US 11,986,270 B2
Ultrasound imaging apparatus that alternates between monitoring and imaging modes, surgical operation support system, and method using the same
Tomohiko Tanaka, Tokyo (JP); Teiichiro Ikeda, Tokyo (JP); Ryo Imai, Tokyo (JP); and Hirozumi Takeshima, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION, Chiba (JP)
Filed by Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/215,187.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-093575 (JP), filed on May 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0369121 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/50 (2016.01); A61N 7/00 (2006.01); B06B 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/0095 (2013.01) [A61B 90/37 (2016.02); A61B 90/50 (2016.02); A61N 7/00 (2013.01); B06B 1/06 (2013.01); A61B 2090/378 (2016.02); A61N 2007/0043 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasound imaging apparatus, comprising:
a transmitter configured to transmit to a subject, an ultrasonic signal being beamformed through an ultrasound probe;
a receiver configured to beamform and receive a reflected ultrasonic wave from an imaging area irradiated with the ultrasonic signal; and
a computer, the computer programmed to:
create an ultrasound image of the imaging area from an ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave being emitted from an ultrasonic source inserted into the subject and detected by the receiver in a monitoring mode to estimate a position information of the ultrasonic source, wherein the ultrasonic signal is not transmitted from the transmitter during the monitoring mode,
analyze an artifact of the ultrasound image within the imaging area to determine a shape and a slope of the artifact, the artifact being generated by the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic source, the ultrasonic source being outside of the imaging area,
estimate the position information of the ultrasonic source with respect to the imaging area based on the shape and slope of the artifact,
wherein the ultrasonic source includes a light generator configured to transmit a trigger signal to the ultrasound imaging apparatus, and
wherein the computer is programmed to:
receive the trigger signal from the light generator,
in response to receiving the trigger signal, switch to an imaging mode from the monitoring mode, the imaging mode including the transmission of the ultrasonic signal via the transmitter and the reception of the reflected ultrasonic waves via the receiver from the imaging area,
wherein the imaging mode and the monitoring mode are alternately repeated according to the trigger signal,
wherein the ultrasonic source comprises a piezoelectric element that generates an ultrasonic wave when voltage is applied, and
wherein the transmitter transmits an electric signal to the piezoelectric element during the time when the ultrasonic signal is not transmitted.