Patent ID: 6019724
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
A method for generating quasi real-time feedback information about tissue characteristics and the position of anatomical objects relative to at least one tool used during clinical procedures in living biological structures, employing an ultrasound transducer and comprising:acquiring at least one 2D and/or 3D ultrasonic image of anatomical objects in a living biological structure during a clinical procedure,freely moving said at least one tool and/or said ultrasound transducer,localizing said at least one tool and/or tool trajectory thereof in an imaged scene covered by said ultrasonic image,computing visualizations of the imaged scene by utilizing the geometric localizations of said at least one tool in the processing and/or visualization of said ultrasonic images, anddisplaying the resulting visualizations on a display unit in order to provide quasi real-time feedback to the operator.