Ultrasound diagnostics, FHNW School of Life Sciences

Ultrasound is one of the most widespread image based diagnostic methods in medicine. During recent years, ultrasound technology has made tremendous progress, enabling us to represent three-dimensional structures and visualize dynamic courses, for example blood circulation. The Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics conducts a range of projects to advance ultrasound imaging.

The Sono3D ultra sounding project uses an optical motion tracking system to track the movement of the ultrasound probe. The tracking information is then mapped on the 2D frames captured by the ultrasound device. Dedicated software running on a commercial personal computer calculates the 3D model from the captured data which then is visualized in an OpenGL Framework.

We are also building competences for the open interface provided by the University of California and Siemens. The Ultrasound Research Interface (URI) enables us to influence the functions and image processing of the device.

We are able to:

• gain insight into the employed algorithms
• pass on the insights in education and further education
• implement and test new algorithms, which can shape of the future of sonography