COMBINED PHOTOACOUSTIC AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM

• US 20170112474A1
• Filed: 01/09/2017
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Burcher, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,631,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/488 involving Doppler signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5238 for combining image data of patient, e.g. merging several images from different acquisition modes into one image for image registration algorithms G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5261 combining images from different diagnostic modalities, e.g. ultrasound and X-ray
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5276 due to motion
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/1702 with opto-acoustic detection, e.g. for gases or analysing solids
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/899 Combination of imaging systems with ancillary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52074 Composite displays, e.g. split-screen displays; Combination of multiple images or of images and alphanumeric tabular information

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a system that is adapted to simultaneously display photoacoustic and ultrasound images of the same object. An image combiner can perform spatial and temporal interpolation of the two images before generating a combined image. The combined image is then displayed on a display such as an LCD or CRT. The system is able to use motion estimates obtained from the ultrasound data to enhance the photoacoustic image thereby increasing its apparent frame rate, registering consecutive frames in order to reduce artifacts. The system is capable of generating combined ultrasound and photoacoustic images which are registered spatially and temporally.

Claims

1. An imaging system, the system comprising at least one imaging element configured to receive ultrasound and photoacoustic signals returning from a specific location on an object over a period of time;

a processing unit in communication with the at least one imaging element, the processor unit configured to;

generate ultrasound image data and photoacoustic image data corresponding to received ultrasound and photoacoustic signals;

generate a motion estimation from the ultrasound image data, the motion estimation representing motion of the object over the period of time; and

adjust the photoacoustic image data using the motion estimation from the ultrasound image data.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to generate an ultrasound image from the ultrasound image data.

3. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to generate a photoacoustic image from the motion-adjusted photoacoustic image data.

4. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to generate a combined image from the ultrasound image data and the adjusted photoacoustic image data.

5. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one imaging element comprises an ultrasound transducer.

6. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a photoacoustic element configured to illuminate the sample, thereby generating photoacoustic signals.

7. The imaging system of claim 6, wherein the photoacoustic element comprises a laser.

8. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the motion estimation is generated prior to scan conversion of the ultrasound image data.

9. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the motion estimation is generated after scan conversion of the ultrasound image data.

10. A computer-readable, non-transitory medium storing software code representing instructions that when executed by a computing system cause the computing system to perform a method of adjusting image data based on motion of an object, the method comprising:

generating ultrasound data corresponding to ultrasound signals returning from a specific location on an object over a period of time;

generating photoacoustic data corresponding to photoacoustic signals returning from the specific location on the object over the period of time;

using the ultrasound data to generate a motion estimation of the object over the period of time; and

adjusting the photoacoustic data for motion using the motion estimation from the ultrasound data.

11. The computer-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises generating an ultrasound image from the ultrasound data.

12. The computer-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises generating a photoacoustic image from the motion-adjusted photoacoustic data.

13. The computer-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises generating a combined image from the ultrasound data and the motion-adjusted photoacoustic data.

14. The computer-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 10, wherein the motion estimation is generated prior to scan conversion of the ultrasound data.

15. The computer-readable, non-transitory medium of claim 10, wherein the motion estimation is generated after scan conversion of the ultrasound data.