Apparatus for providing visual data during an operation

• US 20060181482A1
• Filed: 02/03/2005
• Published: 08/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John M. Iaquinto
• Original Assignee: John M. Iaquinto
• Inventors: Iaquinto, John M.
• Application Number:
  US11/050,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20060181482A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/376 using X-rays, e.g. fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/00 Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis; Apparatus or devices for radiation diagnosis combined with radiation therapy equipment instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T1/161; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B42/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/462 characterised by constructional features of the display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing visual data during an operation is described, comprising a processing base with memory and storage; a source of images such as x-rays and fluoroscopes; and a personally worn display such as a heads-up display. The display provides images of x-rays; fluoroscopic images; ultrasound images; and the like within the field of vision of the person or persons performing detailed medical procedures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for presenting information during a medical procedure comprising:

a processor;

an image capture device operatively coupled to said processor and configured to capture at least one image of internal organs;

a graphics adapter operatively coupled to said processor for generating a display image from said at least one image of internal organs;

a wearable display operatively coupled to said graphics adapter configured to display at a minimum said display image within the field of view of an operating personnel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereas said medical procedure is chosen from a group consisting of an orthopedic operation, a neurosurgical operation, a urologic operation and a vascular operation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, whereas said image capture device uses radiation to capture said images of internal organs.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, whereas said image capture device is a fluoroscope and said at least one image is a fluoroscopic image.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereas said wearable display is a heads-up display affixed to an eyeglass frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detector configured to detect the position of at least one eye of a person wearing said wearable display, said detector coupled to said processor and said processor enabling said display when said person is looking in the direction of said display and displaying said display when said person is looking in a direction other than the direction of said display.

7. An apparatus for presenting information during a medical procedure comprising:

a processor;

a fluoroscope operatively coupled to said processor and configured to capture at least one fluoroscopic image of internal organs;

a graphics adapter operatively coupled to said processor for generating a display image from said at least one fluoroscopic image of internal organs;

a wearable display operatively coupled to said graphics adapter configured to display at a minimum said display image within the field of view of an operating personnel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, whereas said medical procedure is chosen from a group consisting of an orthopedic operation, a neurosurgical operation, a urologic operation and a vascular operation.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, whereas said wearable display is a heads-up display affixed to an eyeglass frame.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, whereas said wearable display comprises a pair of eyeglasses including at least one lens, an eyeglass frame and a projector mounted upon said eyeglass frame, whereas said projector is configured to project said display image onto at least one of said at least one lens.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereas said wearable display further comprises an eye position detector operatively coupled to said processor configured to determine the approximate location at which a wearer of said wearable display is looking.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, whereas said processor is configured to use information from said eye position detector to blank said projector when said wearer of said wearable display is looking away from the approximate location where said projector is configured to project said display image onto at least one of said at least one lens.

13. A means for presenting information during a medical procedure comprising:

a means for capturing fluoroscopic medical images; and

a means for displaying said medical images within a display area, said means for displaying being affixed to a frame that is worn on the head of a medical personnel.

14. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 13, whereas said medical images is chosen from a group consisting of images of bones, images of joints, images of nerves, images of ducts and images of blood vessels.

15. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 13, whereas said means for displaying medical images is a heads-up display.

16. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 13, whereas said means for displaying medical images is a projector configured to project said medical images onto a lens of a pair of glasses.

17. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 15, further comprising a means to detect the location at which said medical personnel is looking.

18. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 17, wherein said means to detect is coupled to said means for displaying and when said means to detect indicates said medical personnel is looking towards said display area, enabling said means for displaying and when said means to detect indicates said medical personnel is looking away from said display area, disabling said means for displaying.

19. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 15, further comprising a means to receive verbal commands.

20. The means for presenting information during a medical procedure of claim 19, wherein said means to receive verbal commands provides recognition of commands for controlling the operation of the heads-up display.