Strain elastography with ultrasound computer tomography: a simulation study based on biomechanical models

Ultrasound computer tomography (USCT) is a promising modality for breast cancer diagnosis which images the reflectivity, sound speed and attenuation of tissue. Elastic properties of breast tissue, however, cannot directly be imaged although they have shown to be applicable as a discriminator between different tissue types. In this work we propose a novel approach combining USCT with the principles of strain elastography. Socalled USCT-SE makes use of imaging the breast in two deformation states, estimating the deformation field based on reconstructed images and thereby allows localizing and distinguishing soft and hard masses. We use a biomechanical model of the breast to realistically simulate both deformation states of the breast. The analysis of the strain is performed by estimating the deformation field from the deformed to the undeformed image by a non-rigid registration. In two experiments the non-rigid registration is applied to ground truth sound speed images and simulated SAFT images. Results of the strain analysis show that for both cases soft and hard lesions can be distinguished visually in the elastograms. This paper provides a first approach to obtain mechanical information based on external mechanical excitation of breast tissue in a USCT system

Comparison of registration strategies for USCT–MRI image fusion: preliminary results

Comparing Ultrasound Computer Tomography (USCT) to the well-known Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an essential step in evaluating the clinical value of USCT. Yet the different conditions of the breast either embedded in water (USCT) or in air (MRI) prevent direct comparison. In this work we compare two strategies for image registration based on biomechanical modeling to automatically establish spatial correspondence: a) by applying buoyancy to the MRI, or b) by removing buoyancy from the USCT. The registration was applied to 9 datasets from 8 patients. Both registration strategies revealed similar registration accuracies (MRI to USCT: mean = 5.6 mm, median = 5.6 mm, USCT to MRI: mean = 6.6 mm, median = 5.7 mm). Image registration of USCT and MRI allows to delineate corresponding tissue structures in both modalities in the same or nearby slices. Our preliminary results indicate that both simulation strategies seem to perform similarly. Yet the newly developed deformation of the USCT volume is less computationally demanding: As the breast is subjected to buoyancy it can thereby serve as the unloaded state while for the contrary strategy we have to solve an inverse problem

Stage-gate and agile development in the digital age: Promises, perils, and boundary conditions

Some artists begin with careful plans, sketches, preliminary drawings and even paintings before settling on one particular direction. Claude Monet, for example, carefully planned and prepared his work to coincide with specific natural light, timing his activity according to when and how daylight touched his canvas (House, 2004). His work was revolutionary: masterpieces such as his famous Impressions, Sunrise and subsequent Water Lilies series were intended to capture the feelings initiated by observation and interpretation; they exceeded the mere recording of scenery details. Other artists seemed to obtain their inspiration internally, beginning with little formal preparation. They approached the canvas experientially. Jackson Pollock adopted this style with his famous drip paintings - action pieces that were acclaimed to show motion, depicting accidents and energy

Towards Subject-Specific Therapy Planning for Non-Invasive Blood Brain Barrier Opening in Mice by Focused Ultrasound

Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a promising method to open the blood brain barrier (BBB) for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Accurate targeting is essential for a successful BBB opening (BBBo). We aim to develop a robust therapy planning for BBBo in mice, which is challenging due to the size of the brain and the influence of the skull on the ultrasound pressure distribution. For enabling mouse individual therapy planning, a simulation tool is proposed, developed and validated. We used the k-Wave toolbox to enable 3D acoustic simulations of the commercial FUS system from Image Guided Therapy (IGT). Micro-CT scans were used to model the geometry of skulls. Simulations using a mouse skull showed an attenuation of approx. 20–24% depending on the position of penetration, which was validated by hydrophone measurements in the same range. Based on these validations we planned BBBo in m ice by placing the transducer at different positions over the mouse brain and varying the excitation amplitude. With different transducer positions, the peak pressure in the brain varied between 0.54 MPa and 0.62 MPa at 11% output level, which is expected to enable safe BBBo. Subsequently, in vivo experiments were conducted using the aforementioned simulation parameters. BBBo was confirmed by contrast enhanced T1 weighted magnetic resonance images immediately after sonication

Challenges and applications of registering of 3D Ultrasound Computer Tomography with conventional breast imaging techniques

To evaluate the diagnostic value of Ultrasound Computer Tomography (USCT), the imaging results have to be correlated with conventional breast imaging techniques. This is challenging due to different patient positioning in the modalities with nonlinear deformations of the breast tissue. We have developed a patient-specific image registration method, which simulates different breast positionings in both X-ray mammography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) through biomechanical modelling. An average registration error below 5 and 17 mm for MRI to USCT and USCT to mammography registration, respectively, allowed us to evaluate the diagnostic performance of USCT. It was shown that regions of high sound speed corresponded well with the tumour position indicated from the MRI contrast kinetic map. Moreover, the quantitative analysis of sound speed and attenuation values with respect to the segmented mammograms revealed that sound speed gives a better distinction between breast tissue, whereas their combined information further improves the classification. Although the results are based on a preliminary study, the promising outcome points that the registration could assist radiologists in comparing the USCT with both MRI and X-ray mammography

Fast reflectivity imaging in 3D using SAFT

The computational burden for 3D Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT) is large as for each voxel the delay for each acquired A-scan has to be calculated, e.g. O(N5) for N3 voxels and N2 A-scans. For 3D reconstruction of objects which are large in terms of the wavelength, e.g. ≥ (100 )³, the computation of one volume takes several days on a current multicore PC. If the 3D distribution of speed of sound is applied to correct the delays for objects with varying speed of sound the computation time increases further. This overview paper presents the implementations for 3D SAFT developed by the KIT group and discusses their computational performance