Ultrasound is a centerpiece of our research efforts. Ultrasound data
acquisition plays an increasing role in medical
imaging. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized
tomography (CT), 2D ultrasound offers interactive visualization
of underlying anatomy in real time. Additionally, ultrasound
equipment costs far less and is noninvasive compared to other
radiologic procedures. Currently, much pathology is readily
diagnosed with conventional 2D ultrasound equipment. However,
complex cases often make it difficult even for specialists to
visualize 3D anatomy.
The goal of 3D ultrasound imaging is to overcome these limitations by providing an imag ing technique that allows the diagnostician to view the anatomy in 3D. To assess the computational requirement of 3D ultrasound, the ICSL has done a feasibility study. It was shown that a rate up to 10 frames per second could be reach on a volume using a low cost, high performance system (MS5000). Even if this rate is not real time it provides the interactive feedback that the sonographers and clinicians are accustomed with 2D imaging. Those results are encouraging enough to go further in the investigation of real time 3D ultrasound. Fundamentally algorithms for volume visualization fall into three categories: multiplanar slice projection, surface rendering and volume rendering. The above system addressed the prob lem of volume rendering, I propose to investigate surface rendering algorithms based on the work previously done.
A separate research project, currently in its early stage, is focusing on using ultrasound for computer aided diagnosis of breast cancer.