Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2001-07-10
Pelham, Joseph (Department: 3742)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S414000, C600S425000, C378S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259942
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recording a three dimensional image of a part of a patient's body according to the preamble of the independent claims as well as to a reference device for being mounted to a patient's head while using such a method.
Various methods and devices are known for recording three-dimensional images of a part of a patient's body. Three dimensional images of this type are usually generated from a plurality of planar scans and information describing the spatial relation between these scans and/or between the patient and the scans. Known methods are e.g. based on the principles of computer tomography, NMR tomography, ultrasound analysis, positron emission tomography or X-ray techniques. Especially while recording extended areas it is important that the part of the body is fixed in place because movement may affect the quality of the image. However, immobilization of the position of a body part, such as a patient's head, is usually difficult and/or uncomfortable for the patient due to invasive attachments of head rings or frames.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method of the type mentioned above that obviates these disadvantages at least partially.
This object is met by the independent claims.
By measuring movements, i.e. positional changes, of the body part during image acquisition, it becomes possible to correct the acquired image data. If the patient e.g. moves (especially turns) during acquisition, the image data are corrected such that all scanned images are transformed to the same coordinate system and can be combined with high accuracy.
Preferably, the movements or positional changes are detected optically, e.g. by affixing reference markers to the body part, which are observed by a camera system. However, it is also possible to detect the position of the body part directly be means of suited image processing techniques, i.e. without using reference markers. In any case, an optical position detection is preferred for its simplicity and high immunity to noise. But it is also possible to detect movements and positional changes by other means, e.g. ultrasonic triangulation.
Preferably, a reference device with suited reference marks is mounted to the body part to be measured.
If the measurement is performed on a patient's head, the reference device should be attached to at least one tooth of the patient's upper jaw. Further connections between the head and the reference device are not necessary. The reference device can be affixed to upper jaw by conventional dental impression material or by other means of fixation, such as clamps or dental prostheses for toothless patients.
Preferably, the reference device comprises a mouthpiece, which is non-invasively connected to the upper jaw in the manner described above, as well as a reference member attachable to the mouth piece for being detected by the positional detector. The reference member can be titled in respect to the mouthpiece, which allows to establish an optimum orientation for each recording geometry.
In a preferred embodiment the relation of the reference markers (i.e. the coordinate system of the positional director) in respect to the body part (i.e. the coordinate system of the three-dimensional image or the coordinate system of the imaging system) are stored together with the image. This makes it possible to position the patient later by means of the reference markers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4971060 (1990-11-01), Schneider et al.
patent: 5423315 (1995-06-01), Margosian et al.
patent: 5485493 (1996-01-01), Heuscher et al.
patent: 5552605 (1996-09-01), Arata
patent: 5577502 (1996-11-01), Darrow et al.
patent: 5579358 (1996-11-01), Lin
patent: 5588430 (1996-12-01), Bova et al.
patent: 5828722 (1998-10-01), Ploetz et al.
patent: 5954647 (1999-09-01), Bova et al.
patent: 3447365 A1 (1986-07-01), None
patent: 0654675 A1 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 0662305 A1 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 0807404 A1 (1997-11-01), None
patent: 4-226641 (1992-08-01), None
patent: 9625098 (1996-08-01), None
Hauser Rolf
Westermann Birgit
Orange John R. S.
Orange & Chari
Pelham Joseph
Surgical Navigation Specialist Inc.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for recording a three-dimensional image... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2448529