3D echocardiography using a 3D positioner [ECG R-wave triggering]

Describes a three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography system, where an ultrasound (US) brightness-mode image (B-mode image) triggered with the R-wave of an electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained with an ultrasound diagnostic device and the position and orientation of a US probe were measured with a 3D positioner at the same time. The obtained B-mode image was then projected onto a virtual 3D space. Furthermore, a 3D image was presented on a CRT and stored using virtual reality modeling language (VRML). The authors performed an experiment to reconstruct a 3D heart image in systole using this system. The experimental results demonstrate that the system enables one to visualise the 3D structure of a heart from any viewpoint, and that this system has the potential for dynamic imaging and telemedicine