SONOSim3D: a multimedia system for sonography simulation and education with an extensible case database.

This paper addresses the problem of sonography education and training. A method and software package for ultrasound simulation are presented. The latter is based on standard PC technology and allows graphical interaction with a virtual patient and transducer. The most essential component is an extensible case database with various cases from different clinical disciplines. A case consists mainly of a 3D image dataset, sonographically acquired from a patient or a healthy subject. It represents an anatomical region which may be investigated. Furthermore, a method for the geometric registration of the data volume of a new case with the model of the virtual patient is described. This enables the arbitrary extension of the case database. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.