Patent ID: 8295577
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: A61B,G06K,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for displaying an image of a device within an occluded tubular organ of a subject, for assisting in navigating the device through an occluded area of the tubular organ, the image representing the device, the occluded area of the tubular organ, an at least one part of the tubular organ proximal to the occluded area of the tubular organ, and an at least one part of the tubular organ distal to the occluded area of the tubular organ, the method comprising: registering a current image taken by an imaging modality showing at least two points of the device, with a last injection image, the last injection image imaging an at least one part of the tubular organ proximal to the occluded area, and a part immediately distal to the occluded area appearing insufficiently distinguishable from background; registering the last injection image with a reference image showing the occluded area, an at least one part of the tubular organ proximal to the occluded area, and an at least one part of the tubular organ distal to the occluded area; fusing information from the current image, the last injection image and the reference image, to obtain a combined image comprising the device, the occluded area of the tubular organ, an at least one part proximal to the occluded area of the tubular organ, and an at least one part distal to the occluded area of the tubular organ.