Real-time 3-D ultrasound reconstruction of knee and its implications for patient specific implants and 3-D joint injections
Inventors
Mahfouz, Mohamed R. • Wasielewski, Ray C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11529119-B2
Publication Date
2022-12-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating a patient. The method includes acquiring a plurality of radio frequency (RF) signals with an ultrasound transducer, each RF signal representing one or more return echoes from a scan line of a pulse-mode echo ultrasound scan. A position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each of the acquired RF signals is determined, and a plurality of contour lines generated from the plurality of RF signals. The method estimates a 3-D shape and position of an anatomical feature, such as a joint of patient based on the generated contour lines and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions. An apparatus, or computer includes a processor and a memory with instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform the aforementioned method.
Core Innovation
The invention provides real-time 3-D imaging of an anatomical feature of a patient using pulse-mode/pulse-echo ultrasound scan-line data. A plurality of signals is acquired with an ultrasound transducer, where each signal represents a return signal from a scan line of a pulse-echo ultrasound, and a position of the ultrasound transducer with respect to the anatomical feature is determined corresponding to each acquired signal. Contour lines are then generated from the plurality of signals.
A 3-D model of the anatomical feature of the patient is generated based on the generated contour lines and the corresponding ultrasound transducer positions. The 3-D model is formed to represent the anatomical feature in a 3-D anatomical shape and position estimate for patient-specific visualization, and the generated 3-D model is displayed on a display.
The disclosed system also supports injection guidance contexts by tracking a tracked needle relative to the registered 3-D joint model and displaying real-time 3-D needle placement with a computed/updated path projection to a target injection point. The described reconstruction approach includes probabilistic processing of contour features across temporally adjacent scan lines and 3-D feature/shape estimation using AICP-based point/feature correspondence with recursive Bayesian inference for point cloud and 3-D anatomical feature estimation.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes two independent claims, directed to a patient imaging method and to a corresponding apparatus. Each independent claim centers on acquiring pulse-echo ultrasound scan-line signals, determining transducer position relative to an anatomical feature, generating contour lines, reconstructing a 3-D model from the contour lines and transducer positions, and displaying the 3-D model.
Pulse-echo scan-line signal acquisition with transducer position determination
Acquiring a plurality of signals with an ultrasound transducer, each signal representing a return signal from a scan line of a pulse-echo ultrasound; and determining a position of the ultrasound transducer, with respect to an anatomical feature of the patient, corresponding to each of the acquired signals.
Contour-line generation for 3-D model reconstruction
Generating a plurality of contour lines from the plurality of signals; and generating a 3-D model of the anatomical feature of the patient based on the generated contour lines and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions.
Displaying a 3-D model of the anatomical feature
Displaying the 3-D model of the anatomical feature on a display.
Processor-executed imaging instructions with display
Providing an apparatus for imaging a patient with a processor and a memory containing instructions that, when executed, cause the apparatus to acquire the plurality of signals, determine the position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each acquired signal, generate contour lines, generate the 3-D model based on the contour lines and corresponding transducer positions, and display the 3-D model on a display.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive elements are pulse-echo ultrasound scan-line signal acquisition together with transducer position determination relative to an anatomical feature, contour-line generation and using those contour lines with corresponding transducer positions to generate a 3-D model, and displaying the 3-D model. The apparatus claim implements these steps via processor-executed instructions and includes a display for presenting the 3-D model.
Stated Advantages
Reducing radiation by avoiding fluoroscopy.
Improving injection accuracy.
Enabling lower-cost/office-based care.
Documented Applications
Image-guided injections using knee joint imaging via real-time 3-D ultrasound reconstruction and tracked needle placement with a computed/updated path projection to a target injection point.
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