Patent ID: 8180130
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method of determining a radial distance (R), an angular position (φ), and an axial position (Z) of a marker identified in a sequence of projection images, the method executed by an imaging system including a scanner, a computer with an electronic processing unit, and a memory module storing a marker three-dimensional localization module executable by the electronic processing unit, the method comprising: obtaining, at the computer, a sequence of images based on image data generated by the scanner, each image in the sequence of images representing an angle of rotation by the scanner and including a marker point position with a first value in a first dimension tangential to a circle of rotation of the scanner and a second value in a second dimension parallel to an axis of rotation of the scanner; analyzing, with the electronic processing unit, a behavior of the first values of the marker point positions through the sequence of images to determine the radial distance of the marker and the angular position of the marker, wherein analyzing the behavior of the first values of the marker point positions includes: analyzing, with the electronic processing unit, a behavior of the second values of the marker point positions through the sequence of images to determine the axial position of the marker.