Source: http://www.google.ca/patents/US20110054293
Timestamp: 2017-12-18 10:58:36
Document Index: 608779892

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'art 84', 'art 84', 'art 84', 'art 84', 'art 84', 'art 84', 'art 130', 'art 250', 'art 250', 'art 80', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 250', 'art 250', 'art 250', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 84']

Patent US20110054293 - Combination Localization System - Google Patents
A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more navigation modalities to navigate a single instrument in a volume. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within the volume....http://www.google.ca/patents/US20110054293?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20110054293 - Combination Localization System
Publication number US20110054293 A1
Application number US 12/844,065
Also published as EP2473130A2, US8494614, WO2011026077A2, WO2011026077A3
Publication number 12844065, 844065, US 2011/0054293 A1, US 2011/054293 A1, US 20110054293 A1, US 20110054293A1, US 2011054293 A1, US 2011054293A1, US-A1-20110054293, US-A1-2011054293, US2011/0054293A1, US2011/054293A1, US20110054293 A1, US20110054293A1, US2011054293 A1, US2011054293A1
Inventors H. Toby Markowitz, Kenneth Gardeski, Jean Carver, Kendra Yasger, Michael R. Neldert, Lane A. Phillips, Laurent Verard, Steven L. Hartmann, Andrew Bzostek, Bradley A. Jascob
Original Assignee Medtronic, Inc., Regents Of The University Of Minnesota
Patent Citations (100), Referenced by (45), Classifications (9), Legal Events (2)
US 20110054293 A1
A navigation system or combination of navigation systems can be used to provide two or more navigation modalities to navigate a single instrument in a volume. For example, both an Electromagnetic (EM) and Electropotential (EP) navigation system can be used to navigate an instrument within the volume. Image data can also be illustrated relative to a tracked position of the instrument in the volume for navigation.
1. A method of correlating a first coordinate system of a first tracking system and a second coordinate system of a second tracking system, comprising:
determining a registration of the first coordinate system of the first tracking system and the second coordinate system of the second tracking system;
determining a displacement between a selected determined position of the first tracking system and the second tracking system; and
translating a first selected position of the first tracking system relative to a second selected position of the second tracking system based on the determined registration.
synchronizing a timing of a determination of a position with the first tracking system and the second tracking system including the selected determined position.
determining the selected determined position with a single instrument having a first tracking device trackable with a first tracking system and a second tracking device trackable with a second tracking system.
determining a physical distance, direction, or both between the first tracking device and the second tracking device relative to each other on the single instrument.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the selected determined position is a determined position of a single physical location that is determined with both the first tracking system and the second tracking system.
determining a plurality of selected determined positions with the single instrument;
wherein each of the selected determined positions is a position determined with both a first tracking system and a second tracking system by tracking the respective tracking device.
determining a transformation of at least a sub-plurality of the plurality of selected determined positions between the first tracking system and the second tracking system.
determining an affine transformation as the determined transformation; and
transforming a first tracking system determined position to a second tracking system determined position.
determining the first selected position with the first tracking system;
wherein translating a first selected position to a second selected position of the second tracking system includes transforming the first selected position with the determined transformation.
acquiring image data having an image data coordinate system;
registering the second coordinate system of the second tracking system to the image data coordinate system of image data; and
illustrating the first selected position relative to the displayed image data based upon the translation of the first selected position with the determined transformation.
displaying the acquired image data; and
displaying a position of an instrument superimposed on the displayed image data.
generating an electromagnetic field relative to an anatomy to define the second coordinate system of the second tracking system;
positioning axis injection electrodes relative to the anatomy to inject a current between respective pairs of axis electrodes into the anatomy to define the first coordinate system of the first tracking system; and
operating the first tracking system and the second tracking system substantially simultaneously to determine the selected determined position with both the first tracking system and the second tracking system.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected determined position includes a first tracking system selected determined position displaced a known distance and orientation from a second tracking system selected determined position.
14. A method of correlating a first coordinate system of a first tracking system and a second coordinate system of a second tracking system, comprising:
synchronously collecting a first registration position data with the first tracking system having a first coordinate system and a second registration position data with the second tracking system having a second coordinate system;
transforming the first registration position data collected with the first tracking system relative to the second registration position data collected with the second tracking system;
collecting a first set of position data with the first tracking system and a second set of position data with the second tracking system;
determining a plurality of vectors, wherein one vector is determined between each synchronously related position data in the first set and the second set;
generating a look-up table of the determined vectors; and
interpolating position data collected with the first tracking system to register the first coordinate system to the second coordinate system of the second tracking system.
obtaining image data of a patient having an image data coordinate system; and
registering the second coordinate system to the image data coordinate system;
wherein interpolating the position data includes displaying the position data on a display device relative to the image data.
determining a position of an instrument with only the second tracking system.
illustrating an icon super-imposed on the obtained image data of the patient based on the determined position of the instrument with the second tracking system and the registration of the second coordinate system to the image data coordinate system and the interpolated position data collected with the first tracking system.
determining a transformation between the first registration position data and the second registration position data determined with the respective first and second tracking systems.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein determining the transformation includes optimizing an affine transformation including translating the first registration position data to center at an origin, scaling a first registration position data, rotating the first registration and position data around a selected axis, and translating the first registration position data from the origin to a center of the second registration position data.
determining a relative position between a first tracking device trackable with the first tracking system and a second tracking device trackable with the second tracking system;
wherein the first registration position data is determined with the first tracking device and the second registration position data is determined with the second tracking device.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein collecting the first set of position data and collecting the second set of position data is collected respectively with the first tracking device and the second tracking device;
wherein determining the plurality of vectors includes determining a vector based upon the known position of the first tracking device and the second tracking device;
wherein generating the look-up table includes storing the plurality of the vectors in a memory device.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein generating a look-up table includes storing the plurality of vectors in an octree arrangement.
collecting a map set of position data with the second tracking system;
wherein interpolating position data includes accessing the octree to determine the eight (8) nearest cells of a selected position and interpolating the displacement of the map position data points in the map position data;
wherein the interpolation of the map position data determines the position of the map position data relative to the first coordinate system.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein interpolating position data includes interpolating the collected second set of position data to determine an interpolated coordinate of at least a selected sub-plurality of the second set of position data;
wherein the interpolated coordinate is a coordinate of the interpolated second position data point in the first tracking system coordinate system.
25. A method of correlating a first coordinate system of a first tracking system and a second coordinate system of a second tracking system, comprising:
obtaining image data of a patient having an image data coordinate system;
registering the image data coordinate system with the second coordinate system of the second tracking system, wherein the second coordinate system of the second tracking system is substantially Euclidean and generated by an electromagnetic localizer;
synchronously collecting a first position data with the first tracking system and a second position data with the second tracking system;
determining a transformation between the first position data and the second position data;
synchronously collecting a plurality of third position data with the first tracking system and a plurality of fourth position data with the second tracking system;
determining a plurality of vectors between synchronously related third position data and fourth position data;
generating a three-dimensional look-up table of the determined vectors;
collecting fifth position data with the first tracking system; and
interpolating the fifth position data relative to the second coordinate system to relate the fifth position data to the registration of the second coordinate system and the image coordinate system.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein registering the image data coordinate system with the second coordinate system includes locating positions in a patient space with the second tracking system and identifying the same related locations in an image space of the obtained image data;
wherein obtaining a location in patient space includes tracking a second tracking device with the second tracking system.
synchronizing the collection of the first position data with the second position data and the third position data with the fourth position data by at least one of inputting a signal into the first tracking system and the second tracking system substantially simultaneously, measuring a physical change in a patient with the both the first tracking system and the second tracking system, transmitting a timing signal from one of the first tracking system and the second tracking system to the other of the first tracking system and the second tracking system, or combinations thereof;
wherein synchronously collecting a first position data and a second position data and synchronously collecting a plurality of third position data and plurality of fourth position data includes collecting position data with the first tracking system and the second tracking system substantially simultaneously.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first position data and the plurality of third position data are collected with a first tracking device and the second position data and the plurality of fourth position data are collected with a second tracking device;
wherein the first tracking device and the second tracking device are substantially fixed relative to one another on a single instrument.
determining the fixed relative position of the first tracking device to the second tracking device, the second tracking device to the first tracking device or combinations thereof.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein determining the transformation between the first position data and the second position data includes, determining a transformation between a plurality of first position data wherein each of the plurality of the first position data is collected synchronously with each of the plurality of second position data;
wherein the transformation of the plurality of first position data to the second position data includes determining a best fit transformation of each of the synchronously related first position data and second position data.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the synchronously collected the plurality of first position data, second position data, third position data, and fourth position data are all used to determine a plurality of vectors between the synchronously related plurality of first position data and third position data with the respective plurality of second position data and fourth position data;
wherein the determined plurality of vectors identifies a distance and orientation between the plurality of first position data and third position data and the respective plurality of second position data and plurality of fourth position data.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein interpolating the fifth position data includes accessing the generated three-dimensional look-up table of the determined vectors, determining a location of the fifth position data, determining the eight (8) nearest cells to the position of the fifth position data in the look-up table, and interpolating the fifth position data to the second coordinate system.
displaying on a display device the obtained image data; and
super-imposing on the displayed obtained image data a graphical representation of an instrument based on the interpolated position of the fifth position data;
wherein collecting the fifth position data with the first tracking system includes determining the position of the instrument only with a first tracking device tracked with the first tracking system.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/238,623, filed on Aug. 31, 2009.
This application also includes subject matter similar to that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith on ______ (Attorney Docket No. 5074D-000060), titled “COMBINATION LOCALIZATION SYSTEM.”
The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
An instrument can include one or more tracking sensors to be used with two or more navigation systems during a single procedure. In addition, a method can be used to register the two navigation systems during a single procedure. The registration of the two navigation systems can allow all or a determination of a selected number of points within one navigational domain to coordinate or correspond to all or a selected number of points in a second navigational domain. For example, a surgical instrument can include a single tracking sensor that can be tracked within two navigation modalities. Also, a surgical instrument with a single tracking sensor can be moved relative to a second tracking sensor, where each of the tracking sensors are tracked in different navigation modalities. According to various embodiments, when a first tracking sensor is positioned at a known location relative to a second tracking sensor, a navigation volume or domain of the first navigation system can be registered to a navigation volume or domain of a second navigation system. In this way, a first and second navigation system can be registered for navigating a tracking sensor or a surgical instrument within the two navigation modalities.
FIG. 7A-7C are detailed flowcharts of registration of two tracking systems, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of navigating a registered instrument;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a registration or corresponding method for two tracking systems, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 9A is an illustration of placement of position data points;
FIG. 10 is an illustration of an instrument for tracking with two tracking systems, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 11 is an illustration of an instrument for tracking with two tracking systems, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 12A is a schematic illustration of an instrument for tracking with two tracking systems, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 12B is a schematic illustration of an instrument for tracking with two tracking systems, according to various embodiments;
FIG. 13 is an illustration of a display device illustrating two types of image data;
FIG. 14 is an illustration of image data with icons illustrating a location of an instrument with two tracking systems;
FIG. 15A is a plan view of a calibration jig with one instrument associated therewith,
FIG. 15A′ is a plan view of an alternative calibration jig system with one instrument associated therewith; and
FIG. 15B is a plan view of a calibration jig with two instruments associated therewith.
A surgical navigation system 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. A first tracking system can include an electropotential (EP) tracking system 22. A second tracking system can include an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system 24. Appropriate tracking systems can include those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/117,537, filed on May 8, 2008 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0097805, published on May 20, 2004, both incorporated herein by reference. The first and second tracking systems 22, 24 can be used to track a surgical instrument 26. The surgical instrument 26 can be any appropriate instrument, including a lead used as a part of an implantable medical device (IMD) for heart rhythm treatment, neurological treatment, ablation, or other appropriate purposes.
In certain procedures having two tracking systems can be useful. Exemplary procedures using a lead can include left heart applications. In the left heart application an electrode on a lead might not be exposed to blood for position determination with the EP tracking system 24. Accordingly, a position element or tracking sensor associated with the EM tracking system 24 can be used to determine a position of the instrument within the patient 36. Also, the registration of the EM tracking system 24 to image data can be used to assist in illustrating vasculature relative to the heart of the patient 36.
Certain right heart applications also may be more easily tracked with the EP tracking system 22 as opposed to the EM tracking system 24. For example, a stylet including an EM tracking device can be positioned through a lead. In various procedures, however, the stylet can be removed from a portion of the lead to allow the lead to be substantially less rigid and more flexible. Once the stylet is removed from the lead the exact position of the lead may not be trackable with the EM tracking system 24. When the stylet is removed, the lead electrode can be tracked with the EP tracking system 22.
Further, various procedures, such as ablation procedures, use RF energy. RF energy can affect or interfere with the EM tracking system 24. Accordingly, the EP tracking system 22 can be used during or subsequent to RF ablation to continue or maintain tracking of a device.
The surgical navigation system 20 used in the various procedure discussed above or herein, can also include various components in addition to the tracking systems 22, 24, such as an imaging system 30. The imaging system 30 can be any appropriate imaging system and is exemplary illustrated as a fluoroscopic C-arm system 32. Other imaging systems can include computed tomography (CT) imaging systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging systems. The imaging systems 30 can be used by a surgeon 34 to image a patient 36 prior to (preoperatively), during (intraoperatively), or after (postoperatively) a procedure. Imaging the patient 36 can create image data that can be viewed on a display device 38 or a display device 40. The display device 38, 40 can be provided alone, such as on a stand 42 or with a processing system as a part of a workstation or processing system 44. The image data can be transferred from the imaging system 30 through a data transmission system 46, such as a wired or wireless transmission system, to the display devices 38, 40.
The EP tracking system 22 can include components to generate a current in the patient 36. The EP tracking system can include or be based on the Localisa™ intracardiac tracking system sold by Medtronic, Inc. having a place of business in Minneapolis, Minn. The EP tracking system 22 can also include portions disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,377 or 5,983,126 to Wittkampf, incorporated herein by reference
Briefly, the EP tracking system 22 can include a pair of axis electrodes, which can also be referred to as a localizer, operable to generate a current within a volume, such as the patient 36. The axis electrodes can include three pairs of axis electrodes to generate three substantially orthogonal axes of current within the patient 26 (also see FIG. 4). The axis electrodes can include a first pair 60 a, 60 b, a second pair 62 a, 62 b, and a third pair 64 a, 64 b. The axis can be defined between selected patch pairs, as discussed below, by an alternating current that is generated between any pair of the axis electrodes. For example, the first pair of axis electrodes 60 a and 60 b can be positioned on a left and right side of the patient 36 to define an X-axis when a current is generated between the two axis electrodes 60 a and 60 b.
The substantially orthogonal axis of current, defined by the plurality of patches discussed above, can be used to determine or calculate a location of a tracking device 70. The tracking device 70 can include a first or EP tracking device 70 a and a second or EM tracking device 70 b. The EP tracking system 22 can be used to track the EP tracking device 70 a. The first tracking device 70 a can sense voltages in the patient 36 based upon the induced currents between any pair of the axis electrodes 60 a-64 b. The voltages can be related to a position of the first tracking device 70 a in the patient 36.
The pairs of axis electrodes 60 a-64 b can be driven with a generator in a controller 72 that is connected via wires or wirelessly with the axis electrodes 60 a-64 b. The generator can provide the power to generate the alternating currents in the patient 36 between the respective the axis electrodes 60 a-64 b. The controller 72 can also include a connection for the instrument 26 to communicate a signal from the tracking device 70 to the controller. The connection with the instrument 26 can be wired or wireless, according to various embodiments. In addition, the controller 72 can include a processor portion or simply be a transmitter to transmit signals from the tracking device 70. Signals can be transmitted from the controller 72 to the processor system 44 with a transmission system 74. The transmission system 74 can be a wired or wireless transmission system.
The patient space can be registered to the image space of the image data 80 according to any appropriate technique, including those discussed herein. Generally, however, the patient space is registered to the image data 80 to allow for displaying or a super imposing an icon or representation of a tracked device, for example the surgical instrument 26, over the image data 80 on the display device 38, 40. Registration generally allows for a transformation of the image data to the patient space. Various registration techniques can include contour matching, fiducial or point matching, automatic registration, or any other appropriate registration. For example, various landmarks or fiducials can be identified in the image data 80 and the same fiducials or landmarks can be identified in the patient 36, such as within the heart 84. The image data 80 can then be transformed to the patient space of the patient 36 so that a proper location of a superimposed icon 26 i can be shown relative to the image data 80 of the heart 84. Registration techniques can include those discussed in the U.S. patent applications incorporated above. In addition, as discussed herein, the EP tracking system 22 can be registered to the EM tracking system 24. The registration of the EP tracking system 22 to the EM tracking system 24 can allow navigation of the EP tracking device 70 a with the image data 80.
The two tracking devices 70 a, 70 b can be used with respective tracking systems 22, 24. The first tracking device 70 a can sense a voltage or determine bioimpedance (such as an impedance of a tissue of the patient 36) because of the induced currents from the axis electrodes 60 a-64 b. The currents generate voltages that can be sensed with the EP tracking device 70 a. The voltages sensed by the EP tracking device 70 a can be transmitted to the controller 72 with an appropriate communication line, such as a conductor 106. The conductor 106 can be conductively coupled to the EP tracking device 70 a. It will be understood that although the EP tracking device 70 a is illustrated as the tip electrode 90 of the lead assembly 92, that the EP tracking device 70 a can also include an alternative EP tracking device 70 a′ formed as a part of the sheath 94. Regardless of the position of the EP tracking device 70 a, its contact (e.g. by removal of a portion of insulation around the electrode) with a conductive medium or electrolyte of the patient 36 can increase and provide efficiency of detecting an appropriate voltage. The voltage sensed by the EP tracking device 70 a can be used to determine the position of the EP tracking device 70 a as discussed further herein and also described in the above incorporated U.S. patent applications and patents.
The catheter assembly 122 can include the tracking device 70′ as a single unit or device including an EP tracking device 70 a′ and one or more windings of an EM tracking device 70 b′. The EM tracking device 70 b′ can be positioned substantially over or around the EP tracking device 70 a′. The EP tracking device 70 a′ can include an annular ring that is molded into or formed with the catheter assembly 122. The EP tracking device 70 a′ can be used with the EP tracking system 22 similar to the distal tip electrode 90 of the lead assembly 92. The EM tracking device 70 b′ can be used with the EM tracking system 24 similar to the windings 102, 104 of the EM tracking device 70 b. Nevertheless, the EP tracking device 70 a′ and the EM tracking device 70 b′ can be positioned substantially atop one another. This allows for the tracked position of the EP tracking device 70 a′ and the tracked position of the EM tracking device 70 b′ to be substantially coincident throughout a tracked procedure. A signal from either of the EP tracking device 70 a′ or the EM tracking device 70 b′ can be transmitted along or with a communication system 124. For example, the EM tracking device 70 b′ can include a wired or wireless transmission system.
Again, it will be understood, that the tracking device 70′ can be tracked with the two tracking systems 22, 24. As discussed above, the electrode of the EP tracking device 70 a′ can sense the voltages within the patient 36. The EM tracking device 70 b′ can sense a magnetic field or electromagnetic field or transmit a magnetic field or electromagnetic field. Accordingly, the single tracking device 70′ can be used with two or more tracking systems 22, 24 to determine a location of the tracking device 70′ and the catheter and lead assembly 120. It will be further understood that the tip electrode 90 of the lead assembly 121 can also be used as the EP tracking device with the EP tracking system 22.
The navigation method 130 can include starting in start block 132. The image data 80 can then be acquired in block 134. In addition, with reference to FIG. 6, the image data 80 can be displayed on the display device 40. As discussed above, an icon 92 i can be superimposed on the image data 80 to represent a location of an appropriate instrument, such as the surgical instrument 26. The image data 80 can include three dimensional or two dimensional image data that is acquired for representation or illustration of a portion of the patient 36. It will be further understood that the image data 80 acquired in block 134 can be image data that is acquired preoperatively, intraoperatively, or at any appropriate time. It may also include a combination of preoperative and intraoperative image data. For example, preoperative image data can be merged or registered with intraoperative image data according to any appropriate technique. For example, 2D to 3D image registration can occur as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/644,680 filed Aug. 20, 2003, incorporated herein by reference.
The registration of the image data 80 to the patient space can be performed with the EM tracking system 24. The EM tracking system 24, including the localizer 76, can generate a field and navigation space which can be substantially known and is definable in Euclidean coordinates. The known navigation space can be efficiently and directly registered to Euclidean coordinates of the image data 80. The known field of the EM localizer 76 allows a detected change in the field sensed with the EM localizer 76 to be directly related to a distinct position or movement in the field at substantially all points in the field. In other words, a detected movement of the EM tracking device 70 b generally results in the same signal change regardless of the position of the EM tracking device 70 b within the field generated by the EM localizer 76. Also, every space in the EM navigation domain is known due to the uniform electromagnetic field. Accordingly, a coordinate system identified or defined by the EM tracking system 24 can be substantially known and efficiently applied to the coordinate system of the image data 80.
The registration of the image data 80 to the patient space identified with the EM tracking system 24 can be performed in any appropriate manner. As discussed above, point, contour, or any other appropriate registration processes can be used. For example, the EM tracking device 70 b can be positioned relative to known fiducials or landmarks within the patient 36 and similar or related landmarks or fiducials can be identified in the image data 80. The processor system 44, or any appropriate processor system, can then be used to register the points in the image data 80 to the points of the patient space. Once the registration has occurred, the image data 80 is registered to the patient space identified or within the navigation space defined by the EM tracking system 24.
When moving the lead relative to the catheter 100, it can be determined when the EP tracking device 70 a moves past or is near the coils 102, 104 of the EM tracking device 70 b in block 156. Various mechanisms can be used to determine when the EP electrode 70 a moves past the EM tracking device 70 b. For example, a change in impedance, measured voltage, or other determinations can be measured with the EL electrode 70 a and used to determine when the EP electrode is next to or immediately past the EM tracking device 70 b.
Registration of the EP tracking system 22 with of the second navigation space, such as that of the EM tracking system 24, can allow for image navigation of the instrument 26 tracked with only the EP tracking system 22. The navigation space of the EP tracking system 22 may not be substantially uniform or strictly aligned with the coordinates that were used to acquire the image data 80. For example, the tissue of the patient 36 may not be substantially uniform impedance. For example, the impedance of muscle tissue may be substantially different from the impedance of blood or other electrolyte. Accordingly, a particular change in voltage may not always be related to a single physical quantity of movement amount of the EP tracking device 70 a. Movement of the EP tracking device 70 a within the patient 36, however, can be measured using the EP tracking system 22 once it is registered with a tracking system, such as the EM tracking system 24, which can be registered to the image data 80. A registered position of the EP tracking device 70 a can be superimposed on the image data 80. Therefore, a position of the EP tracking device 70 a can be superimposed on the image data 80 even if a non-uniform navigation space is generated with the EP tracking system 22.
Turning to FIG. 7C, a registration method 138 c is illustrated. The registration method 138 c can include positioning the EM tracking device 70 b at a known location in the patient 36 or other navigable space in block 184. The EM tracking device 70 b can be any appropriate device, for example the second tracked instrument 26 b illustrated in FIG. 4. The second tracked device 26 b can be a second instrument moved relative to the patient 36, a dynamic reference frame (DRF) fixed relative to the patient 36, or any appropriate device including the EM tracking device 70 b. For example, the DRF 26 b′ can be positioned relative to the patient 36 at a fixed and known location. The known location of the DRF 26 b′ can be determined in any appropriate manner. For example, a registration probe (not illustrated) can be moved relative to the DRF 26 b′ to determine the location of the DRF 26 b′. In addition, the DRF 26 b′ can be positioned or include a fiducial that is identified in the image data 80 to allow for identification and registration to the image data 80. Alternatively, if the second instrument 26 b is a moveable instrument, it can be moved to a landmark that can also be identified within the image data 80.
It will be further understood that when two tracked instruments 26 a, 26 b are provided, they can be positioned at a known position and orientation relative to one another to allow for registration to occur in block 188. For example, the first tracked instrument 26 a can be positioned at a known position and orientation relative to the DRF 26 b′. The DRF 26 b′ can be tracked with one of the two tracking systems and the first tracked instrument 26 a with the other tracking system and registration can occur. In other words, knowing a position and orientation of the DRF 26 b′ and position and orientation of the EP tracking device 70 a relative to the DRF 26 b′ can allow for registration of the two tracking systems 22, 24 even if the two tracking devices 70 a, 70 b are not in substantially identical locations. As discussed above, imaging systems can be used to determine or identify the known locations of the two tracking devices 70 a, 70 b.
Registration of the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24 can also occur by providing the EP tracking device 70 a and the EM tracking device 70 b substantially at the same position on the tracked instrument 26, as illustrated with the instrument 120 in FIG. 3. When the tracking device 70 has substantially only one location for both the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24 a complex determination of registration is not otherwise required, including positioning the EP tracking device 70 a relative to the EM tracking device 70 b. Because the two tracking devices are at substantially the same or corresponding point, the tracked position of the EM tracking device 70 b with the EM tracking system 24 can be used to correspond the position of the EP tracking device 70 a inherently since all positions determined with the EM tracking device 70 b are inherently registered with the EP tracking device 70 a. Therefore, the coordinate system of the EM tracking system 24 can be used to illustrate a position of the EP tracking device 70 a on the image data 80 at all times. This can allow or be used to acquire more than one point that is the same position with both of the tracking devices 70 a and 70 b. This can assist in registration of the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24. It will be understood, however, that the two tracking devices 70 a and 70 b need not be the same device to acquire more than one point that is at the same position with both of the tracking devices 70 a and 70 b.
In addition, the electrode 92 of the lead 90 can be used as the EP tracking device 70 a. The tip electrode 92 can be implanted in the heart 84. Accordingly, image data 80, which can be pre- or intra-operatively acquired, can be used to identify or suggest a selected location of the lead tip 92. By registering the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 a selected location identified relative to the image data 80 can be used to guide the electrode 92 to an appropriate or selected location for implantation. An additional tracking device, such as the EM tracking device 70 b, is not required to track the electrode 92 to a selected location within the heart 84 with the image data 80 because of the registration of the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22. Suggesting a placement of a lead tip can be based on any appropriate information, such as historical data, statistical data, or atlas models. Exemplary suggestion systems include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0097806, published on May 20, 2004, incorporated herein by reference.
As discussed above, the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 can be used for different tracking purposes or in different locations. In addition, the EP tracking system 22 may not generate an appropriate signal in various portions of the patient 36. For example, if the EP tracking device 70 a is not positioned within a portion of the patient 36 that includes an electrolyte or appropriately conducted material, a voltage may not be generated relative to the EP tracking device 70 a when a current is induced in the patient 36. Therefore, the EM tracking device 70 b can be used to track the position of the instrument 26 relative to the patient 36.
According to various embodiments, the EP tracking device 70 a can be substantially smaller than the EM tracking device 70 b. For example, the EP tracking device 70 a may only include a single wire or small conductive member to act as an electrode, and, thus have small dimensions. The small dimensions of the electrode of the EP tracking device 70 a can allow it to move to selected locations, such as within the heart 84, which may not be accessible with a larger tracking device, such as the EM tracking device 70 b. Therefore, providing the EP Tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24 can allow for tracking the surgical device 26, or any appropriate device, with more than one modality.
In addition, the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be used for complementary purposes. For example, the EM tracking system 24 may have a higher accuracy than the EP tracking system 22. Therefore the EM tracking system 24 can be used to determine locations of various landmarks for registration, while the EP tracking system 22 is used for navigation of the instrument 26 for implantation. Also, if location and size permits, the EM tracking system 24 can be used to confirm a location of the instrument 26 after implantation.
Further, the EM tracking system 24 can track the tracking device 70 b in the absence of a conductive material. Thus, the EP tracking device 70 a can be used to track the instrument when a conductive medium and current is present (e.g. within the heart 84) and the EM tracking device 70 b can be used to track the instrument 26 when the conductive medium is not present. For example, if a catheter were placed in or made to traverse a volume surrounded by air, such as the windpipe or puncture a lung and get in an air sac, the EP tracking system 22 may not be able to track the EP tracking device 70 a.
The flow chart 130 illustrating the method for registering or coordinating dual or two tracking system types illustrates a general overview of a registration, also referred to as a corresponding, method. It will be understood, however, that the registration of two tracking systems can be performed according to any appropriate method. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a flow chart 250 illustrates a method of registering the coordinates of the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24. The EP tracking system 22 can generate a navigational domain by injecting a current into the patient 36 to define patient space with injection or axis electrodes. The EM tracking system 24 can generate a navigational domain in patient space with an EM localizer that generates EM fields. Registering the two tracking systems 22, 24 is understood to allow a position determined with one of the tracking systems to be corresponded or registered to or known in the coordinates of the other tracking system. This can further allow illustration of a position of a tracked instrument on registered image data.
The method according to the flowchart 250 can start in block 251 and then proceed through three main phases. In the first phase, in block 252 the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24 are registered to one another. In the second phase, in block 270 the displacement of the EP determined physical (patient space) position relative to the EM determined physical (patient space) position of the tracked instrument is determined and saved or stored. In the third phase, in block 280 the EP position data is corrected or interpolated to illustrate or output the registered or corresponding position of the EM tracking system 24 based on the registration and the determined displacement in the first and second phases.
Phase I: Register EM Tracking System Coordinates and EP Tracking System Coordinates in Block 252.
1. Synchronize Time or Data Position Collection in Two Tracking Systems in Block 258, e.g. the EM Tracking System 24 and the EP Tracking System 22. (Step I.1.)
The EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 should be synchronized during simultaneous position acquisition, as discussed herein. The purpose of the registration is to allow registration or correspondence between positions determined by each of the two tracking systems 22, 24. Accordingly, to properly compare simultaneous positions, the two tracking systems 22, 24 should allow for synchronous position acquisition and determination. It will be understood, however, that synchronous position acquisition need not only require the same physical position acquisition at the same instant, rather it can also include determining a time when a position is determined with one of the two tracking systems and a time when a similar, same, or related position is determined with the other tracking system.
One method for synchronization can include identifying a first pedal press of the foot pedal 54 in each position data set for each of the two tracking systems 22, 24. The pedal press can be, however, any appropriate physical input by the user 34 to each of the tracking systems to identify an initial position determination or point acquisition. The pedal press in each data set can be used to compute the time offset between the two position data sets.
In addition or alternatively to using a pedal press, other information can be used to synchronize a timestamp for the data collected. For example, the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be interconnected with a network system and the network time protocol (NTP) can be used to synchronize timestamps for the position data collection. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, any other data transmission system, such as a USB cable, can be used to synchronize or send a synchronization signal to synchronize the two tracking systems 22, 24.
In addition, a position sampling signal can be sent from one of the tracking systems, such as the EM tracking system 24, to the other of the tracking systems, such as the EP tracking system 22. The signal is to allow the acquisition of a position determination simultaneously with both tracking systems 22, 24. The position collection command can allow for inherent registration between the two tracking systems 22, 24. It will be understood, however, that latency may exist between the issuance of the command to collect the position data and the actual collection of the position data. Once the latency between the provision of the command and the collection of the position data is accounted for, the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be synchronized. It will be understood, however, that the position determination instruction can be issued from either of the tracking systems, such as from the EP tracking system 22 to the EM tracking system 24 or vice versa.
A single signal, whether a pedal press or otherwise can synchronize the timing of the two tracking systems. Position data can be acquired and time stamped. The time stamped data can then be compared, beginning at the synchronous event, for the registration of the multiple tracking systems.
Additional synchronization techniques can include motion detection and analysis. For example, the position data collected with both of the tracking systems 22, 24 can be used to determine motion of the respective tracking devices in each of the tracking systems 22, 24. The position data can be used to determine the motion of the respective tracking devices. The respective sensors are moved within the volume of the subject, such as the patient 36. When the respective tracking devices or position elements are positioned within the patient 36, such as within the heart 80, motion can be induced and position can be changed in the respective tracking devices due to respiration, blood flow, movement of the heart, or movement of the catheter. Particularly if motion is quite vigorous, for example, when the position elements are positioned near the right ventricle or apex, a great deal of motion can be determined. The same or similar determined motion can be used to relate or determine similar positions of two tracking devices.
The sampling rate for the tracking systems 22, 24 can be relatively high compared to the motion within the patient 36. For example, a heart beat can be on the order of one half to one second while a sampling rate can be at least about ten per second. Accordingly, a plurality of samples can be collected for each heart beat. Thus, a relatively great deal of motion data can be collected and analyzed or compared between the two tracking systems 22, 24 to achieve an accurate synchronization signal.
Regardless, a plurality of position samples can be analyzed for determining motion of the respective position elements. It will be understood that the analysis can be used to synchronize all of the data or certain portions of the data using an analysis over time of the motion. The data can be synchronized by determining when in time the motion is substantially identical to synchronize the collected position data.
Once the data is synchronized, a coordination or registration between the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be completed as discussed herein. The registration can be based upon the acquisition of the position data with one or both of the tracking systems and determining a look up table for a relationship between the EM and EP tracking systems 22, 24. Once an appropriate transformation is determined, as discussed further herein, and a look up table or other appropriate system is defined, a translation can be made between a position determined with either of the tracking systems 22, 24 and translated to the coordinate system of the other of the two tracking systems 22, 24.
Part 2. Collect Position Data with Both the EP Tracking System 22 and the EM Tracking System 24 in Block 260. (Step I.2.)
Once the position collection is synchronized between the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22, a plurality of position data samples can be collected. For example, 10, 50, 200, or any appropriate number of position data samples can be collected. It will be understood, that the position data samples collected, starting with the first synchronized data sample, can be collected with synchronization, such as with one of the two tracking systems providing a data collection signal, or synchronizing the two data sets, such as with motion analysis. Accordingly, it will be understood that the data sample used for the translation or coordination between the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be data that is collected after synchronization has occurred between the two tracking systems 22, 24 or after a plurality of data from both of the two tracking systems 22, 24 have been synchronized. However, the position data can be collected and analyzed with the synchronous information as opposed to both tracking systems synchronously collecting position data.
It will be further understood that any appropriate number of substantially synchronized data points can be collected or used for translation between the two tracking systems 22, 24. A linear interpolation can be made between the two nearest points in both of the EM tracking system position data and the EP tracking system position data to generate pairs of synchronized or substantially synchronized position data. As a further example, if the position data are collected after a synchronization, such that the data is not previously collected and a synchronization is determined after the collection, an interpolation can be made between the two nearest points generated in each of the two tracking systems 22, 24. Accordingly, any appropriate number of synchronized position data points can be collected or used between the two tracking systems 22, 24.
Part 3. Determining a Transformation Between the EM Tracking System 24 and the EP Tracking System 22 in Block 262. (Step I.3.)
A transformation can be made between the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22, as discussed herein. The transformation can be between the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 based upon the pairs of synchronized points obtained, as discussed above. It will be understood that position data points from the EP tracking system 22 can be translated into the EM tracking system 24 coordinate position data and vice versa. The discussion herein regarding transforming the EM position data to the EP tracking system 22 coordinate system is merely exemplary.
A non-linear optimization procedure can be used to find an Affine transformation between each of the pairs of points from the two tracking systems 22, 24. For the following discussion a position data point from the EP tracking system 22 can be referred to as 22 p and a position data point from the EM tracking system 24 can be referred to as 24 p, as illustrated in FIG. 9A. The transformation can minimize the sum of the square of distances between the EP points 22 p and the EM points 24 p that are related in time to each other. That is, that points that are compared were collected at the same time or at the same physical location due to the synchronization. Appropriate optimization methods can include the Nelder-Mead method, such as that described in Nelder, J. A. and Mead, R. “A Simplex Method for Function Minimization.” Comput. J. 7, 308-313, 1965. With two tracking systems 22, 24 operating independently, position data points may not be collected at the same time. Therefore, the navigation system 20 can interpolate position and time samples. The interpolation can include determine a difference in time or the time when a position data point in each of the two tracking systems was collected at different times for the same physical location.
The two points should be at the same physical position when an appropriate and calibrated instrument is used, as discussed herein. Briefly, according to various embodiments, a single instrument can have a first tracking device tracked with the first tracking system 22 and a second tracking device tracked by the second tracking system 24 at substantially the same physical (e.g. patient space) position.
The affine transformation can include several parameters for the transformation of the EP position data to the EM position data, for example 10 parameters. The parameters can include translating each of the EM points 24 p to center on the origin. Translating the EM points to center on the origin can include three parameters, at least, because the position points exist in three dimensional space along three axes, as discussed above. Accordingly, each of the EM points will have three dimensions each relating to one of the three parameters to translate the EM points to center on the origin.
The EM points 24 p can also be uniformly scaled with at least one parameter to enlarge the cloud or volume of the EM points. As discussed above, the EM and EP tracking systems 22, 24 can be used to generate a plurality of points to identify a surface, such as an internal surface of a heart of the patient 36. Accordingly, both the EM and EP tracking systems 22, 24 generate a plurality of points that are used to identify or generate a surface.
Three parameters further are to rotate the EM points 24 p around each of the three axis. Rotation around each of the axis can relate to one of the three parameters. The EM tracking system 24 is not aligned to the patient, unlike the EP tracking system 22, due to the placement of the axes patches on the patient 36. The axes patches on the patient 36 do the alignment of the EP tracking system 22 to the patient 36. Registration includes not only distance but coordinate alignment of the EM tracking system 24 coordinates to the EP tracking system 22 coordinates, thus rotation is necessary.
Finally, three parameters can include translating the EM points 24 p to the center of the EP points 22 p from the origin. The center of the EP points can be determined by identifying an outer most extent of the EP position points and determining a center related to all of the outer most points. It will be understood that any other appropriate center or identification of a position within the EP points 22 p can be determined and translating the EM points 24 p to the center or other determined point can be made along each of the three axis to determine or generate the three final parameters. The ten parameters, as discussed above, can be optimized using the appropriate optimization algorithm or method, such as the Nelder-Mead optimization method.
Part 4. Transform the EM Points 24 p in Block 264 with the Determined (e.g. Affine) Transformation Optimized in Block 262 (Step I.4.)
Once the affine transformation has been optimized, it can be applied to the EM points 24 p. In transforming the EM points 24 p, the EM points 24 p and the EP points 22 p should include substantially identical positions in generated space. In other words, when displayed on the display device, the surface or cloud of position data points collected with both of the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 should appear to be substantially identical. The transformation, therefore, can be used to coordinate or register the coordinate systems of the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24. Once registered a position data point determined with one of the tracking systems can be registered to the other tracking system. As discussed above, this can allow for the EP position data point 22 p to be superimposed on image data based on a registration of the EM tracking system 24 to appropriate image data (such as external image data including magnetic resonance image data).
In addition, it will be understood, that the transformation can also be to transform the EP position data points 22 p to the EM coordinate system. As discussed above, the EM coordinate system is substantially uniform and generally can be related more strictly to three dimensional coordinates of the patient 36.
Phase II: Determine Local Displacements Between the EM Tracking System and the EP Taking System in Block 270
Part 1. Sample or Collect Additional Positions to Generate Additional Position Data Points in Block 272. (Step II.1)
After the transformation has been determined between the EM data points 24 p and the EP data points 22 p, as discussed above, additional position data points can be collected with the EP tracking system 22 and/or the EM tracking system 24. Generally, position data points can be collected at any appropriate rate or frequency for generation of a map of a volume, which can be rendered as a surface or a plurality of points or managed points, as discussed above. The frequency of data collection can be any appropriate frequency, such as about a position data point every one second or about twelve times per second.
Because the transformation has been determined, as discussed above in Step I.4, each of the data points collected in either of the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be substantially instantaneously or continuously transformed to the coordinate system of the other tracking system. For example, if the EP tracking system 22 is used to collect additional position data points, then the navigation system 20, or a processor thereof executing instructions, can transform the additional EP position data points to the EM coordinate system.
Any appropriate amount of position data can be collected and used to generate a map, as discussed above. Further, the transformation can be between any two appropriate navigation or tracking systems rather than just between an EM and EP tracking system.
Part 2. Determine and Store a Vector From Each EP Point 22 p to a Synchronized and Corresponding EM Point 24 p of the Two Tracking Systems 22, 24 in Block 274. (Step II.2.)
As each position data point is collected, for example with the EP tracking system 22, a vector 22 v (FIG. 9A) can be computed between each of the actually collected EP position data points 22 p and the corresponding EM position data point 24 p. The vector from the EP position data point 22 p to the corresponding EM data point 24 p can be based upon the transformation discussed above. The vector 22 v between the EP and EM points 22 p, 24 p can be stored and saved in an octree for each of the EP position points 22 p collected.
As is understood by one skilled in the art, an octree is a spatial data structure that can be used to map points and space to data. In this instance, the data can include the vector 22 v from each of the EP points 22 p to the EM points 24 p and the spatial information can be related to the spatial position of the EP point 22 p and the position data relating to that point. Accordingly, for each of the position data points that are collected including the EP position data points 22 p, a vector 22 v can be determined to a corresponding EM data point 24 p and stored in an appropriate data structure for later access.
Part 3. Create a Three Dimensional (3D) Look-Up Table in Block 276. (Step II.3.)
Once the vector has been determined and stored, as discussed above in Step II.2. a three dimensional or appropriate look-up table (3D-LUT) can be generated or created. The three dimensional look up table can include a plurality of grid points in three dimensional space. For each of the points in the look up table, an average of each of the vectors between the EP and EM points can be determined within a given radius from the respective grid points. The vectors that are stored in the octree, discussed above, can be efficiently accessed within the given radius from the selected grid point to generate the look up table.
The grid points within the three dimensional space can be related to the information in the 3D-LUT. Accordingly, information regarding each of the points within a respective grid can be stored in the 3D-LUT. It will be further understood that the grid points can be positioned at any appropriate density or spacing for use in 3D-LUT.
Phase III: Correct The EP Position Data in Sub-Routine Block 280.
Part 1. Linearly Interpolate EP Position Data Points in Block 282. (Step III.1.)
Once the 3D-LUT has been created in Step II.3. the data can be interpolated or corrected in Phase III. In particular, according to the example discussed in particular here, each of the EP position data points can be corrected or interpolated to the EM coordinate system of the EM tracking system 24. Initially, the EP position data points can be a linearly interpolated to relate to the EM coordinate system. The 3D LUT generated in Step II.3. can include the EP position data points collected or determined with the EP tracking system 22.
The linear interpolation can be any appropriate linear interpolation and can generally include averaging the eight cells nearest the selected cell in the 3D LUT. The linear interpolation can interpolate each of the EP position data points based upon the closest eight cells in the 3D LUT generated in Step II.3. The linear interpolation will result in the determination of an interpolated displacement of each of the EP position points because the 3D LUT includes data relating to the vectors between each of the EP and the corresponding EM data points. The eight nearest cells can be the cells touching the related EP position data point cell in the 3D LUT.
Part 2. Add the Interpolated Displacement to the Determined EP Position Data Point to Determine an Interpolated EP Position Data Point in Block 284. (Step III.2.)
Following the linear interpolation of the respective cells in Step III.1, the interpolated displacement can be added to the EP position data 22 p to generate an EP interpolated position data point. The EP position data point can be the data point that is collected or determined solely with the information collected with the EP tracking system 22. According to various examples, the EP tracking system 22 collects or determines the EP data point 22 p with an electrode positioned within the patient 36. When only the map generated with the EP tracking system 22 is selected, the relative relation of the EP position data points to any other coordinate system is generally unimportant. When additional coordinates are selected to be viewed, however, the interpolated EP position data point can be used to relate each of the collected EP position data points to the coordinate system of the EM tracking system 24. This can allow the interpolation to be used to view a map or display of EP position points relative to other acquired image data or other fixed coordinate systems relative to the patient 36 based on the regular coordinates of the EM tracking system 24.
The interpolated EP position data point can be used to, optionally, relate to an external or a uniform coordinate system in block 290. For example, as discussed above, the EM tracking system 24 can be registered to image data of the patient 36. Accordingly, the interpolated EP position data generated or determined in Step III.2. can also be registered or related to the image data of the patient 36. Accordingly, even if the coordinate system of the EP tracking system 22 is not strictly uniform or inherently registerable to any external coordinate system, interpolation of the EP position data to the coordinate system of the EM tracking system 24 can allow for an interpolation of the coordinate system of the EP tracking system 22 to a more uniform coordinate system.
The method 250 can then end in block 292. The method in flowchart 250 can generate EP position data 22 p that relates to a fixed or Euclidean coordinate system. This can allow EP position 22 p data to be registered to other acquired image data through registration with the EM tracking system 24 that is registered to the other image data.
Further, the method in flowchart 250 can be used to register the coordinate system of any two tracking systems for use in any appropriate volume. Also, the tracking systems 22, 24 can be used to track any appropriate device relative to any appropriate volume. Positioning a device within an enclosed volume may be selected for building, manufacturing, or repairing various workpieces in selected workspaces. For example, a device can be moved relative to an enclosed volume, such as within an airplane, robot, or other enclosed areas, without requiring open visualization or access within the volume. The enclosed volume of the workpiece or workspace, may also include more than one type of environment. Accordingly, having multiple tracking systems using differing tracking modalities can be used to track a single instrument or two parts of the single instrument within any appropriate volume.
According to various embodiments, a single instrument 300 for use with both the EM and EP tracking systems 22, 24 is illustrated in FIG. 10, The single instrument 300 can be based on known appropriate instruments, such as the pacemaker lead model 4074 sold by Medtronic, Inc., having a place of business in Minneapolis, Minn. The model 4074 can include a passive mounting system or tines that can be removed to allow for a substantially smooth exterior. The instrument 300 can have an exterior diameter of about 0.075 inches and have an external distal electrode 302 that can be used as the EP tracking device. Therefore, the external electrode or EP tracking device 302 can be used with the EP tracking system 22, as discussed above.
Positioned proximally, or nearer an origination point of the instrument 300 can be a coil, such as a coil of wires 304 that can be used as an EM tracking device. The EM tracking device 304 can include one or more coils of single or individual wires. For example, two coils of wires can be positioned to have axes at an angle relative to one another to obtain multiple degrees of freedom information regarding location.
A center 304 c of the EM tracking device or coil of wires 304 can be positioned at a selected distance 306 from a center 302 c of the EP tracking device 302. Generally, the distance 306 can be the distance between the center points of the two tracking devices 303, 304. The distance 306 between the EP tracking device 302 and the EM tracking device 304 can be known and used in the interpolation of the EM position data and EM position data, as discussed above.
The EM tracking device 304 can be fixed at the distance 306 from the EP tracking device 302 by any appropriate mechanism. For example, the EM tracking device 304 can be positioned on a tube 308 that is fixed to an exterior of the instrument 300 at the fixed distance 306 from the EP tracking device 302. The fixation of the tube 308 can be with adhesives, welding, or any appropriate fixation mechanism. Further, it will be understood, that the EM tracking device 304 can be formed as a coil of wire that is directly on the exterior of the instrument 300 as long as the EM tracking device 304 and its conductors and are insulated from other conductors of the instrument 300. If modifying an existing instrument wires or conductors 310 can be used to interconnect the EM tracking device 304 with the EM tracking system 24. An appropriate shrink wrap or insulation 312 can be provided to hold the conductors 310 and insulate the conductors 310 from the patient 36.
Accordingly, the instrument 300 that has the EP tracking device 302 and the EM tracking device 304 at the fixed distance 306 from one another can be used for acquiring EP position points and EM position points. Further, the EP positions determined with the EP tracking device 302 and the EM positions determined with the EM tracking device 304 can be determined substantially simultaneously with the single instrument 300. The navigation system 20 can use the simultaneous or substantially simultaneous measurements of position of both the EM and EP tracking devices 304, 302 to determine a registration between the two tracking systems, as discussed above and herein. Thus, the instrument 300 can be used with the two tracking systems 22, 24 to register the two tracking systems or can be used with only one of the tracking systems for determining a position of the instrument 300 within the patient 36.
As discussed above, the orientation of the EM tracking device, can be determined. The orientation of the instrument 300 can be determined with the EP tracking system 24 by determining the location of two EP tracking devices on the same instrument 300. For example, returning reference to FIG. 10, a second EP tracking device 303 can be included near the first EP tracking device 302.
The first EP tracking device 302 and the second EP tracking device 303 can both be tracked simultaneously to determine an orientation of the distal end of the instrument 300. For example, during a detection or navigating cycle, the position of both the first EP tracking device 302 and the second EP tracking device 303 can be determined. By determining the position of both the EP tracking devices 302, 303 an orientation of the instrument 300 can be determined. A line or vector can be determined between the position of the second tracking device 303 and the first EP tracking device 302. The vector can be determined by the navigation system 20, the EP tracking system 22, or by a user viewing the display 40 that can include an icon illustrating the position of both of the EP tracking devices 302, 303. According to various embodiments, the tracking system 22 can be used to determine a vector between the two EP tracking devices 302, 303. Accordingly, an orientation of the instrument 300 can be determined with the EP tracking system 22.
With reference to FIG. 11, an instrument 340 is illustrated. The instrument 340 can be any appropriate cannulated instrument that forms an internal cannula or bore 342 within an internal structure 344. Positioned through the cannula 342 is a guide wire or stylet 346. The stylet 346 can be formed of a conductive material, such as a biocompatible metal or metal alloy or other conductive material. The stylet 346 can extend from an end 350 of the internal structure 344 to be used as an electrode or EP tracking device 348.
The stylet 346 can be a non-rigid structure such that it is able to move or deflect due to blood flow, encounters with the anatomy of the patient 36 or other solid structures. Accordingly, the EP tracking device 348 can deflect or move to deflected positions 348′ relative to the end 350 of the instrument 340. The EP tracking device 348 can be moved relative to the internal structure 344 to limit or increase the amount of deflection of the EP tracking device portion 348 of the guide wire or stylet 346. Nevertheless, the EP tracking device 348 can be at a substantially fixed position relative to a coil or EM tracking device 360.
The EM tracking device 360 can be a coil, such as a coil discussed above, for use with the EM tracking system 24. The EM tracking device 360 can be formed around the stylet 346, such as a stylet provided with implantable leads sold by Medtronic Inc., having a place of business in Minnesota, USA. The EM tracking device 360 can be fixed on the stylet 346 relative to the EP tracking device 348. The EM tracking device 360 can be used to determine positions with the EM tracking system 24 substantially simultaneously with the EP tracking device 348, as discussed above.
The instrument 340 can further include a balloon or inflatable portion 366. The inflatable portion or balloon 366 can be similar to the balloon or inflatable portion of the Medtronic Attain 6215 venogram balloon instrument sold by Medtronic, Inc., having a place of business in Minnesota, USA. The instrument 340 can include the balloon to assist in movement of the instrument 340 relative to the patient 36 and assist in minimizing the possibility of a perforation. The balloon 366 can also limit the amount or depth of the EP tracking device 348 can enter into a tissue structure. The balloon 366 can also assist in moving the instrument 340 through the patient 36 by allowing or causing drag on the balloon 366 through the patient 36.
With reference to FIG. 12, schematic illustrations of instruments 370 and 380 illustrate information that can be collected or known by the navigation system 20 for determining the simultaneous or corresponding positions within the EM and EP tracking systems 24, 22. With reference to the schematic instrument 370, an EP tracking device 372 having a center 372 c is positioned at a known or measured position or distance 374 from an EM tracking device 376 having a center 376 c. The measured position of the EP tracking device 372 and the EM tracking device 376 can generally be the center of the respective tracking devices 372 c, 376 c. The distance 374 between the EM tracking device 376 and the EP tracking device 372 can be fixed and known prior to the use of the instrument schematically illustrated at 370 or it can be measured within the navigation system 20. Nevertheless, the distance 374 between the two tracking devices 372, 376 can be used in the registration between the EP and EM tracking systems 22, 24.
With reference to the schematic illustration 380, the EP tracking device 372 can be used to substantially define a single three dimensional point within the navigation volume of the EP tracking system 22. The EM tracking device 376 can also be used to define a three dimensional position and an orientation within the navigation domain or volume of the EM tracking system 24. An angle 382 can be defined between the point determined with the EP tracking device 372 and the EM tracking device 376. The angle 382 can also be inputted into the navigational system 20 or measured within the navigation system 20 to increase accuracy when determining the position of the EM tracking device 376 relative to the EP tracking device 372. The angle 382 can change depending upon the configuration of the tracking instruments or mapping instruments. For example, the EM tracking device 360 on the stylet 346 may move relative to the EP tracking device 348. Accordingly, the orientation or angle 382 between the EM tracking device 376 and the EM tracking device 372 can be determined while making measurements or determining positions of both the EP and EM tracking devices 372, 376. The orientation of the EM tracking device can also be used to confirm location of the instrument when the orientation is known relative to the EP tracking device.
Various instruments that can be used to map or track within the tracking systems 22, 24 can also be used for various procedures. For example, the instrument 300 can also be used for ablation. The EP tracking device 302 can be configured to also provide an ablation to selected portions of the anatomy. Instruments used for ablation or lead placement can include an electrode which can be connected with the EP tracking system 22. The EP tracking system can be used to track the ablation or the implantable lead electrode. The EP tracking system 24, therefore, can be used to precisely illustrate and determine the location of the ablation electrode or the electrode for implantation.
With reference to FIG. 13, the display 40 can display an image that can include preacquired image data, such as from a CT or fluoroscopic scanner, in a first screen portion 400 and map image data in a second screen portion 402. As discussed above, the acquired image data can include image data, such as a CT scan image data 404. The CT image data 404 can be image data that is acquired of the patient 36 either during or prior to a surgical procedure. The map data can include EP or EM map data 406. As also discussed above, a translation between the map data 406 and the acquired image data 404 can be made based on the interpolation of the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24. Accordingly, when an instrument is tracked with the EP tracking system 22, after the translation, a position on the instrument can be illustrated relative to the acquired image data 404 by using the EP tracking system 22 and the translation made, as discussed above in flowchart 250.
An instrument that includes an electrode, such as an ablation catheter can be tracked with the EP tracking system 22 without requiring additional tracking instrumentation associated with the tracked instrument. A first icon 408 a can be illustrated on the EP map data and the second icon 408 b can be illustrated on the acquired data 404 to illustrate a location of an ablation instrument relative to an anatomy of the patient 36, such as the heart 80 of the patient. In addition, the tracked location of the ablation instrument can be used to illustrate the ablation location on the patient 36 or in the heart 80.
Illustrating ablated tissue can be done by tracking the electrode used for ablation with the EP tracking system 22. Either with a manual triggering or with an automatic triggering, the navigation system 20 can be used for identifying one or a plurality of locations of ablation. For example, the ablation instrument can be tracked with the EP tracking system 22 and a location can be illustrated on the EP map data as an ablation or ablated location 410 a. Due to the registration with the acquired image data 404, an ablation location 410 b can also be illustrated relative to the acquired image data 404. Illustrating an ablation location relative to the image data 404 can be useful in ensuring that an appropriate ablation has occurred relative to the heart 80 or any other appropriate location. It will be understood that according to various embodiments, different ablation instruments can ablate a portion of the heart 80, or any other appropriate anatomical portion, in a point manner, linear manner, or any other type of ablation configuration. Nevertheless, due to the ability to track the location of the electrode performing the ablation, the position of the ablated tissue can be illustrated on the image data 404 acquired of the patient 36.
By illustrating the location of the ablation relative to the anatomy of the patient 36, a determination can be made as to whether further ablation may be useful in a selected patient or if an appropriate ablation has occurred. For example, it can be selected to view an ablated region to ensure an appropriate annular ablation has occurred to limit electrical pathways through the heart 80 of the patient 36. Again, by tracking the position of the electrode performing the ablation additional tracking elements may not be necessary. Thus, the EP tracking device, according to various embodiments, can also be used for ablation or other appropriate purposes.
Similarly, the two tracking systems 22, 24 can be used simultaneously or serially for different procedures. As discussed above, after registration between the two tracking systems 22, 24, the acquired image data 404 of the patient 36 can be illustrated and a tracked position of the instrument using the EP tracking system 22 alone can be illustrated relative to the acquired image data 404. Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 14, the acquired image data 404 can be illustrated on the display 40 alone or with the position of an instrument that is tracked solely with the EP tracking system 22. An instrument, such as any appropriate instrument illustrated above, can then be navigated in the heart 80 of the patient 36 and the position of the instrument can be illustrated on the display 40, such as with an icon 420.
A portion of the instrument can then be tracked into the tissue of the patient 36, such as a wall of the heart 80 with the EP tracking system 22 alone. For example, a needle that is conductive can be tracked into a wall 422 of the heart 80. A position of the needle can be illustrated as a second icon 424 pushed into the wall 422. An infarct in the heart 80 can be treated with selected treatment, such as the injection of proteins or growth factors. Knowing the position of the needle within the heart wall 422 can assist in ensuring an appropriate positioning of the needle during injection of the selected treatment. Accordingly, as the needle is pushed into the wall 422 of the heart 80 it can be tracked with the EP tracking system 22 and its position illustrated relative to the acquired image data 404 of the patient 36 due to the translation between the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24. The EM tracking system 24 can be registered to the image data 404 and the EP tracking system 24 can also be also be registered to the image data, or co-registered to the image data, due to the registration with the EM tracking system 24.
As illustrated here, and discussed above, the registration between the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 allows the position of the EP tracking device, according to various embodiments, to be illustrated as if it is being tracked with the EM tracking system 24. The registration of the EP tracking system 22 with the EM tracking system 24 allows for the tracked position of the EP tracking device to be illustrated relative to the acquired image data 404 as if it were being tracked with the EM tracking system 24.
Tracking System Variations
According to various embodiments, the EP tracking system 22 is used to inject a current into the patient 36 through the various axis patch pairs 60 a-64 b. The axis patch pairs can each inject a current into the patient 36 at a different frequency. The frequency injected into the patient 36, however, is generally within a range that is safe for injection into the patient 36. Accordingly, other systems may inject a current or use a current of a frequency that is similar to that which can be used by the EP tracking system 22. Accordingly, the EP tracking system 22 can include a system to monitor and switch frequencies within the patient 36. The circuitry within the EP tracking system 22 can detect or measure currents from other instruments connected to or within the patient 36, at selected times. If a current is found to be within a frequency range used by the EP tracking system 22, a different frequency can be selected and switched to for injection between a selected pair of the axis patches. Such a frequency hopping or frequency agility system can include that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/421,364, Filed on Apr. 9, 2009, and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAPPING A STRUCTURE, incorporated herein by reference.
The two tracking systems, including the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24, can include different or alternative localizing systems. As discussed above, the axis patches 60 a-64 b can be used to inject axis currents within the patient 36. An EM localizer, such as the selected EM coil set, can be used to generate a navigation domain relative to the patient 36 or within the patient 36. It can be selected to position the EM localizer 76 relative to the patient 36 to substantially align the navigational domains of the EM tracking system and the EP tracking system.
For example, with reference to FIG. 4, the EM localizer 76 can be positioned over the heart 84, as illustrated in phantom 76′. Minimizing or lessening the translation between the EM tracking system 24 and the EP tracking system 22 can be achieved by positioning the EM localizer 76′ over the patient 36 to substantially align an EM navigational domain axis with an axis of the EP tracking system 22. Thus, the alignment of the EP tracking system 22 and the EM tracking system 24 can be used to assist in determining the location of the tracked devices within the respective tracking system navigational domains and can assist in aligning or determining an orientation of the instruments within both of the tracking system navigational domains.
The orientation of the instrument 300 can then be translated relative to the orientation of the EM tracking device 304. Thus, when the instrument 300 is tracked with the EP tracking system 22 alone, an orientation of the instrument 300 can also be illustrated relative to the coordinate system of the EM tracking system 24. It will be understood that any appropriate instrument can be used to include two or more EP tracking devices and the instrument 300 is merely exemplary.
The EP tracking system 22 can include reference patches that are connected to the patient 36 for referencing the tracked devices or the EP points relative to reference portions of the patient 36. The reference patches can be positioned on the patient 36 at appropriate positions such as over the xiphoid of the patient 36 and substantially opposite the xyphoid on a dorsal or back of the patient 36. The reference patches can provide a rough anatomical orientation relative to the patient 36 and can also be used to re-orient the EP data if an error occurs, but at least one of the reference patches is maintained connected to the patient 36. The use of the reference patches can be used to describe in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/421,364, Filed on Apr. 9, 2009, and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAPPING A STRUCTURE, incorporated herein by reference. In addition, it will be understood that reference patches used with the EM tracking system 24 can also be used with the EP tracking system 22 and vice versa. That being, the reference patches can be used with the EM tracking system 24 as well.
It can be selected to calibrate a location of an EM tracking device 452 relative to an EP tracking device 472. As illustrated in FIGS. 15A15A′, and 15B, an EM tracking device 452 is connected with a guide wire or stylet 454 that is connected or otherwise associated with a fixed base of a fixture or jig 456. The fixture 456 can be positioned within the navigation domain of the EM localizer 76. The EM localizer 76, in combination with the EM tracking system 24, can determine the location of the EM tracking device 452. An external indication system can provide an indication of a location of the EM tracking device 452 or indicate when the EM tracking device has reached a selected or targeted location.
The external indication system, for example, can be a laser module 458 this is automatically powered to emit a laser light 460 at a target. It will be understood that the external indication source can emit a selected emission, such as a visible emission. The target can be the location of the EM tracking device 452. The target can be determined relative to the fixture 456 and the laser module 458 can be activated to emit the beam 460 to indicate the target when the tracking device 452 is determined to be aligned with the target. The external indication system, including the laser module 458, can move relative to the fixture base 456 to point the laser emission 460 at the target. The laser module 458 can rotate around an axis or translate linearly along an axis.
As illustrated in FIG. 15A′, the laser module 458 can be automatically or mechanically moved relative to the fixture 456 to align with the target. For example, a selected linear or axial actuator can be associated with the laser module 458. Also, a laser EM tracking device 458 a can be associated with the laser module 458 to track the location of the laser module 458. As discussed above, the EM tracking device 452 can be fixed at a selected location on the fixture 456 and the laser emission 460 can be pointed at a target representing the location of the EM tracking device 452. The laser module 458 can be aligned by tracking the laser module 458 with the EM tracking system 24. This can allow the EM tracking device 452 and the laser module 458 to be tracked with the same tracking system and aligned for determining the location of the EM tracking device 452 for calibration.
The laser module, or the portion of the laser module 458 that emits the laser light 460, can be mechanically moved relative to the fixture 456. By moving the laser module 458, the target to be illuminated or indicated with the laser module 458 need not be fixed relative to the fixture 456. The laser module 458 can be tracked with the EM tracking system 24 because it is also within the navigational domain generated by the EM localizer 76. Thus, the laser module 458 and the EM tracking device 452 can both be tracked at the same time with the same EM tracking system 24. Alternatively, multiple tracking systems can be used that are registered. Because both the laser module 458 and the tracking device 452 are tracked at the same time and the laser module 458 can be moved, the laser beam 460 can also be moved to illuminate or indicate the location of the target which is the EM tracking device 452.
As illustrated in FIG. 15A′, the laser module 458 can be moved from a first position 458 to a second position 458′. This moves the laser light from a first position 460 to a second position 460′. The movement of the laser module 458 can be used to indicate the location of the EM tracking device 452 as it moves from a first position 452 to a second position 452′. As the laser emission 460 is pointed at the target of the EM tracking device 452 anything positioned over the EM tracking device will be illuminated by the laser emission 460.
According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15A′ the indication module, such as a laser module 458, can be used to indicate the location of the EM tracking device 452. The EM tracking device 452 can be indicated with the laser module by illuminating or indicating a target location which can be the location of the EM tracking device 452. The target can be a fixed location, as illustrated in FIG. 15A or can be a moveable location that is tracked, such as with the EM tracking system 24, as illustrated in FIG. 15A′.
A second instrument portion 470, which includes an EP tracking device 472 can then be positioned relative to the stylet 454 including the EM tracking device 452. As illustrated in FIG. 15A, a laser light beam 460 can be directed at the location of the EM tracking device 452. The second instrument 470 need not be tracked, although it can be, because the alignment is done by viewing and confirming when the laser emission 460 illuminated the EP tracking device 472. When the EP tracking device 472 is illuminated alignment can be confirmed, as discussed below.
With reference to FIG. 15B, the second instrument portion 470 can be slid over the stylet 454 while held relative to the fixture 456. Once the EP tracking device 472 is aligned with the laser beam 460, the system can be calibrated or instructed to indicate that the EM tracking device 452 is aligned with the EP tracking device 472. Once the laser beam 460 is used to align the EP tracking device 472 with the EM tracking device 452, the stylet 454 can be physically marked at the end of the second device 470. For example, an ink marking or other marking 474 can be used to indicate the position of the stylet 454 relative to the second instrument 470.
The stylet 454 and the second instrument 470 can then be removed from the fixture 456. The two portions of the instrument can then be inserted together or sequentially into the patient 36 to be tracked with the two tracking systems 22, 24. The marking 474 can be used to determine when the EM tracking device 452 is aligned with the EP tracking device 472. Therefore, the alignment or co-positioning of the two tracking devices 452, 472 can be made without viewing the two tracking devices and internally within the patient 36.
Further, by tracking the EM tracking device 452 any appropriate signal can be emitted by the exterior indication source when the EM tracking device reaches a target. Exemplary signals include audible signals, visual signals, tactile signals, or combinations thereof. The signals can be generated based on the tracked location of the EM tracking device and a determined location of the lead or catheter being moved relative to the fixture 456. A similar or different signal can then be emitted when the EM tracking device is aligned with the EM tracking device 452 or when it is seen to reach a market target on the base fixture 456.
Cyclic features of the patient 36 can be used to calibrate or classify the positions of the tracking devices, including the EM tracking device 452 and the EP tracking device 472. For example, the position data for each of the tracking devices can be classified within a particular respiratory or cardiac cycle of the patient 36. The differently characterized positions can be used to generate maps of the patient 36 at different portions of the cycle. The different maps can then be played in sequence or otherwise illustrated or synchronized to the patient 36. In addition, the position data that is characterized can be displayed on the display 40 for viewing by the user based upon the appropriate and detected cycle of the patient 36. For example, positions that are collected during an inspiration of the patient 36 can be displayed on the display 40 when inspiration of the patient 36 occurs. This can assist in increasing clarity and accuracy of the illustrated positions on the display 40 by accounting for movement of the patient 36 relative to the instruments within the patient having the tracking devices. Classifying the position data is further discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/421,364, Filed on Apr. 9, 2009, and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAPPING A STRUCTURE, incorporated herein by reference.
Further, the translation or distance between the respective EM tracking devices and the EP tracking devices can be determined using selected external or additional image modalities. For example, fluoroscopy can be used to determine a distance between two tracking devices if both of the tracking devices are radio opaque. Although it can be selected to eliminate or substantially reduce the use of ionizing radiation during a procedure, such as may be used in fluoroscopy, fluoroscopy can be minimally used to determine certain information.
Additional imaging systems can also be used to obtain information of the patient 36 or information regarding the mapping or trackable devices. Imaging systems can include ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other appropriate imaging techniques can be used. For example, an US system can be used to image or view the position of the selected tracking device within the patient 36. An US transducer can be used to view the tracked device and determine its position in the patient 36. Accordingly, selected imaging systems can be used to image the location of the instrument within the patient 36. As discussed above, this can also be used to determine a distance between two tracked devices within the patient 36, such as for translation or registration purposes between the two tracking systems 22, 24.
US4801297 * 1 Jun 1984 31 Jan 1989 Edward Weck Incorporated Catheter having slit tip
US5191889 * 4 Apr 1991 9 Mar 1993 Hewlett-Packard Company Transducer head for a medical instrument and method of use
US7479141 * 18 Nov 2004 20 Jan 2009 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Ablation tip catheter device with integrated imaging, ECG and positioning devices
US20030028118 * 10 Oct 2002 6 Feb 2003 Boston Scientific Corporation Interactive systems and methods for controlling the use of diagnostic or therapeutic instruments in interior body regions
US20040001075 * 28 Jun 2002 1 Jan 2004 Silicon Graphics, Inc. System for physical rotation of volumetric display enclosures to facilitate viewing
US20040019318 * 7 Nov 2002 29 Jan 2004 Wilson Richard R. Ultrasound assembly for use with a catheter
US20050018888 * 12 Dec 2002 27 Jan 2005 Zonneveld Frans Wessel Method, system and computer program of visualizing the surface texture of the wall of an internal hollow organ of a subject based on a volumetric scan thereof
US20120220860 * 7 May 2012 30 Aug 2012 Medtronic Navigation, Inc. Combination of Electromagnetic and Electropotential Localization
US20090264727 * 9 Apr 2009 22 Oct 2009 Markowitz H Toby Method and apparatus for mapping a structure
US20090264746 * 15 Apr 2009 22 Oct 2009 Markowitz H Toby Tracking a guide member
US20090297001 * 17 Apr 2009 3 Dec 2009 Markowitz H Toby Method And Apparatus For Mapping A Structure
WO2014066008A1 * 4 Oct 2013 1 May 2014 Medtronic, Inc. Mr-compatible implantable medical lead
WO2014066009A1 * 4 Oct 2013 1 May 2014 Medtronic, Inc. Mr-compatible implantable medical lead
WO2014066010A1 * 4 Oct 2013 1 May 2014 Medtronic, Inc. Mr-compatible implantable medical lead
Cooperative Classification G01S5/0263, A61B2034/2053, A61B2090/0818, A61B2034/2051, A61B34/20, A61B2017/00725
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PHILLIPS, LANE A.;REEL/FRAME:024889/0250
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARKOWITZ, H. TOBY;GARDESKI, KENNETH;CARVER, JEAN;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20100419 TO 20100607;REEL/FRAME:024889/0330