Method and system for controlled scanning, imaging and/or therapy

• US 20050256406A1
• Filed: 05/11/2005
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Original Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems Llc
• Inventors: Slayton, Michael H., Barthe, Peter G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/444
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/14 Echo-tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/483 involving the acquisition of a 3D volume of data

Abstract

A method and system for three dimensional scanning, imaging and/or therapy are provided. In accordance with one aspect, an exemplary method and system are configured to facilitate controlled scanning within one-degree of freedom. For example, an exemplary method and system can enable multiple two-dimensional image planes to be collected in a manner to provide an accurate and computationally efficient three-dimensional image reconstruction while providing the user with a user-friendly mechanism for acquiring three-dimensional images. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary scanning and imaging system comprises an imaging probe, a control system, a positioning system and a display system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the positioning system comprises a guide assembly and a position sensing system. The guide assembly is configured to provide pure rectilinear or rotational motion of the probe during scanning operation while the position sensing system is configured to detect the direction and position of the probe during scanning.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating controlled scanning of a region of interest, said system comprising:

an imaging probe comprising an ultrasound transducer configured for facilitating imaging of the region of interest;

a control system configured for control of scanning operation of said imaging probe;

a display system for displaying imaging information obtained by said imaging probe from the region of interest; and

a positioning system configured for facilitating controlled movement of said imaging probe about the region of interest within one-degree of freedom.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system is configured for facilitating rectilinear movement within one-degree of freedom.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system is configured for facilitating rotational movement within one-degree of freedom.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system comprises:

a guide assembly configured for providing controlled movement of said imaging probe; and

a position sensing system configured for detection of the direction of movement and position of said imaging probe during scanning operation.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said guide assembly comprises a holder device configured for attaching to said imaging probe and a stationary guide having configured to control movement of said holder device during scanning operation.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein said holder device comprises a vane device configured to surround said imaging probe.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein said holder device comprises at least one guide member and said stationary guide comprises a slot configured to slidably engage said at least one guide member.

8. The system according to claim 4, wherein said guide assembly further comprises a rotary device configured for housing said holder device and for facilitating rotational movement within said stationary guide.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said rotary device and said stationary guide comprise collectively a rotary bearing-like assembly.

10. The system according to claim 4, wherein said positioning sensing system comprises a position sensor and an encoder element, said position sensor coupled to one of said imaging probe and said guide assembly and configured to interact with said encoder element configured within another of said imaging probe and said guide assembly.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said position sensor comprises a quadrature-type sensor and said encoder element comprises an encoder strip.

12. The system according to claim 4, wherein said positioning system comprises at least one limit switch configured to determine a change in position of said imaging probe relative to the region of interest.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system comprises a guide assembly configured for providing controlled movement of said imaging probe, said guide assembly comprising a holder device and a stationary guide, said holder device having a guide member configured to operate within a slot of said stationary guide.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control system comprises three-dimensional reconstruction software and said positioning system is configured to facilitate collection of two-dimensional image planes such that three-dimensional reconstruction of the region of interest can be achieved.

15. A method for facilitating controlled scanning of an imaging probe relative to a region of interest, said method comprising:

restricting movement of said imaging probe within one-degree of freedom through use of a guide assembly; and

determining position of said imaging probe within said guide assembly through use of a position sensing system to facilitate three-dimensional reconstruction of images by a control system.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein restricting movement comprises providing a guide member coupled to said imaging probe and configured within a slot of a stationary guide to restrict movement.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein restricting movement comprises controlling movement in at least one of a rectilinear, rotational and translational manner.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein two-dimensional image planes are collected to facilitate three-dimensional reconstruction of images by a control system.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein said determining positioning comprises providing a position sensor to at least one of said imaging probe and said guide assembly and providing an encoder element to another of said imaging probe and said guide assembly.

20. A system for controlling the scanning of a region of interest, said system comprising:

a probe comprising an ultrasound transducer configured for facilitating scanning the region of interest; and

a positioning system configured for facilitating at least one of controlled rectilinear and rotational movement of said probe about the region of interest within one-degree of freedom, wherein said positioning system comprises;

a guide assembly configured for providing controlled movement of said probe; and

a position sensing system configured for detection of the direction of movement and position of said probe during scanning operation.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said guide assembly comprises a holder device configured for attaching to said probe, said holder device comprising at least one guide member, and a stationary guide comprising a slot configured to slidably engage said at least one guide member.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said guide assembly further comprises a rotary device configured for housing said holder device and for facilitating rotational movement within said stationary guide.

23. The system according to claim 20, wherein said positioning sensing system comprises a position sensor and an encoder element, said position sensor coupled to one of said probe and said guide assembly and configured to interact with said encoder element configured within another of said probe and said guide assembly.

24. The system according to claim 20, wherein said guide assembly comprises a conveyor having acoustic coupling for coupling said probe to a region of interest.

25. The system according to claim 20, wherein a plurality of objects reside on a platform having, acoustic coupling for coupling said plurality of objects with the region of interest to said probe during movement.

26. The system according to claim 20, wherein said probe is configured with at least one of a mechanical direct-drive and linkages.

27. The system according to claim 20, wherein said probe is configured with at least one of a single element, multiple element, or electronic array based transducer.

28. The system according to claim 20, wherein said probe comprises at least one of an imaging probe, a therapy probe, a combined imaging/therapy probe and a combined imaging/therapy/tissue parameter monitoring probe.

29. The system according to claim 20, wherein said positioning system is configured to provide feedback to control at least one of therapy, imaging, combined imaging/therapy functions, spatial placement of therapeutic lesions and temporal placement of therapeutic lesions.