Ultrasound Simulation
The Ultrasound Simulation Algorithm creates simulated ultrasound images based on a given CT volume.
Input
It can be invoked with either a CT volume alone, or with a CT volume and an Ultrasound Sweep (by selecting both in the Data widget and then creating the algorithm).
Output
The output of the algorithm is an Ultrasound Sweep containing the simulated ultrasound images.
Description
The algorithm generates a simulated ultrasound sweep based on a given CT volume and an optional Ultrasound Sweep.
When invoked with only a CT volume, the simulation will be based on a user defined sweep. The Controller will then show simulation specific options, as well as options to define the sweep. The user can then define the sweep by placing two splines that define the ultrasound sweep motion and the number of frames, the depth, the probe width, the angle, and the alignment of the frames.
When invoked with a CT volume and a sweep, the simulation will be based on the provided sweep, the simulated images will be in the exact same locations as those of the input sweep. The Controller will only show the simulation specific options, the options to define the sweep are not shown. The pre-existing ultrasound sweep provides the information about the ultrasound image geometry and image poses to generate the simulated ultrasound image.
Simulation Specific Options
Attenuation: The attenuation of the ultrasound signal at reflective tissue boundaries.
Reflection Gain: The gain of the reflected signal at tissue boundaries.
Noise Strength: The amplitude of the noise to add to the simulated image.
Noise Pattern: The size of the noise pattern to add to the simulated image. Smaller values will result in more coarse noise.
User Defined Sweep Options
If no pre-existing sweep is used, the sweep motion is needs to be defined by the user with the help of an additional panel in the Controller, see User Defined Sweep for Simulation.