Method and apparatus for evaluating scanners
First Claim
1. An apparatus for quantitatively evaluating image quality of an ultrasound scanner, comprising:
- a processor;
a storage device;
at least one output device;
at least one input device; and
software means operative on the processor for;
(a) maintaining in the storage device information on the scanner;
(b) maintaining in the storage device information regarding expected performance standards;
(c) maintaining in the storage device information regarding at least one phantom test object;
(d) inputting via said at least one input device;
(e) interactively specifying said at least one phantom test object in image for processing;
(f) processing said specified phantom test object in image to quantitatively determine image quality characteristics of said scanner to evaluate the scanner for diagnostic purposes;
(g) maintaining in the storage device results of said processing; and
(h) outputting via said at least one output device results of said processing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The apparatus and method for evaluating images for quality assurance parameters of ultrasound image scanners are described. The apparatus includes a digital computer with display output, a video frame grabber or direct image read-out interface from ultrasound scanner, a digital storage, and software. Using a transducer, an ultrasound scanner produces an image, of test objects or phantom, that is temporarily stored in scanner memory. The phantom image is transferred to the memory of the processing computer either by digitizing the video output of the scanner or reading directly by digital means from the scanner. The software enables the user to acquire the image by the above means; associate the images with information on scanner, operator, and expected performance standards and accuracies. As selected by user, the software evaluates scanner performance parameters and produces quantitative results, graphs, and reports for screen display and printer. The processed and inputted information is stored with the measurement set and images for future access. The software generates, using stored and current results, trend graphs of evaluated performance parameters.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for quantitatively evaluating image quality of an ultrasound scanner, comprising:
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a processor; a storage device; at least one output device; at least one input device; and software means operative on the processor for; (a) maintaining in the storage device information on the scanner; (b) maintaining in the storage device information regarding expected performance standards; (c) maintaining in the storage device information regarding at least one phantom test object; (d) inputting via said at least one input device; (e) interactively specifying said at least one phantom test object in image for processing; (f) processing said specified phantom test object in image to quantitatively determine image quality characteristics of said scanner to evaluate the scanner for diagnostic purposes; (g) maintaining in the storage device results of said processing; and (h) outputting via said at least one output device results of said processing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of quantitatively evaluating image quality characteristics of an ultrasound scanner, comprising the steps of:
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(a) selecting a phantom test object within an image; (b) quantitative processing of said image to evaluate image quality characteristics of the scanner for diagnostic purposes; and (c) outputting results of the quantitative processing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification