Intra-operative diagnostic ultrasound multiple-array transducer probe and optional surgical tool
First Claim
1. An ultrasound imaging probe, comprising:
- a support element;
a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element;
a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first and second imaging transducer array image planes are non-parallel as a function of non-parallel positions of the first imaging transducer array relative to the second imaging transducer array; and
a therapeutic tool attached adjacent to an imaging transducer array such that the therapeutic tool is substantially within a plane defined by one of the first and second imaging transducer arrays and respective first and second imaging transducer array image planes, wherein the therapeutic tool moves together with the first and second imaging transducer arrays.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method and probe for diagnostic ultrasound imaging with at least two, and preferably three transducer arrays. The first transducer array provides a primary image. The second transducer array comprises an array of transducer elements positioned near one end of the first transducer array for providing an image in a different plane. An optional third transducer array comprises an array of transducer elements positioned near the other end of the first transducer array for providing an additional image in a different plane. One application of the invention is to collect tissue for medical procedures, wherein at least one surgical tool is attached to the probe near the imaging arrays and moves together with at least one imaging array. As the primary imaging array is drawn across tissue for collection, the operator observes a cross-section of the tissue prior to actually cutting the tissue. Another application of the invention allows an operator to selectively display pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images, using the same probe. Another application of the invention allows an operator to determine the 3-D position of a foreign object in body tissue.
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Citations
67 Claims
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1. An ultrasound imaging probe, comprising:
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a support element;
a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element;
a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first and second imaging transducer array image planes are non-parallel as a function of non-parallel positions of the first imaging transducer array relative to the second imaging transducer array; and
a therapeutic tool attached adjacent to an imaging transducer array such that the therapeutic tool is substantially within a plane defined by one of the first and second imaging transducer arrays and respective first and second imaging transducer array image planes, wherein the therapeutic tool moves together with the first and second imaging transducer arrays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ultrasound imaging display method comprising generating a format comprising:
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display of a first image associated with a first image plane;
display of a second image associated with a second image plane, wherein the first image plane and the second image plane are non-parallel and displayed simultaneously; and
wherein at least one of the first or second images is distorted, producing a pseudo 3-D image. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A medical ultrasound imaging system comprising:
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an imaging probe including a support element;
a first imaging transducer array disposed on the support element;
a second imaging transducer array disposed on the support element, wherein the first imaging transducer array and the second imaging transducer array are non-parallel;
a therapeutic tool attached to the support element, substantially adjacent to at least one of the imaging transducer arrays;
a display for showing a displayed image resulting from imaging with the first and second imaging transducer arrays, wherein the imaging transducer arrays are maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the moving therapeutic tool; and
a display guide representative of the current position or deployment of the therapeutic tool. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for isolating a tissue structure, comprising the steps of:
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observing the tissue structure with a plurality of imaging transducer arrays where at least two of the imaging transducer arrays are spaced apart;
moving a therapeutic tool together with the plurality of imaging transducer arrays; and
activating the therapeutic tool under guidance of the plurality of imaging transducer arrays. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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50. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of observing the tissue structure further comprises observing the tissue structure with a plurality of substantially orthogonal imaging transducer arrays.
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56. A method for an intra-operative procedure, comprising the steps of:
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surgically forming a cavity;
inserting into the cavity a probe containing a plurality of imaging transducer arrays, and a retracted tissue cutting tool fixedly mounted with the probe adjacent the imaging transducer arrays;
observing tissue with the plurality of imaging transducer arrays;
moving the probe under guidance of the plurality of transducer arrays;
extending the tissue cutting tool from the probe; and
retracting the tissue cutting tool from the extended position.
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57. A method for switching between pseudo 3-D imaging of body tissue and 3-D imaging of body tissue with an multiple array imaging probe, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a multiple array imaging probe near a body tissue;
selecting pseudo 3-D imaging of body tissue or 3-D imaging of the body tissue based on a voice command, foot pedal, keyboard, graphical user interface or an equivalent interface with an operator; and
displaying pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images of the body tissue based on the selection of the operator.
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58. A medical ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a multiple array imaging probe, including a principal array used for imaging, and a secondary array which can selectively function as an imaging array to provide imaging data for pseudo 3-D imaging, or function as a tracking array to provide motion estimation data regarding the principal array for 3-D imaging;
selection means for an operator to select pseudo 3-D imaging or 3-D imaging; and
a display to display pseudo 3-D images or 3-D images from data obtained from the principal array and the secondary array. - View Dependent Claims (59)
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60. A method for determining the position of a foreign object in body tissue, comprising the steps of:
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imaging the body tissue with an ultrasound imaging probe having a first transducer array and a second transducer array;
obtaining motion estimates regarding the first transducer array from the second transducer array of the ultrasound imaging probe to construct 3-D images of the body tissue and the foreign object; and
displaying 3-D images or other information concerning the body tissue and foreign object from data obtained from the first and second transducer arrays. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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Specification