3D needle detection with ultrasound imaging

Ultrasound imaging is employed for needle guidance in various minimally invasive procedures such as biopsy, regional anesthesia and brachytherapy. However, needle guidance using 2D ultrasound is very challenging, due to a poor needle visibility and a limited field of view. Nowadays, 3D ultrasound systems are available and more widely used. Consequently, with an appropriate 3D image-based needle detection technique, needle guidance and interventions may significantly be improved and simplified. We present a multi-resolution Gabor transformation for an automated and reliable extraction of the needle segments in the 3D ultrasound volume. Evaluation of our system in challenging ex-vivo datasets shows a high detection score and an accurate visualization of the needle plane.Semi-automated registration of pre- and intra-operative liver CT for image-guided interventionsGokhan Gunay