3-D Freehand Ultrasound Calibration Using a Tissue-Mimicking Phantom With Parallel Wires

This article describes a method used to calibrate 3-D freehand ultrasound systems based on phantoms with parallel wires forming two perpendicular planes, such as the usual general-purpose commercial phantoms. In our algorithm, the phantom pose is co-optimized with the calibration to avoid the need to precisely track the phantom. We provide a geometrical analysis to explain the proposed acquisition protocol. Finally, we give an estimate of the system accuracy and precision based on measurements acquired on an independent test phantom. We obtained error norms of 1.6 mm up to 6 cm of depth and 3.5 mm between 6 and 14 cm of depth, in total average. In conclusion, it is possible to calibrate ultrasound tracked-probe systems with a reasonable accuracy based on a general-purpose phantom. Contrarily to most calibration methods that imply the construction of the phantom, the present algorithm is based on a standard phantom geometry that is commercially available.