Method and system for ultrasound imaging of a biopsy needle

A method for generating an ultrasound display of a target region into which a specular reflector is inserted, the ultrasound display resulting from ultrasonic beams generated by an ultrasound probe having an array of transducers thereon, the specular reflector forming a first angle with respect to the transducer array, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first frame according to a first set of frame parameters directed to the imaging of the target region;
• generating a second frame according to a second set of frame parameters directed to the imaging of the specular reflector;
• modifying said first frame with information from said second frame relating to the location and orientation of the specular reflector;
• and
• displaying an output image derived from said modified first frame;
• wherein said first and second sets of frame parameters are selected such that scan lines associated with said second frame are steered at a steering angle with respect to an axis of the ultrasound probe, said steering angle being closer to the first angle than a corresponding angle associated with scan lines of said first frame;
• and wherein lateral focusing depths associated with respective scan lines of said second frame vary on a per-scan-line basis, according to a varying distance along each scan line between the transducer array and the specular reflector.

A computer program product for use in an ultrasound system, the computer program product for use by the ultrasound system in generating an ultrasound display of a target region into which a specular reflector is inserted, comprising:

• computer code for generating a first frame according to a first set of frame parameters directed to the imaging of the target region;
• computer code for generating a second frame according to a second set of frame parameters directed to the imaging of the specular reflector;
• computer code for modifying said first frame with information from said second frame relating to a location and orientation of the specular reflector;
• and
• computer code for displaying an output image derived from said modified first frame;
• wherein said first and second sets of frame parameters are selected such that an elevation beam width of said second frame is greater than an elevation beam width of said first frame.

A computer program product for use in an ultrasound system having an ultrasound probe with an array of transducers thereon, the computer program product for use by the ultrasound system in generating an ultrasound display of a target region into which a specular reflector is inserted, the specular reflector forming a first angle with respect to the transducer array, comprising:

• computer code for generating a first frame according to a first set of frame parameters directed to the imaging of the target region;
• computer code for generating a second frame according to a second set of frame parameters directed to the imaging of the specular reflector;
• computer code for modifying said first frame with information from said second frame relating to the location and orientation of the specular reflector;
• and
• computer code for displaying an output image derived from said modified first frame;
• wherein said first and second sets of frame parameters are selected such that scan lines associated with said second frame are steered at a steering angle with respect to an axis of the ultrasound probe, said steering angle being closer to said first angle than a corresponding angle associated with scan lines of said first frame;
• and wherein lateral focusing depths associated with respective scan lines of said second frame vary on a per-scan-line basis, according to a varying distance along each scan line between the transducer array and the specular reflector.