Patent ID: 6939301
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for obtaining the volume of a body or body part comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a three dimensional (3D) ultrasound image of said body or body part as a series of light and dark pixels stored by computer means; b) placing portion defining means, on a portion of the image for which the volume is desired, wherein the portion defining means is linked to the computer means to thereby define the portion; c) programming the computer means to controllably count the amount of pixels that are continuous with that portion, whereby the computer means counts every pixel with the same echogenicity in every direction as long as it is continuous with the spot the caliper is in, and wherein the computer means stops counting in any direction where the pixels become significantly more echogenic (dark); and effecting said controlled counting; d) calculating a volume of said portion, based on the counted number of pixels and the magnification of the image; and e) using the calculated volume to determine physiological characteristics based on known values.