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-11819359-B2
Publication Date
2023-11-21
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 relates to imaging a patient by acquiring a plurality of ultrasound echoes using an ultrasound transducer and generating raw radiofrequency (RF) signals representing the plurality of ultrasound echoes. For each plurality of ultrasound echoes, the method determines a position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each of the plurality of ultrasound echoes.
Bone contours are generated from the raw RF signals while enforcing contour criteria based on a local standard deviation value below a selected standard deviation threshold and/or a predetermined minimum length. A virtual 3-D model of a bone of the patient is then generated based on the plurality of bone contours and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions.
The described process includes real-time 3-D ultrasound reconstruction for knee joint imaging by deriving bone/cartilage contour lines and selecting and filtering contours prior to reconstruction. The reconstructed virtual 3-D representation is described as a tracked and registered 3-D bone model generated from ultrasound-based data.
Claims Coverage
The provided partial content includes two independent claims, one method claim and one apparatus claim. Both independent claims share the core inventive sequence of producing a virtual 3-D bone model from ultrasound echoes by generating raw RF signals, determining ultrasound transducer position for each echo, generating bone contours from the RF signals using defined contour-quality criteria, and generating a virtual 3-D model from the contours and transducer positions.
Ultrasound echo to raw RF signals
Acquiring a plurality of ultrasound echoes using an ultrasound transducer and generating raw radiofrequency (RF) signals representing the plurality of ultrasound echoes.
Transducer position determination per echo
Determining a position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each of the plurality of ultrasound echoes.
Bone contour generation with standard-deviation and minimum-length criteria
Generating a plurality of bone contours from the raw RF signals, where each of the plurality of bone contours satisfies at least one of a local standard deviation value below a selected standard deviation threshold and a predetermined minimum length.
Virtual 3-D bone model generation from contours and positions
Generating a virtual 3-D model of a bone of the patient based on the plurality of bone contours and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions.
Apparatus implementing ultrasound-based virtual 3-D bone modeling
An apparatus for treating a patient comprising a processor and a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to acquire a plurality of ultrasound echoes using an ultrasound transducer, generate raw radiofrequency (RF) signals, determine a position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each ultrasound echo, generate bone contours from the raw RF signals subject to local standard deviation threshold and/or predetermined minimum length criteria, and generate a virtual 3-D model of a bone of the patient based on the bone contours and corresponding ultrasound transducer positions.
Overall, claim coverage in the provided independent claims is centered on converting ultrasound echo data into raw RF signals, determining ultrasound transducer position for each echo, generating bone contours using local standard deviation and minimum-length criteria, and producing a virtual 3-D bone model from those contours and positions, with one claim directed to a method and the other to an apparatus implementing the same workflow.
Stated Advantages
Improved accuracy.
Reduced radiation compared to fluoroscopy/MRI, described as radiation-free non-ionizing imaging.
Reduced pain and time.
Potential office-based use for injection therapies.
Enabling patient-specific implants and cutting guides.
Documented Applications
Real-time 3-D ultrasound reconstruction for knee joint imaging.
3-D needle-guided injections, including tracking a needle and displaying 3-D guidance views with real-time path projection.
Injection therapy use cases described as enabling office-based use.
Enabling patient-specific implants and bone cutting guides.
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