Abstract: Method for ultrasound image acquisition includes defining a fixed frame of reference, with an origin of coordinates within a transmitter of a tracking system; detecting position and orientation of a probe relative to the frame of reference with a probe sensor of the tracking system coupled to the probe; detecting position and orientation of a body relative to the frame of reference with a reference sensor of the tracking system coupled to the body; calculating position and orientation of the probe with respect to the body; acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the body and receiving echographic signals with the probe; iterating for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images based on information of position and orientation of the probe relative to the body for each 2D image acquisition.

Abstract: A method of fusing ultrasound images with pre-acquired images includes acquiring a first 3D ultrasound image in real-time; identifying at least one known reference pattern or object within a pre-acquired 3D image and the 3D ultrasound image; registering the real-time 3D ultrasound image with the pre-acquired 3D image by using the reference pattern or object; fusing the 3D ultrasound images of a sequence of real-time 3D ultrasound images; with the pre-acquired 3D image using data of the co-registration; and displaying fusion tomographic images, each including the corresponding real-time ultrasound image and the pre-acquired image. The registration between real-time 3D ultrasound images and the pre-acquired 3D image is performed continuously in the background by continuing to acquire the real-time 3D ultrasound images and to register them with the pre-acquired 3D images using the reference pattern or patterns or the object or objects.

Abstract: A method of fusing ultrasound images with pre-acquired images includes acquiring a first 3D ultrasound image in real-time; identifying at least one known reference pattern or object within a pre-acquired 3D image and the 3D ultrasound image; registering the real-time 3D ultrasound image with the pre-acquired 3D image by using the reference pattern or object; fusing the 3D ultrasound images of a sequence of real-time 3D ultrasound images; with the pre-acquired 3D image using data of the co-registration; and displaying fusion tomographic images, each including the corresponding real-time ultrasound image and the pre-acquired image. The registration between real-time 3D ultrasound images and the pre-acquired 3D image is performed continuously in the background by continuing to acquire the real-time 3D ultrasound images and to register them with the pre-acquired 3D images using the reference pattern or patterns or the object or objects.

Abstract: Method for ultrasound image acquisition includes defining a fixed frame of reference, with an origin of coordinates within a transmitter of a tracking system; detecting position and orientation of a probe relative to the frame of reference with a probe sensor of the tracking system coupled to the probe; detecting position and orientation of a body relative to the frame of reference with a reference sensor of the tracking system coupled to the body; calculating position and orientation of the probe with respect to the body; acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the body and receiving echographic signals with the probe; iterating for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images based on information of position and orientation of the probe relative to the body for each 2D image acquisition.