Abstract: A controller (310) for identifying positioning of an intravascular ultrasound probe (952) includes a memory (362) that stores instructions (884) and a processor (361) that executes the instructions (884). When executed by the processor (361), the instructions (884) cause the controller (310) to execute a process that includes receiving first signals from at least one element of the intravascular ultrasound probe (952). The process also includes receiving second signals from an external ultrasound probe. Based on the first signals and the second signals, the controller (310) determines a position of the intravascular ultrasound probe (952) in a tracking space that includes the intravascular ultrasound probe (952) and the external ultrasound probe.

Abstract: An interventional instrument (30) having ultrasound sensors (S1, S2, S3, S4, . . . ) is tracked using an ultrasound imaging device (10) that acquires and displays a 2D ultrasound image of a visualization plane (18), and performs 2D ultrasound sweeps for a range of plane angles (?) obtained by rotating the ultrasound probe (12) and encompassing the visualization plane angle. For each ultrasound sensor, an optimal plane is found based on its emitted signal strength over the range of plane angles, and the ultrasound sensor is located in its optimal plane by analyzing the sensor signal as a function of the timing of the beams fired by the ultrasound probe. These locations in their respective optimal planes are transformed to a 3D reference space using a transform (42) parameterized by plane angle, and a visual indicator is displayed of spatial information (T, L) for the interventional instrument generated from the locations of the one or more ultrasound sensors in the 3D reference space.

Abstract: A method for tracking an interventional medical device in a patient includes interleaving, by an imaging probe external to the patient, a pulse sequence of imaging beams and tracking beams to obtain an interleaved pulse sequence. The method also includes transmitting, from the imaging probe to the interventional medical device in the patient, the interleaved pulse sequence. The method further includes determining, based on a response to the tracking beams received from a sensor on the interventional medical device, a location of the sensor in the patient.

Abstract: A steerable medical catheter includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a distal portion for insertion into a subject, a first pull wire, a second pull wire, and a piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric transducer includes a first electrode and a second electrode. At the distal portion of the catheter the first pull wire and the second pull wire are each mechanically coupled to the tubular body at respective first and second offset positions with respect to the longitudinal axis for imparting a curvature on the distal portion of the catheter. At the distal portion of the catheter the first pull wire is electrically connected to the first electrode of the piezoelectric transducer and the second pull wire is electrically connected to the second electrode of the piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system according to the present disclosure may include an ultrasound transducer assembly comprising a plurality of apertures that are configured to transmit signals toward and receive signals from a region of interest (ROI) of a subject, a tracking sensor disposed within the subject and configured to move within the ROI, the sensor being responsive to signals transmitted by the apertures, and at least one processor in communication with the ultrasound transducer assembly and the tracking sensor.

Abstract: A method and system is for assisting a user in positioning an ultrasound probe relative to a subject's body. In use, the user moves the probe through a series of positions, and ultrasound image data is captured for each position, the data at each position corresponding to a particular imaging view of the anatomical region being imaged. An assessment procedure (16) is operable to process ultrasound data for different imaging views, and to determine for the data for each view a rating, representative of the suitability of the data for that view for observing one or more anatomical features or deriving one or more clinical parameters from the data. Guidance feedback is generated (18) for the user for assisting the user in positioning the probe, wherein the guidance feedback is based on a history (26) of image view quality over time over the course of the imaging procedure.

Abstract: A system with integrated tracking includes a procedure-specific hardware component (112 or 116) disposed at or near a region of interest. A field generator (114) is configured to generate a field with a field of view covering the region of interest. A mounting device (115) is connected to the field generator and is coupled to the procedure-specific hardware. The field generator is fixedly positioned by the mounting device to permit workflow access to the region of interest without interfering with the field generator and to provide a known position of the field generator relative to the region of interest. A tracking device (110) is configured to be inserted in or near the region of interest to be tracked within the field of view of the field generator to generate tracking data.

Abstract: An interventional tool stepper (30) employing a frame (31), a carriage (33), an optional gear assembly (32), and an optional grid template(34). The frame (31) is structurally configured to be positioned relative to an anatomical region for holding an interventional tool (40) relative to the anatomical region. The carriage (33) is structurally configured to hold the interventional tool (40) relative to the anatomical region. The gear assembly (32) is structurally configured to translate and/or rotate the carriage (33) relative to the frame (31). The grid template (34) is structurally configured to guide one or more additional interventional tools (41) relative to the anatomical region. The frame (31), the carriage (33), the optional gear assembly (32) and the optional grid template (34) have an electromagnetic-compatible material composition for minimizing any distortion by the interventional tool stepper (30) of an electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A controller (240/340) for simultaneously tracking multiple interventional medical devices includes a memory (242/342) that stores instructions and a processor (241/341) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor (241/341), the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving timing information from a first signal emitted from an ultrasound probe (252/352) and reflective of timing when the ultrasound probe (252/352) transmits ultrasound beams to generate ultrasound imagery. The process executed by the controller also includes forwarding the timing information to be available for use by a first acquisition electronic component (232/332). The first acquisition electronic component (232/332) also receives sensor information from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on a first interventional medical device (212/312).

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system comprising a processor circuit in communication with an ultrasound transducer array, the processor circuit configured to receive, from the ultrasound transducer array, a set of images of a three-dimensional (3D) volume of a patients anatomy including an anatomical feature; obtain first measurement data of the anatomical feature in a first image of the set of images; generate second measurement data for the anatomical feature in one or more images of the set of images by propagating the first measurement data from the first image to the one or more images; and output, to a display in communication with the processor circuit, the second measurement data for the anatomical feature.

Abstract: An interventional therapy system may include at least one catheter configured for insertion within an object of interest (OOI); and at least one controller which configured to: obtain a reference image dataset including a plurality of image slices which form a three-dimensional image of the OOI; define restricted areas (RAs) within the reference image dataset; determine location constraints for the at least one catheter in accordance with at least one of planned catheter intersection points, a peripheral boundary of the OOI and the RAs defined in the reference dataset; determine at least one of a position and an orientation of the distal end of the at least one catheter; and/or determine a planned trajectory for the at least one catheter in accordance with the determined at least one position and orientation for the at least one catheter and the location constraints.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to convert an ultrasonic signal incident thereon into an electrical signal; and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the electrical signal from the sensor, and to transmit the electrical signal to a wireless receiver remotely located from the apparatus.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system comprising a processor circuit configured to receive, from an ultrasound transducer array, a plurality of images of a patient body at different imaging planes; determine a first imaging plane based on a first image of the plurality of images by applying a first predictive network, wherein a second image of the plurality of images is based on the first imaging plane, and wherein the second image includes an imaging view of at least one of an anatomy of the patient body or a medical device within the anatomy; apply a second predictive network to the second image to generate segmentation data; and output, to a display, a displayed image including an indication of a first portion of the at least one of the anatomy or the medical device based on the segmentation data.

Abstract: An interface unit (12) for connecting between an ultrasound sensing apparatus (14) and a patient monitor (18) for providing ultrasound monitoring functionality of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters based on processing of ultrasound data. The interface unit includes means for processing acquired ultrasound data to derive measurements of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters and is configured for outputting said derived measurements to a coupled patient monitor unit, e.g. for display and/or trending by the patient monitor.

Abstract: A controller (240/340) for simultaneously tracking multiple interventional medical devices includes a memory (242/342) that stores instructions and a processor (241/341) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor (241/341), the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving timing information from a first signal emitted from an ultrasound probe (252/352) and reflective of timing when the ultrasound probe (252/352) transmits ultrasound beams to generate ultrasound imagery. The process executed by the controller also includes forwarding the timing information to be available for use by a first acquisition electronic component (232/332). The first acquisition electronic component (232/332) also receives sensor information from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on a first interventional medical device (212/312).

Abstract: A steerable multi-plane ultrasound imaging system (MPUIS) for steering a plurality of intersecting image planes (PL1 . . . n) of a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) and an ultrasound transducer (S) disposed within a field of view (FOV) of the probe (BUIP). An ultrasound tracking system (UTS) causes the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) to adjust an orientation of the first image plane (PL1) such that a first image plane passes through a position (POS) of the ultrasound transducer (S) by maximizing a magnitude of ultrasound signals transmitted between the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (BUIP) and the ultrasound transducer (S). An orientation of a second image plane (PL2) is adjusted such that an intersection (AZ) between the first image plane and the second image plane passes through the position of the ultrasound transducer (S).

Abstract: A system for dynamic localization of medical instruments includes an ultrasound imaging system (110) configured to image a volume where one or more medical instruments are deployed. A registration module (136) registers two images of the one or more medical instruments to compute a transform between the two images, the two images being separated in time. A planning module (142) is configured to have positions of the volume and the one or more medical instruments updated based on the transform and, in turn, update a treatment plan in accordance with the updated positions such that changes in the volume and positions of the one or more medical instruments are accounted for in the updated plan.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (1) comprises an ultrasound transducer array (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer tiles (101a-d), each of said tiles having an independently adjustable orientation such as to conform an ultrasound transmitting surface to a region of a body (50) including a foreign object such as a pacemaker, a stent, or an interventional tool (200). Using a known spatial arrangement of a plurality of features (201-204) of the foreign object (200), the respective ultrasound images generated by the ultrasound transducer tiles are registered in order to generate a composite image, in which the position and orientation of the foreign object in the individual images is superimposed. The position and orientation of an interventional tool may be determined for each image using object recognition algorithms or using acoustic feedback information provided by at least three ultrasound sensors (201-204) arranged in a known spatial arrangement on the interventional tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to convert an ultrasonic signal incident thereon into an electrical signal; and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the electrical signal from the sensor, and to transmit the electrical signal to a wireless receiver remotely located from the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for localizing a three-dimensional field of view of a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe based on a position indicator disposed within said field of view. The beamforming ultrasound imaging probe transmits and receives ultrasound signals within a three-dimensional field of view comprising a plurality of predetermined sub-volumes, each sub-volume being defined by a two dimensional array of beams. A controller causes the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe to scan the sub-volumes sequentially by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals corresponding to each beam. A tracking system determines a position of the position indicator within the three-dimensional field of view; and determines a sub-volume in which the position indicator is located.