Patent ID: 6108439
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
An ultrasound image processing system, comprising:an ultrasound probe including an ultrasound transducer configured to provide 2D scans over a predetermined range, and a drive means for moving said ultrasound transducer in a direction different from a direction of the 2D scans by said transducer;a 2D ultrasound image capture means arranged to generate 2D ultrasound images by processing return echo signals received by said ultrasound transducer in a predetermined pitch in a direction of movement of said ultrasound transducer;an image selector means arranged to select and extract unit 2D ultrasound images for 3D image processing from 2D ultrasound images sequentially generated by said 2D image capture means at a predetermined extraction rate in relation with movement of said ultrasound transducer;a marker means for inserting a marker sign on frames of selected unit 2D ultrasound images outside an image area within a field of a selected 2D ultrasound image in relation with a picture signal processing operation by said 2D ultrasound image capture means; andan image recording means for storing 2D ultrasound images with a marker sign along with other non-selected 2D ultrasound images without a marker sign.