CT-free spinal surgical imaging system
US8335553B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/376
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for generating three dimensional CT-type information from a conventional C-arm fluoroscope imaging system. A small number of fluoroscope images are used, taken from angles whose pose is determined by means of a three-dimensional target attached to the region of interest, aided by the participation of the surgeon or an image processing routine to pinpoint known anatomical features in the region of interest of the patient. This procedure enables the reconstruction of virtual images in any desired plane, even in planes other than those accessible by the C-arm imaging process, such as the axial plane of a vertebra. Use of this system and method of marking of the feature to be treated in a small number of angularly dissimilar images, enables the generation of CT-type information which can be used to accurately align a robotically guided surgical tool with the anatomical feature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.