US 9,867,998 B2 · Calibration apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a calibration apparatus for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element like a radiation source into an object, particularly for calibrating a brachytherapy system. First and second images show a longish introduction device (12) like a catheter and a tracking device (16) like an electromagnetically trackable guidewire inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and the introduction device and a calibration element (46) having the same dimensions as the influencing element and being inserted into the introduction device as far as possible. A spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element is determined based on the images for calibrating the system. Knowing this spatial relation allows accurately determining an influencing plan like a brachytherapy treatment plan and accurately positioning the influencing element in accordance with the influencing plan, which in turn allows for a more accurate influencing of the object.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A calibration apparatus for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element into an object, wherein the influencing element is adapted to influence a target region within the object and wherein the calibration apparatus comprises:

an image providing unit for providing a first image showing a longish introduction device, which is adapted to be inserted into the object for introducing the influencing element into the object, and a tracking device, which is adapted to track the introduction device and to be inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and a second image showing the introduction device and a calibration element, which has the same dimensions as the influencing element and which is to be inserted into the introduction device as far as possible;
an identification unit for identifying the tip of the introduction device, the tracking device and the calibration element in the first and second images;
and
a spatial relation determining unit for determining a spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element from the first and second images, in which the tip of the introduction device, the tracking device and the calibration element have been identified.

1 more element

A calibration method for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element into an object, wherein the influencing element is adapted to influence a target region within the object and wherein the calibration method comprises:

providing a first image showing a longish introduction device, which is adapted to be inserted into a living object for introducing an influencing element within the living object, and a tracking device, which is adapted to track the introduction device and which inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and a second image showing the introduction device and a calibration element, which has the same dimensions as the influencing element and which is inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, by an image providing unit;
identifying the tip of the introduction device, the tracking device and the calibration element in the first and second images by an identification unit;
and
determining a spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element from the first and second images, in which the introduction device, the tracking device and the calibration element have been identified, by a spatial relation determining unit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Calibration apparatus

Life of this patent

Calibration apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15