摘要:
A medical viewing system including an imaging means (2,3) and image data processing means (5) is arranged to facilitate production of different images of a feature of interest such that the pose of the feature of interest is comparable in the different images. The image data processing means (5) estimates the pose of the feature of interest in a second image relative to the pose thereof in a first image, typically generated at a different time, and applies an affine transformation, for example to the second image, so as to produce a transformed second image in which the feature of interest has substantially the same pose as in the first image. The image data may also be processed so as to normalize the intensity characteristics of the images to be compared. Gross differences in pose can be eliminated by processing the image data so as to generate control data indicating how to set up the imaging apparatus to produce an image having the feature of interest oriented substantially in a desired pose.
摘要:
In an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system, the parameters which govern the display of Doppler information are automatically optimized to make better use of the display range or area. Spectral Doppler information may be used to optimize a spectral display or a colorflow display, and colorflow Doppler information may be used to optimize a spectral display or a colorflow display. The optimization may be invoked by a manual user control which automatically optimizes one or a plurality of display parameters. Automatic optimization may be invoked only when called for by the user, or periodically after a time interval, a given number of heart cycles, or when the user has made a change to the display or imaging mode. Preferably the optimization processor runs continuously in the background so that optimized parameters are available immediately when called for. The optimization processor may utilize 'hidden' Doppler data which has been acquired but is not used for display purposes.
摘要:
A remotely upgradeable medical diagnostic ultrasound system is described which is upgradeable with a new transducer probe by means of air shipment of the upgrade hardware and remote transmission of upgrade data which controls operation of the probe. The ultrasound system includes a data communicator such as a network link or modem for receiving upgrade data from a remote location. A process for upgrading the system is provided whereby a communications link is established over a common carrier communications medium between the ultrasound system and a remote terminal, which transmits upgrade program data to the ultrasound system. The program data portion of an upgrade is provided via the communications link while the hardware portion of the upgrade is shipped by air freight to the user. In this way, an ultrasound upgrade can be provided to a user from a remote location in a matter of hours.
摘要:
A method of estimating the position of the field of view of an imaging device, such as a camera, relative to a board involves designating markings on the board as references and detecting the shift in these reference markings within the field of view of the camera compared to a known position therein. The reference markings are selected such that detection thereof involves analysis of only a subset of the image produced by the imaging device. The selection of a group of one or more markings to serve as a reference involves determination of the image region (error window) in which the reference marking(s) may appear, given the maximal positional error of the imaging device. It is also checked (step T4) that the entire error window will be within the useable field of view of the imaging device and that, within the error window, no other group of markings will appear that could be confused with the selected group of markings (step T5). Detection of the reference group of markings involves generation of an image profile along a line crossing the center of the error window and finding the best match between the markings along this profile and the markings in the reference group.
摘要:
An ultrasound system that utilizes a probe in conjunction with little or no specialized 3-D software/hardware to produce images having depth cues. A control unit uses the probe to produce multiple slices of data, wherein each slice has a plurality of lines of data points. The control unit oversees the combination of data points from matched lines across the slices so as to create an image on the display giving the illusion of depth.
摘要:
The method involves forming smoothed images from a digital image using a number of different scales. The pixels at the edges of each smoothed image are extracted. Median potential pixels associated with the centre of a circle related to the scales by a constant of proportionality are extracted. The median potential pixels are used to ensure the centre of the circle and the pixels at the edges of the image are aligned. The median value pixels are extracted by a first selection of pixels using the smoothed images. A second extraction of the median value pixels is performed according to the direction of image alignment. The extracted median potential pixels are used to form a 'skeleton' for the image object.
摘要:
An ultrasound system is described which can be turned off quickly by an operator command or in response to an interruption of a.c. power to the system. When a.c. power is cut off, the system switches to battery backup while a processor executes an orderly shutdown sequence. The system can completely shut down, or the state of the system can be minimally preserved by battery backup in either volatile or nonvolatile memory so that the system can restart without having to sequence through an entire bootup procedure. This enables the system to remain active even when the ultrasound system is unplugged and being moved.
摘要:
A method and apparatus are described which produce spatially compounded panoramic ultrasonic images by electronically steering beams in a plurality of different look directions as a transducer is moved in relation to a panoramic image field. The received echo information is compounded, then aligned and combined with previously acquired echo information to form a spatially compounded panoramic image. Alternatively, the received echo information may be aligned with previously acquired echo information, then combined to produce spatial compounding and a panoramic image in one process.