Three-dimensional reconstruction of echocardiograms based on orthogonal sections

摘要

In order to obtain three-dimensional ultrasound images of the heart, a scanner with easy operation is required. This paper describes a three-dimensional cardiac imaging method with motion based on orthogonal sectional images. These original sectional images may be taken by a transesophageal approach using two miniature phased array transducers mounted on the tip of a gastroscope or simultaneous bi-frequency method using two mechanical scanning transducers set on the thorax. The latter scanner is now commercially available. Images are recorded on video tapes. Contour curves of 2-D echocardiograms are extracted and reconstructed as a 3-D moving heart image. The cardiac volume curve vs. time is also evaluated based on these three-dimensional data.