PC-Based System for Calibration, Reconstruction, Processing, and Visualization of 3D Ultrasound Data Based on a Magnetic-Field Position and Orientation Sensing System

Abstract

Abstract. 3D-ultrasound can become a new, fast, non-radiative, noninvasive, and inexpensive tomographic medical imaging technique with unique advantages for the localization of vessels and tumors in soft tissue (spleen, kidneys, liver, breast etc.). In general, unlike the usual 2D-ultrasound, in the 3D-case a complete volume is covered with a whole series of cuts, which would enable a 3D reconstruction and visualization.In the last two decades, many researchers have attempted to produce systems that would allow the construction and visualization of threedimensional (3-D) images from ultrasound data. There is a general agreement that this development represents a positive step forward in medical imaging, and clinical applications have been suggested in many different areas. However, it is clear that 3-D ultrasound has not yet gained widespread clinical acceptance, and that there are still important problems to solve before it becomes a common tool.

Freehand 3-D Ultrasound Imaging: A Systematic Review

“…We surmise that this finding either reflects a decrease in general interest in freehand ultrasound or indicates a change in the direction of the studies, for example, to a focus on improvements in hardware rather than software, such as beam-forming techniques for 3-D US probes or special transducer designs for 3-D US imaging. Our quantitative studies about the leading researchers and research groups correlates with the results of a study in the literature (Boctor et al 2001).…”

“…For example, many studies used transrectal or transvaginal transducers for 3-D US imaging, did not provide a detailed explanation about their method of 3-D US reconstruction, but only the 3-D volume results. Short analyses and descriptions of the remaining 45 papers (Boctor et al 2001;Chen et al 2009Chen et al , 2014Coupe et al 2007;Deng et al 2012;Fenster et al 2011;Gee et al 2002Gee et al , 2004Gilliam et al 2006;Hassenpflug et al 2005;Housden et al 2006aHousden et al , 2007Zheng 2006a, 2008;Huang et al , 2009bHuang et al , 2013Huang et al , 2015Karamalis et al 2009;Kohyama et al 2005;Lindseth et al 2003;MacGillivray et al 2009;Pagoulatos et al 2000;Penney et al 2004;Poon and Rohling 2006;Prager et al 2002Prager et al , 1999Qiu et al 2011;Roxborough and Nielson 2000;San Jos e-Est epar et al 2003;Sanches and Marques 2003;Scheipers et al 2010;Sun and Anthony 2012;Sun et al 2013Sun et al , 2014Toonkum et al 2011;Treece et al 2001a;Varandas et al 2004;Wen et al 2013Wen et al , 2015Yu et al 2006a…”