Ring-arrayed forward-viewing ultrasonic imaging system and method with needle guidance and image reconstruction

A Ring-Arrayed Forward-viewing (RAF) ultrasound imaging and administration device, comprising:

• an ultrasonic (US) imager including a plurality of single element transducers arranged in a circular frame to define a circular ring array, the circular ring array having a center defining a radius to each of the transducers;
• an instrument posture tracking circuit electrically coupled to the transducers on the circular ring array for performing RF (radio frequency) data acquisition with the plurality of ring-arrayed transducers and acquiring RF data, the RF data based on signals emitted by and returning to each transducer in the circular ring array of transducers, each transducer at an angle and radius based on a rotational position of the circular ring array;
• an insertion instrument adapted for percutaneous insertion;
• a needle holster concentrically disposed in the circular ring array and adapted to receive and direct the insertion instrument along an axis defined by a center of the circular ring array;
• a generated image based on a reconstruction plane aligned with a center of the circular ring array based on the needle holster adapted to slidably receive the insertion instrument for directing the insertion instrument to a target location depicted on the generated image, the insertion instrument defining the reconstruction plane;
• the acquired RF data indicative of pixels on the reconstruction plane by computing each pixel from a value based on a received return signal from a respective location on the reconstruction plane to the transducer, the return signal based on a depth, distance and angle of the rotational position to the corresponding location on the reconstruction plane from the respective transducer the distance computed based on the radius and the respective angle of the rotational position;
• the circular ring array adapted for rotation to a second angle based on rotational position movement of the circular frame;
• and
• a second image generated based on a second reconstruction plane defined by the second angle, depth and distance to a corresponding location on the second reconstruction plane while maintaining an insertion depth of the needle.