The present embodiments relate generally to medical ultrasound systems and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for curved multi-slice display.
Medical ultrasound systems can be used for a variety of diagnostic applications, for example, detecting spina bifida. A healthy spine is closed to protect the spinal cord. When a baby is growing inside its mother, the spine and spinal cord are developing. Sometimes, however, part of the spinal cord and spine grow abnormally, leaving an opening where the spinal cord is left unprotected. When this happens, a baby is born with spina bifida, which means “split or open spine.”
In the current state of the art, detection of spina bifida requires a detailed scan of a baby's spinal column. In addition, the detection of spina bifida is user skill dependent. For example, a 3D volume of the baby's spine can be acquired; however, the technician performing the acquisition of the 3D volume may not be an experienced technician/physician capable of detecting spina bifida.
Accordingly, an improved method and system for overcoming the problems in the art is desired.
In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like elements. In addition, it is to be noted that the figures may not be drawn to scale.
The embodiments of the present disclosure include creating a multi-slice display from a 3D ultrasound volume data based on a curved line. The multi-slice display from the 3D ultrasound volume data based on a curved line provides for the ability to quickly review multiple slices of any curved object along its longitudinal view. One target application for the multi-slice view of the present embodiments includes, for example, the detection of spina bifida.
According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, curved multi-slice display allows doctors and/or trained technicians to acquire a 3D ultrasound volume, for example, of a fetus's spine and display multiple longitudinal slices along the spine. Generation of the curved multi-slice display can either be done (i) at the end of the day by a doctor or trained technician, or (ii) at the time of scanning, saving all longitudinal slices for later review.
In addition, computer/control unit 12 comprises any suitable computer and/or control unit that can be configured for performing the various functionalities as discussed herein with respect to the method for generating a curved multi-slice display according to the various embodiments. Furthermore, programming of the computer/control unit 12, for performing the methods according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as discussed herein, can be accomplished with use of suitable programming techniques. Moreover, computer/control unit 12 interfaces with input/output device 18 (such as a keyboard, audio/voice input device, or similar device), pointing device 20 (such as a mouse, touch screen, or similar device) and display device 14, the computer/control unit for providing imaging data signals to the display for visual display.
The computer/control unit 12 may further send/receive data from one or more of a mass storage device or media 26 via suitable signal coupling generally indicated by reference numeral 28, and/or a computer network 30 (i.e., for remote data acquisition, storage, analysis, and/or display), etc., via suitable signal coupling generally indicated by reference numeral 32. The computer/control unit 12 may further receive data from one or more acquisition device and/or system (not shown), in addition to sending data to one or more device and/or system (not shown), via signal line 34. Still further, system 10 may include a printer device 36 coupled to computer/control unit 12 via signal line 38 for suitable use, as may be desired, during a particular procedure involving use of apparatus 10. Signal lines 34 and 38 can comprise any suitable signal line or lines (wire, wireless, optical, etc.).
With the embodiments of the present disclosure, the time needed to diagnose spina bifida can be considerably reduced over prior methods. In addition, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a 3D volume of a baby's spine to be acquired by a technician of less experience and then later analyzed by a more experienced technician/physician.
In the multi-slice view, a source multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) view in the multi-slice display refers to a source view. The MPR view that shows annotation of all slices in the multi-slice view refers to the reference view. The multi-slice display method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure further comprises displaying a desired layout format according to the requirements of a given ultrasound diagnostic application. For example, the layouts can include a 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, etc. layout. In addition, at least one slice in the multi-slice view in full screen mode contains the reference view.
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The following discussion addresses the multi-slice view setup, navigation, and annotations in the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Multi-Slice View Setup
For multi-slice view setup, the method includes selecting, via suitable means, a source view for the multi-slice view. Selecting the source view can comprise, for example, using a user selectable source view selection tool for selecting the source view, further by means of a control on an input device or 3D control panel. The source view selection control can also comprise, for example, a pop-up list with values “1”, “2”, “3”, etc. In one embodiment, the default value of the source view selection tool comprises the value “1.”
The method also includes configuring, via suitable means, the multi-slice view in any one of a number of display layouts. Configuring the display layout can comprise, for example, using a user selectable display layout tool for controlling the display layouts, further by means of a 3D panel pop-up control. The display view layout configuration control can comprise, for example, “5×5”, “4×4”, “3×3”, “2×2”, etc. or other options as may be appropriate for a given diagnostic application.
The method further includes suitable means for selecting an interval between orthogonal slices and for changing the interval between slices. In addition, selecting and changing the interval can comprise a user selectable parameter. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a slider feature, whether in hardware on a panel or in software on-screen, wherein the slider provides control of the interval between adjacent orthogonal slices. In one embodiment, the control for the interval between slices comprises a default value of 1 mm. In addition, the method provides for changing, via suitable means, a depth of a center slice (corresponding to the orthogonal slice taken through the reference point on the reference line). In one embodiment, the method includes providing a slider feature for changing the depth of the middle slice, whether in hardware on a panel or in software on-screen, wherein the slider provides control of the depth of the middle slice. In one embodiment, the control for depth comprises a default value of the middle of the volume.
Multi-Slice View Navigation
For multi-slice view navigation, the method comprises selecting (for example, by left-clicking of a mouse or pointing device) a slice in the multi-slice view, wherein responsive to the selecting, the multi-slice view navigates the source MPR view to the current slice. The method further includes enabling the performing of measurements, when calibrated, on the MPR view. The measurements can include any desired user measurements on the MPR view (if calibrated). Furthermore, the method comprises selecting (for example, by double-clicking of a mouse or pointing device) anywhere in the multi-slice view, wherein responsive to the selecting, the multi-slice view displays in a full screen mode.
Furthermore, the method comprises reflecting in the multi-slice view any changes attributable to or in response to any changes to the orientation of the MPR views. For example, if the source view is MPR 1 and it is rotated, then all slices in the multi-slice view shall rotate accordingly.
The method further includes providing for user interaction with a slice in the multi-slice view similar to that in connection with a source MPR view. The user interaction can include, for example, rotate, pan, cine and orbit around the cross-hair contained within a respective view. The method further enables user interaction with any slice in the multi-slice view, subsequent to the user selecting a desired slice, i.e., prior to allowing implementation of any interactions. This advantageously reduces accidentally rotating or moving the reference point or dot with an unintentional initial click (i.e., a first mouse click) of the pointing device in an undesired location.
The method further enables user interaction with the first slice in the multi-slice view in full screen mode similar to a reference view. As a result, the method gives the user the capability to change the location of the slices in full screen without going back to a quad screen mode.
In a general imaging 3D quantification apparatus, according to another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, if user selects a stacked contour measurement while in multi-slice view, correct source view, depth and interval shall be selected such that all slices appearing in stacked contours appear in the multi-slice view.
Scrolling up and down with a pointing device wheel (e.g., mouse wheel) changes the depth of the slices, for example, in connection with a cine capability. The user can arbitrate the mouse wheel to cine similar to MPR view and use a cine function. The cine function provides a moving cine of the source view and all the slices in the multi-slice view, keeping the currently selected slice the same. Furthermore, the method includes providing the ability for user selectable loop playback. Loop playback comprises, for example, playback of a Matrix Live 3D, Matrix Full volume, FETAL STIC, or Mechanical 4D loop in multi-slice view.
Multi-Slice View Annotations
For multi-slice view annotations, the method comprises providing one slice in the multi-view display, wherein the slice contains an MPR cross-hair representation (i.e., for user reference). In one embodiment, the top left slice of the multi-slice display contains the cross-hair representation. While displaying calibrated volumes, the method includes displaying the multi-slice display with scale markers on at least one slice. Preferably, the scale markers are displayed on the same slice on which the MPR cross-hairs are displayed. In addition, the method includes indicating a currently active slice in the multi-slice with use of bold colors. If there is no currently selected slice, the method includes highlighting the slice closest to the one in the source MPR view using dull colors. The method further includes changing the highlighting of the current slice with a smooth transition as the user slices (or advances) through the source view. In one embodiment, the smooth transition comprises on the order of three to four steps. For example, the smooth transition may include starting with bold color, dull color, two slices with dull color, next slice with dull color, next slice with bold color, etc.
Furthermore, the method includes labeling the reference lines on the reference view with the slice number, e.g., the first and the last slice. Accordingly, each slice on the multi-slice view can be labeled with a corresponding slice number. The selected slice in the multi-slice can display cross hairs similar to the source MPR view. In one embodiment, the cross hairs shall default to a partial cross hair.
In the general imaging 3D quantification apparatus, if a user selects a stacked contour measurement while in multi-slice view, slices corresponding to the stacked contours on the multi-slice view shall contain the user drawn contour.
According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the curved multi-slice display provides a system user with the ability to quickly review a multiple of longitudinal slices of a curved object. The system user is able to take control by selecting a desired control point on a reference line within a reference view and changing the curvature of the reference line, further as may be desired. The slices contained within the multi-slice display comprise slices orthogonal to the reference line and a reference plane. According to a further embodiment, the method includes automatically detecting a curved object within a reference view and, in response to detecting the curved object, slicing the curved object along a reference line of the curved object. The later embodiment provides a simplified curved multi-view display operation for the system user.
According to another embodiment, a curved multi-slice rendering apparatus comprises a display; a computer/control unit coupled to the display, wherein the computer/control unit provides data to the display for rendering a curved multi-slice projection view; and an input device coupled to the computer/control unit for providing inputs to the computer/control unit, wherein the computer control unit is programmed with instructions for carrying out the method for producing curved multi-slice view as discussed herein.
According to yet another embodiment, a computer program product comprises computer readable media having a set of instructions that are executable by a computer for carrying out the method for producing a curved multi-slice view as discussed herein.
Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.
In addition, any reference signs placed in parentheses in one or more claims shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” and “comprises,” and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural references of such elements and vice-versa. One or more of the embodiments may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and/or by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/IB07/52906 | 7/20/2007 | WO | 00 | 1/21/2009 |