Methods and systems for removing occlusions in 3D ultrasound images

US9390546B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Daniel John Buckton · Kirchdorf an der Krems, AT
• Gerald Schroecker · Zipf, AT
• Andrej Varchola · Wien, AT
• Stefan Bruckner · Wien, AT
• Eduard Groeller · Wien, AT
• Johannes Novotny · Wien, AT

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 2013
• Grant date: Jul 12, 2016
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2219/008
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and system for visualizing 3D ultrasound data are provided. One method includes obtaining image slices from a volumetric image data set and generating a ray profile using one or more rays through at least one of the image slices, wherein the one or more rays extend along a depth of the volumetric image data set. The method further includes identifying one or more seed points along the one or more rays and defining a clipping surface using the one or more seed points, wherein the clipping surface defines a rendering region within the volumetric image data set. The method also includes rendering a 3D image of the rendering region within the volumetric image data set.