Ultrasound-based device localization

A system for localizing a three-dimensional field of view of a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe based on a position indicator disposed within said field of view, the system comprising:

• a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe;
• a controller;
• and
• a tracking system;
• wherein the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals within a three-dimensional field of view comprising a plurality of predetermined sub-volumes each sub-volume being defined by a two-dimensional array of beams;
• wherein the controller is in communication with the tracking system and the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe and is configured to cause the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe to scan the sub-volumes sequentially by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals corresponding to each beam;
• wherein the tracking system is in communication with the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe and is configured to:
• determine a position of the position indicator within the three-dimensional field of view;
• determine a sub-volume in which the position indicator is located;
• and
• wherein the controller is further configured to cause the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe to provide a localized field of view including the position of the position indicator by constraining the transmitting and receiving of ultrasound signals to a portion of the sub-volume in which the position indicator is located.