Correcting Motion-Induced Registration Errors in 3-D Ultrasound Images

3-D ultrasound is a new medical imaging technique which can quickly and non-invasively deliver clinically useful renderings of internal structures. The technique is vulnerable to tissue motion during the scan which can result in an inconsistent 3-D data set. This paper describes an algorithm which corrects for tissue motion and other errors that cause mis-registration during a scan. The resulting 3-D data sets are clearer and of enhanced diagnostic utility. The registration is achieved by applying visual tracking techniques outside their traditional area of application. The algorithm is automatic, incremental and easily incorporated into existing 3-D ultrasound systems.