Comparison of three dimensional strain volume reconstructions using SOUPR and wobbler based acquisitions: A phantom...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Ultrasound strain imaging is a cost-effective, portable method for monitoring thermal ablation of liver neoplasms.
• Accurate 3D visualization of thermal dose distribution requires 3D strain volume reconstruction from 2D ultrasound images.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a novel volume reconstruction algorithm, sheaf of ultrasound planes reconstruction (SOUPR), for 3D ultrasound strain imaging.
• To compare SOUPR's performance against conventional 3D ultrasound strain imaging using tissue-mimicking phantoms.

Main Methods:

• SOUPR was formulated as an optimization problem, ensuring data consistency and smoothness.
• Reconstructed dimensions, volume, and image quality (SNRe, CNRe) were compared between SOUPR and a conventional wobbler transducer method.
• Qualitative assessment was performed on ex vivo bovine liver tissue.

Main Results:

• SOUPR demonstrated significantly higher elastographic signal to noise ratio (SNRe) and contrast to noise ratio (CNRe) compared to the wobbler method.
• SOUPR achieved lower mean errors in reconstructed inclusion dimensions across all axes (X, Y, Z).
• Volume estimates were comparable between SOUPR and the wobbler transducer.

Conclusions:

• SOUPR provides superior 3D reconstruction of thermal ablation zones compared to conventional wobbler transducer methods.
• The SOUPR algorithm enhances inclusion shape preservation and detectability in ultrasound strain imaging.
• Experimental validation confirms SOUPR's effectiveness for monitoring liver neoplasms ablation.