Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Real time guidance requires more experience and coordination skills, because the
two hands of the operator are engaged in different tasks, and the attention is divided
between image interpretation and needle manipulation. The dif
culty in learning
this complex skill is probably the only disadvantage of ultrasound-guided needle
insertions in the spine region [
1
].
3 Tracked Ultrasound Systems
Although ultrasound has proven to be a great help in needle insertions, the com-
bination of ultrasound imaging and position tracking, called tracked ultrasound,
offers as many opportunities in the hands of interventionists as a new imaging
modality. Tracked ultrasound systems have just reached the clinical market, and
their future role in clinical practice will be subject to how much evidence will be
found on its bene
its But the future looks promising for tracked ultrasound. It is one
of the most affordable imaging modalities, and prices will drop with future gen-
erations of devices. It helps spatial coordination of the needle relative to ultrasound
image position, which is one of the most challenging skills in medical interventions;
therefore probably many operators will take advantage of this technology. Tracked
ultrasound systems are relatively easy to build in research laboratories, and are
exciting tools in experimental and clinical research. Therefore, we dedicate this
section to the technical details of tracked ultrasound systems, with the goal of
making them easily reproducible for a wide audience. We focus on the adaptability
to existing ultrasound and tracking devices, rather than recommending a single set
of hardware components. We encourage every reader who has access to an ultra-
sound machine and a position tracker to try assembling tracked ultrasound, because
most medical specialties can take advantage of such an enhancement of ultrasound
imaging in the guidance of interventions.
4 Position Tracking in Ultrasound-Guidance
Position tracking technologies evolved rapidly in the past decades, and have made it
possible to track the ultrasound transducer, as well as the needle during interven-
tions. This allowed development of navigation software for needle guidance.
Medical navigation applications are much like GPS navigators developed for cars.
They take advantage of position tracking by showing the user where they are on a
geographical map. This makes the map extremely easy and intuitive to use. Medical
navigation software enhances traditional medical images and image-guided inter-
ventions by showing the real-time positions of medical instruments on these ima-
ges. Although the medical interventionist community is more careful accepting new
technologies than car drivers.
