Ultrasound positioning device, system, and method

Abstract

Systems and methods can include a system for positioning an ultrasound probe proximal to anatomy of a patient on a radiation couch including a substantially planar base including engagement features to directly or indirectly index the substantially planar base to the radiation couch and a centrally located guide extending longitudinally along a top side of the base, a probe holder, configured to be coupled to, to translate longitudinally, and to be user-accessed and user-controlled from within, a central region of the substantially planar base, a clamp, configured to localize the probe holder at a specified location along a translation path in the central region of the substantially planar base, leg supports shaped to accommodate a patient's legs from behind, the pair of leg supports being shaped and arranged to provide a space therebetween that can accommodate an ultrasound probe holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for positioning an ultrasound probe proximal to anatomy of a patient on a radiation couch, the system comprising:
 a substantially planar base including engagement features to directly or indirectly index the substantially planar base to the radiation couch and a centrally located guide extending longitudinally along a top side of the base;   a probe holder, configured to be coupled to, to translate longitudinally, and to be user-accessed and user-controlled from within, a central region of the substantially planar base;   a clamp, configured to localize the probe holder at a specified location along a translation path in the central region of the substantially planar base; and   leg supports shaped to accommodate a patient's legs from behind, the pair of leg supports being shaped and arranged to provide a space therebetween that can accommodate an ultrasound probe holder.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising an indexing bar for providing a transversely aligned interface between the substantially planar base and the radiation couch, the indexing bar including protrusions on a bottom side for engaging with slots in the radiation couch and protrusions on a top side for engaging with the substantially planar base. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the centrally located guide comprises a pair of rails including respective longitudinal grooves centrally facing each other and arranged to guide the probe holder during translational movement along a longitudinal axis of the base and wherein the centrally located guide comprises a pair of rails including respective longitudinal grooves, outwardly facing aw ay from each other and arranged to engage at least one patient support cushion. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  comprising a pair of ankle supports including a portion shaped to accommodate the patient's ankles and latterly inwardly facing protrusions for contacting at least one outwardly facing groove of the centrally located guide, the inwardly facing protrusions capable of allowing adjustment of a longitudinal position of the pair of ankle supports. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the radiation couch includes a scale capable of indexing the indexing bar and the substantially planar base includes a scale capable of indexing the probe holder and ankle supports. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a clamp located within a hollow central portion of the probe holder, the clamp being configured to increase a frictional force between the probe holder and the substantially planar base. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  comprising a rotatable knob located within a central portion of the probe holder body, the rotatable knob being configured to apply a force to the substantially planar base when engaging a relatively elevated portion of a disc below the rotatable knob to provide an outwardly facing protrusion.