Gerald Mcmorrow

System for imaging the bladder during voiding

The system includes an ultrasound apparatus which provides successive images of a bladder during the voiding process, the images being approximately one second long so as to provide an accurate picture of the action of the bladder during voiding. The images are then processed to form a substantially continuous moving image, i.e. a video or motion picture. The video covers approximately five minutes so as to capture the entire voiding event. The system is initiated typically by the user by pressing a button or other implement on the ultrasound apparatus which is carried by a belt or on a garment adjacent the abdomen of the user. Several processing techniques are used to compensate for any movement of the user or the device during the voiding process so as to provide a coherent and continuous moving image of the bladder during the voiding process.

Image enhancement and segmentation of fluid-filled structures in 3D ultrasound images

Segmentation of fluid-filled structures, such as the urinary bladder, from three-dimensional ultrasound images is necessary for measuring their volume. This paper describes a system for image enhancement, segmentation and volume measurement of fluid-filled structures on 3D ultrasound images. The system was applied for the measurement of urinary bladder volume. Results show an average error of less than 10% in the estimation of the total bladder volume.