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HoloUS: Augmented reality visualization of live ultrasound images using HoloLens for ultrasound-guided procedures

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Microsoft HoloLens is a pair of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses that could improve the intraprocedural visualization of ultrasound-guided procedures. With the wearable HoloLens headset, an ultrasound image can be virtually rendered and registered with the ultrasound transducer and placed directly in the practitioner’s field of view.

Methods

A custom application, called HoloUS, was developed using the HoloLens and a portable ultrasound machine connected through a wireless network. A custom 3D-printed case with an AR-pattern for the ultrasound transducer permitted ultrasound image tracking and registration. Voice controls on the HoloLens supported the scaling and movement of the ultrasound image as desired. The ultrasound images were streamed and displayed in real-time. A user study was performed to assess the effectiveness of the HoloLens as an alternative display platform. Novices and experts were timed on tasks involving targeting simulated vessels using a needle in a custom phantom.

Results

Technical characterization of the HoloUS app was conducted using frame rate, tracking accuracy, and latency as performance metrics. The app ran at 25 frames/s, had an 80-ms latency, and could track the transducer with an average reprojection error of 0.0435 pixels. With AR visualization, the novices’ times improved by 17% but the experts’ times decreased slightly by 5%, which may reflect the experts’ training and experience bias.

Conclusion

The HoloUS application was found to enhance user experience and simplify hand–eye coordination. By eliminating the need to alternately observe the patient and the ultrasound images presented on a separate monitor, the proposed AR application has the potential to improve efficiency and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided procedures.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge equipment loan and technical support from Terason that facilitated the described research and development. We also acknowledge software enhancements made by Imran Hossain, a summer intern in our laboratory, and Xinyang Liu volunteering to be pictured using the system. Finally, we acknowledge the assistance of Tyler Salvador in helping the team design the 3D-printed holder.

Funding

No external funding source for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

    Trong Nguyen, Andrew Matisoff, Karun Sharma & Raj Shekhar

  2. IGI Technologies, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA

    William Plishker

Authors
  1. Trong Nguyen
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  2. William Plishker
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  3. Andrew Matisoff
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  4. Karun Sharma
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  5. Raj Shekhar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Raj Shekhar.

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Conflict of interest

Raj Shekhar is the founder of IGI Technologies, Inc. William Plishker is the co-founder and an employee of IGI Technologies. All other authors have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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No ethical approval was needed for this phantom study.

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Nguyen, T., Plishker, W., Matisoff, A. et al. HoloUS: Augmented reality visualization of live ultrasound images using HoloLens for ultrasound-guided procedures. Int J CARS 17, 385–391 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-021-02526-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-021-02526-7

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