Method and apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during interventional radiological procedures
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJonathan A. Zarge, Nelson R. Corby, Jr.
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Abstract
An apparatus for real-time tracking of a catheter guide wire in a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure includes an image processing unit for processing digitized fluoroscopic images from a fluoroscope image output. The image processor utilizes a novel algorithm for locating the image of a catheter in the fluoroscopic image. The image processor creates a two-dimensional model of the catheter for dynamic display on an operating room live image video monitor.
Claims8
A method for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said method comprising the steps of storing said fluoroscopic images to a stored image video monitor:
- extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiologic procedure by
- a) creating a binary peak image of said path of the catheter and
- b) constructing said a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor;
- and
- superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising:
- a stored image video monitor for storing and displaying selected fluoroscopic images;
- means for extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure;
- and
- means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising means for storing said fluoroscopic images to a stored image video monitor;
- means for extracting pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure comprising
- a) means for creating a binary peak image of said path of said catheter and
- b) means for constructing a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor;
- and
- means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising:
- a stored image video monitor for storing and displaying selected fluoroscopic images;
- a digital computer programmed to extract pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure;
- and
- switching means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
An apparatus for real-time tracking of catheter guide wires in fluoroscopic images during Interventional Radiological procedures utilizing a fluoroscopic examination system including a fluoroscope, an image digitizer with storage capability, a stored image video monitor and a live image video monitor, said apparatus comprising:
- a digital computer programmed to extract pixels from a digitized fluoroscopic image corresponding to the path of a catheter within a patient undergoing an interventional radiological procedure by
- a) creating a binary peak image of said path of said catheter and
- b) constructing a two-dimensional model of said catheter path from said binary peak image for output to said live video image monitor;
- and
- switching means for superimposing on said live image video monitor a visual representation of said catheter path onto a live fluoroscopic output image emanating from said fluoroscope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.