3D Ultrasound Tracking of Interventional Devices Using Passive Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Interventional medical devices lacking echogenic properties are poorly visible in ultrasound images, complicating their localization, and three-dimensional ultrasound images can be complex to interpret, leading to cumbersome workflows in medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A passive ultrasound sensor, such as PZT or PVDF, is attached to the device to measure ultrasound waves, allowing for three-dimensional tracking by determining the device's position in ultrasound coordinates using time-of-flight and amplitude measurements, and modifying ultrasound beam patterns based on these measurements to enhance visualization and simplify the workflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a passive ultrasound sensor is attached to the interventional medical device, then the device becomes visible in ultrasound images, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A passive ultrasound sensor is introduced as an intermediary element attached to the interventional medical device. This sensor does not generate ultrasound but passively detects incident ultrasound waves, enabling the device to become visible in ultrasound images without requiring the device itself to be echogenic. The sensor acts as a mediator that translates the presence of the otherwise invisible device into detectable acoustic signals.
2Loss of information
If three-dimensional ultrasound images are used to provide good context, then the clinical information is comprehensive, but the images are complex to interpret and the workflow becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically steers the ultrasound planes based on the tracked position of the interventional medical device, eliminating the need for manual plane adjustment by the operator. The automated plane steering follows the device tip through the three-dimensional volume, maintaining optimal viewing angles without requiring the interventionalist to manually sweep through volumes or adjust plane orientations, thus simplifying the workflow while preserving comprehensive clinical information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, three-dimensional tracking of interventional medical devices, simplifying the workflow by automating the steering of ultrasound planes to maintain clear views of the device and anatomy, improving procedural efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric sensor can be applied on or in the interventional medical device... The piezoelectric sensor is a passive ultrasound sensor (e.g., PZT, PVDF, copolymer or other piezoelectric material) and is placed on or in the interventional medical devices. The passive ultrasound sensor passively listens to and measures the incident ultrasound waves
Implementation Method 2
time-of-flight measurements provide the axial/radial distance of the passive ultrasound sensor from the imaging array
Data Source
AI summary
A controller (210) for tracking an interventional medical device (252) in three dimensions includes a memory (212) that stores instructions, and a processor (211) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor (211), the instructions cause the controller (210) to execute a process. The process includes determining (S320/S420), based on an elevation plane in an ultrasound X-plane mode, a first two-dimensional location of the interventional medical device (252) in the elevation plane. The process also includes determining (S320/S422), based on an azimuthal plane in the ultrasound X-plane mode, a second two-dimensional location of the interventional medical device (252) in the azimuthal plane. The process moreover includes determining (S330/S430), based on the first two-dimensional location and the second two-dimensional location, a three-dimensional location of the interventional medical device (252). Finally, the process includes modifying (S340/S440) ultrasound beam patterns fired in the ultrasound X-plane mode based on the three-dimensional location of the interventional medical device (252).