Application of Finger-Mounted Ultrasound Array Probes

Ultrasound guidance procedures, such as central line placement and needle biopsy, require considerable skill to precisely position a needle while simultaneously holding a transducer. Finger-mounted ultrasound (FMUS) transducer array probes may potentially improve the workflow requirements of ultrasound-guided techniques by allowing an unassisted operator to use one hand to image, palpate, immobilize, and assist with the line placement. FMUS can provide a rapid real-time imaging capability to the physician for urgent or planned central line placement, improve efficiency of the procedure, and decrease the complication rate. Farus proposes to develop a flexible FMUS transducer array and imaging system that can provide high resolution imagery of vascular structures for needle guidance procedures. This design allows the probe to conform to both the finger and the patient"s body surface, while providing high resolution imagery with improved coupling and high angular coverage. This design also allows the transducer to operate in curved linear, linear, and concave conformal modes, each with a varying field of view, depth, and resolution. This Phase II effort will focus on the development and demonstration of a functional FMUS system prototype, performance of regulatory and safety testing, and implementation of a field trial to validate system performance.