SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ULTRASOUND SPINE SHADOW FEATURE DETECTION AND IMAGING THEREOF

Systems and methods for anatomical identification using ultrasonic imaging and acoustic shadow detection methods are provided. At least some embodiments of the disclosure comprise the following steps: acquiring ultrasound image; detecting shadow region; extracting shadow profile; filtering shadow profile with matched filter; identifying anatomical landmarks within shadow; extracting features of anatomical landmarks; classifying anatomy, and determining with a high degree of confidence that the target anatomy is depicted in the image. A determination is made as to the degree of confidence that the target anatomy is depicted in the image. Conditionally, graphics indicating presence and position of target anatomy is displayed including disposition, location and orientation thereof.