Abstract: An ultrasound image tracking completeness system includes an ultrasound imaging probe that acquires images during an examination, an imaging probe sensor coupled to the ultrasound imaging probe and that tracks a position and an orientation of the ultrasound imaging probe, and a display to display images acquired by the ultrasound imaging probe. The system also includes a processor programmed to calculate a probe speed threshold at which the ultrasound imaging probe may be moved while acquiring images during the examination, track the position and orientation of the ultrasound imaging probe during the examination by monitoring the imaging probe sensor, determine a movement speed of the ultrasound imaging probe during the examination, and if the movement speed of the ultrasound imaging probe exceeds the probe speed threshold, issue a warning to an operator.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking completeness of co-registered medical image data is disclosed herein. The system and method tracks the position of an anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient and an ultrasound probe during an imaging session and co-registers medical images based on positional data received from the anatomical reference marker and the ultrasound probe. Using the co-registered image data, the system and method generates a surface contour of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient, such as a breast. The surface contour is defined to represent an interface between a chest wall structure and tissue of the ROI in a plurality of co-registered medical images. A completeness map of the image data within the defined surface contour during the imaging session is generated and overlaid on a graphic representation of the ROI.

Abstract: A system and method of correlating or coregistering medical images is disclosed herein that includes acquiring a sur-face image of the patient's skin surface using a surface detector assembly comprising a surface frame and a camera system registered to the surface frame. Positional coordinates of one or more surface landmarks in the surface image are determined and a medical image of the patient is acquired having the surface frame depicted therein. A second surface image of the patient's skin surface is ac-quired that at least partially overlaps the previously acquired surface image. Positional coordinates of one or more surface landmarks in the second surface image are determined and compared with surface landmarks in the previous surface image. Common surface landmarks are determined based on the comparison and the medical images are coregistered based on positional coordinates of the common surface landmarks.

Abstract: A system and method of correlating or coregistering medical images is disclosed herein that includes acquiring a surface image of the patient's skin surface using a surface detector assembly comprising a surface frame and a camera system registered to the surface frame. Positional coordinates of one or more surface landmarks in the surface image are determined and a medical image of the patient is acquired having the surface frame depicted therein. A second surface image of the patient's skin surface is acquired that at least partially overlaps the previously acquired surface image. Positional coordinates of one or more surface landmarks in the second surface image are determined and compared with surface landmarks in the previous surface image. Common surface landmarks are determined based on the comparison and the medical images are coregistered based on positional coordinates of the common surface landmarks.

Abstract: An automated three dimensional mapping and display system for a diagnostic ultrasound system is presented. According to the invention, ultrasound probe position registration is automated, the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to selected anatomical references is calculated, and specified information is stored on command. The system, during real time ultrasound scanning, enables the ultrasound probe position and orientation to be continuously displayed over a body or body part diagram, thereby facilitating scanning and images interpretation of stored information. The system can then record single or multiple ultrasound free hand two-dimensional (also “2D”) frames in a video sequence (clip) or cine loop wherein multiple 2D frames of one or more video sequences corresponding to a scanned volume can be reconstructed in three-dimensional (also “3D”) volume images corresponding to the scanned region, using known 3D reconstruction algorithms.

Abstract: An automated 3D mapping and display system includes automated ultrasound probe position registration, calculation of the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to selected anatomical references, and storage of specified information on command. The system, during real time ultrasound scanning, enables ultrasound probe position and orientation to be continuously displayed over a body part diagram, thereby facilitating scanning and images interpretation of stored information. The system can record single or multiple ultrasound free hand frames in a video sequence or cine loop wherein multiple 2D frames of one or more video sequences corresponding to a scanned volume can be reconstructed in 3D volume images corresponding to the scanned region, using known 3D reconstruction algorithms. In later examinations, the exact location and position of the transducer can be recreated along 3D or 2D axis points enabling known targets to be viewed from an exact, known position.

Abstract: An ultrasound image tracking completeness system includes an ultrasound imaging probe that acquires images during an examination, an imaging probe sensor coupled to the ultrasound imaging probe and that tracks a position and an orientation of the ultrasound imaging probe, and a display to display images acquired by the ultrasound imaging probe. The system also includes a processor programmed to calculate a probe speed threshold at which the ultrasound imaging probe may be moved while acquiring images during the examination, track the position and orientation of the ultrasound imaging probe during the examination by monitoring the imaging probe sensor, determine a movement speed of the ultrasound imaging probe during the examination, and if the movement speed of the ultrasound imaging probe exceeds the probe speed threshold, issue a warning to an operator.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking completeness of co-registered medical image data is disclosed herein. The system and method tracks the position of an anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient and an ultrasound probe during an imaging session and co-registers medical images based on positional data received from the anatomical reference marker and the ultrasound probe. Using the co-registered image data, the system and method generates a surface contour of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient, such as a breast. The surface contour is defined to represent an interface between a chest wall structure and tissue of the ROI in a plurality of co-registered medical images. A completeness map of the image data within the defined surface contour during the imaging session is generated and overlaid on a graphic representation of the ROI.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking completeness of co-registered medical image data is disclosed herein. The system and method tracks the position of an anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient and an ultrasound probe during an imaging session and co-registers medical images based on positional data received from the anatomical reference marker and the ultrasound probe. Using the co-registered image data, the system and method generates a surface contour of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient, such as a breast. The surface contour is defined to represent an interface between a chest wall structure and tissue of the ROI in a plurality of co-registered medical images. A completeness map of the image data within the defined surface contour during the imaging session is generated and overlaid on a graphic representation of the ROI.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method where the ultrasound transducer position registration is automated, calculates the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to the predetermined anatomical reference points (AR) and can store the information on demand. The graphic interface associated with the ultrasound image allows for the instant display of selected targets position coordinates relative to anatomical reference points, in the ultrasound images. This system would significantly reduce the ultrasound examination time, by eliminating the time consuming manual labeling of images and speeding up the target finding at subsequent examinations, enhance correlation capability with other diagnostic imaging modalities like CT scans, MRI, mammograms, decrease human errors and fatigue, provide an easy, uniform, method of communicating the target position among healthcare providers.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method where the ultrasound transducer position registration is automated, calculates the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to the predetermined anatomical reference points (AR) and can store the information on demand. The graphic interface associated with the ultrasound image allows for the instant display of selected targets position coordinates relative to anatomical reference points, in the ultrasound images. This system would significantly reduce the ultrasound examination time, by eliminating the time consuming manual labeling of images and speeding up the target finding at subsequent examinations, enhance correlation capability with other diagnostic imaging modalities like CT scans, MRI, mammograms, decrease human errors and fatigue, provide an easy, uniform, method of communicating the target position among healthcare providers.

Abstract: A system and method for co-registering image data includes generating a reference state model defined by deformable and non-deformable surfaces of a region of interest (ROI) of a patient. The reference state model is generated by identifying a deformable surface in a first image representing the ROI in a reference position, with the location of one or more anatomical reference points on the deformable surface tracked using at least one surface marker. Deformable and non-deformable surfaces of the ROI are identified within a medical image representing the ROI in a deformed position relative to the reference position. The non-deformable surface in the medical image is registered to positional coordinates of anatomical reference point(s) within the reference state model. The position of a target pixel in the medical image is projected to the reference state model based on a relative location of the target pixel between the deformable and non-deformable surfaces.

Abstract: A 3D positional registration system incorporates one or more sensor assemblies positionable at anatomical reference points on or within a patient during repeat examinations. One such sensor assembly includes a mounting base comprising at least one flexible tab, a mounting flange forming a bottom surface of the mounting base, and a ledge positioned between a top surface of the at least one flexible tab and the mounting flange. A sensor housing is positioned on the ledge and rotatably engaged with the mounting base. The sensor housing has a cavity sized to receive a positional sensor and the at least one flexible tab engages an upward-facing surface of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A system and method of correlating or coregistering medical images is disclosed herein that includes acquiring a surface image of the patient's skin surface using a surface detector assembly comprising a surface frame and a camera system registered to the surface frame. Positional coordinates of one or more surface landmarks in the surface image are determined and a medical image of the patient is acquired having the surface frame depicted therein. A second surface image of the patient's skin surface is acquired that at least partially overlaps the previously acquired surface image. Positional coordinates of one or more surface landmarks in the second surface image are determined and compared with surface landmarks in the previous surface image. Common surface landmarks are determined based on the comparison and the medical images are coregistered based on positional coordinates of the common surface landmarks.

Abstract: A sensor attachment for use with three dimensional ultrasound mapping devices is presented. According to the invention, one or more sensors are attached to specific locations on the body, such as the nipple and sternum, the inventive sensor attachments enabling accurate recording of target information, including location and size; the present invention especially helpful in subsequent and comparative examinations. A method of use is also presented.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method where the ultrasound transducer position registration is automated, calculates the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to the predetermined anatomical reference points (AR) and can store the information on demand. The graphic interface associated with the ultrasound image allows for the instant display of selected targets position coordinates relative to anatomical reference points, in the ultrasound images. This system would significantly reduce the ultrasound examination time, by eliminating the time consuming manual labeling of images and speeding up the target finding at subsequent examinations, enhance correlation capability with other diagnostic imaging modalities like CT scans, MRI, mammograms, decrease human errors and fatigue, provide an easy, uniform, method of communicating the target position among healthcare providers.

Abstract: A sensor attachment for use with three dimensional ultrasound mapping devices is presented. According to the invention, one or more sensors are attached to specific locations on the body, such as the nipple and sternum, the inventive sensor attachments enabling accurate recording of target information, including location and size; the present invention especially helpful in subsequent and comparative examinations. A method of use is also presented.

Abstract: A sensor attachment for use with three dimensional ultrasound mapping devices is presented. According to the invention, one or more sensors are attached to specific locations on the body, such as the nipple and sternum, the inventive sensor attachments enabling accurate recording of target information, including location and size; the present invention especially helpful in subsequent and comparative examinations. A method of use is also presented.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking completeness of co-registered medical image data is disclosed herein. The system and method tracks the position of an anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient and an ultrasound probe during an imaging session and co-registers medical images based on positional data received from the anatomical reference marker and the ultrasound probe. Using the co-registered image data, the system and method generates a surface contour of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient, such as a breast. The surface contour is defined to represent an interface between a chest wall structure and tissue of the ROI in a plurality of co-registered medical images. A completeness map of the image data within the defined surface contour during the imaging session is generated and overlaid on a graphic representation of the ROI.

Abstract: An automated three dimensional mapping and display system for a diagnostic ultrasound system is presented. According to the invention, ultrasound probe position registration is automated, the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to selected anatomical references is calculated, and specified information is stored on command. The system, during real time ultrasound scanning, enables the ultrasound probe position and orientation to be continuously displayed over a body or body part diagram, thereby facilitating scanning and images interpretation of stored information. The system can then record single or multiple ultrasound free hand two-dimensional (also “2D”) frames in a video sequence (clip) or cine loop wherein multiple 2D frames of one or more video sequences corresponding to a scanned volume can be reconstructed in three-dimensional (also “3D”) volume images corresponding to the scanned region, using known 3D reconstruction algorithms.