Patent ID: 6390982
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: A61B,A61N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method comprising the steps of:imaging at least a portion of a patient with a first imaging technique to provide a first set of imaging data, the first set of imaging data having a fixed frame of reference; imaging at least a part of the patient with a second imaging technique, the part of the patient including at least some of the portion of the patient, the second imaging technique using an ultrasound device to provide a second set of imaging data, the second set of imaging data being 3D data relative to the ultrasound device and not being fixed relative to the fixed frame of reference, the ultrasound device being operable to provide the 3D data without relative movement between the ultrasound device and the patient; determining position data for the ultrasound device; using the determined position data and the second set of imaging data to provide a converted set of imaging data corresponding to the second set of imaging data being referenced to the fixed frame of reference; and combining the converted set of image data with at least some of the first set of imaging data to provide a composite set of imaging data.