X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices – Specific application – Computerized tomography
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-24
2003-11-25
McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)
X-ray or gamma ray systems or devices
Specific application
Computerized tomography
C378S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06654444
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a diagnostic imaging method for the visualization of the position of an interventional instrument within an examination zone, in which method the position of the instrument is determined and reproduced in the form of an image simultaneously with at least two physiological layer images of the examination zone. The invention also relates to a CT apparatus for carrying out such a method and to a computer program for controlling a CT apparatus.
In interventional radiology a surgical intervention is performed while being monitored by way of a diagnostic imaging apparatus. The position of an interventional instrument, for example, a biopsy needle, a catheter or a probe within an examination zone is then determined. C-arm X-ray apparatus, CT tomography apparatus or also MR apparatus are customarily used for imaging. During the entire execution of the intervention image data is continuously acquired and visualized in such a manner that the surgeon can see the exact position of the instrument and guide it such that accidental damaging of internal organs is avoided and the target area of the intervention is reliably reached. The anatomical details in the vicinity of the interventional instrument are reproduced with a high spatial resolution during on-line monitoring of the examination zone by the imaging diagnostic apparatus, so that interventional radiology enables exact and effective interventions to be performed with only minimum physiological and psychological stress for the patient.
EP 0 860 144 A2 discloses a diagnostic imaging method in which imaging is performed by means of a CT apparatus in order to determine the position of an interventional instrument during a surgical intervention. A representation of the position of the interventional instrument is then superposed on the physiological volume image data of the examination zone. The combination of a reproduction of the instrument and the physiological image data yields a visualization of the position in the examination zone. To this end, the cited known method proposes to select layer images from the physiological volume image data that are also acquired by means of CT; two or more layer images are then displayed in such a manner that the operating surgeon can evaluate the position as well as the trajectory of the interventional instrument.
The cited known method has the drawback that, because of the limitation to two-dimensional layer images, the operating surgeon is offered no more than an inadequate spatial impression of the examination zone. Granted, the layer images reveal the anatomical details in the vicinity of the interventional instrument, but severe demands are made on the power of spatial imagination of the operating surgeon who must derive the spatial position of the instrument within the examination zone from the two-dimensional images in order to reach the target area of the intervention in a reliable manner and with the necessary foresight. According to the known method the interventional instrument can be guided in a controlled manner only when the exact trajectory of the instrument has already been defined in preparation of the intervention on the basis of pre-operative volume images of the examination zone.
Considering the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved visualization method for interventional radiology. The method should provide anatomically detailed reproduction of the local vicinity of the interventional instrument and should also simplify the guiding of the instrument by the surgeon by way of interactive imaging that provides a spatial impression of the position of the instrument in the examination zone.
This object is achieved by means of a diagnostic imaging method of the kind set forth that is characterized in accordance with the invention in that the image planes of the layer images are oriented parallel to the trajectory of the interventional instrument, the layer images being reproduced in a three-dimensional view of the examination zone in such a manner that the trajectory of the instrument constitutes the common line of intersection of the image planes.
The combination of a three-dimensional view of the examination zone with two-dimensional layer images from the vicinity of the interventional instrument in accordance with the invention enables local anatomical details to be reproduced simultaneously with a spatial view of the examination zone. Physiological structures are then displayed only within the image planes of the layer images and the remaining volume of the examination zone appears to be transparent. The layer images are reproduced in the three-dimensional view in such a manner that the position of the image planes in the examination zone is correctly shown. Because two or more layer images are simultaneously reproduced, a spatial impression of the anatomy in the examination zone is obtained. Because of the common line of intersection of the image planes, the trajectory of the instrument in the examination zone can be clearly distinguished; this fact substantially simplifies the interactive guiding of the instrument in comparison with the described previously known method. Moreover, it is thus ensured that the anatomy along the path of the interventional instrument is completely reproduced, so that unintentional injuries are avoided with certainty during the advancement of the instrument.
In conformity with the method in accordance with the invention, the physiological layer images can either be acquired and reconstructed continuously by means of an imaging diagnostic apparatus during the intervention or be generated from pre-operatively acquired volume image data. In that case, however, the pre-operative data set must be registered with the position of the patient during the intervention.
The method in accordance with the invention offers the possibility of display of curved trajectories of the interventional instrument in that the image planes of the layer images are also visualized with the corresponding curvature in the three-dimensional view of the examination zone.
In conformity with an advantageous further version of the method in accordance with the invention the relative spatial position of a target zone within the examination zone is reproduced in the three-dimensional view. A spatial survey image of the examination zone is thus produced, showing the instantaneous position of the interventional instrument as well as the target point of the intervention that is to be reached by the instrument. The surgeon is thus offered the opportunity to guide the instrument interactively on the basis of the images displayed, it being particularly simple to reach the desired target point by guiding the interventional instrument in such a manner that the target zone is situated on the common line of intersection of the image planes in the view in accordance with the invention. The target zone of the intervention is customarily localized and marked in pre-operative diagnostic image data. This fact can be readily utilized for the method in accordance with the invention by registering the spatial position of the marker with the image data acquired during the intervention.
The target zone can be visualized in an arbitrary manner in accordance with the invention; however, it is advantageous to form a three-dimensional physiological volume image of the target zone if, depending on the type of the intervention, the anatomical details in the direct vicinity of the target are of importance.
Furthermore, for the imaging method in accordance with the invention it is also advantageous to reproduce the position of the interventional instrument within the examination zone in the three-dimensional view, because the reproduction of the trajectory alone usually does not suffice to guide the instrument. To this end, either a three-dimensional volume image of the interventional instrument can be formed or the instantaneous position can be marked in a different manner.
In the visualization method in accordance with the invention the layer images
Grass Michael
Koehler Thomas
Bartlett Ernestine C.
Koninklijke Philips Electronics , N.V.
McCall Eric S.
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