Patent US6473634B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6473634B1
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Medical imaging at two temporal resolutions for tumor treatment planning
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 2000-11-22
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2020-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A method of medical imaging includes obtaining at a first temporal resolution a first medical image 100 of a region of interest of a patient, and obtaining at a second temporal resolution a second medical image 200 of the region of interest. The second temporal resolution is lower than the first temporal resolution. The method also includes registering the first and second medical images with one another such that common reference points in the first and second medical images coincide. Finally, the first and second medical images are superimposed over one another.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Barni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/46; A61B6/461; A61B6/463; A61B5/00; A61B5/72; A61B5/7271; A61B5/7285; A61B5/7289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of medical imaging comprising: (a) obtaining at a first temporal resolution a first medical image of a region of interest of a patient; (b) obtaining at a second temporal resolution a second medical image of the region of interest, said second temporal resolution being lower than the first temporal resolution; (c) registering the first and second medical images with one another such that common reference points in the first and second medical images coincide; and, (d) superimposing the first and second medical images over one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of medical imaging comprising: (a) obtaining at a first temporal resolution a first medical image of a region of interest of a patient; (b) obtaining at a second temporal resolution a second medical image of the region of interest, said second temporal resolution being lower than the first temporal resolution; (c) registering the first and second medical images with one another such that common reference points in the first and second medical images coincide; and, (d) superimposing the first and second medical images over one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first temporal resolution is such that a substantially instantaneous image is achieved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second temporal resolution is such that the second image is obtained over a period of time substantially equal to or greater than a period for a biological cycle of the patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the biological cycle is a cycle selected from the group consisting of the patient's respiratory cycle and the patient's cardiac cycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second temporal resolution is such that the second image visualizes a range of motion of a selected mass of tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 5 , wherein the first temporal resolution is such that the first image visualizes the selected mass of tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 6 , further comprising: coloring the selected mass of tissue visualized in the first image with a first color; and, coloring the range of motion visualized in the second image with a second color, said second color being different from the first color.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the superimposed first and second images visualize a shape and size of a selected mass of tissue and a range of motion experienced by the selected mass of tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: planning a targeted treatment in the region of interest based on the superimposed first and second images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second images are three-dimensional images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A medical imaging apparatus comprising: a medical imager which produces image representations of a region of interest of a patient at two different temporal resolutions; registration means for aligning with one another first and second image representations of the same region of interest obtained from the medical imager at different first and second temporal resolutions, respectively; and, combining means for superimposing aligned first and second image representations over one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
A medical imaging apparatus comprising: a medical imager which produces image representations of a region of interest of a patient at two different temporal resolutions; registration means for aligning with one another first and second image representations of the same region of interest obtained from the medical imager at different first and second temporal resolutions, respectively; and, combining means for superimposing aligned first and second image representations over one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising: a display for rendering in a human-viewable format the superimposed first and second image representations.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the medical imager is selected from the group consisting of a CT scanner, an MRI scanner, a SPECT scanner, PET scanner, and a fluoroscope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the superimposed first and second image representations visualize a shape and size of a selected mass of tissue in the region of interest and a range of motion experienced by the selected mass of tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising: a marking engine which selectively colors the selected mass visualized in the superimposed first and second image representations a first color, and selectively colors the range of motion visualized in the superimposed first and second image representations a second color different from the first color.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising: a treatment planning workstation which accesses the superimposed first and second image representations to carry out computer simulated treatments.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first temporal resolution is such that a substantially instantaneous image representation is achieved.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second temporal resolution is such that the second image representation is obtained over a period of time substantially equal to or greater than a period for a biological cycle of the patient.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the biological cycle is a cycle selected from the group consisting of the patient's respiratory cycle and the patient's cardiac cycle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medical imaging apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second temporal resolution is such that the second image representation visualizes a range of motion of a selected mass of tissue in the region of interest.
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) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |