INTRA-NEEDLE ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND ITS METHOD OF USE FOR ANALYSIS, TRACKING, AND DISPLAY OF PLEURA IN MILLIMETER SCALE RESOLUTION

摘要

The invention provides an intra-needle ultrasound system and its method of use for analysis, tracking, and display of pleura in millimeter-scale resolution. This method includes the following steps: Assembling the puncture needle and intra-needle ultrasound transducer, which can generate and receive ultrasound waves at the needle tip. To transform the axial ultrasonic signal into a figure, that can help to identify different anatomic structures according to the corresponding feature of ultrasonic RF (Radio Frequency) signal, and to set the region of interest according to corresponding RF feature of amplitude and depth. This invention can indicate the distance between the ultrasound needle tip and pleura in a real-time fashion, and to identify the best position for anesthetic injection in the paravertebral block (PVB) and the intercostals nerve block (ICNB). The system can also help to avoid damage to the pleura and lung during the nerve block procedure.