Validation platform for ultrasound-based monitoring of thermal ablation
2010
PURPOSE: A ground-truth validation platform was developed to provide spatial correlation between ultrasound
(US), temperature measurements and histopathology images to validate US based thermal ablation monitoring
methods. METHOD: The test-bed apparatus consists of a container box with integrated fiducial lines. Tissue
samples are suspended within the box using agar gel as the fixation medium. Following US imaging, the gel block
is sliced and pathology images are acquired. Interactive software segments the fiducials as well as structures
of interest in the pathology and US images. The software reconstructs the regions in 3D space and performs
analysis and comparison of the features identified from both imaging modalities. RESULTS: The apparatus and
software were constructed to meet technical requirements. Tissue samples were contoured, reconstructed and
registered in the common coordinate system of fiducials. There was agreement between the sample shapes, but
systematic shift of several millimeters was found between histopathology and US. This indicates that during
pathology slicing shear forces tend to dislocate the fiducial lines. Softer fiducial lines and harder gel material
can eliminate this problem. CONCLUSION: Viability of concept was presented. Despite our straightforward
approach, further experimental work is required to optimize all materials and customize software.
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