Imaging performance of portable and conventional ultrasound imaging technologies for ophthalmic applications

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the imaging capabilities of Butterfly iQ with conventional ophthalmic (piezoelectric) ultrasound (COU) for ophthalmic imaging. Methods Custom phantom molds were designed and imaged with Butterfly iQ and COU to compare spatial resolution capabilities. To evaluate the clinical imaging performance of Butterfly iQ and COU, a survey containing pathological conditions from human subjects, imaged with both Butterfly iQ and COU probes, was given to three retina specialists and graded on image detail, resolution, quality, and diagnostic confidence on a ten-point Likert scale. Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed for survey responses. Results Butterfly iQ and COU had comparable capabilities for imaging small axial and lateral phantom features (down to 0.1 mm) of high and low acoustic reflectivity. One of three retina specialists demonstrated a statistically significant preference for COU related to resolution, detail, and diagnostic confidence, but the remaining graders showed no significant preference for Butterfly iQ or COU across all sample images presented. Conclusion The emergence of portable ultrasound probes offers an affordable alternative to COU technologies with comparable qualitative imaging resolution down to 0.1 mm. These findings suggest the value to further study the use of portable ultrasound systems and their utility in routine eye care.