Tissue imaging and image guidance in luminal anatomic structures and body cavities
US9364167B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 24, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3784
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Navigational imaging system and method for use in branched luminal structure. Flexible, spatially steerable probe is equipped with forward- and side-imaging mutually complementing means to enable sub-surface imaging, quantitative determination of probe's positioning with respect to anatomical identifiers of structure, forming 3D image of structure in a volume defined by the imaging means, and positioning of probe in registration with a 3D coordinate system that is independent from the structure. Method includes determining anatomical identifiers of luminal structure branches based on 3D and sub-surface images, assigning such identifiers as fiducial points, and correlating the determined identifiers with those obtained from anatomical model to select target branch for further steering the probe. Optionally, data representing a distance between a branch of lumen from fiducial point and angular orientation of the branch is extracted from complete 3D and quantitative image of lumen obtained during a pull-back of probe along the lumen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.