Biplane ultrasound imaging for the guidance of intracavitary probes

摘要

Methods and apparatuses are provided for simultaneous viewing of an instrument in two ultrasound imaging planes. An ultrasound imaging probe is provided which can generate at least two ultrasound imaging planes (110, 112). In one embodiment, the two imaging planes (110, 112) are not parallel (i.e., the planes intersect). An instrument path (114) is positioned with respect to the planes (110, 112) such that an instrument may be simultaneously viewed in both imaging planes (110, 112). In one embodiment, the instrument path (114) is provided at an intersection that, at least partially, defines the intersection of the two imaging planes (110,112).