Method and apparatus for generating and displaying panoramic ultrasound images
US5782766A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S128/916
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An image registration based method and a corresponding apparatus are provided for creating composite, panoramic images, in which consecutive ultrasonic image frames are correlated in order to derive transducer motion information. The individual images can be divided into several smaller sub-image regions and a fast and robust image motion detection algorithm is used to measure the sub-image motion and then to determine an initial estimation of the local motion vectors. The initial estimation is combined with two measurement parameters by use of a fuzzy logic technique to derive a final estimation of the local motion vectors. The final local motion vectors are then used to estimate global image motion. Compound images are then diplayed based on the derived global image motion. The speed of motion of the transducer is also estimated and a "speedometer" is displayed to help the user move the transducer within efficient speed ranges. Image frames may also be selectively "zoomed" in on and displayed in an undistorted manner. Distance scales are generated for both the normally curved panoramic image and also the undistorted frame images. A frame guide is also displayed to help the user g…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.