Here we demonstrate how 3D ultrasonic tracking can be performed with a custom ultrasound imaging probe and a fiber-optic hydrophone integrated within a needle. From a clinical translation standpoint, several aspects of the custom probe developed in this study are attractive. Its compact size is well-suited for use in small spaces such as the axilla where maneuvering bulky 3D imaging probes is challenging. One limitation of the implementation of the 3D ultrasonic tracking presented here is that manual switching was required to alternate between imaging and tracking modes. In future implementations, this switching could be done directly by the ultrasound imaging system.
The fiber-optic hydrophone is well suited to ultrasonic needle tracking. Its high degree of miniaturization and flexibility allow for its integration into medical devices with small lateral dimensions. Its broad frequency bandwidth16 allows for compatibility with different clinical ultrasound probes. Additionally, its omnidirectionality16 allows for tracking needles that are inserted at a wide range of angles. Finally, its immunity to disturbances from EM fields and metal objects makes it more suitable to clinical settings in contrast to EM tracking. To achieve greater ultrasound detection sensitivity, a plano-concave Fabry-Pérot cavity could be used in the future17. Ultimately, ultrasonic tracking could be combined with other modalities in a single optical fiber, such as reflectance spectroscopy18,19,20,21,22,23, Raman spectroscopy24, optical coherence tomography25,26, and photoacoustic imaging27,28,29,30,31,32,33.
Ultrasonic tracking has limitations that are shared with ultrasound imaging. First, tissue heterogeneities will negatively impact ultrasonic tracking; spatial variations in the speed of sound of tissue will decrease the tracking accuracy, as demonstrated by numerical simulations in a previous study14. Second, anatomical structures that are highly reflective to ultrasound waves, such as bony structures or air cavities, are probably not compatible with ultrasonic tracking. In future studies, the needle tip position obtained with other imaging modalities, such as 3D rotational C-arm computed X-ray tomography, could be used to assess the accuracy of 3D ultrasonic tracking in heterogeneous tissues in vivo.
Despite recent advancements in ultrasound imaging, precise tracking and efficient manipulation of medical devices under the guidance of this modality remain challenging, even for expert practitioners. Active communication between external ultrasound probes and medical devices, as shown here, could improve procedural safety and efficiency. These improvements could greatly facilitate adoption of ultrasound imaging in place of X-ray fluoroscopy in several clinical contexts, such as spinal insertions for interventional pain management. The system developed in this study enables 3D ultrasonic tracking and 2D ultrasound imaging with a compact ultrasound probe. It could improve ultrasound-guided minimally invasive procedures by providing precise localization of the needle tip within current clinical workflow.