Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

U.S. Philips Corporation

Koninklijke Phillips Electronics N.v.

J&ouml;rg Sabczynski

Volker Rasche

Waldemar Zylka

J&uuml;rgen Weese

Johannes J Van Vaals

Georg Schmitz

Thomas K&ouml;hler

Waldermar Zylka

The invention relates to a method enabling the localization of objects, for example surgical instruments, in interventional radiology. The method utilizes the known geometrical shape of the object to be localized in order to simulate projections therefrom for comparison with real projection images. Optimum correspondence between simulation and real image yields the desired object position and object orientation. The invention is based on digital image processing and can be used in conjunction with customary radiological diagnostic apparatus such as C-arm fluoroscopy apparatus, computed tomography apparatus or magnetic resonance tomography apparatus. Objects to be localized can be provided with markers whose spatial position yields an unambiguous projection image.

Method of localizing objects in interventional radiology

Method and device for determining the position of a medical instrument, partially introduced into an object being examined, in a three-dimensional image data set of the object. In order to achieve a high accuracy of the position determination and minimize the expenditure required and thus save intricate registration steps prior to an intervention, simultaneously with the acquisition of an X-ray image, the spatial positions of the X-ray image and the spatial position of a medical instrument are acquired. Then, the spatial correlation between an X-ray image and a three-dimensional image data set is determined. This correlation is used to transform the spatial position of the medical instrument into a position relative to the three-dimensional image data set. This enables the formation of images containing image information acquired pre-operatively as well as intra-operatively, and also the reproduction of the instantaneous position of the medical instrument in the images.

Method of determining the position of a medical instrument

The invention relates to an X-ray device, notable a device for X-ray fluoroscopy, which includes an X-ray source and an X-ray detector for the continuous formation of X-ray images of a patient ( ) from an invariable position of the X-ray source ( ) and the X-ray detector ( ). The invention includes indicator means for illuminating and/or monitoring essentially the radiation zone over the patient which is traversed by X-rays. This offers the advantage that for the physician it quasi visualizes or monitors the radiation zone which is traversed by X-rays during a treatment with simultaneous formation of X-ray images so that the physician can make sure that he or she, notably his or her hands, is not inadvertently exposed to a continuous X-ray dose.

X-ray device

The invention relates to an X-ray examination apparatus for and a method of forming distortion-free X-ray images, which apparatus and method enable the imaging properties of the C-arm X-ray system to be derived from the patient image. To this end, a reference image (FIG. ) is formed in a reference orientation of the X-ray examination apparatus and the reference imaging properties of the C-arm X-ray system are determined on the basis of the positions of calibration members ( ), which are mounted on the image intensifier ( ) and/or the X-ray source ( ) and are reproduced, and the known geometry and position relative to the image intensifier ( ) and/or the X-ray source ( ); the positions of the calibration members ( ) reproduced in a patient X-ray image (FIG. ) are compared with the positions of the calibration members ( ) in the reference image (FIG. ) and distortions occurring in the patient X-ray image are corrected on the basis of differences between the reproduced positions of the calibration members ( ) in the patient X-ray image (FIG. ) and in the reference image (FIG. ).

Growing community of inventors

Norderstedt, Germany

Jörg Sabczynski

Growing community of inventors

Norderstedt, Germany

J&ouml;rg Sabczynski

Jörg Sabczynski