MIXED REALITY/VIRTUAL REALITY

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/063,709, filed August 10, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, clinicians have relied on various guidance systems, such as ultrasound systems, for assistance in capturing and rendering an image of a vessel (e.g., vein, artery, etc.). However, conventional ultrasound systems only provide Doppler results to build an object, where such objects are visual images without any data characteristics associated with these images. Hence, diagnoses surrounding vessel health has been solely based on manual inspection of low-resolution images, which may lead to an unacceptable level of inaccurate diagnoses.

[0003] Hence, a system that leverages artificial intelligence to produce mixed reality and/or virtual reality images is needed.

SUMMARY

[0004] Disclosed herein is a medical analytic system including an ultrasound probe and a console communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe. The console comprises an alternative reality (“AR”) anatomy representation logic. The AR anatomy representation logic is configured to initiate a capture of information associated with multiple sub-images at different longitudinal positions of an ultrasound image of an anatomical element. The AR anatomy representation logic is also configured to position and orient each sub-image longitudinally based on usage parameters during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image. Lastly, the AR anatomy representation logic is configured to assemble each of the sub-images to form a virtual representation of the anatomical element for rendering in an AR environment. [0005] In some embodiments, the usage parameters include a speed in movement of the ultrasound probe during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image.

[0006] In some embodiments, the usage parameters include a direction in movement of the ultrasound probe during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image.

[0007] In some embodiments, the AR environment includes a mixed reality. The mixed reality includes the virtual representation of the anatomical element positioned over a real- world setting including a real depiction of a portion of a patient’s body having the anatomical element.

[0008] In some embodiments, the anatomical element is a vessel within an arm or a leg of a patient.

[0009] In some embodiments, the console further includes a communication interface configured to provide a rendering of the virtual object to an AR headset.

[00010] Also disclosed herein is a medical analytic system including an ultrasound probe a console communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe. The console includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes an AR anatomy representation logic including logic selected from the group consisting of visualization logic, virtual slice positioning logic, virtual object assembly logic, and virtual object display logic, provided at least two of the foregoing are selected. The visualization logic is configured to capture information associated with multiple sub-images at different layers of an ultrasound image of an anatomical element. The virtual slice positioning logic is configured to position and orient each sub-image based on usage parameters during emission of the ultrasound signals from the ultrasound probe for capturing of the ultrasound image. The virtual object assembly logic, when executed by the processor, is configured to assemble each of the sub-images to form a virtual representation of the anatomical element. The virtual object display logic, when executed by the processor, is configured to render the virtual representation of the anatomical element in an AR environment. [00011] In some embodiments, the usage parameters include a speed in movement of the ultrasound probe during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image.

[00012] In some embodiments, the usage parameters includes a direction in movement of the ultrasound probe during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image.

[00013] In some embodiments, the AR environment includes a mixed reality. The mixed reality includes the virtual representation of the anatomical element positioned over a real- world setting including a real depiction of a portion of a patient’s body having the anatomical element.

[00014] In some embodiments, the console further includes a communication interface to provide a rendering of the virtual object to an AR headset.

[00015] In some embodiments, the anatomical element is a vessel.

[00016] In some embodiments, the virtual object display logic is configured to render the virtual representation of the anatomical element as an overlay over an image or a series of images.

[00017] In some embodiments, the image includes the ultrasound image and the series of images including a video of a real-world setting.

[00018] In some embodiments, the visualization logic and the virtual slice positioning logic are implemented within the ultrasound probe. In addition, the virtual object assembly logic and the virtual object display logic are executed by the processor and implemented within the console.

[00019] In some embodiments, the visualization logic, the virtual slice positioning logic, the virtual object assembly logic, and the virtual object display logic are implemented as software executed by the processor within the console.

[00020] Also disclosed herein is a method including an information-capturing operation, a positioning-and-orienting operation, and an assembling operation. The information-capturing operation includes initiating a capture of information associated with multiple sub-images at different longitudinal positions of an ultrasound image of an anatomical element. The positioning-and-orienting operation includes positioning and orienting each sub-image of the multiple sub-images longitudinally based on usage parameters occurring during emission of ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image. The assembling operation includes assembling each of the sub-images to form a virtual representation of the anatomical element for rendering in an AR environment.

[00021] In some embodiments, the usage parameters include a speed in movement of the ultrasound probe during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image. Alternatively, the usage parameters include a direction in movement of the ultrasound probe during emission of the ultrasound signals for capturing of the ultrasound image.

[00022] In some embodiments, the AR environment includes a mixed reality. The mixed reality includes the virtual representation of the anatomical element positioned over a real- world setting including a real depiction of a portion of a patient’s body having the anatomical element.

[00023] In some embodiments, the anatomical element is a vessel within a body of a patient.

[00024] These and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00025] A more particular description of the present disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Example embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[00026] FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a medical analytic system with AR anatomy representation logic to generate a virtual object to overlay the ultrasound image;

[00027] FIG. 2 is a first illustrative embodiment of the medical analytic system including the AR anatomy representation logic deployed therein; [00028] FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of the virtual object overlaying the ultrasound image of the captured vessel;

[00029] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the virtual object overlaying the ultrasound image of the captured vessel;

[00030] FIG. 3C is an illustrative embodiment of the virtual object of FIG. 3A;

[00031] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of multiple slice images of a vessel captured by the ultrasound probe of FIG. 2 to generate the virtual object of FIG. 3C;

[00032] FIG. 4 is a second illustrative embodiment of the medical analytic system including the AR anatomy representation logic deployed within both the ultrasound probe and the console forming the medical analytic system;

[00033] FIG. 5 is an exemplary method of operation conducted by the medical analytic system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00034] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the invention, and are neither limiting nor necessarily drawn to scale.

[00035] Regarding terms used herein, it should be understood the terms are for the purpose of describing some particular embodiments, and the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are sometimes used to distinguish or identify different components or operations, and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” components or operations need not necessarily appear in that order, and the particular embodiments including such components or operations need not necessarily be limited or restricted to the three components or operations. Similarly, labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. Singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. [00036] The terms “logic” and “component” are representative of hardware and/or software that is configured to perform one or more functions. As hardware, logic (or component) may include circuitry having data processing and/or storage functionality. Examples of such circuitry may include, but are not limited or restricted to a processor, a programmable gate array, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit, combinatorial circuitry, or the like. Alternatively, or in combination with the hardware circuitry described above, the logic (or component) may be software in the form of one or more software modules, which may be configured to operate as its counterpart circuitry. The software modules may include, for example, an executable application, a daemon application, an application programming interface (“API”), a subroutine, a function, a procedure, a routine, source code, or even one or more instructions. The software module(s) may be stored in any type of a suitable non- transitory storage medium, such as a programmable circuit, a semiconductor memory, non- persistent storage such as volatile memory (e.g., any type of random-access memory “RAM”), persistent storage such as non-volatile memory (e.g., read-only memory “ROM”, power- backed RAM, flash memory, phase-change memory, etc.), a solid-state drive, hard disk drive, an optical disc drive, or a portable memory device.

[00037] With respect to “alternative reality,” the term alternative reality may pertain to virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality unless context suggests otherwise. “Virtual reality” includes virtual content in a virtual setting, which setting can be a fantasy or a real- world simulation. “Augmented reality” and “mixed reality” include virtual content in a real- world setting such as a real depiction of a portion of a patient’s body including the anatomical element. Augmented reality includes the virtual content in the real-world setting, but the virtual content is not necessarily anchored in the real-world setting. For example, the virtual content can be information overlying the real-world setting. The information can change as the real- world setting changes due to time or environmental conditions in the real-world setting, or the information can change as a result of a consumer of the augmented reality moving through the real-world setting; however, the information remains overlying the real-world setting. Mixed reality includes the virtual content anchored in every dimension of the real-world setting. For example, the virtual content can be a virtual object anchored in the real -world setting. The virtual object can change as the real -world setting changes due to time or environmental conditions in the real -world setting, or the virtual object can change to accommodate the perspective of a consumer of the mixed reality as the consumer moves through the real-world setting. The virtual object can also change in accordance with any interactions with the consumer or another real -world or virtual agent. Unless the virtual object is moved to another location in the real-world setting by the consumer of the mixed reality, or some other real- world or virtual agent, the virtual object remains anchored in the real -world setting. Mixed reality does not exclude the foregoing information overlying the real-world setting described in reference to augmented reality.

[00038] In the following description, the terms “or” and “and/or” as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. As an example, “A, B or C” or “A, B and/or C” mean “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, components, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

[00039] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Overview

[00040] Briefly summarized, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a medical analytic system for representing a region of a patient’s body for analysis. One of the embodiments may be directed to monitoring for the advancement of a medical component (e.g., needle, introducer, catheter, etc.) through sound waves (ultrasound) for example. As disclosed, the medical analytic system may include, in some embodiments, an ultrasound-imaging system and an AR headset for the analysis, where the ultrasound-imaging system includes AR anatomy representation logic.

[00041] More specifically, the ultrasound-imaging system includes an ultrasound probe and a console, which may be configured to include the AR anatomy representation logic or a portion thereof. The ultrasound probe is configured to emit ultrasound signals (sound waves) into a patient and receive echoed ultrasound signals (sound waves) from the patient by way of a piezoelectric sensor array or an array of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (“CMUTs”). According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound probe may receive commands from the console to capture information associated with numerous “slices” of an anatomical element (e.g., a vessel, tissue, etc.) during ultrasound scanning; namely information associated with multiple (two or more) sub-images of an ultrasound image of the anatomical element where the sub-images are captured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the anatomical element. Each slice constitutes information associated with a two-dimensional (“2D”) or three- dimensional (“3D”) planar sub-image of the anatomical element, where multiple slices are overlaid to collectively reproduce a 3D representation of the anatomical element. Alternatively, as another embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound probe may include visualization logic that automatically captures ultrasound scanning information as to individual slices of an image associated with the anatomical element and provides the same to the console with results of the piezoelectric sensor array or the array of CMUTs.

[00042] The console features electronic circuitry including memory and a processor configured to transform the echoed ultrasound signals to produce ultrasound-image segments corresponding to anatomical structures of the patient. These ultrasound-image segments may be combined to form ultrasound frames for display. Additionally, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the AR anatomy representation logic may be deployed as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. For instance, when deployed as software, the AR anatomy representation logic may include visualization logic configured to issue commands to the ultrasound probe to capture multiple “slices” of the anatomical element image (e.g., a vessel, artery, etc.) during ultrasound scanning. The AR anatomy representation logic may further include virtual slice positioning logic to adjust the orientation and position each image slice, virtual object assembly logic to orderly assemble the imaged anatomical element, and virtual object display logic to render a virtual object along with the ultrasound imaged object.

[00043] More specifically, as the ultrasound probe scans and moves along an ultrasound imaging area to capture a vessel for example, the visualization logic controls the capturing of information associated with vertically-oriented portions (slices) of the ultrasound image (hereinafter, “slice images”) and returns the slice images to the visual slice positioning logic. The virtual slice positioning logic is configured to determine the longitudinal orientation and positioning of each slice image based, at least in part, on the direction and speed of the ultrasound probe when in use, where such information is provided to the virtual object assembly logic. The virtual object assembly logic is configured to form the virtual object by longitudinally organizing the slice images and laterally overlaying the virtual object over the ultrasound image. For example, each visualization represented by a slice image would be positioned proximate to a neighboring slice image to construct, in a longitudinal direction, the virtual object such as a vessel virtual object. [00044] Thereafter, the virtual object display logic is configured to display the collective slice images as the anatomical element in a virtual context (i.e., as a virtual object within a virtual reality view, a mixed reality view, or as a 3D model of the vessel).

[00045] The alternative-reality headset includes a display screen coupled to a headset frame having electronic circuitry including memory and a processor. The display screen may be configured such that a wearer of the alternative-reality headset can see the patient through the display screen. The display screen is configured to display objects of virtual anatomy over the patient corresponding to the ultrasound-image segments.

[00046] In some embodiments, the ultrasound probe is configured with a pulsed-wave Doppler imaging mode for emitting and receiving the ultrasound signals. The console is configured to capture ultrasound-imaging frames in accordance with the pulsed-wave Doppler imaging mode, combine the ultrasound-imaging frames together with an aggregation function, and segment the ultrasound-imaging frames or the aggregated ultrasound-imaging frames into the ultrasound-image segments with an image segmentation function.

[00047] In some embodiments, when the AR anatomy representation logic is activated, the console is configured to generate the virtual object as an aggregate of the ultrasound-image segments overlaid by a collection of virtualizations (image slices) by the virtual object assembly logic. The console is configured to send the objects of virtual anatomy to the alternative-reality headset for display over the patient.

Medical Analytic System Architecture

[00048] Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a medical analytic system 100 is shown. According to this embodiment of the disclosure, the medical analytic system 100 includes an ultrasound-imaging system 110 and an alternative-reality AR headset 140, The ultrasound-imaging system 110 includes a console 120 and an ultrasound probe 130, where the ultrasound-imaging system 110 features AR anatomy representation logic 150. The AR anatomy representation logic 150 may be configured to generate a virtual object that is presented in an AR environment such as a virtual reality, augmented reality or a mixed reality in which the virtual object overlays an image produced by the ultrasound-imaging system 110 (e.g., an ultrasound image) or a series of images (e.g., a video) associated with a real-world setting (e.g., video including a patient or a body part of the patient, a physical structure, etc.). The virtual object may be visible through the AR headset 140 or visible on a display of the console 120 without the AR headset 140. Alternatively, in lieu of the ultrasound-imaging system 110 as described herein, it is contemplated that a magnetic field imaging system may be deployed. It is contemplated that components and functions of the console 120 described in reference to the ultrasound-imaging system 110 should be understood to apply to the magnetic field imaging system or a similar system.

[00049] Notwithstanding the foregoing, in some embodiments of the medical analytic system 100, at least a portion of the functionality of the AR anatomy representation logic 150 may be deployed within the AR headset 140 in lieu of the console 120. Herein, the AR headset 140 or another component operating in cooperation with the AR headset 140 may serve as the console or performs the functions (e.g., processing) thereof.

[00050] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a first illustrative embodiment of the medical analytic system 100, inclusive of the ultrasound probe 130 connected to the console 120 that includes the AR anatomy representation logic 150 is shown. Herein, the console 120 features electronic circuitry including memory 212 and one or more processors 214 configured to transform, in accordance with ultrasound transformation logic 216, echoed ultrasound signals to produce ultrasound frames and ultrasound-image segments therefrom corresponding to anatomical elements (e.g., structures) of the patient. The console 120 is configured to operate in a first mode to capture, in the memory 212, ultrasound-imaging frames (i.e., frame-by-frame ultrasound images) in accordance with a pulsed-wave Doppler imaging mode of the ultrasound probe 130, combine the ultrasound-imaging frames together with an aggregation function of the ultrasound transformation logic 216, and segment the ultrasound-imaging frames or the aggregated ultrasound-imaging frames into the ultrasound-image segments. In a second mode of operation, however, the console 120 may be configured to transform the ultrasound-image segments into an object of virtual anatomy (hereinafter, “virtual object”) based on operations of certain components within the AR anatomy representation logic 150. The console 120 is configured to send the virtual object to the AR headset 140 for display over an image (e.g., ultrasound image) or a series of images (e.g., video of real-world setting) by way of a wired or wireless communications interface 218.

[00051] The console 120 includes a number of components of the medical analytic system 100, and the console 120 can take any form of a variety of forms to house the number of components. The one-or-more processors 214 and the memory 212 (e.g., non-volatile memory such as electrically erasable, programmable, read-only memory “EEPROM” or flash) of the console 120 are configured for controlling various functions of the medical analytic system 100 such as executing the AR anatomy representation logic 150 during operation of the medical analytic system 100. A digital controller or analog interface 220 is also included with the console 120, and the digital controller or analog interface 220 is in communication with the one-or-more processors 214 and other system components to govern interfacing between the ultrasound probe 130, the AR headset 140, as well as other system components.

[00052] The console 120 further includes ports 222 for connection with additional components such as optional components 224 including a printer, storage media, keyboard, etc. The ports 222 may be implemented as universal serial bus (“USB”) ports, though other types of ports or a combination of port types can be used, as well as other interfaces or connections described herein. A power connection 226 may be included with the console 120 to enable operable connection to an external power supply 228. An internal power supply 230 (e.g., disposable or rechargeable battery) can also be employed, either with the external power supply 228 or exclusive of the external power supply 228. Power management circuitry 232 is included with the digital controller or analog interface 220 of the console 120 to regulate power use and distribution.

[00053] A display 234 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) integrated into the console 120 and used to display information to the clinician during a procedure. For example, the display 234 can be used to display an ultrasound image of a targeted internal body portion of the patient attained by the ultrasound probe 130. Additionally, or in the alternative, the display 234 can be used to display the virtual object positioned overlying the ultrasound image without the need of an AR headset 140. The virtual object would provide a more detailed, virtual representation of the internal anatomical element of the patient being imaged (e.g., vessel, tissue, etc.).

[00054] Alternatively, the display 234 can be separate from the console 120 instead of integrated into the console 120; however, such a display is different than that of the AR headset 140. The console 120 can further include a console button interface 236. In combination with control buttons on the ultrasound probe 130, the console button interface 236 can be used by a clinician to immediately call up a desired mode on the display 234 for use by the clinician. For example, two operating modes may include a first mode (e.g., ultrasound mode) and a second mode (e.g., AR enhanced mode), as stated above. [00055] The ultrasound probe 130 is configured to emit ultrasound signals into the patient and receive the echoed ultrasound signals from the patient by way of a piezoelectric sensor array 238 or array of CMUTs. The ultrasound probe 130 can be configured with a continuous wave or a pulsed-wave imaging mode. For example, the ultrasound probe 130 can configured with the foregoing pulsed-wave Doppler imaging mode for emitting and receiving the ultrasound signals.

[00056] The ultrasound probe 130 further includes a button-and-memory controller 240 for governing operation of the ultrasound probe 130 and buttons thereof. The button-and-memory controller 240 can include non-volatile memory such as EEPROM. The button-and-memory controller 240 is in operable communication with an ultrasound probe interface 242 of the console 120, where the ultrasound probe interface 242 includes a piezoelectric input-output (“VO”) component 244 for interfacing with the piezoelectric sensor array 238 (or CMUT inputoutput (“VO”) component for interfacing with the array of CMUTs) of the ultrasound probe 130 and a button-and-memory VO component 246 for interfacing with the button-and-memory controller 240 of the ultrasound probe 130. Hence, the operating mode of the ultrasoundimaging system 110 may be controlled at the ultrasound probe 130 (via the button-and-memory controller 240) and/or at the console 120 (via the console button interface 236).

[00057] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the AR anatomy representation logic 150 includes visualization logic 250, virtual slice positioning logic 260, virtual object assembly logic 270, and virtual object display logic 280. Herein, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, the visualization logic 250 may be configured to produce visualizations (e.g., slice images of an anatomical element as captured by sound waves) by issuing commands to the ultrasound probe 130 to capture information associated with multiple “slices” of the anatomical element image during an ultrasound scanning session. Hence, information associated each frame (slice) of the ultrasound image may be captured at different prescribed periods of time during the ultrasound scanning session, where the slice images are generated from sound waves emitted by the ultrasound probe 130 at different longitudinal portions or positions of the ultrasound image as the wave propagate and return through the anatomical element. The information associated with an ultrasound frame may be used by the visualization logic 250 to generate a “virtual” slice image that, when aggregated, provide a virtual representation of the anatomical element captured by the ultrasound-imaging system 110 of FIG. 1. [00058] Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the disclosure, the visualization logic 250 may be configured to produce slice images based on data associated with each ultrasound frame that is generated, where the aggregate of ultrasound frames constitutes the ultrasound image. From the data associated with each ultrasound frame, the visualization logic 250 is configured to generate a virtual representation of a portion of the anatomical element captured by that ultrasound image.

[00059] The virtual slice positioning logic 260 is configured to determine the position/orientation of each slice image generated by the visualization logic 250 based on, at least in part, the direction and speed of the ultrasound probe 130 when in use. For example, the speed in the movement of the ultrasound probe 130 may be relied upon to determine placement of a virtual slice image over the ultrasound image and along at least x-y axes of the virtual object. Similarly, the direction of the ultrasound probe 130 may be relied upon to determine placement of the virtual slice image over the ultrasound image along any or all of the x, y or z-axis.

[00060] The virtual object assembly logic 270 is communicatively coupled to the virtual slice positioning logic 260. Based on the positioning of the slice images, the virtual object assembly logic 270 is configured to generate a virtual object by longitudinally positioning each slice image at a determined location, where the virtual object is an aggregate of the positioned, slice images. As an illustrative example, each slice image is longitudinally organized adjacent to a neighboring slice image to construct the virtual object, such as a vessel virtual object for example.

[00061] The virtual object display logic 280 is communicatively coupled to the virtual object assembly logic 270. Herein, the virtual object display logic 280 is configured to display the aggregated, slice images as the virtual object that represent an anatomical element under analysis in a virtual context. The virtual context may include, but is not limited or restricted to a virtual reality view, a mixed reality view, or a 3D model of the anatomical element.

[00062] Referring to FIGS. 3 A and 3B, a perspective view of a virtual object 310 laterally overlaying an ultrasound image 300 of a captured vessel 320 is rendered on a display 330. Notably, FIG. 3B offers a different, deeper focus than that of FIG. 3 A, wherein a cross section of the virtual object 310 and a nearby virtual object, for example, blood vessels, are displayed with their diameters. Information such as the diameters of blood vessels are useful for planning medical procedures such as catheterization. The display may be deployed as part of the console or as a separate display that may be positioned in an AR environment such as a mixed-reality setting in which the display 330 is position near a portion of a patient’s arm 340 under diagnosis.

[00063] As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the virtual object 310 may be representative of a portion of the captured vessel 320, where multiple slice images 350I-350N (N>1) of the ultrasound image 300 are captured (slices conducted traverse to a central axis of the image 300) using the ultrasound probe 130 of FIG. 2 to generate the virtual object 310. Herein, each of the slice images 350I-350N is generated by the visualization logic 250 of FIG. 2 based on information captured from a different sub-image of the ultrasound image 300 and positioned by the virtual slice positioning logic 260 of FIG. 2. Such positioning may be over a two- dimensional area (xz or yz-axes) while the virtual object assembly 270 is configured to generate the virtual object 310 by positioning the slice images 350I-350N at determined locations over a 3D area (xyz-axes), where the virtual object 310 is an aggregate of the positioned, slice images 350I-350N, as shown in FIG. 3D.

[00064] Referring now to FIG. 4, a second illustrative embodiment of the medical analytic system 100 including the AR anatomy representation logic 150, where the logic is deployed within both the ultrasound probe 130 and the console 120 is shown. Herein, the medical analytic system 100 includes the console 120 and the ultrasound probe 130; however, for this embodiment of the disclosure, the visualization logic 250 and the virtual slice positioning logic 260 are deployed within the ultrasound probe 130 while the virtual assembly logic 270 and the virtual object display logic 280 are deployed within the console 120. The operability of this decentralized embodiment of the AR anatomy representation logic 150 is consistent with the operability of the AR anatomy representation logic 150 of FIG. 1.

Method

[00065] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary method of operation conducted by the medical analytic system of FIGS. 1 and 4 is shown. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the ultrasound-imaging system is powered on (operation 500) and sound waves are emitted from an ultrasound probe into an area of a patient’s body (hereinafter, the “ultrasound area”) to visualize an anatomical element (operation 510). Based on this visualization, the AR anatomy representation logic captures information associated with multiple “slices” of the anatomical element image during an ultrasound scanning session (operation 520). Each slice image may be associated with information pertaining to a sub-image or frame (layer) of the ultrasound image, and thus, each slice image is a virtualization of a portion of the ultrasound image of the anatomical element captured at a different moment in time.

[00066] After producing the multiple slices of the anatomical element image during an ultrasound scanning session, the AR anatomy representation logic, based on certain usage parameters associated with the ultrasound probe, determines the positioning of the slice image (operation 530) and the arrangement (assembly) of the slice images to produce the virtual object (operation 540). The positioning/assembly may be directed to lateral (xz-axis or yz- axis) arrangement of the slice images within the virtual representation of the anatomical element that corresponds to the virtual object. The usage parameters may include, but are not limited or restricted to speed and/or direction in movement of the ultrasound probe over the ultrasound area.

[00067] Thereafter, the AR anatomy representation logic is configured to display the virtual object in an alternative reality (operation 550), such as an overlay over the ultrasound image, where the virtual object may be more prevalent when viewed using an AR headset. However, the rendering of the virtual object on the display may be conducted so that the virtual object is visible without the AR headset.

[00068] Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.