The lack of depth perception and spatial orientation in two-dimensional image of traditional laparoscopy require long-term training of the surgeons. Three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopy provides stereoscopic visions as compared to monocular views in a traditional laparoscopic system. In this review, the authors summarize the clinical application of 3D laparoscopy and its current research progress.
Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; methods ; Laparoscopy ; methods

It is difficult to measure the circular arc radius for central angle less than 30 degrees. The existing measuring methods are of low efficiency and big error. Through designing the machine vision system and studying the image detecting method for measurement, It is obtained good results by using the new measurement for tracheal intubation's circular arc radius, Realized a rapid and accurate measurement of the circular arc radius, and expanded the application in the field of machine vision.
Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Intubation ; Trachea

This paper addressed the volume measurement of 3D ultrasound imaging system. Two different phantoms used in the measurement of volume of the 3D ultrasound imaging system were built, i.e., water phantom and agar phantom. The experiments demonstrated that as the increase of scan depth, the volume measurement accuracy is varied from 4% to 7% in water and 6% to 10% in agar. The phantoms and the volume measurement of the 3D ultrasound imaging system provides a basis for the establishment of testing standard and clinical application of 3D ultrasound imaging system.
Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Ultrasonography ; instrumentation ; methods

Optical positioning system has a wide range of application in many fields. This paper presents an optical positioning method which combines linear and plane cameras. 1-D image signal of linear camera is used to get 1-D coordinates of the targets, which can be processed quickly. We can use it to assist processing the 2-D image signals of plane camera under some constraints. Linear camera can reduce the amount of position searching and calculation in coordinates extracting of targets in 2D image, and it can also help identify multiple targets. The results showed that our method could reach an accuracy of 1.608 mm, which was about one thousandth of the measurable range, and the reconstruction time for 4 targets without geometric constraints is 23.87 ms, namely 41.9 fps.
Equipment Design ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Optical Devices

We developed a three-dimensional mini-type permanent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device in our lab. The purposes of this study were (1) for further development of MRI technologies, (2) for support of broadening practices of animal test modeling in medical research, and (3) for training more specialists from colleges or universities in the field of MRI. This paper describes the research and development at our lab(s), especially stressing on the design of the main magnet, the gradient coil and the radio frequency coil. In addition, the specific methodologies used in our lab(s) and the related data are emphasized. The 3D MRI technologies have met the needs of using small animals, super thin sections of live animal body and high imaging resolutions. MRI images of mice head and abdominal have been obtained successfully by using the imager that we developed. The imaging results and analyses have also been discussed.
Animals ; Equipment Design ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; methods ; Mice

Based on the integration of the advanced visualization toolkit (VTK) and the real-time rendering System (VolumePro), 4D View, a 3D real-time visualization system of medical image, which applies real-time 3D medical image (such as MR, CT image, etc.) visualization and interaction was developed. Firstly the VTK, VolumePro and their integration were introduced briefly; then the system design and function template of 4D View system was discussed in detail; finally some visualization results acquired through 4D View was illustrated. According to the results, 4D View system can effectively resolve the poor real-time characteristic of 3D medical image visualization and interaction, so it will have a wide application area of the clinical diagnosis, therapy and medical research, etc in future.
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Software ; Systems Integration

A three-dimensional (3D) transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging system is presented in this paper. The 3D imaging system is used for diagnosing diseases of prostate. The 3D image is reconstructed by a series of two-dimensional image data which is obtained through rectum. It can be a guide to prostate needle biopsies. The system is built by two parts: hardware and software. In the hardware, the mechanical device, stepper motor, control circuit, B Mode TRUS and personal computer (PC) workshop are presented. The software includes the firmware of micro control unit and software of the PC workshop. In order to evaluate the performance of the 3D imaging system, we did experiments with water and agar phantoms, and the results demonstrated the system's ability of 3D imaging with high-precision.
Biopsy, Needle ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; Male ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; Rectum ; Software ; Ultrasonography

Recent advances in medical ultrasonic instrumentation are introduced in this review, including the progresses in transducer, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Future development is also discussed.
Equipment Design ; Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; methods ; Transducers ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; instrumentation ; trends ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography ; instrumentation ; trends

A new scanning mode is proposed that the front-end of the probe is fixed, while the back-end makes fan-shaped, scanning movement. The new scanning mode avoided ribs drawbacks successfully. Based on the new scanning mode a 3D-Ultrasound Images System is accomplished to acquire 2D data of fetusfetus fetusfetus phantom and livers and kidneys, to demonstrates the effectiveness of the new scanning mode.
Fetus ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Kidney ; Liver ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Ultrasonics ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo test the accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) imaging system for evaluating left ventricular mass (LVM) in phantom and excised canine heart.

METHODSTen left ventricular (LV) wall phantoms made of two rubber-bursas, ten excised canine hearts underwent RT3DE and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). In RT3DE "full volume" imaging, the myocardial volume was measured using 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane method with the analysis software of RT3DE. Mass was then calculated by multiplying the resulting myocardial volume by specific density of myocardial tissue. In 2DE the masses were measured by area-length method. The true LV wall phantom mass was measured by water displacement and the canine LVM was weighed by anatomy, which served as a reference standard. We compared RT3DE or 2DE with true mass.

RESULTSIn LV wall phantoms, RT3DE correlated with true masses strongly (r = 0.813-0.994) and weakly correlated between 2DE and true masses (r = 0.628). In excised canine hearts, there is an excellent correlation between RT3DE and true masses (r = 0.764-0.991), while 2DE value showed a lesser correlation (r = 0.514). There are no difference between RT-3DE and true masses (P > 0.05) but different between 2DE and true masses (P < 0.05). In different planes, there was no difference between 8-plane and 16-plane (P > 0.05) but different between 8-plane and 2, 4-plane (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONRT3DE can accurately quantify LVM and provide a new tool to evaluate LV function. For LVM by RT3DE, 8-plane measurement method is the best choice for accuracy and convenience.