Methods for acquiring ultrasonic data

Abstract

Methods for acquiring ultrasonic data are disclosed. An image-acquiring system is provided. A three-dimensional target region is selected. A plurality of fiducial positions corresponding to anatomical features in the target region are calculated. A model of the target region comprising a plurality of target locations representing a plurality of planned locations in the target region at which ultrasonic data is to be acquired is created, and a visual representation of the model comprising a plurality of graphical elements is displayed. Ultrasonic data at each of the planned locations is acquired. A transformation of the visual representation is executed, comprising: performing a data quality test at each target location; for any target location that fails the data quality test, altering a graphical element corresponding to the failed target location to indicate failure of the data quality test at that location; and displaying a transformed visual representation comprising updated graphical elements on the visual display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of acquiring medical images, the method comprising:
 (i) an initialization step of selecting a target tissue from a menu of such tissues;   (ii) a computer system recalling from storage specification of anatomy around the selected target tissue, and a list of anatomically defined fiducial positions required for use with the selected target tissue.   (iii) an on-site user operating a non-invasive imaging device on a subject to produce pre-image data relating to an internal region of the subject and providing that pre-image data to the computer system;   (iv) repetitively sensing and reporting location and orientation of the non-invasive imaging device in a coordinate frame set by a fixed base of a sensing system;   (v) placing at least three external fiducials on the subject at locations in a predetermined relationship to body part structure within the internal region of the patient;   (vi) registering as received fiducial data positions of the fiducials on the subject, with respect to a base frame in which position of the non-invasive imaging device is repetitively obtained;   (vii) the computer system exercising a real-time algorithm on received fiducial data to establish a transformation between coordinates relative to the base frame and anatomy-model coordinates in terms of which a model of anatomy surrounding the target tissue has been defined;   (viii) the computer system determining, within the anatomy-model coordinates, a geometric target region containing the selected target tissue;   (ix) the computer system repetitively determining the location and orientation of the non-invasive imaging device with respect to the base frame;   (x) the computer system repetitively transforming the location and orientation of the non-invasive imaging device to the anatomy-model coordinates;   (xi) the computer system recording and integrating the pre-image data, and sensor location and orientation data within a target region over which an acquisition region of the non-invasive imaging device is moved;   (xii) the computer system displaying to the on-site user on a visual display system a geometric representation of the geometric target region;   (xiii) the computer displaying to the on-site user on the video display system a geometric representation of sub-regions within the internal region of the subject, the sub-regions indicating a current location and orientation of an acquisition region for which the non-invasive imaging device is capable of acquiring pre-image data and from which the computer exercises a real-time algorithm to create an image;   (xiv) the non-invasive imaging device collecting pre-image data from a series of acquisition regions within the internal region of the subject;   (xv) the computer exercising a real-time algorithm to pro-vide a created image of the target region of the internal volume;   (xvi) the computer exercising at least one real-time algorithm to apply a local image quality test of whether the data in a plurality of regions in the created image satisfy predetermined numerical criteria of quality;   (xvii) the computer creating a geometric representation of points in the target region of the subject which have failed at least one predefined image quality test;   (xviii) the system displaying the geometric representation to the on-site user; and   (xix) the on-site user being invited to acquire further pre-image data, which are processed as in earlier steps, and the resulting image data added to the created image.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the subject is a training dummy having an anatomically correct region of a human body and where the training dummy is empty and only fiducial position data, base-frame sensor position data, fiducial position data, patient-frame sensor position data, and display-frame sensor data are collected or constructed, and the user receives feed-back derived from the collected or constructed data and from computed values of local image quality based on the collected or constructed data and a model of a per-formed acquisition process, on whether points in the geometric target region have been swept within the acquisition region of the device in a manner which passes local image quality tests. 
     
     
         3 . A method of training a user in the use of a system for obtaining medical images comprising:
 an on-site operator manually operating a non-invasive scanning device to produce image data relating to an internal geometric target region of a subject;   tracking the motion of the non-invasive scanning device;   guiding the operator by feedback that comprises motion of a three-dimensional virtual model of the acquisition region of the non-invasive scanning device through a three-dimensional virtual model of the geometric target region; and   reporting aspects of the motion that would reduce the quality of the data that such motion would acquire.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the acquired data are secured against local inspection as an image. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for performing the method of  claim 1  of acquiring medical images and evaluating performance characteristics in obtaining the medical images comprising:
 an on-site non-invasive scanning device for producing image data relating to an internal target volume of a subject; 
 a computer configured to receive image data from the non-invasive imaging device and execute code to track motion of the non-invasive scanning device; 
 a display screen in communication with the computer configured to receive image data from the computer and provide image feedback to an operator of the non-invasive imaging device that comprises a display of motion through a three-dimensional virtual model of an image-acquisition region of the non-invasive scanning device through a three-dimensional virtual model of the internal target volume; 
 the computer configured to acquire data from the non-invasive imaging device as the operator moves the non-invasive scanning device; 
 an information transmission link for transmitting the acquired data to at least one computer system that is not on-site; 
 the at least one computer system that is not on-site being a geographically separated computer system configured to receive, process and analyze the transmitted data; and 
 the at least one geographically separated computer system providing processed and analyzed data to an on-site recipient computer.