DEVELOPMENT OF THE BIDIRECTIONAL ULTRASOUND SYSTEM FOR BASE OF TONGUEIMAGING

The use of conventional ultrasound systems to image the upper airway h as been limited because ultrasound energy is attenuated by the air col umn. In an attempt to study upper airway geometry, we developed a comp uter controlled bi-directional ultrasound system which combines two co nventional ultrasound devices with computer image processing to yield images of upper airway structures. Human studies and cadaver studies w ere performed to evaluate the system. Images acquired by the bi-direct ional ultrasound system were comparable to images from 3D volume rende red CT scans. This system may provide valuable data in the study of up per airway physiology and pathology.