Method and system for guiding a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument towards a target region inside the patient's body
US6368331B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N5/1049
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and system are presented for guiding a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument towards a correct target inside the patient's body. A combined image obtained by registering structural and functional images of at least a portion of the patient's body including the target is used together with a guiding device. The guiding device has an indicator associated with the instrument, and is operable for presenting data indicative of a position of a location on the instrument relative to any other point in the at least portion of the patient's body. The guiding device is connectable to a computer device displaying the combined image and operable thereby for guiding the instrument towards the target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.