Method for producing high resolution real-time images, of structure and function during medical procedures
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsDouglas L. Packer, Richard A. Robb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Images of a heart are acquired with a high resolution medical imaging system used to construct a dynamic high resolution 4D model. During a medical procedure such as endocardial physiology mapping and ablation, real-time images are produced by an ultrasonic transducer inserted into the heart. The high resolution heart model is registered with the acquired real-time images and used to produce dynamic, high resolution images for display during the medical procedure. An electrical activation map which depicts the spatial distribution of heart wall electrical activation is merged with the anatomic images to facilitate cardiac ablation therapy.
Claims39
A method for producing cardiac images during a medical procedure on a subject, the steps comprising:
- a) acquiring image data of the subject's heart during successive cardiac phases;
- b) reconstructing a high resolution model image of the subject's heart from the acquired image data depicting the heart during successive cardiac phases of its functional cycle;
- c) acquiring low resolution images of the subject anatomy as the medical procedure is being performed;
- d) detecting the cardiac phase as the medical procedure is being performed;
- e) registering the high resolution model image with acquired low resolution images as the medical procedure is being performed using the detected cardiac phase;
- and
- f) displaying high resolution images during the medical procedure which employ the registered high resolution model image.
A method for performing a medical intervention procedure on a subject using a medical device, the steps comprising:
- a) producing an anatomical image of the subject with a medical imaging system and updating the anatomical image in real-time as the medical intervention procedure is performed by periodically acquiring a low resolution image of the subject which depicts the medical device;
- b) acquiring physiological data from the subject with the medical device;
- c) spatially registering the physiological data with the anatomical image by spatially registering a low resolution image acquired at substantially the same time as the physiological data is acquired with the anatomical image to thereby locate the medical device therein;
- d) producing an output image which merges the spatially registered physiological data with the updated anatomical image;
- and
- e) repeating steps b), c) and d) during the medical intervention procedure to display physiological changes in the subject as the intervention procedure is performed.
A method for performing a medical procedure on a subject which moves in a repetitive functional cycle, the steps comprising;
- a) acquiring image data of the subject during successive phases of the functional cycle prior to performing the medical procedure;
- b) reconstructing a model image of the subject which depicts the subject at successive phases of the functional cycle;
- c) storing the model image;
- d) acquiring images of the subject as the medical procedure is being performed;
- e) detecting the phase in the functional cycle of the subject as the medical procedure is being performed;
- and
- f) producing images as the medical procedure is being performed by:
- i) selecting from the stored model image an image which depicts the subject at the currently detected functional cycle phase;
- ii) registering the image selected in step i) with the image currently acquired in step d);
- iii) displaying the registered image;
- and
- iv) repeating steps i), ii), and iii).
A method for performing a medical procedure using a medical device on a subject which moves in a repetitive functional cycle, the steps comprising:
- a) acquiring image data of the subject during successive phases of the functional cycle prior to performing the medical procedure;
- b) reconstructing a model image of the subject which depicts the subject at successive phases of the functional cycle;
- c) storing the model image;
- d) acquiring information as the medical procedure is being performed which indicates the location of the medical device relative to the subject;
- e) detecting the phase in the functional cycle of the subject as the medical procedure is being performed;
- and
- f) producing images as the medical procedure is being performed by:
- i) selecting from the stored model image an image which depicts the subject at the currently detected functional cycle phase;
- ii) registering the medical device with the image selected in step i) using the information currently acquired in step d);
- iii) displaying an image depicting information related to the registered medical device;
- and
- iv) repeating steps i), ii), and iii).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.