A Novel Ultrasound Imaging Assistance UI: Using Marker-Based Coordinate System for Real-Time Breathing Monitoring and Probe Positioning

Ultrasound is widely employed in medical examinations due to its noninvasive, radiation-free, and convenient features. However, the quality of acquired ultrasound images is highly dependent on the skill of the operator and experience, which significantly limits the use of ultrasound. In this study, we propose a new user interface (UI) designed to assist novices in independently acquiring accurate ultrasound images. The operator can complete image acquisition by adjusting the position and angle of the actual probe to align the projected probe on the UI screen to a specific position, while simultaneously observing the breath state of the subject to capture ultrasound images at the appropriate position and moment. We compare our UI with a previous UI in an experiment. The results demonstrate that novice operators can acquire more accurate ultrasound images using our UI compared to the previous UI, indicating that our UI offers improved guidance. Regarding breath state observation, the experiment reveals a strong association between changes in lung air volume of a subject and respiratory level changes measured by our system. (c) 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.