Ultrasound tracking apparatus for disposable biopsy needles

Abstract

A system for tracking a medical device includes an introducer (20). Two or more sensors (22) are disposed along a length of the introducer and are spaced apart along the length. An interface (32) is configured to connect to the introducer such that the introducer and the interface operatively couple to and support the medical device wherein the two or more sensors are configured to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the medical device using medical imaging.

1 . A system for tracking a needle of a biopsy gun having a handle, the system comprising:
 an introducer having a hollow tube configured to receive the needle of the biopsy gun within the hollow tube;   a plurality of sensors disposed along a length of the introducer and spaced apart along the length, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to provide feedback on position and orientation of the introducer; and   an interface clip configured to: (i) attach to the handle of the biopsy gun and (ii) connect to the introducer such that the interface clip with the connected introducer operatively couples to and supports the biopsy gun.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sensors are disposed within the hollow tube. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the introducer connects to the interface clip and at least one of the introducer and the interface clip is disposable. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the introducer is integrated with the interface clip to form a disposable assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of sensors includes an electrical connector; and   the interface clip is configured to electrically couple each electrical connector to adaptor electronics configured to adapt a signal from the corresponding sensor.   
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the adaptor electronics are configured to provide amplification, noise cancellation, and/or other adaptive signal processing of the signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the adaptor electronics are integrated as a physical part of the interface clip. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein further adaptor electronics are included in a module external to the interface clip. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the interface clip defines and surrounds an opening, wherein the opening is configured to receive and fit the introducer. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an interpretation processor configured to receive the feedback and, based on the feedback, generate image information indicating position and orientation of the biopsy gun in an image. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the interpretation processor is further configured to estimate position of a biopsy sample based on the position and orientation of the biopsy gun. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the image processor is configured to generate an image of the estimated position of the biopsy sample based on the image information. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the needle of the biopsy gun comprises an inner stylet and an outer cannula. 
     
     
         14 . A method for tracking a needle of a biopsy gun having a handle, the method comprising:
 providing an introducer with a plurality of sensors disposed along a length of the introducer and spaced apart along the length, the introducer being configured as a hollow tube to receive the needle of the biopsy gun within the hollow tube;   connecting the introducer to an interface clip;   attaching the interface clip to the handle of the biopsy gun such that the interface clip with the connected introducer operatively couples to and supports the biopsy gun; and   receiving signals, from the plurality of sensors, configured to provide feedback on the position and orientation of the introducer.   
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein:
 each of the plurality of sensors includes an electrical connector; and   the interface clip is configured to electrically couple each electrical connector to adaptor electronics configured to adapt a signal from the corresponding sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising providing, by the adaptor electronics, amplification, noise cancellation, and/or other adaptive signal processing of the signal. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the adaptor electronics are integrated as a physical part of the interface clip. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 16 , wherein further adaptor electronics are included in a module external to the interface clip. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the feedback and, based on the feedback, generating image information indicating a position and orientation of the biopsy gun in an image;   estimating position of a biopsy sample based upon the position and orientation of the biopsy gun; and   generating an image of the estimated position of the biopsy sample based on the image information.