Handheld real-time volumetric imaging of the spine: technology development.
Technical difficulties, poor image quality and reliance on pattern identifications represent some of the drawbacks of two-dimensional ultrasound imaging of spinal bone anatomy. To overcome these limitations, this study sought to develop real-time volumetric imaging of the spine using a portable handheld device. The device measured 19.2 cm × 9.2 cm × 9.0 cm and imaged at 5 MHz centre frequency. 2D imaging under conventional ultrasound and volumetric (3D) imaging in real time was achieved and verified by inspection using a custom spine phantom. Further device performance was assessed and revealed a 75-min battery life and an average frame rate of 17.7 Hz in volumetric imaging mode. The results suggest that real-time volumetric imaging of the spine is a feasible technique for more intuitive visualization of the spine. These results may have important ramifications for a large array of neuraxial procedures.
Department of Anesthesiolgoy, Division of Obstetric Anesthesia , Univeristy of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA , USA .
Mohamed
M
Tiouririne
Sarah
S
Nguyen
John A
JA
Hossack
Kevin
K
Owen
F
F
William Mauldin
D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods