Ultrasound system and method for forming an ultrasound image

• US 8,103,066 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Issued: 01/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medison Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Medison Co., Ltd. (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kim, Tae Yun, Lee, Jin Yong
• Primary Examiner(s): Repko, Jason M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas, Mia M
• Application Number:
  US11/770,351
• Publication Number:
  US 20080044054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,671 Days
• Field of Search: 382/128, 382/132, 600/437, 600/443, 600/447, 378/37, 128/916
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• 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 8/469 for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data

Abstract

The ultrasound system includes a processor that extracts plane data from volume data formed by using ultrasound signals received from a target object to form a plane image and sets a region of interest (ROI) on the plane image. The processor extracts at least a portion of the volume data to form a ROI image and a 3D image corresponding to the ROI image. A control unit controls a display unit to display the plane image together with the 3D image, and also controls the processor to set a new ROI on the displayed plane image to form a new ROI image and a 3D image corresponding to the new ROI image.

Claims

1. An ultrasound system comprising:

a diagnosis unit configured to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object and receive ultrasound signals reflected from the target object;

a volume data forming unit configured to form volume data based on the received ultrasound signals;

an input unit configured to receive plane selection information, and region of interest (ROI) setting information from a user;

a processor configured to extract plane data from the volume data according to the plane selection information to form a plane image and set a ROI on the plane image based on the ROI setting information, said processor being configured to extract at least a portion of the volume data based on the set ROI to form a ROI image and a 3D image corresponding to the ROI image; and

a control unit operable to control a display unit to display the ROI image together with the 3D image and control the processor to set a new ROI on the displayed plane image based on updated ROI setting information received through the input unit to form a new ROI image and a 3D image corresponding to the new ROI image.

2. The ultrasound system of claim 1, further comprising a storage unit to store the volume data.

3. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the input unit is a user interface configured to receive tactile input from the user.

4. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the input unit is further configured to receive the updated ROI setting information when the display unit is displaying the ROI image together with the 3D image.

5. A method for forming an ultrasound image, comprising:

forming volume data based on ultrasound signals reflected from a target object;

receiving plane selection information and forming a plane image based on plane data extracted from the volume data according to the plane selection information;

receiving region of interest (ROI) setting information to set a ROI on the plane image;

extracting at least a portion of the volume data based on the set ROI to form a ROI image and a 3-dimensional (3D) image corresponding to the ROI image and displaying the ROI image together with the 3D image;

receiving updated ROI setting information for setting a new ROI in real time;

displaying the plane image together with the 3D image;

setting the new ROI on the displayed plane image based on the updated ROI setting information; and

forming and displaying a new ROI image and a 3D image corresponding to the new ROI image.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising storing the volume data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, during the extracting, the ROI image is displayed on a first display region and the 3D image is displayed on a second display region, and, during the displaying the plane image together with the 3D image, the plane image is displayed on the first display region and the 3D image is displayed on the second display region.