Abstract: A system for supplementing ultrasound image needle guidance with magnetically detected needle position and tissue impedance measurements. The system comprises an ultrasound imaging system with the ultrasound probe being provided with a magnetometric detector for detecting the position of a magnetized needle, cannula, catheter or other tissue-penetrating tool. The tissue penetrating tool is provided with an electrode at or near its tip which is connected to a power source and impedance meter, the impedance measuring circuit being completed by use of a skin electrode or second electrode on the tool so that the electrical impedance of the patient's tissue can be measured. The measured impedance values and the magnetically detected position of the tool are superimposed on the ultrasound image so that the clinician can easily confirm the needle position in relation to the imaged anatomy.

Abstract: A magnetizer for a tissue-penetrating medical tool such as a needle, cannula, stylet, or catheter consist of a magnetic flux generator which generates a magnetic field in a tool-receiving space. The tool can be passed through or into and out of the space to magnetize it. Optionally the space can be defined by a disposable plastics tube, with a closed end, so that a defined length of the tool is magnetized. The magnetic flux generator can be a permanent magnet or electromagnet. Alternatively a conveyor belt can be used to transport a tissue-penetrating medical tool through a magnetic field generated by an electromagnet with the belt and the electromagnetic being controlled in response to an optical sensor for detecting the position of the tissue-penetrating medical tool. The device is suitable for magnetizing tools for use in surgical procedures where the tool is to be magnetically tracked.

Abstract: A system for supplementing ultrasound image needle guidance with magnetically detected needle position and tissue impedance measurements. The system comprises an ultrasound imaging system with the ultrasound probe being provided with a magnetometric detector for detecting the position of a magnetised needle, cannula, catheter or other tissue-penetrating tool. The tissue penetrating tool is provided with an electrode at or near its tip which is connected to a power source and impedance meter, the impedance measuring circuit being completed by use of a skin electrode or second electrode on the tool so that the electrical impedance of the patient's tissue can be measured. The measured impedance values and the magnetically detected position of the tool are superimposed on the ultrasound image so that the clinician can easily confirm the needle position in relation to the imaged anatomy.

Abstract: An opto-electrical ultrasound sensor, preferably for the use in medical diagnostics, comprising at least one light source (2), a photo detector (3) illuminated by the light source (2) and capable of producing an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the light incident on the photo detector (3), and an optical ultrasound detector (4) located in the optical path between the light source (2) and the photo detector (3) and capable of modulating in response to an ultrasound signal the intensity of at least part of the light incident on photo detector (3) from the light source (2). The opto-electrical ultrasound sensor further comprises intensity adjustment means (5) for adjusting the intensity of the light incident on the photo detector (3) via the optical ultrasound detector (4).

Abstract: A system and method for assembling a 3D ultrasound image representation from multiple two-dimensional ultrasound images utilises a magnetic position detection system to detect the ultrasound probe position and allow mapping of the multiple two-dimensional ultrasound images into a three-dimensional frame of reference. The magnetic position detection system may use magnetic markers positioned on the subject or fixed in space around the subject. The position detection may use magnetic model fitting, look-up table, triangulation or distance measurement techniques to determine the position of the ultrasound probe relative to the magnetic markers. The ultrasound probe includes a magnetometric detector to detect the field generated by the magnetic markers.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasound image guided surgical procedures such as needling or catheterisation, in which an ultrasound transducer is provided with a magnetometric detector for detecting the magnetic field emanating from a magnetised tissue-penetrating medical tool such as a needle or catheter. The detection of the magnetic field allows the position of the tool to be tracked magnetically and the position can be displayed on the ultrasound image. The position of the tool is determined from the magnetic field measurements by use of a look-up table of magnetic field values for the field emanating from the tissue-penetrating medical tool.

Abstract: A magnetizer for a tissue-penetrating medical tool such as a needle, cannula, stylet, or catheter consist of a magnetic flux generator which generates a magnetic field in a tool-receiving space. The tool can be passed through or into and out of the space to magnetise it. Optionally the space can be defined by a disposable plastics tube, with a closed end, so that a defined length of the tool is magnetised. The magnetic flux generator can be a permanent magnet or electromagnet. Alternatively a conveyor belt can be used to transport a tissue-penetrating medical tool through a magnetic field generated by an electromagnet with the belt and the electromagnetic being controlled in response to an optical sensor for detecting the position of the tissue-penetrating medical tool. The device is suitable for magnetising tools for use in surgical procedures where the tool is to be magnetically tracked.

Abstract: An opto-electrical ultrasound sensor, preferably for the use in medical diagnostics, comprising at least one light source (2),a photo detector (3) illuminated by the light source (2) and capable of producing an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the light incident on the photo detector(3), and an optical ultrasound detector (4) located in the optical path between the light source (2) and the photo detector (3) and capable of modulating in response to an ultrasound signal the intensity of at least part of the light incident on photo detector (3) from the light source (2). The opto-electrical ultrasound sensor further comprises intensity adjustment means (5) for adjusting the intensity of the light incident on the photo detector (3) via the optical ultrasound detector (4).