Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-01-09
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S447000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171248
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ultrasonic probe, system and method for acquiring two-dimensional image information and relative positional information to allow subsequent three dimensional reconstruction utilizing an ultrasonic probe that has at least two ultrasonic transducer arrays mounted thereon which generate differing image formats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Probes that incorporate more than one transducer array are known. For example, a 1994 model of the Toshiba biplane endocavity transducer incorporates linear imaging elements and axial imaging elements to offer a choice of views without transducer repositioning. B&K Medical Model 8558 bi-plane imaging transducer incorporates a linear ultrasound array and a 110° convex ultrasound array to allow for switching from longitudinal to transverse imaging and vice versa. In addition, the Acuson ER7B endorectal biplane transducer integrates a 128 element radial phased array which provides 150° of radial phased array coverage with a separate longitudinal array of 128 elements. These known probes allow different two dimensional views to be obtained from the different arrays.
Attempts have been made to construct three-dimensional images using a probe with a linear array by collecting multiple two dimensional image data frames along with relative positional information among the image data frames so that these image frames could be subsequently assembled into a three dimensional volume to form the desired three dimensional reconstruction. The relative positional information was acquired by externally rotating the probe while trying to maintain angular control. Such manual techniques are slow and cumbersome and therefore have many drawbacks. Thus, these probes have not been successfully used to construct three dimensional images.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an ultrasonic probe that allows three dimensional images to be constructed of the region examined by the probe in a precise and facile manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for registering image information acquired from an interior region of a patient. The method includes the steps of:
(a) inserting an ultrasonic probe having a body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference and a distal end region, a first ultrasound array disposed in the distal end region of the body and a second ultrasound array disposed in the distal end region of the body into a patient to image an interior region of the patient;
(b) acquiring image data with the first ultrasound array;
(c) acquiring tracking data with the second ultrasound array;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) after moving the ultrasonic probe along a direction having a component of motion in the tracking plane;
(e) automatically determining the component of motion based on a comparison of the tracking data acquired in steps (c) and (d); and
(f) automatically using the component of motion determined in step (e) to register the first image information acquired in step (d) with the first image information acquired in step (b).
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for registering image information acquired from an interior region of a patient. The method includes the steps of:
(a) inserting an ultrasonic probe having a body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference and a distal end region, a first ultrasound array disposed in the distal region of the body and a second ultrasound array disposed around the circumference of the distal end region of the body into a patient to image an interior region of the patient;
(b) acquiring first two-dimensional image data in an image plane with the first ultrasound array;
(c) acquiring tracking data in a tracking plane oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the image plane with the second ultrasound array;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) after moving the ultrasonic probe along a direction having a component of motion in the tracking plane;
(e) automatically determining the component of motion based on a comparison of the tracking data acquired in steps (c) and (d); and
(f) automatically using the component of motion determined in step (e) to register the first image information acquired in step (d) with the first image information acquired in step (b).
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a probe including a body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a distal end region; a linear phased array disposed in the distal end region of the body; and a radial phased array disposed 360° around the circumference of the body.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a system including a probe having a body having a longitudinal axis, a circumference, and a distal end region, a linear phased array disposed in the distal end region of the body, and a radial phased array disposed 360° around the circumference of the body; and a transmit beamformer and a receive beamformer coupled to each of the linear phased array and the first radial phased array.
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Eaton John W.
Hossack John A.
Acuson Corporation
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Lateef Marvin M.
Patel Maulin
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