A position of an imaging plane relative to a catheter or other probe is
aligned with tissue of interest. Ultrasound tissue images may be
registered to the catheter position with minimal rotational ambiguity.
The spatial position of an ablation catheter or other device with respect
to the imaging plane is more accurately determined, allowing a physician
to identify specific anatomy in the relative location of a catheter or
catheters. Another alternative or additional approach to determining the
position of an imaging plane is to determine the relative position of two
or more catheters. A catheter associated with imaging is then moved or
bent in a direction having a known spatial relationship with the imaging
plane. The position of the catheter is relative to each is then
determined again to determine the angle or position of the imaging plane.
In addition or as an alternative to determining an angular position of an
imaging plane relative to a catheter, an ultrasound image of tissue is
generated with acoustic elements for position identification. The
acoustic elements are used as an imaging transducer array as well as
devices for determining relative positions of the catheters.