Abstract
This paper describes a statistical procedure working on ultrasound B-mode images that were recorded with the transducer array radiating in air. From the digital image data, a gray value profile was generated using a computer program. A statistical procedure was developed to examine if there are significant deviations from the mean. They occur, for example, when single piezoelements are severely damaged or completely out of function. The entire technique was tested using an ultrasonic imaging system (SonixTouch, Ultrasonix Medical Corporation, Richmond, Canada) in which individual elements or groups of elements can be turned off via firmware. A failure of as large as two out of 128 elements was detectable.
The study was funded as part of a research project by the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM).
References
[1] Goodsitt MM, Carson PL, Witt S, et al. Real-time B-mode ultrasound quality control test procedures. Med Phys 1998; 25: 1385–1406.10.1118/1.598404Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[2] International Electrotechnical Commission. IEC Standard IEC/TS 62558. Ultrasonics –Real-time pulse-echo scanners – Phantom with cylindrical, artificial cysts in Tissue-Mimicking Material and method for evaluation and periodic testing of 3D-distributions of void-detectability ratio (VDR). Switzerland: International Electrotechnical Commission 2011.Search in Google Scholar
[3] Kollmann D, Dolezal L. Technical quality evaluation of diagnostic ultrasound systems – a comprehensive overview of regulation and developments. EFSUMB-European Course Book. Dietrich CF, ed. Available from: http://www.efsumb.org/ecb/ecb-ch25-kollmann.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
[4] Kollmann C, deKorte C, Dudley NJ, Gritzmann N, Martin K, Evans DH. Guideline for Technical Quality Assurance of Ultrasound devices (B-Mode) – US-TQA/B – EFSUMB Technical Quality Assurance Group Version 1.0. Ultraschall Med 2012; 33: 544–549.Search in Google Scholar
[5] Madsen EL, Garra BS, Parks BA, et al. AIUM quality assurance manual for gray-scale ultrasound scanners. AIUM Laurel (MD) 1995.Search in Google Scholar
[6] Mårtensson M, Olsson M, Segall B, et al. High incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in use in routine clinical practice. Eur J Echocardiogr 2009; 10: 389–394.10.1093/ejechocard/jen295Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[7] Montgomery DC. Statistical quality control: a modern introduction. 6th ed. UK: John Wiley & Sons 2009.Search in Google Scholar
[8] Rosenfeld E, Jenderka K-V, Kopp A, Keim V. How perfect are you with defective probes? How perfect are you with defective probes? Information on the results of the mini-trial on technical quality assurance during the “Ultraschall 2012” conference in Davos. (German). Ultraschall Med 2013; 34:185–190.Search in Google Scholar
[9] Rosenfeld E, Wolter S, Kopp A, Liebscher E. Consistency check of diagnostic ultrasound transducer arrays using tissue-equivalent phantoms. Ultraschall Med 2012; 33: 289–294.Search in Google Scholar
[10] Schuster SK. Image acquisition and evaluation program for the technical quality assessment using Image J (Ger). Available from: http://www.wien.gv.at/forschung/pdf/11-fhtec-da.pdf.Search in Google Scholar
[11] Thijssen JM, Weurers, G, De Korte CL. Objective performance testing and quality assurance of medical ultrasound equipment. Ultrasound Med Biol 2007; 33: 460–471.10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2006.09.006Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[12] Zeqiri B, Hodnett M. Measurements, phantoms and standardization. Proc Inst Mech Eng H 2010; 224 (Pt II): 375–391.10.1243/09544119JEIM647Search in Google Scholar PubMed
©2014 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Reviews
- Biomechanics and load resistance of small-diameter and mini dental implants: a review of literature
- Artificial intelligence techniques used in respiratory sound analysis – a systematic review
- Research articles
- Optical cochlear implant: evaluation of insertion forces of optical fibres in a cochlear model and of traumata in human temporal bones
- Non-invasive ECG-triggered 2D TOF MR angiography of the pelvic and leg arteries in an open 1.0-tesla high-field MRI system in comparison to conventional DSA
- Initial clinical experience with a quadrupole butterfly coil for spinal injection interventions in an open MRI system at 1.0 tesla
- Quick test of ultrasonic transducer arrays radiating in air using B-mode-images
- Length measurement of the eye using a swept-source interferometer
- The suitability of EIT to estimate EELV in a clinical trial compared to oxygen wash-in/wash-out technique
- Designs and performance of microprocessor-controlled knee joints
- Short communication
- Nucleolus detection in the Fuhrman grading system for application in CCRC
Articles in the same Issue
- Masthead
- Masthead
- Reviews
- Biomechanics and load resistance of small-diameter and mini dental implants: a review of literature
- Artificial intelligence techniques used in respiratory sound analysis – a systematic review
- Research articles
- Optical cochlear implant: evaluation of insertion forces of optical fibres in a cochlear model and of traumata in human temporal bones
- Non-invasive ECG-triggered 2D TOF MR angiography of the pelvic and leg arteries in an open 1.0-tesla high-field MRI system in comparison to conventional DSA
- Initial clinical experience with a quadrupole butterfly coil for spinal injection interventions in an open MRI system at 1.0 tesla
- Quick test of ultrasonic transducer arrays radiating in air using B-mode-images
- Length measurement of the eye using a swept-source interferometer
- The suitability of EIT to estimate EELV in a clinical trial compared to oxygen wash-in/wash-out technique
- Designs and performance of microprocessor-controlled knee joints
- Short communication
- Nucleolus detection in the Fuhrman grading system for application in CCRC