| 摘要 |
An extended view ultrasound imaging system in which a position sensor is used to detect the location and orientation of a ultrasound transducer for each scan frame as the ultrasound transducer is swept across the surface of a target. The contents of the successive scan frames, together with their location and orientation information, are processed to generate an extended view ultrasound image of the target region. An output array representing the extended view image is first initialized, and then successively updated as each scan frame is received. In a preferred embodiment, an alpha-blending algorithm is used to combine the information in the current scan frame with previous output array values to generate the current output array values. Because the content of the successive image frames is not relied upon to piece them together, system processing requirements are substantially reduced and the output image is robust against increased transducer speed, bumps in the transducer path, and departures of the transducer from a common plane. In an additional preferred embodiment, the alpha-blending weighting factor can be user-adjustable and/or can be dynamically adjusted on a per-location basis based on acoustic reflectivity, edge motion, or other factors. Also in an additional preferred embodiment, the amount of departure from a common plane during the movement of the transducer across the target can be displayed to the user for assistance in interpreting the extended view image.
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