Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging Based on Variable-Angle Transducer for Accurate Monitoring of Human Motion.

Abstract

Conventional medical imaging modalities (computed tomography, X-ray radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and classical ultrasound imaging) exhibit inherent limitations in dynamic tissue monitoring. Although wearable ultrasound has addressed some of these shortcomings, existing solutions face significant challenges in achieving precise dynamic imaging during large-amplitude movements. This study develops a variable-angle ultrasound transducer (VA-US) and its imaging method to enable high-accuracy anatomical tracking under large-scale motion conditions. VA-US consists of two micro ultrasonic phased arrays connected by a sensible micro hinge, ensuring conformal contact with highly curved skin surfaces. Integrated magnetic induction sensor dynamically monitor spatial relationships of ultrasonic elements, guaranteeing accurate beamforming. The capability of dynamic monitoring and real-time imaging of VA-US was verified by simulations, standard phantom and in-vivo experiments, showing potential applications in clinical diagnosis, rehabilitation and sport medicine. The proposed methodology is capable of capturing the dynamic anatomical changes of regions with significant cutaneous curvature variations. VA-US provides a novel approach for reflecting the health status of human tissues and organs under dynamic conditions, facilitating the monitoring and assessment of biomedical phenomena that are difficult to observe in static examinations.