3D US Imaging Using Linear Array Transducers: Application in Diagnosis of Breast Cancer and Quantitive Muscle US

Medical Ultrasound (US) imaging is a rapidly developing modality. Ultrasound is safe and the latest US devices can even be portable by connecting a transducer to a cellphone. Consequently, it is not surprising that the number of clinical applications of US is increasing. Conventional US imaging systems provide 2D images. 3D US imagingis also available, however, in spite of its potential, the use of 3D US in many applications is still limited. This thesis is dedicated to volumetric US (3D US) and its clinical applications. Specifically, we focus on applications of 3D US for breast cancer diagnosis and Quantitative Muscle US (QMUS) using a linear transducer array. This choice is motivated by the high clinical availability of US machines equipped with linear array transducers. For breast cancer diagnosis, we developed alternative technologies for breast 3D imaging and biopsy. For muscle applications, we investigated benefits of 3DUS, and developed a technology that, to our believe, is optimally tuned for clinical routine.