Patent ID: 6675038
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for providing ultrasound probe position information relating to an ultrasound image of a target, comprising the steps of:displaying a target icon to a user; displaying a probe icon to the user; receiving input signals from the user that manipulate a position of said probe icon relative to said target icon, said probe icon position corresponding to a user estimate of an actual ultrasound probe position relative to the target; using said ultrasound probe icon position to compute an alphanumeric sequence describing said user estimate of the actual ultrasound probe position; and displaying said alphanumeric sequence to the user for real-time viewing in conjunction with the ultrasound image; whereby said alphanumeric sequence describing said user estimate of the actual ultrasound probe position is generated without requiring manual alphanumeric entry thereof by the user.