Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for scanning plane orientation

Abstract

A method and system for indicating the position and orientation of a scan plane relative to a patient is provided. The image as presented on a display is oriented in accordance with the orientation of a transducer. The orientation may provide for displaying an image where the transducer is not in a transducer up or transducer down position, but is rotated away from vertical of the display. Alternatively or additionally, a two or three-dimensional graphical generic representation is provided with a scan plane indicated as a polygon or image rendering within a generic representation to show relative positioning of the scan plane with respect to the patient.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound two-dimensional image representing a two-dimensional region within a body and comprising an edge having at least one point corresponding to a position substantially adjacent to a transducer, an improvement of the display comprising: 
 the image being oriented such that a direction orthogonal to a center of a face of the transducer is at an angle of rotation away from vertical on a display, the angle independent of a user selected reference point on a transducer-up or down image.    
     
     
         2 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the image is displayed such that a line perpendicular to a scan plane of the two-dimensional region of the body on the display is perpendicular to the display.  
     
     
         3 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the display is substantially free of three-dimensional representations rendered as a function of a scan of the body.  
     
     
         4 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the angle is responsive to a user selection.  
     
     
         5 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the angle is responsive to orientation information from a transducer position sensor.  
     
     
         6 . The display of  claim 1  further comprising a generic representation indicative of a position of the body.  
     
     
         7 . The display of  claim 6  wherein the generic representation comprises a three-dimensional compass graphic.  
     
     
         8 . The display of  claim 6  wherein the generic representation comprises a generic representation of at least a portion of the body.  
     
     
         9 . The display of  claim 6  further comprising a polygon positioned in the generic representation, the polygon comprising a same shape as the two-dimensional image wherein the generic representation is adjacent the two-dimensional image on the display.  
     
     
         10 . The display of  claim 6  wherein the two-dimensional image is positioned in the generic representation.  
     
     
         11 . The display of  claim 1  further comprising at least one displayed numerical value responsive to at least one of the orientation of the image and a position of the region within the body.  
     
     
         12 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the orientation of the image is adjustable.  
     
     
         13 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the image is responsive to stored ultrasound data and the orientation of the image are independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
     
     
         14 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for displaying a two-dimensional image, the system comprising: 
 an ultrasound transducer for scanning a two-dimensional region;    a display operable to display an ultrasound two-dimensional image representing the two-dimensional region, the two-dimensional image having a portion corresponding to a position of the transducer relative to the two-dimensional image;    a controller operative to orient the two-dimensional image as a function of an orientation of the transducer, the portion being at a position rotated away from vertical, the rotation of the position being independent of a user selected reference point on a transducer-up or down image.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a user input device, wherein the controller is operable to receive user input of the orientation of the transducer from the user input device.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a position sensor operative to sense an orientation of the transducer;  
 wherein the controller is operable to receive the orientation of the transducer from the position sensor.  
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the position sensor comprises a magnetic position sensor connected with the transducer.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the display is substantially free of three-dimensional representations rendered as a function of a scan of the body.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the display is further operable to display a generic representation indicative of a position of the body.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the generic representation comprises a three-dimensional compass graphic.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the generic representation comprises a generic representation of at least a portion of the body.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19  wherein a polygon is positioned in the generic representation, the polygon comprises a same shape as the two-dimensional image, and the generic representation is adjacent the two-dimensional image on the display.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the two-dimensional image is positioned in the generic representation.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the controller and display comprise a remote workstation wherein the orientation of the two-dimensional image is response to input at the remote workstation.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising a memory wherein the two-dimensional image is responsive to ultrasound data stored in the memory and the orientation of the image is independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
     
     
         26 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for displaying a two-dimensional image, the method comprising the acts of: 
 (a) generating a two-dimensional ultrasound image;    (b) orienting the two-dimensional ultrasound image such that the image appears rotated from a transducer-up or down position as a function of a border of the image, the rotation independent of previous image data.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein (b) comprises positioning the image such that a center of an edge corresponding to a position adjacent to the transducer is oriented at an angle of rotation away from vertical on a display.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 (c) displaying the two-dimensional ultrasound image on a display, the display being substantially free of three-dimensional representations rendered as a function of a scan of the body.  
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 (c) inputting from the user the rotation of the image.  
 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 (c) determining the rotation of the image as a function of a transducer position sensor.  
 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 (c) generating a generic representation indicative of a position of the body.  
 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein (c) comprises generating a three-dimensional compass graphic.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein (c) comprises generating a generic representation of at least a portion of the body.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising: 
 (d) generating a polygon positioned in the generic representation, the polygon comprising a same shape as the two-dimensional image.  
 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the two-dimensional image is positioned in the generic representation.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 (c) transferring ultrasound data to a remote workstation;  
 wherein the image is generated as a function of the ultrasound data and the orientation is independent of any previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
 
     
     
         37 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for displaying a two-dimensional image, the system comprising: 
 an ultrasound transducer probe adapted for use external to a patient to scan a two-dimensional region of the patient;    a display operable to display an ultrasound two-dimensional image representing the two-dimensional region wherein the display is free of three-dimensional representations rendered as a function of a scan of the patient; and    a controller operative to orient the two-dimensional image as a function of an angle of the transducer probe to the patient, the orientation being independent of a user selected reference point in a previous image.    
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37  further comprising: 
 a user control wherein the orientation is responsive to user input of the angle.  
 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37  further comprising: 
 a position sensor on the transducer probe wherein the orientation of the image is responsive to the position sensor.  
 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the controller is operative to orient the two-dimensional image such that a line on the image that is orthogonal to a face of the transducer is closer to a horizontal position than a vertical position.  
     
     
         41 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for imaging a region of a body, the method comprising the acts of: 
 (a) ultrasonically scanning a region of interest in the body;    (b) monitoring an orientation of the region with respect to anatomical features of the body;    (c) displaying an ultrasound two-dimensional image responsive to the scan and a generic representation of at least a portion of the body wherein the image is geometrically aligned with the generic representation.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein (c) comprises rendering the two-dimensional image to align with a statically positioned generic representation.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein (c) comprises orienting the two-dimensional image such that a direction orthogonal to a center of a face of a transducer is oriented at an angle of rotation away from vertical.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41  wherein (c) comprises rendering the generic representation to align with a statically positioned two-dimensional image.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein (c) comprises orienting the statically positioned two-dimensional image in a transducer on top or bottom position.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising: 
 (d) rendering a wire frame representation.  
 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41  wherein (b) comprises monitoring a transducer probe orientation with a position sensor.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein (b) comprises monitoring with a magnetic position sensor.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41  wherein (b) comprises monitoring as a function of ultrasound data responsive to the scan.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 41  wherein (b) comprises monitoring as a function of a user input estimation.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 41  wherein (a) comprises scanning with a transducer array internal to the body.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein (a) comprises scanning with a transducer array mounted within a catheter.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the at least a portion of the body is selected from the group consisting of: an organ, a portion of an organ, the heart, a portion of the heart, a portion of the torso and the torso.  
     
     
         54 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for imaging a region of a body, the system comprising: 
 an ultrasound transducer for scanning a region of interest in a body;    a device operable to monitor an orientation of the region with respect to anatomical features of the body;    a display operable to display an ultrasound two-dimensional image responsive to information from the transducer and a generic representation of at least a portion of the body wherein the two-dimensional image is geometrically aligned with the generic representation.    
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54  further comprising a processor operable to render the two-dimensional image to align with a statically positioned generic representation on the display.  
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the two-dimensional image is oriented such that a center of the edge corresponding to a position adjacent to the transducer is at an angle of rotation away from vertical.  
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54  further comprising a processor operable to render the generic representation to align with a statically positioned two-dimensional image on the display.  
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57  wherein the statically positioned two-dimensional image is oriented in a transducer on top or bottom position.  
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 54  further comprising a processor operable to render a wire frame representation.  
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the device comprises a position sensor.  
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 60  wherein the device comprises a magnetic position sensor.  
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the device comprises a processor operable to monitor as a function of ultrasound data responsive to the scan.  
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the device comprises a user input device.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the transducer comprises a transducer array adapted for use internal to the body.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64  wherein the transducer comprises a transducer array mounted within a catheter.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 54  wherein the at least a portion of the body is selected from the group consisting of: an organ, a portion of an organ, the heart, a portion of the heart, a portion of the torso and the torso.  
     
     
         67 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound two-dimensional image representing a two-dimensional region within a body and comprising an edge having at least one point corresponding to a position substantially adjacent to a transducer, an improvement of the display comprising: 
 the image being oriented such that a direction orthogonal to a center of a face of the transducer is at an angle of rotation away from vertical on a display wherein the angle is responsive to a user selection of the angle.    
     
     
         68 . The display of  claim 67  wherein the orientation of the image is adjustable.  
     
     
         69 . The display of  claim 67  wherein the image is responsive to stored ultrasound data and the orientation of the image are independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
     
     
         70 . The display of  claim 67  wherein the transducer is adapted for insertion into a patient.  
     
     
         71 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for displaying a two-dimensional image, the system comprising: 
 an ultrasound transducer for scanning a two-dimensional region;    a display operable to display an ultrasound two-dimensional image representing the two-dimensional region, the two-dimensional image having a portion corresponding to a position of the transducer relative to the two-dimensional image;    a controller operative to orient the two-dimensional image as a function of an orientation of the transducer, the portion being at a position rotated away from vertical; and    a user input device;    wherein the controller is operable to receive user input of the orientation of the transducer from the user input device.    
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the controller and display comprise a remote workstation wherein the orientation of the two-dimensional image is responsive to input at the remote workstation.  
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 71  further comprising a memory wherein the two-dimensional image is responsive to ultrasound data stored in the memory and the orientation of the image is independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the ultrasound transducer is adapted for insertion into a patient.  
     
     
         75 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound two-dimensional image representing a two-dimensional region within a body and comprising an edge having at least one point corresponding to a position substantially adjacent to a transducer, an improvement of the display comprising: 
 the image being oriented such that a direction orthogonal to a center of a face of the transducer is at an angle of rotation away from vertical on a display;    wherein the image is responsive to stored ultrasound data and the orientation of the image are independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.    
     
     
         76 . The display of  claim 75  wherein the angle is responsive to a user selection.  
     
     
         77 . The display of  claim 75  wherein the transducer is adapted for insertion into the body.  
     
     
         78 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for displaying a two-dimensional image, the system comprising: 
 an ultrasound transducer for scanning a two-dimensional region;    a display operable to display an ultrasound two-dimensional image representing the two-dimensional region, the two-dimensional image having a portion corresponding to a position of the transducer relative to the two-dimensional image;    a controller operative to orient the two-dimensional image as a function of an orientation of the transducer, the portion being at a position rotated away from vertical; and    a memory wherein the two-dimensional image is responsive to ultrasound data stored in the memory and the orientation of the image is independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.    
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78  further comprising a user input device, wherein the controller is operable to receive user input of the orientation of the transducer from the user input device.  
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 78  wherein the transducer is adapted for insertion into the body.  
     
     
         81 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound two-dimensional image representing a two-dimensional region within a body and comprising an edge having at least one point corresponding to a position substantially adjacent to a transducer, an improvement of the display comprising: 
 the image being oriented such that a direction orthogonal to a center of a face of the transducer is at an angle of rotation away from vertical on a display;    wherein the transducer is adapted for insertion into a patient.    
     
     
         82 . The display of  claim 81  wherein the angle is responsive to a user selection.  
     
     
         83 . The display of  claim 81  wherein the image is responsive to stored ultrasound data and the orientation of the image are independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
     
     
         84 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for displaying a two-dimensional image, the system comprising: 
 an ultrasound transducer adapted for insertion into a patient for scanning a two-dimensional region;    a display operable to display an ultrasound two-dimensional image representing the two-dimensional region, the two-dimensional image having a portion corresponding to a position of the transducer relative to the two-dimensional image; and    a controller operative to orient the two-dimensional image as a function of an orientation of the transducer, the portion being at a position rotated away from vertical.    
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 84  further comprising a user input device, wherein the controller is operable to receive user input of the orientation of the transducer from the user input device.  
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 84  wherein the controller and display comprise a remote workstation wherein the orientation of the two-dimensional image is response to input at the remote workstation.  
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 84  further comprising a memory wherein the two-dimensional image is responsive to ultrasound data stored in the memory and the orientation of the image is independent of previous displays generated as a function of the ultrasound data.  
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 84  further comprising a position sensor connected with the ultrasound transducer.  
     
     
         89 . A medical diagnostic ultrasound method for displaying a two-dimensional image, the method comprising the acts of: 
 (a) inserting an ultrasound transducer in a catheter into a target;    (b) generating a two-dimensional ultrasound image responsive to information from the ultrasound transducer;    (c) orienting the two-dimensional ultrasound image such that a direction orthogonal to a center of a face of the transducer is at an angle of rotation away from vertical on the display; and    (d) determining the angle as a function of information from a position sensor connected with the catheter.