Columbia Technology Ventures

Ultrasound probe positioning and navigation system

Ultrasound imaging is used to non-invasively provide clinicians with images of various internal tissue structures, including the heart, liver, prostate, and uterus. Some medical specialties, such as cardiology, are associated with a set of standardized probe positions in order to promote consistency between operators, allowing for longitudinal acquisitions of a patient in the same imaging view. However, some specialties are not associated with standard views and variation still exists between operators, especially if a non-standard view is required to target a specific region. This technology is a mounted 3D camera system designed for an ultrasound probe to acquire pictures of a patient’s body position relative to the ultrasound probe. By acquiring these surface images in parallel with the ultrasound acquisition, operators will be able to reposition the probe at a later date to the exact location of the previous acquisition, allowing for a more precise comparison between images, more effective ultrasound-guided procedures, and more accurate image interpretation.

Attached cameras facilitate non-standard echo windows for repeated acquisitions

Clinically relevant features within an ultrasound image may be extremely small, making repeated imaging attempts over time particularly challenging, especially if the ultrasound operators are different. Furthermore, there may be relevant tissue structures that exist in unconventional views which may be difficult to replicate. Although operator notes can be recorded to describe the particular view, the quality and clarity of these notes can vary widely. This technology provides an objective, measurable recording of the probe location via attachment of a probe camera system, which can be used to guide future ultrasound acquisitions. Furthermore, the use of 3D rendering of the patient’s body surface can help clinicians to understand the exact 2D plane of the acquired ultrasound images. Thus, in addition to facilitating standardized ultrasound acquisitions over extended periods of time, this technology may also be used to provide better clarity to clinicians viewing a single ultrasound image.

Lead Inventor:

[Joseph Nathaniel Stember, M.D., Ph.D.]

Applications:

  • Imaging plane standardization between different ultrasound technicians
  • Longitudinal patient studies using ultrasound
  • Orientation for clinicians in understanding non-standard ultrasound views
  • 3D rendering of body surface with overlaid projection of 2D ultrasound view
  • Improved correlation between CT, MRI, and ultrasound images for the same patient

Advantages:

  • Eliminates need for unreliable technician notations describing the view
  • Provides objective information that can be shared across different operators
  • Simple integration with probe hardware

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Tech Ventures Reference: IR CU15239

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