Patent ID: 6678545
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: A61B,B82Y

Abstract:
A system comprising:a base fixed in relation to a subject; an imaging probe configured to scan the subject and provide scan images of the subject; an array of receivers in communication with the base and the imaging probe; a first plurality of reference points fixed in relation to the base, the first plurality of reference points in communication with the array; a second plurality of reference points fixed in relation to the imaging probe, the second plurality of reference points in communication with the array; and a processor in communication with the imaging probe and the array, wherein (i) the processor is configured to calculate a position of the first reference points relative to the array based on the communication between the first reference points and the array, thereby calculating a position of the base relative to the array, and calculating a position of the subject relative to the array; (ii) the processor is configured to calculate a position of the second reference points relative to the array based on the communication between the second reference points and the array, thereby calculating a position of the imaging probe relative to the array; (iii) the processor is configured to calculate a position of the imaging probe relative to the subject based on the calculated positions of the subject relative to the array and the imaging probe relative to the array; and (iv) the processor is configured to calculate the position in the scan images corresponding to the position of the imaging probe relative to the subject.