METHOD AND SYSTEM OF REPRESENTING A MEDICAL EVENT

• US 20080071149A1
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sonetics Ultrasound, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonetics Ultrasound, Inc.
• Inventors: Rich, Collin
• Application Number:
  US11/858,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20080071149A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3413 guided by ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/107 Visualisation of planned trajectories or target regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/12 Arrangements for detecting or locating foreign bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The present invention includes a system and a method of representing a medical event. The method includes the steps of collecting 3D information on an event, identifying a non-linear aspect of the event, determining a non-planar slice of the 3D information that represents the non-linear aspect, and outputting the non-planar slice as a representation of the event. The system includes an imaging device for collecting 3D information on an event. The system further includes a processor for identifying a non-linear aspect of the event, determining a non-planar slice of the 3D information that represents the non-linear aspect and outputting the non-planar slice as a representation of the event.

Claims

1. A method of representing a medical event, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting 3D information on an event;

(b) identifying a non-linear aspect of the event;

(c) determining a non-planar slice of the 3D information that represents the non-linear aspect; and

(d) outputting the non-planar slice as a representation of the event.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes generating acoustic waves and receiving acoustic echoes.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes identifying a non-linear portion of a medical instrument.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (b) includes sensing one or more markers on the medical instrument.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein step (b) includes sensing a coating on the medical instrument.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes identifying a non-linear trajectory of a medical instrument.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein step (b) includes time-based pattern recognition techniques.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes identifying a non-linear trajectory of blood flow.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein step (b) includes time-based pattern recognition techniques.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes identifying a non-linear aspect of a medical target.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein step (b) includes pattern recognition and segmentation techniques.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein step (b) includes receiving a user selection of a segment.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) includes pattern recognition and segmentation techniques.

14. The method of claim 1 where in step (d) includes visually displaying the non-planar slice.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes identifying a second non-linear aspect of the event, and wherein step (c) includes determining at least one non-planar slice of the 3D information that represents the first non-linear aspect and the second non-linear aspect.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein step (c) includes determining two non-planar slices, and wherein step (d) includes outputting the two non-planar slices.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein step (b) includes identifying a non-linear portion of a medical instrument and a non-linear aspect of a medical target.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein step (b) includes identifying a non-linear trajectory of a medical instrument and a non-linear aspect of a medical target.