US6106465A — Ultrasonic method and system for boundary detecti…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 61 words

A method for automatic boundary detection of an object of interest in an ultrasound image generated with harmonic imaging comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring an ultrasound image from a subject using received ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of a fundamental frequency; and then (b) automatically generating a boundary oriented with respect to an object of interest in the ultrasound image.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 61 words

A method for automatic boundary detection of an object of interest in an ultrasound image generated with harmonic imaging comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring an ultrasound image from a subject using received ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of a fundamental frequency; and then (b) automatically generating a boundary oriented with respect to an object of interest in the ultrasound image.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises the steps of: (a1) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency along a plurality of transmit lines; and (a2) receiving ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency along a plurality of receive lines, wherein a plurality of said receive lines are formed in response to one of said transmit lines.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 2, wherein step (a2) comprises the step of receiving ultrasonic energy at a second order harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is free of non-native non-linear contrast agents throughout an entire imaging session.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a non-linear contrast agent in the subject during an imaging session.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound image comprises multiple spatial locations each associated with ultrasound image data, and wherein step (b) comprises the step of applying a threshold cut-off to the ultrasound image data of a plurality of spatial locations to detect a boundary.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound image comprises multiple spatial locations each associated with ultrasound image data, and wherein step (b) comprises the step of determining where a majority of ultrasound image data for both a current scan line and at least one previous scan line indicate similar reflections.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of analyzing gain levels in return pulses along at least one scan line in the ultrasound image.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound image comprises multiple spatial locations each associated with ultrasound image data, and wherein step (b) comprises the step of analyzing ultrasound value changes over succeeding display frames.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises the step of analyzing ultrasound image data along radial lines emanating from a center of an object of interest in the ultrasound image.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating a user-guided detected boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest in the ultrasound image.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 71 words

In an ultrasound system comprising a transducer, a receive beamformer responsive to the transducer, and a transmit beamformer coupled to the transducer, the improvement comprising: means for acquiring an ultrasound image from a subject using harmonic information; and means for automatically generating a boundary oriented with respect to an object of interest in the ultrasound image; said means for acquiring and means for automatically generating being responsive to the receive beamformer.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 71 words

In an ultrasound system comprising a transducer, a receive beamformer responsive to the transducer, and a transmit beamformer coupled to the transducer, the improvement comprising: means for acquiring an ultrasound image from a subject using harmonic information; and means for automatically generating a boundary oriented with respect to an object of interest in the ultrasound image; said means for acquiring and means for automatically generating being responsive to the receive beamformer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 62 words

The invention of claim 12, wherein said means for acquiring comprises: means for transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency along a plurality of transmit lines; and means for receiving ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency along a plurality of receive lines, wherein a plurality of said receive lines are formed in response to one of said transmit lines.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention of claim 13, wherein said means for receiving ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency comprises means for receiving ultrasonic energy at a second order harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 57 words

The invention of claim 12, wherein said means for automatically generating comprises: means for retrieving ultrasound image data associated with spatial locations in the ultrasound image; and means for processing ultrasound image data of a plurality of spatial locations to detect a boundary; said means for retrieving and means for processing being responsive to the receive beamformer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

The invention of claim 15, wherein means for processing ultrasound image data comprises means for applying a threshold cut-off to ultrasound image data of a plurality of spatial locations to detect a boundary.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The invention of claim 12, wherein the subject is free of non-native non-linear contrast agents throughout an entire imaging session.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention of claim 12 wherein the subject is provided with a non-linear contrast agent in the subject during an imaging session.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 75 words

A method for user-guided detection of a boundary of an object of interest in an ultrasound image comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of user-proposed transition positions oriented with respect to an object of interest in an ultrasound image; and (b) automatically generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest, wherein the computed boundary is oriented at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 75 words

A method for user-guided detection of a boundary of an object of interest in an ultrasound image comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of user-proposed transition positions oriented with respect to an object of interest in an ultrasound image; and (b) automatically generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest, wherein the computed boundary is oriented at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 77 words

The method of claim 19, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of: (b1) automatically selecting an actual transition position near a user-proposed transition position, said step of automatically selecting being repeated for a plurality of said plurality of user-proposed transition positions; and (b2) automatically generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest, said computed boundary being oriented at least partially as a function of the actual transition positions automatically selected in step (b1).

Claim 24

Independent Claim 171 words

A method for user-guided detection of a boundary of an object of interest in an ultrasound image comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of user-proposed transition positions oriented with respect to an object of interest in an ultrasound image; (b) automatically generating a set of actual-transition-position candidates along at least one profile line passing close to or through a user-proposed transition position, said step of automatically generating being repeated for a plurality of user-proposed transition positions; (c) automatically selecting one actual transition position from the set of actual-transition-position candidates along said at least one profile line, the automatically selecting being made at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position of the plurality of user-proposed transition positions, said step of automatically selecting being repeated for a plurality of user-proposed transition positions; and (d) generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest, said boundary being oriented at least partially as a function of the actual transition positions automatically selected in step (c).

Claim 25

Independent Claim 171 words

A method for user-guided detection of a boundary of an object of interest in an ultrasound image comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a plurality of user-proposed transition positions oriented with respect to an object of interest in an ultrasound image; (b) automatically generating a set of actual-transition-position candidates along at least one profile line passing close to or through a user-proposed transition position, said step of automatically generating being repeated for a plurality of user-proposed transition positions; (c) automatically selecting one actual transition position from the set of actual-transition-position candidates along said at least one profile line, the automatically selecting being made at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position of the plurality of user-proposed transition positions, said step of automatically selecting being repeated for a plurality of user-proposed transition positions; and (d) generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest, said boundary being oriented at least partially as a function of the actual transition positions automatically selected in step (c).

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one profile line in step (b) comprises a line normal to a tangent to a curve fitting the plurality of user-proposed transition positions.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of applying a filter to said at least one profile line before automatically generating the set of actual-transition-position candidates in step (b).

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one profile line comprises ultrasound image data and wherein the set of actual-transition-position candidates is automatically generated in step (b) by applying a threshold cut-off to the ultrasound image data along said at least one profile line.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one profile line comprises ultrasound image data and wherein the set of actual-transition-position candidates is automatically generated along said at least one profile line in step (b) by calculating where a derivative of said at least one profile line is a maximum.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one profile line comprises ultrasound image data and wherein the set of actual-transition-position candidates is automatically generated along said at least one profile line in step (b) by calculating where an absolute value of an integral of said at least one profile line reaches a maximum.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 21, wherein said at least one profile line comprises ultrasound image data and wherein the set of actual-transition-position candidates is automatically generated along said at least one profile line in step (b) by determining a location along said at least one profile line having a highest pixel intensity value.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the automatically selecting of step (c) comprises the step of determining which actual-transition-position candidate is closest to the user-proposed transition position along a profile line.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the automatically selecting in step (c) comprises the step of determining which actual-transition-position candidates is closest to a curve fitting the plurality of user-proposed transition positions.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the automatically selecting in step (c) is made at least partially as a function of at least one previously automatically selected actual transition position.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the automatically selecting in step (c) comprises the step of determining which actual-transition-position candidates is closest to a curve fitting a plurality of previously automatically selected actual transition positions.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the computed boundary of step (d) comprises a curve fitting a plurality of actual transition positions.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the computed boundary of step (d) is oriented additionally at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the generated boundary of step (d) is a curve fitting a plurality of computed positions, wherein a computed position comprises a weighed average of an actual transition position and a user-proposed transition position.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 21, wherein the generated boundary of step (d) is a curve fitting a plurality of computed positions, wherein a computed position comprises an average of a plurality of actual transition positions along a plurality of profile lines.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 21, wherein a user-selected transition position along a profile line is designated as an actual transition position in response to the non-existence of at least one actual-transition-position candidates along said profile line.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 21, wherein a user-selected transition position is designated as an actual transition position in response to the actual transition position automatically selected in step (c) generating an erroneous boundary in step (d).

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image is (generated with received ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image is generated with received ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image is generated with received ultrasonic energy at a second order harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image is generated from a subject free of non-native non-linear contrast agents throughout an entire imaging session.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image is generated from a subject and wherein the method further comprises the step of providing a non-linear contrast agent in the subject during an imaging session.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image comprises a scan-converted ultrasound image and wherein the computed boundary comprises a boundary of an object of interest in the scan-converted ultrasound image.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 19 or 21, wherein the ultrasound image comprises a spectral Doppler strip and wherein the computed boundary comprises an envelope of a maximum velocity waveform of the spectral Doppler strip.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 88 words

In an ultrasonic imaging system comprising a transducer, a receive beamformer, and a transmit beamformer, the improvement comprising: a interface means for receiving a plurality of user-proposed transition positions oriented with respect to an object of interest in an ultrasound image; and a user-guided boundary detection means for automatically generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position; said interface means and user-guided boundary detection means being responsive to the receive beamformer.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 88 words

In an ultrasonic imaging system comprising a transducer, a receive beamformer, and a transmit beamformer, the improvement comprising: a interface means for receiving a plurality of user-proposed transition positions oriented with respect to an object of interest in an ultrasound image; and a user-guided boundary detection means for automatically generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position; said interface means and user-guided boundary detection means being responsive to the receive beamformer.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 44 words

The invention of claim 45, wherein said user-guided boundary detection means comprises: means for retrieving stored ultrasound image data along a plurality of profile lines; and means for determining an actual transition position from stored ultrasound image data along a plurality of profile lines.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 104 words

The invention of claim 45, wherein said user-guided boundary detection means comprises: means for automatically generating a set of actual-transition-position candidates along at least one profile line passing close to or through a user-proposed transition position; means for automatically selecting one actual transition position from the set of actual-transition-position candidates along said at least one profile line at least partially as a function of at least one user-proposed transition position of a plurality of user-proposed transition positions; and means for generating a computed boundary oriented with respect to the object of interest at least partially as a function of automatically selected actual transition positions.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 61 words

The invention of claim 45, further comprising: means for transmitting ultrasonic energy to a subject at a fundamental frequency along a plurality of transmit lines; and means for receiving ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency along a plurality of receive lines, wherein a plurality of said receive lines are formed in response to one of said transmit lines.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 34 words

The invention of claim 48, wherein said means for receiving ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency comprises means for receiving ultrasonic energy at a second order harmonic of the fundamental frequency.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 20 words

The invention of claim 48, wherein the subject is free of non-native non-linear contrast agents throughout an entire imaging session.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 22 words

The invention of claim 48, wherein the subject is provided with a non-linear contrast agent in the subject during an imaging session.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-08-22	2004-02-21	2004-08-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-08-22	2008-02-21	2008-08-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-08-22	2012-02-21	2012-08-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Ultrasonic method and system for boundary detection of an object of interest in an ultrasound image

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