# Rapid 3D Ultrasound Tomography Reconstruction Methods for Guided Interventions

> **NIH NIH R03** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $70,603

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Background: As a portable non-radioactive modality, ultrasound has been increasingly used in guided interven-
tions such as biopsy and surgery procedure in breast, prostate, brain, face and neck. Current 2D handheld ultra-
sound and 3D Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) both use only ultrasound reflection data to generate
images. 3D Ultrasound Computed Tomography (USCT) was developed to use both reflection and transmission
data to provide improved image quality and potentially better diagnostic value.
Challenge: USCT image reconstruction presents a historical challenge of heavy computational complexity, due
to its non-linear, non-convex nature. To our best knowledge, all existing USCT algorithms with high fidelity are
iterative, optimization-based, and thus suffer a heavy computation load. This computation load is especially
cumbersome when higher number of transducers are added to the system to obtain more anatomical information.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an USCT imaging method to provide high fidelity and high speed
at the same time to satisfy the requirement of guided intervention.
Method: We hypothesize that boundary control method will achieve non-iterative USCT image reconstruction,
leading to significant increase in computational efficiency while warranting fidelity and robustness to noise. This
idea has been mathematically proven and validated by our preliminary research with a 10-fold increase in com-
putation speed while maintaining high fidelity level. The developed method will serve as an ideal non-radioactive
intra-operative imaging guide, and bring new perspective to USCT imaging reconstruction algorithm research. Al-
though this project is not intended for clinical use, we will perform a virtual clinical trial to systematically evaluate
the developed system with computationally simulated phantoms, 3D-printed phantoms, and digital patient-based
phantoms.
Impact: Upon completion, this work will have achieved a computationally light, high-fidelity, near real-time 3D
USCT imaging system, ideal for guided intervention. This system has the potential to:
 · Efficiently support considerably more transducers without compromising image quality.
 · Enable portable USCT to provide powerful tools for guided intervention and other clinical applications.
 · Lead to genuine real-time 3D USCT imaging and inspire new applications of USCT.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10509562
- **Project number:** 1R03EB033521-01
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Yang Yang
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $70,603
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10509562

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10509562, Rapid 3D Ultrasound Tomography Reconstruction Methods for Guided Interventions (1R03EB033521-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10509562. Licensed CC0.

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