US7302286B2 — Method and apparatus for the three-dimensional pr…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 177 words

A method for three-dimensional presentation of an examination region of a patient as a 3D reconstruction image, comprising the steps of: employing a preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset of an examination region of a subject that was acquired at a preoperative time preceding implementation of a medical procedure on the subject involving said examination region, said 3D image dataset representing voxels of said examination region; with an ultrasound system, acquiring a plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing 2D ultrasound images of said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure involving said examination region; updating the preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images to change some of said voxels of said 3D image dataset, to produce an updated 3D image dataset comprised of said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset and the changed voxels, said updated 3D image dataset representing said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure; and reconstructing a 3D reconstruction image from said updated 3D image dataset and using said 3D reconstruction image in said medical procedure.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 177 words

A method for three-dimensional presentation of an examination region of a patient as a 3D reconstruction image, comprising the steps of: employing a preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset of an examination region of a subject that was acquired at a preoperative time preceding implementation of a medical procedure on the subject involving said examination region, said 3D image dataset representing voxels of said examination region; with an ultrasound system, acquiring a plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing 2D ultrasound images of said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure involving said examination region; updating the preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images to change some of said voxels of said 3D image dataset, to produce an updated 3D image dataset comprised of said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset and the changed voxels, said updated 3D image dataset representing said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure; and reconstructing a 3D reconstruction image from said updated 3D image dataset and using said 3D reconstruction image in said medical procedure.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising employing a dataset selected from the group consisting of a computed tomography dataset, a magnetic resonance dataset, and an X-ray dataset, as said 3D image dataset.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images comprises updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset directly from said 2D ultrasound images.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 190 words

A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the step of acquiring said 2D datasets representing said plurality of 2D datasets of the examination region comprises acquiring said plurality of 2D ultrasound images with an ultrasound applicator having a position sensor allowing identification of a spatial position and orientation of each of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images represented by said 2D datasets, and comprising the additional steps of: using said identification of the spatial position and orientation of each of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images, registering one of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images represented by one of said 2D image datasets relative to coordinates of said 3D image dataset so that the spatial position and orientation of said one of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images relative to said 3D image dataset is known; mixing said one of said 2D image datasets representing said one of said plurality of 2D images with exact position and orientation into a corresponding sectional plane image of said 3D image dataset; and deforming said sectional plane image of said 3D image dataset to conform to said one of 2D ultrasound images.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 45 words

A method as claimed in claim 4 comprising the additional step of segmenting a surface of the examination region in said 3D image dataset before mixing one of said 2D image datasets representing said one of said 2D ultrasound images into said 3D image dataset.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images comprises generating a 3D ultrasound image dataset from said 2D image datasets and updating said 3D image dataset using said 3D ultrasound image dataset.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 97 words

A method as claimed in claim 6 comprising updating said 3D image dataset using said 3D ultrasound image dataset by overlaying said 3D image dataset and said 3D ultrasound image dataset, identifying dataset portions, as identified dataset portions, of said 3D image dataset that do not conform with corresponding dataset portions of said 3D ultrasound image dataset, and deforming said identified dataset portions of said 3D image dataset, by at least one of translation and rotation, until said identified portions of said 3D image dataset conform to said corresponding dataset portions of said 3D ultrasound image dataset.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said 3D image dataset, as a result of said deformation, contains an irregularity selected from the group consisting of an overlap region and a gap region, and comprising the additional step of smoothing said irregularity by interpolation.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 60 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising the additional step of generating a 3D ultrasound image dataset from said 2D image datasets, and wherein the step of updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images comprises updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset directly from said 3D ultrasound image dataset.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 68 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said examination region is a moving region exhibiting a motion phase, and comprising the additional steps of: acquiring said motion phase; and employing only image data from said 3D image dataset acquired in a same motion phase as said 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images for updating said 3D image dataset to produce said updated 3D image dataset.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 42 words

A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said examination region is a heart, wherein the step of acquiring said motion phase comprises obtaining an ECG of said heart, and using said ECG to identify said same locations in said motion phase.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 67 words

A method as claimed in claim 10 comprising the additional steps of: in addition to acquiring said motion phase, identifying respective points in time at which said 2D image datasets are acquired; and employing only image data from said 3D image dataset acquired at respective same points in time as said 2D image datasets for updating said 3D image dataset to produce said updated 3D image dataset.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein said examination region is a heart, and wherein the step of acquiring said motion phase comprises acquiring an ECG of the heart, and using said ECG to identify said same locations in said motion phase and said same points in time.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of acquiring said plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing said 2D ultrasound images comprises extracorporeally acquiring said 2D image datasets.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of acquiring said plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing said 2D ultrasound images comprises intracorporeally acquiring said 2D image datasets.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 91 words

A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising, in said medical procedure, introducing an instrument into said examination region, and wherein the step of acquiring said plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing said 2D ultrasound images comprises acquiring said plurality of 2D image datasets using an ultrasound applicator carried by said instrument, and comprising the additional steps of identifying a position of said instrument in said examination region from at least one of said 2D ultrasound images, and displaying said position of said instrument in said updated 3D reconstruction image.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 198 words

An apparatus for three-dimensional presentation of an examination region of a patient as a 3D reconstruction image, comprising: an image processor containing a 3D image dataset of an examination region of a subject that was acquired prior to conducting a medical procedure on the subject involving said examination region, said 3D image dataset representing voxels of said examination region; an ultrasound image acquisition device that acquires a plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing plurality of 2D ultrasound images of said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure; said image processor supplied with said plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images that updates the preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images to change some of said voxels of said 3D image dataset, to produce an updated 3D image dataset comprised of said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset and the changed voxels, said updated 3D image dataset representing said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure, and reconstructing a 3D reconstruction image from said updated 3D image dataset; and a monitor connected to said image processor for displaying said 3D reconstruction image during said medical procedure.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 198 words

An apparatus for three-dimensional presentation of an examination region of a patient as a 3D reconstruction image, comprising: an image processor containing a 3D image dataset of an examination region of a subject that was acquired prior to conducting a medical procedure on the subject involving said examination region, said 3D image dataset representing voxels of said examination region; an ultrasound image acquisition device that acquires a plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing plurality of 2D ultrasound images of said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure; said image processor supplied with said plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images that updates the preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images to change some of said voxels of said 3D image dataset, to produce an updated 3D image dataset comprised of said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset and the changed voxels, said updated 3D image dataset representing said examination region contemporaneously with said medical procedure, and reconstructing a 3D reconstruction image from said updated 3D image dataset; and a monitor connected to said image processor for displaying said 3D reconstruction image during said medical procedure.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 37 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said image processor contains a dataset selected from the group consisting of a computed tomography dataset, a magnetic resonance dataset, and an X-ray dataset, as said 3D image dataset.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 45 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said image processor updates said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said plurality of 2D image datasets respectively representing said 2D ultrasound images by updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset directly from said 2D image datasets.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 187 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said ultrasound image acquisition device has a position sensor, and wherein said apparatus comprises a position detection system which detects a position of said position sensor and which generates an output identifying a spatial position and orientation of each of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images, and wherein said image processor is supplied with said output and uses said information identifying the spatial position and orientation of each of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images to register one of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images represented by one of said 2D datasets relative to coordinates of said 3D image dataset so that the spatial position and orientation of said one of said plurality of 2D ultrasound images relative to said 3D image dataset is known; and mixes said one of said plurality of 2D image datasets representing said one of said plurality of 2D images with exact position and orientation into a corresponding sectional plane image of said 3D image dataset, and deforms said sectional plane image of said 3D image dataset to conform to said 2D ultrasound image.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 45 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein said image processor segments a surface of the examination region in said 3D image dataset before mixing said one of said 2D image datasets representing said one of said 2D ultrasound images into said 3D image dataset.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 54 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said image processor updates said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images by generating a 3D ultrasound image dataset from said 2D image datasets and updates said 3D image dataset using said 3D ultrasound image dataset.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 101 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said image processor updates said 3D image dataset using said 3D ultrasound image dataset by overlaying said 3D image dataset and said 3D ultrasound image dataset, and identifies dataset portions, as identified dataset portions, of said 3D image dataset that do not conform with corresponding dataset portions of said 3D ultrasound image dataset, and deforms said identified dataset portions of said 3D image dataset, by at least one of translation and rotation, until said identified portions of said 3D image dataset conform to said corresponding dataset portions of said 3D ultrasound image dataset.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 44 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein said 3D image dataset, as a result of said deformation, contains an irregularity selected from the group consisting of an overlap region and a gap region, and wherein said image processor smoothes said irregularity by interpolation.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 55 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said image processor generates a 3D ultrasound image dataset from said plurality of datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images, and updates said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset using said 2D image datasets by updating said preoperatively acquired 3D image dataset directly from said 3D ultrasound image dataset.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 76 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said examination region is a moving region exhibiting a motion phase, and comprising a unit for acquiring said motion phase, and wherein said image processor is supplied with motion phase and employs only image data from said 3D image dataset acquired in a same motion phase as said 2D image datasets representing 2D ultrasound images for updating said 3D image dataset to produce said updated 3D image dataset.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 49 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 wherein said examination region is a heart, wherein said unit for acquiring said motion phase obtains an ECG of said heart, and wherein said image processor uses said ECG as said motion phase to identify said same locations in said motion phase.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 64 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 comprising a unit for identifying respective points in time at which said 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images are acquired, and employs only image data from said 3D image dataset acquired at respective same points in time as said 2D image datasets for updating said 3D image dataset to produce said updated 3D image dataset.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 52 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said examination region is a heart, and wherein said unit for acquiring said motion phase obtains an ECG of the heart, and wherein said image processor uses said ECG to identify said same locations in said motion phase and said same points in time.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said ultrasound image acquisition device extracorporeally acquires plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 25 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said ultrasound image acquisition device intracorporeally acquires plurality of 2D image datasets representing said 2D ultrasound images.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 80 words

An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 comprising a medical instrument adapted, in said medical procedure, for introduction into said examination region, and wherein said ultrasound image acquisition device is an ultrasound applicator carried by said instrument, and wherein said image processor identifies a position of said instrument in said examination region from at least one of said 2D ultrasound images, and wherein said monitor displays said position of said instrument in said updated 3D reconstruction image at said monitor.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2010-11-26	2011-05-28	2011-11-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2014-11-26	2015-05-28	2015-11-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2018-11-26	2019-05-28	2019-11-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for the three-dimensional presentation of an examination region of a patient in the form of a 3D reconstruction image

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