Ultrasound needle tip localization system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for performing surgical procedures upon select, internal body tissues, comprising:
- (a) a pulse-echo ultrasound imaging system for imaging the area of the body including said tissues, said imaging system including first transducer means adapted to be acoustically coupled to the exterior of the body;
(b) hollow needle means for insertion into the body in said area at an angle and in a direction which is independent of the angle and position of said first transducer means;
(c) second omnidirectional, substantially point source transducer means, removably located at the tip of said needle means;
(d) circuit means, electrically coupled to said second transducer means, for sensing receipt of an ultrasound pulse directly from said first transducer means; and
(e) means, responsive to said first transducer means and to said circuit means, for producing a composite image of said area which incorporates the position of said second transducer means into an image assembled by said imaging system.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A B-scan pulse echo ultrasound system produces a real time image of a body area under inquiry, and an aspiration needle is inserted directly into that area. The needle carries a small, omni-directional ultrasound transducer, electrically connected through the needle to transponder electronics. Incident pulses from the imaging transducer to the omni-directional transducer are sensed at the latter, and the position thereof is inserted into the image either by generation of a return signal from the needle point, or through delay logic and subsequent production of a composite.
237 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for performing surgical procedures upon select, internal body tissues, comprising:
-
(a) a pulse-echo ultrasound imaging system for imaging the area of the body including said tissues, said imaging system including first transducer means adapted to be acoustically coupled to the exterior of the body; (b) hollow needle means for insertion into the body in said area at an angle and in a direction which is independent of the angle and position of said first transducer means; (c) second omnidirectional, substantially point source transducer means, removably located at the tip of said needle means; (d) circuit means, electrically coupled to said second transducer means, for sensing receipt of an ultrasound pulse directly from said first transducer means; and (e) means, responsive to said first transducer means and to said circuit means, for producing a composite image of said area which incorporates the position of said second transducer means into an image assembled by said imaging system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of monitoring and controlling tissue aspiration procedures comprising:
-
(a) irradiating a body area utilizing pulse-echo ultrasound techniques employing a first, external transducer; (b) providing an omnidirectional ultrasound transducer means substantially at the tip of an aspiration needle; (c) inserting said needle into said body area at an angle and in a direction which is independent of the position and orientation of said external transducer; and (d) producing a composite image of said body area, including the point of said needle, based on pulse signals incident to said omnidirectional transducer directly from said first transducer, and upon ultrasound echo signals received by said first transducer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
Specification