User interface system for mammographic imager
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising:
- an immobilizer for immobilizing the patient'"'"'s breast;
an image processing device for obtaining and processing imaging information regarding said patient'"'"'s breast;
a first graphical display operatively associated with said image processing device, for displaying one or more images of the patent'"'"'s breast based on said imaging information so as to permit identification of an area of interest within the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast;
a user interface operatively associated with said first graphical display, for entering a selection by a user of a portion of at least one of said displayed images wherein said portion is associated with said identified area of interest;
a medical instrument operable for insertion to the identified area of interest within the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast; and
a second graphical display, operatively associated with said image processing device, separate from said first graphical display and located proximate to the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast, for providing substantially real-time images responsive to said selection by said user, in connection with said first display, of said selected portion of said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast based on said imaging information so that the user can monitor insertion of said medical instrument to said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast using said second graphical display located proximate to said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for x-ray imaging and ultrasound imaging of a body region of interest in a spatially correlatable manner. The resultant x-ray and ultrasound images may be combinatively employed to provide three-dimensional information regarding a location of interest within the body, and is particularly apt for use in the analysis/biopsy of potential lesions and suspicious masses in a female breast. The invention provides for direct body contact by an ultrasound imaging head, as well as targeted ultrasound imaging of a selected portion of the region from which x-ray images are obtained. A user interface system facilitates various procedures including ultrasound guided needle biopsy procedures.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising:
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an immobilizer for immobilizing the patient'"'"'s breast;
an image processing device for obtaining and processing imaging information regarding said patient'"'"'s breast;
a first graphical display operatively associated with said image processing device, for displaying one or more images of the patent'"'"'s breast based on said imaging information so as to permit identification of an area of interest within the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast;
a user interface operatively associated with said first graphical display, for entering a selection by a user of a portion of at least one of said displayed images wherein said portion is associated with said identified area of interest;
a medical instrument operable for insertion to the identified area of interest within the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast; and
a second graphical display, operatively associated with said image processing device, separate from said first graphical display and located proximate to the patient'"'"'s immobilized breast, for providing substantially real-time images responsive to said selection by said user, in connection with said first display, of said selected portion of said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast based on said imaging information so that the user can monitor insertion of said medical instrument to said identified location of interest within said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast using said second graphical display located proximate to said patient'"'"'s immobilized breast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for use in performing medical procedures on a patient'"'"'s breast, comprising the steps of
providing a mammographic medical device for use in performing said medical procedures on said patient'"'"'s breast; -
providing a display device having a graphical viewing area;
providing a processor operative to drive said display device so as to display selected information on said display device;
operating said display device using said processor to provide a first display on said graphical viewing area, wherein said first display presents options corresponding to different operating modes of said medical device, said operating modes including at least a first mode for imaging at least a portion of said patient'"'"'s breast and a second mode for localizing an area of interest within said patient'"'"'s breast;
first operating said processor in response to an input received from a user regarding a selection of one of said first and second modes to provide instructions for operating said medical device to obtain first and second images;
second operating said processor to
1) receive imaging information regarding said patient'"'"'s breast,
2) simultaneously display said first and second images of said patient'"'"'s breast based on said imaging information, at least one of said images being an ultrasound image, on a first portion of a graphical viewing area, and
3) provide graphical objects in a second portion of said graphical viewing area, wherein said graphical objects can be used by a user to enter user information relative to said medical procedure; and
using said first and second images to
1) provide three dimensional location information for said area of interest within said patient'"'"'s breast in response to a user identifying said area of interest, and
2) project a penetration path through said patient'"'"'s breast to said area of interest, and
3) perform a medical procedure on said patients'"'"' breast.- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification