Fusion of anatomical data sets into stereotactic coordinates

A method of image fusion of image data of a patient's body taken by tomographic scanner, comprising the steps of:

• a) taking a first tomographic image data set of said patient's body with respect to a stereotactic coordinate system using a first tomographic scanner;
• b) taking a second tomographic image data set of said patient's body using a second tomographic scanner;
• and,
• c) fusing said first tomographic image data set with said second tomographic image data set, wherein said step of fusing said first tomographic image data set with said second tomographic image data set further comprises transforming said second tomographic image data set into registration with said first tomographic image data set and said stereotactic coordinate system.

A method of image fusion of image data of a patient's body taken by tomographic scanner, comprising the steps of:

• a) taking a first tomographic image data set of said patient's body with respect to a stereotactic coordinate system using a first tomographic scanner;
• b) taking a second tomographic image data set of said patient's body using a second tomographic scanner;
• c) storing said first tomographic image data set and said second tomographic data set in a computer;
• and,
• d) fusing by fusion software in said computer said first tomographic image data set with said second tomographic image data set, wherein said step of fusing by said fusion software in said computer said first tomographic image data set with said second tomographic image data set further comprises transforming said second tomographic image data set into registration with said first tomographic image data set and said stereotactic coordinate system.

A system for image fusion of image data of a patient's body taken by tomographic scanner, comprising:

• a) a first tomographic scanner for obtaining a first tomographic image data set of said patient's body taken with respect to a stereotactic coordinate system;
• b) a second tomographic scanner for obtaining a second tomographic image data set of said patient's body;
• and
• c) a computer adapted to accept said first tomographic image data set and said second tomographic image data set and containing fusion software that fuses mathematically said first tomographic image data set with said second tomographic image data set, wherein said fusion software transforms said second tomographic image data set into registration with said first tomographic image data set and said stereotactic coordinate system.

A system for image data fusion of image data taken of a patient's body by image scanners, comprising:

• a) a localizer structure that is referenced to a stereotactic coordinate system and that is adapted to be placed near the patient's body during tomographic image scanning;
• b) a first tomographic scanner for obtaining a first tomographic image data set of said patient's body, said first tomographic image data set containing index mark data corresponding to an image of said localizer structure placed near said patient's body during scanning using said first tomographic scanner which references said first tomographic image data set with respect to said stereotactic coordinate system;
• c) a second tomographic scanner for obtaining a second tomographic image data set of said patient's body;
• and,
• d) a computer adapted to accept said first tomographic image data set and said second tomographic image data set and containing fusion software that fuses mathematically said first tomographic image data set with said second tomographic image data set, wherein said fusion software transforms said second tomographic image data set into registration with said first tomographic image data set and therefore referenced with respect to said stereotactic coordinate system.