Acquisition of 3-D arterial geometries and integration with computational fluid dynamics

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2009 Dec;35(12):2069-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2009.06.1099. Epub 2009 Oct 13.

Abstract

A system for acquisition of 3-D arterial ultrasound geometries and integration with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is described. The 3-D ultrasound is based on freehand B-mode imaging with positional information obtained using an optical tracking system. A processing chain was established, allowing acquisition of cardiac-gated 3-D data and segmentation of arterial geometries using a manual method and a semi-automated method, 3D meshing and CFD. The use of CFD allowed visualization of flow streamlines, 2-D velocity contours and 3-D wall shear stress. Three-dimensional positional accuracy was 0.17-1.8mm, precision was 0.06-0.47mm and volume accuracy was 4.4-15%. Patients with disease and volunteers were scanned, with data collection from one or more of the carotid bifurcation, femoral bifurcation and abdominal aorta. An initial comparison between a manual segmentation method and a semi-automated method suggested some advantages to the semi-automated method, including reduced operator time and the production of smooth surfaces suitable for CFD, but at the expense of over-smoothing in the diseased region. There were considerable difficulties with artefacts and poor image quality, resulting in 3-D geometry data that was unsuitable for CFD. These artefacts were exacerbated in disease, which may mean that future effort, in the integration of 3-D arterial geometry and CFD for clinical use, may best be served using alternative 3-D imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Arteries / physiology*
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Models, Cardiovascular*
  • Rheology / methods*
  • Systems Integration
  • Ultrasonography / methods*