Handheld force-controlled ultrasound probe
Name
726654422-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
20.43 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
50854b5d568a7f2aeea1ce65370378b2
Author(s)
Gilbertson, Matthew Wright
Advisor(s)
Brian W. Anthony.
Alternative Title
Hand held force-controlled ultrasound probe
Date Issued
2010
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
An hand-held force controlled ultrasound probe has been developed. The controller maintains a prescribed contact force between the probe and a patient's body. The device will enhance the diagnostic capability of free-hand elastography, swept-force compound imaging, and make it easier for a technician to acquire repeatable (i.e. directly comparable) images over time. The mechanical system consists of an ultrasound probe, ballscrew-driven linear actuator, and a force/torque sensor. The feedback controller commands the motor to rotate the ballscrew to translate the ultrasound probe in order to maintain a desired contact force. In preliminary user studies it was found that the control system maintained a constant contact force with 1.7 times less variation than human subjects who watched a force gauge. Users without a visual force display maintained a constant force with 20 times worse variation. The system was also used to determine the viscoelastic properties of soft tissue. In three mock ultrasound examinations one hour apart in which the goal was two obtain two consistent images at the same force, an unassisted operator obtained the second image at a 20% lower force, while the operator assisted by the controller obtained the same force to within <2%. The device enables users to gather more force-consistent images over time.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2010.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-131).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
Terms of Use
M.I.T. theses are protected by
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
Persistent DSpace Link
