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-12533105-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-27
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 a method of imaging in a patient using an ultrasound transducer to acquire a plurality of raw radio frequency (RF) signals, each representing a return signal from a return echo detected by the ultrasound transducer. For each acquired raw RF signal, the method determines a position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to when the return echo was detected and isolates return signals representing a common abrupt change in tissue density.
From the isolated return signals and the corresponding ultrasound transducer positions, the method generates a virtual 3D point cloud representing a plurality of surface points of an anatomical feature. The method then aligns the virtual 3D point cloud with a template virtual 3D model of the anatomical feature and deforms the template virtual 3D model using the virtual 3D point cloud to create a virtual patient-specific 3D model of the anatomical feature.
The disclosed imaging approach supports use cases involving anatomical features such as patient bone and enables template virtual 3D model handling using a statistical bone atlas. The described system includes real-time visualization that can display an image of B-mode ultrasound together with a registered 3D model, and needle guidance based on tracking a needle tracking element and projecting a needle path to an injection point.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim, covering ultrasound RF-based 3D point cloud generation, template alignment, and deformation into a virtual patient-specific 3D model. Additional dependent claims refine transducer positioning, tissue-density isolation, template selection, and real-time surgical-device visualization and updating.
Ultrasound RF acquisition with transducer position determination
Acquiring a plurality of raw radio frequency (RF) signals using an ultrasound transducer, each representing a return signal from a return echo detected by the ultrasound transducer, and determining a position of the ultrasound transducer corresponding to each acquired raw RF signal.
Isolating return signals representing a common abrupt change in tissue density
Isolating return signals representing a common abrupt change in tissue density.
Generating a virtual 3D point cloud from isolated return signals and transducer positions
Generating a virtual 3D point cloud, representing a plurality of surface points of an anatomical feature, from the return signals isolated and using the position of the ultrasound transducer when the return signals were generated.
Aligning the virtual 3D point cloud with a template virtual 3D model
Aligning the virtual 3D point cloud with a template virtual 3D model of the anatomical feature.
Deforming the template virtual 3D model using the virtual 3D point cloud
Deforming the template virtual 3D model using the virtual 3D point cloud to create a virtual patient-specific 3D model of the anatomical feature.
Determining ultrasound transducer position using a 3D tracking element
Providing the ultrasound transducer with a 3D tracking element and determining the transducer’s position by tracking that 3D tracking element.
Using signal envelopes and identified peaks for tissue-density isolation
Generating signal envelopes, identifying envelope peaks corresponding to detected tissue types, and using the identified peaks to produce a virtual 3D point cloud from return signals representing a common abrupt change in tissue density.
Patient bone anatomical feature with template from a statistical bone atlas
Performing the method such that the anatomical feature is patient bone and the template virtual 3D model is a template virtual 3D bone model selected from multiple bone models in a statistical bone atlas.
Selecting the template using patient demographics
Selecting a template virtual 3D bone model by identifying at least one demographic characteristic of the patient and selecting the template based at least in part on that demographic characteristic.
Real-time surgical-device visualization with updated tracked relative position
Displaying, in real time, an image of a surgical device alongside a virtual patient-specific 3D model while tracking the 3D positions of the surgical device and an anatomical feature and updating the display to match the surgical device’s actual position relative to the anatomical feature.
Across independent and dependent claims, the coverage centers on creating a virtual patient-specific 3D anatomical model by generating a virtual 3D point cloud from ultrasound RF return signals tied to transducer position, aligning to a template virtual 3D model, and deforming the template using the point cloud, with refinements for tracked transducer positioning, envelope/peak-based tissue-density isolation, statistical bone atlas template selection, demographic-based template selection, and real-time tracked visualization.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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