Improving real-time ultrasound spine imaging with a large-aperture array

Ultrasound offers a safe, low-cost alternative to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for spinal diagnostics and intervention by enabling real-time imaging. However, the complex structure of the spine and acoustic shadowing from bones present challenges for ultrasonography. This study addresses these limitations using an 8.8-cm 384-element large-aperture array and full aperture-based imaging protocols. Volumetric scanning across multiple vertebrae was accomplished in 5 seconds using ultrafast, diverging wave acquisition. In 7 healthy volunteers, the large-aperture array and diverging wave transmission improved resolution, contrast, and visualization of the spinal canal, venous plexuses, and facet joints compared with conventional probes. A comparison between the co-registered CT and ultrasound scan confirmed the imaging accuracy. A simulated lumbar puncture demonstrated needle tip visualization throughout the trajectory into the spinal canal. The results sugges..., , # Improving real-time ultrasound spine imaging with a large-aperture array Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.9zw3r22sx](10.5061/dryad.9zw3r22sx) ## Description of the data and file structure The attached dataset includes raw data, processed data, and MATLAB scripts that are used for data processing for the paper entitled \"Improving real-time ultrasound spine imaging with a large-aperture array\". Overview of the raw data collection: Phantom data were collected with a standard ultrasound tissue-mimicking phantom (CIRS Model 040GSE) and a house-made tissue-mimicking spine phantom as described in the paper. Human spine images were collected from seven healthy human volunteers. All the human ultrasound imaging was performed following the protocol approved by the Institutional Review Board. Informed written consent was obtained from all 7 volunteers involved in human spine imaging. Please see the details below for each zip file. ### Files and variables #### File: stats.zip **Description:** ..., The human subject data (ultrasound images of lumbar and cervical spine from 7 healthy human volunteers) were only collected to analyze image quality. No information related to human subject identification were collected except the gender, age, and race. All participants explicitly consented to publish the de-identified data in the public domain.超声（Ultrasound）为脊柱诊断与介入操作提供了一种安全、低成本的计算机断层扫描（computed tomography, CT）与磁共振成像（magnetic resonance imaging, MRI）替代方案，可实现实时成像。然而，脊柱复杂的解剖结构以及骨骼产生的声影，为超声检查带来了诸多挑战。本研究采用8.8厘米384元大孔径阵列及基于全孔径的成像协议，以解决上述局限。借助超快速发散波采集技术，可在5秒内完成多椎体的容积扫描。在7名健康志愿者的测试中，相较于传统探头，该大孔径阵列与发散波发射技术提升了图像分辨率、对比度，并优化了椎管、静脉丛及关节突关节的可视化效果。共配准后的CT与超声扫描对比验证了成像精度。模拟腰椎穿刺实验证实，可全程可视化针尖沿穿刺轨迹进入椎管的过程。研究结果表明…… # 《基于大孔径阵列优化实时脊柱超声成像》 数据集DOI：10.5061/dryad.9zw3r22sx ## 数据与文件结构说明 本附带数据集包含原始数据、处理后数据，以及用于论文《基于大孔径阵列优化实时脊柱超声成像》数据处理的MATLAB脚本。 ### 原始数据采集概述 按照论文所述，研究团队使用标准超声组织等效体模（CIRS Model 040GSE）与自制脊柱组织等效体模采集了体模数据；人体脊柱影像则采集自7名健康志愿者。所有人体超声成像操作均遵循机构审查委员会（Institutional Review Board）批准的实验方案，且已获得全部7名志愿者的书面知情同意。 各压缩包详情如下： #### 文件：stats.zip **描述：**……人体受试者数据（7名健康志愿者的腰椎与颈椎超声图像）仅用于图像质量分析，除性别、年龄与种族外，未采集任何可识别受试者身份的信息。所有参与者均明确同意将该去标识化（de-identified）数据公开发布于公共领域。