Method and apparatus for ultrasound image acquisition

摘要

The present invention incooperates a method and an apparatus for obtaining three-dimensional ultrasound, especially echographic images that allows the three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomic structures. Since prior art techniques teach time-consuming procedures the present invention focuses on a rapid 3-D acquisition of dynamic and quantitative characteristics of human tissues to facilitate the diagnosis of unknown and complex pathology. An object (1), like the heart of a human being is scanned by two-dimensional image scanning means (4) to acquire cross-sectional images (7). The image scanning means (4) are moved in predetermined increments for a predetermined number of times, while scanning said object (1). After the digitalization and recording of said cross-sectional images (7), together with their corresponding positions, said cross-sectional images (7) are transformed into a three-dimensional data set by detecting the contours (14) of said object (1) within said cross-sectional images (7) and by creating a wireframe volume model (22) which represents the outer surface of said object (1) in a three-dimensional manner. Such wireframe volume model (22) is created by linking predefined contour points (19) or 3-D coordinates of said object (1) throughout e.g. an interpolation algorithm. For obtaining suitable wire-frame models (22), a full 3-D acquisition of the object (1) is obsolete by achieving at the same time good dynamic and quantitative information of said object (1) in a very short time. <IMAGE>