Three-Dimensional Intravascular Reconstruction Techniques Based on Intravascular Ultrasound: A Technical Review

Abstract:

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging provides two-dimensional (2D) real-time luminal and transmural cross-sectional images of intravascular vessels with detailed pathological information. It has offered significant advantages in terms of diagnosis and guidance and has been increasingly introduced from coronary interventions into more generalized endovascular surgery. However, IVUS itself does not provide spatial pose information for its generated images, making it difficult to construct a 3D intravascular visualization. To address this limitation, IVUS imaging-driven 3D intravascular reconstruction techniques have been developed. These techniques enable accurate diagnosis and quantitative measurements of intravascular diseases to facilitate optimal treatment determination. Such reconstruction extends the IVUS imaging modality from pure diagnostic assistance to intraoperative navigation and guidance and supports both therapeutic options and interventional operations. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of technological advances and recent progress on IVUS imaging-based 3D intravascular reconstruction and its state-of-the-art applications. Limitations of existing technologies and prospects of new technologies are also discussed.

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Fabrication and Comparative Study on Sensing Characteristics of Soft Textile-Layered Tactile Sensors

Abstract:

The physical interaction of robots with its environment requires a touch sensory system to function effectively. This sensory system measures the robot-environment interactive force & pressure information that can be converted to electrical signals. We fabricated and compared a series of of electronic textile (e-textile) tactile sensors using flexible piezoresistive materials and two types of conductive textile materials with varying layer constructions. Compared with conventional rigid counterparts, the tactile sensors have advantages in terms of lightweight, flexible simple design, high sensitivity, low power consumption and stretchable, and thus is operable at varying curvy surfaces and dynamic forces.

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