DE102010014467A1 - Apparatus for obtaining image data from bony structures, in particular for the diagnosis of bone fractures - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for obtaining ultrasound-based image data of bony structures, in particular for 3D reconstruction of bone surfaces, has a liquid container (1) into which the extremity (2) to be examined can be immersed. An ultrasound head (3) is arranged in the liquid container (1) and aligned with the extremity (2), the liquid container (1) together with the ultrasound head (3) being pivotable about the immersed extremity (2). A device has thus been created which permits the use of an ultrasound device and at the same time the acquisition of image data for the reliable three-dimensional reconstruction of the bone surface. This means that in most cases the use of X-ray equipment can also be dispensed with for the diagnosis of bone fractures.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for obtaining ultrasound-based image data of bony structures, in particular for the 3D reconstruction of bone surfaces.

Devices for acquiring image data representing bony structures and related methods have long been known in the art.

Thus, the diagnosis of a bone fracture is generally secured by imaging techniques, with the X-ray diagnostics in addition to the computed tomography and the nuclear spin method plays the essential role. This is due to the long history, the availability and the extensive experience with the X-ray method.

The disadvantage of the X-ray method is that ionizing radiation is used, which subjects the use in children and adolescents in particular restrictions. The use of ionizing radiation is restricted by law, whereby the operation of X-ray equipment involves a great deal of technical and administrative effort.

On the other hand, patients also have a serious disinclination to the use of ionizing radiation. If there is a suspicion of a bone fracture, the treating physician is always faced with the question of whether or not an X-ray diagnosis is justified. If it turns out that there is no bone fracture, it is often suspected by the patient that the indication for the application of ionizing radiation was recklessly made.

Since computer tomography also uses ionizing radiation, the same applies here.

By contrast, a magnetic resonance examination does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, but is very laborious and is poorly tolerated by many patients, in particular due to the volume and the tightness of the examination tube. In addition, the method offers a reduced image resolution and a poorer bone imaging compared to computed tomography.

It is already known to use ultrasound techniques to diagnose fractures, especially in children. Conventional B-mode ultrasound reveals the surfaces of bones as bright regions or edges in the image. However, the transducer is placed (coupled) directly or with a gel pad positioned between the skin and the transducer, which can lead to an increase in pain in the presence of an injury. The transducer is guided in this procedure by the examiner ("Freehand Ultrasound"), while only barely standardized "cuts" (ie recordings) can be generated.

In order to realize an accurate bone fracture diagnosis and an exact bone axis determination, a 3D reconstruction of the bone surface is necessary. For this purpose, an image processing with a high Approximationsanteil be used, but this is uncertain and also very time consuming, if not practically impractical.

There are examinations in which the transducer is (optically) tracked (tracked) (ultrasound tracking), so that a further image processing (see above, representation of the bone surface) would be possible. In order to obtain world coordinates, optical or magnetic markers are applied to the transducer, which are detected via a corresponding optical / magnetic tracking system with a stereo camera or radiation receiver configuration. As a result, their positional coordination can be calculated. Such a combination of 2D ultrasound with six degrees of freedom optical / magnetic tracking (6DOF) is called 2.5D ultrasound. Axial or length measurements of extremities are already carried out by means of ultrasound. However, this approach requires an experienced physician who is able to properly guide the ultrasound transducer.

However, a reconstruction of the bone surface attempted in this way would be technically very complicated because an additional computer-assisted system for processing the unstructured and sparse data sets would have to be maintained.

Ultrasound examinations based on the "freehand ultrasound" method result in a user-specific error. Without standardized and multiple scanning of the affected skeletal section, a valid representation of the surface of the affected bony section is not possible. This can z. B. a fracture gap can not be reproduced reproducible.

There are also other technical problems with the use of 2.5D ultrasound procedures. The use of a magnetic tracking system is severely limited because it could produce artifacts on other nearby medical devices. The optical tracking system has been used in the orthopedic field for surgical instrument tracking for several years but requires direct optical contact with the marker on the transducer, which is very difficult during the image acquisition for complete 3D bone surface reconstruction. not possible. This scanning method puts a great strain on the medical staff and is very time consuming because of the lack of automation.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device for obtaining image data from bony structures, which allows the use of an ultrasound device for the acquisition of image data, at the same time enabling the quality of the retrievable image data to provide a reliable three-dimensional reconstruction of the bone surface.

This object is solved with the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the device according to the invention for obtaining ultrasound-based image data of bony structures, in particular for the 3D reconstruction of bone surfaces, a liquid container into which the limb to be examined is submerged, and has at least one disposed in the liquid container and the extremity-oriented ultrasound head, wherein the liquid container is pivotable together with the ultrasonic head to the immersed limb.

First, it has been recognized according to the invention that an ultrasound examination of the body part is made possible if the body part to be examined is immersed in a liquid which does not cause significant attenuation of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound head is thereby removed from the body part, whereby no pressure pain can be exerted, in particular on an injured limb.

The liquid container can be filled in a particularly suitable manner with water, gel or another liquid having the aforementioned properties.

During the pivoting movement of the liquid container and the ultrasound head arranged therein and optionally positionable / adjustable, the position and the position of the ultrasound head with respect to the extremity to be examined are always exactly known or determinable.

Since the determination of the position and the position of the transducer within the liquid container due to the arrangement of the ultrasound head in the liquid container and the mechanical connection made therewith is always possible, a position determination of the ultrasound head is then largely problematic, if this in addition to the liquid container more translational and rotational degrees of freedom.

According to the invention, the highest possible accuracy of the position determination (tracking) of the ultrasound head is thus achieved.

As already mentioned, the establishment of an exact relation between image data taken by the ultrasound head and the exact position of the ultrasound head in which the respective image data are obtained is a prerequisite for a reliable three-dimensional reconstruction of the bone surface by means of ultrasound data.

According to the invention, interference-prone and unreliable optical or magnetic tracking systems can therefore be dispensed with for determining the position of the transducer.

With the device according to the invention, the bone surface recognition is enabled with sequences of B-mode ultrasound images. For this purpose, different scans with one or more ultrasound heads can be picked up from the limb immersed in the fluid at specific time and / or spatially coordinated steps. In this case, the exact position data of the transducer are known according to the invention for each individual scan. The diagnosis of a bone fracture is z. B. at distal areas of the extremities valid and reproducible. However, you can also scan proximal areas with good results. Ionizing radiation is no longer needed.

With the device according to the invention, the anatomical three-dimensional measurement of the axes of extremities is possible. These can also be detected and measured in the extremities without previous fracture. Since a fracture can also be accompanied by axial misalignments, a fracture of a limb may also be indirectly detected and measured.

In the device according to the invention, a commercial ultrasonic head can be used, whereby the device is inexpensive to provide.

For the acquisition of image data of extremities, the device according to the invention can be designed to be very compact and therefore used everywhere (including mobile).

The absence of the use of ionizing radiation has in addition to the health and a beneficial economic effect, so less X-ray images must be created, which in addition to the direct cost savings and a lower logistical effort (equipment installation, energy supply, maintenance, staff training, Picture archiving etc.) means. Furthermore, the device according to the invention can also be used in pregnant women, so that a further device diagnosis is also possible here, if there is a suspicion of the presence of a fracture. The device can be used as often as human, because it eliminates the use of ionizing radiation. Therefore, it can also be used, for example, for repeated therapy control of reduction maneuvers in dislocated fractures.

As a result, a device for obtaining image data of bony structures is realized, which allows the use of an ultrasound device for the acquisition of image data, while at the same time the quality of the image data obtainable with the device enables a reliable three-dimensional reconstruction of the bone surface.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the axis of rotation of the liquid container coincides with the central axis of the extremity. Thus, the distance of the arranged in the liquid container ultrasonic head of the limb to be examined during the pivoting movement remains substantially constant. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain particularly informative image data for the evaluation of a possible fracture. Alternatively or additionally, the liquid container may be pivotable around the extremity up to a complete circular path. On the one hand image data of the entire bone surface can be obtained. On the other hand, the ultrasound head can be moved to any conceivable position and can assume any desired angle of acceptance with respect to the extremity, so that optimum image data can be obtained.

To enable a pivoting of the liquid container this can be arranged on a turntable. The angular position of the turntable can be determined very accurately, so that the Verschwenklage the liquid container is always known with the greatest possible accuracy. Furthermore, the turntable can be designed drivable and connected to a suitable control unit. Thus, the turntable can act as an actuator and bring the liquid container at the choice of the operator or automatically in a precisely definable Verschwenklage.

In a particularly preferred development of the inventive concept, the ultrasound head can be positioned and / or adjusted within the liquid container. In particular, the height of the ultrasound head and / or the distance of the ultrasound head and / or its rotational / angular position to the limb to be examined can be adjustable. By a realized within the liquid container height adjustment, which can be achieved in particular with a linear guide, places of suspected bone fractures can be approached particularly accurately and assess larger areas of the bone to be examined. Furthermore, the ultrasound head can be moved closer to or removable from the body part, so that the acquisition of optimal image data is also possible in this regard.

Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of ultrasound heads can be provided within the liquid container. The simultaneous use of multiple ultrasound heads is particularly preferred. Thus, image data of the bone structure can be obtained simultaneously from several positions or recording angles. For this purpose, for example, an ultrasound head can be positioned in the longitudinal direction and an ultrasound head in the transverse direction. On the basis of the quality of the image data obtained from the different ultrasound heads, it is possible to manually or even automatically select the ultrasound head which currently supplies the most suitable image data. The use of multiple ultrasonic heads improves speed, accuracy, robustness and portability.

In a further, particularly expedient embodiment of the device according to the invention, the ultrasound head can be positioned and adjusted with respect to the extremity together with the superposed pivotability of the fluid container with a total of six degrees of freedom. In other words, any desired applicability of the ultrasound head is achieved within this embodiment with three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom of the ultrasound head or a plurality of ultrasound heads, both as regards the position and the rotational / angular position of the ultrasound head. This comprehensive positioning ability takes into account the experience that only the translational positioning of the ultrasound head in the region of the body part of interest is often insufficient to obtain image data of suitable quality, but that the angular position of the ultrasound head with respect to the limb regularly has to be varied. If one uses the well-known from robotics definition of degrees of freedom, where more than six degrees of freedom can be achieved by superimposed movement possibilities, can be provided in the context of the embodiment described above, a device which by definition has an ultrasound head with more than six degrees of freedom. It is crucial, however, that within this embodiment, the above-stated arbitrary applicability of the ultrasound head is reached.

The device may be configured such that the ultrasound head can be manually positioned and / or adjusted within the liquid container. It is possible that the ultrasound head may follow the bone surface normal.

However, in view of the fastest possible and error-free acquisition of image data, an embodiment is preferred in which means for automatic positioning and / or adjustment are provided. This may in particular be an electric, servo or servo motor, a correspondingly driven cable or such a linkage. With regard to a translation or rotation of the ultrasound head in different degrees of freedom, a plurality of independent actuators may be provided for this purpose. These can be controlled by a control unit and their current position can be queried.

In a further expedient embodiment, the ultrasound head is arranged inside the liquid container on an adjusting yoke, possibly where the adjusting yoke has mounting positions for further ultrasound heads. The adjustment bar can surround the limb to be examined substantially in the form of a circular arc. The length of the bracket may, for example, have approximately 1/4 of the circumference. On an adjusting bracket in the form of a circular arc section, several adjacent ultrasonic heads can be arranged. Furthermore, all already described positioning and adjustment possibilities for the ultrasound head can be realized on an adjustment bar.

The device may have a linear sound head, in particular a linear sound head operating in the range of 5-9 MHz. Such a linear sound head can detect an echo intensity as image data which can be converted into a brightness of an image signal in B-mode. Alternatively or additionally, one or more sector-array or phased-array ultrasound heads or other ultrasound heads may be provided.

In a further expedient embodiment of the inventive idea, the device additionally has a control unit for the positioning and / or adjustment of the ultrasound head and / or for the pivoting of the liquid container. Thus, a control unit in a suitable and already described manner on operator inputs or fully automatically make a positioning and adjustment of an ultrasound head or more ultrasonic heads. Thus, positioning / adjustment of the ultrasound head or the ultrasound heads with up to six degrees of freedom (or, depending on the definition, with more than six degrees of freedom) without manual intervention in the liquid container or perform fully automatic. For example, the control unit can perform an alignment of the ultrasound head based on the quality of the image data currently obtained, possibly in conjunction with an image processing unit described below. Thus, the control unit can autonomously determine the currently optimal position of the ultrasound head and to transfer this into the appropriate position. If multiple ultrasound heads are provided, a control unit can automatically select that transducer that currently provides the best image data so that this data can be used to reconstruct the bone surface.

For control (synchronization) and evaluation of image data of several ultrasound heads, a suitable software architecture can be implemented. The coordinate system can be defined in the tracking navigation system.

A connection to various other measuring systems, such as mechanical, optical and electromagnetic measuring systems, is also produced.

Within the software architecture, an adaptive expert system can be implemented, which can map newly acquired knowledge to a knowledge base. The device can thus be designed to be able to learn.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device additionally has an image processing unit. Within the image processing unit, the image data may be preprocessed (image restoration) so that the edges of regions are highlighted, for example, by using edge enhancement in combination with connectivity analysis.

Within the image processing unit, a suitable model adaptation can be made. Within data management, a data suppression and a transparency representation of fixed objects can be implemented by means of interaction modality.

In the image processing unit, segmentation and classification may be feasible to suppress artifacts. Such segmentation and classification methods can use statistical information about the geometry of the edges to be reconstructed, their local contextual components, and the physics of ultrasound imaging.

The recorded images can be processed so that a complete image of the bone surface can be generated and analyzed can. Furthermore, within the image processing unit, 3D fragments can be reconstructed in 3D surfaces. For this purpose, records must be interpolatable (reconstructable) to restore lost information. The 3D data can then be modified with certain algorithms (surfaces are generated) and displayed for further analysis.

Within the image processing unit, image analysis for automatic fracture detection may also be implemented.

To set up and test the control and / or the image processing unit, a calibration of the device by means of suitable calibration, essentially z. B. cylindrical calibration, be given.

It is appropriate that the analysis be supportable by the operator (physician) and / or by the system (eg, matching with other modalities, comparison of geometric measurements, etc.). The assessment of an axle deviation can thus be made possible automatically and / or interactively. In addition, matching methods may be used in the image processing unit to allow comparison with the far site or with other data sets from other modalities.

It is understood that an aforementioned control unit and an aforementioned image processing unit can also be implemented within a common functional environment without departing from the inventive idea.

Finally, an embodiment is proposed which has an output unit for image signals, and possibly a display unit for displaying image signals. An output unit for image signals can be set up in such a way that processed image data can be forwarded to a display unit in an optically displayable format in a suitable manner, in particular in an image processing unit. An optional display unit can have a screen, in particular a flat screen, in order to be able to visually represent the reconstruction of the bone structure. Conveniently, a lead for the ultrasound head, a control unit, an image processing unit, an image signal output unit, and a display unit for displaying image signals may be integrated in a single compact housing.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the subordinate claims, on the other hand, to refer to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the teaching of the invention with reference to the drawings. If - as above - steps of a method are explained, which can be carried out with the device according to the invention, these statements are expressly also related to the associated embodiment of the device. Furthermore, in connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing, also generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching will be explained. In the drawing shows

the single figure is a perspective, partially cut and schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for obtaining image data from bony structures.

The single figure shows in a perspective, partially cut and schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for obtaining ultrasound-based image data of bony structures, in particular for the 3D reconstruction of bone surfaces.

The device according to the invention consists of a liquid container 1 for receiving the extremity to be examined 2 , The liquid container 1 is, for example, filled with water to prevent a strong Attenuation of ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, the device comprises at least one in the liquid container 1 arranged and on the extremity 2 aligned ultrasound head 3 ,

In accordance with the invention, the liquid container 1 together with the ultrasound head 3 around the submerged extremity 2 pivotable. This is where the axis of rotation falls 4 of the liquid container 1 with the central axis of the extremity 2 together. The pivotability of the liquid container 1 is through the circular arc double arrow below the liquid container 1 clarified. In this case, a pivoting in a complete circular path around the extremity 2 be realized around.

Because the Verschwenklage of the liquid container 1 and the positioning / adjustment of the ultrasound head disposed therein 3 is determinable at any time, so in accordance with the invention an accurate mechanical tracking of the ultrasound head 3 realized.

To the pivotability of the liquid container 1 in a constructive way, this is on a turntable 5 arranged. The turntable 5 can be configured as an electrically controllable actuator. Furthermore, a automated queryability of the instantaneous angular position of the turntable 5 be implemented.

Inside the liquid container 1 is the ultrasound head 3 on an adjustment bar 6 arranged. The adjustment bar 6 essentially takes the form of a circular arc, which in this example describes about 1/4 of the circumference of a circle. The adjustment bar 6 has several mounting positions 7 for changing the arrangement of the ultrasonic head 3 , but especially for mounting additional ultrasonic heads 3 on.

The ultrasound head 3 is inside the liquid container 1 positionable and adjustable. For height adjustment is a linear guide 8th realized, on which the adjusting bracket 6 is arranged. In addition, on the adjustment bar 6 a distance adjustment 9 of the ultrasound head 3 in relation to the extremity to be examined 2 set up.

The ultrasound head 3 In addition, it can be provided with up to three rotational degrees of freedom to any conceivable angular or rotational position relative to the extremity to be examined 2 to be able to take.

As a result, it is particularly preferred that the ultrasound head 3 in terms of the extremity 2 together with the superimposed pivotability of the liquid container 1 with a total of six degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom) can be positioned and adjusted.

Preference is given to means for automatic positioning and / or adjustment of the ultrasound head 3 intended. Such means (eg electric / servo motors, actuators) are not shown here. Alternatively, the positioning / adjustment of the ultrasound head 3 be done manually.

The ultrasound head 3 may comprise a linear, a sector-array or a phased array transducer or other suitable ultrasound heads.

The ultrasound head 3 is with a control unit 10 connected, which on the one hand, the function of the ultrasound head 3 ensures. On the other hand, the control unit 10 the positioning and / or adjustment of the ultrasound head 3 and / or the pivoting of the liquid container 1 or take over the query of the instantaneous angle / position data. For this purpose, the control unit 10 in the present embodiment, in particular on the turntable 5 , the linear guide 8th , the distance adjustment 9 as well as any other means for positioning / adjusting the transducer 3 access. These data / control connections are not shown here.

Furthermore, within the control unit 10 be implemented above-described software and expert systems.

In addition, an image processing unit 11 provided to prepare the acquired image data into an image signal with a three-dimensional reconstruction of the bone surface. In the image processing unit 11 For example, various software architectures may be implemented in terms of image restoration, model matching, segmentation and classification, image analysis, etc., for which reference should be made to the foregoing detailed embodiments.

Furthermore, the device may have an output unit for image signals and / or a display unit for displaying image signals, which are not shown here.

It is understood that several or all of the aforementioned data processing or forwarding devices can be integrated into a common apparatus environment, without departing from the scope of the invention.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the specification and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly understood that the above-described embodiment of the device according to the invention is only for the purpose of discussion of the claimed teaching, but this does not limit the embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

liquid container

2

extremity

3

ultrasound probe

4

Rotation axis (liquid container)

5

turntable

6

Adjustment frame

7

mounting position

8th

linear guide

9

distance adjustment

10

control unit

11

Image processing unit

List of pre-releases

• 1. Keppler, P., Strecker, W., Kinzl, L., Simnacher, M., Claes, L. The sonographic determination of beeingometry. Orthopedist 1999; 28: 1015-1022
• Second Gebhard, F., Krivonos, O., Liener, UC, Keppler, P., Kinzl, L., Hesser, J. Bone extraction from ultrasound images and surface matching with CT. CAOS: Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery, Symposium, Davos, Switzerland, Feb. 2000
• Third UC Liener, O. Krivonos, R. Men, J. Hesser, L. Kinzl, F. Gebhard. Ultrasound - A New Tool For Surface Matching In Computer Navigated Surgery. Journal of Military Medicine, 2002 Feb; 167 (2): 151-4
• 4th Foroughi, P., Boctor, E., Swartz, MJ, Taylor, RH, Fichtinger, G., P6D-2 Ultrasound Bone Segmentation Using Dynamic Programming. IEEE: Ultrasonics Symposium, 28-31 Oct. 2007, pp. 2523-2526
• 5th DV Amin, T. Kanade; AM DiGioia, B. Jaramaz, Ultrasound registration of the bone surface for surgical navigation, Computer Aided Surgery, vol. 8, no. 1, pp 1-16, 2003
• 6th Boss, L., Kim, Y., Moore, CL. Diagnosis and guided reduction of forearm fractures in children using bedside ultrasound. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2007 Aug; 23 (8): 528-31 ,

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• Keppler, P., Strecker, W., Kinzl, L., Simnacher, M., Claes, L. The sonographic determination of beeingometry. Orthopedist 1999; 28: 1015-1022 [0070]
• Gebhard, F., Krivonos, O., Liener, UC, Keppler, P., Kinzl, L., Hesser, J. Bone extraction from ultrasound images and surface matching with CT. CAOS: Computer Assisted Orthopedic Surgery, Symposium, Davos, Switzerland, Feb. 2000 [0070]
• UC Liener, O. Krivonos, R. Men, J. Hesser, L. Kinzl, F. Gebhard. Ultrasound - A New Tool For Surface Matching In Computer Navigated Surgery. Journal of Military Medicine, 2002 Feb; 167 (2): 151-4 [0070]
• Foroughi, P., Boctor, E., Swartz, MJ, Taylor, RH, Fichtinger, G., P6D-2 Ultrasound Bone Segmentation Using Dynamic Programming. IEEE: Ultrasonics Symposium, 28-31 Oct. 2007, pp. 2523-2526 [0070]
• DV Amin, T. Kanade; AM DiGioia, B. Jaramaz, Ultrasound registration of the bone surface for surgical navigation, Computer Aided Surgery, vol. 8, no. 1, pp 1-16, 2003 [0070]
• Boss, L., Kim, Y., Moore, CL. Diagnosis and guided reduction of forearm fractures in children using bedside ultrasound. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2007 Aug; 23 (8): 528-31 [0070]

Claims (11)

Apparatus for obtaining ultrasound-based image data from bony structures, in particular for the 3D reconstruction of bone surfaces, comprising - a liquid container ( 1 ) into which the extremity to be examined ( 2 ) is submersible, and - at least one in the liquid container ( 1 ) and on the extremity ( 2 ) aligned ultrasound head ( 3 ), wherein the liquid container ( 1 ) together with the ultrasound head ( 3 ) around the submerged extremity ( 2 ) is pivotable. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of rotation ( 4 ) of the liquid container ( 1 ) with the central axis of the extremity ( 2 ) and / or that the liquid container ( 1 ) in a complete circular path around the extremity ( 2 ) is pivotable. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid container ( 1 ) on a turntable ( 5 ) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the ultrasonic head ( 3 ) within the liquid container ( 1 ) is positionable and / or adjustable, in particular wherein the height of the ultrasound head ( 3 ) and / or the distance of the ultrasound head ( 3 ) to the extremity to be examined ( 2 ) is adjustable, and / or that several ultrasonic heads ( 3 ) are provided. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ultrasonic head ( 3 ) in relation to the extremity ( 2 ) together with the superposable pivotability of the liquid container ( 1 ) can be positioned and adjusted with a total of six degrees of freedom. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ultrasonic head ( 3 ) within the liquid container ( 1 ) is manually positionable and / or adjustable, or that means for automatic positioning and / or adjustment are provided. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ultrasonic head ( 3 ) within the liquid container ( 1 ) on an adjustment bracket ( 6 ) is arranged, optionally where the adjustment ( 6 ) Mounting positions ( 7 ) for further ultrasound heads ( 3 ) having. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the ultrasonic head ( 3 ) comprises a linear acoustic head, in particular a linear acoustic head operating in the range of 5-9 MHz, or a sector-array transducer or a phased-array transducer. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a control unit ( 10 ) for the positioning and / or adjustment of the ultrasound head ( 3 ) and / or for the pivoting of the liquid container ( 1 ). Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by an image processing unit ( 11 ). Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by an output unit for image signals, and optionally by a display unit for displaying image signals.

Images