Dynamic adjustment of ultrasonic imaging system and method thereof

Abstract

This document discloses a dynamically adjusted ultrasound imaging system and method thereof. For example, the ultrasound imaging system may include an ultrasound probe, a console, and a display screen. The ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound transducer array. When activated, the ultrasound transducers transmit generated ultrasound signals into a patient, receive reflected ultrasound signals from the patient, and convert the reflected ultrasound signals into corresponding electrical signals for processing into ultrasound images. The console is configured to execute instructions for dynamically adjusting the distance between the activated ultrasound transducer and a predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area. The display screen is configured to display a graphical user interface that includes an ultrasound image processed by the console based on the corresponding electrical signals of the ultrasound signals.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 075,707, filed on September 8, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of medical devices, and more specifically to a dynamic adjustment ultrasound imaging system and method thereof. Background Art

[0004] Ultrasound imaging is a widely accepted tool for guiding interventional devices, such as needles, to targets within the human body, such as blood vessels or organs. For example, to successfully guide a needle to a blood vessel using ultrasound imaging, the needle must be monitored in real time, both before and after percutaneous puncture, to enable clinicians to determine the distance and orientation of the needle from the vessel and ensure successful vascular access. However, during ultrasound imaging, clinicians may lose the vessel and needle due to unintentional movement of the ultrasound probe, and re-finding the needle can be difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, by having the needle plane perpendicular to the ultrasound probe's image plane, it is often easier to monitor the needle's distance and orientation immediately before percutaneous puncture. Furthermore, by having the needle plane parallel to the image plane, it is often easier to monitor the needle's distance and orientation immediately after percutaneous puncture. Similar to unintentional movement of the ultrasound probe, clinicians may lose the vessel and needle when adjusting the image plane before and after percutaneous puncture, and re-finding the needle can be difficult and time-consuming. What is needed is an ultrasound imaging system and method capable of dynamically adjusting the image plane to facilitate guiding interventional devices to targets within the human body.

[0005] This document discloses a dynamically adjusted ultrasound imaging system and method thereof. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Disclosed herein is an ultrasound imaging system that, in some embodiments, includes an ultrasound probe, a console, and a display screen. The ultrasound probe includes an ultrasound transducer array. The activated ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array are configured to transmit generated ultrasound signals into a patient, receive reflected ultrasound signals from the patient, and convert the reflected ultrasound signals into corresponding electrical signals of the ultrasound signals for processing into ultrasound images. The console is configured to communicate with the ultrasound probe. The console includes a memory having executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions. The instructions are configured to dynamically adjust the distance between the activated ultrasound transducer and a predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area. The instructions are further configured to process the corresponding electrical signals of the ultrasound signals into ultrasound images. The display screen is configured to communicate with the console. The display screen is configured to display a graphical user interface ("GUI") including the ultrasound image.

[0007] In some embodiments, the ultrasound probe further includes a magnetic sensor array. The magnetic sensor is configured to convert magnetic signals from the magnetized medical device into corresponding electrical signals. The console processes the electrical signals into distance and orientation information relative to a predetermined target or area for displaying an image representation of the medical device on a display screen.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the medical device approaches the ultrasound probe, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area are adjusted. An image plane perpendicular or parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device is established by the activated ultrasound transducer for access to the predetermined target or area by the medical device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the intended target blood vessel are adjusted. Depending on the orientation of the blood vessel, an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel is established by the activated ultrasound transducer.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ultrasound imaging system further includes a stand-alone optical interrogator communicatively coupled to the console or an integrated optical interrogator integrated into the console, and a fiber optic stylet. The optical interrogator is configured to transmit an input light signal, receive a reflected light signal, and convert the reflected light signal into a corresponding electrical signal of the light signal to be processed by the console into distance and orientation information relative to a predetermined target or area for displaying an image representation of the medical device on a display. The fiber optic stylet is configured to be arranged in an inner cavity of the medical device. The fiber optic stylet is configured to transmit the input light signal from the optical interrogator to a plurality of fiber Bragg grating ("FBG") sensors along the length of the fiber optic stylet. The fiber optic stylet is also configured to transmit the reflected light signal from the plurality of FBG sensors back to the optical interrogator.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the medical device approaches the ultrasound probe, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area are adjusted. An image plane perpendicular or parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device is established by the activated ultrasound transducer for access to the predetermined target or area by the medical device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the intended target blood vessel are adjusted. Depending on the orientation of the blood vessel, an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel is established by the activated ultrasound transducer.

[0013] In some embodiments, the image plane includes a blood vessel as a predetermined target or area, and the medical device includes a needle, the image plane being perpendicular to the medical device plane during needle approach and parallel to the medical device plane during percutaneous puncture using the needle.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ultrasound transducer array is a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer ("2-D") array. The active ultrasound transducers are an approximately linear subset of the ultrasound transducers of the two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array that are activated by the console at any given time.

[0015] In some embodiments, the ultrasound transducer array is a movable linear array of ultrasound transducers.The activated ultrasound transducers are a subset of the ultrasound transducers, up to all of the ultrasound transducers in the linear array of ultrasound transducers activated by the console at any given time.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ultrasound probe further includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or a combination thereof configured to provide position tracking data to the console. The processor is further configured to execute instructions for processing the position tracking data to adjust the distance of the activated ultrasound transducer from the predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer with respect to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer with respect to the predetermined target or area.

[0017] In some embodiments, when the ultrasound probe is inadvertently moved relative to the predetermined target or area, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area is maintained.

[0018] Also disclosed herein is a method for an ultrasound imaging system, comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium ("CRM") having executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a console of the ultrasound imaging system, cause the ultrasound imaging system to perform a set of operations for ultrasound imaging. In some embodiments, the method includes an activation operation, an adjustment operation, a first processing operation, and a first display operation. The activation operation includes activating an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic transducer array of an ultrasound probe communicatively coupled to the console. Through the activation operation, the ultrasonic transducer transmits a generated ultrasound signal into a patient, receives a reflected ultrasound signal from the patient, and converts the reflected ultrasound signal into a corresponding electrical signal of the ultrasound signal to be processed into an ultrasound image. The adjustment operation includes dynamically adjusting the distance between the activated ultrasound transducer and a predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area. The first processing operation includes processing the corresponding electrical signal of the ultrasound signal into an ultrasound image. The first display operation includes displaying a GUI including an ultrasound image on a display screen communicatively coupled to the console.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further includes a conversion operation, a second processing operation, and a second display operation. The conversion operation includes converting a magnetic signal from a magnetized medical device having a magnetic sensor array of an ultrasound probe into an electrical signal corresponding to the magnetic signal. The second processing operation includes processing, by a processor, the electrical signal corresponding to the magnetic signal into distance and orientation information relative to a predetermined target or area. The second display operation includes displaying a graphical representation of the medical device on a display screen.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method further includes an adjustment operation in response to the magnetic signal. The adjustment operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area when the medical device approaches the ultrasound probe. The adjustment operation establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to a medical device plane including the medical device through the activated ultrasound transducer for accessing the predetermined target or area with the medical device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the method further includes adjusting the orientation of the target blood vessel. The adjusting operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the blood vessel. The adjusting operation establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel through the activated ultrasound transducer.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further includes an optical signal related operation and a third processing operation and a third display operation. The optical signal related operation includes transmitting an input optical signal, receiving a reflected optical signal, and converting the reflected optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal of the optical signal through an independent optical interrogator communicatively coupled to the console or an integrated optical interrogator integrated into the console. The optical signal related operation further includes transmitting the input optical signal from the optical interrogator to a plurality of FBG sensors along the length of the optical fiber stylet, and transmitting the reflected optical signals from the plurality of FBG sensors back to the optical interrogator, wherein the optical fiber stylet is arranged in the inner cavity of the medical device. The third processing operation includes processing, by the processor, the corresponding electrical signal of the optical signal into distance and orientation information relative to a predetermined target or area. The third display operation includes displaying an image representation of the medical device on a display screen.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further includes an adjustment operation in response to the optical signal. The adjustment operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area when the medical device approaches the ultrasound probe. The adjustment operation establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to a medical device plane including the medical device through the activated ultrasound transducer for accessing the predetermined target or area with the medical device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method further includes adjusting the orientation of the target blood vessel. The adjusting operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the blood vessel. The adjusting operation establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel through the activated ultrasound transducer.

[0025] In some embodiments, the image plane is established perpendicular to the medical device plane when the medical device is approached and parallel to the medical device plane when the medical device is inserted. The image plane includes a blood vessel as a predetermined target or area, and the medical device plane includes a needle as the medical device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the activation operation includes activating an approximately linear subset of the ultrasound transducers of the two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array.

[0027] In some embodiments, the activation operation includes activating a subset of the ultrasound transducers, up to all of the ultrasound transducers in the movable linear array of ultrasound transducers.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method further includes a data providing operation and a fourth processing operation. The data providing operation includes providing position tracking data from an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or a combination thereof of the ultrasound probe to the console. The fourth processing operation includes processing the position tracking data using the processor for the adjustment operation.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further comprises a hold operation, wherein the hold operation comprises maintaining the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area when the ultrasound probe is inadvertently moved relative to the predetermined target or area.

[0030] These and other features of the concepts presented herein will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and the following description, which more particularly describe specific embodiments of these concepts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 An ultrasound imaging system and a patient are shown, according to some embodiments.

[0032] Figure 2 A block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system is shown, according to some embodiments.

[0033] Figure 3A An ultrasound probe of an ultrasound imaging system for imaging a blood vessel is shown, according to some embodiments.

[0034] Figure 3B shows an image on a display screen of an ultrasound imaging system according to some embodiments. Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0035] Figure 4 An ultrasound probe of an ultrasound imaging system configured as a two-dimensional ultrasound probe is shown according to some embodiments.

[0036] Figure 5A Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe according to some embodiments.

[0037] Figure 5B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 5A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0038] Figure 6A FIG. 1 shows an example of rotating an ultrasound probe without dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducer according to some embodiments. Figure 5A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0039] Figure 6B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 6A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0040] Figure 7A FIG. 1 shows a method for rotating an ultrasound probe and dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducer according to some embodiments. Figure 5A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0041] Figure 7B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 7A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0042] Figure 8A Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe according to some embodiments.

[0043] Figure 8B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 8A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0044] Figure 9A The ultrasound probe is translated without dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducer according to some embodiments. Figure 8A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0045] Figure 9BAn ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 9A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0046] Figure 10A The ultrasound probe is translated and the activated ultrasound transducer is dynamically adjusted according to some embodiments. Figure 10A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0047] Figure 10B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 10A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0048] Figure 11 Activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe are shown perpendicular to a medical device plane of a magnetized medical device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0049] Figure 12 Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound probe's ultrasound transducer array perpendicular to a medical device plane of a magnetized medical device after yawing the medical device and dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducers, according to some embodiments.

[0050] Figure 13 Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound probe's ultrasound transducer array perpendicular to a medical device plane of a magnetized medical device after yawing the medical device and dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducers, according to some embodiments.

[0051] Figure 14 An ultrasound probe of an ultrasound imaging system configured as a linear ultrasound probe is shown according to some embodiments.

[0052] Figure 15A Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe according to some embodiments.

[0053] Figure 15B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 15A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0054] Figure 16A FIG. 1 shows an example of rotating an ultrasound probe without dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducer according to some embodiments. Figure 15A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0055] Figure 16BAn ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 16A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0056] Figure 17A FIG. 1 shows a method for rotating an ultrasound probe and dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducer according to some embodiments. Figure 15A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0057] Figure 17B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 17A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0058] Figure 18A Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe according to some embodiments.

[0059] Figure 18B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 18A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0060] Figure 19A The ultrasound probe is translated without dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducer according to some embodiments. Figure 18A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0061] Figure 19B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 19A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0062] Figure 20A The ultrasound probe is translated and the activated ultrasound transducer is dynamically adjusted according to some embodiments. Figure 20A Activate the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe.

[0063] Figure 20B An ultrasound imaging system display screen is shown using a Figure 20A The activated ultrasonic transducer is obtained Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0064] Figure 21 Activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe are shown perpendicular to a medical device plane of a magnetized medical device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0065] Figure 22 Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound probe's ultrasound transducer array perpendicular to a medical device plane of a magnetized medical device after yawing the medical device and dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducers, according to some embodiments.

[0066] Figure 23 Shown are activated ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound probe's ultrasound transducer array perpendicular to a medical device plane of a magnetized medical device after yawing the medical device and dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducers, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Before disclosing some specific embodiments in more detail, it should be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. It should also be understood that the specific embodiments disclosed herein may have features that can be easily separated from the specific embodiments and optionally combined or substituted with the features of any one of the many other embodiments disclosed herein.

[0068] About the terms used herein, it should also be understood that these terms are in order to describe some specific embodiments, and these terms do not limit the scope of the concept provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify the different features or steps in a set of features or steps, and do not provide sequence or numerical restrictions. For example, "first," "second," and "third" features or steps do not need to appear in this order, and the specific embodiment comprising such features or steps need not be limited to these three features or steps. Labels such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," and "back" are used for convenience and do not mean, for example, any specific fixed position, orientation or direction. On the contrary, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative position, orientation or direction. The singular forms "a kind of," "one," and "the" include plural forms, unless the context clearly stipulates otherwise.

[0069] With respect to the "proximal," for example, the "proximal portion" or "proximal end portion" of a catheter disclosed herein includes the portion of the catheter that is intended to be near a clinician's catheter when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "proximal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be near a clinician's catheter when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "proximal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be near a clinician's catheter when the catheter is used on a patient. The proximal portion, proximal portion, or proximal length of a catheter can include the proximal end of the catheter; however, the proximal portion, proximal portion, or proximal length of a catheter need not include the proximal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context indicates otherwise, the proximal portion, proximal portion, or proximal length of a catheter is not the terminal portion or terminal length of a catheter.

[0070] With respect to the "distal side," for example, the "distal portion" or "distal end portion" of a catheter disclosed herein includes the portion of the catheter that is intended to be near the patient or within the patient's body when the catheter is used on a patient. Similarly, for example, the "distal length" of a catheter includes the length of the catheter that is intended to be near the patient or within the patient's body when the catheter is used on a patient. For example, the "distal end" of a catheter includes the end of the catheter that is intended to be near the patient or within the patient's body when the catheter is used on a patient. The distal portion, distal portion, or distal length of a catheter can include the distal end of the catheter; however, the distal portion, distal portion, or distal length of a catheter need not include the distal end of the catheter. That is, unless the context indicates otherwise, the distal portion, distal portion, or distal length of a catheter is not the terminal portion or terminal length of a catheter.

[0071] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0072] As described above, there is a need for an ultrasound imaging system and method thereof that can dynamically adjust an image plane to facilitate guiding an interventional instrument to at least a target in a human body. A dynamically adjusted ultrasound imaging system and method thereof are disclosed herein.

[0073] Ultrasound imaging system

[0074] Figure 1 Shown are an ultrasound imaging system 100 , a needle 112 , and a patient P, according to some embodiments. Figure 2 A block diagram of an ultrasound imaging system 100 is shown, according to some embodiments. Figure 3A An ultrasound probe 106 of an ultrasound imaging system 100 is shown imaging a blood vessel of a patient P prior to entering the vessel, according to some embodiments. Figure 3B An image of the ultrasound imaging system 100 on the display screen 104 with an image representation of the needle 112 is shown in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 3A Ultrasound image of blood vessels.

[0075] As shown in the figure, the ultrasound imaging system 100 includes a console 102, a display screen 104, and an ultrasound probe 106. The ultrasound imaging system 100 is used to image a target, such as a blood vessel or an organ, in a patient P before percutaneous puncture using a needle 112, so as to insert the needle 112 or another medical device into the target and enter the target. In fact, in ultrasound-based medical procedures, the ultrasound imaging system 100 is used in Figure 1 1 and 2. The ultrasound imaging system 100 is shown in general relation to a patient P for placement of a catheter 108 into the vascular system of the patient P through a skin insertion site S created by percutaneous puncture of a needle 112. It should be understood that the ultrasound imaging system 100 can be used for a variety of ultrasound-based medical procedures other than catheter insertion. For example, a percutaneous puncture can be performed using the needle 112 to perform a biopsy of an organ tissue of the patient P.

[0076] The console 102 houses various components of the ultrasound imaging system 100, and it should be understood that the console 102 can take any of a variety of forms. Included in the console 102 is a processor 116 and a memory 118, such as a random access memory ("RAM") or a non-volatile memory (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory ["EEPROM"), for controlling the functions of the ultrasound imaging system 100 and executing various logical operations or algorithms during operation of the ultrasound imaging system 100 according to executable instructions 120 stored in the memory 118 for execution by the processor 116. For example, the console 102 is configured to instantiate one or more processes, via the instructions 120, for dynamically adjusting the distance of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 from a predetermined target (e.g., a blood vessel) or region, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the predetermined target or region, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the predetermined target or region, and processing the electrical signals from the ultrasound probe 106 into ultrasound images. Dynamically adjusting the activated ultrasound transducers 149 uses ultrasound imaging data, magnetic field data, shape sensing data, or a combination thereof, received by the console 102 for certain ultrasound transducers in the two-dimensional array of activated ultrasound transducers 148 or those ultrasound transducers already activated in the linear array of mobile ultrasound transducers 148. A digital controller / analog interface 122 is also included in the console 102 and communicates with the processor 116 and other system components to manage the interface between the ultrasound probe 106 and other system components described herein.

[0077] The ultrasound imaging system 100 further includes a port 124 for connecting to additional components, such as optional components 126 including a printer, storage media, keyboard, etc. The port 124 can be a universal serial bus ("USB") port, although other types of ports can be used for this connection or any other connection shown or described herein. The console 102 includes a power connection 128 to enable an operable connection to an external power source 130. An internal power source 132 (e.g., a battery) can also be used with or without the external power source 130. A power management circuit 134 is included in the digital controller / analog interface 122 of the console 102 to regulate the use and distribution of power.

[0078] Alternatively, a stand-alone optical interrogator 154 may be communicatively coupled to the console 102 via one of the ports 124. Alternatively, the console 102 may include an integrated optical interrogator integrated into the console 102. Such an optical interrogator is configured to transmit an input optical signal through the ultrasound imaging system 100 into a companion fiber optic stylet 156 for shape sensing, which is in turn configured to be inserted into a lumen of a medical device, such as the needle 112, and transmit the input optical signal from the optical interrogator 154 to the plurality of FBG sensors along the length of the fiber optic stylet 156. The optical interrogator 154 is further configured to receive reflected optical signals transmitted by the fiber optic stylet 156 that are reflected from the plurality of FBG sensors, the reflected optical signals being indicative of the shape of the fiber optic stylet 156. The optical interrogator 154 is further configured to convert the reflected light signal into a corresponding electrical signal for processing by the console 102 into distance and orientation information relative to the target for dynamically adjusting the distance of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the target or medical device, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 when approaching the target. For example, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 can be adjusted relative to a blood vessel being the target. In practice, depending on the orientation of the blood vessel, an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel can be established by the activated ultrasound transducer 149. In another example, when a medical device such as a needle 112 approaches the ultrasound probe 106, an image plane perpendicular to the blood vessel including the blood vessel can be established by the activated ultrasound transducer 149. Figures 11 to 13 and Figures 21 to 23 The medical device plane shown includes the medical device or is parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device to access the target through the medical device. The image plane can be perpendicular to the medical device plane when the medical device is approached and parallel to the medical device plane when the medical device is inserted (e.g., percutaneous puncture with needle 112). The distance and orientation information can also be used to display an image representation of the medical device on a display.

[0079] The display screen 104 is integrated into the console 102 to provide a GUI and display information to the clinician during one or more ultrasound images of a target or patient P, such as obtained by the ultrasound probe 106. In addition, the ultrasound imaging system 100 enables the distance and orientation of a magnetized medical device, such as a needle 112, to be superimposed on the ultrasound image of the target in real time, thereby enabling the clinician to accurately guide the magnetized medical device to the intended target. However, alternatively, the display screen 104 can be separate from the console 102 and communicatively coupled to the console 102. The console button interface 136 and the control buttons 110 (see FIG. 1 ) included on the ultrasound probe 106 are shown in FIG. Figure 1) can be used to immediately call out the desired mode to the display screen 104 by the clinician to provide assistance in ultrasound-based medical procedures. In some embodiments, the display screen 104 is an LCD device.

[0080] The ultrasound probe 106 is connected to a blood vessel (see Figure 3A ) is used in conjunction with ultrasound-based visualization of a target to prepare for insertion of a needle 112 or another medical device into the target. This visualization provides real-time ultrasound guidance and helps reduce complications typically associated with such insertions, including inadvertent arterial puncture, hematoma, pneumothorax, etc. As described in more detail below, the ultrasound probe 106 is configured to provide electrical signals corresponding to ultrasound imaging data, magnetic field data, shape sensing data, or a combination thereof to the console 102 for real-time ultrasound guidance.

[0081] Figure 4 The ultrasound probe 106 of the ultrasound imaging system 100 is shown configured as a two-dimensional ultrasound probe according to some embodiments. Figure 14 The ultrasound probe 106 of the ultrasound imaging system 100 is shown configured as a linear ultrasound probe according to some embodiments.

[0082] The ultrasound probe 106 includes a probe 114 that houses a mounted and movable (e.g., translatable or rotatable along a central axis) linear array of ultrasound transducers 148 or a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers 148, wherein the ultrasound transducers 148 are piezoelectric transducers or capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers ("CMUTs"). When the ultrasound probe 106 is configured with a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers 148, a subset of the ultrasound transducers 148 are linearly activated as required for ultrasound imaging based on ultrasound imaging data, magnetic field data, shape sensing data, or a combination thereof to keep the target in the image plane or switch to a different image plane that includes the target (e.g., from perpendicular to the medical device plane to parallel to the medical device plane). (See, for example, Figure 5A 、 Figure 7A 、 Figure 10A 、 Figure 12 or Figure 13 When the ultrasound probe 106 is configured with a movable linear array of ultrasound transducers 148, the ultrasound transducers 148 that have been activated for ultrasound imaging (e.g., a subset of the ultrasound transducers 148, up to all of the ultrasound transducers 148) are moved together on the movable linear array as required for ultrasound imaging based on ultrasound imaging data, magnetic field data, shape sensing data, or a combination thereof to keep the target in the image plane established by the activated ultrasound transducers 149 or to switch to a different image plane that includes the target (e.g., see Figure 15A 、 Figure 17A 、 Figure 20A 、 Figure 22 or Figure 23activated ultrasonic transducer 149).

[0083] The probe 114 is configured to be placed against the skin of the patient P, near the intended needle insertion site, wherein the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 in the probe 114 can generate and transmit the generated ultrasonic signals in multiple pulses toward the patient P, receive reflected ultrasonic signals or ultrasonic echoes from the patient P through reflection of the generated ultrasonic pulses by the body of the patient P, and convert the reflected ultrasonic signals into corresponding electrical signals for processing into ultrasonic images by the console 102 communicatively coupled to the ultrasonic probe 106. In this manner, a clinician can use the ultrasonic imaging system 100 to determine a suitable insertion site and establish vascular access using the needle 112 or other medical device.

[0084] The ultrasound probe 106 further includes control buttons 110 for controlling certain aspects of the ultrasound imaging system 100 during an ultrasound-based medical procedure, thereby eliminating the need for the clinician to extend beyond the sterile field surrounding the patient P to control the ultrasound imaging system 100. For example, a control button of the control button 110 can be configured to select or lock onto a target (e.g., a blood vessel, an organ, etc.) when pressed to visualize the target in preparation for inserting a needle 112 or another medical device into the target. Such a control button can also be configured to deselect a target, which is useful whether the target is selected via the control button or by other means, such as by holding the ultrasound probe 106 over the target to select the target, issuing a voice command to select the target, etc.

[0085] Figure 2 The ultrasound probe 106 is shown to further include a button and memory controller 138 for controlling buttons and ultrasound probe operation. The button and memory controller 138 may include non-volatile memory (e.g., EEPROM). The button and memory controller 138 is in operative communication with a probe interface 140 of the console 102, which includes an input / output ("I / O") component 142 for interfacing with an ultrasound transducer 148 and a button and memory I / O component 144 for interfacing with the button and memory controller 138.

[0086] Likewise Figure 2 and Figure 3AAs seen, the ultrasound probe 106 may include a magnetic sensor array 146 for detecting a magnetized medical device, such as a needle 112, during an ultrasound-based medical procedure. The magnetic sensor array 146 includes a plurality of magnetic sensors 150 embedded in or included on the housing of the ultrasound probe 106. The magnetic sensors 150 are configured to detect a magnetic field or a disturbance in a magnetic field as a magnetic signal associated with the magnetized medical device when the magnetized medical device is in proximity to the magnetic sensor array 146. The magnetic sensor 150 is also configured to convert the magnetic signal from the magnetized medical device (e.g., the needle 112) into an electrical signal for processing by the console 102 into distance and orientation information of the magnetized medical device relative to a predetermined target, and for displaying a graphical representation of the magnetized medical device on the display screen 104. (See Figure 3A Magnetic field B of the needle 112.) Thus, the magnetic sensor array 146 enables the ultrasound imaging system 100 to track the needle 112, etc.

[0087] Although configured as magnetic sensors herein, it should be understood that the magnetic sensors 150 can be other types and configurations of sensors. Furthermore, although they are described herein as being included in the ultrasound probe 106, the magnetic sensors 150 of the magnetic sensor array 146 can be included in a component separate from the ultrasound probe 106, such as a cannula into which the ultrasound probe 106 is inserted or even a separate handheld device. The magnetic sensors 150 can be arranged in an annular configuration around the probe 114 of the ultrasound probe 106, although it is understood that the magnetic sensors 150 can be arranged in other configurations, such as an arched, flat, or semicircular arrangement.

[0088] Each magnetic sensor of the magnetic sensor 150 includes three orthogonal sensor coils for detecting magnetic fields in three spatial dimensions. For example, such three-dimensional ("3-D") magnetic sensors are commercially available from Honeywell Sensing and Control, Inc. of Morristown, NJ. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor 150 is configured as a Hall effect sensor, although other types of magnetic sensors may be employed. Furthermore, instead of a three-dimensional sensor, multiple one-dimensional ("1-D") magnetic sensors may be included and arranged as desired to achieve one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional detection capabilities.

[0089] Five magnetic sensors for the magnetic sensor 150 are included in the magnetic sensor array 146 so as to be able to detect a magnetized medical device such as a needle 112 in three spatial dimensions (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinate space), as well as the pitch and yaw orientation of the magnetized medical device itself. When the magnetized medical device approaches the ultrasound probe 106, based on the aforementioned detection of the magnetized medical device, the distance of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 relative to the target or the magnetized medical device, the orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 are allowed to be dynamically adjusted. For example, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 can be adjusted relative to the target blood vessel. In fact, depending on the orientation of the blood vessel, an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel can be established by the activated ultrasonic transducer 149. In another example, as Figures 11 to 13 and Figures 21 to 23 As shown in , when the magnetized medical device approaches the ultrasound probe 106, an image plane perpendicular to the medical device plane including the magnetized medical device can be established by the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to access the target through the magnetized medical device. Although not shown, an image plane parallel to the medical device plane including the magnetized medical device can also be established by the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to access the target through the magnetized medical device, for example, after the medical device is inserted into the patient. Note that in some embodiments, the orthogonal sensing components of two or more magnetic sensors 150 enable determination of the pitch and yaw attitude of the magnetized medical device, which enables tracking with relatively high accuracy. In other embodiments, fewer than five or more than five magnetic sensors 150 can be employed in the magnetic sensor array 146. More generally, it should be understood that the number, size, type, and location of the magnetic sensors 150 of the magnetic sensor array 146 can vary from that explicitly shown herein.

[0090] like Figure 2 As shown, the ultrasound probe 106 may further include an inertial measurement unit ("IMU") 158 or any one or more components thereof for inertial measurement selected from an accelerometer 160, a gyroscope 162, and a magnetometer 164, configured to provide position tracking data of the ultrasound probe 106 to the console 102 for image plane stabilization. The processor 116 is further configured to execute instructions 120 for processing the position tracking data to adjust the distance of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 from the target, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the target, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the target to maintain the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the target when the ultrasound probe 106 is unintentionally moved relative to the target.

[0091] It will be appreciated that, if not already magnetized, a medical device of magnetizable material enables the medical device (e.g., needle 112) to be magnetized by a magnetizer and tracked by the ultrasound imaging system 100 when the magnetized medical device is in proximity to the magnetic sensor 150 of the magnetic sensor array 146 or inserted into the body of the patient P during an ultrasound-based medical procedure. This magnetic-based tracking of the magnetized medical device assists the clinician in placing the distal end of the needle 112 at a desired location, such as within a vascular lumen, by superimposing a simulated needle image representing the real-time distance and orientation of the needle 112 on an ultrasound image of the body of the patient P into which the magnetized medical device is being inserted. Such a medical device may be made of stainless steel, such as SS 304 stainless steel; however, other suitable needle materials capable of being magnetized may also be employed. So configured, the needle 112, etc. can generate a magnetic field or magnetic disturbances in the magnetic field that can be detected as a magnetic signal by the magnetic sensor array 146 of the ultrasound probe 106, so that the distance and orientation of the magnetized medical device can be tracked by the ultrasound imaging system 100 for dynamically adjusting the distance of the activated ultrasound transducer 149, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the magnetized medical device.

[0092] During operation of the ultrasound imaging system 100, the probe 114 of the ultrasound probe 106 is placed against the skin of the patient P. An ultrasound beam 152 is generated to ultrasonically image a portion of a target, such as a blood vessel beneath the skin surface of the patient P. (See Figure 3A ) Although the ultrasound probe 106 is moved unintentionally, Figure 3B As shown, an ultrasound image of a blood vessel can be depicted and stabilized on the display screen 104 of the ultrasound imaging system 100. Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B 、 Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B 、 Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B 、 Figure 10A and Figure 10B FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic probe 106 configured with a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers 148, and FIG. Figure 15A 、 Figure 15B 、 Figure 17A 、 Figure 17B 、 Figure 18A 、 Figure 18B 、 Figure 20A and Figure 20B , an ultrasound probe 106 configured with a movable linear array of ultrasound transducers 148 is shown.

[0093] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An activated ultrasound transducer 149 of the two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers 148 of the ultrasound probe 106 is shown, according to some embodiments. Figure 15Aand Figure 15B 1 shows an activated ultrasound transducer 149 of the movable linear array of ultrasound transducers 148 of the ultrasound probe 106 according to some embodiments. Figure 7A As shown, when the ultrasound probe 106 is rotated, possibly due to unintentional movement of the ultrasound probe 106, dynamic adjustment of the activated ultrasound transducers 149 occurs to keep the target in the image plane. This dynamic adjustment includes deactivating certain ultrasound transducers and activating certain other ultrasound transducers to maintain the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the target, which stabilizes the ultrasound image, as shown in FIG. Figure 7B As shown (Compare Figure 7B and Figure 5B Without this dynamic adjustment, Figure 6A As shown, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 to the target cannot be maintained, which results in the following Figure 6B Different ultrasound images shown (compare Figure 6B and Figure 5B ). Similarly, if Figure 17A As shown, dynamic adjustment of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 occurs to keep the target in the image plane when the ultrasound probe 106 is rotated, possibly due to unintentional movement of the ultrasound probe 106. This dynamic adjustment includes automatically rotating the movable linear array of ultrasound transducers 148 (within the probe 114) to maintain the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the target, which stabilizes the ultrasound image, as shown in FIG. Figure 17B As shown (Compare Figure 17B and Figure 15B Without this dynamic adjustment, Figure 16A As shown, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 to the target cannot be maintained, which results in the following Figure 16B Different ultrasound images shown (compare Figure 16B and Figure 15B ).

[0094] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An activated ultrasound transducer 149 of the two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers 148 of the ultrasound probe 106 is shown, according to some embodiments. Figure 18A and Figure 18B 1 shows an activated ultrasound transducer 149 of the movable linear array of ultrasound transducers 148 of the ultrasound probe 106 according to some embodiments. Figure 10A As shown, when the ultrasound probe 106 may be translated due to unintentional movement of the ultrasound probe 106, dynamic adjustment of the activated ultrasound transducers 149 occurs to keep the target in the image plane. This dynamic adjustment includes deactivating certain ultrasound transducers and activating certain other ultrasound transducers to maintain the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the target, which stabilizes the ultrasound image, as shown in FIG. Figure 10B As shown (Compare Figure 10B and Figure 8B Without this dynamic adjustment, Figure 9A As shown, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 to the target cannot be maintained, which results in the following Figure 9B Different ultrasound images shown (compare Figure 9B and Figure 8B ). Similarly, if Figure 20A As shown, dynamic adjustment of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 occurs to maintain the target in the image plane when the ultrasound probe 106 is translated, possibly due to unintentional movement of the ultrasound probe 106. This dynamic adjustment includes automatically translating the movable linear array of ultrasound transducers 148 (within the probe 114) to maintain the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the target, which stabilizes the ultrasound image, as shown in FIG. Figure 20B As shown (Compare Figure 20B and Figure 18B Without this dynamic adjustment, Figure 19A As shown, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 to the target cannot be maintained, which results in the following Figure 19B Different ultrasound images shown (compare Figure 19B and Figure 18B ).

[0095] The ultrasound imaging system 100 is configured to detect the distance and orientation of a medical device via a magnetic sensor 150 or a shape sensing fiber optic stylet 156. As an example, the magnetic sensor array 146 of the ultrasound probe 106 is configured to detect the magnetic field of a magnetized medical device or a disturbance in the magnetic field caused by a magnetized magnetic device. Each magnetic sensor 150 in the magnetic sensor array 146 is configured to spatially detect the needle 112 in 3-dimensional space (see FIG. Figure 3A ). Therefore, during operation of the ultrasound imaging system 100, magnetic field strength data of the magnetic field of the medical device sensed by each magnetic sensor of the magnetic sensors 150 is forwarded to the processor 116 of the console 102. The processor calculates the distance and orientation of the magnetized medical device in real time for dynamic adjustment of the distance of the activated ultrasound transducer 149, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the magnetized medical device. Similarly, the distance and orientation of the magnetized medical device are also used for graphical display on the display screen 104.

[0096] The ultrasound imaging system 100 can use the magnetic field strength data sensed by the magnetic sensor 150 to determine the distance or orientation of any point along the entire length of the magnetized medical device relative to the magnetic sensor array 146 in coordinate space. In addition, the pitch and yaw of the needle 112 can also be determined. Appropriate circuitry in the ultrasound probe 106, console 102, or other components of the ultrasound imaging system 100 can provide the necessary calculations for such distance or orientation. In some embodiments, the needle 112 can be tracked using the teachings of one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 5,775,322; 5,879,297; 6,129,668; 6,216,028; and 6,263,230, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0097] The distance and orientation information determined by the ultrasound imaging system 100, together with the entire length of the magnetized medical device known by or input into the ultrasound imaging system 100, enables the ultrasound imaging system 100 to accurately determine the distance and orientation of the entire length of the magnetized medical device (including its distal tip) relative to the magnetic sensor array 146. This, in turn, enables the ultrasound imaging system 100 to superimpose an image of the needle 112 on the ultrasound image produced by the ultrasound beam 152 of the ultrasound probe 106 on the display screen 104, and to dynamically adjust the activated ultrasound transducer 149. For example, the ultrasound image depicted on the display screen 104 may include a depiction of the skin surface of the patient P and a subcutaneous blood vessel accessible by the needle 112, as well as a depiction of the magnetized medical device detected by the ultrasound imaging system 100 and its orientation relative to the blood vessel. The ultrasound image corresponds to the image acquired by the ultrasound beam 152 of the ultrasound probe 106. It should be understood that only a portion of the entire length of the magnetized medical device is magnetized and, therefore, tracked by the ultrasound imaging system 100.

[0098] Note that further details regarding the structure and operation of the ultrasound imaging system 100 may be found in U.S. Patent No. 9,456,766, entitled “Apparatus for Use with Needle Insertion Guidance System,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0099] method

[0100] The ultrasound imaging system method described above includes methods implemented in the ultrasound imaging system. For example, the ultrasound imaging system 100 method includes a non-transitory CRM (e.g., an EEPROM) having instructions 120 stored thereon. When the instructions 120 are executed by the processor 116 of the console 102, the ultrasound imaging system 100 performs a set of operations for ultrasound imaging. The method includes an activation operation, an adjustment operation, a first processing operation, and a first display operation.

[0101] The activation operation includes activating the ultrasonic transducers of the array of ultrasonic transducers 148 of the ultrasound probe 106 communicatively coupled to the console 102. Through the activation operation, the ultrasonic transducers 148 transmit generated ultrasonic signals into the patient P, receive reflected ultrasonic signals from the patient P, and convert the reflected ultrasonic signals into corresponding electrical signals for processing into an ultrasonic image. The activation operation may include activating an approximately linear subset of the ultrasonic transducers 148 of the two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers 148. Alternatively, the activation operation may include activating a subset of the ultrasonic transducers 148, up to all of the ultrasonic transducers 148 in the movable linear array of ultrasonic transducers 148.

[0102] The adjustment operation includes dynamically adjusting the distance between the activated ultrasound transducer 149 and the predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the predetermined target or area. For example, the adjustment operation may be responsive to the orientation of a blood vessel as the predetermined target. The adjustment operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the orientation of the blood vessel so that the activated ultrasound transducer 149 establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel.

[0103] The first processing operation includes processing the corresponding electrical signal of the ultrasound signal into an ultrasound image.

[0104] A first display operation includes displaying a GUI including an ultrasound image on a display screen 104 communicatively coupled to the console 102 .

[0105] For magnetic signal correlation operations, the method may include a conversion operation, a second processing operation, and a second display operation. The conversion operation includes converting a magnetic signal from a magnetized medical device (e.g., needle 112) having a magnetic sensor array 146 of an ultrasound probe 106 into a corresponding electrical signal. The second processing operation includes processing the corresponding electrical signal of the magnetic signal into distance and orientation information relative to a predetermined target or area by the processor 116. The second display operation includes displaying a graphical representation of the medical device on the display screen 104.

[0106] The method further includes an adjustment operation in response to the magnetic signal. The adjustment operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 relative to a predetermined target or region when the medical device approaches the ultrasonic probe 106. The adjustment operation establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to a medical device plane including the medical device via the activated ultrasonic transducer 149, for use in accessing the predetermined target or region with the medical device. The established image plane can be perpendicular to the medical device plane when the medical device approaches and parallel to the medical device plane when the medical device is inserted. The image plane can include a blood vessel as the predetermined target or region, and the medical device plane can include the needle 112 as the medical device.

[0107] Regarding the optical signal related operations, the method may include multiple optical signal related operations, as well as a third processing operation and a third display operation. The optical signal related operations include transmitting an input optical signal through the optical interrogator 154, receiving a reflected optical signal, and converting the reflected optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal of the optical signal. The optical signal related operations further include transmitting the input optical signal from the optical interrogator 154 to a plurality of FBG sensors along the length of the optical fiber stylet 156, and transmitting the reflected optical signals from the plurality of FBG sensors back to the optical interrogator 154, wherein the optical fiber stylet 156 is arranged in the inner cavity of the medical device. The third processing operation includes processing the corresponding electrical signal of the optical signal into distance and orientation information relative to a predetermined target or area by the processor 116. The third display operation includes displaying an image representation of the medical device on the display screen 104.

[0108] The method further includes an adjustment operation in response to the optical signal. The adjustment operation includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer 149 relative to a predetermined target or region when the medical device approaches the ultrasonic probe 106. The adjustment operation establishes an image plane perpendicular or parallel to a medical device plane including the medical device via the activated ultrasonic transducer 149, for use in accessing the predetermined target or region with the medical device. Similarly, the image plane is established perpendicular to the medical device plane when the medical device approaches and parallel to the medical device plane when the medical device is inserted. The image plane includes a blood vessel as the predetermined target or region, and the medical device plane includes the needle 112 as the medical device.

[0109] The method may further include a data providing operation and a fourth processing operation. The data providing operation includes providing position tracking data from the accelerometer 160, gyroscope 162, magnetometer 164, or a combination thereof of the ultrasound probe 106 to the console 102. The fourth processing operation includes processing the position tracking data using the processor 116 for the adjustment operation.

[0110] The method may further include a hold operation. The hold operation includes maintaining the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer 149 relative to the predetermined target or area when the ultrasound probe 106 is inadvertently moved relative to the predetermined target or area.

[0111] Although some specific embodiments have been disclosed herein, and specific embodiments have been disclosed in detail, the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Additional adaptations and / or modifications may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art, and in broader aspects, such adaptations and / or modifications are also encompassed. Therefore, departures from the specific embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the concepts provided herein.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging system, characterized in that: include: an ultrasound probe comprising an ultrasound transducer array, activated ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array being configured to transmit generated ultrasound signals into a patient, receive reflected ultrasound signals from the patient, and convert the reflected ultrasound signals into corresponding electrical signals of the ultrasound signals for processing into an ultrasound image; a console configured to communicate with the ultrasound probe, the console comprising a memory having executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions, for: In response to a medical device approaching the ultrasound probe, dynamically adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to a predetermined target or region in the body so that an image plane created by the activated ultrasound transducer is perpendicular or parallel to the medical device or the predetermined target or region; and processing the corresponding electrical signal of the ultrasound signal into the ultrasound image; and A display screen is configured to communicate with the console, wherein the display screen is configured to display a graphical user interface including the ultrasound image.

2. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The ultrasound probe further includes a magnetic sensor array configured to convert magnetic signals from the medical device when magnetized into corresponding electrical signals of the magnetic signals for processing by the processor into distance and orientation information relative to the predetermined target or region for displaying an image representation of the medical device on the display screen.

3. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 2, wherein: When the medical device approaches the ultrasound probe, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area are adjusted, and the image plane established by the activated ultrasound transducer is perpendicular or parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device, so as to enter the predetermined target or area through the medical device.

4. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 2, wherein: The distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the blood vessel as the predetermined target are adjusted, and the image plane created by the activated ultrasound transducer is perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel according to the orientation of the blood vessel.

5. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: a standalone optical interrogator communicatively coupled to the console or an integrated optical interrogator integrated into the console, the optical interrogator configured to transmit an input optical signal, receive a reflected optical signal, and convert the reflected optical signal into a corresponding electrical signal of the optical signal for processing by the processor into distance and orientation information relative to the predetermined target or area for displaying an image representation of the medical device on the display screen; and A fiber optic stylet is configured to transmit the input light signal from the optical interrogator to a plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors along a length of the fiber optic stylet and to transmit the reflected light signal from the plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors back to the optical interrogator, the fiber optic stylet being configured to be disposed within the lumen of the medical device.

6. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 5, wherein: When the medical device approaches the ultrasound probe, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area are adjusted, and the image plane established by the activated ultrasound transducer is perpendicular or parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device, so as to enter the predetermined target or area through the medical device.

7. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 5, wherein: The distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the blood vessel as the predetermined target are adjusted, and the image plane created by the activated ultrasound transducer is perpendicular or parallel to the blood vessel according to the orientation of the blood vessel.

8. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 3, wherein: The image plane includes a blood vessel as the predetermined target, and the medical device includes a needle. The image plane is perpendicular to the medical device plane when the needle approaches, and is parallel to the medical device plane when the needle is used for percutaneous puncture.

9. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The ultrasound transducer array is a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array, and the active ultrasound transducers are an approximately linear subset of the ultrasound transducers of the two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array that are activated by the console at any given time.

10. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 1, wherein: The ultrasound transducer array is a movable linear array of ultrasound transducers, and the activated ultrasound transducers are a subset of the ultrasound transducers, up to all of the ultrasound transducers in the linear array of ultrasound transducers activated by the console at any given time.

11. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 9, wherein: The ultrasound probe also includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, or a combination thereof, configured to provide position tracking data to the console, and the processor is further configured to execute instructions for processing the position tracking data for adjusting the distance between the activated ultrasound transducer and the predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area.

12. The ultrasonic imaging system according to claim 9, wherein: When the ultrasound probe is inadvertently moved relative to the predetermined target or area, the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area are maintained.

13. A method of an ultrasound imaging system, the ultrasound imaging system comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a console of the ultrasound imaging system, cause the ultrasound imaging system to perform a set of operations for ultrasound imaging, characterized in that: The method comprises: activating ultrasound transducers of an ultrasound transducer array of an ultrasound probe communicatively coupled to the console, whereby the ultrasound transducers transmit generated ultrasound signals into a patient, receive reflected ultrasound signals from the patient, and convert the reflected ultrasound signals into corresponding electrical signals of the ultrasound signals for processing into an ultrasound image; In response to a medical device approaching the ultrasound probe, dynamically adjusting the distance and orientation of an activated ultrasound transducer relative to a predetermined target or region in the body so that an image plane established by the activated ultrasound transducer is perpendicular or parallel to the medical device or the predetermined target or region; processing the corresponding electrical signal of the ultrasound signal into the ultrasound image; and A graphical user interface including the ultrasound image is displayed on a display screen communicatively coupled to the console.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Also includes: using a magnetic sensor array of the ultrasound probe to convert a magnetic signal from the medical device when magnetized into an electrical signal corresponding to the magnetic signal; and processing, by the processor, the corresponding electrical signal of the magnetic signal into distance and orientation information relative to the predetermined target or area; and A graphical representation of the medical device is displayed on the display screen.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that It also includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer relative to the predetermined target or area when the medical device approaches the ultrasonic probe, so that the activated ultrasonic transducer establishes the image plane that is perpendicular or parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device, for entering the predetermined target or area through the medical device.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the blood vessel as the predetermined target, so that the image plane perpendicular to or parallel to the blood vessel is established by the activated ultrasound transducer.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein Also includes: transmitting an input optical signal, receiving a reflected optical signal, and converting the reflected optical signal into an electrical signal corresponding to the optical signal via a stand-alone optical interrogator communicatively coupled to the console or an integrated optical interrogator integrated into the console; transmitting the input light signal from the optical interrogator to a plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors along a length of a fiber optic stylet, and transmitting the reflected light signal from the plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors back to the optical interrogator, the fiber optic stylet being disposed within an inner lumen of the medical device; processing, by the processor, a corresponding electrical signal of the optical signal into distance and orientation information relative to the predetermined target or area; and A graphical representation of the medical device is displayed on the display screen.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that It also includes adjusting the distance and the orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer relative to the predetermined target or area when the medical device approaches the ultrasonic probe, so that the activated ultrasonic transducer establishes the image plane perpendicular or parallel to the medical device plane including the medical device, for entering the predetermined target or area through the medical device.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein The method further includes adjusting the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the blood vessel as the predetermined target, so that the image plane perpendicular to or parallel to the blood vessel is established by the activated ultrasound transducer.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein The established image plane is perpendicular to the medical device plane when the medical device approaches and is parallel to the medical device plane when the needle is inserted. The image plane includes the blood vessel as the predetermined target, and the medical device plane includes the needle as the medical device.

21. The method according to claim 13, wherein The activation of the ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array comprises activating an approximately linear subset of the ultrasound transducers of a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array.

22. The method according to claim 13, wherein Activation of the ultrasound transducers of the ultrasound transducer array includes activating a subset of the ultrasound transducers up to all of the ultrasound transducers in a movable linear array of ultrasound transducers.

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that Also includes: providing position tracking data from an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, or a combination thereof of the ultrasound probe to the console; and The position tracking data is processed by the processor to adjust the distance of the activated ultrasonic transducer from the predetermined target or area, the orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined target or area, or both the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasonic transducer relative to the predetermined target or area.

24. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that Also included is maintaining the distance and orientation of the activated ultrasound transducer relative to the predetermined target or area when the ultrasound probe is inadvertently moved relative to the predetermined target or area.

Images