Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
04:33
Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Needle Tip Tracking with a Fiber-Optic Ultrasound Receiver
Published on: August 21, 2018
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Multilateration-based needle tracking with 3D ultrasound imaging for guiding minimally invasive procedures
Weidong Liang1, Christian Baker1, Javad Rostami1
1School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
Physics in Medicine and Biology
|March 25, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a faster ultrasound needle tracking system using multilateration, achieving high accuracy for improved precision and safety in minimally invasive procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Ultrasound guidance is crucial for minimally invasive procedures.
- Poor needle-tip visibility during ultrasound procedures limits precision and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel multilateration-based needle tracking system.
- To significantly enhance the speed of ultrasound-guided needle tracking compared to previous methods.
Main Methods:
- Integrated a fiber-optic hydrophone into a medical needle.
- Utilized a sparse 2D matrix array probe for 3D imaging and ultrasound transmission.
- Employed chirped excitation for improved signal-to-noise ratio and time-of-arrival estimation for multilateration.
Main Results:
- Achieved spatial tracking accuracy of 2.49 ± 0.95 mm.
- Increased tracking speed by an order of magnitude, from 3.77 Hz to 45.45 Hz.
- Demonstrated 3D imaging and accurate needle-tip localization in ex vivo tissue and a phantom.
Conclusions:
- The developed system enables combined 3D imaging and accurate needle tracking.
- Shows strong potential to enhance precision and safety in ultrasound-guided interventions.
- Feasibility demonstrated for clinical applications.
