Patent ID: 6505065
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus (1) for planning placement of objects within the body of the patient by a minimally invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising:an image device (20) scanning the patient to generate a volumetric image data set of the patient; a human readable device (32, 36, 128) for displaying an image (162) of the patient derived from said volumetric image data set; means (132-154) for selecting a virtual target point (182) in said image of the patient by identifying a first set of virtual coordinates in said image of the patient; means (132-154) for selecting a virtual trajectory (184) for inserting an object into said patient by identifying a virtual path extending from said selected virtual target point (182) and out from the body of the patient; and, display means (164, 166, 168) for displaying said virtual trajectory (184) from said selected virtual target point and out from the body of the patient on said human readable display (32, 36, 128) together with said image (162) of the patient.