MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHODS FOR RIB IDENTIFICATION
First Claim
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1. A method for spatially localizing a rib cage prior to transcostal ultrasound treatment of tissue, the method comprising:
- (a) computationally initializing a three-dimensional model of the rib cage;
(b) using an imaging apparatus, acquiring a series of image slices at multiple locations along ribs of the rib cage, orientations of the image slices being dependent on local rib orientations at the respective locations as dictated by the model;
(c) identifying rib locations in the image slices; and
(d) computationally refining the three-dimensional model of the rib cage based on the identified rib locations.
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Abstract
A method for spatially localizing a rib cage prior to transcostal ultrasound treatment of visceral tissue includes computationally refining a three-dimensional model of the rib cage based on image slices taken at multiple locations along the ribs with orientations dependent on local rib orientations.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for spatially localizing a rib cage prior to transcostal ultrasound treatment of tissue, the method comprising:
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(a) computationally initializing a three-dimensional model of the rib cage; (b) using an imaging apparatus, acquiring a series of image slices at multiple locations along ribs of the rib cage, orientations of the image slices being dependent on local rib orientations at the respective locations as dictated by the model; (c) identifying rib locations in the image slices; and (d) computationally refining the three-dimensional model of the rib cage based on the identified rib locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for spatially localizing a rib cage prior to transcostal ultrasound treatment of tissue, the system comprising:
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(a) memory for storing a three-dimensional model of the rib cage; (b) an imaging apparatus for acquiring a series of image slices at multiple locations along ribs of the rib cage, orientations of the image slices being dependent on local rib orientations at the respective locations as dictated by the model; and (c) a processor, in communication with the memory and the imaging apparatus, for identifying rib locations in the image slices and computationally refining the three-dimensional model of the rib cage based on the identified rib locations.
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19. A method for transcostal ultrasound treatment of target tissue, the method comprising:
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(a) spatially localizing a rib cage by (i) computationally initializing a three-dimensional model of the rib cage; (ii) using an imaging apparatus, acquiring a series of image slices at multiple locations along ribs of the rib cage, orientations of the image slices being dependent on local rib orientations at the respective locations as dictated by the model; (iii) identifying rib locations in the image slices; and (iv) computationally refining the three-dimensional model of the rib cage based on the identified rib locations; and (b) based on the refined three-dimensional model, treating the target tissue by focusing ultrasound into the target tissue substantially without damaging the ribs.
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20. A system for transcostal ultrasound treatment of target tissue, the system comprising:
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(a) memory for storing a three-dimensional model of the rib cage; (b) an imaging apparatus for acquiring a series of image slices at multiple locations along ribs of the rib cage, orientations of the image slices being dependent on local rib orientations at the respective locations as dictated by the model; (c) a processor, in communication with the memory and the imaging apparatus, for identifying rib locations in the image slices and computationally refining the three-dimensional model of the rib cage based on the identified rib locations; and (d) an ultrasound transducer, responsive to the three-dimensional model, for treating the target tissue by focusing ultrasound into the target tissue substantially without damaging the ribs.
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Specification