IP Library Granted Patent US 8,483,801
Granted Patent B2
US 8,483,801 · App. 12/941,555 · Granted Jul 9, 2013

Methods, apparatuses, and systems useful in conducting image guided interventions

Inventor: Jerome R. Edwards (Nashville, TN)
Assignee: Veran Medical Technologies, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,483,801
App. No.
12/941,555
Granted
Jul 9, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems relating to image guided interventions on dynamic tissue. One embodiment is a method that includes creating a dataset that includes images, one of the images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker, being linked to non-tissue internal reference marker positional information, and being at least 2-dimensional. Another embodiment is a method that includes receiving a position of an instrument reference marker coupled to an instrument; transforming the position into image space using a position of a non-tissue internal reference marker implanted in a patient; and superimposing a representation of the instrument on an image in which the non-tissue internal reference marker appears. Computer readable media that include machine readable instructions for carrying out the steps of the disclosed methods. Apparatuses, such as integrated circuits, configured to carry out the steps of the disclosed methods. Systems that include devices configured to carry out steps of the disclosed methods.

Claims (44)

1. A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to cause a processor to perform a process, the code comprising code to:

create a dataset that includes a plurality of images associated with a body part, at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker, the at least one image from the plurality of images being associated with a non-tissue internal reference marker position information, the at least one image from the plurality of images being at least 2-dimensional;

calculate for each image in the dataset a dataset vector based on a position of the non-tissue internal reference marker;

receive data associated with a current position of an external reference marker;

calculate a current vector using the data associated with the current position of the external reference marker and the dataset vector associated with an image from the dataset;

identify a match dataset vector (MDV), the MDV being the dataset vector most similar to the current vector, the MDV being associated with an image from the dataset;

receive data associated with a current position of an instrument reference marker coupled to an instrument;

apply a transformation associated with the image associated with the MDV to the current position of the instrument reference marker, thus transforming the current position of the instrument reference marker into image space; and

superimpose a representation of the instrument on the image associated with the MDV.

2. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the code to create the dataset includes code to create a dataset that includes at least one image taken via at least one of fluoroscopy, CINE fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET), or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

3. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the code to create the dataset includes code to create a dataset that includes at least one 3-dimensional image.

4. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein code to create the dataset includes code to create a dataset that includes a plurality of images including gated information.

5. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising code to:

cause threshold segmentation of each image of the plurality of images, the threshold segmentation allowing the code to create the dataset.

6. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , further comprising code to:

receive a periodic human characteristic signal.

7. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the code to receive the periodic human characteristic signal includes code to receive a human characteristic signal calculated using the position of the non-tissue internal reference marker.

8. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the code to create the dataset includes code to create a dataset that includes at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker placed on the body part.

9. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the code to create a dataset includes code to create a dataset that includes at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker placed on the body part, the body part exhibiting movement correlated with at least one of heartbeat or respiration.

10. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the code to create a dataset includes code to create a dataset that includes at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker placed on the body part, the body part exhibiting cyclical movement.

11. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the position of the non-tissue internal reference marker is determined using segmentation.

12. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the non-tissue internal reference marker comprises an opaque chamber and one or more tracking sensors configured for placement in the opaque chamber, such that the non-tissue internal reference marker is capable of functioning as a tracking marker and an imaging marker.

13. A method, comprising:

creating a dataset that includes a plurality of images associated with a body part, at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker, the at least one image from the plurality of images being associated with non-tissue internal reference marker positional information, the at least one image from the plurality of images being at least 2-dimensional;

calculating for each image in the dataset a dataset vector based on a position of the non-tissue internal reference marker;

receiving data associated with a current position of an external reference marker;

calculating a current vector using the data associated with the current position of the external reference marker and the dataset vector associated with an image from the dataset;

identifying a match dataset vector (MDV), the MDV being the dataset vector most similar to the current vector, the MDV being associated with an image from the dataset;

receiving data associated with a current position of an instrument reference marker coupled to an instrument;

applying a transformation associated with the image associated with the MDV to the current position of the instrument reference marker, thus transforming the current position of the instrument reference marker into image space; and

superimposing a representation of the instrument on the image associated with the MDV.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the creating the dataset that includes a plurality of images associated with a body part includes creating a dataset that includes at least one image taken via at least one of fluoroscopy, CINE fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET), or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the creating the dataset includes creating a dataset that includes at least one 3-dimensional image.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein creating the dataset includes creating a dataset that includes a plurality of images including gated information.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

causing threshold segmentation of each image of the plurality of images, the threshold segmentation allowing the code to create the dataset.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

receiving a periodic human characteristic signal.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the receiving the periodic human characteristic signal includes receiving a human characteristic signal calculated using the position of the non-tissue internal reference marker.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the creating the dataset includes creating a dataset that includes at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker placed on the body part.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the creating the dataset includes creating a dataset that includes at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker placed on the body part, the body part exhibiting movement correlated with at least one of heartbeat or respiration.

22. The method of claim 13 , wherein the creating a dataset includes creating a dataset that includes at least one image from the plurality of images depicting a non-tissue internal reference marker placed on the body part, the body part exhibiting cyclical movement.

23. The method of claim 13 , wherein the position of the non-tissue internal reference marker is determined using segmentation.

24. The method of claim 13 , wherein the non-tissue internal reference marker comprises an opaque chamber and one or more tracking sensors configured for placement in the opaque chamber, such that the non-tissue internal reference marker is capable of functioning as a tracking marker and an imaging marker.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2018
From: VERAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK
Reel/Frame 047561/0866 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2018
From: VERAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: MADRYN HEALTH PARTNERS, LP
Reel/Frame 048147/0992 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2018
From: PROLOG CAPITAL II, L.P.
To: VERAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 047493/0705 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 18, 2013
From: VERAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: PROLOG CAPITAL II, L.P.
Reel/Frame 031837/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2013
From: EDWARDS, JEROME E.
To: VERAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 030158/0440 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12146738 · Jun 26, 2008
Continuation 10649600 · Aug 26, 2003
Provisional Application 60494268 · Aug 11, 2003
Related Publication 20110054309A1 · Mar 3, 2011