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Reconstruction and positional accuracy of 3D ultrasound on vertebral phantoms for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis spinal surgery

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Determine the positional, rotational and reconstruction accuracy of a 3D ultrasound system to be used for image registration in navigation surgery.

Methods

A custom 3D ultrasound for spinal surgery image registration was developed using Optitrack Prime 13-W motion capture cameras and a SonixTablet Ultrasound System. Temporal and spatial calibration was completed to account for time latencies between the two systems and to ensure accurate motion tracking of the ultrasound transducer. A mock operating room capture volume with a pegboard grid was set up to allow phantoms to be placed at a variety of predetermined positions to validate accuracy measurements. Five custom-designed ultrasound phantoms were 3D printed to allow for a range of linear and angular dimensions to be measured when placed on the pegboard.

Results

Temporal and spatial calibration was completed with measurement repeatabilities of 0.2 mm and 0.5° after calibration. The mean positional accuracy was within 0.4 mm, with all values within 0.5 mm within the critical surgical regions and 96% of values within 1 mm within the full capture volume. All orientation values were within 1.5°. Reconstruction accuracy was within 0.6 mm and 0.9° for geometrically shaped phantoms and 0.5 and 1.9° for vertebrae-mimicking phantoms.

Conclusions

The accuracy of the developed 3D ultrasound system meets the 1 mm and 5° requirements of spinal surgery from this study. Further repeatability studies and evaluation on vertebrae are needed to validate the system for surgical use.

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Abbreviations

3D:

Three-dimensional

AIS:

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Alberta Spine Foundation. The first author of this research was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Alberta Innovates: Technology Futures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, 1098 Research Transition Facility, 8308-114 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2V2, Canada

    Andrew Chan & Edmond Lou

  2. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-50 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB, T6G2G4, Canada

    Eric Parent

  3. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Donadeo ICE 11-371, 9211-116 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada

    Edmond Lou

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Correspondence to Edmond Lou.

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Chan, A., Parent, E. & Lou, E. Reconstruction and positional accuracy of 3D ultrasound on vertebral phantoms for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis spinal surgery. Int J CARS 14, 427–439 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-018-1894-4

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