Methods and systems for controlled deployment of needles in tissue

Abstract

Needles are deployed in tissue under direct ultrasonic or other imaging. To aid in deploying the needle, a visual needle guide is projected on to the image prior to needle deployment. Once the needle guide is properly aligned, the needle can be deployed. After needle deployment, a safety boundary and treatment region are projected on to the screen. After confirming that the safety boundary and treatment regions are sufficient, the patient can be treated using the needle.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A system for tissue treatment, comprising:
 a system controller comprising a processing unit configured to:
 display an image of an ablation device having one or more deployable needles; 
 calculate dimensions of a treatment boundary or volume based upon a deployment position of the one or more needles; and 
 display the treatment boundary or volume to a user. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is further configured for tracking a deployment position of the one or more needles when advanced from the ablation device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is further configured for marking a location of an actual needle position on an image of the needle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is further configured for calculating a length and a width of a treatment volume. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is further configured for displaying an ultrasound image from an imaging device simultaneously with the treatment boundary or volume. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processing unit is further configured for displaying the treatment boundary or volume in real time. 
     
     
         8 . A method of ablating, comprising:
 displaying an image of an ablation device having one or more deployable needles;   tracking a deployment position of the one or more needles when advanced from the ablation device;   calculating dimensions of a treatment boundary or volume based upon the deployment position of the one or more needles; and   displaying the treatment boundary to a user. comprises marking a location of an actual needle position on an image of the needle.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein calculating dimensions of a treatment boundary or volume comprises calculating a length and a width of a treatment volume. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising displaying an ultrasound image from an imaging device simultaneously with the treatment boundary or volume. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the treatment boundary or volume is displayed in real time.