Needle guidance for molecular imaging
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorIra Micah Blevis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for biopsy or other needle guidance procedures for molecular imaging. A molecular imaging system having one or more radiation detectors for scanning tissue within a region of interest is provided, as well as a hollow needle for performing a medical procedure on the tissue, and a radioisotope in substantially liquid form. The radioisotope is introduced into the lumen of the needle, and the radiation emitted from the radioisotope contained in the needle lumen is detected using the molecular imaging system so that the needle can be guided into the region of interest.
Claims20
A method for needle guidance in molecular imaging, comprising the steps of:
- providing a molecular imaging system having one or more radiation detectors for detecting radiation emitted from tissue of a patient within a region of interest, a hollow needle for performing a medical procedure on the tissue, and a radioisotope in substantially liquid form;
- introducing the radioisotope into a lumen of the needle;
- and
- detecting radiation emitted from the radioisotope contained in the lumen of the needle using the molecular imaging system.
A method for needle guidance in molecular imaging, comprising the steps of:
- providing a molecular imaging system having one or more radiation detectors and a display for displaying a functional image of tissue of a patient within a region of interest, a hollow needle for performing a medical procedure on the tissue, and a radioisotope in substantially liquid form;
- injecting the radioisotope into the patient;
- introducing the radioisotope into the lumen of the needle;
- detecting radiation emitted from the radioisotope contained in the lumen of the needle and in the tissue within the region of interest using the molecular imaging system;
- and
- displaying a combined image of the radiation detected from the radioisotope contained in the needle and in the patient tissue.
A method for needle guidance in molecular imaging, comprising the steps of:
- providing a molecular imaging system having one or more radiation detectors and a display for displaying a functional image of tissue of a patient within a region of interest, a hollow needle for performing a medical procedure on the tissue, and a radioisotope in substantially liquid form;
- injecting the radioisotope into the patient;
- introducing the radioisotope into the lumen of the needle;
- detecting radiation emitted from the radioisotope contained in the lumen of the needle and in the tissue within the region of interest using the molecular imaging system;
- displaying a combined image of the radiation detected from the radioisotope contained in the needle and in the patient tissue;
- and
- guiding the needle to perform the medical procedure on the tissue by using the combined image or the radiation detected from the radioisotope contained in the needle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.