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AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorsVolker Rasche, Georg Schmitz, Jorg Sabczynski, Waldemar Zylka, Johannes Jacobus Van Vaals
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The invention relates to a method enabling the localization of objects, for example surgical instruments, in interventional radiology. The method utilizes the known geometrical shape of the object to be localized in order to simulate projections therefrom for comparison with real projection images. Optimum correspondence between simulation and real image yields the desired object position and object orientation. The invention is based on digital image processing and can be used in conjunction with customary radiological diagnostic apparatus such as C-arm fluoroscopy apparatus, computed tomography apparatus or magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. Objects to be localized can be provided with markers whose spatial position yields an unambiguous projection image.
A method of localizing an object, notably in interventional radiology where a volume in which the object to be localized is present is examined by means of digital image processing on the basis of projection images, characterized in that projections of the object to be localized, whose geometrical shape is known, are simulated and compared with the projection image of the volume examined.
A surgical instrument for use in interventional radiology, characterized in that it includes at least one marker which is geometrically configured in such a manner that the position and the orientation of the marker can be unambiguously correlated with its two-dimensional projection image.
A surgical instrument for use in interventional radiology, characterized in that it includes at least one marker which consists of line-like, intersecting structures which are subdivided into segments with different respective length ratios at their point of intersection.
A computer program used for digital image processing in interventional radiology, characterized in that the computer program calculates two-dimensional projection images from the geometrical data of an object while taking into account a camera model and compares the projection images with the radiologically acquired image data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.