The document describes a new technique called NEFROVOL to non-invasively estimate kidney volume from ultrasound images. NEFROVOL involves using ultrasound to capture parallel 2D images of the kidneys, defining boundaries in each image, building a 3D mesh, and extrapolating to estimate total volume. There is also a plan to integrate NEFROVOL with a new system called IMPOVOL that will 3D print models of patients' kidneys to help doctors better communicate with patients about their condition and plan for surgery or treatment. Initial tests of NEFROVOL's accuracy have been mixed but the hope is refining the technique and 3D printing kidneys will improve patient outcomes.

1. IMPOVOL
Reconstruction of Anatomical
Structures from UltraSound
Slices and 3D Print
Prof. Franco Simini
Universidad de la República – URUGUAY
Bin@Sheffield, 10-12 Nov 2014

2. THE PROBLEM
A SOLUTION
THE PLOT THICKENS ….
UNEXPECTED RESULTS
A NEW EQUIPMENT TO OFFER

3. THE PROBLEM
• Kidneys with polyquistosis are difficult
to measure
• Renal volume is needed for follow up
• CT scan cannot be repeated
How can renal volume be estimated
non invasively?

4. Ultra Sound Imaging
Used routinely by nephrologists
Non ionizing
Repeatable
Affordable

5. But US imaging is
Usually only qualitative
User dependant
Volume estimated by formula
2D image only for DICOM
Poor documentation for ECR

6. NEFROVOL
Parallel 2D images along main axis
User to define boundaries in each 2D
Build a mesh
Extrapolate at the ends
Count contained elements
Use scale to estimate volume

7. Design

8. NEFROVOL

17. Tests of NEFROVOL

23. Report for
ECR in
CDA format

24. NEFROVOL to monitor volume
• Not very precise
• Repeatability tests pending
• Only indicative volume
• Self reference of patient
• Graph over months or years available

25. Difficulty with patient
communication
• What if the volume is 3D printed ?

28. 3D printer produced by:
Start up firm of Cochabamba, Bolivia

29. Support from the Bolivian:

30. Small Enterprise to intregrate
NEFROVOL into IMPOVOL:
Start up firm of Montevideo, Uruguay

31. Design and Coordination

32. NEFROVOL is a project of nib in cooperation with
Nephrology Department of Hospital de Clínicas:
Mauro Sitrin, Esteban Arrua, D.I. Luciana Urruty, Dr. Oscar
Noboa, Dr. Diego Tobal e Ing. Franco Simini.
La Impresora 3D es un desarrollo de SAWERS,
Cochabamba, en una iniciativa de cooperación de la
Universidad Mayor San Simón de Bolivia y de la
Universidad de la República.
La integración y distribución son de Bullseye, Montevideo.
Setiembre 2014.

33. IMPOVOL
• It is a new idea
• Give a PVC model of an inner organ to
MDs for interaction with patients, not just a
standard organ
• Give a real reproduction of organs for
surgery planning, instruction, strategic
decisions, reconstruction, tc

34. By product
DICOM new object type:
CT-like set of images for US
specifying number of cuts

35. What do you think of it?

37. Thank you !