Augmented Reality Guidance System for Ultrasound-Guided Puncture Surgery Training

Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy is one of the most widely applicable diagnostic methods. The procedure involved ultrasound scanning of the lesion area and sampling using a puncture needle. The success rate of sampling depends largely on the accuracy of needle placement and requires a high degree of skill on the part of the operator. In this paper, we describe a visual puncture guidance system designed to increase the accuracy of needle puncture. Our solution is based on the Vuforia engine, which tracks the location of the puncture needle and ultrasonic probe in space. Our system can reduce the difficulty of puncture by providing an intuitive way to display the visual track. The operator’s field of view is enhanced on the screen, thus exercising 3D vision and eliminating the need to consult external monitors. Based on this prototype, our goal is to develop a complete system, reduce the training cost, and improve the overall precision of puncture, to improve the success rate of sampling.