US 5,265,610 A · Multi-planar X-ray fluoroscopy system using radiofrequency fields

Abstract

During an X-ray fluoroscopy procedure, the position and orientation of an invasive device, such as a catheter, are measured with radiofrequency fields. The invasive device has a transient coil attached near its end and is driven by a low power RF source to produce a dipole electromagnetic field that can be detected by an array of receive coils distributed around a region of interest of the subject. Multiple views of the instantaneous position of the invasive device are displayed by superposition of graphic symbols on multiple static X-ray images obtained at multiple view angles. Each view angle is displayed upon a different display means. The X-ray images are obtained only when deemed necessary by the operator to minimize X-ray dose. A single X-ray source and detector may be implemented since it is not necessary to obtain the X-ray images simultaneously.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A tracking and imaging system adapted for following a location of at least one invasive device within a subject, comprising:

a) an invasive device;
b) an electromagnetic (EM) field creation means adapted for creating an electromagnetic field of known geometry within the subject attached to the invasive device;
c) a radiofrequency (RF) receiver means adapted for detecting the electromagnetic field at a plurality of M selected locations;
d) a tracking means adapted for computing a position and an orientation of the EM field creation means at the M selected locations, responsive to the detected electromagnetic field;
e) an imaging means adapted for acquiring at least two medical diagnostic images each at selected view angles with respect to the invasive device;
f) superposition means adapted for superimposing a symbol at the computed position representing the EM field creation means on each of the at least two medical diagnostic images resulting in superimposed images;
and
g) a plurality of display means each display means adapted for displaying a different view of the superimposed images of the invasive device allowing for determination of depth of the invasive device within said subject.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-planar X-ray fluoroscopy system using radiofrequency fields

Life of this patent

Multi-planar X-ray fluoroscopy system using radiofrequency fields

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17