The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 23, 1997
Zachary S Spigelman, Newton, MA (US);
Richard H Theriault, Lincoln, MA (US);
Biotrack, Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a medical imaging system are disclosed. The imaging system is particulary suited for surgical procedures performed with respect to a lesion in a breast, although application of the invention is not so limited. An image of a portion of a patient's anatomy can be displayed on a computer. A surgical instrument and a lesion within the patient's anatomy can be displayed, showing the relative positions of each. A portion of the patient's anatomy can be monitored using markers or sensors that report position relative to an external reference point. Movement of a lesion within soft tissue can be calculated and displayed in response to changes in position or shape of the soft tissue. Accordingly, position of a lesion within a breast can be tracked in response to changes in the shape of the breast as the patient is moved or the breast is manipulated during the procedure. The system can show multiple views, can appropriately magnify the view when the instrument is in a critical position and can provide other signals assisting a surgeon in performing a procedure. Sensors and instruments for use in the system are disclosed. The procedure can be recorded for playback.