Patent ID: 8340743

Claim:
A method for positioning a guide device for placement of an interventional object in a body, the guide device having a guide axis, the method comprising: determining a target point in the body and a reference point, wherein the target point and the reference point define a planned trajectory line (PTL) extending through each; determining a visualization plane, wherein the PTL intersects the visualization plane at a sighting point; mounting the guide device relative to the body to move with respect to the PTL, wherein the guide device does not intersect the visualization plane; acquiring at least one MRI scan along the visualization plane; determining an acquisition plane, wherein the guide device intersects the acquisition plane; tracking a position of the guide device in the acquisition plane and determining therefrom a corresponding position and/or orientation of the guide axis, wherein tracking the position of the guide device in the acquisition plane includes acquiring at least one MRI scan along the acquisition plane; determining a point of intersection (GPP) between the guide axis and the visualization plane; and aligning the GPP with the sighting point in the visualization plane.