Automated 3D Freehand Ultrasound Calibration with Real-Time Accuracy Control

3D ultrasound (US) is an emerging new imaging technology that appeals to more and more applications in intraoperative guidance of computer-assisted surgery. In a freehand US imaging system, US probe calibration is typically required to construct a 3D image of the patient's anatomy from a set of 2D US images. Most of the current calibration techniques concern primarily with the precision and accuracy. However, for computer-assisted surgeries that may require a calibration task inside the operating room (OR), many other important aspects have to be considered besides accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel system for automated calibration that is optimized for the OR usage with real-time feedback and control of the calibration accuracy. We have also designed a novel N-wire phantom, with greatly reduced complexity to facilitate mass production without compromising the accuracy and robustness.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: MICCAI
• Authors: Thomas Kuiran Chen, Purang Abolmaesumi, Adrian D. Thurston, Randy E. Ellis
• Keywords: Calibration Accuracy, Calibration Task, Calibration Techniques Concern, Medical Imaging, MICCAI 2006