MULTI-MODAL MEDICAL IMAGING
First Claim
1. A probe for multi-modal medical imaging and therapy, the probe comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of elements in an array;
a nuclear detector for detecting radiation;
an interconnection between the ultrasound transducer and the nuclear detector;
a handheld housing of the ultrasound transducer, the interconnection providing common movement of the handheld housing of the ultrasound transducer and the nuclear detector during scanning by the ultrasound transducer and detection by the nuclear detector, such that movement of the handheld housing moves the nuclear detector and interconnection;
a processor configured to generate an image representing anatomy from the ultrasound transducer and representing functional information from the nuclear detector, the processor further configured for directing therapy based on a location represented by the functional information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A nuclear probe and ultrasound transducer are interconnected, such as being in a same hand-held housing. The interconnection aligns the coordinate systems in a known spatial relationship. The ultrasound data is used to detect transducer offset or change in position without a tracking sensor. The radiation detected by the nuclear probe may be reconstructed into an image based on the detected transducer position since the nuclear probe moves with the ultrasound transducer. Both anatomical and functional imaging may be provided together without the complications of calibration and tracking. Where a therapeutic transducer is included, therapy may also be provided. The anatomical and functional information identifies the regions for treatment. The same device, already positioned correctly based on the functional and anatomical imaging, is then used for treatment with high intensity focused ultrasound.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A probe for multi-modal medical imaging and therapy, the probe comprising:
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an ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of elements in an array; a nuclear detector for detecting radiation; an interconnection between the ultrasound transducer and the nuclear detector; a handheld housing of the ultrasound transducer, the interconnection providing common movement of the handheld housing of the ultrasound transducer and the nuclear detector during scanning by the ultrasound transducer and detection by the nuclear detector, such that movement of the handheld housing moves the nuclear detector and interconnection; a processor configured to generate an image representing anatomy from the ultrasound transducer and representing functional information from the nuclear detector, the processor further configured for directing therapy based on a location represented by the functional information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for multi-modal medical imaging, the method comprising:
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scanning, with a transducer, a region of a patient with ultrasound; receiving in response to the scanning ultrasound data representing the region; detecting radiation with a detector, the detector spatially integrated with the transducer; moving the transducer during the scanning, the moving of the transducer also moving the detector; determining relative motion of the transducer; and producing a two or three-dimensional reconstruction of the radiation as a function of the relative motion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for multi-modality medical operation, the system comprising:
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a housing; an ultrasound array in a housing; an ultrasound beamformer connectable with the ultrasound array, the ultrasound beamformer configured to scan a region of a patient with the ultrasound array and to generate therapeutic high intensity focused ultrasound with the ultrasound array; a nuclear probe connected with or in the housing such that the nuclear probe moves with the housing and ultrasound array; a detector connectable with the nuclear probe, the detector configured to detect radiation from the region; and a processor configured to determine locations associated with the detected radiation within the region, and the processor configured to cause the ultrasound beamformer to focus the therapeutic high intensity focused ultrasound to the locations. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification