IMAGING SYSTEM WITH RIGIDLY MOUNTED FIDUCIAL MARKERS

• US 20130272489A1
• Filed: 04/16/2013
• Published: 10/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NeuroLogica Corporation (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NeuroLogica Corporation (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Dickman, Matthew, Bailey, Eric, Tybinkowski, Andrew, Limoli, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,173,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/105 Modelling of the patient, e.g. for ligaments or bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2055 Optical tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/364 Correlation of different images or relation of image positions in respect to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3762 using computed tomography systems [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3983 Reference marker arrangements for use with image guided surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/035 Mechanical aspects of CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4405 the apparatus being movable or portable, e.g. handheld or mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/548 Remote control of the apparatus or devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/56 Details of data transmission or power supply, e.g. use of slip rings

Abstract

An imaging system comprising:

• • a scanner comprising:
    • scanning components for creating an image of the interior portion of an object;
    • an outer cover disposed over the scanning components;
    • an opening formed in the outer cover; and
    • a rigid mount which is rigidly mounted to the scanning components and extends through the opening formed in the outer cover.

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

a scanner comprising;

scanning components for creating an image of the interior portion of an object;

an outer cover disposed over the scanning components;

an opening formed in the outer cover; and

a rigid mount which is rigidly mounted to the scanning components and extends through the opening formed in the outer cover.

2. An imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a fiducial marker mounted to the rigid mount.

3. An imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a unit mounted to the rigid mount, wherein the unit comprises one from the group consisting of a laser, a radiotherapy “

gun”

, a robotic arm, a display, a camera, and a lead curtain.

4. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the scanner comprises a CT machine, and further wherein the rigid mount is rigidly mounted to the gantry of the CT machine.

5. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the object comprises organic tissue.

6. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the object comprises at least one from the group consisting of piece of luggage, a handbag, a backpack, a package, and a shipping container.

7. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the scanner comprises at least one from the group consisting of a CT machine, an MRI machine, a PET machine, a SPECT machine, and an ultrasound machine.

8. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the scanner is mobile.

9. An imaging system according to claim 8 wherein the scanner moves relative to the object during scanning.

10. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the scanner is a fixed-position scanner.

11. An imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a guidance system for using an image of the interior portion of an object to provide guidance to an individual with respect to the object.

12. An imaging system according to claim 11 wherein the guidance system comprises at least one from the group consisting of a surgical navigation system, a surgical robotics system, a surgical planning system, and another system utilizing image data to provide guidance.

13. An imaging system according to claim 11 wherein the scanner and the guidance system are configured to wirelessly transfer images created by the scanner directly to the guidance system.

14. A method for providing images of an object, the method comprising:

providing a scanner comprising;

scanning components for creating an image of the interior portion of an object;

an outer cover disposed over the scanning components;

an opening formed in the outer cover; and

a rigid mount which is rigidly mounted to the scanning components and extends through the opening formed in the outer cover; and

creating an image of an interior portion of an object using the scanner.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a fiducial marker mounted to the rigid mount.

16. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a unit mounted to the rigid mount, wherein the unit comprises one from the group consisting of a laser, a radiotherapy “

gun”

, a robotic arm, a display, a camera, and a lead curtain.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein the scanner comprises a CT machine, and further wherein the rigid mount is rigidly mounted to the gantry of the CT machine.

18. A method according to claim 14 wherein the object comprises organic tissue.

19. A method according to claim 14 wherein the object comprises at least one from the group consisting of piece of luggage, a handbag, a backpack, a package, and a shipping container.

20. A method according to claim 14 wherein the scanner comprises at least one from the group consisting of a CT machine, an MRI machine, a PET machine, a SPECT machine, and an ultrasound machine.

21. A method according to claim 14 wherein the scanner is mobile.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein the scanner moves relative to the object during scanning.

23. A method according to claim 14 wherein the scanner is a fixed-position scanner.

24. A method according to claim 14 further comprising a guidance system for using an image of the interior portion of an object to provide guidance to an individual with respect to the object.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the guidance system comprises at least one from the group consisting of a surgical navigation system, a surgical robotics system, a surgical planning system, and another system utilizing image data to provide guidance.

26. A method according to claim 24 wherein the scanner and the guidance system are configured to wirelessly transfer images created by the scanner directly to the guidance system.