High-Frequency Micro-Ultrasound Imaging and Optical Topographic Imaging for Spinal Surgery: Initial Experiences

High frequency micro-ultrasound (µUS) transducers with central frequencies up to 50 MHz facilitate dynamic visualization of patient anatomy with minimal disruption of the surgical work flow. Micro-ultrasound improves spatial resolution over conventional ultrasound imaging from millimeter to micrometer, but compromises depth penetration. This trade-off is sufficient during an open surgery in which the bone is removed and theultrasound probe can …