Computer generated representation of the imaging pattern of an imaging device

• US 7,477,763 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 01/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Willis, N. Parker, McGee, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BHATNAGAR, ANAND P
• Application Number:
  US10/318,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231789A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,223 Days
• Field of Search: 128/922, 382/100, 382/128, 382/129, 382/130, 382/131, 382/132, 382/201, 382/206, 382/284, 382/294, 382/302, 378 4- 27
• US Class Current: 382/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 Optical coherence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0073 by tomography, i.e. reconstruction of 3D images from 2D projections A61B5/0066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/063 using impedance measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/503 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5247 combining images from an ionising-radiation diagnostic technique and a non-ionising radiation diagnostic technique, e.g. X-ray and ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0883 for diagnosis of the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/5238 for combining image data of patient, e.g. merging several images from different acquisition modes into one image for image registration algorithms G06T7/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/00 Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2210/41 Medical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for locating an imaging device within or outside of the body and for displaying a graphical representation of the imaging pattern associated with the imaging device within a global representation of the body. The imaging pattern characterizes the “field of vision” of the imaging device, and the graphical imaging pattern within the global representation of the body visually indicates the portion of the body that is being imaged by the imaging device in relation to the global representation of the body.

Claims

1. A body tissue imaging system, comprising:

a local imaging device having an imaging pattern for use in generating a local image of the body tissue, the image pattern representing the volume of energy emitted from the local imaging device;

a global representation device configured for generating a global representation of the body tissue; and

a composite image generator in communication with the global representation device and configured for generating a composite image comprising the global representation and a graphical representation of a shape of the imaging pattern derived independently from the local image.

2. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises one or more imaging elements from which the imaging pattern originates, the imaging system further comprising an imaging element locator configured for locating the one or more imaging elements relative to the global representation, wherein the composite image generator is configured for positioning the graphical imaging pattern within the composite image based on the determined location of the one or more imaging elements.

3. The imaging system of claim 2, wherein the imaging element locator is configured for determining the orientation of the one or more imaging elements relative to the global representation, and the composite image generator is further configured for orienting the graphical imaging pattern within the composite image based on the determined location of the one or more imaging elements.

4. The imaging system of claim 2, further comprising one or more locating elements disposed on the local imaging device, wherein the imaging element locator is configured for locating the one or more imaging elements based on the locations of the one or more locating elements.

5. The imaging system of claim 4, wherein the one or more locating elements comprises a single locating element adjacent the one or more imaging elements.

6. The imaging system of claim 4, wherein the one or more locating elements comprises a plurality of locating elements displaced along the local imaging device.

7. The imaging system of claim 4, further comprising location tracking control/processing circuitry configured for determining the locations of the one or more locating elements in a three-dimensional coordinate system.

8. The imaging system of claim 4, wherein the image element locator is configured for determining the locations of the one or more locating elements in the context of the global representation.

9. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a global display in communication with the composite image generator, the display configured for displaying the composite image.

10. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the local imaging device is an internal imaging device.

11. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the local imaging device is an external imaging device.

12. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging pattern is conically-shaped.

13. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging pattern is sector-shaped.

14. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the global representation device comprises a standard imaging device.

15. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the global representation device comprises a graphical image generator.

16. The imaging system of claim 1, wherein the global representation device is configured for generating an image of the imaging device within the context of the global representation.

17. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising local imaging control/processing circuitry in communication with the local imaging device for generating the local image.

18. The imaging system of claim 17, further comprising a local display in communication with the local imaging control/processing circuitry, the local display configured for displaying the local image.

19. The imaging system of claim 17, wherein the composite image generator is in communication with the local imaging control/processing circuitry, and the global display is configured for displaying the local image.

20. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising memory for storing the graphical representation of the imaging pattern.

21. The imaging system of claim 20, wherein the graphical representation of the imaging pattern is pre-stored in the memory.

22. The imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a graphical image pattern generator for generating the graphical representation of the imaging pattern.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical representation is a three-dimensional representation.

23. A method for imaging body tissue, comprising:

generating a local image of the body tissue with an imaging pattern of a local imaging device, the imaging pattern representing the volume of energy emitted from the local imaging device;

generating a global representation of the body tissue; and

generating a composite image comprising the global representation and a graphical representation of a shape of the imaging pattern derived independently from the local image.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

locating an origin of the imaging pattern; and

positioning the graphical imaging pattern within the composite image based on the determined location of the imaging pattern origin.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

determining an orientation of the imaging pattern;

orienting the graphical imaging pattern within the composite image based on the determined orientation of the imaging pattern.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the body tissue is locally imaged internally.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the body tissue is locally imaged externally.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the imaging pattern is conically-shaped.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the imaging pattern is sector-shaped.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the global representation is a standard image.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the global representation is a graphical image.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the imaging pattern is associated with a local imaging device, the method further comprising generating an image of the local imaging device, wherein the global composite image comprises the image of the local imaging device.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the graphical representation is a three-dimensional representation.

34. The method of claim 23, further comprising storing the graphical representation of the imaging pattern.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the graphical representation of the imaging pattern is pre-stored prior to local image is generated.

36. The method of claim 23, further comprising generating the graphical representation of the imaging pattern.

37. A body tissue imaging system, comprising:

means for generating a local image of the body tissue with an imaging pattern, the imaging pattern representing the volume of energy emitted from the local image generating means;

means for generating a global representation of the body tissue; and

means for generating a composite image comprising the global representation and a graphical representation of a shape of the imaging pattern derived independently from the local image.

38. The system of claim 37, further comprising:

means for locating an origin of the imaging pattern; and

means for positioning the graphical imaging pattern within the composite image based on the determined location of the imaging pattern origin.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

means for determining an orientation of the imaging pattern;

means for orienting the graphical imaging pattern within the composite image based on the determined orientation of the imaging pattern.

40. The system of claim 37, further comprising means for generating an image of the local imaging device, wherein the global composite image comprises the image of the local imaging device.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the graphical representation is a three-dimensional representation.

43. The system of claim 37, further comprising means for storing the graphical representation of the imaging pattern.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising means for the pre-storing the representation of the imaging pattern prior to local image is generated.

45. The system of claim 37, further comprising means for generating the graphical representation of the imaging pattern.