The probe includes an ultrasound transducer array, the array being capable of receiving an acoustic return signal. The system further includes a light source capable of generating pulses of light and delivering the pulses to the handheld probe. The computing subsystem generates images from the acoustic return signal, and the subsystem is configured to store raw data frames in a buffer. Upon actuation of a playback mode via the user input device, the computing subsystem is caused to switch from a live mode wherein images from the acoustic return signal are displayed substantially in real time to the playback mode wherein images are generated from the frames stored in the buffer. One or more parameters affecting processing of the frames into an output image displayed upon the display can be enabled during the playback mode such that the output image varies from an image generated from the frame when the system is not in the playback mode. In this manner, the user can play back an area of interest using alternative filters that highlight different physiological features of the region of interest, alternative modes of display, and other alternative parameters.

Claims

1. An optoacoustic imaging system for imaging tissue comprising:

a computing subsystem configured to generate images from an acoustic return signal received from the tissue and to process and store a plurality of frames in a buffer, each frame of the plurality of frames comprising data including a sinogram and an ultrasound image, wherein the computing subsystem operates;

i) in a live mode in which images generated from the acoustic return signal are displayed in real time on a display associated with the optoacoustic imaging system, and ii) in a playback mode in which at least one image is generated from at least one of the plurality of frames and displayed on the display,

wherein the computing subsystem is further configured such that when a first parameter is enabled, the computing subsystem processes the plurality of frames during playback mode into an output image that varies from an image generated when the computing subsystem is not in playback mode,

wherein, when the first parameter is enabled, the output image displayed in playback mode is generated using interframe persistent artifact reduction processing, and

wherein each of the plurality of frames is grouped into groups, each group including one or more prior frames and one or more future frames of the same total light-energy.

2. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first parameter activates a filter.

3. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first parameter tunes a filter.

4. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first parameter comprises a region-of-interest depth parameter.

5. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first parameter causes a different reconstruction algorithm to be used to produce the output image than that which was used to produce a live output image.

6. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first parameter activates a filter tuned to highlight different physiological features than that which was used to produce a live output image.

7. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the computing subsystem is controlled by a user input device associated with the optoacoustic imaging system, the user input device comprising a pause button.

8. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the computing subsystem is controlled by a user input device associated with the optoacoustic imaging system, the user input device comprising an x-seconds-back button.

9. The optoacoustic imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the playback mode comprises a six-image display mode.

10. A method of recording and playing back data associated with the operation of an optoacoustic imaging system, the method comprising:

generating images from an acoustic return signal received from tissue imaged by the optoacoustic imaging system;

processing and storing a plurality of frames in a buffer, each frame of the plurality of frames comprising data including a sinogram and an ultrasound image, the processing and storing comprising;

in a live mode, generating images from the acoustic return signal and displaying the generated images in real time on a display associated with the optoacoustic imaging system; and

in a playback mode, generating at least one image from at least one of the plurality of frames and displaying the generated at least one image on the display;

when a first parameter is enabled, processing the plurality of frames during playback mode into an output image that varies from an image generated when the computing subsystem is not in playback mode,

wherein, when the first parameter is enabled, the output image displayed in playback mode is generated using interframe persistent artifact reduction processing; and

wherein each of the plurality of frames is grouped into groups, each group including one or more prior frames and one or more future frames of the same total light-energy.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, further comprising:

receiving an input via a user input device that selects a series of frames for playback in the playback mode; and

playing back the selected frames from the buffer in a loop while allowing the first parameter to be changed.

12. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first parameter activates a filter.

13. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first parameter tunes a filter.

14. The method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the first parameter comprises a region-of-interest depth parameter.

15. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first parameter causes a different reconstruction algorithm to be used to produce the output image than that which was used to produce a live output image.

16. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the first parameter activates a filter tuned to highlight different physiological features than that which was used to produce a live output image.

17. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the playback mode comprises a six-image display mode.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling an optoacoustic imaging system, the non-transitory computer readable medium comprising data that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

generating images from an acoustic return signal received from tissue imaged by the optoacoustic imaging system;

processing and storing a plurality of frames in a buffer, each frame of the plurality of frames comprising data including a sinogram and an ultrasound image, the processing and storing comprising;

in a live mode, generating images from the acoustic return signal and displaying the generated images in real time on a display associated with the optoacoustic imaging system; and

in a playback mode, generating at least one image from at least one of the plurality of frames and displaying the generated at least one image on the display;

when a first parameter is enabled, processing the plurality of frames during playback mode into an output image that varies from an image generated when the computing subsystem is not in playback mode,

wherein, when the first parameter is enabled, the output image displayed in playback mode is generated using interframe persistent artifact reduction processing; and

wherein each of the plurality of frames is grouped into groups, each group including one or more prior frames and one or more future frames of the same total light-energy.