Fast automated echographic system for 4-D data acquisition on patients using a transthoracic approach

To address physicians' question on left ventricular function, we have built a completely automated system for fast data acquisition to be used on a regular basis in a clinical setting. The aim of this research is to use the power of a four dimensional data set (3D+time) in order to facilitate border detection of the endocardium throughout the cardiac cycle. An ECG controlled robot has been designed to rotate the probe around its axis. During acquisition time, all video images are stored directly onto a PC based workstation, along with the probe position and the ECG period. An interface is used to browse through the 4D database to help border tracing. In volunteers, a beating left ventricle can be viewed. Volume measurement has been validated in vitro using fluid filled balloons and remains to be tested against other cardiac techniques in patients.