Patent ID: 8057397

Claim:
An imaging and navigation system comprising: a computer; an ultrasonic imaging device disposed at least partially within an ultrasound catheter, the ultrasonic imaging device connected to the computer, the ultrasonic imaging device being adapted to obtain a generally real time three-dimensional image; a tracking system connected to the computer, the tracking system adapted to estimate a position of a medical instrument; a first tracking element connected to the tracking system and configured for attachment to the ultrasound catheter; a second tracking element connected to the tracking system and configured for attachment to a dynamic reference catheter; a monitoring system connected to the computer, the monitoring system configured to monitor respiratory and/or cardiac activity; a display connected to the computer, the display adapted to depict the generally real time three-dimensional image from the ultrasonic imaging device and to graphically convey the estimated position of the medical instrument; wherein the computer is configured to synchronize the operation of the ultrasonic imaging device with the respiratory and/or cardiac activity.