Imaging apparatus for brachytherapy or biopsy

An imaging method for imaging an introduction element within a living being, the introduction element being an elongated element having a tip and an elongated body comprising a scale on an outer surface of the elongated body, the introduction element adapted to be inserted into the living being through an opening within a holding element for holding the introduction element for performing a biopsy or for introducing a radiation source into the living being for performing a brachytherapy, wherein the imaging method comprises:

• determining a linear location of the tip of the introduction element relative to the opening based on the scale by using a linear encoder of a tracking unit adapted to read the scale on the outer surface of the elongated body of the introduction element and determining the location of the tip and of the elongated body of the introduction element within the living being based on the determined linear location and a known location of the opening, in order to track the location of the introduction element within the living being,
• electromagnetically track and store locations of the tip of the introduction element during insertion to determine the location of the elongated body of the introduction element within the living being,
• generating an image showing an inner part of the living being, which includes the tracked location of the introduction element, based on the tracked location by using an imaging unit, and
• displaying the image by using a display.

A non-transitory computer readable storage device comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor of an imaging apparatus configured for imaging an introduction element within a living being, the introduction element being an elongated element having a tip and an elongated body comprising a scale on an outer surface of the elongated body, the introduction element adapted to be inserted into the living being through an opening within a holding element for holding the introduction element for performing a biopsy or for introducing a radiation source into the living being for performing a brachytherapy, the instructions comprising:

• determining a linear location of the tip of the introduction element relative to the opening based on the scale by using a linear encoder of a tracking unit adapted to read the scale on the outer surface of the elongated body of the introduction element and determining the location of the tip and of the elongated body of the introduction element within the living being based on the determined linear location and a known location of the opening, in order to track the location of the introduction element within the living being,
• electromagnetically tracking and storing locations of the tip of the introduction element during insertion to determine the location of the elongated body of the introduction element within the living being,
• generating an image showing an inner part of the living being, which includes the tracked location of the introduction element based on the tracked location by using an imaging unit, and
• displaying the image by using a display.