In this paper, we present a novel design framework of synthetic radial aperture focusing for three-dimensional (3D) transrectal ultrasound imaging (TRUS-rSAF), in which multiple transmittance/reception events at different scanning angles are synthesized to reconstruct a radial plane in the target volume, securing high spatial resolution and texture uniformity. A theory-based design approach has not been available to push the envelope of the 3D rSAF technique. Herein, a closed-form analytical description of the TRUS-rSAF method is presented for the first time, effectively delineating spatial resolution and grating lobe positions in the radial dimension of a TRUS transducer. We demonstrate a solid optimization workflow based on the theoretical foundation to improve its spatiotemporal resolution, grating lobe artifacts, and signal-to-noise ratio. A specific design criterion was considered to outperform a clinical 3D TRUS imaging as a reference (TRUS-REF), where each radial plane is reconstructed with a single transmittance/reception event using a motorized actuator. The optimized TRUS-rSAF method significantly enhanced spatial resolution up to 50% over the TRUS-REF method while providing clinically effective temporal resolution (2-8 volume/sec) with negligible grating lobe artifacts. The results indicate that the proposed design approach would enable a novel TRUS imaging solution in clinics.

Existing computational models used for simulating the flow and species transport in the human airways are zero-dimensional (0D) compartmental, three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or the recently developed quasi-3D (Q3D) models. Unlike compartmental models, the full CFD and Q3D models are physiologically and anatomically consistent in the mouth and the upper airways, since the starting point of these models is the mouth-lung surface geometry, typically created from computed tomography (CT) scans. However, the current resolution of CT scans limits the airway detection between the 3rd-4th and 7th-9th generations. Consequently, CFD and the Q3D models developed using these scans are generally limited to these generations. In this study, we developed a method to extend the conducting airways from the end of the truncated Q3D lung to the tracheobronchial (TB) limit. We grew the lung generations within the closed lung lobes using the modified constrained constructive optimization, creating an aerodynamically optimized network aiming to produce equal pressure at the distal ends of the terminal segments. This resulted in a TB volume and lateral area of ∼165 cc and ∼2000 cm, respectively. We created a "sac-trumpet" model at each of the TB outlets to represent the alveoli. The volumes of the airways and the individual alveolar generations match the anatomical values by design: with the functional residual capacity at 2611 cc. Lateral surface areas were scaled to match the physiological values. These generated Q3D whole lung models can be efficiently used for conducting multiple breathing cycles of drug transport and deposition simulations.

This paper presents a two-step, semi-automated method for reconstructing a three-dimensional (3D) shape of the prostate from a 3D transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) image. While the method has been developed for prostate ultrasound imaging, it can potentially be applicable to any other organ of the body and other imaging modalities. The proposed method takes as input a 3D TRUS image and generates a watertight 3D surface model of the prostate. In the first step, the system lets the user visualize and navigate through the input volumetric image by displaying cross sectional views oriented in arbitrary directions. The user then draws partial/full contours on selected cross sectional views. In the second step, the method automatically generates a watertight 3D surface of the prostate by fitting a deformable spherical template to the set of user-specified contours. Since the method allows the user to select the best cross-sectional directions and draw only clearly recognizable partial or full contours, the user can avoid time-consuming and inaccurate guesswork on where prostate contours are located. By avoiding the usage of noisy, incomprehensible portions of the TRUS image, the proposed method yields more accurate prostate shapes than conventional methods that demand complete cross-sectional contours selected manually, or automatically using an image processing tool. Our experiments confirmed that a 3D watertight surface of the prostate can be generated within five minutes even from a volumetric image with a high level of speckles and shadow noises.

A knee joint's longevity depends on the proper integration of structural components in an axial alignment. If just one of the components is abnormally off-axis, the biomechanical system fails, resulting in arthritis. The complexity of various failures in the knee joint has led orthopedic surgeons to select total knee replacement as a primary treatment. In many cases, this means sacrificing much of an otherwise normal joint. Here, we review novel computational approaches to describe knee physiotherapy by introducing a new dimension of foot loading to the knee axis alignment producing an improved functional status of the patient. New physiotherapeutic applications are then possible by aligning foot loading with the functional axis of the knee joint during the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis.