Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-10
2002-04-23
Jaworski, Francis J. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C128S916000, C128S922000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06375616
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fetal weight determination generally and more particularly to apparatus and methods for fetal weight determination employing ultrasonic imaging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fetal weight determination is known using ultrasonic imaging techniques. The following U.S. Patents are believed to represent the state of the art: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,626,133; 5,605,155 and 5,315,512;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved method and apparatus for automated fetal weight determination, which is capable of providing automatic or semi-automatic fetal weight indications.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for automated fetal weight determination including an ultrasonic imager which is operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide output image data in respect thereof, an image processor operates automatically to measure at least one dimension of at least one fetal body part based on the output image data and to provide output body part dimension data, and an automatic fetal weight calculator operative which is to calculate fetal weight automatically based on the output body part dimension data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor operates automatically to fit a three-dimensional model to the three-dimensional output image data, thereby to compensate for missing image data in the three-dimensional output image data.
There is thus provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for distinguishing a fetus in a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus including an ultrasonic imager operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide three-dimensional output image data in respect thereof, and an image processor operates automatically to distinguish the fetus from surrounding tissue based on the output image data.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for recognizing a fetal spine in an ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus includes an ultrasonic imager operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide output image data in respect thereof, and an image processor which is operative automatically to recognize the fetal spine from surrounding tissue based on the output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates to measure the length of the fetal spine.
There is thus provided in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for automatically fitting a three-dimensional model of a fetus to a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus includes an ultrasonic imager operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide three-dimensional output image data in respect thereof, and an image processor which operates automatically to fit the three-dimensional model to the three-dimensional output image data.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates automatically to fit portions of the three-dimensional model to corresponding portions of the three-dimensional output image data.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor operates automatically to fit portions of the three-dimensional model of a fetal torso to corresponding portions of the three-dimensional output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor is also operative to provide mapping of anatomical markers from the model onto the output image data and to carry out measurements using the anatomical markers.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for automatically fitting a three-dimensional model of a fetus to a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus includes an image processor operative automatically to fit portions of the three-dimensional model to corresponding portions of the three-dimensional output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates to provide mapping of anatomical markers from the model onto the output image data and to carry out measurements using the anatomical markers.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus including an ultrasonic imager which operates to image a fetus in utero and to provide three-dimensional output image data in respect thereof, and an image processor which automatically fits the three-dimensional model of a fetal torso to the three-dimensional output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates to provide mapping of anatomical markers from the model onto the output image data and to carry out measurements using the anatomical markers.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for automatically fitting a three-dimensional model of a fetal torso to a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus includes an image processor operative automatically to fit portions of the three-dimensional model of fetal torso to corresponding portions of the three-dimensional output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates to provide mapping of anatomical markers from the model onto the output image data and to carry out measurements using the anatomical markers.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for automatically fitting a three-dimensional model of a fetal torso to a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus includes an ultrasonic imager which is operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide three-dimensional output image data in respect thereof, and an image processor which operates automatically to fit the three-dimensional model of a fetal torso to the three-dimensional output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates to provide mapping of anatomical markers from the model onto the output image data and to carry out measurements using the anatomical markers.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for automatically fitting a three-dimensional model of a fetal torso to a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the fetus in utero, the apparatus includes an image processor operative automatically to fit portions of the three-dimensional model of fetal torso to corresponding portions of the three-dimensional output image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image processor also operates to provide mapping of anatomical markers from the model onto the output image data and to carry out measurements using the anatomical markers.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for fetal volume determination including an ultrasonic imager operative to image a fetus in utero and to provide output image data in respect thereof an image processor which operates automatically to measure at least one dimension of at least one fetal body part based on the output image data and to provide output body part dimension data, and an automatic fetal volume calculator operative to calculate fetal volume automatically based on the output body part dimension data.
There is thus provided in accordance with yet a further preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus for fetal weight determination the apparatus inc
Berman Michael
Soferman Ziv
Abelman ,Frayne & Schwab
Biomedicom Ltd.
Jaworski Francis J.
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