3-D Transrectal Ultrasound with 2-D Arrays

描述(申请人提供)：这项提案的目标是开发一种新型的三维超声和弹性成像系统，用于活体前列腺成像。典型的经直肠超声系统(TRUS)使用双平面探头来获得两个垂直的B超，即矢状面和纵面图。然后，操作探头来询问整个前列腺区域。这种扫描的结果可能在很大程度上取决于用户的技能，因为他/她必须在精神上集成几个图像以获得对三维解剖的理解。此外，超声引导活检的成功在很大程度上取决于操作员的技能，因为针必须在单一扫描平面内完全对准。然而，一个能够在体内三维成像前列腺的系统可以帮助缓解其中的一些问题，因此显示出比今天的商业系统更好的临床价值。使用创新的行-列互连方案，将设计256 x 256 5-10 MHz圆柱形2-D阵列，并进行原型和测试。这一新系统将允许合成能够在方位和仰角动态聚焦的全采样2-D阵列。由于我们的系统将获得3D体积，因此也将提供新的前列腺冠状切面。为了演示概念验证，将把一个原型换能器与通道超声研究系统集成在一起，该系统用于收集产生圆柱形三维体积所需的必要回波信息。将进行一系列水箱和组织体模实验，以评估分辨率、对比度和信噪比方面的成像性能。最后，将进行少量的犬前列腺体外实验。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this proposal is to develop a novel 3-D ultrasound and elastography system for in vivo imaging of the prostate. Typical transrectal ultrasound systems (TRUS) use a bi-plane probe to obtain two perpendicular B-scans, a sagittal view and longitudinal view. The probe is then manipulated to interrogate the entire prostate region. The results of such a scan can depend heavily on skill of the user since he/she must mentally integrate several images to gain an understanding of the three-dimensional anatomy. In addition, the success of ultrasound-guided biopsies can largely depend on the skill of the operator since the needle must be perfectly aligned within a single scan plane. However, a system capable of in vivo imaging of the prostate in three dimensions could help alleviate some of these problems and therefore show improved clinical value over today's commercial systems. Using an innovative row-column interconnect scheme, 256 x 256 5-10 MHz cylindrical 2-D arrays will be designed, prototyped and tested. This new system will allow for the synthesis of a fully sampled 2-D array capable of dynamic focusing in azimuth and elevation. Since our system will acquire a 3-D volume, new coronal views of the prostate will also be available. To demonstrate proof of concept, a prototype transducer will be integrated with a 64 channel ultrasound research system used to gather the necessary echo information needed to produce cylindrical 3- D volumes. A series of water tank and tissue phantom experiments will be performed to evaluate imaging performance in terms of resolution, contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio. Lastly, a small number of in vitro experiments of canine prostates will be done.