A system for continuous ultrasonic monitoring includes an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer includes an array of ultrasonic transducer elements. The ultrasonic transducer elements are operable to steer and focus an ultrasound beam to a selectable location and to receive an ultrasound signal from the selectable location. A holder is provided for holding the ultrasound transducer, the holder being attachable to a skin surface of a patient. A controller is configured to repeatedly steer and focus the ultrasound beam to identify a target section of an object inside the body of the patient and to acquire an ultrasound image such that the target section is maintained within the acquired ultrasound image.
