Patent Description:
Ultrasound devices may be used to perform diagnostic imaging and/or treatment, using sound waves having frequencies that are higher than those audible to humans. Ultrasound imaging may be used to see internal soft tissue body structures, for example to find a source of disease or to exclude any pathology. When ultrasound pulses are transmitted into tissue (e.g., by using an ultrasound device), sound waves are reflected by the tissue, with different tissues reflecting varying degrees of sound. These reflected sound waves are then recorded and processed to form an ultrasound image which is displayed to an operator. The strength (e.g., amplitude) of the sound signal and the time it takes for the sound wave to travel through the body provide information used to produce the ultrasound image. Many different types of images can be formed using ultrasound devices including, for example, images that show two-dimensional cross-sections of tissue, blood flow, motion of tissue over time, the location of blood, the presence of specific molecules, the stiffness of tissue, and/or the anatomy of a three-dimensional region.

<CIT> relates to techniques for guiding an operator to use an ultrasound device. Thereby, operators with little or no experience operating ultrasound devices may capture medically relevant ultrasound images and/or interpret the contents of the obtained ultrasound images. For example, some of the techniques disclosed therein may be used to identify a particular anatomical view of a subject to image with an ultrasound device, guide an operator of the ultrasound device to capture an ultrasound image of the subject that contains the particular anatomical view, and/or analyze the captured ultrasound image to identify medical information about the subject.

According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided in accordance with claim <NUM>.

Various aspects and embodiments will be described with reference to the following exemplary and non-limiting figures. Items appearing in multiple figures are indicated by the same or a similar reference number in all the figures in which they appear.

In some cases, a particular ultrasound imaging session may require imaging multiple anatomical locations on a subject (e.g., a patient). For example, when imaging the lungs, certain guidelines suggest imaging <NUM> anatomical regions of the lungs, while others suggest imaging <NUM> anatomical regions of the lungs. As another example, the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) imaging protocol includes imaging four different anatomical regions (the pericardium, the perihepatic space, the perisplenic space, and the pericardium). It may be difficult for a user of an ultrasound device to keep track of which regions have already been imaged and/or which regions should be imaged next.

Additionally, acquisition of ultrasound images typically requires considerable skill. For example, an ultrasound technician operating an ultrasound device may need to know where the anatomical structure to be imaged is located on the subject and further how to properly position the ultrasound device on the subject to capture a medically relevant ultrasound image of the anatomical structure. Holding the ultrasound device a few inches too high or too low on the subject may be the difference between capturing a medically relevant ultrasound image and capturing a medically irrelevant ultrasound image. As a result, non-expert operators of an ultrasound device may have considerable trouble capturing medically relevant ultrasound images of a subject. Common mistakes by these non-expert operators include capturing ultrasound images of the incorrect anatomical structure and capturing foreshortened (or truncated) ultrasound images of the correct anatomical structure.

The inventors have developed assistive technology for helping a user to keep track of which anatomical regions have already been imaged and/or which regions should be imaged next. The assistive technology may include an augmented reality interface for helping the user (especially a non-expert user) understand where and where not to place an ultrasound device on a subject for further imaging. In certain embodiments, a processing device running the assistive technology (e.g., a portable smartphone) may automatically determine (e.g., using a statistical model such as a convolutional neural network or other deep learning model) trained, upon receiving ultrasound data, the anatomical location on the subject from which the ultrasound data was collected, and display an indication that the anatomical location was already imaged. As more ultrasound data is collected from more anatomical locations, the processing device may simultaneously display indications for the anatomical locations. For example, displaying an indication of an anatomical location may include displaying or modifying a marker on a video of the subject, where the marker appears in the video to be located at the anatomical location on the subject. The video of the subject displayed by the processing device may be similar to the view of the subject from the user's perspective (assuming that the camera capturing the video is located relatively close to the user's eyes). Thus, by seeing the location in the video of the subject at which the indication is superimposed (e.g., on a particular region of the lungs), the user may be able to understand, when viewing the subject in the real world, where that location (e.g., particular region of the lungs) is on the subject. Because the first indication in the video of the subject may indicate that this particular region has already been imaged, the user may understand to place the ultrasound device on a different region of the subject for further imaging.

In certain embodiments, the processing device running the assistive technology may determine which anatomical locations are to be imaged. For example, if the lungs are to be imaged, the processing device may select <NUM> or <NUM> anatomical regions suggested by guidelines for imaging lungs. As another example, if the FAST protocol is being used, the processing device may select the four anatomical locations that should be imaged during the FAST protocol. The processing device may then select a particular anatomical location from the plurality of anatomical locations and display an indication that the particular anatomical location should be imaged next. Upon receiving ultrasound data, the processing device may determine that the ultrasound data was collected from the particular anatomical location, remove the indication of the particular anatomical location, and display an indication of another anatomical location from the plurality of anatomical locations. For example, displaying an indication of an anatomical location may include displaying or modifying a marker on a video of the subject, where the marker appears in the video to be located at the anatomical location on the subject. Because the indication in the video of the subject may indicate that this particular region should be imaged next, the user may understand to place the ultrasound device on that particular region of the subject for further imaging.

As referred to herein, a device displaying an item (e.g., a marker on a frame of a video) should be understood to mean that the device displays the item on the device's own display screen, or generates the item to be displayed on another device's display screen. To perform the latter, the device may transmit instructions to the other device for displaying the item or information specifying a graphical user interface to display the item.

It should be appreciated that the embodiments described herein may be implemented in any of numerous ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided below for illustrative purposes only. It should be appreciated that these embodiments and the features/capabilities provided may be used individually, all together, or in any combination of two or more, as aspects of the technology described herein are not limited in this respect.

<FIG> illustrates an example process <NUM> for guiding collection of ultrasound data, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. The process <NUM> may be performed by a processing device in an ultrasound system. The processing device may be, for example, a portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a device coupled to a moveable platform like a cart, etc.) or a stationary device (e.g., a desktop computer, a rack-mounted computer, a remote server), and may be in operative communication with an ultrasound device (e.g., via a wired connection, a wireless connection, a network connection, or any suitable combination thereof).

In act <NUM>, the processing device receives first ultrasound data collected from a subject by the ultrasound device. The processing device may receive the first ultrasound data in real-time, and the ultrasound data may therefore be collected from the current anatomical location of the ultrasound device on the subject being imaged. In some embodiments, the processing device may be considered to receive ultrasound data in real-time when a delay between changes in anatomy of a subject (e.g., a heartbeat) and changes in the same anatomy depicted by ultrasound images on the processing device is sufficiently small to be indistinguishable to a human. In some embodiments, the processing device may be considered to receive ultrasound data in real-time when the delay between transmission of ultrasound waves from the ultrasound device and appearance on the processing device of an ultrasound image generated based on reflections of the transmitted ultrasound waves is less than or equal to <NUM> milliseconds, less than or equal to <NUM> milliseconds, and/or less than or equal to <NUM> milliseconds. The first ultrasound data may include, for example, raw acoustical data, scan lines generated from raw acoustical data, or one or more ultrasound images generated from raw acoustical data. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device may generate scan lines and/or ultrasound images from raw acoustical data and transmit the scan lines and/or ultrasound images to the processing device. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device may transmit the raw acoustical data to the processing device and the processing device may generate the scan lines and/or ultrasound images from the raw acoustical data. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device may generate scan lines from the raw acoustical data, transmit the scan lines to the processing device, and the processing device may generate ultrasound images from the scan lines. The ultrasound device may transmit the first ultrasound data to the processing device over a wired communication link (e.g., over Ethernet cable, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or a Lightning cable), over a wireless communication link (e.g., over a BLUETOOTH, WiFi, or ZIGBEE wireless communication link), or any suitable combination thereof. In some instances, the ultrasound device may transmit the first ultrasound data to the processing device over a network such as a local area network or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The process proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device automatically determines, based on the first ultrasound data received in act <NUM>, a first anatomical location on the subject from which at least some of the first ultrasound data was collected. In some embodiments, to determine the first anatomical location, , the processing device may input the first ultrasound data to a statistical model. The statistical model may be a convolutional neural network or other deep learning model, a random forest, a support vector machine, a linear classifier, and/or any other statistical model. The statistical model may be trained to accept ultrasound data as an input and determine the anatomical location on the subject where the ultrasound data was collected. To train the statistical model, ultrasound data labeled with the anatomical location on the subject where the ultrasound data was collected may be inputted to the statistical model and used to modulate internal parameters of the statistical model. The first anatomical location may be, for example, an anatomical region (e.g., the anterior superior region of the right lung) or an anatomical structure (e.g., the heart). The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device displays a first indication of the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, displaying the first indication may include displaying a marker that indicates the first anatomical region upon determining, in act <NUM>, that the first anatomical location on the subject has been imaged. In some embodiments, displaying the first indication may include modifying, upon determining in act <NUM> that the first anatomical location on the subject has been imaged, a marker that indicates the first anatomical region and which was already displayed previous to the determination in act <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the processing device may display the first indication on a non-ultrasound image or video. For example, displaying the first indication may include displaying or modifying a marker on an optical video of the subject (more precisely, a marker on each subsequent frame of the video), where the marker appears in the video to be located at the first anatomical location on the subject. The video described here may be an optical video, and may be a real-time video of the subject. The video may be captured by a camera on the processing device, and the user of the processing device may hold the processing device in one hand such that the subject is in view of the camera of the processing device, and hold the ultrasound device on the subject with the other hand.

Displaying the marker (whether before or after the determination of act <NUM>) may include determining which portion of each frame of the video (e.g., which group of pixels) depicts the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, to determine this, the processing device may input each frame of the video, as each frame is captured, to a statistical model. The statistical model may be a convolutional neural network or other deep learning model, a random forest, a support vector machine, a linear classifier, and/or any other statistical model. The statistical model may be trained to accept a frame of video and determine the portions of the frame of the video that depict anatomical locations (e.g., the superior anterior region of the right lung, the superior posterior region of the right lung, etc.). To train the statistical model, optical images of subjects with anatomical locations labeled on the images may be inputted to the statistical model and used to modulate internal parameters of the statistical model. For example, an image of a subject may be manually segmented to delineate various anatomical locations (e.g., the superior anterior region of the right lung, the superior posterior region of the right lung, etc.).

In some embodiments, to determine which portion of each frame of the video depicts the first anatomical location, the processing device may determine a pose of the camera that captured the video relative to the subject. In accordance with certain embodiments described herein, a three-dimensional coordinate system may be referenced to the subject and may be called the subject coordinate system. For example, the subject coordinate system may be a three-dimensional coordinate system where one axis extends along the superior-inferior direction of the subject, another axis extends along the lateral-medial direction of the subject, and the third axis is orthogonal to a plane formed by these two axes. There may further be points delineating the first anatomical location (e.g., points at the edges and/or vertices of the first anatomical location) on the subject (e.g., a typical subject), where the points have particular coordinates in the subject coordinate system.

In some embodiments, the camera that captured the video may have its own three-dimensional coordinate system, which may be called the camera coordinate system. For example, the origin of the camera coordinate system may be at the center of projection of the camera and one axis of the camera coordinate system may be the optical axis of the camera. A camera-image transformation, dependent on intrinsic characteristics of the camera (e.g., focal length, optical center, etc.), may determine how the camera coordinate system is projected onto an image coordinate system referenced to the frame of video. The image coordinate system, for example, may be a two-dimensional coordinate system within the plane of the frame of video.

The processing device may determine, for a given frame of video, a pose of the camera relative to the subject when the camera captured the frame of video. The pose of the camera relative to the subject may be a quantification of a translation and/or rotation of the camera relative to the fiducial marker. In particular, the pose of the camera relative to the subject may be a transformation quantifying a translation and/or rotation of the coordinate system referenced to the camera with respect to a coordinate system referenced to the subject. The transformation may be, for example, in the form of a matrix or a quaternion. In some embodiments, to determine the pose of the camera relative to the subject, the processing device may input the frames of video to a statistical model configured to accept a frame of video of a subject and output, based on the frame of video, a pose of the camera that collected the frame of video relative to the subject. In some embodiments, a statistical model may be configured through training to accept a frame of video of a subject and output, based on the frame of video, a pose of the camera that collected the frame of video relative to the subject. In particular, the statistical learning model may be trained on sets of training data, where each set of training data includes a frame of video of a subject and a label indicating a pose of the camera that collected the frame of video relative to the subject. The training data may be labeled manually. The statistical model may thereby learn how to output poses of cameras relative to subjects based on inputted frames of video of the subjects.

In some embodiments, using the pose of the camera relative to the subject, the processing device may calculate a subject-camera transformation that quantifies a translation and/or rotation of the camera coordinate system with respect to the subject coordinate system. The subject-camera transformation may be, for example, in the form of a matrix or a quaternion. The subject-camera transformation and the camera-image transformation may determine how to transform the points in the subject coordinate system that delineate the first anatomical location to points in the image coordinate system. In particular, the points in the image coordinate system may represent the result of applying the subject-camera transformation and the camera-image transformation to the points in the subject coordinate system (e.g., multiplying the points in the subject coordinate system by the subject-camera transformation and multiplying the result of that multiplication by the camera-image transformation, if the subject-camera transformation and the camera-image transformations are matrices). The processing device may use the points in the image coordinate system to determine which portion of each frame of the video depicts the first anatomical location.

In embodiments in which a statistical model determines which portion of each frame of the video depicts the first anatomical location, it may be helpful to integrate over time the portions of each successive frame of video corresponding to the first anatomical location. Integrating the positions of the first anatomical location may be helpful for tracking the first anatomical location with respect to movement of the processing device capturing the video. Certain software development tools for augmented reality applications, such as ARKit, provide methods for such tracking. Such methods may include using motion and/or orientation sensors on the processing device (e.g., an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope).

In some embodiments, to determine which portion of each frame of the video depicts the first anatomical location, the subject may have one or more fiducial markers adhered to his/her body. For example, the one or more fiducial markers may indicate one or more edges and/or one or more vertices of the first anatomical location, and the processing device may detect the fiducial marker(s) in each frame of the video and determine which portion of each frame of the video depicts the first anatomical location based on the fiducial markers. The fiducial markers may be markers conforming to the ArUco library for augmented reality applications.

In some embodiments, the processing device may, previous to the determination of act <NUM>, display the video of the subject as well as markers at various anatomical locations on the video of the subject. For example, the markers may be outlines surrounding various anatomical locations (e.g., surrounding the superior anterior region of the right lung, the superior posterior region of the right lung, etc.). Displaying the first indication at act <NUM> may include modifying (e.g., filling in) the outline corresponding to the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, the processing device may not display markers at various anatomical locations on the video previous to the determination of act <NUM>. Displaying the first indication at act <NUM> may include displaying an outline (which may or may not be filled in) corresponding to the first anatomical location. In any embodiments that display markers on a video of the subject, as each frame of video is captured, the processing device may update the positions of the markers such that the markers (and any modifications of the markers) continue to appear in subsequent frames of the video to be located at particular anatomical locations on the subject. The combination of the first indication and the video of the subject may be considered an augmented reality interface, as the video may depict objects in the real world while the first indication may not depict an object in the real world (but rather a graphic superimposed on the video).

The first indication may serve as an indication that the first anatomical region has already been imaged. Therefore, if the user is conducting an imaging session in which multiple anatomical regions (including the first anatomical region) should be imaged, the first indication may serve as an indication that the user should not image the first anatomical region next. The video of the subject displayed by the processing device may be similar to the view of the subject from the user's perspective (assuming that the camera capturing the video is located relatively close to the user's eyes). Thus, by viewing where on the video of the subject the first indication is superimposed (e.g., on a particular region of the lungs), the user may be able to understand when viewing the subject in the real world where that particular region of the lungs is on the subject. Because the first indication in the video of the subject may indicate that this particular region has already been imaged, the user may understand to place the ultrasound device on a different region of the subject for further imaging.

As another example, displaying the first indication may include displaying or modifying a marker on an image of a body or a body portion, where the marker appears in the image to be located at the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, the processing device may not display markers on the image of the body or body portion prior to the determination of act <NUM>, and at act <NUM> the processing device may display a new marker such that the marker appears in the image of the body or body portion to be positioned over the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, the processing device may display markers on the image of the body or body portion prior to the determination of act <NUM>, and at act <NUM> the processing device may modify a marker (e.g., fill in, place a checkmark) that appears in the image of the body or body portion to be positioned over the first anatomical location. The image of the body or body portion may be a static optical image of the body or body portion (i.e., an image that does not change as the processing device moves), may not have been captured from the particular subject being imaged, and/or may be a drawn, stylized, and/or cartoonish image of the body or body portion. In some embodiments, displaying the first indication may include modifying text describing the first anatomical location (e.g., text reading "superior anterior region of the right lung") or an image depicting the first anatomical location (e.g., an image of the heart). For example, modifying the text or image may include displaying a marker (e.g., a symbol such as a checkmark) next to the text or image, or striking through the text or image. In a similar manner as described above, displaying a marker on an image of the body or body portion and/or in conjunction with images of and/or text describing anatomical locations may help a user to identify which anatomical region on the subject the user should not image next. For example, if the first indication indicates that a particular anatomical region has already been imaged, the user may understand not to image that particular anatomical region on the subject next. Using static text/images for the first indication may be helpful as a simpler and/or more organized way to keep track of which anatomical locations have already been imaged. In some embodiments, the processing device may simultaneously display multiple indications of the first anatomical location (e.g., on a video of the subject, an image of a body or body portion, and/or in conjunction with images of and text describing anatomical locations). The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device receives second ultrasound data collected from the subject by the ultrasound device. Further description of receiving ultrasound data may be found with reference to act <NUM>. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device automatically determines, based on the second ultrasound data, a second anatomical location on the subject from which at least some of the second ultrasound data was collected. Further description of determining, based on ultrasound data, that the ultrasound data was collected from a particular anatomical location on a subject may be found with reference to act <NUM>. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device simultaneously displays the first indication that was displayed in act <NUM> as well as a second indication of the second anatomical location. Any of the embodiments of the first indication described above may apply to the second indication. Further description of displaying an indication of an anatomical location may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As an example, simultaneously displaying the first indication and the second indication may include simultaneously modifying two markers (e.g., filling in two outlines) on a frame of a video of the subject, where the markers are located over portions of the frame of the video that depict the first and second anatomical locations. As another example, simultaneously displaying the first indication and the second indication may include placing two markers on an image of the body or a body portion such that one of the markers appears in the image to be located at the first anatomical location and the other marker appears in the image to be located at the second anatomical location. As another example, simultaneously displaying the first indication and the second indication may include displaying checkmarks next to, or striking through, two instances of text or images, one of which describes the first anatomical location and the other of which describes the second anatomical location.

The second indication may serve as an indication that the second anatomical region has already been imaged. If the user is conducting an imaging session in which multiple anatomical regions (including the first and second anatomical regions) should be imaged, the simultaneous display of the first and second indications may serve as indications that the user should not image the first or second anatomical regions next. The first and second indications may remain displayed for the duration of the imaging session. It should be appreciated that as further anatomical locations are imaged, the processing device may continue to display further indications of the anatomical locations (e.g., a third indication of a third anatomical location, a fourth indication of a fourth anatomical location, etc.), and the indications may remain displayed for the duration of the imaging session. In some embodiments, acts <NUM>-<NUM> may be optional.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on a processing device <NUM> prior to display of an indication of an anatomical location, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. The processing device <NUM> displays a frame of a video <NUM> of a subject being imaged, a schematic depiction of the lungs <NUM>, and an ultrasound image <NUM>. The frame of the video <NUM> of the subject depicts the subject <NUM> and markers <NUM>-<NUM> of regions of the lungs. The marker <NUM> outlines the superior anterior region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> outlines the inferior anterior region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> outlines the superior lateral region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> outlines the inferior lateral region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> outlines the superior posterior region of the right lung, and the marker <NUM> outlines the inferior posterior region of the right lung.

The schematic depiction of the lungs <NUM> depicts markers <NUM>-<NUM> on regions of the lungs. The marker <NUM> is located at the superior anterior region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the superior lateral region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the superior posterior region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the inferior posterior region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the inferior lateral region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the inferior anterior region of the right lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the superior anterior region of the left lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the superior lateral region of the left lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the superior posterior region of the left lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the inferior posterior region of the left lung, the marker <NUM> is located at the inferior lateral region of the left lung, and the marker <NUM> is located at the inferior anterior region of the left lung. These regions of the lungs may be regions that should each be imaged when imaging the lungs. For example, certain guidelines suggest imaging <NUM> anatomical regions of the lungs, while others suggest imaging <NUM> anatomical regions of the lungs.

In the embodiment depicted, ultrasound image <NUM> represents the most recent ultrasound image collected by an ultrasound device with which the processing device <NUM> is in communication. The frame of the video <NUM> may be captured by a camera on the processing device <NUM> and may be the most recent frame of the video <NUM> collected by the camera. As described further with reference to act <NUM>, the markers <NUM>-<NUM> may be determined by inputting the frame of the video <NUM> to a statistical model. As subsequent frames of video are captured, the markers <NUM>-<NUM> (as determined by the statistical model) may move to compensate for movement of the regions of the lungs in the frames of video.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> displaying an indication of an anatomical location, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. The marker <NUM> outlining the inferior lateral region of the right lung on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, and a checkmark is displayed on the marker <NUM> located at the inferior lateral region of the right lung. The filling in of the marker <NUM> and the checkmark on the marker <NUM> may both serve as an indication that the inferior lateral region of the right lung of the subject has already been imaged. Further description of displaying the first indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As described with reference to act <NUM>, the processing device may determine that the inferior lateral region of the right lung has been imaged by inputting the most recently collected ultrasound image <NUM> to a statistical model.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> simultaneously displaying two indications of two anatomical locations, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. In addition to filling in the marker <NUM> and displaying a checkmark on the marker <NUM> (both of which may serve as an indication that the inferior lateral region of the right lung of the subject has already been imaged), the marker <NUM> outlining the superior lateral region of the right lung on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is also filled in, and a checkmark is displayed on the marker <NUM> located at the inferior lateral region of the right lung. The filling in of the marker <NUM> and the checkmark on the marker <NUM> may both serve as an indication that the superior lateral region of the right lung of the subject has been imaged. The processing device <NUM> therefore indicates that both the superior and inferior lateral regions of the right lung have already been imaged. Further description of displaying the second indication may be found with reference to act <NUM> of <FIG>. As described with reference to act <NUM>, the processing device may determine that the superior lateral region of the right lung has been imaged by inputting the most recently collected ultrasound image <NUM> to a statistical model.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on a processing device <NUM> prior to display of an indication of an anatomical location, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. The processing device <NUM> displays a frame of a video <NUM> of a subject being imaged, checkbox options <NUM>-<NUM>, and an ultrasound image <NUM>. The frame of the video <NUM> of the subject imaged depicts the subject being imaged <NUM> and markers <NUM>-<NUM> of anatomical regions. The marker <NUM> is located at the pericardium, the marker <NUM> is located at the perihepatic space, the marker <NUM> is located at the perisplenic space, and the marker <NUM> is located at the pelvis. The checkbox option <NUM> includes a checkbox and text reading "Perihepatic space. " The checkbox option <NUM> includes a checkbox and text reading "Perisplenic space. " The checkbox option <NUM> includes a checkbox and text reading "Pericardium. " The checkbox option <NUM> includes a checkbox and text reading "Pelvis. " The perihepatic space, the perisplenic space, the pericardium, and the pelvis may be anatomical locations imaged as part of the FAST protocol.

The ultrasound image <NUM> may be the most recent ultrasound image collected by an ultrasound device with which the processing device <NUM> is in communication. The frame of the video <NUM> may be captured by a camera on the processing device <NUM> and may be the most recent frame of the video <NUM> captured by the camera. As described further with reference to act <NUM> of <FIG>, the markers <NUM>-<NUM> may be determined by inputting the frame of the video <NUM> to a statistical model. As subsequent frames of video are captured, the markers <NUM>-<NUM> (as determined by the statistical model) may move to compensate for movement of the regions of the lungs in the frames of video.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> displaying an indication of an anatomical location, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. The marker <NUM> located at the pericardium on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, and a checkmark is displayed in the checkbox option <NUM> reading "Pericardium. " The filling in of the marker <NUM> and the checkmark in the checkbox option <NUM> may both serve as an indication that the pericardium of the subject has already been imaged. Further description of displaying the first indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As described with reference to act <NUM>, the processing device may determine that the pericardium has been imaged by inputting the most recently collected ultrasound image <NUM> to a statistical model.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> simultaneously displaying two indications or two anatomical locations, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. In addition to filling in the marker <NUM> and displaying a checkmark in the checkbox option <NUM>, both of which may serve as an indication that the pericardium of the subject has been imaged, in <FIG> the marker <NUM> located at the perihepatic space in the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, and a checkmark is displayed in the checkbox option <NUM> reading "Perihepatic Space. " The filling in of the marker <NUM> and the checkmark in the checkbox option <NUM> may both serve as an indication that the perihepatic space of the subject has already been imaged. The processing device <NUM> therefore indicates that both the pericardium and the perihepatic space have already been imaged. Further description of displaying the second indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As described with reference to act <NUM>, the processing device may determine that the superior lateral region of the right lung has been imaged by inputting the ultrasound image <NUM> to a statistical model.

In act <NUM>, the processing device determines a plurality of anatomical locations on a subject for imaging. In some embodiments, the processing device may determine the plurality of anatomical locations based on a user selection of an anatomical structure to be imaged. For example, if the user selects a lung imaging preset, the processing device may determine a plurality of anatomical locations that may be typically be imaged during lung imaging. In the example of lung imaging, certain guidelines suggest imaging <NUM> anatomical regions of the lungs, while others suggest imaging <NUM> anatomical regions of the lungs, etc., and these anatomical regions may constitute the plurality of anatomical locations determined by the processing device. In some embodiments, the processing device may determine the plurality of anatomical locations based on an imaging protocol. For example, if the user selects a FAST imaging preset, the processing device may determine a plurality of anatomical locations that may typically be imaged during the FAST imaging protocol. In the example of the FAST imaging protocol, the plurality of anatomical locations may constitute four anatomical locations (perihepatic space, perisplenic space, pericardium, and pelvis). The processing device may determine the plurality of anatomical locations by looking up a user-selected anatomical structure or imaging protocol in a database containing associations between anatomical structures/imaging protocols and pluralities of anatomical locations. The database may be stored on the processing device, or the processing device may access a remote server storing the database. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device chooses a first anatomical location from among the plurality of anatomical locations. In some embodiments, the plurality of anatomical locations determined in <NUM> may be ordered, and the processing device may select the anatomical location that is first in the ordering. The plurality of anatomical locations may be ordered, for example, by proximity (e.g., successive anatomical locations in the ordering may be proximal to each other). In some embodiments, the processing device may select an anatomical location at random from the plurality of anatomical locations. The process <NUM> proceeds from to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device displays a first indication of the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, displaying the first indication may include displaying a marker that indicates the first anatomical region upon selecting, in act <NUM>, the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, displaying the first indication may include modifying, upon selecting the first anatomical location in act <NUM>, a marker that indicates the first anatomical region and which was already displayed previous to the selection in act <NUM>.

For example, displaying the first indication may include displaying or modifying a marker on a frame of an optical video of the subject, where the first marker appears in the frame of the video to be located at the first anatomical location on the subject. As another example, displaying the first indication may include displaying or modifying a marker on an image of a body or a body portion, where the marker appears in the image to be located at the first anatomical location. In some embodiments, displaying the first indication may include modifying text describing the first anatomical location (e.g., text reading "superior anterior region of the right lung") or an image depicting the first anatomical location (e.g., an image of the heart). Further description of displaying indications of anatomical locations may be found with reference to act <NUM>.

The first indication may serve as an indication that the first anatomical region should be imaged next. The video of the subject displayed by the processing device may be similar to the view of the subject from the user's perspective (assuming that the camera capturing the video is located relatively close to the user's eyes). Thus, by viewing where on the video of the subject the first indication is superimposed (e.g., on a particular region of the lungs), the user may be able to understand when viewing the subject in the real world where that particular region of the lungs is on the subject. Because the first indication in the video of the subject may indicate that this particular region should be imaged next, the user may understand to place the ultrasound device on that particular region of the subject for further imaging. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device receives ultrasound data collected from a subject by an ultrasound device. Further description of receiving ultrasound data may be found with reference to act <NUM>. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device automatically determines, based on the ultrasound data received in act <NUM>, that the ultrasound data was collected from the first anatomical location. Further description of this determination may be found with reference to act <NUM>. In some embodiments, the processing device may remove the first indication from display after determining that the first anatomical location has been imaged. As the displayed indications may indicate which anatomical location the user should image next, the first indication may be removed from display as the first anatomical location has already been imaged. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device displays a second indication of the first anatomical location, where the second indication is different from the first indication. In some embodiments, the second indication may be in a different portion of the processing device's display than the first indication. For example, if the processing device displayed the first indication on a video of the subject being imaged in act <NUM>, the processing device may remove the first indication from the video but display the second indication of the first anatomical location on an image of the body or body portion or in conjunction with images of or text describing anatomical locations. In some embodiments, the second indication may be a modification of the first indication (e.g., a modification of the appearance of the first indication). For example, if the processing device displayed the first indication on a video of the subject being imaged in act <NUM>, the processing device may display the second indication in the same location on the video of the subject as the second indication, but with a different color, shading, shape, symbol, size, etc. Any of the embodiments of the first indication described herein by be applied to the second indication. Further description of displaying indications of anatomical locations may be found with reference to act <NUM>. The second indication of the first anatomical location may remain displayed for the duration of the imaging session and may serve as an indication that the first anatomical location has already been imaged. It should be appreciated that as further anatomical locations are imaged, the processing device may continue to display further indications of the anatomical locations, and the indications may remain displayed for the duration of the imaging session. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device selects a second anatomical location from among the plurality of anatomical location, where the second anatomical location is different from the first anatomical location. As described above with reference to act <NUM>, in some embodiments, the plurality of anatomical location determined in act <NUM> may be ordered, and the processing device may select the anatomical location that is after the first anatomical location in the ordering. In some embodiments, the processing device may remove the first anatomical location from the plurality of anatomical locations and select an anatomical location at random from the remaining plurality of anatomical locations. In some embodiments, the processing device may select an anatomical location at random and determine that the anatomical location was not previously selected. The process <NUM> proceeds from act <NUM> to act <NUM>.

In act <NUM>, the processing device simultaneously displays the second indication of the first anatomical location and a third indication of the second anatomical location. In some embodiments, the third indication may be in a different portion of the processing device's display than the second indication. For example, the processing device may display the third indication on a video of the subject being imaged in act <NUM> and display the second indication of the first anatomical location on an image of the body or body portion or in conjunction with images of or text describing anatomical locations. Any of the embodiments of the first indication described herein by be applied to the third indication. Further description of displaying indications of anatomical locations may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As described above, the second indication of the first anatomical location may remain displayed for the duration of the imaging session and may serve as an indication that the first anatomical location has already been imaged. The third indication of the second anatomical location may serve as an indication to the user that the second anatomical location should be imaged next.

As described above, the first and third indications may indicate to a user which anatomical regions should be imaged next, while the second indication may indicate to the user which anatomical regions have already been imaged. In some embodiments, the process <NUM> may not indicate to the user which anatomical regions have already been imaged. In other words, act <NUM> may be absent, and the processing device may not display the second indication. In some embodiments, acts <NUM>-<NUM> may be absent. In some embodiments, act <NUM> may be absent.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> displaying a first indication of an anatomical location, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. <FIG> is similar to <FIG> except that in <FIG>, the marker <NUM> outlining the inferior lateral region of the right lung on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in. The filling in of the marker <NUM> may serve as an indication that the inferior lateral region of the right lung of the subject should be imaged next. Further description of displaying the first indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> simultaneously displaying two indications or two anatomical locations, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. In <FIG>, a checkmark is displayed on the marker <NUM>, which may serve as an indication that the inferior lateral region of the right lung of the subject has been imaged. Additionally, the marker <NUM> outlining the superior lateral region of the right lung on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, which may serve as an indication that the superior lateral region of the right lung of the should be imaged next. Further description of displaying the second indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As described with reference to act <NUM>, the processing device may determine that the inferior lateral region of the right lung has been imaged by inputting the most recently collected ultrasound image <NUM> to a statistical model.

<FIG> illustrates an alternative to the display of <FIG>, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. In <FIG>, the marker <NUM> outlining the inferior lateral region of the right lung on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, but with a different shading than the filling in of the marker <NUM> outlining the superior lateral region of the right lung. The filling in of the marker <NUM> with the different shading may serve as an indication that the inferior lateral region of the right lung has already been imaged. In other words, the filling in of the marker <NUM> with the different shading may distinguish it from the filling in of the marker <NUM> outlining the superior lateral region of the right lung, where the distinction may indicate to the user that the inferior lateral region of the right lung has already been imaged while the superior lateral region of the right lung should be imaged next. In still other words, a marker shaded in with the type of shading used for the marker <NUM> may indicate that the corresponding anatomical region should be imaged next while a marker shaded in with the type of shading used for the marker <NUM> may indicate that the corresponding anatomical region has already been imaged. The marker <NUM> may remain filled in for the duration of the imaging session. The filling in of the marker <NUM> may complement the checkmark next to the marker <NUM> in that both may indicate that the inferior lateral region of the right lung. Filling in the marker <NUM> in addition to placing the checkmark next to the marker <NUM> may be helpful as this may indicate to the user on the video of the subject <NUM> (which, as described above, may be similar to the view of the subject from the user's perspective) which anatomical region has already been imaged.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> displaying an indication of an anatomical location, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. <FIG> is similar to <FIG>, except that in <FIG>, the marker <NUM> located at the pericardium on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in. The filling in of the marker <NUM> may serve as an indication that the pericardium of the subject should be imaged next. Further description of displaying the first indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example display on the processing device <NUM> simultaneously displaying two indications of two anatomical locations, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. A checkmark is displayed in the checkbox option <NUM>, which may serve as an indication that the pericardium of the subject has been imaged. Additionally, the marker <NUM> located at the perihepatic space in the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, which may serve as an indication that the perihepatic space of the subject should be imaged next. Further description of displaying the second indication may be found with reference to act <NUM>. As described with reference to act <NUM>, the processing device may determine that the pericardium has been imaged by inputting the most recently collected ultrasound image <NUM> to a statistical model.

<FIG> illustrates an alternative to the display of <FIG>, in accordance with certain embodiments described herein. In <FIG>, the marker <NUM> located at the pericardium on the frame of the video <NUM> of the subject is filled in, but with a different shading than the filling in of the marker <NUM> located at the perihepatic space. In a similar manner as described with reference to <FIG>, the filling in of the marker <NUM> with the different shading may serve as an indication that the pericardium has already been imaged. The marker <NUM> may remain filled in for the duration of the imaging session.

In any of the embodiments described herein, a statistical model may be stored on the processing device or on a remote server accessed by the processing device over a wireless or wired connection. The statistical model may be a convolutional neural network or other deep learning model, a random forest, a support vector machine, a linear classifier, and/or any other statistical model.

<FIG> shows a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of an example ultrasound system <NUM> upon which various aspects of the technology described herein may be practiced. For example, one or more components of the ultrasound system <NUM> may perform any of the processes (e.g., the processes <NUM> or <NUM>) described herein. As shown, the ultrasound system <NUM> includes processing circuitry <NUM>, input/output devices <NUM>, ultrasound circuitry <NUM>, and memory circuitry <NUM>.

The ultrasound circuitry <NUM> may be configured to generate ultrasound data that may be employed to generate an ultrasound image. The ultrasound circuitry <NUM> may include one or more ultrasonic transducers monolithically integrated onto a single semiconductor die. The ultrasonic transducers may include, for example, one or more capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs), one or more CMOS ultrasonic transducers (CUTs), one or more piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs), and/or one or more other suitable ultrasonic transducer cells. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducers may be formed the same chip as other electronic components in the ultrasound circuitry <NUM> (e.g., transmit circuitry, receive circuitry, control circuitry, power management circuitry, and processing circuitry) to form a monolithic ultrasound imaging device.

The processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to perform any of the functionality described herein. The processing circuitry <NUM> may include one or more processors (e.g., computer hardware processors). To perform one or more functions, the processing circuitry <NUM> may execute one or more processor-executable instructions stored in the memory circuitry <NUM>. The memory circuitry <NUM> may be used for storing programs and data during operation of the ultrasound system <NUM>. The memory circuitry <NUM> may include one or more storage devices such as non-transitory computer-readable storage media. The processing circuitry <NUM> may control writing data to and reading data from the memory circuitry <NUM> in any suitable manner.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry <NUM> may include specially-programmed and/or special-purpose hardware such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, the processing circuitry <NUM> may include one or more graphics processing units (GPUs) and/or one or more tensor processing units (TPUs). TPUs may be ASICs specifically designed for machine learning (e.g., deep learning). The TPUs may be employed to, for example, accelerate the inference phase of a neural network.

The input/output (I/O) devices <NUM> may be configured to facilitate communication with other systems and/or an operator. Example I/O devices <NUM> that may facilitate communication with an operator include: a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a microphone, a touch screen, a printing device, a display screen, a speaker, and a vibration device. Example I/O devices <NUM> that may facilitate communication with other systems include wired and/or wireless communication circuitry such as BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, Ethernet, WiFi, and/or USB communication circuitry.

It should be appreciated that the ultrasound system <NUM> may be implemented using any number of devices. For example, the components of the ultrasound system <NUM> may be integrated into a single device. In another example, the ultrasound circuitry <NUM> may be integrated into an ultrasound imaging device that is communicatively coupled with a processing device that includes the processing circuitry <NUM>, the input/output devices <NUM>, and the memory circuitry <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of another example ultrasound system <NUM> upon which various aspects of the technology described herein may be practiced. For example, one or more components of the ultrasound system <NUM> may perform any of the processes (e.g., the processes <NUM> or <NUM>) described herein. As shown, the ultrasound system <NUM> includes an ultrasound imaging device <NUM> in wired and/or wireless communication with a processing device <NUM> (which may correspond to the processing device <NUM>). The processing device <NUM> includes an audio output device <NUM>, an imaging device <NUM>, a display screen <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a vibration device <NUM>. The processing device <NUM> may communicate with one or more external devices over a network <NUM>. For example, the processing device <NUM> may communicate with one or more workstations <NUM>, servers <NUM>, and/or databases <NUM>.

The ultrasound imaging device <NUM> may be configured to generate ultrasound data that may be employed to generate an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging device <NUM> may be constructed in any of a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> includes a transmitter that transmits a signal to a transmit beamformer which in turn drives transducer elements within a transducer array to emit pulsed ultrasonic signals into a structure, such as a patient. The pulsed ultrasonic signals may be backscattered from structures in the body, such as blood cells or muscular tissue, to produce echoes that return to the transducer elements. These echoes may then be converted into electrical signals by the transducer elements and the electrical signals are received by a receiver. The electrical signals representing the received echoes are sent to a receive beamformer that outputs ultrasound data.

The processing device <NUM> may be configured to process the ultrasound data from the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> to generate ultrasound images for display on the display screen <NUM>. The processing may be performed by, for example, the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may also be adapted to control the acquisition of ultrasound data with the ultrasound imaging device <NUM>. The ultrasound data may be processed in real-time during a scanning session as the echo signals are received. In some embodiments, the displayed ultrasound image may be updated a rate of at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at least <NUM>, at a rate between <NUM> and <NUM>, at a rate of more than <NUM>. For example, ultrasound data may be acquired even as images are being generated based on previously acquired data and while a live ultrasound image is being displayed. As additional ultrasound data is acquired, additional frames or images generated from more-recently acquired ultrasound data are sequentially displayed. Additionally, or alternatively, the ultrasound data may be stored temporarily in a buffer during a scanning session and processed in less than real-time.

Additionally (or alternatively), the processing device <NUM> may be configured to perform any of the processes (e.g., the processes <NUM> or <NUM>) described herein (e.g., using the processor <NUM>). As shown, the processing device <NUM> may include one or more elements that may be used during the performance of such processes. For example, the processing device <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> (e.g., computer hardware processors) and one or more articles of manufacture that include non-transitory computer-readable storage media such as the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control writing data to and reading data from the memory <NUM> in any suitable manner. To perform any of the functionality described herein, the processor <NUM> may execute one or more processor-executable instructions stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g., the memory <NUM>), which may serve as non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing processor-executable instructions for execution by the processor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the processing device <NUM> may include one or more input and/or output devices such as the audio output device <NUM>, the imaging device <NUM>, the display screen <NUM>, and the vibration device <NUM>. The audio output device <NUM> may be a device that is configured to emit audible sound such as a speaker. The imaging device <NUM> may be configured to detect light (e.g., visible light) to form an image such as a camera. The display screen <NUM> may be configured to display images and/or videos such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, and/or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The vibration device <NUM> may be configured to vibrate one or more components of the processing device <NUM> to provide tactile feedback. These input and/or output devices may be communicatively coupled to the processor <NUM> and/or under the control of the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control these devices in accordance with a process being executed by the process <NUM> (such as the processes <NUM> and <NUM>). Similarly, the processor <NUM> may control the audio output device <NUM> to issue audible instructions and/or control the vibration device <NUM> to change an intensity of tactile feedback (e.g., vibration) to issue tactile instructions. Additionally (or alternatively), the processor <NUM> may control the imaging device <NUM> to capture non-acoustic images of the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> being used on a subject to provide an operator of the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> an augmented reality interface.

It should be appreciated that the processing device <NUM> may be implemented in any of a variety of ways. For example, the processing device <NUM> may be implemented as a handheld device such as a mobile smartphone or a tablet. Thereby, an operator of the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> may be able to operate the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> with one hand and hold the processing device <NUM> with another hand. In other examples, the processing device <NUM> may be implemented as a portable device that is not a handheld device such as a laptop. In yet other examples, the processing device <NUM> may be implemented as a stationary device such as a desktop computer.

In some embodiments, the processing device <NUM> may communicate with one or more external devices via the network <NUM>. The processing device <NUM> may be connected to the network <NUM> over a wired connection (e.g., via an Ethernet cable) and/or a wireless connection (e.g., over a WiFi network). As shown in <FIG>, these external devices may include servers <NUM>, workstations <NUM>, and/or databases <NUM>. The processing device <NUM> may communicate with these devices to, for example, off-load computationally intensive tasks. For example, the processing device <NUM> may send an ultrasound image over the network <NUM> to the server <NUM> for analysis (e.g., to identify an anatomical feature in the ultrasound) and receive the results of the analysis from the server <NUM>. Additionally (or alternatively), the processing device <NUM> may communicate with these devices to access information that is not available locally and/or update a central information repository. For example, the processing device <NUM> may access the medical records of a subject being imaged with the ultrasound imaging device <NUM> from a file stored in the database <NUM>. In this example, the processing device <NUM> may also provide one or more captured ultrasound images of the subject to the database <NUM> to add to the medical record of the subject. For further description of ultrasound imaging devices and systems, see <CIT> (and assigned to the assignee of the instant application).

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to the application of automated image processing techniques to analyze images, such as ultrasound images or optical images. In some embodiments, the automated image processing techniques may include machine learning techniques such as deep learning techniques. Machine learning techniques may include techniques that seek to identify patterns in a set of data points and use the identified patterns to make predictions for new data points. These machine learning techniques may involve training (and/or building) a model using a training data set to make such predictions. The trained model may be used as, for example, a classifier that is configured to receive a data point as an input and provide an indication of a class to which the data point likely belongs as an output.

Deep learning techniques may include those machine learning techniques that employ neural networks to make predictions. Neural networks typically include a collection of neural units (referred to as neurons) that each may be configured to receive one or more inputs and provide an output that is a function of the input. For example, the neuron may sum the inputs and apply a transfer function (sometimes referred to as an "activation function") to the summed inputs to generate the output. The neuron may apply a weight to each input, for example, to weight some inputs higher than others. Example transfer functions that may be employed include step functions, piecewise linear functions, and sigmoid functions. These neurons may be organized into a plurality of sequential layers that each include one or more neurons. The plurality of sequential layers may include an input layer that receives the input data for the neural network, an output layer that provides the output data for the neural network, and one or more hidden layers connected between the input and output layers. Each neuron in a hidden layer may receive inputs from one or more neurons in a previous layer (such as the input layer) and provide an output to one or more neurons in a subsequent layer (such as an output layer).

A neural network may be trained using, for example, labeled training data. The labeled training data may include a set of example inputs and an answer associated with each input. For example, the training data may include a plurality of ultrasound images or sets of raw acoustical data that are each labeled with an anatomical feature that is contained in the respective ultrasound image or set of raw acoustical data. In this example, the ultrasound images may be provided to the neural network to obtain outputs that may be compared with the labels associated with each of the ultrasound images. One or more characteristics of the neural network (such as the interconnections between neurons (referred to as edges) in different layers and/or the weights associated with the edges) may be adjusted until the neural network correctly classifies most (or all) of the input images.

Once the training data has been created, the training data may be loaded to a database (e.g., an image database) and used to train a neural network using deep learning techniques. Once the neural network has been trained, the trained neural network may be deployed to one or more processing devices. It should be appreciated that the neural network may be trained with any number of sample patient images, although it will be appreciated that the more sample images used, the more robust the trained model data may be.

In some applications, a neural network may be implemented using one or more convolution layers to form a convolutional neural network. An example convolutional neural network is shown in <FIG> that is configured to analyze an image <NUM>. As shown, the convolutional neural network includes an input layer <NUM> to receive the image <NUM>, an output layer <NUM> to provide the output, and a plurality of hidden layers <NUM> connected between the input layer <NUM> and the output layer <NUM>. The plurality of hidden layers <NUM> includes convolution and pooling layers <NUM> and dense (e.g., fully connected) layers <NUM>.

The input layer <NUM> may receive the input to the convolutional neural network. As shown in <FIG>, the input the convolutional neural network may be the image <NUM>. The image <NUM> may be, for example, an ultrasound image.

The input layer <NUM> may be followed by one or more convolution and pooling layers <NUM>. A convolutional layer may include a set of filters that are spatially smaller (e.g., have a smaller width and/or height) than the input to the convolutional layer (e.g., the image <NUM>). Each of the filters may be convolved with the input to the convolutional layer to produce an activation map (e.g., a <NUM>-dimensional activation map) indicative of the responses of that filter at every spatial position. The convolutional layer may be followed by a pooling layer that down-samples the output of a convolutional layer to reduce its dimensions. The pooling layer may use any of a variety of pooling techniques such as max pooling and/or global average pooling. In some embodiments, the down-sampling may be performed by the convolution layer itself (e.g., without a pooling layer) using striding.

The convolution and pooling layers <NUM> may be followed by dense layers <NUM>. The dense layers <NUM> may include one or more layers each with one or more neurons that receives an input from a previous layer (e.g., a convolutional or pooling layer) and provides an output to a subsequent layer (e.g., the output layer <NUM>). The dense layers <NUM> may be described as "dense" because each of the neurons in a given layer may receive an input from each neuron in a previous layer and provide an output to each neuron in a subsequent layer. The dense layers <NUM> may be followed by an output layer <NUM> that provides the output of the convolutional neural network. The output may be, for example, an indication of which class, from a set of classes, the image <NUM> (or any portion of the image <NUM>) belongs to.

It should be appreciated that the convolutional neural network shown in <FIG> is only one example implementation and that other implementations may be employed. For example, one or more layers may be added to or removed from the convolutional neural network shown in <FIG>. Additional example layers that may be added to the convolutional neural network include: a rectified linear units (ReLU) layer, a pad layer, a concatenate layer, and an upscale layer. An upscale layer may be configured to upsample the input to the layer. An ReLU layer may be configured to apply a rectifier (sometimes referred to as a ramp function) as a transfer function to the input. A pad layer may be configured to change the size of the input to the layer by padding one or more dimensions of the input. A concatenate layer may be configured to combine multiple inputs (e.g., combine inputs from multiple layers) into a single output.

For further description of deep learning techniques, see <CIT> (and assigned to the assignee of the instant application). In any of the embodiments described herein, instead of/in addition to using a convolutional neural network, a fully connected neural network may be used. Additionally, while processing of ultrasound images using deep learning techniques is described with reference to <FIG>, the description may apply equally to processing of optical images.

Various aspects of the present disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically described in the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore not limited in its application to the details and arrangement of components set forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings. For example, aspects described in one embodiment may be combined in any manner with aspects described in other embodiments.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more processes, of which examples have been provided. The acts performed as part of each process may be ordered in any suitable way. Thus, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. Further, one or more of the processes may be combined and/or omitted, and one or more of the processes may include additional steps.

As used herein, reference to a numerical value being between two endpoints should be understood to encompass the situation in which the numerical value can assume either of the endpoints. For example, stating that a characteristic has a value between A and B, or between approximately A and B, should be understood to mean that the indicated range is inclusive of the endpoints A and B unless otherwise noted.

The terms "approximately" and "about" may be used to mean within ±<NUM>% of a target value in some embodiments, within ±<NUM>% of a target value in some embodiments, within ±<NUM>% of a target value in some embodiments, and yet within ±<NUM>% of a target value in some embodiments. The terms "approximately" and "about" may include the target value.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>), comprising:
a processing device (<NUM>, <NUM>) in operative communication with an ultrasound device (<NUM>) and configured to:
receive (<NUM>) first ultrasound data collected from a subject (<NUM>) by the ultrasound device;
automatically determine (<NUM>), based on the first ultrasound data, a first anatomical location on the subject from which at least some of the first ultrasound data was collected; and
display (<NUM>), on a non-ultrasound image or video, a first indication of the first anatomical location,
wherein the processing device is configured, when displaying the first indication, to:
modify a marker (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) that was displayed prior to automatically determining the first anatomical location on the subject from which at least some of the first ultrasound data was collected; or
display or modify a marker (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) on a frame of a video of the subject such that the marker appears in the frame of the video to be located at the first anatomical location on the subject; or
display or modify text describing the first anatomical location.