Ultrasound guided positioning of cardiac replacement valves

An apparatus for determining a position of a device in a patient's body using an ultrasound probe and a device installation apparatus, the ultrasound probe including an ultrasound transducer that captures images of an imaging plane and a first position sensor mounted so that a geometric relationship between the first position sensor and the ultrasound transducer is known, the device installation apparatus including the device, a device deployment mechanism, and a second position sensor mounted so that a geometric relationship between the second position sensor and the device is known, the apparatus comprising:

• an ultrasound imaging machine that drives the ultrasound transducer, receives return signals from the ultrasound transducer, converts the received return signals into 2D images of the imaging plane, and displays the 2D images;
• and
• a position tracking system that detects a position of the first position sensor, detects a position of the second position sensor, reports the position of the first position sensor to the ultrasound imaging machine, and reports the position of the second position sensor to the ultrasound imaging machine,
• wherein the ultrasound imaging machine includes a processor that is programmed to determine the device's position with respect to the imaging plane based on (a) the detected position of the first position sensor and the geometric relationship between the first position sensor and the ultrasound transducer and (b) the detected position of the second position sensor and the geometric relationship between the second position sensor and the device, and wherein the processor is programmed to output an indication of the device's position with respect to the imaging plane.

An ultrasound probe for use with an ultrasound system comprising:

• a housing having a flexible shaft and a distal end;
• an ultrasound transducer housed within the distal end of the housing;
• an interface that permits the transducer to be driven by the ultrasound system;
• and
• a position sensor disposed in the distal end of the housing so that a geometric relationship between the position sensor and the ultrasound transducer is known.