US 2013/0172739 A1 · MULTI-MODAL MEDICAL IMAGING

Abstract

A nuclear probe and ultrasound transducer are interconnected, such as being in a same hand-held housing. The interconnection aligns the coordinate systems in a known spatial relationship. The ultrasound data is used to detect transducer offset or change in position without a tracking sensor. The radiation detected by the nuclear probe may be reconstructed into an image based on the detected transducer position since the nuclear probe moves with the ultrasound transducer. Both anatomical and functional imaging may be provided together without the complications of calibration and tracking. Where a therapeutic transducer is included, therapy may also be provided. The anatomical and functional information identifies the regions for treatment. The same device, already positioned correctly based on the functional and anatomical imaging, is then used for treatment with high intensity focused ultrasound.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A probe for multi-modal medical imaging and therapy, the probe comprising:

an ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of elements in an array;
a nuclear detector for detecting radiation;
an interconnection between the ultrasound transducer and the nuclear detector;
a handheld housing of the ultrasound transducer, the interconnection providing common movement of the handheld housing of the ultrasound transducer and the nuclear detector during scanning by the ultrasound transducer and detection by the nuclear detector, such that movement of the handheld housing moves the nuclear detector and interconnection;
a processor configured to generate an image representing anatomy from the ultrasound transducer and representing functional information from the nuclear detector, the processor further configured for directing therapy based on a location represented by the functional information.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-modal medical imaging

Life of this patent

Multi-modal medical imaging

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23