System and method for displaying echogenic needle position

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for providing indications of visible and invisible portions of an interventional device in an ultrasound image. The system includes: a processing unit including a detection and recognition system configured to detect patterns of echo features within the ultrasound image; and a memory unit operatively connected to the processing unit, the memory unit storing information regarding echo patterns on various interventional devices. The detection and recognition system determines the visible and invisible portions of the detected echo patterns in the ultrasound image by comparing the size of the stored echo patterns with a representation of detected echo patterns in the ultrasound image, and positions an indicator within the ultrasound image on a display to align with the positions of the visible and invisible portions of the detected echo patterns on the interventional device.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to interventional medical articles (e.g., needles, catheters, cannulas, sheaths, etc.) that include features that provide enhanced ultrasound visibility during introduction and / or delivery into a body space, such as, for example, an artery, vein, blood vessel, body lumen, or drainage site, and more particularly to systems and methods for determining the location of a medical article within a patient’s body.

[0002] Ultrasound imaging is used to examine the interior of living tissue, and the images are used to aid in performing medical procedures on that tissue. One such procedure is the insertion of an interventional device, such as a needle, into a desired location in the tissue, for example, to insert a needle into a lesion or other abnormality in the tissue for a biopsy, or to inject the tissue with a diagnostic or medical treatment material, such as a local anesthetic or nerve block. Ultrasound imaging is performed in conjunction with the insertion of the needle to show the location of the needle within the patient relative to the tissue that is the target for insertion of the needle on an associated display as the needle is inserted into the patient.

[0003] To safely and effectively perform a procedure using a needle, it must be possible to determine the exact location of the tip of the needle in order to guide the tip into the desired area of the tissue that is the subject of the procedure. However, in some cases, the entire body of the needle, and in particular the tip of the needle, does not readily appear in the ultrasound image. For example, during insertion, the tip of the needle can be inadvertently directed or deflected out of the imaging plane of the ultrasound image being obtained. Thus, in the displayed ultrasound image, only the portion of the needle body behind the tip that remains in the imaging plane is visible, while the actual location of the tip of the needle is set before the portion of the needle that is visible in the displayed ultrasound image. Thus, with such a displayed ultrasound image, a user can believe that the portion of the needle shown in the ultrasound image defines the correct location of the tip of the needle, causing the user to potentially cause inadvertent damage to other organs or inadvertent injection into a blood vessel when further inserting the needle into the patient.

[0004] In the prior art, in order to enhance the ability of an ultrasound imaging system to provide an accurate display of the location of a needle including a needle tip within a patient, needles have been developed that include echogenic portions on the needle, such as those examples disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2017 / 0043100 entitled “Echogenic Pattern And Medical Articles Including Same” and US2012 / 0059247 entitled “Echogenic Needle For Biopsy Device”, the entireties of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. In certain needles, an echogenic portion of the needle can be formed proximate to a tip of the needle in order to provide an enhancement of the ultrasound imaging of the tip when the tip is inserted into a patient.

[0005] However, even in the case where an enhanced echogenic feature is provided on the needle, it is still possible for the tip of the needle including the echogenic feature to be steered or deflected out of the imaging plane. In this case, the user can still view an ultrasound image that includes less than the entire needle, and can inadvertently insert the needle further into the patient, creating a highly undesirable situation.

[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a system and method for ultrasound imaging of a needle inserted into a patient that can provide an accurate indication to a user of the location of the tip of the needle when the tip of the needle is deflected or steered out of the imaging plane of the ultrasound imaging system. SUMMARY

[0007] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasound imaging system for obtaining an ultrasound image of an interior of a subject includes a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create an ultrasound image derived from the ultrasound image data, the processing unit including a detection and recognition system configured to detect a pattern of an echogenic feature within the created ultrasound image; a memory unit operably connected to the processing unit and storing information regarding individual interventional devices, the information including stored echogenic patterns and specific locations and dimensions of the stored echogenic patterns on individual interventional devices; a display operably connected to the processing unit to present the ultrasound image to a user; an ultrasound imaging probe operably connected to the processing unit to acquire ultrasound image data for use by the processing unit in forming the ultrasound image, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to detect the pattern of the echogenic feature within the ultrasound image data, compare the detected echogenic pattern to the stored echogenic patterns within the memory unit, and position an indicator within the ultrasound image on the display to show locations of a visible portion and a non-visible portion of the detected echogenic pattern.

[0008] In another exemplary embodiment of the present application, an ultrasound imaging system comprises: a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create an ultrasound image derived from the ultrasound image data, the processing unit including a detection and recognition system configured to detect a pattern of echogenic features within the created ultrasound image; a memory unit operably connected to the processing unit and storing information regarding individual interventional devices, the information including stored echogenic patterns and specific locations and dimensions of the stored echogenic patterns on individual interventional devices; a display operably connected to the processing unit to present the ultrasound image to a user; an ultrasound imaging probe operably connected to the processing unit to acquire ultrasound image data for use by the processing unit in forming the ultrasound image; and an interventional device adapted to be inserted into a subject adjacent to the imaging probe, the interventional device including one or more echogenic portions thereon, the one or more echogenic portions including one or more echogenic features disposed thereon to form one or more echogenic patterns, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to detect the one or more echogenic patterns within the ultrasound image data, compare the detected echogenic patterns to the stored echogenic patterns within the memory unit, and position an indicator within the ultrasound image on the display to show locations of visible and non-visible portions of the detected echogenic patterns.

[0009] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method of the present application, a method for providing an indication of visible and non-visible portions of an interventional device in an ultrasound image includes the steps of: providing an ultrasound imaging system having a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create an ultrasound image derived from the ultrasound image data, the processing unit including a detection and recognition system configured to detect a pattern of echogenic features within the created ultrasound image; a memory unit operably connected to the processing unit and storing information regarding individual interventional devices, the information including stored echogenic patterns and specific locations and dimensions of the stored echogenic patterns on individual interventional devices; a display operably connected to the processing unit to present the ultrasound image to a user; an ultrasound imaging probe operably connected to the processing unit to acquire ultrasound image data for use by the processing unit in forming the ultrasound image; and an interventional device adapted to be inserted into a subject adjacent to the imaging probe, the interventional device including one or more echogenic portions thereon, the one or more echogenic portions including one or more echogenic features disposed thereon to form one or more echogenic patterns, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to detect the one or more echogenic patterns within the ultrasound image data, compare the detected echogenic patterns to the stored echogenic patterns within the memory unit, and position an indicator within the ultrasound image on the display to show locations of visible and non-visible portions of the detected echogenic patterns; inserting the interventional device into the subject; obtaining ultrasound image data using the probe; matching the one or more detected echogenic patterns to corresponding stored echogenic patterns in the memory unit; determining dimensions of the stored echogenic patterns from the memory unit; determining visible and non-visible portions of the one or more detected echogenic patterns by comparing the dimensions of the stored echogenic patterns to representations of the one or more detected echogenic patterns in the ultrasound image data; and positioning the indicator within the ultrasound image on the display in alignment with the visible and non-visible portions of the one or more detected echogenic patterns on the interventional device.

[0010] It should be appreciated that the above Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some select concepts of the detailed description which is further described in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION. It is not meant to limit the claimed subject matter to these concepts alone. Further, the claimed subject matter is not limited to solving any disadvantages with any part of the background. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an ultrasound imaging system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound imaging system including an echogenic needle display system constructed in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 is a front plan view of a first embodiment of an echogenic needle for use with the needle display system of Figure 2

[0014] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3

[0015] Figure 5 is a front plan view of a second embodiment of an echogenic needle for use with the needle display system of Figure 2

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound image showing a detected position of an echogenic needle within a patient.

[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound image showing a detected position of an echogenic needle imaging portion and an estimated position of an echogenic needle non-imaging portion within a patient.

[0018] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to Figure 1 , an example ultrasound imaging system 100 for use during an ultrasound imaging procedure is shown, including an ultrasound probe 106, such as a linear array probe, for optimal visualization of a target structure 102 within a patient 20. The ultrasound imaging system 100 includes a transmit circuit 110 configured to generate a pulsed waveform to operate or drive a transducer array 111 including one or more transducer elements 112 disposed within the probe 106, and a receive circuit 114 operably coupled to a beamformer 116 and configured to process received echoes and output corresponding radio frequency (RF) signals.

[0020] Further, the system 100 includes a processing unit 120 communicatively coupled to the transmit circuit 110, the beamformer 116, the probe 106, and / or the receive circuit 114 through a wired or wireless communication network 118. The processing unit 120 can be configured to receive and process acquired image data, e.g., RF signals, in accordance with a plurality of selectable ultrasound imaging modes in near real-time and / or offline modes.

[0021] ​​​Further, in one embodiment, the processing unit 120 can be configured to store the acquired volumetric images, imaging parameters, and / or viewing parameters in a memory device 122. For example, the memory device 122 can include a storage device such as a random access memory, a read only memory, a disk drive, a solid state memory device, and / or a flash memory. Further, the processing unit 120 can display the volumetric images and / or information derived from the images to a user, such as a cardiologist, for further evaluation on an operatively connected display 126, for manipulation to communicate information and / or receive commands and inputs from the user using one or more connected user input-output devices 124, or for processing by a video processor 128, which can be connected and configured to perform one or more functions of the processing unit 120. For example, the video processor 128 can be configured to digitize received echoes and output the resulting digital video stream on the display device 126.

[0022] Reference will now be made to Figure 2 In use, the probe 106 is placed proximate to the patient 20 to provide ultrasound images of a target structure or tissue 102 within the patient 20. The interventional device 30 is mounted to the probe 106 or disposed proximate to the probe, and is adapted to be inserted into the patient 20 to the target tissue 102, either manually or by use of a suitable insertion mechanism 36 operatively connected to the device 30 and optionally to the probe 106. The interventional device 30 is shown in the illustrated example embodiment as a needle 32, but in other embodiments can be another interventional device, such as a catheter, dilator, or sheath, among others. The needle 32 includes one or more echogenic features 34 thereon to improve the visibility of the needle 32 and its parts within ultrasound images. In certain example embodiments, the needle 32 according to the present disclosure can be used to introduce or deliver a medical material, such as a local anesthetic or nerve block, or another medical article, such as a catheter, cannula, or sheath, into a space, such as a blood vessel or drainage site. In other embodiments, the needle 32 according to the present disclosure can be used for biopsy or tissue sampling purposes. In any embodiment directed to use of the device 30 / needle 32, the echogenic features 34 can be formed on, in, or added to the structure of the device / needle, for example a coating, glass beads, spherical particles, grooves, indentations, or other features, either alone or in combination with one another so as to not interfere with the function of the needle 32.

[0023] In Figure 3 and Figure 4In an exemplary illustrated embodiment, the needle 32 includes a hollow elongated body 40 having a tip 42 at a distal end 44 and a proximal end 46 opposite the tip 42. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, an echo feature 34 is positioned at and / or adjacent to the tip 42 such that the tip 42 has enhanced visibility in the ultrasound image 202 obtained by the ultrasound imaging system 100. The echo feature 34 is formed in the body 40 with a pattern 47 for the feature 34, which allows the feature 34 to be easily observed and distinguished from other structures located within the ultrasound image 202 obtained by the system 100. Figure 4 In one embodiment, the echo feature 34 takes the form of grooves 48 etched into the material forming the body 40 of the needle 32, these grooves being spaced apart from each other along the echo portion 50 of the body 40 of the needle 32.

[0024] Alternatively, as shown Figure 5 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the needle 32 may have a body 40 having a plurality of echo portions 50, 50' spaced apart from each other along the body 40. The echo portions 50 may have echo features 34 of the same or different shapes and / or types to present specific visual patterns 47, 47' in an ultrasound image of the body 40. The echo portions 50 may be separated by bands 52 of the body 40, which do not include any echo features 34. Thus, the echo portions 50, 50' and patterns 47, 47' formed therein, along with the bands 52, enable the needle 32 to provide information via an ultrasound image regarding the position of the tip 42 of the needle 32 relative to one or more echo portions 50, 50' disposed on the body 40 of the needle 32.

[0025] Now for reference Figure 2 The ultrasound imaging system 100 includes a detection and identification system 200. The detection and identification system 200 may be formed as part of the processing unit 120, or it may be a separate component operatively connected to the processing unit 120 within the ultrasound imaging system 100. In either embodiment, the detection and identification system 200 is configured to analyze an ultrasound image 202 generated by the processing unit 102 from acquired image data to locate the presence of a needle 32 or other echo interventional device within the ultrasound image 202. The ultrasound image 202 may be various 2D or 3D images or 2D or 3D frames within a 4D ultrasound video or film playback. The detection and identification system 200 is operatively connected to a memory device 122 or a separate electronic storage device or database (not shown) containing information relating to patterns 47, 47' of echo characteristics 34 for multiple different interventional devices 30 / needles 32 from various manufacturers.

[0026] See now Figure 2 as well asFigures 6 to 8 When analyzing a particular ultrasound image 202 and / or a particular frame of image data used to form the image 202 or a video or film playback corresponding to the image 202, in block 300, the detection and identification system 200 makes a determination for each video or film frame or ultrasound image 202 if the echogenic portion 50 and associated pattern 47 of the needle 32 is present within the ultrasound image 202. To detect the echogenic portion 50, the detection and identification system 200 employs a suitable process to minimize noise within the ultrasound image data / ultrasound image 202 and enable any echogenic portion 50 and pattern 47 to be more easily located. In one exemplary embodiment for the detection and identification system 200, the detection and identification system 200 employs a suitable pattern recognition algorithm, such as an algorithm that utilizes matched filters in a known manner and / or artificial intelligence (AI) located within the detection and identification system 200, to determine the presence of the pattern 47 of any echogenic portion 50 within the image data / ultrasound image 202.

[0027] In an alternative exemplary embodiment, as an alternative or supplement to automatically detecting the pattern 47 by the detection and identification system 200 to identify the needle 32, the user interface / input device 124 can be operated to allow a user to select the type of needle 32 to be used in the procedure. The detection and identification system 200 can then identify the pattern 47 of the user selected needle 32 and operate to locate that pattern 47 within the image data / ultrasound image 202. This information regarding the needle 32 to be used can be provided to the detection and identification system 200 by the user in various ways, such as through the input device 124, such as by manually entering identifying information regarding the needle 32, or by scanning a bar code or RFID located on the packaging for the needle 32 that includes identifying information.

[0028] If it is determined that one or more echogenic portions 50 are present in the ultrasound image data / image 202, in block 302, the detection and identification system 200 accesses the storage unit 122 containing stored information regarding different patterns of echogenic features associated with the particular interventional device 30 / needle 32. The pattern 47 of echogenic features 34 disposed on the echogenic portion 50 detected by the detection and identification system 200 is compared to the stored patterns in order to match the detected pattern 47 to the pattern utilized on the particular interventional device 30 / needle 32.

[0029] Once the pattern 47 of echogenic portions 50 detected in the ultrasound image data / image 202 is identified and / or matched to a particular manufacturer, in block 304, information stored in the memory unit 122 regarding the specific configuration of the particular interventional device 30 / needle 32 comprising the identified pattern 47 can be employed by the detection and identification system 200 to determine the location of the needle 32 relative to the ultrasound image 202. This is accomplished by the identification and detection system 200 by comparing and correlating the location and / or size (e.g., length) of the echogenic portions 50, 50' and associated pattern 47, 47' detected in the ultrasound image 202 to the particular needle 32 having the dimensions of the needle 32 stored in the memory unit 122. For example, if the needle 32 detected in the ultrasound image 202 comprises two echogenic portions 50, 50' spaced apart from each other by a band 52, where the echogenic portions 50, 50' and band 52 each have a specified length, the identification and detection system 200 can determine the length of the body 40 of the needle 32 present within the image 202 based on the lengths of the echogenic portions 50, 50' and band 52 visible in the image 202.

[0030] Using this information, in block 306, the identification and detection system 200 can provide an augmentation of the representation of the needle 32 within the ultrasound image 202. Referring to FIG. 4, the device indicator 400 provided by the determination and identification system 200 can display to the user, within the frame 402 of the ultrasound image 202 represented on the display 126, information regarding the location and orientation of the needle 32, particularly the tip 42 of the needle 32, relative to the image plane / frame 402 of the image 202 obtained using the ultrasound imaging system 100. More specifically, knowing the relationship and / or distance of the echogenic portions 50 and / or band 52 visible in the image data / image 202 from the tip 42 of the needle 32, the identification and detection system 200 can determine the location of the tip 42 relative to the image 202, even if the tip 42 is not visible within the ultrasound image 202. With this location information, the detection and identification system 200 can provide the device indicator 400 within the ultrasound image 202 simultaneously regarding both the visible portion of the needle 32 as well as the portion of the needle 32 that is not visible in the image 202 due to being positioned outside of the image plane / frame 402 of the ultrasound image 202. Figures 6 to 8 For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the device indicator 400 can be provided by the identification and detection system 200 within the frame 402 of the ultrasound image 202 represented on the display 126 to indicate the location of the tip 42 of the needle 32 relative to the image plane / frame 402 of the image 202. In this example, the device indicator 400 is provided as a cross-hair 404 that is superimposed on the ultrasound image 202 and that is centered on the location of the tip 42 of the needle 32 relative to the image plane / frame 402 of the image 202. The cross-hair 404 can be provided in any suitable manner, such as by being superimposed on the ultrasound image 202 by the identification and detection system 200, or by being provided by the ultrasound imaging system 100 on which the identification and detection system 200 is implemented.

[0031] Figure 6 ​As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the needle 32 inserted into the patient 20 includes a pair of echo portions 50, 50' spaced apart from each other by a single band 52, wherein the foremost echo portion 50' terminates at the tip 42 of the needle 32. Information about the lengths of the various portions of the needle 32 (such as the first echo portion 50' of a particular needle 32) stored in the memory unit 122 is known and can be used by the detection and identification system 200 to determine what length of the first echo portion 50' is visible within the ultrasound image 202.

[0032] If the length of the first echo portion 50' stored in the memory unit 122 corresponds to the length of the first echo portion 50' represented in the ultrasound image 202, the detection and identification system 200 can provide a device indicator 400 to show that the entire first echo portion 50' and the tip 42 are visible in the ultrasound image 202.

[0033] Conversely, if the system 200 determines that the length of the first echo portion 50' stored in the memory unit 122 does not correspond to the length of the first echo portion 50' represented in the ultrasound image 202, the detection and identification system 200 can provide a device indicator 400 to show that a portion of the first echo portion 50' and the tip 42 are outside the image plane / frame 402 represented in the ultrasound image 202.

[0034] As shown Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in the exemplary embodiment, if the tip 42, and thus the entire first echo portion 50', is visible within the ultrasound image 202, as determined by the system 200 by comparing the visible position of the needle 32 with the known dimensions of the needle 32 and its portions 50, 50', then the device indicator 400 may take the form of a pair of boundary lines 404 located on each side of the needle 32, as shown in the ultrasound image 202. The boundary lines 404 are spaced apart on either side of the representation of the needle 32 in the ultrasound image 202 and extend along the entire length of the needle 32 shown in the ultrasound image 202, with the ends 410 of the boundary lines 404 positioned aligned with the tip 42 of the needle 32. The boundary lines 404 may have any desired form and, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, are formed by a plurality of equidistant points 406 aligned with the representation of the needle 32 in the ultrasound image 202. Additionally, as the needle 32 is further inserted into the patient 20, the detection and identification system 200 can extend the boundary line 402 to correspond to the length of the needle 32 represented in the ultrasound image 202, and maintain the alignment of the end 410 with the tip 42 of the needle 32, as shown in the ultrasound image 202.

[0035] Alternatively, in the case where the detection and recognition system 200 determines that less than the entire length of the first echogenic portion 50' is represented or visible within the ultrasound image 202, such that the tip 42 has been directed and / or deflected out of the imaging plane of the image 202, the system 200 will position a boundary line 404 along each side of the needle 32 represented in the ultrasound image 202. However, in this case, the boundary line 404 presented by the system 202 will extend beyond the length of the needle 32 represented in the ultrasound image 202 to correspond to the length and position of the actual location of the tip 42 of the needle 32 as determined by the detection and recognition system 200. As Figure 7 As shown in the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the boundary line 404 extends past the representation of the needle 32 to the estimated point at which the tip 42 of the needle 32 is actually located as determined by the system 200, thus visually showing the location of the entire needle 32 including the tip 42 relative to the actual location of the first portion of the needle 32 that remains visible in the ultrasound image 202 and is defined by the first portion 411 of the boundary line 404. In this manner, the detection and recognition system 200 not only provides the user with the location of the needle tip 42 based on their alignment with the tip 42 as determined by the system 202 based on the location of the end 410 of the boundary line 404 in the ultrasound image 202, but additionally indicates the estimated length of the needle 32 that extends out of the imaging plane of the ultrasound image 202 as represented by the second portion 412 of the boundary line 404 extending between the end 410 of the boundary line 404 and the most forward visible portion of the needle 32 within the ultrasound image 202.

[0036] Furthermore, in block 308, as the tip 42 of the needle 32 moves (e.g., closer or further from the plane of the ultrasound image 202), as determined by the system 200 based on the portions 50, 50' and / or band 52 of the needle 32 that are visible within the ultrasound image 202, these first and second portions 411, 412 can be changed in orientation and / or length by the system 200. Since the ultrasound image 202 is presented to the user on the display 126, which can be done at a user-controlled frame rate or cine fashion or as a real-time video display of the current position and movement of the needle 32 within the patient 20, the detection and recognition system 200 can change the device indicator 400 / boundary line 404 to reflect the real-time position of the needle 32 and tip 42 within and / or relative to the frame and / or imaging plane 402 represented by the image 202.

[0037] In addition to the lengths of portions 411 and 412 of the boundary line 404, the detection and identification system 200 can also use the boundary line 404 to enhance the indication of the position of the tip 42 outside the plane 402 of the ultrasound image 202. For example, the system 200 can change or add color to portions 412 of the boundary line 404 that differ from the first portion 411, such as by changing the color of those points 406 that form the second portion 412 of the boundary line 404, as... Figure 7 As shown. Other changes to the form of boundary line 404, particularly the second part 412, can be considered to enhance the representation, such as by increasing the size of the second part 412 of boundary line 404.

[0038] like Figure 6 As best shown, the identification and detection system 200 can also place a trajectory or path indicator 500 within the ultrasound image 202. The path indicator 500 is configured to align with the long axis of the body 40 of the needle 32 and indicates the path through which the needle 32 will be further inserted into the patient 20 in a straight line. Using the path indicator 500, the user can identify whether the insertion path of the needle 32 is aligned with tissue 102 intended to intersect with the needle 32, in order to perform the desired medical procedure using the needle 32. The exemplary embodiment shown illustrates... Figure 6 The path indicator 500, which represents a row of points 502, is configured to align with and be aligned with the body 40 of the needle 32, so that the path indicator 500 can provide information about the projected straight-line path for further insertion of the needle 32 into the patient without obscuring any significant portions of the tissue 102 of the patient 20 represented within the ultrasound image 202. Furthermore, although... Figure 6 A line of dots 502 in the image represents an exemplary embodiment of the path indicator 500, but the form of the path indicator 500 can be chosen as needed. Furthermore, the path indicator 500 can be presented within the ultrasound image 202, such as... Figure 6 As shown, this is only necessary as long as the tip 42 of the needle 32 is determined to be within the ultrasound image 202. Therefore, if the tip 42 has been guided outside the image plane / frame 402 and thus outside the ultrasound image 202, the detection and identification system 202 can stop displaying the path indicator 500 as a device indicator 400 separated from or optionally used as a substitute for the misaligned tip 42, such as portions 411, 412 / boundary line 404.

[0039] In addition to the device indicator 400 / border line 402 and the path indicator 500, the detection and recognition system 200 can now augment the representation of the tip 42 within the ultrasound image 202 directly based on the fact that the location of the tip 42 is known. More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, the detection and recognition system 200 can brighten the representation of the tip 42 and / or the expected region or location within the ultrasound image 202, or provide another icon 403 aligned with the location of the tip 42 within the ultrasound image 202, as determined by the system 200. Alternatively, the detection and recognition system 200 can detect the motion of the tip 42 to brighten it, such as by changing some scan parameters in the region of the image data / ultrasound image 202 where the motion of the tip 42 is detected, to achieve higher resolution in that region.

[0040] In the event that the system is additionally provided with the exact location of the target tissue 102 within the patient 20, the system 200 can also provide information on the distance between the tip 42 and the target tissue 102 on the display 126, such as a line extending between the tip 42 and the tissue 102 and / or a real-time measurement 600 of the current distance between the tip 42 and the target tissue 102. Figure 2 ).

[0041] This written description uses examples to disclose the application, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the application, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the application is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent

Claims

1. An ultrasound imaging system for obtaining an ultrasound image of an interior of a subject, the ultrasound imaging system comprising: - a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create an ultrasound image derived from the ultrasound image data, the processing unit comprising a detection and recognition system configured to detect a pattern of echogenic features within the created ultrasound image; - a memory unit operatively connected to the processing unit and storing information about individual interventional devices, the information comprising stored information about echogenic patterns and stored specific locations and dimensions of echogenic patterns on the individual interventional devices; - a display operatively connected to the processing unit to present the ultrasound image to a user; - an ultrasound imaging probe operatively connected to the processing unit to acquire the ultrasound image data for use by the processing unit in forming the ultrasound image, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to detect a pattern of echogenic features within the ultrasound image data, compare the detected echogenic pattern to stored echogenic patterns within the memory unit, and position an indicator within the ultrasound image on the display showing locations of visible and non-visible portions of the interventional device in accordance with locations of visible and non-visible portions of the detected echogenic pattern.

2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the detection and recognition system comprises a pattern recognition algorithm.

3. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the detection and recognition system comprises a pattern recognition artificial intelligence.

4. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the detection and recognition system comprises a matched filter pattern recognition algorithm.

5. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises: - a first portion showing locations of the visible portion of the interventional device; and - a second portion showing locations of the non-visible portion of the interventional device.

6. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 5, wherein the first and second portions are different colors.

7. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 6, wherein the indicator comprises a pair of boundary lines disposed on either side of the locations of the visible and non-visible portions of the interventional device in the ultrasound image.

8. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 6, wherein the indicator comprises a path indicator disposed in the ultrasound image adjacent a tip of the interventional device and indicating a straight line path extending away from the tip within the subject.

9. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to: - match one or more detected echogenic patterns to corresponding stored echogenic patterns in the memory unit; - determine the dimensions of the stored echogenic patterns from the memory unit; ​ - determining the visible and non-visible portions of the one or more detected echopatterns by comparing the size of the stored echopatterns to the representation of the one or more detected echopatterns in the ultrasound image data; and - positioning the indicator within the ultrasound image on the display.

10. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: - a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create an ultrasound image derived from the ultrasound image data, the processing unit comprising a detection and recognition system configured to detect patterns of echogenic features within the created ultrasound image; - a memory unit operably connected to the processing unit and storing information about individual interventional devices, the information including stored information about echopatterns and stored specific locations and sizes of echopatterns on the individual interventional devices; - a display operably connected to the processing unit to present the ultrasound image to a user; - an ultrasound imaging probe operably connected to the processing unit to acquire the ultrasound image data for use by the processing unit in forming the ultrasound image; and - an interventional device adapted to be inserted into a subject adjacent to the imaging probe, the interventional device comprising one or more echogenic portions thereon, the one or more echogenic portions comprising one or more echogenic features disposed thereon forming one or more echopatterns, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to detect one or more echopatterns within the ultrasound image data, compare the detected echopatterns to the stored echopatterns within the memory unit, and position an indicator within the ultrasound image on the display to show the location of the visible and non-visible portions of the interventional device according to the location of the visible and non-visible portions of the detected echopatterns.

11. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to: - match the one or more detected echopatterns to corresponding stored echopatterns in the memory unit; - determine the size of the stored echopatterns from the memory unit; - determine the visible and non-visible portions of the one or more detected echopatterns by comparing the size of the stored echopatterns to the representation of the one or more detected echopatterns in the ultrasound image data; and - position the indicator within the ultrasound image on the display.

12. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 10, wherein the indicator comprises: - a first portion showing the location of the visible portion of the interventional device; and - a second portion showing the location of the non-visible portion of the interventional device. ​ 13. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 12, wherein the indicator comprises a pair of boundary lines disposed on either side of the location of the visible portion and the non-visible portion of the detected echopattern in the ultrasound image.

14. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 12, wherein the indicator comprises a path indicator disposed in the ultrasound image adjacent to a tip of the interventional device and indicating a straight line path extending within the subject away from the tip.

15. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: - a processing unit configured to receive and process acquired ultrasound image data to create an ultrasound image derived from the ultrasound image data, the processing unit including a detection and recognition system configured to detect a pattern of echogenic features within the created ultrasound image; - a memory unit operably connected to the processing unit and storing information regarding individual interventional devices, the information including stored information regarding echopatterns and stored specific locations and dimensions of echopatterns on the individual interventional devices; - a display operably connected to the processing unit to present the ultrasound image to a user; - an ultrasound imaging probe operably connected to the processing unit to acquire the ultrasound image data for use by the processing unit in forming the ultrasound image; and - an interventional device adapted to be inserted into a subject adjacent to the imaging probe, the interventional device including one or more echogenic portions thereon, the one or more echogenic portions including one or more echogenic features disposed thereon forming one or more echopatterns, wherein the detection and recognition system is configured to detect the one or more echopatterns within the ultrasound image data, compare the detected echopatterns to the stored echopatterns within the memory unit, and position an indicator within the ultrasound image on the display showing the location of a visible portion and a non-visible portion of the interventional device; wherein when the interventional device is inserted into the subject, the ultrasound imaging system is configured to: - obtain ultrasound image data using the probe; - match the one or more detected echopatterns to corresponding stored echopatterns in the memory unit; - determine the dimensions of the stored echopatterns from the memory unit; - determine the visible portion and the non-visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns by comparing the dimensions of the stored echopatterns to representations of the one or more detected echopatterns in the ultrasound image data; and - position the indicator within the ultrasound image on the display in alignment with the visible portion and the non-visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns on the interventional device.

16. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 15, further configured to: - determine a location of the interventional device within the subject; and - position the indicator within the ultrasound image on the display in alignment with the location of the interventional device within the subject. - after positioning the indicator within the ultrasound image, re-determining the visible portion and the non-visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns by comparing the size of the stored echopattern to a representation of the one or more detected echopatterns in the ultrasound image data; and - changing the form of the indicator within the ultrasound image on the display to align with the visible portion and the non-visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns on the interventional device.

17. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 16, wherein the indicator comprises a first portion aligned with the visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns and a second portion aligned with the non-visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns, and wherein the step of changing the form of the indicator comprises changing a length of at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

18. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 16, wherein the indicator comprises a first portion aligned with the visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns and a second portion aligned with the non-visible portion of the one or more detected echopatterns, and wherein the step of changing the form of the indicator comprises changing a color of at least one of the first portion or the second portion.

19. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 16, wherein the step of changing the form of the indicator comprises enhancing the indicator to identify a location of a tip of the interventional device.

20. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 18, wherein the step of matching one or more detected echopatterns to a corresponding stored echopattern in the memory unit comprises matching one or more detected echopatterns to a user-selected stored echopattern.

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