Methods and apparatus for 3D route planning through hollow organs
First Claim
1. A method of planning routes through a 3D image of a tubular organ prior to an actual, follow-on endoscopic procedure, said organ being in the chest region, said method comprising the steps of:
- computing a model of an airway tree from 3D image data of the organ;
receiving information about a target region of interest (ROI) and the follow-on endoscopic procedure associated with the organ;
deriving at least one anatomical constraint, at least one endoscopic-device constraint, and at least one procedure-specific constraint from said information,wherein the deriving step comprises constructing a geometric field of view of a virtual endoscope, and requiring at least a portion of the target region of interest (ROI) to be within the geometric field of view extending from the virtual endoscope;
automatically computing a plurality of navigable routes to the target region of interest (ROI) and enabling at least one of said routes to be selected based on said anatomical, endoscopic-device, and procedure-specific constraints derived from the information received; and
displaying said at least one selected route in conjunction with said model.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus assist in planning routes through hollow, branching organs in patients to optimize subsequent endoscopic procedures. Information is provided about the organ and a follow-on endoscopic procedure associated with the organ. The most appropriate navigable route or routes to a target region of interest (ROI) within the organ are then identified given anatomical, endoscopic-device, or procedure-specific constraints derived from the information provided. The method may include the step of modifying the viewing direction at each site along a route to give physically meaningful navigation directions or to reflect the requirements of a follow-on live endoscopic procedure. An existing route may further be extended, if necessary, to an ROI beyond the organ. The information provided may include anatomical constraints that define locations or organs to avoid; anatomical constraints that confine the route within specific geometric locations; or a metric for selecting the most appropriate route. For example, the metric may define the closest route to the ROI such that the route satisfies all applicable anatomical, device, and procedural constraints.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method of planning routes through a 3D image of a tubular organ prior to an actual, follow-on endoscopic procedure, said organ being in the chest region, said method comprising the steps of:
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computing a model of an airway tree from 3D image data of the organ; receiving information about a target region of interest (ROI) and the follow-on endoscopic procedure associated with the organ; deriving at least one anatomical constraint, at least one endoscopic-device constraint, and at least one procedure-specific constraint from said information, wherein the deriving step comprises constructing a geometric field of view of a virtual endoscope, and requiring at least a portion of the target region of interest (ROI) to be within the geometric field of view extending from the virtual endoscope; automatically computing a plurality of navigable routes to the target region of interest (ROI) and enabling at least one of said routes to be selected based on said anatomical, endoscopic-device, and procedure-specific constraints derived from the information received; and displaying said at least one selected route in conjunction with said model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of planning an endoscopic route through an organ having a lumen prior to an actual, follow-on endoscopic procedure, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing anatomical and parametrical information about the organ, the follow-on endoscopic procedure and a target region interest (ROI) positioned outside of said lumen; automatically computing at least one entire route beginning at a base of the organ to a route destination within said lumen which is near said ROI using the information provided; and automatically computing an extension from said route destination to said ROI, where the extension comprises a plurality of view sites connected to said route destination within said lumen; and wherein said view sites are determined prior to the follow-on procedure based on the information provided. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for planning routes through an organ prior to an actual, follow-on endoscopic procedure, said organ comprising a lumen having a wall and at least one region of interest [ROI], said system comprising:
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a memory for storing information about the organ and the follow-on endoscopic procedure associated with the organ, said information including anatomical, endoscopic-device, and procedure-specific constraints requiring at least a portion of the ROI to be within a geometric field of view of a virtual endoscope, said field of view extending beyond a wall of said lumen; and a processor operative to perform the following functions prior to the actual procedure; a) access the stored information and automatically determine at least one route destination along said lumen and in close proximity to the ROI to automatically determine at least one complete route through the organ from a base of the organ to the route destination for performing said follow-on endoscopic procedure given said constraints, and b) send said at least one complete route to a display device for presentation of said route on the display device in conjunction with a 3D image of the organ. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification