Augmented reality using 3D shape model for ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal access: A pig model study

Successful percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) highly depends on an accurate needle access into the kidney. This step is challenging and must be performed under intraoperative image guidance. This paper presents a 3D augmented reality method for ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous renal access in PCNL. First, a 3D statistical kidney model is built aforehand from aligned training shapes. Intraoperatively, a patient-specific kidney model is reconstructed from sparse US slices using the statistical model. The US images are then augmented with the reconstructed kidney model and a real-time tracked needle. Under the augmented-US guidance, percutaneous renal puncture can be performed. Experiments results based on pig model have validated the presented ultrasound guidance method.