SYSTEM, DEVICE, METHOD, COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM, AND USE FOR IN VIVO IMAGING OF TISSUE IN AN ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE

• US 20100056916A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Bakker, Levinus Peter, Hoffmann, Ralf, Van Den Ham, Rene, Van Beek, Michael Cornelis, Hendriks, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus, Van Der Vaart, Nijs Cornelis, Van Der Voort, Marjolein, Van Der Mark, Martinus Bernardus
• Application Number:
  US12/515,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20100056916A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/443
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0095 by applying light and detecting acoustic waves, i.e. photoacoustic measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4416 related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions

Abstract

A system is provided that may be used for locating and diagnosing lesions in the human body in vivo. In some embodiments, once the exact position of a lesion is found, a biopsy may be taken from the lesion using e.g. ultra sound techniques for guidance of the biopsy needle. Use of the system drastically reduces the negative biopsy samples compared to currently used “blind sampling” techniques. This reduces patient discomfort and minimizes infections as the number of biopsy samples is reduced. A method and computer-readable medium is also provided.

Claims

1. A system (10) for in vivo imaging of tissue in an anatomical structure, said system comprising

a first unit (31, 41, 42) connected to at least one electromagnetic radiation source (11) for emitting pulsed electromagnetic radiation into said anatomical structure, whereby a first ultrasonic acoustic wave is generated from said tissue, said system further comprising

at least one ultrasound source (13) for emitting a second ultrasonic acoustic wave into said anatomical structure,

at least one detector unit (12) for receiving said first ultrasonic acoustic wave and said second ultrasonic acoustic wave,

an image reconstruction unit (14) for reconstructing a first image dataset of said tissue based on said received first ultrasonic acoustic wave and a second image dataset of said tissue based on said received second ultrasonic acoustic wave.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said image reconstruction unit is configured to calculate a third image dataset combining image dataset information from said first image dataset and said second image dataset.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said detector unit is located on said first unit.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a second unit (31, 41, 42) having an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting pulsed electromagnetic radiation into said anatomical structure, whereby a third ultrasonic acoustic wave is generated from said tissue, wherein said detector unit is configured to receive said third ultrasonic acoustic wave, wherein said second unit is connected to said image reconstruction unit for reconstructing a fourth image dataset of said tissue based on said received third ultrasonic acoustic wave.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said detector unit is located on said second unit.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasound source is located on said first unit.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first unit is a transrectal unit suitable for insertion via rectum or a transurethral unit suitable for insertion via urethra.

8. The system according to claim 4, wherein said second unit is a transurethral unit suitable for insertion via urethra or a transrectal unit suitable for insertion via rectum.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein said transrectal unit and said transurethral unit in use are located in the vicinity of the prostate gland.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the image dataset reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit is a 2D, 3D, or multi-dimensional image dataset.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the distance between said at least one electromagnetic radiation source and said at least one detector unit is 2 mm to 10 cm.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first image dataset is used to guide a biopsy of said tissue.

13. The system according to claim 1 being comprised in a medical workstation or medical system.

16. Use of the system according to claim 1 for locating and diagnosing a lesion in a tissue in an anatomical structure in vivo.

17. Use of the system according to claim 1 for guiding a biopsy of a lesion in a tissue in an anatomical structure in vivo.

14. A method for imaging of tissue in an anatomical structure, said method comprising

emitting electromagnetic radiation into said anatomical structure from at least one electromagnetic radiation source, generating a first ultrasonic acoustic wave from said tissue,

receiving said first ultrasonic acoustic wave,

reconstructing a first image dataset of said tissue based on said received first ultrasonic acoustic wave,

emitting a second ultrasonic acoustic wave into said anatomical structure,

receiving said second ultrasonic acoustic wave, and

reconstructing a second image dataset of said tissue based on said received second ultrasonic acoustic wave.

15. A computer-readable medium (60) having embodied thereon a computer-program for processing by a computer for imaging of tissue in an anatomical structure, said computer program comprising

a first emission code segment (61) for emitting electromagnetic radiation into said anatomical structure from at least one electromagnetic radiation source, whereby a first ultrasonic acoustic wave is generated from said tissue,

a first reception code segment (62) for receiving said first ultrasonic acoustic wave,

a first reconstruction code segment (63) for reconstructing a first image dataset of said tissue based on said received first ultrasonic acoustic wave

a second emission code segment (64) for emitting a second ultrasonic acoustic wave into said anatomical structure,

a second reception code segment (65) for receiving said second ultrasonic acoustic wave,

a second reconstruction code segment (66) for reconstructing a second image dataset of said tissue based on said received second ultrasonic acoustic wave.