US 10751029

US Patent 10751029, titled "Ultrasonic image analysis," was issued to the University of British Columbia. The patent lists Purang Abolmaesumi, Robert Rohling, Teresa Tsang, Zhibin Liao, and Amir Abdi as the inventors. The application for this patent was filed on August 30, 2019, and the patent was issued on August 25, 2020.

Abstract:
The patent describes a computer-implemented method for analyzing ultrasound images. This method involves receiving a set of ultrasound images, extracting features from these images, and then using these features to determine both a quality assessment value and an image property (such as a view category) for the images. The system then produces signals to associate these values and properties with the ultrasound image set. The patent also discloses a method for training the neural networks used in this analysis, which involves using sets of training images along with their associated quality assessment values and image properties as desired outputs for the neural network training. Related apparatuses, systems, and computer-readable media are also included.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:
(Note: The following independent claims are derived from the "SUMMARY" section of the patent text, as an explicit "CLAIMS" section was not provided in the source material.)

1. Computer-Implemented Method for Ultrasonic Image Analysis: This method facilitates the analysis of ultrasound images of a subject. It involves:
   • Receiving a series of ultrasound images of the subject.
   • Extracting one or more feature representations from these images.
   • Calculating a quality assessment score for the images based on the extracted features.
   • Identifying an image property (e.g., a specific anatomical view category) associated with the images, also based on the extracted features.
   • Generating signals to link the calculated quality score and image property with the set of ultrasound images.
2. Computer-Implemented Method for Training Neural Networks: This method focuses on training neural networks for ultrasonic image analysis. It includes:
   • Receiving multiple sets of ultrasound training images.
   • Receiving corresponding quality assessment values for each training image set.
   • Receiving associated image properties (e.g., view categories) for each training image set.
   • Training a neural network by feeding it the training image sets as input and using their corresponding quality assessment values and image properties as the target outputs for the network to learn.
3. System for Ultrasonic Image Analysis (Processor-configured): This claim describes a system that includes at least one processor specifically configured to carry out the steps of the computer-implemented methods for ultrasonic image analysis (as described in claim 1 and its embodiments) and/or for training neural networks (as described in claim 2 and its embodiments).
4. Non-Transitory Computer Readable Medium: This claim covers a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., a hard drive, flash memory) that stores computer code. When this code is executed by at least one processor, it causes the processor to perform any of the computer-implemented methods for ultrasonic image analysis or neural network training described in the patent.
5. System for Ultrasonic Image Analysis (Means-Plus-Function): This system facilitates ultrasound image analysis using specific functional "means." It includes:
   • Means for receiving signals that represent ultrasound images of a subject.
   • Means for deriving feature representations from these images.
   • Means for determining a quality assessment value based on the derived features.
   • Means for determining an image property based on the derived features.
   • Means for producing signals that associate the quality assessment value and image property with the ultrasound image set.
6. System for Training Neural Networks (Means-Plus-Function): This system facilitates training neural networks for ultrasonic image analysis using specific functional "means." It includes:
   • Means for receiving signals representing multiple sets of ultrasound training images.
   • Means for receiving signals representing quality assessment values linked to each training image set.
   • Means for receiving signals representing image properties linked to each training image set.
   • Means for training a neural network, where this training uses the ultrasound training images as input and their associated quality assessment values and image properties as desired outputs.

Litigation Status:
As of April 26, 2026, a search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 10751029 did not reveal specific cases within the immediately accessible scheduled case listings for April, May, or June 2026. However, the patent's Google Patents information indicates an active PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01422, which is currently pending and has been instituted.