An Improved Olympic Hole-Filling Method for Ultrasound Volume Reconstruction of Human Spine

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 28-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. O. Dewi ◽  
T. L. R. Mengko ◽  
I. K. E. Purnama ◽  
A. G. Veldhuizen ◽  
M. H. F. Wilkinson

Hole-filling in ultrasound volume reconstruction using freehand three-dimensional ultrasound estimates the values for empty voxels from the unallocated voxels in the Bin-filling process due to inadequate sampling in the acquisition process. Olympic operator, as a neighbourhood averaging filter, can be used to estimate the empty voxel. However, this method needs improvement to generate a closer estimation of the empty voxels. In this paper, the authors propose an improved Olympic operator for the Hole-filling algorithm, and apply it to generate the volume in a 3D ultrasound reconstruction of the spine. The conventional Olympic operator defines the empty voxels by sorting the neighbouring voxels, removing the n% of the upper and lower values, and averaging them to attain the value to fill the empty voxels. The empty voxel estimation can be improved by thresholding the range width of its neighbouring voxels and adjusting it to the average values. The method is tested on a hole-manipulated volume derived from a cropped 3D ultrasound volume of a part of the spine. The MAE calculation on the proposed technique shows improved result compared to all tested existing methods.

Author(s):  
D. E. O. Dewi ◽  
T. L. R. Mengko ◽  
I. K. E. Purnama ◽  
A. G. Veldhuizen ◽  
M. H. F. Wilkinson

Hole-filling in ultrasound volume reconstruction using freehand three-dimensional ultrasound estimates the values for empty voxels from the unallocated voxels in the Bin-filling process due to inadequate sampling in the acquisition process. Olympic operator, as a neighbourhood averaging filter, can be used to estimate the empty voxel. However, this method needs improvement to generate a closer estimation of the empty voxels. In this paper, the authors propose an improved Olympic operator for the Hole-filling algorithm, and apply it to generate the volume in a 3D ultrasound reconstruction of the spine. The conventional Olympic operator defines the empty voxels by sorting the neighbouring voxels, removing the n% of the upper and lower values, and averaging them to attain the value to fill the empty voxels. The empty voxel estimation can be improved by thresholding the range width of its neighbouring voxels and adjusting it to the average values. The method is tested on a hole-manipulated volume derived from a cropped 3D ultrasound volume of a part of the spine. The MAE calculation on the proposed technique shows improved result compared to all tested existing methods.


Author(s):  
Chan Vei Siang ◽  
Farhan Mohamed ◽  
Mohd Yazid Idris ◽  
Mohd Sharizal Bin Sunar ◽  
Ali Bin Selamat ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiexiang Wen ◽  
Ling Li ◽  
Qingsong Zhu ◽  
Wenjian Qin ◽  
Jia Gu ◽  
...  

Volume reconstruction method plays an important role in improving reconstructed volumetric image quality for freehand three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging. By utilizing the capability of programmable graphics processing unit (GPU), we can achieve a real-time incremental volume reconstruction at a speed of 25-50 frames per second (fps). After incremental reconstruction and visualization, hole-filling is performed on GPU to fill remaining empty voxels. However, traditional pixel nearest neighbor–based hole-filling fails to reconstruct volume with high image quality. On the contrary, the kernel regression provides an accurate volume reconstruction method for 3D ultrasound imaging but with the cost of heavy computational complexity. In this paper, a GPU-based fast kernel regression method is proposed for high-quality volume after the incremental reconstruction of freehand ultrasound. The experimental results show that improved image quality for speckle reduction and details preservation can be obtained with the parameter setting of kernel window size of [Formula: see text] and kernel bandwidth of 1.0. The computational performance of the proposed GPU-based method can be over 200 times faster than that on central processing unit (CPU), and the volume with size of 50 million voxels in our experiment can be reconstructed within 10 seconds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chan Vei Siang ◽  
Farhan Mohamed

3D medical imaging can help the physicians to understand the patient anatomy, such as 3D ultrasound and 3D CT scan. In the case of 3D ultrasound reconstruction, the pixel nearest neighbour is one of the popular methods used. The hole-filling method in pixel nearest neighbour can fill in the empty voxel data which is not captured by the ultrasound. Thus, this paper studied the various hole-filling methods in the pixel nearest neighbour method to reconstruct the missing voxels. Besides that, an alternative method is also introduced based on the modified butterfly interpolation scheme. The experiment setup is designed to test the efficiency of the hole-filling method for 3D medical data visualisation by using mean absolute error as well as qualitatively compare the visualization of the reconstruction results. The proposed method can extract smooth skin from the reconstruction volume, although it has a high average MAE result.


Author(s):  
Valeria Vendries ◽  
Tamas Ungi ◽  
Jordan Harry ◽  
Manuela Kunz ◽  
Jana Podlipská ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Osteophytes are common radiographic markers of osteoarthritis. However, they are not accurately depicted using conventional imaging, thus hampering surgical interventions that rely on pre-operative images. Studies have shown that ultrasound (US) is promising at detecting osteophytes and monitoring the progression of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound reconstructions may offer a means to quantify osteophytes. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of osteophyte depiction in the knee joint between 3D US and conventional computed tomography (CT). Methods Eleven human cadaveric knees were pre-screened for the presence of osteophytes. Three osteoarthritic knees were selected, and then, 3D US and CT images were obtained, segmented, and digitally reconstructed in 3D. After dissection, high-resolution structured light scanner (SLS) images of the joint surfaces were obtained. Surface matching and root mean square (RMS) error analyses of surface distances were performed to assess the accuracy of each modality in capturing osteophytes. The RMS errors were compared between 3D US, CT and SLS models. Results Average RMS error comparisons for 3D US versus SLS and CT versus SLS models were 0.87 mm ± 0.33 mm (average ± standard deviation) and 0.95 mm ± 0.32 mm, respectively. No statistical difference was found between 3D US and CT. Comparative observations of imaging modalities suggested that 3D US better depicted osteophytes with cartilage and fibrocartilage tissue characteristics compared to CT. Conclusion Using 3D US can improve the depiction of osteophytes with a cartilaginous portion compared to CT. It can also provide useful information about the presence and extent of osteophytes. Whilst algorithm improvements for automatic segmentation and registration of US are needed to provide a more robust investigation of osteophyte depiction accuracy, this investigation puts forward the potential application for 3D US in routine diagnostic evaluations and pre-operative planning of osteoarthritis.


Author(s):  
Fabio Barra ◽  
Franco Alessandri ◽  
Carolina Scala ◽  
Simone Ferrero

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> The use of three-dimensional (3D) transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) has been investigated for the diagnosis of deep endometriosis (DE). This study aimed to evaluate if 3D reconstructions improve the performance of TVS) in assessing the presence and characteristics of bladder endometriosis (BE). <b><i>Design:</i></b> This was a single-center comparative diagnostic accuracy study. <b><i>Participants/Materials, Setting, Methods:</i></b> Patients referred to our institution (Piazza della Vittoria 14 Srl, Genova, Italy) with clinical suspicion of DE were included. In case of surgery, women underwent systematic preoperative ultrasonographic imaging; an experienced sonographer performed a conventional TVS; another experienced sonographer, blinded to results of the previous exam, performed TVS, with the addition of 3D modality. The presence and characteristics of BE nodules were described in accord with International DE Analysis group consensus. Ultrasound data were compared with surgical and histological results. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, BE was intraoperatively found in 34 out of 194 women who underwent surgery for DE (17.5%; 95% confidence interval: 12.8–23.5%). TVS without and with 3D reconstructions were able to detect endometriotic BE in 82.2% (<i>n</i> = 28/34) and 85.3% (<i>n</i> = 29/34) of the cases (<i>p</i> = 0.125). Both the exams similarly estimated the largest diameter of BE (<i>p</i> = 0.652) and the distance between the endometriotic nodule and the closest ureteral meatus (<i>p</i> = 0.341). However, TVS with 3D reconstructions was more precise in estimating the volume of BE (<i>p</i> = 0.031). In one case (2.9%), TVS without and with 3D reconstructions detected the infiltration of the intramural ureter, which was confirmed at surgery and required laparoscopic ureterovesical reimplantation. <b><i>Limitations:</i></b> The extensive experience of the gynecologists performing the ultrasonographic scans, the lack of prestudy power analysis, and the population selected, which may have been influenced by the position of the institution as a referral center specialized in the treatment of severe endometriosis, are limitations of the current study. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results demonstrated the high accuracy of ultrasound for diagnosing BE. The addition of 3D reconstructions does not improve the performance of TVS in diagnosing the presence and characteristics of BE. However, the volume of BE may be more precisely assessed by 3D ultrasound.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2858
Author(s):  
Kelly Ka-Lee Lai ◽  
Timothy Tin-Yan Lee ◽  
Michael Ka-Shing Lee ◽  
Joseph Chi-Ho Hui ◽  
Yong-Ping Zheng

To diagnose scoliosis, the standing radiograph with Cobb’s method is the gold standard for clinical practice. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging, which is radiation-free and inexpensive, has been demonstrated to be reliable for the assessment of scoliosis and validated by several groups. A portable 3D ultrasound system for scoliosis assessment is very much demanded, as it can further extend its potential applications for scoliosis screening, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment outcome measurement, and progress prediction. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of a newly developed portable 3D ultrasound imaging system, Scolioscan Air, for scoliosis assessment using coronal images it generated. The system was comprised of a handheld probe and tablet PC linking with a USB cable, and the probe further included a palm-sized ultrasound module together with a low-profile optical spatial sensor. A plastic phantom with three different angle structures built-in was used to evaluate the accuracy of measurement by positioning in 10 different orientations. Then, 19 volunteers with scoliosis (13F and 6M; Age: 13.6 ± 3.2 years) with different severity of scoliosis were assessed. Each subject underwent scanning by a commercially available 3D ultrasound imaging system, Scolioscan, and the portable 3D ultrasound imaging system, with the same posture on the same date. The spinal process angles (SPA) were measured in the coronal images formed by both systems and compared with each other. The angle phantom measurement showed the measured angles well agreed with the designed values, 59.7 ± 2.9 vs. 60 degrees, 40.8 ± 1.9 vs. 40 degrees, and 20.9 ± 2.1 vs. 20 degrees. For the subject tests, results demonstrated that there was a very good agreement between the angles obtained by the two systems, with a strong correlation (R2 = 0.78) for the 29 curves measured. The absolute difference between the two data sets was 2.9 ± 1.8 degrees. In addition, there was a small mean difference of 1.2 degrees, and the differences were symmetrically distributed around the mean difference according to the Bland–Altman test. Scolioscan Air was sufficiently comparable to Scolioscan in scoliosis assessment, overcoming the space limitation of Scolioscan and thus providing wider applications. Further studies involving a larger number of subjects are worthwhile to demonstrate its potential clinical values for the management of scoliosis.


Cellulose ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (15) ◽  
pp. 9751-9768
Author(s):  
Teija Laukala ◽  
Sami-Seppo Ovaska ◽  
Ninja Kerttula ◽  
Kaj Backfolk

AbstractThe effects of bio-based strengthening agents and mineral filling procedure on the 3D elongation of chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) handsheets with and without mineral (PCC) filling have been investigated. The 3D elongation was measured using a press-forming machine equipped with a special converting tool. The strength of the handsheets was altered using either cationic starch or microfibrillated cellulose. Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was added to the furnish either as a slurry or by precipitation of nano-sized PCC onto and into the CTMP fibre. The 3D elongation of unfilled sheets was increased by the dry-strengthening agents, but no evidence on the theorised positive effect of mineral fill on 3D elongation was seen in either filling method. The performance of the strengthening agent depended on whether the PCC was as slurry or as a precipitated PCC-CTMP. The starch was more effective with PCC-CTMP than when the PCC was added directly as a slurry to the furnish, whereas the opposite was observed with microfibrillated cellulose. The 3D elongation correlated positively with the tensile strength, bursting strength, tensile stiffness, elastic modulus and bending stiffness, even when the sheet composition was varied, but neither the strengthening agent nor the method of PCC addition affected the 3D elongation beyond what was expectable based on the tensile strength of the sheets. Finally, mechanisms affecting the properties that correlated with the 3D elongation are discussed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document