Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Open Access
RETRACTED: 3D-Method for Determining the Imaging Quality of Ultrasound Probes
Sep 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5526.jmid-18-2328
Fröhlich EckhartCorresponding author
Department of Internal Medicine 1, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Straße 10, D 72076 Tübingen
Background: Monitoring ultrasonic probe quality remains an important problem which impacts diagnostic accuracy. Here we present a quantitative method to assess probe quality primarily based on measuring probe maximum contrast (dB) and dynamic range. Method: Contrast relevant parameters of 26 transducer models manufactured by five manufacturers were measured with a novel Random Void Phantom (RVP) approach. 3D-data were acquired and analysed to determine image quality. Results: Acoustic contrast values ranging from 15dB to 36dB were observed. Conclusion: By examining artefact producing side lobes, the novel RVP approach presented here permits a quantitative assessment of ultrasound probe quality.