Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound

A bespoke phantom has been designed, with clinically relevant features for endoanal ultrasound (EAUS), capable of rigorously assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes.The performance of three, commercially available, anorectal probes, capable of producing both 2D and 3D images, was assesse...

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Main Authors: James Harkin, Steve Perring
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-07-01
Series:IPEM-Translation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266725882200005X
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author James Harkin
Steve Perring
author_facet James Harkin
Steve Perring
author_sort James Harkin
collection DOAJ
description A bespoke phantom has been designed, with clinically relevant features for endoanal ultrasound (EAUS), capable of rigorously assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes.The performance of three, commercially available, anorectal probes, capable of producing both 2D and 3D images, was assessed. One of the probes was also assessed in two states: before failure and after a repair to correct a failure. For each probe the signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), penetration depth, resolution, focus depth, distance accuracy and low contrast object detectability (LCOD) were assessed at varying dynamic ranges, receive gains and operating frequencies. A Python program (SAUQA) was developed to semi-automate the analysis.In general the measured parameters varied as expected. However, at intermediate receive gains, adjusting the receive gain resulted in the SNR, CNR, penetration depth and LCOD varying in an unexpected manner. The reason for this is not known, but because it was exhibited by all probes it is believed to be related to the ultrasound machine itself and/or an inherent characteristic of the probe design.The quantitative results suggest that all probes tested offer an effective method of assessing the integrity of the Internal Anal Sphincter (IAS) and the repair of the probe appears to have been successful. However, differences between the probes were observed both quantitatively and qualitatively, with the original probe providing the best results for EAUS.In light of the results, a recommendation was made, to the EAUS service at University Hospitals Dorset, to adjust the default machine start-up settings for EAUS.
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spelling doaj.art-f64efa1874bb40cf8ea190bbba556c702024-01-26T05:35:43ZengElsevierIPEM-Translation2667-25882022-07-012100007Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasoundJames Harkin0Steve Perring1Corresponding author.; University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, Longfleet Rd, Poole BH15 2JB, United KingdomUniversity Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, Longfleet Rd, Poole BH15 2JB, United KingdomA bespoke phantom has been designed, with clinically relevant features for endoanal ultrasound (EAUS), capable of rigorously assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes.The performance of three, commercially available, anorectal probes, capable of producing both 2D and 3D images, was assessed. One of the probes was also assessed in two states: before failure and after a repair to correct a failure. For each probe the signal to noise ratio (SNR), contrast to noise ratio (CNR), penetration depth, resolution, focus depth, distance accuracy and low contrast object detectability (LCOD) were assessed at varying dynamic ranges, receive gains and operating frequencies. A Python program (SAUQA) was developed to semi-automate the analysis.In general the measured parameters varied as expected. However, at intermediate receive gains, adjusting the receive gain resulted in the SNR, CNR, penetration depth and LCOD varying in an unexpected manner. The reason for this is not known, but because it was exhibited by all probes it is believed to be related to the ultrasound machine itself and/or an inherent characteristic of the probe design.The quantitative results suggest that all probes tested offer an effective method of assessing the integrity of the Internal Anal Sphincter (IAS) and the repair of the probe appears to have been successful. However, differences between the probes were observed both quantitatively and qualitatively, with the original probe providing the best results for EAUS.In light of the results, a recommendation was made, to the EAUS service at University Hospitals Dorset, to adjust the default machine start-up settings for EAUS.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266725882200005XEndoanal ultrasoundQuality assuranceQuality controlPhantomMedical physicsUltrasound
spellingShingle James Harkin
Steve Perring
Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
IPEM-Translation
Endoanal ultrasound
Quality assurance
Quality control
Phantom
Medical physics
Ultrasound
title Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
title_full Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
title_fullStr Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
title_short Assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
title_sort assessing the performance of 360∘ ultrasound probes designed for endoanal ultrasound
topic Endoanal ultrasound
Quality assurance
Quality control
Phantom
Medical physics
Ultrasound
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266725882200005X
work_keys_str_mv AT jamesharkin assessingtheperformanceof360ultrasoundprobesdesignedforendoanalultrasound
AT steveperring assessingtheperformanceof360ultrasoundprobesdesignedforendoanalultrasound