Method and apparatus for integrating three-dimensional and two-dimensional monitors with medical diagnostic imaging workstations

• US 7,518,619 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Stoval, William Murray III, Kariathungal, Murali Kumaran
• Primary Examiner(s): Tung; Kee M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chu; David H
• Application Number:
  US11/268,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 345/619, 382/128, 382/131, 382/132, 382/154
• US Class Current: 345/619
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/20 for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/388 Volumetric displays, i.e. systems where the image is built up from picture elements distributed through a volume

Abstract

A system and method for utilizing a spatial three-dimensional display unit with a medical diagnostic imaging system is disclosed. The medical diagnostic imaging system may be a picture archival communication system. The system may include at least one two-dimensional display unit and an additional spatial three-dimensional display unit. Accordingly a user may view two and three-dimensional images of similar anatomical objects. The two and three-dimensional images may be linked, providing the user with a consistent viewing angle. The system may be used to review a surgical path. The display parameters of a first three-dimensional data set may be mapped to a second three-dimensional data set. The surgical path of the first data set and the second data set may be displayed on spatial display units. Accordingly, the anatomical objects along the surgical path may be viewed at different points in time, for example prior to surgery and after surgery.

Claims

1. A method for using medical images to review a surgical path, said method comprising:

manipulating the display parameters of a first three-dimensional data set displayed on a spatial display unit;

recording the display parameters of said first three-dimensional data set, and recording the corresponding two-dimensional images, as a frame in a surgical path, wherein said surgical path represents a surgical blueprint that comprises a path of an instrument or incision that may be made during surgery;

repeating the above steps of manipulating and recording until said surgical path is of the desired duration, said desired duration being determined by a user;

mapping the display parameters of said first three-dimensional data set to a second three-dimensional data set; and

displaying said surgical path of said first three-dimensional data set and a surgical path of said second three-dimensional data set on the spatial display unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said surgical path of said first three-dimensional data set is linked to the surgical path of said second three-dimensional data set.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an axial, sagittal, and coronal view is recorded for each frame.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein an oblique view is recorded for each frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first three-dimensional data set is a historical data set and said second three-dimensional data set is a current data set.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein an axial, sagittal, and coronal view is recorded for the point of interest for each frame.

7. A computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions for a computer, the set of instructions comprising:

a manipulation routine for manipulating the display parameters of a first three-dimensional data set displayed on a spatial display unit;

a recordation routine for recording the display parameters of said first three-dimensional data set, and recording the corresponding two-dimensional images, as a frame in a surgical path, wherein said surgical path represents a surgical blueprint that comprises a path of an instrument or incision that may be made during surgery;

a repeat routine for repeating the above steps of manipulating and recording until said surgical path is of the desired duration, said desired duration being determined by a user;

a mapping routine for mapping the display parameters of said first three-dimensional data set to a second three-dimensional data set; and

a display routine for displaying said surgical path of said first three-dimensional data set and a surgical path of said second three-dimensional data set on the spatial display unit.

8. The computer instructions of claim 7, wherein said surgical path of said first three-dimensional data set is linked to the surgical path of said second three-dimensional data set.

9. The computer instructions of claim 7, wherein an axial, sagittal, and coronal view is recorded for each frame.

10. The computer instructions of claim 7, wherein an oblique view is recorded for each frame.

11. The computer instructions of claim 7, wherein said first three-dimensional data set is a historical data set and said second three-dimensional data set is a current data set.

12. The computer instructions of claim 7, wherein an axial, sagittal, and coronal view is recorded for the point of interest for each frame.