Real Time 3D Ultrasound for Physiological Monitoring 22258
Abstract
This project was funded to develop a field prototype medical imaging system utilizing 3-D ultrasound. Initial research focused on development of advanced sensor technology utilizing a dense 2-D array transducer with electronic scanning, unfocused spherical wavefront transmission, and computational reconstruction (focusing) based on Fourier Transform holography, with the goal of acquiring high quality 3-D images in real time. Valuable theoretical results were obtained, but experimental evidence indicated that a usable system would be impractical to construct using available fabrication technology. The research effort then refocused on development of a series of fully functional prototype systems utilizing conventional 2-D array transducers combined with mechanical scanning to acquire 3-D snapshots over a period of several seconds. These systems, called MUSTPAC (Medical Ultrasound, Three dimensional, Portable, with Advanced Communication), were used to investigate and demonstrate the utility of 3-D ultrasound as a telemedicine tool for use by non-specialist operators. The MUSTPAC-2 system was field-tested in Bosnia and Germany in August 1996 and achieved international recognition in 1997 (Discover Award). Further development and technology transfer resulted in the MUSTPAC-3 freehand scan system, based on now off-the-shelf hardware and software. The MUSTPAC-3 is currently undergoing clinical evaluation under new non-DARPA programmatic funding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA386614
Entities
People
- Richard J. Littlefield