Application of Ultrasound to Guide Pedicle Screw Insertion during Scoliosis Surgery: a Feasibility Study

• Author / Creator

  Zhang, Chan

• This thesis presents an experimental study of a bovine vertebra using transmission and pulse-echo methods and a preliminary investigation to guide a screw insertion into a pedicle using TomoScan phased array unit.
  The results show the cancellous bone has higher attenuation than the cortical bone for 1.0-5.0 MHz. The optimal frequencies for imaging are found to be 3.5 and 5.0 MHz. When the sample is filled with water with the cancellous core removed, all reflections from the layers and screw are visible; however when the core is present, only reflections from the top cortex are identifiable.
  For the preliminary study, size and placement of the transducer array are important. When the ultrasound beam is normal to the pedicle surface, echoes from the pedicle layers and the steel bit are strong; otherwise, signals are weak and not even identifiable. Larger aperture size will enhance the signal-to-noise ratio but deteriorate lateral resolution.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Ultrasound
  • Bone Imaging
  • Scoliosis Surgery

• Graduation date

  Spring 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R30C79

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.