Software framework for spatially tracked pre-beamformed RF data with a freehand clinical ultrasound transducer

Acquisition of ultrasound (US) pre-beamformed radio-frequency (RF) data is essential in photoacoustic (PA) imaging research. Moreover, 3D PA imaging can provide volumetric information for a target of interest. However, existing 3D PA systems require specifically designed motion stages, an ultrasound scanner and a data acquisition system to collect 3D pre-beamformed RF data. These systems are incompatible with clinical ultrasound systems and are difficult to reconfigure and generalize to other PA research. To overcome these limitations, we proposed and developed a new software framework for spatially-tracked pre-beamformed RF data acquisition with a conventional 2D ultrasound transducer and external tracking device. We upgraded our previous software framework using task-classes of OpenIGTLinkMUSiiC2.0 and MUSiiCToolkit 2.0. We also improved our MUSiiCToolKit 2.0 by adding MUSiiCNotes 2.0, a collection of specific task-classes for US research. MUSiiC-DAQServer2.0, MUSiiC-TrackerServer and MUSiiCSync are the main modules of our software framework. Spatially-tracked 2D PA frames are collected efficiently using this software framework for 3D PA research and imaging. The software modules of our software framework are based on the concept of network distributed modules and can simultaneously support multiple-client connections via TCP/IP network. In addition, the collected 2D PA frames are compatible with other MUSiiCToolKit 2.0 modules such as MUSiiC-Beamform, MUSiiC-BMode and MUSiiC-ImageViewer modules. These aspects of our software framework allow us to easily reconfigure and customize our system to other PA or US research.