METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRACKING A MOTION OF A PROBE IN AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

The invention provides for a method of generating a tracked imaging region representing ultrasound data acquired from a subject. The method comprises obtaining ultrasound data acquired from an imaging region by way of an ultrasound probe. A first image and a second image of a surface, acquired during the acquisition of the ultrasound data, are obtained by way of an image sensor coupled to the ultrasound probe. The first image and the second image are compared and a first motion component of the ultrasound probe is computed based on the comparison.A second motion component of the ultrasound probe, acquired during the acquisition of the ultrasound data, is then obtained by way of an inertial measurement unit coupled to the image sensor.The first motion component and the second motion component are combined, thereby generating a motion of the ultrasound probe, which is then combined with the ultrasound data from the imaging region, thereby generating a tracked imaging region.