Ultrasound systems and methods that include and/or use interventional instruments (e.g., needles) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ultrasound system has an interventional instrument having the at least one ultrasound transducer element attached to the interventional instrument and configured for insertion towards the patient anatomy as part of an insertion procedure. The ultrasound system is configured to: determine, during the insertion procedure, an occurrence of a trigger event; instruct, responsive to the determination of the occurrence of the trigger event, the at least one ultrasound transducer element to transmit the additional ultrasound; and determine, based on the reception of the additional ultrasound by the ultrasound scanner, that the interventional instrument is detected.