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System, employing three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging, for assisting in guiding and placing medical instruments

  • US 6,423,009 B1
  • Filed: 08/20/1999
  • Issued: 07/23/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method employing a three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging system for assisting and guiding the placement of at least one medical instrument in a prostate during a prostate therapeutic procedure, comprising the steps of:

  • i) positioning a reference means relative to a ultrasonographic transducer in a region proximal a site on a patient which facilitates access to the prostate;

    ii) minimizing relative movement between the reference means and the site;

    iii) referencing the reference means to the three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging system to determine the spatial relationship therebetween;

    iv) obtaining a three-dimensional image of the prostate;

    v) via a processing means, generating a positioning image by superimposing an image of the reference means over the three-dimensional image;

    vi) from the positioning image, selecting a target location within the prostate where the at least one medical instrument is to be placed;

    vii) from the positioning image, determining an insertion path to the target location and determining placement coordinates from the image; and

    , viii) placing the at least one medical instrument into the prostate along the insertion path via the placement coordinates determined from the positioning image.

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