Experimental study of 3DUS-US single-modality automatic image fusion technology based on electromagnetic positioning

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasound-ultrasound (3DUS-US) automatic image fusion technology based on electromagnetic positioning. Methods The experimental phantom was constructed to acquire ultrasonic images by agarose gel and additives, which was used as the experimental object. 3DUS imaging with free-hand and real-time ultrasound imaging automatic registrations were performed based on electromagnetic positioning. To investigate the effect of 3DUS-US image fusion under different scanning speed by free-hand, the fast and slow groups were designed. In addition, a junior operator and a senior operator performed 3DUS-US automatic registrations, and recorded the operating time and registration error, respectively. The repeatability between two operators was analyzed. Results The macroscopic appearance, stability and ultrasonic image of the phantom met the demand of this research. The success rate of 3DUS-US automatic image fusion technology was 100% (40/40). The slow group's registration error distance was (1.44±0.64)mm, which was obviously lower than the fast group's (2.56±0.53)mm, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). There were no statistically differences of the registration error and operating time between the two operators (P=0.508, P=0.517). Conclusions The technology of 3DUS-US automatic registration based on electromagnetic positioning was feasible and accurate, which is worth applying into the clinical treatment. Key words: Ultrasonography, three-dimensional; Image fusion; Electromagnetic positioning; Phantom