Patent US5289373A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5289373A
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Method and apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during interventional radiological procedures
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1991-11-29
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2011-11-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for real-time tracking of a catheter guide wire in a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure includes an image processing unit for processing digitized fluoroscopic images from a fluoroscope image output. The image processor utilizes a novel algorithm for locating the image of a catheter in the fluoroscopic image. The image processor creates a two-dimensional model of the catheter for dynamic display on an operating room live image video monitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan A. Zarge
- 👤 Nelson R. Corby, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/12; G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/20; G06T7/246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said method comprising the steps of storing said fluoroscopic images to a stored image video monitor: extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiologic procedure by a) creating a binary peak image of said path of the catheter and b) constructing said a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor; and superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said method comprising the steps of storing said fluoroscopic images to a stored image video monitor: extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiologic procedure by a) creating a binary peak image of said path of the catheter and b) constructing said a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor; and superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
151 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said constructing step comprises the steps of: a) thinning said binary peak image; b) ordering said thinned binary peak image into pixel chains; c) organizing said pixel chains into first and second trees of pixel chains, wherein the nodes of said trees represent pixel chains, and wherein said first and second trees represent a first and second direction relative to the longest of said pixel chains and said both trees represent paths of semi-connected pixel chains; d) searching said trees for longest valid paths through the nodes of said trees; e) selecting the path having a minimum curvature if no single valid path is longest; f) repeating steps c-e, using the next longest of said pixel chains in step c); g) selecting the longest of the valid paths found in step d); and h) representing the longest valid path as a set of line segments.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising: a stored image video monitor for storing and displaying selected fluoroscopic images; means for extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure; and means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising: a stored image video monitor for storing and displaying selected fluoroscopic images; means for extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure; and means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising means for storing said fluoroscopic images to a stored image video monitor; means for extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure comprising a) means for creating a binary peak image of said path of said catheter and b) means for constructing a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor; and means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising means for storing said fluoroscopic images to a stored image video monitor; means for extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure comprising a) means for creating a binary peak image of said path of said catheter and b) means for constructing a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor; and means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said constructing means comprises: a) means for thinning said binary peak image; b) means for ordering said thinned binary peak image into pixel chains; c) means for organizing said pixel chains into first and second trees of pixel chains, wherein said first and second tree represent a first and second direction relative to the longest of said pixel chains and said both trees represent paths of semi-connected pixel chains; d) means for searching said trees for longest valid paths through the nodes of said trees; e) means for selecting the path having a minimum curvature if no single valid path is longest; f) means for repeating steps c-e using the next longest of said pixel chains in step c; g) means for selecting the longest of the valid paths found in step d; and h) means for representing said longest valid path as a set of line segments.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising: a stored image video monitor for storing and displaying selected fluoroscopic images; a digital computer programmed to extract pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure; and switching means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising: a stored image video monitor for storing and displaying selected fluoroscopic images; a digital computer programmed to extract pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure; and switching means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, a stored image video monitor and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising: a digital computer programmed to extract pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure by a) creating a binary peak image of said path of said catheter and b) constructing a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor; and switching means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, a stored image video monitor and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising: a digital computer programmed to extract pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure by a) creating a binary peak image of said path of said catheter and b) constructing a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor; and switching means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said digital computer programmed to construct is programmed to: a) thin said binary peak image; b) order said thinned binary peak image into pixel chains; c) organized said pixel chains into first and second trees of pixel chains, wherein said first and second tree represent a first and second direction relative to the longest of said pixel chains and said both trees represent paths of semi-connected pixel chains; d) search said trees for longest valid paths through the nodes of said trees; e) select the path having a minimum curvature if no single valid path is longest; f) repeat steps c-e using the next longest of said pixel chains in step c; g) select the longest of the valid paths found in step d; and h) represent said longest valid path as a set of line segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |