Instrument alignment and tracking with ultrasound imaging plane

Abstract

A tool navigation system employing an ultrasound probe (20), an ultrasound scanner (60), an interventional tool (30) (e.g., a needle or a catheter), a plurality of ultrasound transducers (21, 31), a tool tracker (70) and an image navigator. In operation, the ultrasound probe (20) generates an acoustic image plane for scanning an anatomical region, and the ultrasound scanner (60) generates an ultrasound image of the anatomical region from a scan of the anatomical region. During the scan, the interventional tool (30) is navigated within the anatomical region relative to the acoustic image plane, and the ultrasound transducers (21, 31) facilitate a tracks by the tool tracker (70) of a position of the interventional tool (30) relative to the acoustic image plane. The image navigator displays a graphical icon within the ultrasound image of the anatomical region as generated by the ultrasound scanner (60) for illustrating a tracking by the tool tracker (70) of a distance of the interventional tool (30) relative to the acoustic image plane. One or more aspects of the graphical icon are modulated by the image navigator responsive to the tracked distance of the interventional tool (30) relative to the acoustic image plane as the interventional tool (30) is navigated within the anatomical region.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to interventional tools (e.g., probes, catheters, etc.) Three-dimensional ("3D") alignment and tracking of relative positions of image planes. The invention specifically relates to acoustic sensors that are spatially aligned relative to an interventional tool (eg, attached to or embedded in the distal end of a stylet or catheter) to facilitate relative alignment and position of the interventional tool to the acoustic image plane track. Background technique [0002] 2D ultrasound probes with 1D transducer arrays are commonly used to visualize target anatomical planes in a wide range of clinical interventions. However, assessing the position of interventional tools (eg, probes, catheters, etc.) outside the acoustic imaging of the target anatomical plane generated by the 2D ultrasound probe is a challenge. Accordingly, clinicians may spend a great deal of effort and time trying to accurately position the interven...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This small Y movement may result in a Y misalignment of the Y probe 30 and the acoustic image plane 11, as indicated by the white graphical icon identically shown in the ultrasound image 10

Additionally, probes are often poorly visualized under ultrasound because they are specular reflectors that will reflect acoustically away from the imaging probe with a degree of reflection that depends on the probe's angle of insertion relative to the imaging plane

Images