Three-dimensional ultrasound system based on the coordination of

Abstract

Two or more ultrasound transducer probes applied to a body give information regarding the relative position of each by determining the time of transit of sound energy between each probe. Besides knowledge of the range from one probe to another, the orientation and bearing of one probe to the other is determined by calculating the relative direction by which sound energy arrives at a probe. By making the location of one of the probes be known through fixing it in space to a mechanical arm or similar mechanical device of knowable position, the absolute positions and orientations of both probes becomes known. Each of the two ultrasound probes may generate different views of the same structure. Such complimentary, and possibly simultaneous, views allow for greater precision and clearer three-dimensional images, as well as provide for more rapid accumulation of data. The primary application of this technology is to use an internal transesophageal and an external transabdominal probe to image the heart and nearby structures such as the aorta. However, this method could be applied to viewing any other area where ultrasound is able to be used to view that area from more than one location. One other example would be using one or more transabdominal probes as well as an intravaginal probe to create three-dimensional views of a fetus, the uterus and the ovaries.