U.S. patent application number 10/413591 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-21 for method and system for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body organ.
Invention is credited to Nir, Dror.
Application Number | 20040210133 10/413591 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33158576 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040210133 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nir, Dror |
October 21, 2004 |
Method and system for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a
body organ
Abstract
A method and system for selecting and recording biopsy sites in
a body organ. The method comprises obtaining a three-dimensional
image of the organ; and a first two-dimensional sub-image of the
organ. The position of the first two-dimensional sub-image in the
three-dimensional image is determined. Sites in the first
two-dimensional sub-image where a biopsy is to be obtained are
selected, and sites at which biopsies were obtained are indicated
in the three-dimensional image. Additional two-dimensional
sub-images of the organ are sequentially obtained, and for each
sub-image, the position of the sub-image in the three-dimensional
image is determined, and any sites in the sub-image where biopsies
have previously been obtained are indicated. One or more sites in
the sub-image where biopsies are to be obtained are selected and
any sites where biopsies were obtained are indicated in the
three-dimensional image.
Inventors: |
Nir, Dror; (Matan,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
26 WEST 61ST STREET
NEW YORK
NY
10023
US
|
Family ID: |
33158576 |
Appl. No.: |
10/413591 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/439 ;
128/916 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2090/364 20160201;
A61B 2090/378 20160201; A61B 8/0825 20130101; A61B 10/0241
20130101; A61B 90/36 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/439 ;
128/916 |
International
Class: |
A61B 008/00 |
Claims
1. A method for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body
organ comprising: a) obtaining a three-dimensional image of a three
dimensional region of the organ; b) obtaining a first
two-dimensional sub-image of a first two-dimensional sub-region of
the three-dimensional region; c) determining the position of the
first two-dimensional sub-image in the three-dimensional image; d)
optionally selecting one or more sites in the first two-dimensional
sub-image where a biopsy is to be obtained; e) indicating in the
three-dimensional image any sites at which biopsies were obtained;
f) obtaining an additional two-dimensional sub-image of an
additional two-dimensional sub-region of the organ, the additional
two-dimensional sub-region being included in the three-dimensional
region; g) determining the position of the additional
two-dimensional sub-image in the three-dimensional image; h)
indicating in the additional two-dimensional sub-image any sites
where biopsies have previously been obtained; i) optionally
selecting one or more sites in the additional two-dimensional
sub-image where biopsies are to be obtained; j) indicating in the
three-dimensional image any sites where biopsies were previously
obtained; and k) repeating steps f) to j) as required.
2. The method according to claim 2 wherein the organ is a prostate
or breast.
3. The method according to any one of the previous claims wherein
the three-dimensional image is obtained by three-dimensional
ultrasound.
4. The method according to any one of the previous claims wherein
one or more two-dimensional sub-images are obtained by
two-dimensional ultasound.
5. The method according to any one of the previous claims wherein
the three-dimensional image is displayed as a grid
representation.
6. The method according to any one of the previous claims further
comprising obtaining a biopsy at a selected site.
7. The method according to any one of the previous claims further
comprising determining in the three-dimensional image locations
suspected of having a predetermined condition and indicating
suspected locations in the displayed representation of the
three-dimensional image.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the predetermined
condition is a malignancy.
9. A system for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body
organ comprising: (a) A three-dimensional imaging device providing
a three-dimensional image of a three dimensional region of the
organ; (b) A two-dimensional imaging device providing
two-dimensional sub-images of two-dimensional sub-regions of the
three-dimensional region; (c) One or more display screens for
displaying a representation of the three dimensional image and for
displaying one or more two-dimensional images; (d) Means for
selecting one or more sites in a two-dimensional sub-image where a
biopsy is to be obtained; (e) A processor configured to: (i)
determine the position of a two-dimensional sub-image in the
three-dimensional image; (ii) display on a display screen a
representation of a three-dimensional image with an indication of
the position of a two-dimensional sub-image in the
three-dimensional image; (iii) display on a display screen one or
more two-dimensional sub-images; (iv) determine in a
three-dimensional image any sites at which biopsies were obtained
and indicate in a displayed representation of the three-dimensional
image any sites at which biopsies were obtained;
10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a device
for obtaining a biopsy at a selected site.
11. The system according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the
three-dimensional imaging device is a three-dimensional ultrasound
imaging device.
12. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the
two-dimensional imaging device is a two-dimensional ultrasound
imaging device.
13. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein
representation of a three-dimensional image is a grid
representation.
14. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein the
processor is further configured to determine in a three-dimensional
image locations suspected of having a predetermined condition and
indicating suspected locations in a displayed representation of the
three-dimensional image.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for
imaging a body tissue or organ.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the diagnosis of a clinical condition in a body tissue or
organ, it is known to obtain a number of biopsies from the tissue
or organ. For example, in the diagnosis of prostate or breast
cancer, a region of the organ is imaged using ultrasonic radiation.
The practitioner obtains a 2D image of the region of the organ and
then, based on the image, selects a site in the organ from where a
biopsy is to be obtained. A cannula is then introduced into the
organ to the site and a biopsy is obtained. The cannula is
typically integrated with the ultrasound transducer, and the
cannula as well as the site in the image from which the cannula is
poised to obtain a biopsy is indicated in the image. After
obtaining the biopsy, another 2D image of another region of the
organ or tissue may be obtained (by moving the ultrasound
transducer) and an additional site of the organ or tissue may be
selected for obtaining a biopsy. This process may be repeated
several times so as to yield a number of biopsies from different
sites of the organ or tissue.
[0003] In this method of obtaining biopsies, it is difficult for
the practitioner to visualize in three dimensions the spatial
relationship among the biopsy sites. This is due to the fact that
each time the practitioner moves the ultrasound transducer to
obtain a new image, the practitioner must remember bow the
transducer was moved in order to visualize in his mind the spatial
relationship between the presently and previously imaged regions
and the perspectives from which the regions were imaged. The
inability to accurately determinate and record the spatial
relationships among the imaged regions often results in biopsies
not being obtained from sites where a biopsy should have been
obtained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a system and method for
selecting and recording biopsy sites within a body organ. In
accordance with the invention, a three-dimensional image of at
least a portion of the organ is obtained using a three-dimensional
imaging device such as a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging
transducer. The three dimensional image may be analyzed for regions
that are suspected of having a predetermined condition such as a
malignancy. For example, applicant's co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/874,919 filed on Jun. 5, 2001 discloses a
method for detecting malignancies in a tissue. The image is
processed to produce a grid-like three-dimensional representation
of the three-dimensional contour of the organ. This grid
representation of the image is displayed on a display screen. The
grid representation of the contour allows the interior of the organ
to be visualized through the surface. Regions in the image
suspected of having a predetermined condition such as malignancy
may be indicated in the grid representation. A sub-region of the
organ is then imaged. The sub-region may be imaged using either a
two-dimensional imaging system such as an ultrasound system having
a two-dimensional transducer, or a three-dimensional imaging
system. The image of the sub-region, referred to herein as a
"sub-image" is displayed on a display screen. The sub-image is
analyzed and its position within the grid representation of the
organ is determined. This may be done by using one or more
reference points that are present in the image of the organ and the
sub-image (e.g. a bone feature or artificially inserted clips
present in the image and sub-image). Alternatively, this may be
done in a calculation based upon the orientation of the transducers
relative to the body organ when the image and sub-image were
obtained. The sub-image is then indicated in the displayed grid
representation of the organ. The sub-image and the grid
representation showing the sub-image are thus displayed
simultaneously. Regions in the sub-image suspected of having the
predetermined condition are preferably indicated in the displayed
sub-image.
[0005] The practitioner decides at which sites, if any, in the
sub-image, a biopsy is to be obtained. The locations of any
biopsies obtained are indicated in the sub-image as well as in the
grid-representation.
[0006] Additional sub-images of the organ may then be obtained and
displayed. For each sub-image, the position of the sub-image is
indicated in, the grid representation. Sites in the sub-image where
biopsies were previously obtained are indicated in the sub-image.
Sites in the sub-image suspected of having the predetermined
condition are preferably indicated in the sub-image. The
practitioner then decides at which sites, if any, in this
sub-image, a biopsy is to be obtained. The locations of any
biopsies obtained are indicated in the sub-image as well as in the
grid-representation.
[0007] Since the location of a current-sub-image is indicated in
the grid representation together with the locations of any previous
sub-regions, the practitioner can select sub-images in an orderly
fashion. If sites suspected of having a predetermined condition are
indicated in the grid representation and in the sub-images, the
practitioner can obtain biopsies from all suspected sites.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the transducer used to obtain
sub-images has an integrated cannula that is used to obtain a
biopsy at a site in a sub-image. The sub-image includes a sign
indicative of the site in the sub-image from which the cannula is
poised to remove tissue for a biopsy. This allows the practitioner
to select a site from which a biopsy is to be obtained based upon
the spatial relationship of the site to sites in the image where
biopsies were previously obtained. In particular, if suspected
sites are indicated in the sub-image, the practitioner can position
the cannula to obtain biopsies from the suspected sites.
[0009] The invention thus provides, in one of its aspects, a method
for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body organ
comprising:
[0010] a) obtaining a three-dimensional image of a three
dimensional region of the organ;
[0011] b) obtaining a first two-dimensional sub-image of a first
two-dimensional sub-region of the three-dimensional region;
[0012] c) determining the position of the first two-dimensional,
sub-image in the three-dimensional image;
[0013] d) optionally selecting one or more sites in the first
two-dimensional sub-image where a biopsy is to be obtained;
[0014] e) indicating in the three-dimensional image any sites at
which biopsies were obtained;
[0015] f) obtaining an additional two-dimensional sub-image of an
additional two-dimensional sub-region of the organ, the additional
two-dimensional sub-region, being included in the three-dimensional
region;
[0016] g) determining the position of the additional
two-dimensional sub-image in the three-dimensional image;
[0017] h) indicating in the additional two-dimensional sub-image
any sites where biopsies have previously been obtained;
[0018] i) optionally selecting one or more sites in the additional
two-dimensional sub-image where biopsies are to be obtained;
[0019] j) indicating in the three-dimensional image any sites where
biopsies were previously obtained; and
[0020] k) repeating steps f) to j) as required.
[0021] In another of its aspects, the invention provides a system
for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body organ
comprising:
[0022] (a) A three-dimensional imaging device providing a
three-dimensional image of a three dimensional region of the
organ;
[0023] (b) A two-dimensional imaging device providing
two-dimensional sub-images of two-dimensional sub-regions of the
three-dimensional region;
[0024] (c) One or more display screens for displaying a
representation of the three dimensional image and for displaying
one or more two-dimensional images;
[0025] (d) Means for selecting one or more sites in a
two-dimensional sub-image where a biopsy is to be obtained;
[0026] (e) A processor configured to:
[0027] (i) determine the position of a two-dimensional sub-image in
the three-dimensional image;
[0028] (ii) display on a display screen a representation of a
three-dimensional image with an indication of the position of a
two-dimensional sub-image in the three-dimensional image;
[0029] (iii) display on a display screen one or more
two-dimensional sub-images;
[0030] (iv) determine in a three-dimensional image any sites at
which biopsies were obtained and indicate in a displayed
representation of the three-dimensional image any sites at which
biopsies were obtained;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] First Embodiment
[0032] FIG. 1 shows a system, generally indicated by 100, for
selecting and recording biopsy sites in an organ in accordance with
one embodiment of the invention. The system 100 comprises a
three-dimensional imaging device 105 that is used to obtain a
three-dimensional image of at least a portion of a body organ. The
3D imaging device 105 shown in FIG. 1 is a 3D ultrasound imaging
device. This is by way of example only, and any 3D imaging device
may be used in accordance with the invention. The imaging device
105 includes a transducer 110 that is positioned in the vicinity of
the organ to be imaged to obtain a 3D image of the organ. The
transducer 110 shown in FIG. 1 is adapted to be inserted into a
rectum in order to image a prostate gland. This is also by way of
example only. An image captured by the transducer 110 is input to a
processor 115 associated with the imaging device 105. The processor
115 is configured to store a captured image in a memory 120. The
processor 115 is further configured to display a planar section of
a captured image on a display screen 125.
[0033] A processor 130 is configured to analyze and process a
captured 3D image. The processor 130 may be the same processor as
the processor 115, or may be a separate processor, as shown in FIG.
1. In the latter case, data indicative of an image may be
transmitted from the processor 115 to the processor 130 over a data
transmission line 135. Alternatively, the data may be recorded on a
data storage medium, such as a floppy disk, and manually inserted
into a disk drive 140 associated with the processor 130. The
processor 130 is configured to process a captured 3D image and to
generate a 3D grid representation of the surface of the organ. FIG.
2 shows a grid representation 200 of the surface of an organ. In
the grid representation 200, a discrete set of curves 205 are
visualized on the surface of the organ, allowing the interior of
the organ to be viewed.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, The processor 130 is configured
to display the grid representation on a display screen 140 which
may be the display screen 125, or may be a different display
screen. The processor 130 is preferably further configured to
analyze a captured 3D image, and to detect regions in the imaged
organ suspected of having a predetermined condition, such as a
malignancy. Suspected regions may be indicated in the displayed
grid representation 200, by coloring the corresponding regions in
the grid representation with a color that is different from the
color of the curves 225. For example, the 3D region 230 in the grid
representation 200 may be a region suspected of having the
predetermined condition. The region 230 appears behind portions of
the curves 225 in the foreground (represented by solid lines) and
in front of portions of the curves 225 in the background
(represented by broken lines).
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the transducer 110 in greater detail. The
transducer 110 has a handle 300, and a shaft 305. The tip 310 of
the shaft houses an array 315 of ultrasound transceivers that emit
ultrasound waves and detect waves reflected from the body of a
subject. The shaft 305 is dimensioned to be inserted though the
subjects anus into the rectum. The transducer 305 also includes a
cannula 320 that is used for obtaining biopsies. The cannula 305
has a trocar 325 at its tip for collecting biopsy material. The
cannula 320 is slidable parallel to the shaft 305 by means of a
handle 330, between a first position in which it does not extend
beyond the tip, as shown in FIG. 3, and a second position in which
it extends beyond the tip 315 (not shown), for collecting biopsy
material. The shaft 305 is inserted into the body with the cannula
320 not extending beyond the tip of the shaft. When biopsy material
is to be collected, as described below, the cannula 320 is
translated along the shaft 305 so that the cannula 320 extends
beyond the tip, until the trocar 325 has arrived at the site where
biopsy material is to be collected.
[0036] The shaft 305 contains a set of calibration marks 335 along
its length that allow determination of the depth of insertion of
the shaft 305 into the body. The transducer also includes a linear
and angular acceleration detector 340 that surrounds the shaft 305.
The linear and angular acceleration detector 340 allows
determination of the change in the translational and angular
position of the transceiver array 315 in space when the transceiver
array 315 is moved from a first position to a second position.
Changes in the spatial orientation of the shaft 305 as determined
from the detector 340 is input to the processor 130. The processor
130 is configured to determine from the inputted readings the
current location and spatial orientation of the transceiver array
315 in the body relative to a previous location and spatial
orientation of the transceiver array 315.
[0037] After a 3D image of the organ has been obtained and a grid
representation of the organ generated and displayed, as described
above, a 2D sub-image of a planar sub-region of the organ is
obtained using the imaging device 105. The 2D sub-region is
displayed on the display screen 140 next to the grid representation
200 of the organ. The location and spatial orientation of the
transceiver array 315 when the sub-image is obtained may or may not
be the same as that when the 3D image was obtained. However, any
change in the spatial orientation of the transceiver array 315 that
occurred when the transceiver array 315 was moved from its position
when the 3D image was obtained to its position when the 2D
sub-image was obtained is known from the angular acceleration
detector 340. Therefore, the location of the sub-image within the
3D image can be determined. The processor 130 is configured to
indicate this sub-region in the grid representation 200, preferably
using a different color from the color used to indicate the grid
lines 225 and suspected regions, such as the suspected region 230.
FIG. 2 shows representation of an imaged planar sub-region 235 in
the grid representation 200. The planar sub-region 235 intersects
the suspected region 230. The intersection of the planar sub-region
235 with suspected regions, such as the suspected region 230, is
indicated in the image of the sub-region 235 on the display
screen.
[0038] The processor 130 is further configured to indicate in the
displayed image of the sub-region the site where the cannula 320 is
poised to obtain biopsy material. For example, the dot 240 in FIG.
2 shows that the cannula is poised to obtain a biopsy from the
vicinity of the dot 240 in the sub-region 235. The practitioner
thus manipulates the transducer 110 so as to position the
transceiver array 315 into a location and spatial orientation
producing a sub-image in which the cannula 320 is poised to obtain
biopsy material from a site which the practitioner has selected.
Biopsy material is then obtained from the selected site. The site
in the organ from which biopsy material was obtained is indicated
in the grid representation 200.
[0039] Additional 2D sub-images of the organ may then be obtained,
as processed as above. For each sub-image, the position of the
sub-image in the 3D image is indicated in the grid-representation
of the organ. Locations in the sub-image suspected of having the
predetermined condition, as well as sites in the sub-image where
biopsies were previously performed, are indicated in the displayed
image. The site in the sub-image at which the cannula 320 is poised
to obtain biopsy material is also indicated in the image. If the
practitioner decides to obtain biopsy material from this site, a
biopsy is obtained.
[0040] Indicating in the grid-representation the site in the organ
of each biopsy as the biopsy is obtained insures that biopsies are
obtained from all selected sites, and moreover allows the site of
each biopsy in the organ to be recorded for future reference.
Displaying simultaneously on a displayed sub-image regions
suspected of having a predetermined condition, such as malignancy
as well as the site where the cannula 320 is poised to obtain
biopsy material, allows biopsies to be made in the suspected
regions.
[0041] Second Embodiment
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a system, generally indicated by 400, for
selecting and recording biopsy sites in an organ, in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention. The system 400 has
components in common with the system 100, and similar components in
the two systems are identified by the same reference numeral,
without further explanation. In contrast to the system 100 in which
the imaging device 105 is used to obtain a 3D image of a body organ
as well as 2D sub-images, the system, 400 comprises a
three-dimensional imaging device 105 that is used to obtain only
three-dimensional images of at least a portion of a body organ. A
separate imaging device 405 is used to obtain two-dimensional
sub-images of the organ. The imaging device 405 will be referred to
herein as a "2D imaging device", although it may in fact be capable
of 3D imaging. The 2D imaging device 405 shown in FIG. 4 is a 2D
ultrasound imaging device. This is by way of example only, and any
2D imaging device may be used in accordance with the invention. The
imaging device 405 includes a transducer 410 that is positionable
in the vicinity of the organ to be imaged to obtain a 2D sub-image
of the organ. The transducer 410 shown in FIG. 4 is adapted to be
inserted into a rectum in order to image a prostate gland. This is
also by way of example only. A sub-image captured by the transducer
410 is input to a processor 415 associated with the imaging device
405. The processor 415 is configured to store a captured sub-image
in a memory 420. The processor 415 is further configured to display
a sub-image on a display screen 425.
[0043] The processor 130 is configured to analyze and process a
captured 2D sub-image. The processor 130 may be the same processor
as the processor 115 or the processor 415, or may be a separate
processor, as shown in FIG. 4. In the latter case, data indicative
of an image may be transmitted from the processor 415 to the
processor 130 over a data transmission line 435. Alternatively, the
data indicative of a sub-image may be recorded on a data storage
medium, such as a floppy disk, and manually inserted into the disk
drive 140 associated with the processor 130.
[0044] Since separate imaging devices are used to obtain the 3D
image and 2D sub-images, the 3D image obtained by the imaging
device 105 must contain one or more identifiable reference points
that may be for example, a bone feature or clips artificially
introduced into the organ. The processor 130 is configured to
process a captured 3D image obtained by the 3D imaging system 105
and to generate a 3D grid representation of the surface of the
organ, as was explained in The first embodiment in reference to
FIG. 2. The processor 130 is configured to display the grid
representation on a display screen 140 which may be the display
screen 125, the display screen 425, or may be a different display
screen, as shown in FIG. 4. The processor 130 is preferably further
configured to analyze a captured 3D image, and to detect regions in
the imaged organ suspected of having a predetermined condition,
such as a malignancy. Suspected regions may be indicated in the
displayed grid representation 200, by coloring the corresponding
regions in the grid representation with a color that is different
from the color of the curves 225, as described in The first
embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 5 shows the transducer 410 in greater detail. The
transducer 410 is in principle similar in shape and structure to
the transducer 110, since both transducers are used to image the
same organ. The transducer has several components in common with
the transducer 110, and similar components are indicated by the
same reference numeral without further explanation. In particular,
the shaft 305 of the transducer 410 contains a set of calibration
marks 335 along its length and a linear and angular acceleration
detector 340 that surrounds the shaft 305. The tip 310 of the shaft
305 houses an array 515 of ultrasound transceivers that emit
ultrasound waves and detect waves reflected from the body of a
subject. The depth of penetration of the shaft 305 in the body as
determined from the calibration marks 335 or from inserted
clips.
[0046] The transducer 410 also includes a cannula 320 that is used
for obtaining biopsies, as described in Example 1. Unlike the
transducer 110 of the system 100, the transducer 110 of the system
400 need not have a cannula, as only the transducer 410, and not
the transducer 110, is used for obtaining biopsies with the system
400.
[0047] After a 3D image of the organ has been obtained by the 3D
imaging device 105, and a grid representation of the organ
generated and displayed, as described above, a 2D sub-image of a
planar sub-region of the organ is obtained using the imaging device
405. The 2D sub-image must contain the reference points present in
the 3D image in order to determine the difference between the
position and spatial orientation of the transceiver array 315 when
the 3D image was obtained, and the transceiver array 515 when the
2D sub-image was obtained. The position of the transceiver array
515 when the 2D sub-image was obtained is preferably the same as
that of the transceiver array 315 when the 3D image was obtained.
The location of the sub-image obtained by the 2D imaging device 405
in the 3D image obtained by the 3D imaging device 105 can therefore
be determined. The 2D sub-region is displayed on the display screen
140 next to the grid representation 200 of the organ. The processor
130 is configured to indicate this sub-region in the grid
representation 200, as described in the first embodiment in
reference to FIG. 2.
[0048] The processor 130 is further configured to indicate in the
displayed image of the sub-region the site where the cannula 320 on
the transducer 410 is poised to obtain biopsy material, as
explained in The first embodiment. The practitioner thus
manipulates the transducer 410 so as to position the transceiver
array 515 into a location and spatial orientation producing a
sub-image in which the cannula 320 of the transducer 410 is poised
to obtain biopsy material from a site which the practitioner has
selected. Biopsy material is then obtained from the selected site.
The site in the organ from which biopsy material was obtained is
indicated in the grid representation 200.
[0049] As in the first embodiment, additional 2D sub-images of the
organ may then be obtained, as described above. For each additional
2D sub-image, the change in the location and angular orientation of
the transducer 410 that occurred when it was moved after the
previous 2D sub-image was obtained, is determined from the linear
and angular acceleration detector 340 on the transducer 410. For
each sub-image, the position of the sub-image in the 3D image is
indicated in the grid-representation of the organ. Locations in the
sub-image suspected of having the predetermined condition as well
as sites in the sub-image where biopsies were previously performed,
are indicated in the displayed image. The site in the sub-image at
which the cannula 320 of the transducer 410 is poised to obtain
biopsy material is also indicated in the image. If the practitioner
decides to obtain biopsy material from this site, a biopsy is
obtained.
[0050] Indicating in the grid-representation the site in the organ
of each biopsy as the biopsy is obtained insures that biopsies are
obtained from all selected sites, and moreover allows the site of
each biopsy in the organ to be recorded for future reference.
Displaying simultaneously on a displayed sub-image regions
suspected of having a predetermined condition, such as malignancy
as well as the site where the cannula 320 of the transducer 410 is
poised to obtain biopsy material, allows biopsies to be made in the
suspected regions.
* * * * *