[A Method of Ultrasonic Probe Calibration Based on Optical Positioning System]

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Navigation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Accurate tracking of the ultrasound imaging plane is essential for image-guided interventions.
• Calibration is required to determine the spatial relationship between the ultrasound probe and the imaging plane.
• Existing methods may lack the precision needed for complex interventional procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a precise calibration method for ultrasound probes using a 3D spatial tracking device.
• To establish a reliable transform between the ultrasound probe and its corresponding image for interventional applications.
• To lay the groundwork for advanced 3D reconstruction in ultrasound-guided surgery.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an N-phantom with 8 known reference points and an NDI optical positioning system for calibration.
• Acquired ultrasound images of the phantom, identifying 8 bright spots using a probe with a receiver sensor.
• Determined coordinate transformations using the optical positioning system and applied a least squares method for calibration.

Main Results:

• The developed calibration method is user-friendly and efficient.
• Achieved a calibration precision of 2.72 mm, exceeding conventional approaches.
• Demonstrated the method's suitability for demanding ultrasound-guided procedures.

Conclusions:

• The proposed calibration technique provides high accuracy and reliability for ultrasound probe tracking.
• This method significantly enhances the precision required for ultrasound-guided interventional operations.
• The established calibration serves as a critical foundation for subsequent 3D reconstruction and surgical planning.