Design and implementation of 3D ultrasound system and its diagnostic application

Ultrasonography, a widely used imaging modality for diagnosing and staging of many diseases, is an important cost effective technique. However, technical improvements are necessary to realize its full potential. Computer technology and software advanced sufficiently in the past few years to allow real time reconstruction of 3D images and their visualization and manipulation on inexpensive desktop computers. Only now, can we begin to explore the full potential of true 3D imaging and visualization for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Our efforts have focused on overcoming these deficiencies by developing 3D ultrasound imaging system that can acquire B mode, color Doppler and power Doppler images. An inexpensive desktop computer is used to reconstruct the information in 3D, and then is also used for interactive viewing of the 3D images. We have used 3D ultrasound images for the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and the results are notable.