Ultrasound probe with an integrated needle assembly and a computer program product, a method and a system for providing a path for inserting a needle of the ultrasound probe

A method performed by a processor-based control system that is communicatively connected to a device comprising an ultrasound probe housing that contains a plurality of probes, a needle guide assembly connected to the ultrasound probe housing at a pivot point, wherein the needle guide assembly is disposed within a guide channel cut-out or aperture of the ultrasound probe housing and is connected to the pivot point within the guide channel cut-out or aperture, the needle guide assembly being actuatable to rotate about the pivot point, and a sensor configured to approximate an angle of rotation of a needle inserted within the needle guide assembly, the method comprising:

• receiving data representative of an anatomy of a patient from the device, the data corresponding to reflected ultrasonic waves from the probes of the ultrasound probe housing;
• determining a path of the needle through the anatomy of the patient and towards an internal target body location;
• determining, based at least on a current angle of rotation of the needle as approximated by the sensor, an angular adjustment of the needle guide assembly to align the needle with the path;
• and
• actuating the needle guide assembly to apply the angular adjustment to the needle guide assembly.

A non-transitory computer program product having stored therein machine readable instructions, the machine readable instructions when executed by one or more processors enable the one or more processors to:

• receive data representative of an anatomy of a patient from a device comprising an ultrasound probe housing that contains a plurality of probes, a needle guide assembly connected to the ultrasound probe housing at a pivot point, wherein the needle guide assembly is disposed within a guide channel cut-out or aperture of the ultrasound probe housing and is connected to the pivot point within the guide channel cut-out or aperture, the needle guide assembly being actuatable to rotate about the pivot point, and a sensor configured to approximate an angle of rotation of a needle inserted within the needle guide assembly, the data corresponding to reflected ultrasonic waves from the probes;
• determine a path of the needle through the anatomy of the patient and towards an internal target body location;
• determine, based at least on a current angle of rotation of the needle as approximated by the sensor, an angular adjustment of the needle guide assembly to align the needle with the path;
• and
• actuate the needle guide assembly to apply the angular adjustment to the needle guide assembly.