Apparatus for use with needle insertion guidance system
A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. The needle can include a donut-shaped magnet disposed about the needle cannula, or a removable stylet with a magnetic element and a strain gauge for detection of the needle distal tip.
1. A guidance system, comprising:
a needle configured for insertion into a patient, wherein the needle is magnetized to produce a magnetic field;
an ultrasound imaging probe configured to ultrasonically image an image area including an internal portion of the patient, the ultrasound imaging probe including one or more sensors configured to sense the magnetic field;
a processor configured to use data relating to the magnetic field sensed by the one or more sensors to determine a position of the needle in three spatial dimensions relative to the ultrasound imaging probe; and
a display configured to depict an image of the internal portion of the patient produced by the ultrasound imaging probe and a depiction representative of the needle with respect to the image of the internal portion of the patient based on the position determined by the processor, wherein an approach to the internal portion of the patient is depicted when the needle is outside of the image area.
2. The guidance system according to claim 1 , wherein the needle further comprises a strain gauge for detecting a bending of the needle.
3. The guidance system according to claim 2 , wherein the strain gauge is included on a stylet configured for insertion into a lumen of the needle.
4. The guidance system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprises an annular sensor disposed on an external portion of the ultrasound imaging probe proximate a head portion of the ultrasound imaging probe.
5. The guidance system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors include orthogonal sensor coils to enable the processor to determine a pitch and a yaw attitude of the needle.
6. The guidance system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a plurality of magnetic sensors embedded within a housing of the ultrasound imaging probe.
7. The guidance system according to claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors is configured for detection of the magnetic field in three spatial dimensions.
8. The guidance system according to claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic sensors includes orthogonal sensor coils.
9. The guidance system according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of magnetic sensors are configured to continuously detect the magnetic field, and wherein the guidance system is configured to continuously update the image of the image area, such that the position of the needle with respect to the image area is continuously updated.