LAN based 3D digital ultrasound imaging system for neurosurgery

摘要

A digital three Dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging system for neurosurgery has been developed. This system acquires 2D image data through Local Area Network (LAN) directly. It reconstructs 3D volume from a series of 2D slices by mechanical scanning of the ultrasound probe and renders 3D volume at high speed. A diagnostic ultrasound imaging-system was PC-based and communication program made it possible to transfer image datasets to other computers through LAN. To acquire 3D images, we rotated the probe and an encoder measured the accurate position of the probe. Volume data were reconstructed from sequence of 2D images acquired during the probe rotation. Another PC processed graphics, controlled the motor, and image data were transferred to the memory of it from the diagnostic ultrasound machine. It took approximately 40 seconds from the beginning of the getting the data to show the volume data. Volume rendering could be done at real time speed because of a graphic accelerator board specialized to process voxel data. The volume's opacities and colors were assigned according to their intensity and the setting could be changed easily. The system was tested in two clinical cases. It helped surgeons to understand the condition of the diseased part during the operation.