3-D Transrectal Ultrasound with 2-D Arrays

描述（由申请人提供）：本提案的目标是开发一种新型的三维超声和弹性成像系统，用于前列腺的体内成像。典型的经直肠超声系统（TRUS）使用双平面探头获得两个垂直的b扫描，矢状视图和纵向视图。然后操作探针来检查整个前列腺区域。这种扫描的结果在很大程度上取决于用户的技能，因为他/她必须在心理上整合多个图像以获得对三维解剖结构的理解。此外，超声引导活检的成功很大程度上取决于操作人员的技能，因为针头必须在单个扫描平面内完全对齐。然而，一个能够在体内对前列腺进行三维成像的系统可以帮助缓解这些问题，因此比今天的商业系统显示出更好的临床价值。采用创新的行-列互连方案，256 x 256 5-10 MHz圆柱形二维阵列将被设计、原型和测试。这个新系统将允许合成一个完全采样的二维阵列，能够在方位角和仰角上动态聚焦。由于我们的系统将获得三维体积，新的前列腺冠状视图也将可用。为了演示概念验证，原型换能器将与64通道超声研究系统集成，用于收集产生圆柱形三维体积所需的必要回波信息。将进行一系列的水箱和组织幻影实验，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.