Optical Fiber Position Sensing for Ultrasound Transducer Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging technologies face limitations in spatial tracking accuracy, image quality, and flexibility due to mechanical constraints, computational intensity, line-of-sight occlusions, and sensitivity to environmental changes, which restrict high-resolution and real-time imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical fiber technology with Fiber Bragg Gratings integrated into flexible cables to measure deflections and bending, enabling precise position and orientation sensing of transducer devices, allowing for flexible and dynamic transducer configurations and improved image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical sweeping devices are used for transducer tracking, then transducer position can be tracked, but the devices are cumbersome and have limited accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sweeping devices with an optical sensing system that uses infrared LEDs and cameras to track transducer position. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical constraint devices while achieving higher tracking accuracy through optical field measurements and computational geometry calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary system consisting of infrared LEDs attached to the transducer and IR cameras positioned around the imaging volume. This intermediary optical system mediates between the transducer and the tracking system, enabling accurate position measurement without direct mechanical contact or constraint.
2Measurement precision
If image-based registration is used for tracking, then transducer position can be determined, but it is computationally-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by establishing a mapping between camera pixel coordinates and real-world spatial coordinates before actual tracking. This pre-computed geometric model enables real-time position calculation during imaging without requiring intensive computational registration operations for each new position measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces computational image-based registration with direct optical coordinate measurement. By using infrared LEDs as bright point sources and measuring their positions directly in camera images with pre-calibrated coordinate transformations, the system achieves accurate tracking without the computational overhead of registering ultrasound images to anatomical models.
3Measurement precision
If IR camera based localization is used, then transducer position can be sensed, but it is sensitive to line-of-sight occlusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple IR cameras positioned at different locations around the imaging volume, each capable of tracking the transducer from its own viewpoint. This multi-camera configuration provides redundant tracking capability, ensuring that if one camera's view is occluded, other cameras can still maintain accurate position sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic camera selection and data fusion, where the system actively selects and combines position data from multiple cameras based on current line-of-sight conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing occlusion patterns and maintain reliable tracking throughout the imaging volume.
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
This approach enables real-time extended field-of-view imaging, live spatial compounding, and enhanced image resolution by providing accurate, flexible, and adaptable transducer geometry, overcoming the limitations of conventional tracking methods.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of sensors is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system and method for determining a position includes a transducer device (102) configured to receive signals from a console (104) and generate images based upon reflected waves. A flexible cable (108) is coupled to the transducer device to provide excitation energy to the transducer device from the console. An optical fiber (110) has a shape and position corresponding to a shape and position of the cable during operation. A plurality of sensors (122) is in optical communication with the optical fiber. The sensors are configured to measure deflections and bending in the optical fiber such that the deflections and bending in the optical fiber are employed to determine positional information about the transducer device.