Several automated border detection approaches for three-dimensional echocardiography have been developed in recent years, allowing quantification of a range of clinically important parameters. In this review, the background and principles of these approaches and the different classes of methods are described from a practical perspective, as well as the research trends to achieve a robust method.

In 1976, Hughes and Thompson introduced the idea of steering the maximum response of a linear array by amplitude weighting the output signals of the elements, thus eliminating the need for time delays or phase-shift networks. Currently that amplitude-steered array concept is being extended to a broadband two-dimensional array that can be used for real-time three-dimensional imaging. In shifting...

We describe a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system using monodisperse peptide hydrogel beads. We utilized a self-assembling peptide hydrogel to provide cells in vivo-like microenvironment. We succeeded in encapsulating endothelial cells within the hydrogels by using a 3D microfluidic axisymmetric flow-focusing device (AFFD), and showed the encapsulated endothelial cells were viable and we...

The introduction of affordable, consumer-oriented 3-D printers is a milestone in the current "maker movement," which has been heralded as the next industrial revolution. Combined with free and open sharing of detailed design blueprints and accessible development tools, rapid prototypes of complex products can now be assembled in one's own garage--a game-changer reminiscent of the early days of ...

We show that three-dimensional incoherent primary sources can be reconstructed from finite-aperture Fresnel-zone mutual intensity measurements by means of coordinate and Fourier transformation. The spatial bandpass and impulse response for three-dimensional imaging that result from use of this approach are derived. The transverse and longitudinal resolutions are evaluated as functions of apertu...

Full-field transmission X-ray microscopy is a unique non-destructive technique for three-dimensional imaging of specimens at the nanometer scale. Here, the use of zone-doubled Fresnel zone plates to achieve a spatial resolution better than 20 nm in the hard X-ray regime (8-10 keV) is reported. By obtaining a tomographic reconstruction of a Ni/YSZ solid-oxide fuel cell, the feasibility of perfor...

Light field microscopy methods together with three-dimensional (3D) deconvolution can be used to obtain single-shot 3D images of atomic clouds. We demonstrate the method using a test setup that extracts 3D images from a fluorescent Rb87 atomic vapor.

We demonstrate a simple approach for inline holographic coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, in which a layer of uniform nonlinear medium is placed in front of a specimen to be imaged. The reference wave created by four-wave mixing in the nonlinear medium can interfere with the CARS signal generated in the specimen to result in an inline hologram. We experimentally and theor...

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models became an important technique in oncology research. These novel 3D techniques permit the investigation of the tumor microenvironment, promising clinical assays to predict patient response and enhanced drug selection for clinical trials. Although early diagnosis and development of new treatment strategies led to improved prognosis, the burden for the pa...