Ultrasound devices and methods for needle procedures

Abstract

A technique of controlling a transducer. The method includes transmitting signals to the transducer, receiving signals from the transducer, and automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer based on characteristic of the signals received from the transducer. The transducer may be an ultrasound transducer. The adjustment of the signal may be performed at least in part by dynamically updating a signal threshold, for example via a proportional-integral-derivative or other type of control loop implemented at least in part by a field programmable gate array. One or more visual, audio, and haptic feedback to a user based on the signals received from the transducer. The signal may be also included a coded excitation communication and/or a Doppler signal. Automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer may achieve synchronization with an external imaging system. Also, systems that perform the technique.

1 . A method of controlling a transducer, comprising:
 transmitting signals to the transducer;   receiving signals from the transducer; and   automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer based on characteristic of the signals received from the transducer.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the transducer comprises an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer is performed at least in part at least in part by dynamically updating a signal threshold. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer is performed at least in part by a proportional-integral-derivative control loop. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 4 , wherein the proportional-integral-derivative control loop is performed at least in part by a field programmable gate array. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising providing one or more visual, audio, and haptic feedback to a user based on the signals received from the transducer. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein the visual feedback further comprises virtual reality data. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the signal further comprises a coded excitation communication or a Doppler signal. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the step of automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer further comprises synchronizing with an external imaging system. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the transducer is mounted in or on a needle shaft, introducer, dilator, or catheter. 
     
     
         11 . A control system for at least one imaging transducer, comprising:
 at least one interface through which signals are transmitted to or received from the transducer;   at least an electronic subsystem including at least one tangible computing element that performs steps including:
 receiving signals from the transducer; and 
 automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer based on characteristic of the signals received from the transducer. 
   
     
     
         12 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the transducer comprises an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         13 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the step of automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer is performed at least in part by dynamically updating a signal threshold. 
     
     
         14 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the step of automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer is performed at least in part by a proportional-integral-derivative control loop. 
     
     
         15 . A system as in  claim 14 , wherein the electronic subsystem includes at least a field programmable gate array that performs at least part of the proportional-integral-derivative control loop. 
     
     
         16 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the electronic subsystem further provides one or more visual, audio, and haptic feedback to a user based on the signals received from the transducer. 
     
     
         17 . A system as in  claim 16 , wherein the visual feedback further comprises virtual reality data. 
     
     
         18 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the signal further comprises a coded excitation communication or a Doppler signal. 
     
     
         19 . A system as in  claim 11 , wherein the step of automatically adjusting the signals transmitted to the transducer further comprises synchronizing with an external imaging system. 
     
     
         20 . A system as in  claim 11 , further comprising the transducer and a needle shaft, introducer, dilator, or catheter in or on which the transducer is mounted.