Dynamic measurement of object parameters

• US 6,728,394 B1
• Filed: 02/14/2000
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Kim, Jin, Chen, Jian-Feng
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Charles
• Application Number:
  US09/504,501
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/107, 382/236, 382/128, 382/130, 382/131, 382/132, 382/278, 348/402.1, 348/407.1, 348/413.1, 348/414.1, 348/416.1, 348/417.1, 348/169, 128/915, 128/916
• US Class Current: 382/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0883 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0891 for diagnosis of blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10132 Ultrasound image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30004 Biomedical image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/246 using feature-based methods, e.g. the tracking of corners or segments
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/248 involving reference images or patches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/915 Ultrasound mammography

Abstract

Method of dynamically measuring movement of objects is disclosed which uses image processing. In a first step a sequence of images is received and stored. Then, at least a first and second reference point within a first image is determined and identification areas around those reference points are defined. Within a sequential image a search area around the predefined reference points which best match the identification area is searched to determine the displacement of the reference point.

Claims

1. Method of dynamically measuring movement of objects using image processing:

receiving a sequence of images;

determining from user input at least first and second reference points within a first image;

defining identification areas around said first and second reference points;

searching within a sequential image a search area around points corresponding to said first and second reference points which best match said identification areas; and

determining the displacement of said first and second reference points;

wherein said searching includes a first coarse-scale search and a fine-scale search, said fine-scale search being based upon the correlation of RF signals having a resolution greater than a resolution of the images.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said identification area has a square shape.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said identification area has a circular shape.

4. Method of dynamically measuring movement of objects using image processing:

a) receiving a sequence of images;

b) determining from user input at least first and second reference points within a first image;

c) defining identification areas around points corresponding to said first and second reference points;

d) searching within a sequential image a search area around said first and second reference points which best match said identification areas;

e) determining the displacement of said first and second reference points; and

f) repeating steps c) to e) for all images whereby points corresponding to the displacement from the first and second reference points are used as new reference points;

wherein said searching includes a first coarse-scale search and a fine-scale search, said fine-scale search being based upon the correlation of RF signals having a resolution greater than a resolution of the images.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein said identification area has a square shape.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein said identification area has a circular shape.

7. Ultrasound imaging system for dynamically measuring movement of objects using image processing:

means for generating a sequence of images;

input means for determining from user input at least first and second reference points within a first image;

processing means for defining identification areas around said reference points and for searching within a sequential image a search area around points corresponding to said predefined reference points which best match said identification areas, and for determining the displacement of said reference points;

wherein the processing means includes searching with a coarse-scale search and a fine-scale search, said fine-scale search being based upon the correlation of RF signals having a resolution greater than a resolution of the images.

8. Method of dynamically measuring movement of objects using image processing:

receiving a sequence of images;

determining from user input at least first and second reference points within a first image;

defining identification areas around said first and second reference points;

searching within a sequential image a search area around points corresponding to said first and second reference points which best match said identification areas; and

determining the displacement of said first and second reference points;

wherein said searching includes a coarse-scale search and a fine-scale search, said fine-scale search being based upon the correlation of RF or I/Q signals.

9. Method of dynamically measuring movement of objects using image processing:

receiving a sequence of images;

determining from user input at least first and second reference points within a first image;

defining identification areas around said first and second reference points;

searching within a sequential image a search area around points corresponding to first and second reference points which best match said identification areas; and

determining the displacement of said first and second reference points;

wherein said searching includes a coarse-scale search and a fine-scale search, said fine-scale search being based upon the correlation of coherent signals and having a resolution greater than a resolution of the images.