An Assessment of the Imaging Performance of Hand-Held Ultrasound Scanners Using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom.

Objective: Although hand-held ultrasound devices (HHUSDs) are currently used for a diverse range of diagnostic and interventional applications the imaging performance of such scanners is rarely considered. The aim of this study was to assess the imaging performance of a wide-range of HHUSDs and compare their imaging performance to cart-based systems utilized for the same clinical applications.

Methods: The grayscale imaging performances of 19 HHUSDs from eight different manufacturers, manufactured between 2016 and 2021, were measured using a figure-of-merit known as the resolution integral.

Adaptive Manufacturing for Healthcare During the COVID-19 Emergency and Beyond.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, global health services have faced unprecedented demands. Many key workers in health and social care have experienced crippling shortages of personal protective equipment, and clinical engineers in hospitals have been severely stretched due to insufficient supplies of medical devices and equipment. Many engineers who normally work in other sectors have been redeployed to address the crisis, and they have rapidly improvised solutions to some of the challenges that emerged, using a combination of low-tech and cutting-edge methods.

The Imaging Performance of Diagnostic Ultrasound Scanners Using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom to Measure the Resolution Integral - 15 Years of Experience.

The grayscale imaging performance of a total of 368 different scanner/transducer combinations from 39 scanner manufacturers measured over a period of 15 years is presented. Performance was measured using the resolution integral, a single figure-of-merit to quantify ultrasound imaging performance. The resolution integral was measured using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom.

Quality assurance testing of transoesophageal echocardiography probes.

Introduction: In response to an ultrasound imaging issue with transoesophageal echocardiography probes, a testing protocol was developed to check features pertinent to the operation of these probes. The imaging problem was detected in multiple probes of the same make and model.

Methods: Over a two-year period, a series of 26 probes of this model were tested at acceptance, then three to six months later before being replaced due to a defect.

Detecting failed elements on phased array ultrasound transducers using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom.

Aims: Imaging faults with ultrasound transducers are common. Failed elements on linear and curvilinear array transducers can usually be detected with a simple image uniformity or 'paperclip' test. However, this method is less effective for phased array transducers, commonly used in cardiac imaging.

Assessing the imaging capabilities of radial mechanical and electronic echo-endoscopes using the resolution integral.

Over the past decade there have been significant advances in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) technology. Although there is an expectation that new technology will deliver improved image quality, there are few methods or phantoms available for assessing the capabilities of mechanical and electronic EUS systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of assessing the imaging capability of available EUS technologies using measurements of the resolution integral made with an Edinburgh Pipe Phantom.

The Resolution Integral - a tool for characterising the performance of diagnostic ultrasound scanners.

In this paper, we describe how the resolution integral can be used as a tool for characterising the grey-scale imaging of diagnostic ultrasound scanners. The definitions of resolution integral, characteristic resolution and depth of field are discussed in relation to grey-scale imaging performance, together with a method of measuring these parameters using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom. We show how the characteristic resolution and depth of field can be used to quantify the differences between transducers designed for different applications and how they are useful in identifying and quantifying changes in the performance of individual transducers.

A novel three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasound technique for the freehand examination of the oesophagus.

This study details the development and evaluation of a freehand radial three-dimensional endoscopic ultrasound (3D-EUS) technique for use in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. It comprised of a commercial EUS system, a custom acquisition system to simultaneous acquire radial B-mode images and corresponding incremental changes in position of the scope as it was withdrawn and a custom 3D-EUS package written in Matlab™, to reconstruct and analyse the volume. This technique was evaluated using an EUS phantom with embedded objects of known dimensions and volumes and with clinical images acquired during routine cancer staging.

Validation of endoscopic ultrasound measured flow rate in the azygos vein using a flow phantom.

Increase in flow rate within the azygos vein may be used as an indicator of the degree of liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the error in measurement of flow rate using a commercial endoscopic ultrasound system, using a flow phantom that mimicked azygos vein depth, diameter and flow rate. Diameter was underestimated in all cases, with an average underestimation of 0.

Inactivation of Ascaris suum in a biodrying compost system.

Pathogen contamination of waterways is a serious concern in dairy farming areas where livestock waste is applied to agricultural fields. As an alternative, a biodrying composting system dries collected livestock waste, reduces the strong odors, and has been proposed as a means of reducing, and even eliminating pathogens present in the waste. Therefore, the survival of pathogens in a biodrying composting system was investigated.

An anthropomorphic tissue-mimicking phantom of the oesophagus for endoscopic ultrasound.

This study details the design and construct of an anthropomorphic phantom of the oesophagus suitable for use with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and 3-D volume measurements. The phantom was constructed using agar-based tissue-mimicking material (TMM) of different acoustical properties to simulate various anatomical and pathologic features. The acoustical properties were measured with a scanning acoustical macroscope.

Classification of arterial plaque by spectral analysis in remodelled human atherosclerotic coronary arteries.

We aimed to characterise and to identify the predominant plaque type in vivo using unprocessed radiofrequency (RF) intravascular ultrasound (US) backscatter, in remodelled segments of human atherosclerotic coronary arteries. A total of 16 remodelled segments were identified using a 30-MHz intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) scanner in vivo. Of these, 9 segments were classified as positively remodelled (>1.