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Automatic image registration of magnetic resonance imaging scans for localization, 3-dimensional treatment planning, and radiation treatment of abnormal lesions

  • US 5,800,353 A
  • Filed: 06/10/1997
  • Issued: 09/01/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of automatic image registration of standard axial, coronal, and sagittal magnetic resonance images obtained by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner capable of generating a magnetic field, said magnetic field having a center point defining a magnetic center which functions as the origin of a three dimensional coordinate system for locating anatomical targets in a patient for radiation treatment, said method comprising the steps of:

  • positioning said patient within said scanner such that an anatomical target to be visualized is located as close as possible to said magnet center;

    obtaining a series of standard axial, coronal, and sagittal magnetic resonance images of said target, each of said images within said series representing a parallel image slice through said target at a predetermined interval from said magnet center, each of said image slices having a perpendicular axis extending through said magnet center; and

    entering digital data corresponding to said images into a computerized Treatment Planning System in a specific format including the number of image slices in each of said series, the position of a first image slice in each of said series relative to said magnet center, the thickness of each of said image slices, and the exact position of said axes extending through said magnet center such that each of said series of axial, coronal and sagittal images are aligned with respect to said magnet center and to each other enabling said series of images to be automatically registered within said three dimensional coordinate system for subsequent treatment planning and radiation therapy.

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