Acoustic Ultrasound Probe Registration Without External Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound probe registration technologies are computationally intensive, restrictive, require external setups, and are affected by metallic objects, leading to inaccuracies and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An acoustically registerable probe system using ultrasound waves for probe positioning, allowing real-time registration of multiple probes in a common coordinate system without external setups, utilizing a transducer and beamformer to iteratively adjust field of view angles for precise probe positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image-based registration is used, then registration can be performed, but computational delay prevents real-time operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces image-based computational registration with an acoustic field-based registration system. Acoustic waves propagate through the medium to carry position information between probes, enabling real-time registration without intensive image processing computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic medium as an intermediary to transmit position information between probes. The acoustic waves serve as carriers that convey spatial data, eliminating the need for direct computational analysis of images and enabling real-time registration.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical sweeping devices are used, then registration can be performed, but the range of probe motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sweeping devices with an acoustic field-based system. This substitution removes physical constraints on probe motion, allowing probes to move freely while maintaining registration accuracy through acoustic wave propagation that is not limited by mechanical ranges.
3Measurement precision
If EM tracking is used, then registration can be performed, but metallic objects degrade tracking accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic tracking with acoustic wave-based tracking. Acoustic waves are not affected by metallic objects in the same way EM waves are, eliminating the harmful interference issue and maintaining tracking accuracy in the presence of metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for tracking from electromagnetic field properties to acoustic wave properties. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with metallic objects, as acoustic waves propagate differently through and around metal compared to EM waves.
4Measurement precision
If optical tracking systems are used, then high resolution registration is achieved, but external setup is required and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the registration functionality directly into the ultrasound probes themselves. The acoustic transducers within the probes both generate imaging waves and serve as position markers, eliminating the need for separate external optical tracking systems and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the acoustic transducers multi-functional: they serve both as imaging elements and as position markers for registration. This universality eliminates the need for dedicated external tracking hardware, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining high resolution registration.
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 accurate, low-cost, and real-time registration of multiple ultrasound probes, improving visualization with reduced artifacts and enhanced imaging capabilities for soft tissue anatomy.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer to generate acoustic pulses... The transducer is configured to iteratively send and receive acoustic energy with a decremented field of view angles to identify a position of the transducer to other transducers through a medium carrying the acoustic pulses
Implementation Method 2
receiving the first acoustic pulse at a second probe to measure time of flight and signal strength of the first pulse
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustically registerable probe includes a transducer (212) to generate acoustic pulses, and a beamformer (222) coupled to the transducer to adjust a field of view of the acoustic pulses. The transducer is configured to iteratively send and receive acoustic energy with a decremented field of view angles to identify a position of the transducer (216) to other transducers and to reveal positions of the other transducers to the transducer through a medium carrying the acoustic pulses to register the transducer to the other transducers coupled to the medium.