Methods and systems for aligning an imaging ultrasound probe with a therapeutic ultrasound probe

Abstract

Devices and methods using high intensity focused ultrasounds (HIFU) guided by ultrasound imaging often require an imaging ultrasound probe to be embedded within a HIFU transducer, in order for both probes to have a substantially similar position during operation. This configuration has many drawbacks and often causes poor imaging conditions due to constraints on the size of the imaging probe. The new methods and systems described herein allow the use of an imaging ultrasound probe separate from the HIFU transducer. The imaging ultrasound probe can be easily positioned relative to the HIFU transducer during operation by using a position capture system and a specific housing for the imaging probe. The invention is also applicable to high intensity contact ultrasound probes (HICU).