Liver Vessel Parameter Estimation from Tactile Imaging Information

Realistic tissue models require accurate representations of the properties of in vivo tissue. This study examines the potential for tactile imaging to measure tissue properties and geometric information about subsurface anatomical features such as large blood vessels. Realistic finite element models of a hollow vessel in a homogenous parenchyma are constructed in order to establish a relationship between tissue parameters and tactile imaging data. A linear algorithm is developed to relate the tactile data to linearized tissue parameters. The estimation algorithm shows low errors in estimating the model parameters. A preliminary study on two porcine livers results in errors on the order of 20% in estimating the liver geometry. This result is promising given the small sample size and parameter recording limitations of this preliminary study. Further work will reduce these sources of error and lead to in vivo testing with a minimally invasive tactile imaging scanhead.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: ISMS
• Authors: Anna M. Galea, Robert D. Howe
• Keywords: ISMS 2004, Realistic Tissue Models, Simulation, Tactile Imaging, Tissue Parameters