(Bachelor Thesis / Master Thesis / Diplomarbeit / SEP / Projekt Systementwicklung / IDP / Klinisches Anwendungsprojekt) Ultrasound Training Simulator using a Haptic Feedback Device

Advisor: Prof. Dr. Nassir Navab
Supervision by: Tobias Blum

Abstract

Learning how to correctly use ultrasound (US) is very difficult as, unlike for other imaging modalities like CT, it is very user-dependent and image quality is low. In order to allow better training methods we want to build an ultrasound training simulator. In previous work we have generated US images from a CT volume by simulating the physical process of US image formation. In this project, our existing simulation of images should be integrated with a haptic feedback device, to allow controlling the pose of a virtual ultrasound probe and simulate the body of the patient. The image below shows the general setup of the system.

Action items

• Look at frameworks for haptic simulation
  • Sensable OpenHaptics Toolkit
  • CHAI 3D
  • Spring
• Integrate haptic simulation
• Try different visualization and interaction concepts

Possible extensions (in case of Master Thesis / Diplomarbeit)

• Simulate deformation of soft tissue
• Propagate the deformation to the simulation of the US image

Contact

If you are interested please contact Tobias Blum.