Patent US6256529B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6256529B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Virtual reality 3D visualization for surgical procedures
Assignee: CMSI HOLDINGS CORP
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Filing: 1997-11-24
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Granted: 2001-07-03
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Expires: 2017-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and treatment of a patient's body. The method and apparatus utilize a system for developing a therapy plan for treatment of an organ of the patient, a device for generating ultrasound image data from a treatment region and a device for providing a translucent volume image of a portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the patient organ and a three dimensional viewing device to superimpose a translucent article image to enable viewing of the article image simultaneously with the patient organ and a portion of the patient's body.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward J. Holupka
- 👤 Everette C. Burdette
- 👤 Irving D. Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 23:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B34/00; A61B34/10; A61B34/20; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/12; A61B8/42; A61B8/4209; A61B8/4218; A61B8/52; A61B8/5215; A61B8/5238; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61M; A61M37/00; A61M37/0069; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; A61N5/1007; A61N5/1027; A61N5/103; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00274; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B2017/3405; A61B2017/3411; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00547; A61B34/25; A61B2034/256; A61B2090/364; A61B2090/365; A61B2090/367; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61N2005/1011; A61N2005/1012; A61N5/1048; A61N5/1049
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for substantially real time three-dimensional imaging and treatment of the body of a patient, comprising: means for developing a therapy plan for treatment of an organ of the patient; means for providing in substantially real time image data from a treatment region of the patient's body; means for providing in substantially real time a translucent volume image of a portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the organ of the patient; and means for illustrating in substantially real time a translucent therapeutic device image for placement of a therapeutic device in conjunction with the organ of the patient, wherein a simultaneous three dimensional image of the device, the organ of the patient and the portion of the patient's body is provided in substantially real time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
An apparatus for substantially real time three-dimensional imaging and treatment of the body of a patient, comprising: means for developing a therapy plan for treatment of an organ of the patient; means for providing in substantially real time image data from a treatment region of the patient's body; means for providing in substantially real time a translucent volume image of a portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the organ of the patient; and means for illustrating in substantially real time a translucent therapeutic device image for placement of a therapeutic device in conjunction with the organ of the patient, wherein a simultaneous three dimensional image of the device, the organ of the patient and the portion of the patient's body is provided in substantially real time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for providing an image of the organ in a portion of the patient's body comprises an ultrasound probe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said ultrasound probe operates to provide a plurality of two dimensional images, thereby defining a three dimensional volume of the patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for developing a therapy plan for treatment comprises a therapeutic device inserted into the organ of the patient with the device being used for delivering treatment or surgery, including at least one of radiation therapy, cryo ablation, thermal ablation and surgical resection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for developing a therapy plan comprises a computer configured to plan optimum treatment therapy for treatment of the organ of the patient within a portion of the patient's body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the computer is configured to define boundaries of the portion of the patient to be imaged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein one or more radioactive seeds are disposed in at least one of a catheter and a needle and the computer calculates an optimum location for said radioactive seeds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 whereby said one or more radioactive seeds are positioned at a selected location by said at least one of said needle and catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 , wherein said radioactive seeds have a selectable radiation strength.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said therapeutic device comprises a catheter containing repositioned radioactive seeds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said therapeutic device comprises a surgical tool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a virtual reality system for use by a clinician for observing real time treatment of the patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said virtual reality system operates in real time and a clinician using said system can physically move around the patient and view three dimensional the portion of the patient.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of performing substantially real time three dimensional imaging and medical therapy on a patient, comprising the steps of: generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of a portion of a patient using a first radiation; generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of a prostate of the patient with the image of the prostate positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, and said image of the prostate disposed within the image of the portion of the patient with a different translucent image appearance than the image of the portion of the patient; generating in substantially real time an image of a therapeutic device being positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, the image of the therapeutic device, the prostate and the portion of the patient having a coordinated spatial reference frame; and displaying simultaneously in substantially real time the images of the portion of the patient, the prostate and the therapeutic device for real time viewing by a clinician providing therapy to the patient.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of performing substantially real time three dimensional imaging and medical therapy on a patient, comprising the steps of: generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of a portion of a patient using a first radiation; generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of a prostate of the patient with the image of the prostate positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, and said image of the prostate disposed within the image of the portion of the patient with a different translucent image appearance than the image of the portion of the patient; generating in substantially real time an image of a therapeutic device being positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, the image of the therapeutic device, the prostate and the portion of the patient having a coordinated spatial reference frame; and displaying simultaneously in substantially real time the images of the portion of the patient, the prostate and the therapeutic device for real time viewing by a clinician providing therapy to the patient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 14 further including the step of positioning a therapeutic device in a selected location of the portion of the patient, thereby carrying out the medical therapy on the patient.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as defined in claim 14 further including the step of developing a radiation therapy plan for treatment of the patient while performing real time imaging of the portion of the patient, and the organ of the patient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 farther including the step of storing 2D image data making up the three dimensional image enabling subsequent review of the 2D data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said images are generated from real-time 2D image data.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and treatment of the body of a patient, comprising: means for providing treatment of an organ of the patient; means for providing in substantially real time image data from a treatment region of the patient's body; means for providing in substantially real time an image of a portion of a patient's body including an image of the organ of the patient; means for combining the image data from the treatment region with the image of the portion of the patient's body; a spatial landmark disposed within the body of the patient for placement in conjunction with the organ of the patient, said spatial landmark being part of said means for providing treatment; and means for relating in a same coordinate space the image data from the treatment region, the image of the organ of the patient and the placement of the spatial landmark to obtain a simultaneous three-dimensional image in substantially real time of said landmark, the organ of the patient and the treatment region.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for three-dimensional imaging and treatment of the body of a patient, comprising: means for providing treatment of an organ of the patient; means for providing in substantially real time image data from a treatment region of the patient's body; means for providing in substantially real time an image of a portion of a patient's body including an image of the organ of the patient; means for combining the image data from the treatment region with the image of the portion of the patient's body; a spatial landmark disposed within the body of the patient for placement in conjunction with the organ of the patient, said spatial landmark being part of said means for providing treatment; and means for relating in a same coordinate space the image data from the treatment region, the image of the organ of the patient and the placement of the spatial landmark to obtain a simultaneous three-dimensional image in substantially real time of said landmark, the organ of the patient and the treatment region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for providing an image comprises a rapid imaging technology.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said rapid imaging technology comprises at least one of an ultrasound device, a rapid CT device, and an MR device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for providing image data is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasound system, an MR system and a CT system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for providing treatment includes at least one of a catheter, a needle, a radiation source, a cryo ablation device, a thermal ablation device, a thermal therapy device, a surgical resection device and a surgical ablation device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for providing treatment and said spatial landmark comprises at least two radioactive seeds.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 24 further including means for determining an ideal radioactive treatment and actual radioactive treatment for said means for providing treatment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 24 further including means for displaying at least one of an image of ideal radioactive treatment and actual radioactive treatment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein said spatial landmark is imaged by at least one of an ultrasound device, a CT device, an MR device and a fluoroscope.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 24 whereby said radioactive seeds are positioned at a selected location by at least one of a needle and a catheter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including means for imaging said spatial landmark.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for imaging said spatial landmark comprises a rapid imaging technology.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein said rapid imaging technology comprises at least one of an ultrasound device, a rapid CT device, and an MR device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for imaging said spatial landmark in the patient's body provides a different image data set than from said image of the organ of the patient.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 29 wherein said means for imaging said spatial landmark is selected from the imaging group of an ultrasound device, a CT device, and an MR device and said image of the organ is provided by a different one of the devices selected from the imaging group.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including a virtual reality system for use by a clinician for observing real time imaging and treatment of the body of the patient.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein said virtual reality system operates in real time and a clinician using said system can physically move around the patient and view in three dimensions a portion of the patient.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including a digitally encoded positioner and a coupled holder for retaining a treatment device, said positioner moving said treatment device into the patient and generating digital position information characteristic of spatial position in the patient, thereby establishing the spatial position of said treatment device in the patient relative to the image of the portion of the patient's body and the image of the organ.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 36 wherein said positioner comprises a stepper device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including means for generating contour data for the organ of the patient.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including means for displaying an ideal position of said means for providing treatment.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including means for determining at least one of an ideal treatment and actual treatment for said means for treatment.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19 further including means for displaying at least one of an image of ideal treatment and actual treatment.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of spatially identifying a location of an internal organ of a patient for planning of radiation therapy treatment using a radiation source, comprising the steps of: positioning a treatment device and coupled spatial marker within the patient, said spatial marker identifiable in an image of the body of the patient; and producing a first body image using a first radiation showing the internal organ and the spatial marker while maintaining said treatment device and coupled spatial marker in position within the patient, and using a second radiation different than said first radiation to generate a second body image of the spatial marker to establish a position of the treatment device relative to at least the first body image in preparation for implementing the radiation therapy treatment using the radiation source while the treatment device is in place.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of spatially identifying a location of an internal organ of a patient for planning of radiation therapy treatment using a radiation source, comprising the steps of: positioning a treatment device and coupled spatial marker within the patient, said spatial marker identifiable in an image of the body of the patient; and producing a first body image using a first radiation showing the internal organ and the spatial marker while maintaining said treatment device and coupled spatial marker in position within the patient, and using a second radiation different than said first radiation to generate a second body image of the spatial marker to establish a position of the treatment device relative to at least the first body image in preparation for implementing the radiation therapy treatment using the radiation source while the treatment device is in place.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 42 further including the step of relating a position of the internal organ to a position of the spatial marker.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as defined in claim 43 further including the step of carrying out a radiation therapy treatment by developing and implementing a radiation plan in accordance with the location of the internal organ relative to the radiation source.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 44 wherein the first radiation system comprises an ultrasound system and the second radiation system comprises an electromagnetic radiation system.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 42 wherein the first radiation includes ultrasound and the second radiation includes electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 46 wherein the electromagnetic radiation arises from a device selected from the group consisting of a CT device, an MR device and a fluoroscopic device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 42 wherein the first body image is related to the second body image to establish the position of the radiation therapy device.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 42 wherein the internal organ comprises a prostate gland.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of spatially identifying in substantially real time a location of an internal organ of a patient for radiation therapy treatment using a radiation source, comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of radioactive seeds within the patient, said seeds comprised of a spatial marker identifiable in images taken during planning the radiation therapy treatment; producing a first body image using a radiation system to show the internal organ and the spatial marker; producing a second body image using the radiation system to show body components and the spatial marker; and identifying said radioactive seeds in position prior to and during the step of performing radiation therapy with the radiation source; and correlating to a same coordinate system in substantially real time a position of the radioactive seeds to the internal organ and a position of the first body image to said second body image.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of spatially identifying in substantially real time a location of an internal organ of a patient for radiation therapy treatment using a radiation source, comprising the steps of: positioning a plurality of radioactive seeds within the patient, said seeds comprised of a spatial marker identifiable in images taken during planning the radiation therapy treatment; producing a first body image using a radiation system to show the internal organ and the spatial marker; producing a second body image using the radiation system to show body components and the spatial marker; and identifying said radioactive seeds in position prior to and during the step of performing radiation therapy with the radiation source; and correlating to a same coordinate system in substantially real time a position of the radioactive seeds to the internal organ and a position of the first body image to said second body image.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for substantially real time three-dimensional imaging and treatment of the body of a patient, comprising: a therapeutic device for providing substantially real time treatment of an organ of a patient; means for providing substantially real time image data from a treatment region of the patient's body; means for providing in substantially real time a translucent volume image of a volume portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the organ of the patient within the volume portion of the patient; and said means for providing a translucent volume image further including means for simultaneously imaging in substantially real time a translucent image of the therapeutic device for substantially real time placement of the therapeutic device at a desired position relative to the organ of the patient, to thereby provide in substantially real time a three dimensional image of said therapeutic device during entry into and placement of the therapeutic device in association with the organ of the patient.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for substantially real time three-dimensional imaging and treatment of the body of a patient, comprising: a therapeutic device for providing substantially real time treatment of an organ of a patient; means for providing substantially real time image data from a treatment region of the patient's body; means for providing in substantially real time a translucent volume image of a volume portion of a patient's body and a separate translucent image of the organ of the patient within the volume portion of the patient; and said means for providing a translucent volume image further including means for simultaneously imaging in substantially real time a translucent image of the therapeutic device for substantially real time placement of the therapeutic device at a desired position relative to the organ of the patient, to thereby provide in substantially real time a three dimensional image of said therapeutic device during entry into and placement of the therapeutic device in association with the organ of the patient.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 51 , wherein said therapeutic device is inserted into the organ of the patient for delivering treatment or surgery, including at least one of radiation therapy, cryo ablation, thermal ablation and surgical resection.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 51 further including means for establishing spatial position of said therapeutic device relative to the organ of the patient and a clinician viewing the image of the therapeutic device and the organ.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of performing substantially real time three dimensional imaging and medical therapy on a patient, comprising the steps of: generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of a portion of a patient using a first radiation; generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of an organ of the patient with the image of the organ positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, and said image of the organ disposed within the image of the portion of the patient with a different translucent image appearance than the image of the portion of the patient; generating in substantially real time an image of a therapeutic device being positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, the image of the therapeutic device, the organ and the portion of the patient having a coordinated spatial reference frame; and displaying simultaneously in substantially real time the images of the portion of the patient, the organ and the therapeutic device for real time viewing by a clinician providing therapy to the patient.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of performing substantially real time three dimensional imaging and medical therapy on a patient, comprising the steps of: generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of a portion of a patient using a first radiation; generating in substantially real time a three dimensional translucent image of an organ of the patient with the image of the organ positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, and said image of the organ disposed within the image of the portion of the patient with a different translucent image appearance than the image of the portion of the patient; generating in substantially real time an image of a therapeutic device being positioned within the image of the portion of the patient, the image of the therapeutic device, the organ and the portion of the patient having a coordinated spatial reference frame; and displaying simultaneously in substantially real time the images of the portion of the patient, the organ and the therapeutic device for real time viewing by a clinician providing therapy to the patient.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-02 | 2005-01-01 | 2005-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-02 | 2009-01-01 | 2009-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | 2013-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |