Method and apparatus for medical ultrasound navigation user interface

• US 20050283079A1
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Steen, Erik Normann, Torkildsen, Rune, Martens, Ditlef
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,595 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/447
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0883 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/145 characterised by scanning multiple planes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4483 characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/461 Displaying means of special interest
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8993 Three dimensional imaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52074 Composite displays, e.g. split-screen displays; Combination of multiple images or of images and alphanumeric tabular information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52085 Details related to the ultrasound signal acquisition, e.g. scan sequences control of medical diagnostic ultrasound devices A61B8/54

Abstract

In one embodiment, an ultrasound system is provided that includes a probe having a 2D array of transducers for acquiring ultrasound information along a plurality of scan lines through an object in real time. The scan lines are arranged to define volumetric data corresponding to a volume of interest (VOI) in a subject or patient. One such VOI may include the human heart or some portion of the human heart. The system includes a beamformer configured with scan parameter values that define the scan lines. An image buffer stores multiple data volumes acquired over time that are successively retrieved and processed by a display processor. The display processor accesses the data volumes stored in the image buffer successively to control generation of at least one of 2D and 3D renderings based on display parameters, wherein the display processor obtains from the image buffer a first data volume defined based on first scan parameter values, while the probe acquires ultrasound information for a second data volume that is entered into the image buffer. The second data volume is defined based on second scan parameter values. A navigation view presents in real time the renderings generated by the display processor with their corresponding 3D orientation. A navigator is provided that controls the display of the navigation view in real time such that, as the user adjusts a display parameter value to change a view plane, images presented in the navigation view are updated to reflect the view plane. A user interface is provided for adjusting the scan and display parameter values.

Claims

1. An ultrasound system, comprising:

a probe having a 2D array of transducers acquiring ultrasound information along a plurality of scan lines through an object in real time, said scan lines being arranged to define data volumes within the object;

a beamformer having scan parameters that define said scan lines, said scan parameters having parameter values;

an image buffer storing multiple data volumes successively acquired over time;

a display processor accessing said data volumes stored in said image buffer successively to control generation of at least one of 2D and 3D renderings based on display parameters, wherein said display processor obtains from said image buffer a first data volume defined based on first scan parameter values, while said probe acquires ultrasound information for a second data volume that is entered into said image buffer, said second data volume being defined based on second scan parameter values;

a navigation view presenting in real time the said renderings generated by said display processor with their corresponding 3D orientation;

a navigator controlling display of said navigation view in real time such that, as the user adjusts a display parameter value to change a view plane, images presented in said navigation view are updated to reflect said view plane; and

a user interface for adjusting said scan and display parameter values.

2. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein said user interface permits a user to adjust said scan parameters from said first parameter values to said second parameter values while viewing said at least one of 2D and 3D renderings based on volume data being acquired in real time.

3. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein said image buffer simultaneously stores at least one data volume defined by said first parameter values and at least one data volume defined by said second parameter values.

4. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein said image buffer is substantially simultaneously accessed by said display processor to read said data volumes from said image buffer and by said beamformer to write said data volumes to said image buffer.

5. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein said display presents at least one of volume rendered images, surface rendered images and cut plane images.

6. The ultrasound system of claim 1, further comprising a navigator controlling display of a navigation view indicating at least one of view planes, object models and landmarks relative to the said data volume, said navigation view being defined based on said data volume data, scan and display parameter values.

7. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein said probe continues to acquire new data volumes as display parameters values for said display parameters are changed.

8. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein a lag time after changing display parameter values before displaying updated images based on new display parameter values is no more than ¼

second.

9. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein a lag time after changing scan parameter values before displaying updated images based on new scan parameter values is no more than 2 seconds.

10. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein said image buffer stores a time stamp with each of said data volumes, said time stamp identifying a time at which said data volume was acquired.

11. An ultrasound method, comprising:

acquiring ultrasound information, utilizing a 2D array of transducers, along a plurality of scan lines through an object in real time, said scan lines being arranged to define data volumes within the object;

defining said scan lines based on scan parameters having scan parameter values;

storing multiple data volumes successively acquired over time in an image buffer;

adjusting said scan parameter values for said scan parameters;

presenting at least one of 2D and 3D images based on said data volumes; and

accessing said data volumes stored in said image buffer successively to control presentation of said at least one of 2D and 3D images based on display parameters, wherein a first data volume defined based on first scan parameter values is obtained from said image buffer, while acquiring ultrasound information for a second data volume that is entered into said image buffer, said second data volume being defined based on second scan parameter values.

12. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising permitting a user to adjust said scan parameters from said first parameter values to said second parameter values while viewing 2D images being acquired in real time.

13. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising simultaneously storing at least one data volume defined by said first parameter values and at least one data volume defined by said second parameter values.

14. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising substantially simultaneously accessing said image buffer to read said data volumes from said image buffer and writing said data volumes to said image buffer.

15. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising presenting at least one of volume rendered images, surface rendered images and cut plane images.

16. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising controlling display of a navigation view indicating at least one of view planes, object models and landmarks relative to said data volume, said navigation view being defined based on said data volume, scan and display parameter values.

17. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising continuing to acquire new data volumes as display parameters values for said display parameters are changed.

18. The ultrasound method of claim 11, wherein a lag time after changing display parameter values before displaying updated images based on new display parameter values is no more than ¼

second.

19. The ultrasound method of claim 11, wherein a lag time after changing scan parameter values before displaying updated images based on new scan parameter values is no more than 2 seconds.

20. The ultrasound method of claim 11, further comprising storing a time stamp with each of said data volumes, said time stamp identifying a time at which said data volume was acquired.

21. An ultrasound system, comprising:

a probe having a 2D array of transducers acquiring ultrasound information along a plurality of scan lines through an object in real time, said scan lines being arranged to define data volumes within the object;

a beamformer having scan parameters that define said scan lines, said scan parameters having parameter values;

an image buffer storing multiple data volumes successively acquired over time;

a display for presenting at least one of 2D and 3D images based on said data volumes;

a display processor accessing said data volumes stored in said image buffer successively to control presentation of said at least one of 2D and 3D images based on display parameters; and

a navigator controlling display of a navigation view in real time such that, as the user adjusts a display parameter value to change an orientation view, images presented on said display are updated to reflect said orientation view.