Software for convenient correction of artifacts in sonomicrometry

Abstract

Sonomicrometry is widely applied in biomechanics and physiology to measure precise distances with high temporal resolution. Although commonly used, its usefulness is often limited by the presence of artifacts that require correction. Unfortunately, procedures reported in the literature for artifact correction are often unclear. Furthermore, currently available tools for artifact correction require significant manual manipulations, the consistency of which takes painstaking effort to verify. To improve the efficiency and consistency of sonomicrometry, we have developed a new software tool for the correction of sonomicrometry artifacts. This tool provides a framework for artifact correction requiring fewer and more limited manipulations from the user. We aimed to make this tool more transparent and easier to use than commercially available tools. To facilitate its application, we describe the relevant properties of sonomicrometry artifacts and detail the software's correction algorithm. The software is available for MacOS and Linux with source code and documentation.