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3D ultrasound device poised to advance minimally invasive surgery

"If physicians instead used the laparoscopic ultrasonography imager, they could monitor function for hours through a tiny incision -?possibly without anesthesia," Smith said. "That would be a big step forward."

The 3D ultrasound probes also might help guide physicians during cardiac ablation therapy, he added. In such procedures, cardiologists use catheters to burn specific locations on the surface of the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation, a disorder characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm.

In order to demonstrate this possible use, the researchers produced real-time 3D images of a dog's right pulmonary veins -?sites that are targeted in treating atrial fibrillation.

Similar 3D ultrasound devices also hold promise for minimally invasive abdominal and brain surgery applications, Smith said.

Collaborators on the study include research and development engineer Edward Light, assistant professor of pediatrics Salim Idriss, Pratt undergraduate Kathryn Sullivan and associate professor of biomedical engineering Patrick Wolf, all of Duke.


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Source:Duke University


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