Medical training method and apparatus
Inventors
Martin, Colin Bruce • Wright, Susan Jane • Smith, Andrew • Cubitt, Adam William Jon
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8917916-B2
Publication Date
2014-12-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
There is disclosed a method of simulating the output of a medical imaging device, the medical imaging device being operable to image an anatomical structure, and the method including: accessing model data representing a model of the anatomical structure; accessing selection data representing a selected region of the anatomical structure to be imaged; and processing the selection data and the model data to generate output data representing a simulation of the output of the medical imaging device when imaging the selected region.
Core Innovation
The invention is a method and apparatus of generating an image to simulate the output of an imaging device that is operable to carry out a radial scan. The method receives an image representing an approximation of the output of the imaging device, defines a polar coordinate space corresponding to a region swept by the radial scan, and transforms the image into a planar coordinate space with orthogonal axes aligned to the radial direction and the sweep direction.
The invention then generates at least one visual artefact and adds the at least one visual artefact to the output image, including processing at least one of individual rows and individual columns of the planar-coordinate transformed image in order to add visual artefacts to the planar-coordinate transformed image. The method generates at least one visual artefact while operating in the planar coordinate space, and then transforms the planar-coordinate transformed image back into the polar coordinate space to form output image data.
In dependent forms, the invention includes generating edge detection data that encodes information about edge transitions, and processing the edge detection data to add specific visual artefacts to the output image data. The specific visual artefacts include reverberation artefacts representing ghost images from reflections of a probe signal at multiple edge transitions, shadow artefacts representing masking due to attenuation of a probe signal at edge transitions, and systematic artefacts whose characteristics vary with respect to one axis of the planar coordinate space.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims, a method claim and a corresponding apparatus claim. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on radial-scan image simulation using polar-to-planar transformation, row/column-based visual artefact generation, and conversion back to polar coordinates; dependent claims further refine the artefact generation using edge detection data and specific artefact types.
Polar-to-planar and back transformation for radial-scan region
Defining a polar coordinate space in relation to an image, the polar coordinate space corresponding to a region swept by the radial scan; transforming the image from the defined polar coordinate space into a planar coordinate space to form a planar-coordinate transformed image with two orthogonal axes corresponding to the radial direction and the sweep direction of the radial scan; and transforming the planar-coordinate transformed image back into the polar coordinate space to form output image data.
Row/column processing to add at least one visual artefact
Generating at least one visual artefact and adding the at least one visual artefact to the output image, including processing at least one of individual rows and individual columns of the planar-coordinate transformed image in order to add visual artefacts to the planar-coordinate transformed image.
Edge transitions encoded as edge detection data for artefacts
Generating edge detection data that encodes information about edge transitions in the output image data, and using the edge detection data to generate visual artefacts.
Reverberation artefacts representing ghost images from probe-signal reflections
Processing edge detection data to add reverberation artefacts to output image data, where the reverberation artefacts represent ghost images caused by reflections of a probe signal at multiple edge transitions.
Shadow artefacts representing masking from probe-signal attenuation
Processing edge detection data to add shadow artefacts to output image data, where the shadow artefacts represent masking of portions of an imaged region caused by attenuation of a probe signal at edge transitions.
Systematic artefacts varying with an image axis
Adding systematic artefacts to a planar-coordinate transformed image, where the artefact characteristics vary with respect to one axis of the planar coordinate space.
Sparse array representation of edge-transition locations
Generating sparse array data that encodes, by column and row, locations of edge transitions for output image data having multiple columns of image elements, with the sparse array representing edge-transition location values across rows per column.
Training with a patient-simulating mannequin and simulator probe
Facilitating training for use of a medical imaging device by providing a mannequin that simulates the patient, providing a simulator probe that simulates the probe of the device, and performing the method of generating an image to simulate output of a radial-scan imaging device.
The independent claims are directed to simulating radial-scan imaging device outputs by transforming input approximation images between polar and planar coordinate spaces, adding visual artefacts via processing individual rows and columns, and transforming the processed image back into polar coordinates for output image data. Dependent claims extend the core by introducing edge detection data encoding edge transitions and by producing specific artefact types such as reverberation/ghost images and shadow/masking effects, including embodiments with axis-dependent systematic artefacts, sparse-array edge-transition representations, and training using a patient-simulating mannequin and simulator probe.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Training for use of a medical imaging device using a patient-simulating mannequin and a simulator probe, together with image generation that simulates output of a radial-scan imaging device.
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