Ultrasound probe positioning system and method of hands-free controlling the pressure applied by an ultrasound probe to an external object

Abstract

An ultrasound probe positioning system () comprises a positioning unit () for holding an ultrasound probe unit () and for moving the ultrasound probe unit and positioning it at a target position and a positioning control unit () configured to provide target positioning data indicative of a target position that establishes a mechanical contact of the ultrasound probe unit with an external object () and to control the mechanical positioning unit in moving and positioning the ultrasound probe at the target position. The positioning unit comprises a force actuation unit () configured to adapt a pressing force amount of a mechanical pressing force exerted on the object in response to a variation of a counterforce amount so as to maintain a predetermined net pressing force amount exerted by the mechanical pressing force against the counterforce.