IMAGE-BASED CONTROLLING METHOD FOR MEDICAL APPARATUSES

• US 20090259960A1
• Filed: 04/06/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Original Assignee: Brainlab AG
• Inventors: Steinle, Wolfgang, Frielinghaus, Nils, Hamilton, Christoffer
• Granted Patent: US 10,905,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00207 with hand gesture control or hand gesture recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/365 augmented reality, i.e. correlating a live optical image with another image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/10 Computer-aided planning, simulation or modelling of surgical operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/469 for selecting a region of interest [ROI]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/467 characterised by special input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a medical apparatus, wherein: patient image data is generated using an image-generating medical apparatus; a patient image is produced on the basis of this data and displayed on an image output unit; and a medical apparatus is in turn controlled by an interaction with the image.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a medical apparatus, wherein:

patient image data is generated using an image-generating medical apparatus;

a patient image is produced on the basis of this data and displayed on an image output unit; and

a medical apparatus is in turn controlled by an interaction with the image.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the medical apparatus is an image-generating apparatus or the image-generating apparatus.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatuses are controlled by interaction at the image output unit.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the interaction is achieved using touch inputs, multi-touch inputs or gesture inputs/recognition.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatuses are controlled by vision detection and/or eye movement detection.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the image output unit is switched on or off depending on whether and how a viewer is looking at the patient image, and/or the image is changed at the point being viewed.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatuses are controlled by manipulating the image.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the image is manipulated by increasing/decreasing it in size, rotating it or shifting the viewing plane.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein new image data is generated using the apparatus control.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein new image data is retrieved from a memory using the apparatus control.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein image data is altered using the apparatus control.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein an image recording parameter is altered at the image-generating apparatus using the apparatus control.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the following manipulations is/are performed:

changing the position of the apparatus or of its image detection element;

changing the image detection resolution;

changing the image detection angle;

changing or shifting the image detection range;

changing contrast or brightness settings;

changing the penetration depth;

changing the layer detection depth.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the following actions is/are performed within the framework of image-based apparatus control:

the image recording characteristics of an endoscope are altered;

reconstructed images obtained from imaging data sets (CT, MR) are added to or superimposed onto the patient image, or the patient image is at least partially replaced with them;

the image recording parameters of a medical imaging apparatus (CT, MR, PET, etc.) are altered, and a new image is detected using the changed parameters;

the sound penetration parameters or position of an ultrasound probe are altered;

the image recording characteristics of a microscope are altered;

image-enhancing substances are administered to the patient;

ECG or pacemaker parameters are altered;

the room lighting or operation light is altered;

by manipulating its image, an instrument which appears in the image and can be automatically manipulated is correspondingly manipulated in reality;

the radiation parameters and/or image recording characteristics of a LINAC are altered;

areas marked in the image are localized.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the image-enhancing substances are contrast agents.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the room lighting or operation light is concentrated on a location displayed on the patient image.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein manipulating the instrument or its image means shifting the instrument or its image.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the localized areas are then projected onto the patient.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the new or altered image data is used to renew, alter or supplement the patient image on the image output unit.

20. A program which, when it is running on a computer or is loaded onto a computer, causes the computer to perform a method in accordance with claim 1.

21. A computer program storage medium which comprises a program according to claim 20.