System and method for ultrasound imaging of regions containing bone structure
Inventors
Mauldin, Jr., Frank William • Owen, Kevin
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10548564-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-04
Expiration Date
2036-02-16
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Abstract
Systems and methods for processing ultrasound data are provided. The disclosure includes using at least one computer hardware processor to perform obtaining ultrasound data generated based, at least in part, on one or more ultrasound signals from an imaged region of a subject, the ultrasound data comprising fundamental frequency ultrasound data and harmonic frequency ultrasound data, calculating shadow intensity data based at least in part on the harmonic frequency ultrasound data, generating, based at least in part on the fundamental frequency ultrasound data, an indication of bone presence in the imaged region, generating, based at least in part on the shadow intensity data, an indication of tissue presence in the imaged region, and generating an ultrasound image of the subject at least in part by combining the indication of bone presence and the indication of tissue presence.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods for processing ultrasound data to generate bone-enhanced ultrasound images of regions containing bone structures. The method involves obtaining ultrasound data from a subject, where the data includes both fundamental frequency ultrasound data and harmonic frequency ultrasound data. Shadow intensity data is calculated for each voxel based at least in part on the harmonic frequency ultrasound data. A noise-to-shadow intensity ratio is further computed using expected shadow intensity values from a noise-only image together with the shadow intensity data.
The main problem addressed is that conventional ultrasound systems produce images with artifacts from off-axis reflections, low sensitivity and specificity, and are difficult to interpret—especially for bone imaging. Existing systems struggle with accurate identification of bone surfaces due to dependencies on signal angle and face challenges in freehand 3D imaging due to motion estimation bias. The goal is to offer a method for clearer bone imaging, higher bone-to-tissue contrast, and improved interpretability.
This disclosed approach generates an image resulting from bone amplitude mapping using both the fundamental frequency ultrasound data and the noise-to-shadow intensity ratio, and an image from tissue amplitude mapping using the noise-to-shadow intensity ratio and the harmonic frequency ultrasound data. The resulting bone-enhanced ultrasound image is generated by combining these two images. The technique allows differentiation between bone and tissue regions based on their frequency representations and shadow characteristics, enabling robust, automated identification and enhanced visualization of bone structures within ultrasound images.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim with several main inventive features focused on generating bone-enhanced ultrasound images using both fundamental and harmonic frequency ultrasound data, shadow intensity calculation, and amplitude mapping for tissue and bone regions.
Obtaining ultrasound data with both fundamental and harmonic frequency components
Ultrasound data is acquired from an imaged region of a subject such that the data contains a plurality of values corresponding to respective voxels. The acquired data specifically includes both fundamental frequency ultrasound data and harmonic frequency ultrasound data for each voxel in the region.
Calculating shadow intensity data using harmonic frequency ultrasound data
For each voxel, shadow intensity data is calculated based at least in part on the harmonic frequency ultrasound data. This includes analyzing the harmonic frequency response for each location within the imaged region.
Determining noise-to-shadow intensity ratio from noise-only and acquired shadow data
A noise-to-shadow intensity ratio is computed for each voxel by comparing the expected shadow intensity for that voxel from a noise-only image to the shadow intensity value obtained from the real imaging data. This ratio distinguishes shadowing due to tissue and bone from noise.
Generating bone amplitude and tissue amplitude mapped images
An image resulting from bone amplitude mapping is formed based on the combination of fundamental frequency ultrasound data with the noise-to-shadow intensity ratio. Separately, an image is generated from tissue amplitude mapping using the noise-to-shadow intensity ratio together with the harmonic frequency ultrasound data.
Combining amplitude-mapped images to generate a bone-enhanced ultrasound image
The final bone-enhanced ultrasound image is generated by combining the image resulting from bone amplitude mapping and the image resulting from tissue amplitude mapping. The combination step is designed to enhance diagnostic information by differentiating bone from soft tissue.
Collectively, these features define a method of ultrasound imaging that leverages both fundamental and harmonic frequency data together with shadow intensity analysis to distinguish and accurately map bone and tissue in ultrasound images, resulting in enhanced visualization of bone structures.
Stated Advantages
The approach provides ultrasound images with improved bone-to-tissue contrast and a desired contrast-to-noise ratio, making images easier to interpret.
By using both fundamental and harmonic frequency data, the system can more precisely distinguish bone from tissue in the imaging region.
The method enables detection of small deformations or gaps in bone that are smaller than the resolution of the ultrasound system, which is clinically useful for fracture detection and guiding procedures.
Automatic localization and display of anatomical bone landmarks reduces the need for manual interpretation and potentially streamlines clinical workflow.
The technique allows for bone and tissue region segmentation and image display with user-defined bone-to-tissue contrast or contrast-to-noise ratio.
The use of non-ionizing energy in imaging offers a safe, portable, and low-cost alternative to X-ray for bone imaging.
Documented Applications
Guidance for spinal anesthesia procedures, including visualization and localization of spinal bone landmarks such as the spinous process and interlaminar space.
Guidance for orthopedic joint injections.
Performance of lumbar punctures.
Diagnosis of bone fractures.
Guidance of orthopedic surgery.
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