Augmented reality-based software (Echo-QR) for guiding the echographic probe toward the acoustic window: a pilot
A Thevenon1, F Derache1, O Faucoz2
1MEDES-IMPS-Bâtiment Waypost, Toulouse, France.
Frontiers in Medical Technology
|July 22, 2024
Summary
Novice operators can now perform ultrasound imaging in remote settings using Echo-QR augmented reality software. This technology enables accurate probe placement without expert guidance, improving diagnostic image acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Augmented Reality
- Remote Healthcare
Background:
- Current remote ultrasound imaging relies on vocal guidance or teleoperation, requiring expert real-time communication.
- Novice operators struggle to locate correct acoustic windows (AW) without assistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop and test Echo-QR, an augmented reality software to enable novice ultrasound probe placement.
- Eliminate the need for expert assistance in remote ultrasound imaging.
Main Methods:
- Expert sonographers identified and saved probe positions over AWs for various organs in the Echo-QR software.
- Novice operators independently used Echo-QR to position the ultrasound probe over target AWs.
Main Results:
- Novice operators successfully located AWs in 92% of organs using Echo-QR.
- Direct 2D ultrasound images were medically acceptable in 41% of cases.
- 3D volume capture and 2D/3D image extraction improved diagnostic image acceptability to 85%.
Conclusions:
- Echo-QR software facilitates accurate ultrasound probe placement by novices in remote conditions.
- Automated 3D volume capture enhances the diagnostic quality of ultrasound images obtained without expert supervision.
