Ultrasound trainer with internal optical tracking
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsKresimir Petrinec, Gabriele Nataneli, Matthew Wang, Eric Savitsky
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Abstract
A training system to teach use of an ultrasound probe, the training system having a chamber defining an orifice, a shaft insertable into the orifice of the chamber, a marker positioned on the shaft at a distal end, a camera positioned to view the marker when inserted inside the chamber, and a processor operatively connected to the camera for processing a position and an orientation of the shaft based on the marker. The system provides a method for visualizing movement of the shaft from inside the chamber.
Claims20
An ultrasound trainer, comprising:
- a) a chamber defining an orifice;
- b) a shaft insertable into the orifice of the chamber, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, a flexible tip at the distal end, and a control knob to bend the flexible tip;
- c) a marker positioned on the shaft at the distal end;
- d) a camera positioned to view inside the chamber towards the orifice;
- e) a processor operatively connected to the camera for processing a position and an orientation of the shaft based on the marker;
- f) a motion limiter connected to the chamber at the orifice, the motion limiter configured to provide tight contact with the shaft via friction;
- g) a filler material inside the chamber;
- and
- h) a light source to illuminate the chamber, wherein the chamber mimics a body.
An ultrasound trainer, comprising:
- a) a chamber defining an orifice;
- b) a shaft insertable into the orifice of the chamber, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end;
- c) a marker positioned on the shaft at the distal end;
- d) a motion limiter at the orifice of the chamber, the motion limiter configured to provide tight contact with the shaft via friction;
- e) a camera positioned to view inside the chamber;
- and
- f) a processor operatively connected to the camera for processing a position and an orientation of the shaft based on the marker.
A method for training use of an ultrasound, comprising:
- a) acquiring a chamber defining an orifice;
- b) acquiring a shaft configured to be inserted into the orifice of the chamber, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal, and a marker positioned on the shaft at the distal end;
- c) inserting the distal end of the shaft inside the chamber through the orifice of the chamber;
- d) deforming a motion limiter while moving the shaft inside the chamber;
- e) monitoring movement of the marker inside the chamber with a camera;
- and
- f) determining a position and orientation of the shaft based on the movement of the marker with a processor operatively connected to the camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.