Real-time virtual endoscopy

• US 20060235671A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Kirchberg, Klaus J., Lorenz, Christine H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,712,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5223 generating planar views from image data, e.g. extracting a coronal view from a 3D image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/162 using pixel segmentation or colour matching
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders

Abstract

In a method of real-time 3-D visualization and navigation for interventional procedures a position is determined at which data will be acquired, and data is acquired at the position. Features are extracted from the acquired data. A model described by the extracted features is built or updated, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters. 3-D scenes showing the interior or exterior of one or more organs are displayed using the model or data extracted from the model. A region for updating is determined.

Claims

1. A method of real-time 3-D visualization and navigation for interventional procedures, comprising the steps of:

determining a position at which data will be acquired;

acquiring data at the position;

extracting features from the acquired data;

building or updating a model described by the extracted features, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters;

displaying 3-D scenes showing the interior or exterior of one or more organs using the model or data extracted from the model; and

determining a region for updating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a position comprises either one of automatically determining a position where data is acquired or interactively determining a position where data is acquired.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein acquiring data comprises obtaining at least one of anatomical data or functional data derived from at least one imaging modality.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein extracting features comprises finding boundaries between a plurality of regions in the image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying 3-D scenes includes allowing a user to interact with the 3-D scenes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of acquisition parameters comprises position data, orientation data, timing data, and MR contrast data.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising continuously updating or real-time updating the 3-D scenes using at least one of the region for updating, on-line MR acquisition, segmentation, or modeling.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a real-time pulse sequence program that allows changing scan parameters during acquisition.

9. A computer readable medium having program instructions stored thereto for implementing the method claimed in claim 1 when executed in a digital processing device.

10. A method of real-time 3-D visualization and navigation for interventional procedures, comprising the steps of:

acquiring slice or volume data;

extracting boundary locations from the acquired slice or volume data;

building or updating a model using the extracted boundary locations, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters;

displaying 3-D scenes using the model or data extracted from the model;

calculating a slice or volume position for updating.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein acquiring slice or volume data comprises:

determining a slice or volume position at which data will be acquired;

transmitting the slice or volume position to at least one imaging modality; and

obtaining slice or volume data derived from the at least one imaging modality.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein building a model includes using prior knowledge of at least one of anatomy or function.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of acquisition parameters comprises position data, orientation data, timing data, and MR contrast data.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising continuously updating or real-time updating the 3-D scenes using at least one of the slice or volume position, on-line MR acquisition, segmentation, or modeling.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a real-time pulse sequence program that allows changing scan parameters during acquisition.

16. A computer readable medium having program instructions stored thereto for implementing the method claimed in claim 10 when executed in a digital processing device.

17. A system for real-time 3-D visualization and navigation for interventional procedures, comprising:

a graphical user interface;

an MR scanner in data communication with the graphical user interface, wherein the MR scanner includes a real-time pulse sequence program that allows changing scan parameters during acquisition; and

a controller, wherein the controller requests data from the MR scanner, and wherein the controller provides position data and at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters to the MR scanner.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the set of acquisition parameters comprises position data, orientation data, timing data, and MR contrast data.

19. A system for real-time 3-D visualization and navigation for interventional procedures, comprising:

an imaging device operable to acquire data and transmit the acquired data;

a processor, wherein the processor extracts features from the acquired data and generates a model; and

a display device in data communication with the processor, the display being operable to display 3-D scenes showing the interior or exterior of one or more organs using the model or data extracted from the model.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the imaging device comprises at least one imaging modality.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the model is at least one of a model of anatomy, function, shape, deformation, or appearance.