User interface system for mammographic imager

• US 20030073895A1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hologic Incorporated
• Inventors: Nields, Morgan W., Daly, Curtis, Connor, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,496,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0435 with means for imaging suspended breasts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4417 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. graphical user interface, icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/469 for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5247 combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0825 for diagnosis of the breast, e.g. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/406 using means for diagnosing suspended breasts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/464 involving a plurality of displays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/469 for selection of a region of interest
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5238 for combining image data of patient, e.g. merging several images from different acquisition modes into one image for image registration algorithms G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/915 Ultrasound mammography
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/916 Ultrasound 3-D imaging

Abstract

The present invention provides for x-ray imaging and ultrasound imaging of a body region of interest in a spatially correlatable manner. The resultant x-ray and ultrasound images may be combinatively employed to provide three-dimensional information regarding a location of interest within the body, and is particularly apt for use in the analysis/biopsy of potential lesions and suspicious masses in a female breast. The invention provides for direct body contact by an ultrasound imaging head, as well as targeted ultrasound imaging of a selected portion of the region from which xray images are obtained. A user interface system facilitates various procedures including ultrasound guided needle biopsy procedures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising:

an immobilizer for immobilizing the patient'"'"'s breast;

a first graphical display for displaying one or more images of the patent'"'"'s breast so as to permit identification of an area of interest within the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast;

a medical instrument operable for insertion to the identified area of interest within the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast; and

a second graphical display, separate from said first graphical display and located proximate to the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast, for providing substantially real time images of said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast so that the user can monitor insertion of said medical instrument to said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast using said graphical display located to proximate to said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a table for supporting said patient in a prone position such that said patient'"'"'s breast extends pendulently through an opening in said table, and said second graphical display is disposed underneath said table.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second graphical display is movable relative to said immobilizer such that a user can locate said second graphical display for convenient viewing during insertion of said medical instrument into said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a processor associated with said first graphical display whereby a user can enter location information relative to said first graphical display so as to permit said processor to determine coordinates of said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first graphical display is operative for displaying an x-ray image.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second graphical display is operative for displaying an ultrasound image.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claimed 1, wherein said second graphical display is angularly moveable so that a user can adjust an angle of said graphical display for convenient viewing during insertion of said medical instrument to said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast.

8. An apparatus for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising:

an ultrasound probe for use in providing an ultrasound image of said patient'"'"'s breast, said probe including a signal interface surface for facing said patient'"'"'s breast during use so as to transmit and receive ultrasound signals relative to said patient'"'"'s breast; and

a transducer array supported by said probe including a first set of elements disposed a first distance from said interface surface of said probe and a second set of elements disposed a second distance, greater than said first distance, from said interface surface of said probe;

wherein said first set of elements has a first focal imaging area having a first depth relative to said interface surface and said second set of elements as a second focal imaging area having a second depth relative to said interface surface, and a combination of said first and second sets provides a combined focal depth greater than either of said first focal depth and said second focal depth, thereby providing enhanced breast imaging.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transducer array includes a third set of elements disposed a third distance from said interface surface of said probe.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transducer array includes at least about 7 sets of elements, each said being disposed a different distance from said interface surface of said probe.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transducer array provides an imaging focal depth of at least about 5 centimeters.

12. A method for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising the steps of:

scanning an ultrasound probe across a patient'"'"'s breast so as to obtain a series of ultrasound images indexed to scan position;

based on said series of ultrasound images, identifying a location of interest within said patient'"'"'s breast with respect to two dimensions, and further identifying an associated scan location;

positioning an ultrasound probe substantially at said scan location; and

using said ultrasound probe position substantially at said scan location to obtain a third dimension of said location of interest, thereby obtaining a 3 dimensional location of said location of interest using only ultrasound imaging.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising the step of using said ultrasound probe to monitor insertion of a medical instrument to said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s breast.

14. A method for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising the steps of:

providing a mammographic medical device for use in performing said medical procedures on said patient'"'"'s breast;

providing a display device having a graphical viewing area;

providing a processor operative to drive said display device so as to display selected information on said display device;

operating said display device using said processor to provide a first display on said-graphical viewing area, wherein said first display presents options corresponding to different operating modes of said medical device, said operating modes including at least a first mode for imaging at least a portion of said patient'"'"'s breast and a second mode for localizing an area of interest within said patient'"'"'s breast;

first operating said processor in response to an input received from a user regarding a selection of one of said first and second modes to provide instructions for operating said medical device to obtain first and second images;

second operating said processor to display said first and second images of said patient'"'"'s breast, at least one of said images being an ultrasound image, and a first portion of a graphical viewing area, and providing graphical objects in a second portion of said graphical viewing area, wherein said graphical objects can be used by a user to enter user information relative to said medical procedure; and

using said first and second images to perform a medical procedure on said patients'"'"' breast.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein one of said first and second images is an x-ray image.

16. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of using comprises identifying said location of interest in each of said first and second images.

17. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said first image is an x-ray image, said second image is an ultrasound image, and said step of using comprises identifying said location of interest in each of said first and second images.

18. A method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising using said processor to project a penetration path of said medical instrument relative to said location of interest on one of said first and second images.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising the step of comparing an actual penetration path to said projected penetration path to identify a deviation therebetween.

20. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of entering user information comprises selecting an image enhancing function.

21. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of entering user information comprises prompting said processor to provide further instructions regarding said medical procedure.

22. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of entering user information comprises entering a selection of a needle for use in insertion into said patient'"'"'s breast.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22, further comprising the step of using information regarding said selected needle for one of positioning a needle insertion assembly and creating a projection of a needle penetration path on at least one of said first and second images.

24. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of using comprises inserting a medical instrument into said patient'"'"'s breast based on said first and second images.

25. A method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising providing a separate display device proximate to said patient'"'"'s breast and using separate display device to monitor insertion of a medical instrument into said patient'"'"'s breast.