Inter-frame processing for contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging
First Claim
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1. A method for contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
- generating a sequence of ultrasound frames of data representing, at least in part, information from contrast agents;
selecting a subset of the ultrasound frames of data as a function of a characteristic represented by a first type of data; and
combining information from the selected subset and not from unselected ones of the ultrasound frames of data, the information associated with a second type of data different than the first type of data.
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Abstract
Contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic imaging is improved by selecting particular frames of data. Frames of data are acquired over time. Information from the frames of data are combined, such as for a time intensity curve or maximum intensity processing. Rather than combining information from each of the frames, information from some frames is not used. Frames are selected for inclusion. In one embodiment, the selection is based on one type of data (e.g., B-mode) for combining information for another type of data (e.g., contrast agent data).
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23 Claims
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1. A method for contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
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generating a sequence of ultrasound frames of data representing, at least in part, information from contrast agents; selecting a subset of the ultrasound frames of data as a function of a characteristic represented by a first type of data; and combining information from the selected subset and not from unselected ones of the ultrasound frames of data, the information associated with a second type of data different than the first type of data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a computer readable storage medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor for contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging, the storage medium comprising instructions for:
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selecting frames of ultrasound data associated with less inter frame motion and not selecting frames of data associated with more inter frame motion; integrating the selected frames of ultrasound data as a function of time; and using characteristics of at least a first type of data for the selecting and information of at least a second type of data for the integrating. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
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acquiring frames of data representing a region over time, the region having some contrast agents, with ultrasound; discarding some of the frames of data as a function of similarity between the frames of data; and forming an image from the remaining frames of data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification