Ultrasound imaging of anatomy

Abstract

Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy are provided. An example system for ultrasound imaging of patient anatomy includes an ultrasound probe and a probe interface device. An example ultrasound probe includes a handle, an elongate member coupled to the handle and a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers coupled to the elongate member. The ultrasound transducers emit ultrasound when activated. An example probe interface device is communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe. The example probe interface device is configured to activate at least one of the ultrasound transducers and to receive data corresponding to ultrasonic waves captured by a plurality of the ultrasound transducers.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for full-matrix capture ultrasound imaging of dental anatomy, the method comprising:
 emitting an ultrasound pulse towards a target anatomy from at least one ultrasound transducer in an array of ultrasound transducers;   capturing reflections of the ultrasound pulse with at least two ultrasound transducers from the array of ultrasound transducers;   determining at least two target anatomy points based on the captured reflections of the ultrasound pulse; and   generating an image corresponding to the target anatomy based on the at least two target anatomy points.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the array of ultrasound transducers includes at least two rows of ultrasound transducers that each have a plurality of ultrasound transducers. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein emitting the ultrasound pulse towards the target anatomy from the at least one ultrasound transducer includes simultaneously emitting ultrasound pulses from multiple ultrasound transducers of the array of ultrasound transducers. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising sequentially emitting an ultrasound pulse from at least two ultrasound transducers of the transducer array. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein capturing reflections of the ultrasound pulse with at least two ultrasound transducers from the array of ultrasound transducers includes capturing the reflections of the ultrasound pulse with each ultrasound transducer of the array of ultrasound transducers. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the image includes generating an image of a surface and a subsurface of the target anatomy. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the image includes generating an image of a temporomandibular joint. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the image includes generating an image of a bone or tooth root structures beneath gum tissue. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the image includes generating an image of a throat. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the image includes generating a three-dimensional image, the method further comprising using the image to analyze a margin of a tooth site that has been prepared to receive a dental restoration. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising using the image to evaluate periodontal conditions. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising using the image for implant planning. 
     
     
         33 . A method for full-matrix capture ultrasound imaging of dental anatomy, the method comprising:
 emitting an ultrasound pulse through a transmission medium towards a target anatomy from at least one ultrasound transducer in an array of ultrasound transducers;   capturing reflections of the ultrasound pulse with each ultrasound transducer of the array of ultrasound transducers;   determining at least two target anatomy points based on the captured reflections of the ultrasound pulse; and   generating an image corresponding to the target anatomy based on the at least two target anatomy points.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the ultrasound transmission medium includes a gel pad. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the ultrasound transmission medium is a fluid disposed within a space proximate to the array of ultrasound transducers, the space being defined by a sheath formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 dispensing the fluid into the space proximate to the array of ultrasound transducers;   collecting at least some of the dispensed fluid;   analyzing the collected fluids to generate fluid analysis data; and   correlating the fluid analysis data to the image.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the ultrasound transmission medium is disposed in a reservoir and the target anatomy includes an impression of a patient's dentition, the impression being immersed in the ultrasound transmission medium disposed in the reservoir. 
     
     
         38 . A system for ultrasound imaging of dental anatomy of a patient, the system comprising:
 an ultrasound probe including an array of ultrasound transducers, wherein the ultrasound transducers emit ultrasound when activated;   a full-matrix capture probe interface device, including a circuit, communicatively coupled to the ultrasound probe, wherein the full-matrix probe interface device is configured to activate at least one of the ultrasound transducers and to receive data corresponding to ultrasonic waves captured by at least one of the ultrasound transducers; and   an ultrasound capture system, including a circuit, communicatively coupled to the full-matrix capture probe interface device, wherein the ultrasound capture system receives data corresponding to the ultrasonic waves captured by each of the ultrasound transducers from the full-matrix capture probe interface device and generates an image of surfaces from the received data based on identifying at least one patient anatomy point determined from the received data corresponding to the captured ultrasonic waves.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein:
 the full-matrix capture probe interface device being configured to receive data corresponding to ultrasonic waves includes the full-matrix capture probe interface device being configured to receive data captured by at least two of the ultrasound transducers after activating a single ultrasound transducer; and   the ultrasound capture system generate the image of the surface from the received data based on identifying at least two patient anatomy points from the received data corresponding to the captured ultrasonic waves.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 a reservoir containing an ultrasound transmission medium, wherein the ultrasound probe is immersed in the ultrasound transmission medium in the reservoir.