Patent ID: 6544176
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for placing cryoprobes in a treatment area of a human patient, comprising:a computer system for displaying: an image of a treatment area; a template of suggested cryoprobe placements in the treatment area; and, images of actual cryoprobes placed within the treatment area, said computer system being programmed to perform the steps of: acquiring the image of the treatment area; determining desired dimensions of the treatment area based on the image of the treatment area; determining the optimal cryoprobe placements in the treatment area based on said determined desired dimensions to provide the template of suggested cryoprobe placements; acquiring the images of actual cryoprobes placed within the treatment area; and, overlaying said template of suggested cryoprobe placements on said acquired images of actual cryoprobes, the resulting overlaying being provided on a display of said computer system, thereby allowing the surgeon to compare the actual cryoprobe placements with the optimal cryoprobe placements as determined by said computer system.