METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITIONAL TRACKING OF A THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER

摘要

A therapeutic ultrasound tracking system (10) includes a first and second plurality of tracking elements ((14, 16, 18),(20,22,24)), a tracking generator (26), and a system controller (28). The first plurality of tracking elements (14, 16, 18) is disposed in a first position and orientation with respect to each another and with respect to an energy emission surface (30) of a therapeutic ultrasound probe (12). The second plurality of tracking elements (20,22,24) is adapted to be coupled to a patient (42) in a second position and orientation with respect to each other and with respect to a target region of the patient which is to receive a therapeutic treatment. The tracking generator (26) emits tracking energy for use in connection with the first and second plurality of tracking elements. The system controller (28) detects whether the probe (12) is positioned within an allowable position and orientation with respect to the target region, and (i) responsive to detecting the probe being within the allowable position and orientation, the system controller enables an energization of the probe to perform one of (i)(a) commence the therapeutic treatment and (i)(b) continue the therapeutic treatment, and (ii) responsive to not detecting the probe being within the allowable position and orientation, the system controller disables the energization of the probe for the therapeutic treatment.