Three dimensional mapping display system for diagnostic ultrasound machines and method

• US 20090124906A1
• Filed: 10/20/2008
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metritrack, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Metritrack, Inc.
• Inventors: Caluser, Calin
• Granted Patent: US 9,439,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/443
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4254 using sensors mounted on the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4263 using sensors not mounted on the probe, e.g. mounted on an external reference frame
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method where the ultrasound transducer position registration is automated, calculates the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to the predetermined anatomical reference points (AR) and can store the information on demand. The graphic interface associated with the ultrasound image allows for the instant display of selected targets position coordinates relative to anatomical reference points, in the ultrasound images. This system would significantly reduce the ultrasound examination time, by eliminating the time consuming manual labeling of images and speeding up the target finding at subsequent examinations, enhance correlation capability with other diagnostic imaging modalities like CT scans, MRI, mammograms, decrease human errors and fatigue, provide an easy, uniform, method of communicating the target position among healthcare providers.

Claims

1. ) An apparatus for processing ultrasound data and anatomical reference point data comprising:

a controller further comprising at least one sensor port, an ultrasound data port, and a processor port;

at least one sensor for transmitting data operatively connected to the at least one sensor port;

a source of ultrasound data production operatively connected to the ultrasound data port; and

,

a processor operatively connected to the processor port for receiving and sensor data and ultrasound data,

wherein the processor receives ultrasound data and sensor data from the controller, using the data to automate ultrasound probe position registration and determine the position in ultrasound image pixels in reference to one or more predetermined anatomical reference points for identifying target site location to generate processing results.

2. ) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a display for displaying processor registration and calculation data.

3. ) The apparatus of claim 1 further including a memory operatively connected to the processor.

4. ) The memory of claim 3 wherein the memory stores data for the processor comprises processed sensor data and processed ultrasound data.

5. ) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the memory stores data for later retrieval and overlay with subsequent ultrasound data to facilitate anatomical reference point correlation and target site location.

6. ) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second sensor for identifying and transmitting to the processor the location of the anatomical reference point.

7. ) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is magnetic.

8. ) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group of ultrasound, optical, infrared, and inertial.

9. ) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is located overhead to tack transducer location and anatomical reference point location for transmission to the processor.

10. ) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor generates a three dimensional mapping of the processing results.

11. ) A system for automating ultrasound probe position registration and calculating the position in an ultrasound image pixels in reference to one or more predetermined anatomical reference points comprising:

a controller further comprising at least one tracking sensor port, an ultrasound data port, and a processor port;

at least one tracking sensor operationally connected to the at least one tracking port;

an ultrasound device operationally connected to the ultrasound port;

a processor operationally connected to the processor port;

processing for capturing data transmitted to the computing member from the ultrasound and the at least one tracking member to create images and positional data;

a display for displaying the images and positional data; and

,

memory operatively connected to the processor.

12. ) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the memory stores data for later retrieval and overlay with subsequent ultrasound data to facilitate anatomical reference point correlation and target site location.

13. ) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one sensor is magnetic.

14. ) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the at least one sensor is selected from the group of ultrasound, optical, and inertial.

15. ) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processor generates a three dimensional mapping of the processing results.

16. ) The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a second sensor for identifying and transmitting to the processor the location of the anatomical reference point.

17. ) A method for real time tracking and capturing target sites in reference to selected anatomical positions during ultrasound procedures comprising the steps of:

selecting one or more anatomical reference points;

using at least one tracking sensor to locate and track the position of an ultrasound transducer with respect to the selected anatomical reference points;

performing an ultrasound procedure using the transducer wherein the transducer transmits data to an ultrasound device and the tracking sensor transmits data to a processor;

transmitting data from the ultrasound device to the processor; and

,

obtaining from the processor data regarding ultrasound probe position in reference to the one or more anatomical reference points and the position in an ultrasound image pixels by processor from the data transmitted to the processor by at least one tracking member and the ultrasound device.

18. ) The method of claim 17 comprising the further step of reviewing on a display.

19. ) The method of claim 17 comprising the further step of storing the processor data in memory.

20. ) The method of claim 19 comprising the further step of retrieving the stored processor data for review.

21. ) A method for facilitating the real time tracking and capturing target sites in reference to selected anatomical positions during ultrasound procedures comprising the steps of:

a) selecting one or more anatomical reference points;

b) receiving ultrasound transducer location data from an electronic sensor and receiving ultrasound examination data regarding a target site; and

c) creating data identifying the location of the target site with respect to the anatomical location.

22. ) The method of claim 21 including the further step of storing the data.

23. ) The method of claim 21 including the further step of retrieving the data to compare target site changes by comparative analysis at a leter date.

24. ) An automated process for using ultrasound data and anatomical reference point data to perform real time tracking and capturing of target site information in reference to the anatomical reference point positions comprising:

selecting a target site for study on a patient;

selecting at least one anatomical point on the patient for use as a reference point;

providing an ultrasound device having at least one transducer, a processor, a tracking sensor, and a controller having an ultrasound data port for operatively connecting to the ultrasound device, a processor port for operatively connecting to a processor that receives data from the ultrasound device and tracking sensor in relation to the anatomical reference point at least one sensor port for operatively connecting to a transducer tracking sensor;

calibrating the location of the transducer in relation to the at least one anatomical reference point using the tracking sensor and transmitting the calibration data to the processor;

performing an ultrasound examination during which ultrasound data is transmitted to the ultrasound device and then to the processor and transducer location data is transmitted to the processor;

receiving from the processor results data in which data received from the ultrasound device and from the tracking sensor are coordinated to track and capture target site relational data with reference to the at least one anatomical reference point.

25. ) The process of claim 24 further comprising a second sensor for identifying and transmitting to the processor the location of the anatomical reference point.

26. ) The process of claim 24 further comprising storing the processor results data.

27. ) The method of claim 24 including the further step of retrieving the data to compare target site changes by comparative analysis at a leter date.

28. ) A method for reviewing transducer position of an ultrasound examination comprising the steps of a) recording transducer locations in real time, b) storing the transducer locations, and c) retrieving the results for review

wherein the location and completeness of an examination can be determined.