Identifying Anatomical Structures

Abstract

Aspects described herein disclose devices, systems, and methods for use in contexts such as minimally invasive surgery (MIS). A device is provided herein having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and an ultrasound transducer may be disposed within the distal portion and configured to scan tissue and identify certain portions of a patent's anatomy during the scanning process. The results of the detection may be presented to an operator of the device aurally and/or visually, such as in a 3-D volumetric image. By scanning the tissue, identifying the anatomy, and presenting the results to an operator, unnecessary damage to elements of the patients anatomy may be avoided or lessened. In some aspects, multiple transducers may be positioned on the device to increase the scanning range and/or scanning accuracy of the device. The device may provide an inner channel for the passage of surgical tools while scanning tissue.

1 . A device for scanning a part of an anatomy, the device comprising:
 a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis;   a housing disposed at the distal end; and   at least one ultrasound transducer disposed in the housing, wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer is configured to scan a region distal to the housing,   wherein the shaft comprises a channel formed within the shaft, the channel extending from the distal end to the proximal end and configured to allow passage of a surgical tool through the shaft and housing via the channel.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a diameter in a range of 24 mm to 40 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured for continuous ultrasound imaging as the surgical tool is passed through the channel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer comprises at least 100 ultrasound transducers evenly spaced within the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasonic frequency in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasonic frequency in a direction that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducers arranged in more than one row on the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one ultrasound transducer may have a transducer frequency within a range between 5 MHz to 20 MHz.