US 7,379,769 B2 · Hybrid imaging method to monitor medical device delivery and patient support for use in the method

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An apparatus used in conjunction with imaging and intervention for supporting a patient and transporting the patient to an MR imaging system having a bore, the apparatus comprising:

a transport stretcher including a wheeled base and a pedestal supported on the wheeled base, an upper surface of the pedestal being offset a distance above an upper surface of the wheeled base;
and,
a patient support structure, a portion of which is supported by the pedestal, the patient support structure being attached in a horizontally translatable relationship to the transport stretcher to allow the patient support structure to be movable into and out of the bore, and including a superior section and an inferior section, the inferior section being offset horizontally a distance from the superior section to define an opening therebetween, the inferior section being further connected to the superior section by arches lateral to, the opening of the patient support structure, wherein when the patient support is aligned on the transport stretcher, a portion of the patient support including the opening is projected from the pedestal to provide substantially unrestricted access to a body part of the patient retained in the patient support structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid imaging method to monitor medical device delivery and patient support for use in the method

Life of this patent

Hybrid imaging method to monitor medical device delivery and patient support for use in the method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31