title: Electrolytic echo enhancement: a novel method to make needles more reflective to ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines the effect of augmenting the ultrasound reflectivity of needles using a novel electrolytic echo enhancement method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Needles were connected by a lead to the negative terminal of a 4.5 V direct current source. A grounding pad, connected to the positive terminal, was positioned on the undersurface of an ex vivo ox liver phantom. During needle insertion into the liver, electrolysis was induced creating a layer of gas on the needle electrode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of images showed a significant increase in needle brightness using electrolytic echo enhancement. Brightness was found to increase by a factor of ×3.6 compared with controls (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrolytic echo enhancement has the potential to make ultrasound-guided procedures safer and quicker for patients and increase the confidence of operators in their ability to see the whole needle including its tip.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, The Canberra Hospital, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cockburn
authors.forename: Stefan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Khosh
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004572:Electrolysis / Q000379:methods*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
keywords: electrolytic; enhancement; needle; reflectivity; ultrasound