Real-Time 3D Ultrasound Imaging System Based on a Hybrid Reconstruction Algorithm

As a safe and convenient imaging technology in clinical routine diagnosis, ultrasound imaging can provide real-time 2D images of internal tissues and organs. To realize real-time 3D image reconstruction, pixel nearest neighbor interpolation (PNN) reconstruction algorithm and Bezier interpolation algorithm are combined into a hybrid reconstruction algorithm. On this basis, a real-time interactive 3D ultrasound imaging system is developed. Through temporal calibration and spatial calibration, the six degrees of freedom poses of 2D ultrasound images can be accurately collected. The 3D volume reconstructed by the proposed 3D reconstruction algorithm is visualized by volume rendering. A multi-thread software system allows parallel operation of data acquisition, 3D reconstruction, volume visualization and other functions. 3D imaging experiments on a 3D printing femur model, a neck phantom and the neck of human volunteers were performed for systematic evaluation. When the reconstruction voxel size was set to be (0.5³ mm³, 1.0³ mm³, 1.5³ mm³), the reconstruction errors of the femur and trachea model were respectively (0.23 mm, 0.31 mm, 0.56 mm) and (0.62 mm, 0.88 mm, 1.41 mm). Clinical feasibility was demonstrated by application of the 3D ultrasound imaging on the neck of human volunteers.