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Method and apparatus for transforming view orientations in image-guided surgery

  • US 6,442,417 B1
  • Filed: 11/28/2000
  • Issued: 08/27/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for use in an image-guided surgical or a diagnostic procedure at an internal target site of a patient, said apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a data-storage medium for storing scan data representing internal scans of the patient target site;

    (b) an instrument defining a view axis, the instrument being adapted to be moved to a selected orientation with respect to the patient target site;

    (c) means for tracking the orientation of the instrument with respect to the patient target site as the instrument is moved;

    (d) a display device; and

    (e) a processor in communication with the data storage medium, the tracking means, and the display device, for carrying out steps (i)-(iii) in a first mode, and steps (iv)-(viii) in a second mode;

    (i) determining the orientation of the instrument view axis with respect to the patient target site, as the instrument is moved to a selected orientation with respect to the patient target site;

    (ii) using at least some of the scan data to construct an image of the patient target site, as viewed with respect to the orientation of the instrument;

    (iii) displaying the image on the display device;

    (iv) receiving input that indicates a selected orientation at which a virtual target point, external to the patient, is being viewed;

    (v) determining, from the input, the selected view orientation with respect to the virtual target point;

    (vi) transforming the view orientation determined in step (v) to a view orientation with respect to the selected patient target point;

    (vii) using the scan data to construct an image of the patient target site, as viewed along the transformed view orientation generated in step (vi); and

    (viii) displaying the image generated in step (vii) on the display device.

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