US5608849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of visual guidance for positioning images or data in three-dimensional space
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-01-26
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Granted: 1997-03-04
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Expires: 2014-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A method for displaying interactively a three dimensional spatial relationship between one or more real-time ultrasound image of tissue and one or more reference images of that tissue. A reference image is produced by obtaining reference image data through a probe and obtaining positional data corresponding to the reference image data by a spatial locater. Real-time images are produced by obtaining real-time image data through an ultrasound probe and obtaining positional data corresponding to the real-time image data through a spatial locater. The reference image data, the reference positional data, the real-time image data and the real-time image positional data are transmitted to a processing and storage means where independent data representing spatial relationships between the real-time image data and the reference image data are generated. Either or both of the real-time images and the reference image is displayed in which the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images is instantaneously displayed. The method is preferably iterative, such that one or more of the real time images may be stored and utilized as a reference image. Additionally, a non-imaging probe having a spatial locater may be utilized with either or both of the real-time and reference images.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald King, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/30; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10072; G06T2207/10116; G06T2207/10132; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A method for instantaneously displaying interactively a three dimensional spatial relationship between at least one real-time ultrasound image of tissue and at least one reference image of that tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) producing at least one reference image by obtaining reference image data through a probe means, obtaining positional data corresponding to the reference image data by a spatial locater means, and transmitting the reference image data and the reference positional data to a processing and storage means; (b) producing a plurality of real-time images that are at selected orientations relative to the reference image by obtaining real-time image data through an ultrasound probe, obtaining positional data corresponding to the real-time image data through a spatial locater means, and transmitting the real-time image data and the corresponding positional data to the processing and storage means; (c) generating independent data representing spatial relationships between the real-time image data and the reference image data by processing the reference image positional data and the real-time image positional data in the processing and storage means; and (d) displaying the real-time images and the at least one reference image, wherein each real-time image is displayed instantaneously with the obtaining of its real-time image data, and wherein the displayed images further instantaneously display the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images using the generated independent data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
A method for instantaneously displaying interactively a three dimensional spatial relationship between at least one real-time ultrasound image of tissue and at least one reference image of that tissue, comprising the steps of: (a) producing at least one reference image by obtaining reference image data through a probe means, obtaining positional data corresponding to the reference image data by a spatial locater means, and transmitting the reference image data and the reference positional data to a processing and storage means; (b) producing a plurality of real-time images that are at selected orientations relative to the reference image by obtaining real-time image data through an ultrasound probe, obtaining positional data corresponding to the real-time image data through a spatial locater means, and transmitting the real-time image data and the corresponding positional data to the processing and storage means; (c) generating independent data representing spatial relationships between the real-time image data and the reference image data by processing the reference image positional data and the real-time image positional data in the processing and storage means; and (d) displaying the real-time images and the at least one reference image, wherein each real-time image is displayed instantaneously with the obtaining of its real-time image data, and wherein the displayed images further instantaneously display the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images using the generated independent data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step (e) storing at least one of the real-time images in the processing and storage means as a next reference image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step (f) displaying the next reference image and the real-time images, wherein the displayed images further display the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the next reference image and the real time images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the data representing the spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images are generated and displayed as a line of intersection of the reference image and the real-time images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the data representing the spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images are generated and displayed in a projection orthogonal to the line of intersection of the reference image and the real-time images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the probe means for obtaining the reference image data comprises at least one of an ultrasound probe, an X-ray computed tomography scanner, a nuclear magnetic resonance scanner and a radiograph.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the spatial locater means comprises at least one of an acoustic position sensor, an optical position sensor, a magnetic position sensor, an electro-mechanical position sensing arm, and an inertial position sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising at least one non-imaging probe, wherein positional data corresponding to the position of the non-imaging probe is obtained by a spatial locater means, the non-imaging probe positional data being transmitted to a processing and storage means; and wherein independent data is generated representing spatial relationships between at least two of the reference image data, the real-time image data and the non-imaging probe by processing the reference image positional data, the real-time image positional data and the non-imaging probe positional data in the processing and storage means; and wherein at least one of the real-time images and the at least one reference images are displayed, wherein the spatial relationship between at least two of the non-imaging probe, the real-time images and the at least one reference image is further displayed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the reference image is provided on a first display and the real-time images are displayed on a second display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the spatial relationship between the reference image and the real-time images is generated and displayed as a line of intersection of the reference image and the real-time images and is also generated and displayed in a projection orthogonal to the line of intersection of the reference image and the real-time images.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-03 | 2000-09-02 | 2001-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-03 | 2004-09-02 | 2005-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-03 | 2008-09-02 | 2009-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |