3D ocular ultrasound using gaze tracking on the contralateral eye: a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• 2D ultrasound is common for eye exams but 3D reconstruction is hindered by accurate pose estimation.
• Precisely determining the ultrasound transducer's position relative to the eye is crucial for 3D interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel system for 3D ophthalmic image reconstruction.
• To improve 3D interpretation of ultrasound images by accurately estimating eye pose using gaze tracking.

Main Methods:

• A novel system using contralateral eye gaze tracking for pose estimation was developed.
• A single camera system estimated eye pose and identified subject-specific parameters.
• Ultrasound images were transformed into the examined eye's coordinate system for 3D volume creation.

Main Results:

• The system successfully inferred eye pose from gaze fixations on target points.
• Experiments validated the accuracy of the gaze tracking and eye pose estimation system.
• The overall system error, including pose estimation and calibration, was 3.12 mm and 4.68 degrees.

Conclusions:

• The proposed gaze-tracking system enables accurate 3D reconstruction of ophthalmic ultrasound images.
• This method enhances the 3D interpretation of eye structures, overcoming pose estimation challenges.
• The validated system offers a promising advancement for ophthalmic diagnostic imaging.