Bone surface image reconstruction using ultrasound

A method, comprising:

• generating ultrasonic energy to be directed into tissue of a subject and receiving a portion of the ultrasonic energy reflected by a target comprising bone using an apparatus having an ultrasonic transducer element comprising a surface configured to provide and receive the ultrasonic energy, the surface including an area of greater than or equal to 4λ2, where λ is an acoustic wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of the generated ultrasonic energy, the surface symmetrical in two axes, and wherein the apparatus includes a processor;
• with said apparatus, obtaining information indicative of the ultrasonic energy reflected by the target, the information including echo data;
• with said apparatus, determining information indicative of a motion of the ultrasonic transducer element;
• with said apparatus, presenting an image including a displayed alignment indicium of one or more of a location, orientation, or shape of the target, the displayed alignment indicium of the location, orientation, or shape determined using the obtained information indicative of the ultrasonic energy reflected by the target and the information indicative of the motion of the ultrasonic transducer element;
• with said apparatus, providing an indication that the apparatus is aligned with a specified region when the displayed alignment indicium is in a specified location relative to one or more of a marking instrument guide or a needle guide, the marking instrument guide and the needle guide disposed proximal to a perimeter of a display, the display disposed in a housing of the apparatus;
• with said apparatus, estimating one or more of a location, a shape, or an orientation of the bone by fitting the echo data to a system model describing hypothetical echoes from different bone surfaces corresponding to at least one hypothetical target, the system model generated without requiring ionizing radiation exposure to said subject;
• and
• with said apparatus, presenting the estimated location, shape, or orientation of the bone relative to the needle guide or the guide for the marking instrument.