A fast calibration method for 3-D tracking of ultrasound images using a spatial localizer

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2001 Sep;27(9):1219-29. doi: 10.1016/s0301-5629(01)00431-8.

Abstract

We have developed a fast calibration method for computing the position and orientation of 2-D ultrasound (US) images in 3-D space where a position sensor is mounted on the US probe. This calibration is required in the fields of 3-D ultrasound and registration of ultrasound with other imaging modalities. Most of the existing calibration methods require a complex and tedious experimental procedure. Our method is simple and it is based on a custom-built phantom. Thirty N-fiducials (markers in the shape of the letter "N") embedded in the phantom provide the basis for our calibration procedure. We calibrated a 3.5-MHz sector phased-array probe with a magnetic position sensor, and we studied the accuracy and precision of our method. A typical calibration procedure requires approximately 2 min. We conclude that we can achieve accurate and precise calibration using a single US image, provided that a large number (approximately ten) of N-fiducials are captured within the US image, enabling a representative sampling of the imaging plane.

MeSH terms

  • Calibration / standards
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / standards*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / standards*
  • Phantoms, Imaging / standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / standards*