Method and apparatus for probe localization in brain matter

• US 20040006274A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cole Giller, Hanli Liu
• Original Assignee: Cole Giller, Hanli Liu
• Inventors: Giller, Cole, Liu, Hanli
• Application Number:
  US10/441,959
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/473
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0073 by tomography, i.e. reconstruction of 3D images from 2D projections A61B5/0066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/064 using markers A61B5/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7425 Displaying combinations of multiple images regardless of image source, e.g. displaying a reference anatomical image with a live image geometric transforms for image registration G06T3/14; enhancement using image fusion G06T5/50; algorithms for registration of images G06T7/30

Abstract

Method and apparatus for probe localization in brain matter. A method is disclosed for determining the insertion point for an object at a desired location within tissue of varying types. The parameters of tissue are first measured at an entry point into the tissue from exterior thereof. The parameters of the tissue are then measured periodically along a line extending from the entry point and moving away therefrom. A determination is then made if at least one boundary between tissue types has occurred during the measurement process. The measurements along the line are then compared to a predetermined map of the tissue boundaries. Thereafter, a point on the map is then selected corresponding to the desired location within the tissue when the measured parameters indicate that the measurements are taking place in proximity thereto.

Claims

1. A method for determining the insertion point for an object at a desired location within tissue of varying types, comprising the steps of:

measuring the parameters of tissue at an entry point in the tissue;

periodically measuring the parameters of the tissue along a line extending from an entry point and moving away therefrom;

determining if at least one boundary between tissues has occurred during the measurement process;

comparing the measurements along the line to a predetermined map of the tissue boundaries; and

selecting a point on the map corresponding to the desired location within the tissue when the measured parameters indicate that the measurements are taking place in proximity to the desired location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring comprises measuring reflectance properties of the tissue.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of measuring the reflectance properties comprises measuring the local reflected properties.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of measuring the reflectance properties of the tissue comprises disposing an emitter and detector in close proximity to each other on the end of a probe wherein the probe is inserted into the entry point and moved along the line with radiation emitted form the emitter and detected at the detector.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of periodically measuring comprises moving the probe along the line from the insertion point inward along the line from the entry point inward away from the entry point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of periodically measuring comprises continuously measuring.

7. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the step of inserting the object into the tissue along the line and to a depth equal to the depth where the measurement corresponds to the selection point.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the step of measuring the reflectance properties comprises measuring the local reflectance properties.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the said measurement device comprises an emitter and detector disposed in close proximity to each other on the end of a probe wherein said probe is inserted into the entry point and moved along said line with radiation emitted form said emitter and detected at said detector.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the said motive device is operable to move said probe along said line from the insertion point inward along said line from the entry point inward away from the entry point.

8. A system for determining the insertion point for an object at a desired location within tissue of varying types, comprising:

a measurement device for measuring the parameters of tissue;

a motive device for moving said measurement device along a desired path from an entry point in the tissue along a line extending from an entry point and moving away therefrom;

said measurement device periodically measuring the parameters of the tissue as said measurement device is moved along said line;

an analysis system for determining if at least one boundary between tissues has occurred during the measurement process;

said analysis system comparing the measurements along said line to a predetermined map of the tissue boundaries; and

said analysis system selecting a point on the map corresponding to the desired location within the tissue when the measured parameters indicate that the measurements are taking place in proximity to the desired location.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the said measurement device is operable to measure reflectance properties of the tissue.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein said measurement device is operable to continuously measure.