Real time tomographic reflection: phantoms for calibration and biopsy

We aim to validate Real Time Tomographic Reflection (RTTR) as an image guidance technique for needle biopsy. RTTR is a new method of in situ visualization, which merges the visual outer surface of a patient with a simultaneous ultrasound scan of the patient´s interior using a half-silvered mirror. The ultrasound image is visually merged with the patient, along with the operator´s hands and the invasive tool in the operator´s natural field of view. Geometric relationships are preserved in a single environment, without the tool being restricted to lie in the plane of the ultrasound slice. The present experiment illustrates the effectiveness of needle biopsy using RTTR on a phantom consisting of an olive embedded in a turkey breast and discusses several prototypes of calibration phantoms