Real time tomographic reflection: phantoms for calibration and biopsy

We aim to validate Real Time Tomographic Reflection (RTTR) as an image guidance technique for needle biopsy. RTTR is a new method of in situ visualization, which merges the visual outer surface of a patient with a simultaneous ultrasound scan of the patient's interior using a half-silvered mirror. The ultrasound image is visually merged with the patient, along with the operator's hands and the invasive tool in the operator's natural field of view. Geometric relationships are preserved in a single environment, without the tool being restricted to lie in the plane of the ultrasound slice. The present experiment illustrates the effectiveness of needle biopsy using RTTR on a phantom consisting of an olive embedded in a turkey breast and discusses several prototypes of calibration phantoms.